Rewind: A Grimdark LitRPG Series (Pyresouls Apocalypse, Book 1) by James Callum (reading tree .txt) 📕

the Fire Oppa didn’t immediately look up at Jacob. “I expected you sooner. When you didn’t come… I thought maybe you had thought better of your goal.

“After all, you don’t need to light this Pyre. Most don’t.” He looked up, tiny beady black eyes shining. “I am sorry for doubting you. It will be the last time.”

Reaching a hand forward, Jacob scooped up the Fire Oppa, unafraid of the raging flames on his body or the way the tall flames of the Pyre surged when he stuck his hand within.

“I was regrettably detained,” he said. “I wanted to come sooner.” He jerked his chin toward Camilla who likewise seemed in communion with her version of the Fire Oppa. “Without her help, I would still be locked up.”

“I should have known that would be the only way you would have been missing,” the Fire Oppa said. He clambered up Jacob’s forearm and perched on his shoulder. “Now that you have reignited six Pyres, I can offer you something I have offered none other of your kind.”

“What’s that?” Jacob asked.

“My Covenant.”

Join the Phoenix Covenant?

Yes / No

The Fire Oppa scampered down his arm and into the Pyre. As he dug around in the ash he spoke, “You have the heart of one who would do more than just the right thing because it rewarded them. I have seen in you a sense of justice and righteousness that I find disturbingly lacking in many of your kin.

“You are, of course, under no obligation to accept. But as my gifts are many, you would be foolish to reject the offer out of hand without-”

“I accept,” Jacob said, cutting him off.

The Pyre surged with heat. Coronas of white-hot flame encircled Jacob like twisting snakes. They sank into his armor, into his flesh. The heat was almost unbearable as it soaked into his bones.

Peaceful warmth radiated not only from the Pyre, but from within himself. The comfort and warmth of the Pyre was inside of him.

There was nothing quite like it. Rather than a sensation of peace and much-needed comfort from the Pyre in front of him, he felt a kinship. A bond with it that went deeper than his conscious mind could grasp.

You join the Phoenix Covenant.

The sole purpose of the Phoenix Covenant is to restore the Flame of Life to all realms from which it has been extinguished. As a member of the Phoenix Covenant, each Pyre you reignite increases your strength within the Covenant and awards a [Vestige of Flame].

You learn the Sorcery: Flame Blade.

Flame Blade

Sorcery passed down to those bound by the Phoenix Covenant. Calling forth the purifying flames of the Pyres to mind, you form a simulacrum of their magnificence to coat the weapon of your choice in the cleansing flames. These flames are unlike traditional fire and are exceptionally potent against corruption or dark-based threats.

It is said a piece of the Fire Oppa’s soul is given to each of his warriors who vow to protect the Pyres and reignite the Flame of Life. Through the Fire Oppa’s gift, even the darkest, coldest realms cannot steal the warmth from his chosen.

Jacob was stunned. He immediately inscribed it upon his second Spell Gem, only slightly concerned that it had a single-use before it needed to be recharged at a Pyre.

Busy reading the prompts, Jacob missed what the Fire Oppa was digging out of the ash. Propped up against the base of the Pyre was the previously broken [Phoenix Tree Crest Shield] Jacob returned to the Fire Oppa.

“I want you to have this,” the Fire Oppa said. “It once belonged to a great hero. A Phoenix Knight. I have repaired it and imbued it with a bit of my power. It will guide your way when all other lights fail you.”

You gain [Phoenix Tree Crest Shield].

[Phoenix Tree Crest Shield]

A resplendent, large shield with a glowing design of the leafless Phoenix Tree proudly on display.

The damage that was done to this shield has been repaired by the Phoenix Covenant’s patron but it still carries the scar of that loss. When Merina the Fearless struck off to the depths of the Desecrated Catacombs to rescue her former mentor, Sir Gailsyn, she never expected to meet her end in those cold, desolate tunnels.

Though she succeeded in sealing the proud knight corrupted by the Gnawing Hunger, she sustained mortal wounds during the encounter. With the Pyres unlit, her journey ended alongside the resting place of the once-great knight.

Her only lament was that she could not say goodbye to her dearest friend, Fenris the Fire Oppa. The guilt of her failure soaked the shield, strengthening it against magical attacks but weighing it down with the previous owner’s sense of loss.

Phoenix Tree Crest Shield [Unique Shield]

Physical Damage: 92

Type: Blunt

Balance: 85

Physical Reduction: 100

Arcane Reduction: 60

Fire Reduction: 100

Water Reduction: 50

Earth Reduction: 90

Harmony Reduction: 45

Chaos Reduction: 45

 

DURABILITY: 800/800

GUILT: 8 (4 if bound by the Phoenix Covenant)

That was one hell of a shield.

The Guilt nearly made his eyes pop out of their sockets. Even at 8 Guilt, it would be a massive improvement. “Thank you,” Jacob said, taking it reverently and immediately replacing his [Kite Shield] with the [Phoenix Tree Crest Shield].

Bound as he was to the Phoenix Covenant, the Guilt was halved but it was still enough to weigh his soul and body down. He would need at least 2 reinforcements of TMP, maybe more depending on how the rounding was done behind-the-scenes, to get back to tier 2 Guilt.

A problem he could remedy by spending some of the Souls Mack and his lackeys were kind enough to offer to him.

He winced a little, remembering how he cut down Alec in cold blood. Even if he was already going to be killed by somebody else, it still felt a little wrong. That single betrayal for the good of all - or so he hoped - had earned him enough Souls to reinforce a parameter.

“It is a shield of fine make,” Fenris said. “I take it you understand a part of its