Second Skin Omnibus

by M Damon Baker

  I fired more Penetrator enhanced arrows into the beast, snapping off small hunks of its armor with every strike. The tiny openings allowed my friends their only chance to do any significant damage. Broda slammed her hammers into one of the gaps, while Khorim slashed away at another, and Stel was aiming his heavy sword at a third when the creature’s massive fist caught him mid-swing.

  Stel’s body flew through the air like a doll, coming to a sudden stop when he slammed into a tree. He hung there, pinned to the trunk for a moment before sliding down to the ground in a sickening crash of metal and battered flesh.

  “Tend to him!” I yelled at Venna when she hesitated.

  She knew we were in a life and death struggle and she was torn between her duty to her friends in battle and the love of her badly injured husband. I had given her leave to follow her heart and to see to him rather than remain in the fight with us, and trusting Venna to save his life, I turned my attention back to the fight.

  I had already managed to shear off small pieces of armor from all of the creature’s limbs. While Khorim and Broda pounded the vulnerable areas relentlessly, the beast seemed no worse for it; in fact, his heath bar was still nearly full. Slinging my bow, I drew forth the Essence Blade and my Dagger of Laceration before closing in on the monster.

  Dodging a vicious blow from the creature, I closed in on its foreleg and channeled Disable as I rammed the Essence Blade into the narrow crack in its armor. The beast howled in rage as the limb went limp beneath it, causing it to crash to the ground. Glancing at the monster’s health bar, I discovered that although my strike had crippled the monster, it had done little real damage.

  I was forced to jump back as the beast flailed away wildly, trying to regain its balance, but lying on its side had exposed the creature’s underbelly for the first time, and the red glow of Find Weakness pulsed along the contours of one of its armor plates there.

  With the beast violently thrashing away, there was no way I could strike the vulnerable spot with my sword. Sheathing my blades, I drew my bow again, and channeled another Penetrator arrow. The shot slammed into the beast’s fragile armor plate with incredible force, blowing it off completely, and with its protection now gone, the soft flesh of its belly was completely exposed to us. I thought that the tide of battle had definitely turned in our favor when a piercing screech came at me from the sky.

  I ducked down and rolled away to the side to avoid the attack I knew was coming, but it never arrived. Looking around quickly, I searched for the source of the call from above, but only discovered it when I glanced back at the bark monster’s gaping wound.

  Grasping onto the exposed flesh of the creature was a small bird-like animal. Its serpentine neck shot forth as the small avian repeatedly bit into the monster’s flesh, and after a quick series of attacks, the little thing shot off into the sky again, avoiding a lumbering strike from the monster as it soared away, screeching in triumph.

  The bark monster roared again, but this time its bellow was slurred and lacked its former intensity—the beast was clearly slowed by something, and its movements were much more lethargic. Taking advantage of its debilitated condition, Broda and Khorim rushed in and began viciously hacking and hammering away at is exposed underbelly.

  Their combined assault split the beast’s flesh open and its foul insides spilled out onto the ground. Keening in pain, the creature’s health bar rapidly dwindled as it’s disemboweled insides spread out across the forest floor. The dull orange glare of its eyes flickered and slowly died as its last shreds of life drained out.

  The chime of the notification alert barely registered as I rushed to where Stel lay crumpled on the ground. Venna had pried off the mangled pieces of his battered armor and begun healing the worst of his wounds by the time I arrived to help. She was so intent on saving him that she never turned to look at me as she spoke.

  “He would be dead right now if you hadn’t ordered me to heal him,” Venna said without emotion as she worked. “I was conflicted. Thank you for helping me get to him in time.”

  “You’re a healer first,” I replied. “And most importantly, he is your husband.”

  Tási arrived to help with Stel’s care, and I let the two women work undisturbed as I looked over the creature’s corpse. Touching the body produced no loot menu, and I was about to return to check on Stel again when flapping wings obscured my vision for a moment and I felt a weight settle on my shoulder.

  “Don’t move,” Khorim whispered by my side. “It’s on your shoulder.”

  Freezing in place, I looked out of the corner of my eye to see what had landed on me. It was the small animal that had bitten into the bark monster; only now, with it perched right next to my face, I could see it was no bird, but rather a tiny, cat-sized dragon.

  The little dragon fluttered its wings and appeared to make itself comfortable. Wrapping its tail around my upper arm, it curled itself up on my shoulder and lay its tiny head across my chest. Remembering the little dragon’s nasty bite, I stood perfectly still, afraid I might startle the creature into some aggressive action.

  Strong heart you have.

  The words sounded inside my head in an unfamiliar voice, though no one had spoken.

  I looked around slowly, seeking out the speaker, but there was no one else nearby. Only the little dragon reacted, picking up his tiny head and staring at me with his little golden eyes.

  You hear me, yes?

  “You can speak?” I asked incredulously.

  No. No speak. I think to you.

  I was at a complete loss for words and said the first thing that came to mind.

  “I thought there were no dragons here?”

  No dragon. I Rhastoren.

  I tried to think back to him in response, but nothing happened.

  “I cannot think to you the way you think to me,” I told him.

  No yet. Time. Need time. You. I. Need time for stronger.

  “I don’t understand.”

  Wait. No move.

  The little dragon, or Rhastoren to be precise, lay his head back down across my chest. I felt him soaking up the warmth of my body and the beating of his tiny heart against me; suddenly, I had the sensation of both of our heartbeats beating together in time, and after only a few seconds, a wave of energy rolled through my body. It was not powerful or even unsettling; it was more like the soft passing of a gentle breeze.

  We bonded now.

  “Bonded? What does that mean?” I asked, suddenly disturbed by what I had felt.

  Sintári no know? You need. I sent to you.

  Was this the ‘companion’ from my Sintári bonus? A tiny dragon? Khorim had been observing everything, taking in the one-sided conversation in amazement.

  “Khorim,” I said. “I may need a few minutes to sort things out with my new… friend here. Do you think we could have some time?”

  “Ahh, of course?” He replied in confusion. “I’ll just go stare at that big dead thing over there for a while.”

  Reluctantly, I turned to the only source I had for more information.

  Due to the limited nature of his replies, the conversation was a little tedious, but eventually I found out what I needed to know. The Rhastoren, that was in fact his species, and not his name, had hatched only a short while ago. Soon after, he’d felt compelled to seek me out by forces he did not understand, and while he had some instinctual memories, he was almost as clueless as I was when it came to our relationship.

  His bonding had linked us together, but he did not know the full consequences of that bond—he knew his own abilities would increase as mine did, and that our connection would also grow stronger over time. His current abilities were limited to speaking to me with his mind and his mildly venomous bite, which had caused the bark creature to slow so much.

  I make sleep. Bad monster too big. Only slow down. He sent me to explain what had happened.

  “I guess the only thing left is our names then,” I said when I had gotten everything out of him I
thought possible.

  “I’m Dreya, what is your name?”

  No name. Name is for Sintári to give.

  “I have to name you?”

  Yes, only Sintári name Rhastoren.

  Naming the little creature was a great responsibility, but I couldn’t come up with a single thing. Thinking for a moment, I recalled the fight, and how the little Rhastoren had swooped down from the sky, delivering the decisive blow against the bark monster. The image of it gave me the inspiration I needed.

  “Bane,” I told him. “I would like to call you Bane.”

  I am Bane. He little reptilian lips curled up in a smile as his words formed in my mind, apparently pleased with my choice of name.

  Ding!

  “Come Bane, let me introduce you to my friends,” I said, holding him still on my shoulder as I rose up from the ground where I’d been sitting.

  Stel looked horrible but was finally conscious and upright when I returned. His new armor was mangled beyond repair, and Venna was busy cleaning the dried blood from his body.

  “How are you Stel?”

  “I’ve been better, Dreya,” he replied, then added. “Khorim tells me you’ve replaced me already.”

  “Yes, I have,” I smiled back at him. “This is Bane.”

  “Bane, this is Stel, Venna, Broda, Khorim, and Tási,” I said motioning to each of my friends in turn.

  “Bane cannot speak to you directly, but he does understand your words,” I told them.

  “Is he a baby dragon?” Tási asked, staring at Bane in wonder.

  Is she baby ogre? Bane sent to me indignantly.

  “No Tási, Bane is a Rhastoren,” I explained more diplomatically. “We are still learning how to communicate, but if I understand him correctly, he is nearly full grown.”

  “I have never heard of the Rhastoren,” Venna added. “We should seek out any information we can find in the libraries.”

  This one smart.

  “Bane concurs, Venna,” I said with a smile. I could see that having conversations while Bane was sending me his commentary was going to be an interesting experience.

  “Sorry to break things up,” Khorim interrupted, “but we should leave this place as soon as possible—already been here too long after causing all that ruckus.”

  “How long do you need, Stel?” I asked him. “Be honest; it does us no good to leave here if you collapse again in an hour.”

  “I’m flattered that you think I can last an hour right now,” Stel smirked.

  “I’ll take that hour and he will be ready then,” Venna jumped in.

  “Are you certain?” I looked at her sternly.

  “I will make sure that he is,” came Venna’s reply.

  “Very well then,” I accepted her response. “Tási, if you Broda and Khorim could keep watch for a moment, I think I have some things to look over.”

  Understanding what I meant, the three stood guard over us while Venna tended Stel and I saw to my notifications.

  Experience gained – You have gained 4950 XP.

  Quest completed – You have completed the hidden quest Forest Ravager. You have defeated a Wood Devourer. These vile creatures ravenously consume trees without regard. Capable of destroying entire forests in time, they represent a serious threat to any woodland environment. Defeating a Wood Devourer furthers the goals of your Class and serves the world around you. You have been rewarded with 1100 XP.

  Quest Update – Sintári. You have bonded with a Rhastoren, one of the most trusted of the ancient Sintári companions. Only time will reveal the true benefits of this relationship, but for now you have been rewarded with 2750 XP.

  The cryptic nature of the Sintári quest update was truly irritating—I could have really used some extra information at the moment, but the damn thing was clearly holding out on me. Ignoring my frustration, I pulled up my personal sheet. I knew that I hadn’t gained a level, but I still wanted to check my progress while I was in the UI.

  Dreya Dae

  Sintári Female

  Title: Sintári

  Level - 21

  194859/201200

  Health 260/260 Aura 610/610 Endurance 260/260

  Sintári – Sintári interact with their surroundings in unusual ways. The effects of these interactions can be unpredictable

  Class – Warden – Wardens gain a 10% bonus to skills associated with nature or which have natural effects

  Specialization – Protector

  Mastery –

  STR - 31

  CON - 24 (+2)

  DEX - 23 (+2)

  INT - 22 (+2)

  WIS - 20 (+2)

  CHA - 36 (+3)

  Abilities

  Ignore Armor – Your next arrow will ignore a portion of the target’s armor. Cost – 20 Aura. – 35%

  Stun – Your next arrow has a chance to stun its target on hit. Cost – 20 Aura. – 33%

  Block – You may attempt to use your bow to parry a single melee attack. Cost – 20 Endurance.– 20%

  Swarm – Your next arrow duplicates itself in flight. Cost – 20 Endurance and 20 Aura. – 44%

  Flurry – Perform three rapid strikes with a bladed weapon. Cost – 30 Endurance. – 24%

  Parry – Chance for your blades to block next melee attack targeted at you. Cost – 20 Endurance. – 23%

  Hamstring – The next arrow fired has a chance to cripple your opponent. Cost – 20 Aura. – 30%

  Hilt Bash – Stun your opponent with a successful hilt strike from your bladed weapon. Cost – 30 Endurance. – 22%

  Blood Price – Your arrow inflicts a damage-over-time bleed effect. Cost – 30 Aura. – 34%

  Blind – Your next arrow has a chance to inflict blindness on a successful hit. Cost – 30 Aura. – 33%

  Achilles Strike – Cripple your target with a slash of your bladed weapon. Cost – 30 Endurance. –24%

  Penetrator- Advanced Ability -Your arrow pierces through armor easily. With increased proficiency, it may penetrate through even greater barriers. Modifier – Strength. Cost – 60 Aura. – 15%

  Disable – Advanced Ability – A successful strike of your blade to an extremity renders the affected limb completely useless until healed. Modifier – Strength. Cost – 60 Endurance. – 5%

  Sintári Abilities

  Natural Affinity – The Sintári’s unique connection with the natural world may manifest itself in random ways at times. While these effects are generally beneficial, they are also typically outside the direct control of the Sintári. Modifier – Charisma.

  Control – Effect varies, applies to all Sintári Abilities – 25%

  Spells

  Enhanced Sight – May be cast on self or ally. Improves visual acuity of the recipient in dark or obscured conditions. Cost – 20 Aura. – 45%

  Create Trap – Place a magical trap upon an area. Size, type, and trigger of traps is determined by your proficiency. Cost – 40 Aura. – 47%

  Elemental Arrow -Your next arrow is imbued with elemental energy and causes additional elemental damage accordingly. Cost – 30 Aura. – 26%

  Bolt – Release a Bolt of pure Lightning at your target(s). Cost – 40 Aura. – 22%

  Find Weakness- Highlights vulnerable points on the target. Modifier – Intelligence. Cost – 80 Aura. – 6%

  Skills

  Bow – 47%

  Critical Hit – 37%

  Blades – 33%

  Long Sword – 35%

  Short Sword – 28%

  Dagger – 26%

  Critical Hit – 28%

  Two-Handed – 29%

  Pole Arms – 14%

  Spear – 23%

  Armor – 29%

  Medium Armor – 34%

  Perception – 41%

  Environmental – 44%

  Identify Enemy – 39%

  Identify Person – 39%

  Combat Dodge – 25%

  Subterfuge – 29%

  Stealth – 33%

  Find Trap – 11%

  Disarm Trap
– 8%

  Set Trap – 10%

  Manipulation – 32%

  Persuade – 43%

  Barter – 28%

  Survival – 23%

  Tracking – 25%

  Identify Creature (Beasts) – 17%

  Skinning – 13%

  Field Dress – 12%

  Alchemy – 17%

  Herbalism – 25%

  Potion Craft – 21%

  Lore – 3%

  Identify Magical Item – 5%

  I hadn’t gained a level, but I was close—really close. Recalling the hidden quest message, I closed the window and walked over to the Wood Devourer’s corpse. Now that I knew its name, I tried again to both examine the body and loot it. The additional information yielded very little, but something told me I should look at my sheet once more. I pulled it up and found the single changed talent.

  Perception – 41%

  Environmental – 44%

  Identify Enemy – 40%

  Reexamining the body after learning the creature’s identity had pushed my Identify Enemy talent over the forty percent mark. If the pattern held true from my other talents, that might have unlocked some additional perks for me; perks that might prove useful in our next fight.

  What you do?

  “I’m just checking some things.”

  What check?

  “I was looking at my progress, seeing what I had gained from the fight.”

  You see this?

  “I am not just a Sintári, Bane. I am also what is known as Deathless. We have some unique abilities.”

  Bane leaned his little head closer and stared at me with his tiny golden eyes wide open.

  Bane has special Sintári.

  “I guess you can say that, Bane.” I laughed.

  Venna continued working on Stel, patching his remaining wounds as best she could. While she tended to him, I tried to pry more information out of Bane, but he had already told me as much as he could. Finally, Venna began helping Stel into his old armor, leaving the battered remains of his new set on the forest floor.