The Lost Vampire System Chapter 17 - Acquiring the First Trade
"40% reduction will now be represented in your stats. Your health number will stay the same, but when taking damage you will take 40% increased damage. Health Points: 3 of 20. Strength: 7 of 12. Stamina: 7 of 12. Agility: 7 of 11. Dexterity: 3 of 5."
Jareth frowned at the system, which remained in his eyesight even with his eyes closed, since it was anchored in his vision. Beyond his covered vision a cylinder container of light condensed itself into a humanoid shaped type form. The hounds sounded like they were screaming as they backed away trying to not looked at the light. The light started to form an outline of a person and as it began to take shape the light started to dim. As the process kept going Jareth started to slowly lover his hands while opening his eyes.
"Divine energy has entered your body," the system stated. "Healing properties detected. Your body is now completely healed. Health Points: 20 of 20. You are no longer in direct sunlight; all stats have been returned to normal."
Jareth looked down at his body and noticed that only the blood stains were left on his clothes. He felt relieved but he could feel a presence so he looked up and standing in front of him was a tall man. He looked to be a little older than Jareth was, probably 18 of 19. He had medium length golden blonde hair down a little past his shoulders that shined in the darkness. He had sun kissed skin. His eyes were almond shape that was deep blue. He was wearing what looked like a golden Greek toga with sandals on. The man was handsome to say the least and his smile looked like it was brightening up this part of the ruins.
When the very handsome man had completely formed, he turned around and look at Jareth.
"I am Apollo," the man confidently stated, "Greek god of the sun. Who are you to summon me? State your name… mortal."
Jareth just stood there with shock written on his entire face as he looked at someone who claimed and looked like Apollo.
"Well?" Apollo asked snapping his fingers once and Jareth shook his head.
"Sorry," Jareth stuttered. "You said you are Apollo?"
"Yes," Apollo said now looking around more. "Where are we?" he muttered, but Jareth's hearing was just good enough that he could hear Apollo.
"We are in some sort of pocket Dimension. I don't know how I got here," Jareth said leaving out the title of the pocket Dimension."
"You heard me?" the god asked raising an eyebrow. "You mortal have good hearing, but now I must ask again, who are you?"
Before Jareth could answer, a yipping sound was heard. Apollo turned around to see two of the faker dogs panting happily at Apollo while giving a spin.
"Aww," Apollo said with a smile approaching the dogs. "You just want some pets, don't you?"
The clueless god reached out his hand to pet the "cute" hounds when Jareth shouted, "I wouldn't do that if I were you."
"Why not?" Apollo asked turning around to face Jareth.
As soon as that happened, the three "cute" hounds' eyes glowed red and their bodies doubled in size as they gave a loud roar. Apollo spun around as the three hounds lunged at him. The god quickly raised up his arms releasing a beam of light which sent the hounds flying back.
"Agh," Apollo winced as he stopped himself from falling over. "I'm too weak. I need an Avatar."
The three hounds got up and that's when the other hounds walked in. They looked like they were waiting to see if their sneak attack plan would work. All twelve gave a loud roar as they charged at the two of them. Jareth raised his sword and A flaming sword appeared in his hand.
"Thank Zeus that these Becifer's are just at the Simple tier," Apollo said bracing with Jareth.
Some of the hounds jumped onto the walls, kicking off them to attack their targets. Apollo swung his flaming sword slicing three of the hounds down at once, their bodies catching fire while Jareth just jumped back. Apollo slashed his sword to the side, sending out a flaming arc, burning four of the remaining nine hounds. He winced again and stumbled slightly. One jumped at Apollo from behind but Jareth thrusted his sword forward stabbing through it.
"Thanks stranger," Apollo said wincing again.
The four remaining hounds looked at their fallen comrades, giving a low cry as their bodies began to glow.
"Quick," Apollo said rather urgently, "they are going into their charged overdrive state. "We must kill them quickly or their crystals will be destroyed."
Overdrive? Jareth thought but Apollo went in and Jareth followed.
Apollo unleashed a flame attack killing the three on the left. He tried going for the last one he cried out in pain as he fell to the ground. Jareth ran past swinging his sword and killed the last hound.
"You have killed two more hounds. Plus 10 exp," the system notified Jareth. "86 hounds remain in the Sanctuary Meadows."
Apollo began to stand up looking at Jareth. "I guess I owe you mortal. I do have to ask these two questions. How did you summon me and who are you?"
Jareth paused for a moment but he decided there was no harm since his father said it was all right.
"I summoned you when I crushed the rock," the half-ling said pointing at the crushed-up rock.
The god turned to look at the rock. When he recognized the rock, he looked back at Jareth.
"Jareth Nightshade," Apollo said with a smile. "Looks like your dad did give it to you." He squinted his eyes at Jareth but stopped. "Yeah, you're not him. I guess he did give it to you."
"How did you know my father?" Jareth asked.
"He saved my life more than once. I still owe that guy a great debt. He was creating a stone tablet and was planning on giving it to you himself, but you know, the war and all. They never got his body. Though if he was still alive, he would have reached out to me by now." Apollo looked down at the ground in a sad manner. "I don't know what happened to his wife either, and now I'm close to permanent death until I can find someone who can host my form or someone with a Trade power."
"Trade?" Jareth asked. "Like the Jack of all Trades?"
Apollo snapped his head up. "Are you just knowledgeable about the power or do you know something else?"
The Half-ling rubbed his left wrist grazing his Forwatch as he debated whether to tell Apollo about his new power.
"You know something," Apollo said getting more hyper. "Please, Jareth. I was good friends with your father. You have to tell me. Please. You've seen my condition; I can't go on much longer. I am a god that gets hurt the more he uses his powers. I need an Avatar. I don't want to die!"
The god was getting more anxious and was practically begging Jareth for any information regarding the Trade power. Jareth looked around more trying to decide what to do.
"Please, Jareth!" Apollo begged. "Your father must have told you about my debt and the rock to summon me. I could've chosen to ignore the call, but I didn't, because I pay off my debts. You saved my life there, and I owe you. I'll keep silent. I will serve you!"
Jareth was getting so overwhelmed that he just blurted it out.
"My dad gave me a power called the "Jack of all Trades" skill."
Apollo froze as he processed the information. Then lips turned into the biggest smile the universe had ever seen.
"You're a Trader?" Apollo said with hope in his eyes. "Please be my Avatar Jareth."
"A what?" The Half-ling asked confused.
"An Avatar," Apollo said. "You will basically be my vessel. I will be tied to you and you will be able to have my power."
"A vessel," Jareth said taking a step back. "I don't want to be a vessel."
"No, no," Apollo said shaking his head really fast. "I'm not a demon. You will just be an anchor point for my power. It's a better version of a follower. Since you don't have my soul, you can't directly control me, but like I just said you will be able to use my power."
"Did you say demon?" Jareth asked worriedly. "Having your soul?"
"Forget I said that," Apollo said. "The point is that you will be my anchor point. I am very weak at the moment, so you'll have to grow my power back. That's the downside, but my power is the sun and is worshipped somewhat, so growing my power will be quicker than most of the other gods. I am also loyal to the Nightshades and I am very knowledgeable. It's a win‑win situation: you get power along with a knowledgeable, loyal god, and I get to live and my spirit can grow. What do you say?"
Apollo reached out his hand and Jareth just stared at it.
I have to consider this, Jareth thought. Assuming everything is true this good be a great boost to my power. The power of the sun. Wait. I am a vampire though. Does this mean I have to fight in the sun? Or can I split it like where I use Apollo's powers in the daylight and fight like a vampire at night?
"I see you're not convinced," Apollo said as he snapped his fingers and a contracted appeared in his hand.
The next second he winced in pain. Jareth caught Apollo before he could fall to the ground.
"Thank you," Apollo said as Jareth placed him on the ground. "I really hope we can have a good partnership. Before you get any thoughts about choosing a current stronger god, just know that since you are a Trader you can have more than one. It depends on how many slots you have to acquire a Trade."
Jareth does have more than one Trade slot, so he decided to read the contract. It was about six paragraphs long and described what Apollo had said. On his power page it described that he had to stand in the sun to charge his power but could use that even in a place where it had never seen sunlight. I guess I could do this. He is the god of the sun after all. I would be less trusting if it was the god of darkness.
"Fine," Jareth said after a few minutes after me was done reason.
Apollo bolted upright as he handed a pen over to Jareth.
"Thank you, Jareth. I will do my best to achieve your goals, whatever they may be."
After another moment of hesitation, he signed his name at the bottom of the page.
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