Bare-chested, Kaius grunted as he scrubbed at Porkchop’s fur with a rough-bristle brush, doing his best to wash out the clots of blood and oozing weepings before they could coagulate into a sticky mess. It was tough with the new density of his brother’s fur, not to mention his sheer body size.

  Kaius had gotten the worst of it out — at least on Porkchop’s sides. There was still a streak down his back that he couldn’t reach.

  “Crouch down, you oaf. You’re too tall.”

  “Oh, sorry,” Porkchop replied sheepishly. “I’m still not quite used to it.”

  Crouching down, Porkchop jostled the waterskin Kaius held in his hand. It sloshed, tugged upwards, then inverted, spilling water free. Kaius gasped at the shock of cold water splashing across his chest.

  Hearing a low rumble of amusement, Kaius scowled and punched Porkchop on the shoulder. The blow drew a chuckle from Kenva, who sat nearby next to Ianmus’ prone body. She was half-watching their surroundings.

  A moment later, Ianmus groaned, rubbing his forehead as he sat up.

  “What’d I miss?” the mage mumbled.

  “Not much,” Kaius replied, dumping some water and working soap into the semi-metallic bristles between Porkchop’s shoulder blades. While stiff, they were still just as soft as before — tough things, like natural chainmail or some specially made gambeson.

  Ianmus nodded slowly before suddenly pausing. “You guys knew what it was. A system notification. We all received one. The information packet for refinement.”

  Still, they’d been holding off on discussing the full breadth of the changes they’d undergone until they could talk as a group. The new information on refinement could wait.

  “Hold off for now,” Kaius said. “We may as well discuss our new classes first. We’ve already shared our changes, but what about the two of you?” He poured more water over Porkchop’s back. It ran to the ground, stained pink.

  Ianmus quickly glanced at Kenva, “I’ll let you go first, I’m still feeling a little groggy.”

  The ranger nodded, turning around to face them more fully. She set her bow beside her on the camping blanket.

  “Well, I achieved most of what I hoped to — that’s for sure. As I mentioned before, I got a Heroic class. One focused on mobility and taking out high-value targets, both from up close and afar. Judging from the way it was described, I’ll keep much of my scouting abilities, but there’s distinctly less focus on stealth and infiltration compared to my last. It’s called the Heartseeker of Dro’durn. I gained a Wind affinity too, which I’ve already seen the impact of in my first class skill. I can use it without charging now, for an upfront cost. It summons a howling gale on impact that both increases its power and knocks enemies back.”

  “What are your skills?” Kaius asked. “With such a large jump in rarity, I suspect there’s quite a difference compared to what Ianmus and I went through.”

  She grinned and nodded emphatically. “Oh yes. Other than Farseer, which was already Heroic, every one of my general skills evolved. My Archery skills have improved, as has my mobility. Although…” Her hand drifted to the knives at her waist. “I lost some of my benefits fighting with these. I gained more direct bonuses to using my bow and even just arrows up close. Other than that, I haven’t had any major deviations in what I can do — I’ll just be much more effective than before. If a little more… direct.”

  “What about you, Ianmus?” Kaius asked. Much like his own experience with glyphbinding, the mage had discovered a new branch of spellcasting. While most of their class-ups were simple increases in capability, he wouldn’t be surprised if Ianmus’ was more divergent.

  The mage straightened, stretching his arms overhead. “Oh yes,” he said with a grin. “Keyseals are fascinating. I took hours to pick my class. Most of them were tied to something called ritual magic, which seems to use principles of Keyseals so individual or multiple casters can work on grand-scale spells. Normally these would be relegated to higher tiers, at the cost of inconvenience and time.”

  Kaius raised an eyebrow. As fascinating as it was, that didn’t exactly sound like a power set well-aligned to a Delver.

  Ianmus snorted at his expression. “Don’t worry, I didn’t pick one like that. I picked the Ritualist of Dawn and Dusk. From what I saw of the change to my first skill, it acts oddly similar in some ways to glyphbinding, but also sorcery and active metamagic. Summoning the Keyseal locks away a portion of my mana, but it automatically pulls on mana from the atmosphere that I can then use for specific spells or to empower a free-cast spell of my own. The first one seems focused on Solar magic, but I expect I’ll see other seals for other applications — and for my new Lunar affinity.”

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  Kaius grinned. That was more like it. He could already see the advantages of such a casting style. Even if locking away his pool reduced what he could use for free casting, the Keyseal meant Ianmus could still contribute and lay down firepower while working on other things entirely.

  “How long do they last, and how many can you have summoned at once?” Porkchop asked.

  “I’m not sure yet.” Ianmus shrugged. “From the practice I had inside the selection space, it felt like having the sigil cast was a burden on my will and intent, so I suspect it’ll take some mastery to have multiple active at once. And I’d also be surprised if I can keep them out indefinitely.”

  “And your general skills?” Kenva asked.

  “Every single one of them evolved — most more than once. Most of my metamagics and spell-weaving skills grew to encompass specific benefits for Keyseals and to include Lunar magic. Thankfully, I know some of it as a counterpoint to Solar, but I’ll likely use some of the wealth I’ve gained here to buy reading material once we’re back in Deadacre.”

  Kaius nodded. “We’ve all done well, and I imagine we’ll be back there soon. First though — before we ready ourselves to set off — shall we see what the system has for us on refinement?”

  He got a series of wide smiles in return.

  Dumping the last of the water from his skin over Porkchop’s head, Kaius lunged out of the way as his brother growled and swiped at him with one paw.

  “Let’s get to it then,” he said, sending the mental equivalent of a teasing prod through his bond with his brother.

  He caught sight of Porkchop rolling his eyes before he pulled up the notification.

  **Ding! Informational Package Available! Access?**

  Informational Package - Aspect Refinement:

  For fully embodying all of your Aspects in the first tier, you receive information on how to progress their Refinement in the second. Share this insight, or monopolise it, as you please. Restricted Notes may only be shared with others who have passed the test of a Crucible.

  The Refinement of the Triumvirate is the third step of the Path, following their ignition in the second. Where ignition focused on a deepening of personal truths, and uncovering their effects on your existence, Refinement is focused on strengthening the Triumvirate to finalise your foundation for everything that is to come.

  It is a necessary step, as all are. While the simple presence of your aspects has prevented your soul from beginning to crystalise as you step into the second tier, their current potency is not enough to stave off that process until the time is right. Nor is their current form strong enough to support all that will come.

  Refinement is a simple, but difficult process. It requires immersing yourself in situations of stress, where your aspects flare and insight may be found. Immerse yourself deeply in the sensation. As you have embodied them, you will feel your Essence begin to swell, moving through your aspects, and you can attempt to aid this with your will. For those you care for that have not embodied, do not worry — the very conditions that aid in refinement aid in seizing embodiment as well.

  Be warned: While a Bronze Refinement is all that is required for the next step of the Path, this will not be the totality of what is possible. Ensure you refine as much as you are able if you wish to walk the Path in totality.

  For those that reach a wall, and become unable to progress, seek a Crucible of the second step. Therein lie challenges that will push you further, and a secret that will bolster you for a lifetime.

  Restricted Note: As you have already seized the knowledge of Cycling, you may empower your speed and degree of refinement by cycling after moments of Aspect stress and insight. If you manage to master cycling without the need for focus and quiet, you will achieve the best gains by cycling during these moments.

  Similarly, with Cycling already obtained, a Crucible of the third step will be of limited use. Will, capability and talent will be the only things that bar a perfect Refinement of your Aspects. Seek only if you are unable to find or cultivate the conditions you need to Refine.

  Note: As your cohort has yet to progress to the third stage of the Integration, it is recommended that even if you maximally Refine, you withhold from progressing to the third tier until such a development occurs.

  When Kaius lowered the notification, Ianmus frowned. “Well… that’s not much new information, is it?”

  Kaius grunted in agreement. That was true. Most of what it said they had already been told by their class guides and Xenanra herself, though there were a few useful tidbits: that refinement came in stages, that Soul Crystallisation was somehow involved, and that it tied into the future step of the Path.

  “I just wish it told us the name for the highest level of refinement. It’d be good to know what we’re shooting for, you know?” Porkchop said.

  “Nothing wrong with a little mystery,” Kenva replied. “From the sound of it, we’ll know when we’ve hit our limit anyway. With how deeply connected we are to our Paths, I’m sure it’ll be evident when there’s no more to do.”

  That wouldn’t surprise Kaius either. With what embodiment had brought, and the deep connection he felt to his authority, he would’ve been shocked if they were left clueless about whether there was more to reach for.

  “In any case, we’ve achieved everything we set out to do. Time to get ready to leave.”

  He rose. “Time to get suited up, people. I want to switch up my inscriptions a little before we head out. Ianmus, do you have any new preparations your Keyseals require?”

  When the mage shook his head.,Kaius took a seat and reached for his mana. They had business to attend to in the outside world, and Starfall would come in handy for at least some of it.

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