11 011 Bound Power

With caution we slowly made our way into the room holding the treasure. Having been heavily guarded by the dragon and protected by that sealed door, who knew what other kind of traps waited for us there.

"Ven make sure to be aware of everything around us. We don't want to be so close to succeeding only for failure to be thrusted our way."

A general nod from Ven was her way of letting me know she understood the situation.

As I cautiously walked into the chamber I glanced at the walls. They were made of the same luminous stone as the rest of this place. The floor was laid cracked brick and the altar holding the chests was made up of a dark metal of some kind.

Inching our way closer step by step we finally arrived before the two chests.

I turned to Ven and nodded as a signal for her to go ahead and open the chest in front of her.

Stretching out my hand, I reached towards the one before me when all of a sudden a small flame barrier appeared and encased each chest individually.

As quick as light I pulled back my arm, narrowly avoiding the flames as they danced their way upward from the surface of the altar.

Words started etching themselves before us on the wall in front. What appeared read as follows:

"To the left lies unimaginable wealth and to the right is otherworldly power. Choose one and conquer. Choose both and stay sealed forever."

Well that's a pretty ominous warning I thought to myself.

Ven spoke up with a surprising amount of concern in her voice.

"Silver, what are we going to do?"

"What do you mean Ventus? We choose one and go, it's not that hard."

I didn't mean to sound so snarky but it was the obvious answer. To my "surprise" I was met with an equally snarky reaction from Ven. Along with it came a well deserved eye roll.

"I get that you idiot. What I'm talking about is which do we choose? Power or wealth?"

Thinking about it for a moment I responded.

"Earlier when we first met you said you and your party were originally here because you guys were seeking treasure to advance the tower floors right? What did you mean by that? I was under the impression that you clear the floor boss and you gain the right to move up."

Ventus took a deep sigh as disappointment leaped across her face.

"It makes sense you don't know since you're a new player."

I tried my hardest to not say anything at that statement as Ventus continued with her explanation.

"It used to be how you described it. Grow strong enough to defeat the floor boss, move up to the next floor, and grind levels to do it all again. Five years ago when the three kings rose to power they put their followers at the end of certain key floors to guard the seal to the next floor in the tower. Whether it's an important floor for growth, rare monsters, or rare materials, players have to pay an exorbitant fee to progress. If you refuse then one can't advance simple as that. Similarly, if a blade is raised in opposition...well let's just say that the guards are unreasonably strong for the areas they are protecting. Everyone who rebels always dies so it's easier to just save money and pay the fee to keep moving forward."

The disappointment on her face had changed to heartache then anger filled hate. She was clenching her fists so hard I was pretty sure they were going to bleed any moment. Thanks to this I could start to receive an inkling of an understanding from what everyone has had to endure for some time now.

That being said it's easy to know what choice anyone would make given the current predicament. Unimaginable wealth. An amount so vast you can progress without worry.

I placed my hand on Ven's shoulder, effectively bringing her back to reality and away from her thoughts. After Giving her a reassuring look I spoke my mind.

"Ventus do you trust me? I refuse to promise you that what I have in mind will be easy but, I can promise you we won't fail. Do you trust me Ven?"

Without a moments hesitation Ven responded. Her eyebrows furrowed with determination. Never have I seen her so serious as she nodded.

"Is that even a question? You saved me and I asked to follow you. Where ever you decide to go I'll be there. Whatever you decide I'll support. I don't know what you have planned but you will always have my unwavering trust."

She clasped her hands around mine as she spoke. Feeling a renewed spirit within her I turned back towards the chests.

The left chest contains wealth while the one on the right holds unimaginable power. Anyone would be an idiot to take wealth. A temporary difference in status simply by being wealthier. How does that help anyone? Even if money can buy power it will always be temporary. Only the one wielding true authority has the right to exercise and hold the power with unwavering absolution.

I extended my hand past the flames, endured the heat and rested it on the chest containing power. Boldly I spoke.

"This is my choice. The path of power. As the slayer of the guardian who protected the unimaginable I declare this to be lock to open and claim what is mine!"

After the echo of my voice died down, only silence remained. Several moments passed like this with nothing happening. Confused I turned over to Ven whose face was bright strawberry red in embarrassment.

"I don't think the speech was necessary. Simply opening the chest should suffice and we should be free to go."

"Oh...I knew that."

I could feel my face getting hotter and redder by the second. Quickly turning back to the chest on the right I opened it. As the top was coming off the flames around it were dying out signaling that my choice was made.

With the top completely lifted and moved away from the chest, both Ven and I peered inside. There were two items in it. A long and thin rectangular strip of black cloth and an ornate pocket watch.

Of the two items the black cloth was calling out to me. An inexplicable force was drawing my hand towards it and before I knew it, the black strip was already in my hands.

Immediately the system acknowledged the item and a notice went off.

[Forbidden Item Acquired]

[The Seal Of Auctoritatis]

[Forbidden item has been bound to player]

No sooner had I received the notices from the system, the black cloth took up life of its own. Quickly before I could do anything it wrapped itself across my eyes and knotted itself on the back of my head. The excess hung alongside my hair and down my back stopping just as it arrived at the middle of my back. It hung several inches longer than my hair.

Shocked from what had just occurred, Ven shouted at me with deep concern.

"Are you ok! Silver your eyes! What's going on?"

Confusion fell on the both of us. I could feel the strip of cloth clearly on me but my sight wasn't impaired in the least. I could see just as clearly as before. Looking towards Ven I tried to reassure her everything was fine by holding my hands up.

"I'm fine I'm fine. Really I am. I don't know what happened. I read the notice saying that I got this item then it sprung up and tied itself around me."

"Can you still see?"

"Yeah I can see just fine. Here give me a moment let me look at it's description. Maybe that can give some insight as to what is going on."

Pulling up the menu I scrolled over to the new item and it's description appeared.

[The Seal Of Auctoritatis]

[Bound Item]

By touching the item a permanent state of bind is created with the player.

Long Ago the ancient dragon ******* gave his soul and very existence to a hero forgotten through time in hopes that he would conquer a great evil plaguing Luna. The essence of his will continues to live on in the final remnant of the lost champion. A torn scrap of his cloak.

While being worn player can use the following skills:

- Auctoritatis' Purgatory

- Wings Of The Dragon

- Draconic Devastation

When temporarily removed all stats are increased by 200% for 300 seconds.

My jaw dropped at the description. This was beyond absurd. Autumn was definitely right. Coming here was well worth it for me to prepare for my quest for vengeance.

Tapping her foot against the stone brick floor as to indicate her lack of patience Ven threw her hands up in the air.

"Come on Silver what is it."

Excited about my new item I shared all the information I just learned with her. Minutes later her jaw found the floor just as mine had earlier.

"That's crazy Silver!"

"I know." I replied nodding.

"Now it's your turn, pick up the pocket watch."

"I could never!" Ven cried out.

"You were the one who killed the dragon, it should be you who takes both items."

I shook my head from side to side in response to her.

"No, something about it seems to resonate with you more than me. Besides we are a team now, the both of us have to continue to get stronger. It wouldn't be fair if one took everything and left the other behind. "

I motioned for her to take the second item.

After a little while and plenty of hesitation Ventus finally agreed and moved towards the open chest to claim the second item.

Just like mine, it came to life at her touch and an ethereal chain came out of the pocket watch and wrapped itself around Ven's left arm. The end of the chain holding the pocket watch came and rested on the back of her wrist. No matter how brisk the movement or how forceful Ventus moved her arm, the pocket watch remained steadfast attached on her.

Just like me, Ven was left speechless as she read the description of her new item.

With eagerness swelling deep within me I spoke out.

"Soooooo what does it say? What does it do? Is it just as amazing as my item?"

Trying to provoke jealousy I pointed to the strip of cloth which wrapped around my eyes.

Smiling and shaking her head I finally got the information I was waiting for.

"According to the system, it's called

"Chromatic Dominance". It boosts my mana stat by 250%. On top of that I can use its skill once a day to let me refill my mana back to full!"

The excitement was coming across very clearly in her voice as she continued.

"If that's not insane then check this out. When removed from my arm, for just thirty seconds I can control the time of any and everything around me. I'm able to manipulate it to my will. The only draw back with such a powerful skill is that I can only use it once a month."

She finished her explanation with a pout. Honestly I have no idea why though. If anyone should be in a sulking mood it should be me! Damn my kindheartedness. I totally should have kept that item for me instead of urging her to take it.

Well what's done is done. With a light hearted sigh I finally spoke up.

"Well it's been a stupidly long day. Truthfully, it's been quite the adventure today. What do you say we set up camp and rest for the night, or whatever is left of it?"

Fatigue and exhaustion finally came and fell on the both of us at the mention of resting.

"I am so ready for rest. Ummm I do have a question though."

"Sure what is it?"

"Do you know how to make a fire? I kinda never learned how to."

I couldn't help but laugh at Ven and her revelation of incompetence.

"Yes I know how, come let's get out of here."

Moving away from the treasure room we started making our way back up the stone steps and towards the moonlit plains.

Finally I thought to myself. With everything I've acquired, I can finally begin to move forward with my plan to take everything back.