[ Velvet woke up with a gasp, tears still damp on her cheeks. The vivid yet familiar memories of Jasmine's life, still swirled in her mind. Memories about love, heartbreak, triumph, and loss. She pushed herself up, heart pounding. She expected the sun to be high in the sky, after days or perhaps even weeks have passed. As she was in her dream-induced stupor. But a glance outside of the window only revealed the soft, ethereal glow of dawn. She went out of her room to ask a servant on how many days have passed since she went to sleep. Yet to her shoock, it had only been but a single night. She pondered how it was possible for it to be only one single night that had passed. ]
As Velvet is still reeling from the dream's intensity, she descended the grand staircase, the scent of sizzling bacon wafting the dining room. Vernon, seated at the head of the polished table, offered a warm smile. "Morning, velvet. Sleep well?
Velvet merely hummed in response, still processing the sheer weight of her long dream.
"Ah, good." Lord Vernon chuckled, turning to Verosala. "Verosala, my dear, perhaps you could take Velvet to the Temple of Pagoda the Good Dragon today? There is an errand that I need you to run there, and I believe Velvet expressed interest in checking out her character panel."
Verosala, ever graceful, nodded. "Of course, Dad. It is a lovely idea!"
[ They soon left for the temple. By noon, the sun high above, Velvet and verosala arrived at the Temple of Pagoda the Good Dragon. The temple, has a majestic structure of smooth, weathered stone and gleaming golden spires, exuded an aura of ancient peace. Inside, the aim hummed with hushed reverence. Verosala, after a brief rest, went to have a respectful conversation with a robed priest, explained their dual purpose. First, was her errand. Second, is Velvet's wish to view her character panel. ]
Velvet was then led to a quiet yet dimly lit room. In its center, an altar dedicated to Pagoda stood. A dragon adorned with intricate carvings of dragons and symbols of wisdom. "To see your character panel," the priest's soft voice echoed, "you must pray to Pagoda, the Good Dragon."
[ Velvet knelt, and closed her eyes. With a deep breath, she began to pray. Her mind reaching out to the revered deity. ]
[ The world dissolved. As velvet found herself standing in a boundless, shimmering expanse, bathed in a gentle, golden light. Before her, a figure began to come to view. Not a fearsome dragon, but a man. His skin, though distinctly human, had an almost iridescent quality, like polished scales beneath the surface. His eyes, deep-set and wise, held an ancient, knowing gaze of a being who had witnessed eons. Silver hair cascaded over his broad shoulders, like a silver flowing river. He wore simple, yet impeccably detailed, tailored robes made of deep sapphire, embroidered with subtle, yet swirling patterns that seemed to shift and writhe, thus hinting at untold power. A warmth radiated from him, a sense of immense quiet strength, almost like a mountain, yet softened by an undeniable kindness towards Velvet. He had the comforting presence of a wise, yet beloved grandfather. ]
A booming, yet undeniably jovial laugh echoed through the ethereal space. "Muahahaha! How have you been, my dear old friend? Welcome back to my domain! It has been a long, long, long time since you last visited me. Not at least till you banished from the Realm of the Gods."
Velvet furrowed her brows. Realm of Gods? Banished? Confusion warred with a strange sense of familiarity. "Um... who are you exactly?"
Again, the man chuckled, a deep rumble that seemed to shake the air as well as the vicinity. "Ah... it appears you lost your mind again... my friend, you are very lucky and unlucky at the same time... It's what you wanted, isn't it."
"What I wished for?" Velvet pressed, a dizzying array of questions swirling in her mind.
"Anyways, moving on," Pagoda said, a twinkle in his ancient eyes. "What are you here for, my friend?"
"Oh... well... I want to know about my character panel," Velvet replied, feeling a bit foolish for such a mundane request in this mystical realm.
"Well, all you have to say is 'character panel' in your mind or with your words," Pagoda explained, waving a dismissive hand. "Since it's you, my friend, you don't need to visit my temple for that small of a matter. But then again, you lost your memories again... How about this. Visit my temple every Wednesday, whether it's morning, noon, or evening. On Wednesdays, I will be here to teach you about the world. How does that sound to you?"
Velvet, still processing the revelation that she somehow knew this powerful being, hesitated. "Why are you offering such a thing? I don't even know or remember you?"
Pagoda's gaze softened, a hint of ancient longing in his eyes. "You and I made a deal, long, long ago, and it is time for me to fulfill that deal. Nothing more, nothing less. Plus, I miss talking to you."
"Alright then," Velvet finally agreed, a strange sense of trust settling over her.
Grinning contentedly, Pagoda materialized an iron sword and a wooden shield, plain but solid. "Today you will learn to fight. Utilize these for now, keep in mind these objects will only be present in this realm and cannot be removed regardless of how hard you attempt."
[ While he was saying this, his humanoid appearance started glowing as he appeared to be expanding and expanding at a readily perceived pace. His sapphire robes flowed and stretched, his silver beard and hair turning into a glorious, flowing mane of glorious silver scales. His hands turned into massive talons; his feet clawed. With a heart-stopping show of sheer power, the grandfatherly human shape dissolved, and a magnificently awe-inspiring dragon emerged. His scales shimmered in a blend of iridescent gold and sapphire, with an inner light that glimmered, his eyes still filled with that venerable wisdom. ]
"Fight? I need to fight someone?" Velvet exclaimed, the sword feeling heavy and foreign in her hand.
"Yes, my dear, you will need to fight in order to live in this world," Pagoda's voice rumbled, deeper now, yet still carrying that comforting, almost playful tone. "The strong reigns over the weak. That is the principle in this world."
And so, the training began. A full week, or so it felt, within Pagoda's timeless domain. Velvet learned the clang of steel on wood, the pivot of her feet, the subtle shifts in weight, the precise angles of attack and defense. She was taught how to move, how to parry, how to strike with intent. Every swing of the sword, every block with the shield, was a lesson etched into her muscle memory by the patient, guiding presence of the Good Dragon.
"Alright, that's enough," Pagoda's voice finally resonated, softer now, but with an underlying current of immense power. "You have been in this domain for over a week. And I don't think that you can handle much more of my suppressed power and presence. Wish you well and good luck."
"Wait, your name! You haven't told me your name!" Velvet called out, suddenly desperate to cling to this profound encounter.
"My name is Pagoda. I am the Good Dragon, and this is my domain," he replied, his form beginning to fade, shimmering like heat haze over a distant desert.
[ With a jolt, Velvet found herself back in the quiet prayer room. The scent of incense replaced the ethereal glow of Pagoda's domain. She immediately thought of her character panel, and as if on cue, a translucent screen shimmered before her eyes. ]
VelvetHP: 100 (previously 10)
ATK: 20 (previously 10)
AGI: 5 (previously 1)
MANA: 2 (previously 0)
[ Her eyes widened. The week of training, the intensity of Pagoda's presence – it had all been real. Her stats had soared! ]
A soft knock came from the door. "Velvet? Are you ready? My errand is complete." It was Verosala.
[ Velvet nodded, the phantom weight of the sword and shield still lingering in her hands. Back at the mansion, settled in the quiet solitude of her room, she picked up a discarded stick. With a newfound grace, she began to move, recalling the various steps and slashes, the parries and lunges, that Pagoda had so patiently taught her. The world had shifted, and she was, undeniably, ready for it. ]