Ah, the weekend. That most glorious time when responsibilities wane. That time when we have a chance to rest and relax, recover from being worn down by a week’s worth of work and school, a chance to attend to other adult responsibilities, and most importantly, a chance to mentally recover and prepare for yet another five days of the eternal grind. It is every child’s greatest joy and every adult’s brief respite. Never long enough to fully recover— even holiday weekends are insufficient for that. But long enough to patch ourselves up enough to push ourselves through.

The System, however, does not care for such facets of human society. It knows about them beyond a shadow of a doubt, just as it does the rest of our culture. From the scant extant records of civilizations predating antiquity to the pop culture of today, the System knows all and adjusts itself in subtle ways to accommodate accordingly. Which is why, I have to assume, the System decided to send its wave of City Slayers upon us on Saturday, in the early morning, while a great many defenders of the city would be drunk or asleep or, most likely, both. A way to test our resolve in the direst situations? A chance to get that little bit of extra bonus Experience for circumstance? Or, just because it’s a prick? My money, were I a betting woman, would be on the latter.

However, this weekend has gotten off to a far less rocky start. A good night’s sleep was well needed after a shitty experience locked in a prison cell, followed by an amazing dinner experience. One which dragged on rather late after we got home.

But now it’s morning. The morning sun has vanquished the wonderful, blessed night, and now it’s time to use the respite we’ve been given to prepare for what is still to come. More than anything, I want to figure out what Zethira gave me back in the Tower.

I pull the shard out and stare at it. On the one hand, it’s a glowing, golden rock. The light isn’t particularly bright, like that of a tiny, dim ember refracting innumerable times through a tinted crystal. In that regard, it’s nothing special, easy to mistake for regular crystal. As it is, it might be good for turning into a self-powering night light or maybe adding some glowing property to a weapon to help navigate and fight inside pitch-black areas. On the other hand, it’s emitting a strange aura, pulsing of power and [Ether] in a manner I’ve never seen before.

Unfortunately, I still am no closer to gaining an [Identify] variant. Frustratingly, I know my previous self had one of the most powerful variants imaginable, which suggests that I can gain the Skill. I just don’t yet know how. I could ask Zackary; he might know something. But if this is truly some crystal that doesn’t naturally exist in our world, it should be kept secret as much as possible. Right alongside the [Level Apples] that I haven’t forgotten about, one each in Chloe’s and my [Inventory].

This leaves me with the mundane methods of analysis. Not overly sharp to the touch. Slightly warm to the touch. No taste I can discern. In particular, no sweetness, which means it’s likely not laced with lead or other heavy metal toxins. It doesn’t seem to vibrate, and while the flow of [Ether] pulses to the rhythm of a calm heartbeat, the light itself is constant. [Ether] that flows without the use of glyphs. Or at least, none that I can see or feel with my current level of understanding.

I make my way downstairs to the kitchen area. Alicia is there, waiting on the coffee machine to finish her morning brew. Never enjoyed the taste much myself, even when moderated with significant amounts of cream and sugar. But I can admit that the homely, invigorating scent is a pleasant one to wake up to.

“Good morning, Sera,” she says. “I’m surprised you’re awake so early this morning.”

I blush. “I’ve not needed to sleep as much since the System arrived.”

“I could certainly hear that. All the way until one in the morning!”

“I’m sorry. We tried to keep it down but…”

“Well, it’s just as you said. I haven’t had to sleep as much anymore either, and my hearing and vision have gotten a lot better too. Don’t even have to wear the glasses half the time.”

“And the coffee?” I ask.

“It’s a ritual more than anything. One might even call it an addiction. Something to start my day off on the right foot. I might not need the caffeine to function anymore, but sitting here, smelling the coffee, gives me a chance to center myself and prepare for the day ahead. A lot healthier than cigarettes, I assure you.”

I nod. Then, I get an idea. I pull the strange crystal out of my [Inventory] and hand it to Alicia. “A souvenir of recent battles. But I don’t know what it does or how it works.”

“I thought you were Miss Fix-It over here. And now here you are admitting that you don’t know how everything works.”

Alicia’s words sting a bit, but I can tell this is more teasing than anything mean-spirited, and so I only purse my lips and nod in concession of my defeat.

“Well, it’s a crystal of some sort. You’re the expert on that topic.”

“Oh, so this is an admission that you were wrong about healing crystals after all?”

“I was unconvinced by the scientific evidence that existed prior to the System. With the laws of the universe now changed, I am convinced by the evidence that now exists.”

“It’s okay, Sera. It’s fine to be wrong sometimes. As long as you’re willing to admit it.”

I’m mildly incensed by the way she is continuing to tease me. But I simply accept the remarks from the woman who, in a few years, may well end up being my mother-in-law.

“So?” I ask.

Alicia stares at the mysterious crystal, muttering unintelligible syllables under her breath, along with the occasional hum. She then closes her eyes, which confuses me, and begins humming more. Is she… employing some sort of mantra? Now I’m confused. I wasn’t aware of any such Skills which operated with such a long start-up time. Ritual magic of a sort? Or is this something far more mundane.

“Unfortunately, I’m not sure what it is, either,” Alicia says after nearly half a minute of examining. “It’s very powerful, and I think it has some sort of healing ability infused within it. But more than that, I can’t say.”

I take the crystal back. But then I get an idea. I pour a tiny bit of [Ether]— just two points— into the crystal. It’s still faint, the change from before almost imperceptible even to my eyes, but it gets the tiniest bit brighter. Hesitatingly, worried about causing some sort of havoc, I pour a few more points into the stone. The glow brightens a tiny bit more.

I pause. Not sensing any cracks in the stone or other signs that the crystal is going to break apart or violently explode, I channel fifty points of [Ether] into the crystal. It’s not somewhat brighter, about as bright as a dim LED, but the change is noticeable. And yet, I can’t accept that, as a reward for triumphing in a battle that dangerous and thrilling, the only thing this rock would do is glow a bit.

So I push more [Ether] into the stone. Another fifty points, then a hundred. The stone intensifies in luminosity proportionate to the [Ether] pushed into it, but there’s still no change to the dull thrum of power emanating off it.

“Alright, Sera,” Alicia says, her cup of coffee in hand. “I don’t know what you’re doing or if it’s dangerous, but if you’re going to continue doing those sorts of experiments with strange crystals you don’t understand, I’m going to ask you to do so outside. We’ve been lucky so far, but I’d like our house to remain intact as long as possible.”

I nod. “Of course.”

I step outside, enjoying the cool breeze with the dawn’s early light obscured by the shade of our home behind me. Wind ruffles my hair, the fragrant scent of recently-cut grass filling my nose. A sky of red and orange may serve as a portent of storms to come. And if they do come, bringing more devastation and death in their wake, I’ll be ready to face them, with Chloe by my side and many others with us as well.

Before I continue further, I send a message to Chloe, letting her know where I am. She acknowledges as much before returning to her slumber. Something about ‘still being sore from last night’ and ‘wanting to enjoy every second of it.’

With a deep breath, I focus once more upon the crystal in my hands. This time, however, I get an idea. I again remember Madison’s words, that Ether is willpower made manifest through the System, and that the use of Skills and magic consumes that [Ether] to effect the desires of their wielder into reality. And so, with this in mind, instead of merely putting my [Ether] into the crystal, I imbue that [Ether] with my own desire.

What do I want most? I’m surprised I even have to think about it. I want to protect Chloe. I want the power to keep her safe. I want to keep loving her, keep exploring this new world alongside her, and to one day sail through the cosmic seas with her as my partner, navigator, and lieutenant. Then, when our adventures are over, when the System has finally crashed once and for all, to sit out here on the patio, greeting the sunset, with her on the next chair over. Her hand in mine, her smile to brighten my mood, her beauty outshining the dawn.

A thousand points of [Ether] infused into the crystal and the brightness becomes more noticeable. The warmth builds up, just a bit at first, but then more and more as I push more of myself into the spell. It never quite becomes painful to the touch, though it certainly gets close. A part of me winces, expecting it to start burning the skin on my right hand, but I keep my focus on the stone and my desires, even when my body tries to recoil.

The crystal finally cracks, releasing a strange orange gas. My first thought is poison, and I reflexively try to blow the Seraphina-sized cloud away from me, hoping that the breeze will disperse everything before it can cause me long-term harm. But it doesn’t. And as the mist of golden light swirls around me, I realize that this isn’t poison. No, far from it. This sensation. This feeling of light and power entering me. It’s exhilarating, breathtaking. My mind rushes with possibilities as every part of my body is infused with the power of the amber-colored mist.

I check my [Status]. I expect to find something. Anything, really. A new Skill? A couple of new stat points, perhaps? I feel a little stronger, and my mind sharper, but this isn’t reflected in any of the representations of my combat parameters.

I furrow my brows. Nothing at all? But then pain overwhelms me, forcing my eyes to close from the sudden migraine. I drop to one knee, my vision blurry and spinning. Like when I lost my [Trick Shot] Skill to gain [Hearken]. But this… This is a lot worse.

I hate existence. Not really, but I hate this pain, every bit as excruciating as the time I took a sword to the back. If this is the sort of pain that some people have to deal with on a regular basis, I fully understand why people turn to anything and everything that might alleviate a portion of it, no matter how safe or legal.

Even more so as a minute passes and the blinding agony abates. And finally, I sense something welling up within me.

[Your [Angelic Bond] has evolved, modifying its effects as follows:

Effect 1: Range of telepathic communication increased from 1 mile to 5 miles.

Effect 3: Either partner can cast Healing or Enhancement spells or Skills upon the other through the bond up to the telepathic communication range. (Currently: 5 miles)

Effect 4: Effect-doubling property now also applies to Armor Skills and spells.

Effect 6: Breaking this bond will now cause a loss of four levels.

Effect 7: [Sacrificial Transference]: As a free action, either partner can transfer [Ether] to the other at a 10% penalty. Either partner can use this on the other, as long as both are within the telepathic communication range. (Currently: 5 miles). [Warning: This is not considered a Healing Skill for the purposes of the Effect-doubling property of Effect 3.]]

“Did something happen just now?” Chloe asks as soon as I stand back up. “I felt a wave of dizziness come over me, and now there’s a bunch of new Status windows and System messages appearing.”

“Yeah. That stone from Zethira. I somehow used it to strengthen our [Angelic Bond].”

“Reckless as always,” Chloe says. A wave of calm and warmth comes over me as her [Curing Light] envelops me, even as she lies happily— though still worried— in our bed. “But I guess your passion and drive and will to improve yourself and protect me… It is truly limitless, and as your girlfriend, I am incredibly thankful.”

“And I’m thankful to have you by my side,” I respond. “Today, tomorrow, and every day thereafter.”