It was time to try out the final [Specialization] for the [Cultist], [Blood Magic]. If I deduced this correctly the final specialization would have some kind of blood-like gloves as their unique item. I wasn’t looking forward to it. I bid the Wretched Shambler to disappear and by my mental command the creature vanished into a puff of black smoke and yellow light. I would have to keep the summoning class in mind as I didn’t expect to always have an ally with me when the Outriders would send me out on missions.

  I reactivated my [Codex] and selected the final Specialization of [Blood Magic].

  [Cultist Specialization: Blood Magic]

  Blood Magician Cultist: The Cultist loyal to the practice of using blood as their main source of magic are both powerful and dangerous, not only to their enemies but potentially themselves. The powers of blood are intertwined between that of both knowledge and sacrifice. The sacrifice of ones one blood. Blood Magicians, as they are titled, do no rely on their own magical energies to cast spells but rather the release of their own blood. The weaker they are physically the stronger magically they can become. Blood Magic can allow a Cultist to create unique constructs, weapons and armor made from their own sacrifice.

  [New Specialization Ability Unlocked]

  [Hands of the Red Vine]

  After reading through the description of the Blood Magician I dropped the [Codex] and slowly lifted my hands. I was expecting them to be covered in flowing blood like my alternate self’s hands were, but my hands were clean. I let out a sigh of relief. Blood never really bothered my. When you live in a dangerous time, dangerous things are abound to happen, and I had seen my fair share of injured survivors returning from scouting missions, or scavenging trips. However, the thought of it crawling around my hands really freaked me out.

  I decided I should check what the Specialization Ability did, as I had a feeling the bloody gloves would come from that, but I got curious about something. If the gloves weren’t the unique item the class specialization would give me, what item did I have. I opened up my inventory and saw I had a single weapon. A dagger, jagged and cruel looking, like the broken tooth of some giant. It’s face was of blood-stained steel, with a dark oak handle, polished to a shine. I summoned the weapon to my hand and twisted it in the air.

  Sacrificial Dagger (Rare)

  ?? 6 - 11 Damage

  ? 30% Chance to cause [Bleeding]

  Attack Speed: Fast

  Combat Power: 105

  The dagger was basically a souped up version of my [Kitchen Knife]. I actually felt a bit ticked-off by it. I would have loved a weapon like this a lot earlier. It would have been very useful. It even had the potential to do more damage then the Colt could deliver. My seed of anger grew to that of excitement. I was considering taking the [Blood Magic] specialization for the blade alone. I had grown used to using my two knives, despite the disadvantage that came with dual-wielding without the necessary Class Skill.

  I considered waiting for the Wretched Shambler to appear again only so I could attack it with this new weapon and see how the difference felt. I decided against it, as I knew I could find even better weapons eventually and all gear was temporary, until you found a better item. Abilities on the other hand were forever. If I didn’t like the abilities of a specialization… well that’s too bad. I’m stuck with my choice. Pulling the [Codex] up, I read through the [Hands of the Red Vine].

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  Hands of the Red Vine: Not all blood magic is detrimental to the user and their allies. Blood magic can also be used to heal others, transfer traits, and even defend against oncoming attacks. Blood Magicians can cut the center of their palms to release a steady blood-flow that wraps around their own hands. It slightly increases their defense in exchange for the [Bleeding] condition. However, the Hands of the Red Vines can go far beyond simply protecting an individual. It is a versatile ability that can mend other’s wounds, absorb dangerous poisons, and manipulate the very energies of the Trinity’s powers.

  After reading through the ability, I wasn’t convinced I wanted to choose this specialization, let alone cut my own hands to activate the spell. I didn’t want to try it out and when the Wretched Shambler appears, I would only attack it with the blade. After a good two minutes of waiting, the monster never showed. “Hello?” I called out to nothing in particular. “Isn’t there suppose to be an enemy for me to fight? Hello?”

  I heard a muffled gasp come from behind me as I turned in place. “Finally, let’s get this over with so I can move onto other-” I nearly swallowed my tongue when I saw her. Tala, unconscious and laying alone on the floor. I could see blood trickling from the back of her head. Her eyes were fluttering and she was whispering something under her breath.

  “Tala!” I ran and fell to the ground my her side. I lifted her onto my lap and turned her face to the sky. “Tala… Tala can you hear me? It’s going to be okay. You’re going to be fine.” I felt a warmth flow down my hand as I held her head. She was bleeding and badly. I pulled up the [Codex] to examine her condition. It had her marked down as [Bleeding], but that was a special condition. If I could stop the bleeding I bet it would be marked as [Crippled]. One step away from death.

  I instinctively opened my inventory to summon a bandage but it was empty. All my supplies were still missing. I had nothing I could use on her to stop her from dying. “Hey! I know you’re watching! I need my supplies. She is hurt. End the appraisal. Let us out of here.” My voice echoed endlessly throughout the white columns and stone flooring. When there wasn’t an immediate response, I yelled to nothing again and begged for it to let us out.

  “Ward?” Tala mumbled.

  “Yes, yes. I’m here. You’re going to be fine. I’m going to get you out of here.” I could feel my eyes growing itchy as I held back the tears.

  “I’m… not…”

  “Shh. Save your strength. I’ll figure something out.” I looked all around me for any sign of help. Anything that I could use. Maybe some hidden item, or exit out of this trial. My sight only saw the endless room except… The Sacrificial Dagger was laying on the ground next to me. I didn’t remember if I had dismissed it or ran over to Tala with the weapon. Regardless, I knew what I had to do. I had to use the specialization’s ability.

  I picked up the blade, pressed its jagged edge against my left hand’s palm and stopped. This would be a dangerous wound if I cut myself. The blades edge was broken like glass, and it had those blood stains on it which I noticed had an iron smell to it. Tala’s eyes opened for a second then closed again as her head slumped to the side. I gouged my palm and bit my lip at the same time. The earlier scar from my connection was still there. I swapped hands for the dagger and cut into my right hand’s palm. It was agonizing. The cut’s were deep, shredded, and blood pooled everywhere.

  I dropped the blade to the ground and focused on the blood now dripping down my wrists and forearms. I focused on the spell and imagined the blood moving up my skin and around my fingers and knuckles. The blood did as it was told. I watched in horrific fascination as the liquid moved on its own, curling its way back up my arm and falling around my hands. There were no stains left on my skin, no blood dripping from my wrists. The blood had perfectly formed into writhing gloves upon my hands.

  A new sensation came over me, a sensation of warmth and guidance. A strange sense of comfort as if my own father was standing next to me, eyes full of pride, and words full of encouragement. It felt better than any power I had felt before. It was comfort. Perhaps, love.

  I pressed my hands onto the back of Tala’s head and commanded her wound to heal. The warmth I felt before now turned to a burning peace. A heat like that of a raging fire, but a fire built to cast away the darkness, not consume a life. I kept my focus on that fire, praying and controlling it to heal Tala and return her back to me. She had to be healed. She would be healed.

  When the heat finally faded away to a feverish touch Tala opened her yes. They were beautiful. They were wonderful. I thought I would never see them again. I had an urge to kiss her, not so much out of love but sheer joy that she was okay. I never got the chance to. As soon as I saw her smile, she had vanished. The world had vanished. I was no longer in the appraisal room, but back in the room with the different versions of myself. I let a tear escape and burn down my cheek and cut across my jaw.