The Celestial Master's training ground was a sphere of pure light, suspended above Night City's spires. Stars wheeled in silence around them, constellations shifting at his command. Klaus stood at the center, breath ragged, sweat freezing to silver mist.
"Again." The Master's voice was thunder.
Klaus dropped into meditation, lungs burning. He inhaled the constellation of the Dragon's Fang, exhaled the Serpent's Tail. Each cycle tore years from his body—but left his soul sharper, harder.
[SYSTEM] Skill Unlocked: Celestial Meditation.Passive: Regenerate stamina and mana 10% faster when under starlight.Bonus: +1 WIS for every 100 hours of continuous meditation.
Selene sat at the edge of the platform, tails flickering, watching with narrowed eyes. "He's burning himself alive for scraps," she muttered. But her gaze lingered—because even she could see Klaus's wings were steadier now, his crimson eyes burning silver at their edges.
The Assassin's Path
On the third night, the Master drew him into shadow. "You are not purely light. Nor should you be. Your blood sings of shadow and hunger. Let me teach you how even stars kill."
The chamber shifted—constellations bled into darkness. The stars became knives, daggers of radiant shadow floating in endless night.
"Strike."
Klaus reached. A dagger of starlight folded into his hand, its edge burning with voidfire. He moved like a shadow wolf, stepping between constellations.
When he struck, the blade cut through steel like air.
[SYSTEM] New Technique Acquired: Dark Celestial Assassin.Active: Condense starlight into a dagger of shadow. Ignores most defenses.Bonus: +10% Critical Damage when attacking from shadows.
Klaus exhaled, trembling. "This… this is mine."
The Master's eyes glowed with approval—and danger. "Yes. A forbidden path, even among my people. But you… you were born for it."
Lucifer's Laughter
[Lucifer]: "Hah! Now that's a crown-worthy skill. The stars' sanctity corrupted into knives. The gods will spit, the fox will hiss, the world will bleed—and you will thrive, Crown-Bearer."
Simp System Spark
During breaks, Liora often sat with him, watching his wounds heal slower than they should. Once, she reached to steady his hand, guiding him through the Celestial Meditation cycle.
"Breathe slower," she whispered. "Not all strength is seized by force. Some is gathered."
[SIMP SYSTEM] Resonance +1%. Progress: 99%.Bond Perk Tease: Celestial Blessing (Locked).
Klaus's crimson eyes met her silver ones. "And what if I want both—what's gathered and what's seized?"
She smiled faintly. "Then you're dangerous enough to change the stars."
Cliffhanger
By the seventh day, Klaus stood at the training ground's center. His wings were edged not only in shadowfire, but in faint silver light. His claws burned with venom, his eyes glimmered with constellations.
The Celestial Master's voice shook the sphere. "Enough. You have learned the first steps. But remember this, Machiavelli—every gift I give you is a chain. One day, you will pay its price."
Klaus bared his fangs in a grin. "Then I'll make chains into thrones."
[QUEST PROGRESS] Apprenticeship of Stars: 25%.Skills Gained: Celestial Meditation (Passive), Dark Celestial Assassin (Active).
Selene's tails flicked dangerously, her gaze sharp. "You're stronger, Klaus. But this path—it's not training. It's a leash."
Lucifer's voice purred, venom and silk.
[Lucifer]: "Leash or crown, fox? You'll see soon enough which one your precious bartender wears.