"Marcus, the Violet Shard is incredible... but I guess that ans my purple necklace is officially off the table," Amber sighed, gazing at the gem with a mixture of awe and mock disappointnt. Her tone was dramatic, but her eyes lingered on the shard with unmistakable fascination.
Lily, in contrast, looked positively radiant. Watching Marcus acquire sothing so legendary filled her with pride, a quiet joy that surpassed what she would have felt if the shard had been hers instead. To her, Marcus’s strength was her strength, and every step he took forward reflected directly on her.
"Stonehaven," the appraiser said, his voice turning unexpectedly solemn. "The Violet Shard is one of the Three Sacred Gems, personally awakened by the Goddess of Dreams herself. To see it return to the world, and to have it pass through my hands, is an honor I never thought I would witness in my lifeti."
He paused, eyes lingering on the shard as though committing the sight to mory. "These gems played a decisive role in the ancient wars. Now that it has chosen you, I hope you will wield it wisely. Carry on the Goddess’s legacy, and do your part to push back the Demon Lord."
Marcus stood there for a mont, genuinely taken aback. He had not expected such lofty words from a man who was famously tightfisted and blunt to the point of rudeness. Still, he inclined his head respectfully. Whatever his flaws, the appraiser’s knowledge was invaluable.
’If seeing it is such an honor,’ Marcus thought dryly, ’maybe you could honor with a free Mythic or Divine item while you’re at it.’
"Old man," Marcus said aloud, steering the conversation back to practical matters. "The shard ntions a skill called the Goddess’s Pet Curse. How do I learn it? Where can I find it?"
There was no denying the Violet Shard’s overwhelming power, but almost all of its abilities were locked behind level requirents of fifty or even eighty. The only exception was the Goddess’s Pet Curse, and that skill was sealed behind a condition that offered no explanation at all.
Is the universe ssing with on purpose? Marcus wondered, irritation creeping in despite himself.
He watched the appraiser closely, hoping the old man’s vast experience extended to this maddening mystery.
"The Goddess’s Pet Curse..." the appraiser murmured, the words carrying a faint trace of reverence. A distant look crossed his face. "That is the supre art of taming and commanding creatures, created by the Goddess herself. Across the entire Dreamland Continent, there is no skill that offers greater authority over a companion. It is a true Divine Skill."
He exhaled slowly. "And because of that power, only a handful of souls in history have ever even brushed against its secrets."
The appraiser’s gaze softened as he looked at Marcus. "Learning it will not be easy."
Marcus was at a loss for words. Being told to use the shard wisely felt almost mocking when accessing its core ability seed nearly impossible. It was like being gifted a priceless weapon and then told the instructions had been lost to history.
"So there’s no lead at all?" Marcus pressed.
"There are... possibilities," the appraiser said after a mont. "The Goddess entrusted fragnts of that knowledge to a few chosen individuals. Camillo of the Mountain Elves. The Great Prophet Aetherion. The Sage of the Nine Realms. And Malakai the Ghost-Touched, the legendary Beastmaster. If you can locate their journals or relics, you may find a path forward."
He hesitated, then added, "If all else fails, there is one final option. You could attempt to find the Dreamland Temple itself."
Marcus felt a dull ache forming behind his temples. Chasing after figures who were either dead, missing, or mythologized beyond recognition sounded like a cruel joke. Even if he succeeded, there was no guarantee they would leave behind anything so valuable.
"Where is the Dreamland Temple?" Marcus asked anyway. If nothing else, a Goddess’s sanctuary practically scread rare loot.
The appraiser let out a dry, amused chuckle. "You’re ambitious, I’ll give you that."
Leaning back in his chair, he folded his hands. "Before entering her long slumber, the Goddess used a supre incantation to seal the temple. It has no fixed location. The Demon Lord’s guardians and elders have searched for it for centuries, hoping to destroy it while she sleeps. Even the Emperor of the Citadel has poured vast fortunes into expeditions seeking the Divine Artifacts rumored to be hidden there. None have ever succeeded."
He fixed Marcus with a skeptical stare. "Do you truly believe you can accomplish what the most powerful beings in the world could not?"
Marcus didn’t particularly enjoy the doubt in the old man’s tone. He knew he wasn’t invincible, and the mory of the Double-Headed Raven King’s overwhelming power was still uncomfortably fresh, but he also knew one thing very well. Luck had a habit of siding with him when it mattered most.
"However," the appraiser continued, his voice shifting, "you did find the Violet Shard. Legend states that if all Three Sacred Gems are gathered, they will reveal the hidden entrance to the Dreamland Temple. Whether that legend is truth or fantasy... that will depend on you, Stonehaven."
"He’ll find it," Lily said without hesitation as she stepped closer to him. Her certainty was absolute, as if failure simply did not exist as a concept where Marcus was concerned.
"And when you do, you have to take with you," Amber added brightly. "I want to see it too."
The appraiser smiled, a rare and genuine expression. "I like that confidence. It takes that kind of spirit to attempt the impossible. But rember this. Discovering the entrance is only the beginning."
His expression grew serious once more. "The Goddess left behind powerful guardians to protect her sanctuary, Mythic and Divine beasts among them, as well as elite legions forged in her image. Any intruder will be treated as an enemy."
He gave Marcus a sharp, knowing look. "And since you have taken on the mantle of a Temple Knight, you should prepare yourself. The Temple Knights stationed there will not show rcy simply because you share their title."
A chill ran down Marcus’s spine. The appraiser had seen straight through his hidden class without hesitation.
After leaving the shop, the trio made their way through the citadel. Lily and Amber were drawing far too much attention, so Marcus stopped by the general store and purchased a pair of non-attribute concealnt masks. They lacked the ’charm’ of his Fluffy Rabbit’s Mask, but they did their job well enough, allowing them to move through the streets without being sward.
He also visited the stables and bought two high-grade Golden Saddles. At three million gold coins each, the price was painful, but the benefits were undeniable. Stability, control, and comfort at extre speeds were not things he was willing to compromise on.
"Marcus, co on! Let’s go! I want to fly!" Amber yelled the mont they passed through the gates of Dragon’s Peak Citadel.
She was already preparing her summon, and Marcus understood the excitent. Even he felt it when he looked out at the open plains, the horizon promising freedom and speed. More than that, he had been quietly looking forward to riding together with Lily ever since unlocking the capability.
"Go for it," Marcus said with a grin.
In an instant, the two powerful mounts materialized. The Violet Thunderwing Steed and the Nightmare Dragon Steed let out thunderous roars that rolled across the plains like a physical force. Nearby horses panicked imdiately, trembling and rearing as their owners scrambled to keep control.
"Look at that. Is that a Pegasus?"
"No way, look at those wings. That’s unreal."
"And the other one... is that a Nightmare?"
"Look at the flas on its hooves. That thing’s terrifying."
Players near the gate stood rooted to the spot, staring in disbelief. Seeing a single legendary mount was rare enough to spark rumors, but witnessing two at once, a radiant winged stallion and a hellfire-breathing nightmare standing side by side, was the kind of spectacle that would dominate forum discussions for weeks to co.
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