Chapter 1564 Soul Gear
"Soul Gear is the same as Equipment, but for your soul." Skadi explained as simple as she could. "It is made by forging Soul Treasures. They're special types of Divine Treasures born from purely Soul and Etheric Realms. Such as the Draconic and Titan Records." She said. "The Snow Spirit Beasts you hunted down were Soul Beasts, therefore what they leave behind can often transform into Soul Treasures or be reabsorbed by the Soul or Etheric Realm where they come from."
"I see… So equipping Soul Gear can make my soul even stronger?" I asked her.
"Yes, naturally." She nodded. "However, as it is not a physical object, but made of Soul Treasures, you need to handle it with care when walking into Physical Realms, which also include the outside world. Right now, you're equipped with a single Soul Gear, it is the whole set you're wearing. You can equip more things on top as long as they fit within your Soul Shape. The ability to use Soul Gear has been a secret only passed between Titans. Few Dragons know of it, but it's not like they would care much, as they're born tougher and much more equipped with all matter of abilities compared to us Titans."
"That's… I guess that's fair. So I'm carrying a part of your culture with this Soul Gear you helped me create?" I wondered. "It feels even more special now."
"Yes, while we Titans are born gigantic, tough, and strong, Dragons are born with all of that and more. Scales, Breath, Powerful Magic, Sharp Claws, Wings, Tails, Fangs, Magic Eyes… You see the difference? I hate to admit it, but the Dragon Family has always been much stronger, and we admire them." The Titaness said. "This world has been inherited by them and their descendants at the end, and us Titans have slowly faded away."
"That's…"
"You don't need to feel guilty. We battled and protected our world; it is thanks to all our lives and sacrifices that you're living and breathing inside of Yggdrasil. Father Ymir never regrated his decisions." Said Skadi. "And we won't either."
"I know, but there are also other Titans, new Titans." I said. "My daughters… At least Benladra and the two other kids coming. Benladann's a Titan too! Right? Also there's Surtr's wives, and his future kids with them."
"A breach between the Dragon and the Titan Family… Heh, well, it wouldn't be the first time we've mixed together." She giggled. "Our Hybrids were often our strongest fighters, but most of them have long perished. There should still be a few alive. But I suppose those you named also count. Compared to the dragon family, there should be less than twelve of us across the globe still alive, but if you guys keep mating and producing more. Perhaps in the future the Titan Tribes could flourish once more."
It was insane how many Titans died compared to the Dragons. And I even thought Dragons had it rough. Titans are almost completely extinct. No living ancestors either, only the youngest descendants, and its less than twelve?! Holy shit.
"And you'll probably need to meet those Ancient Titans still alive somewhere." She giggled. "To further cultivate your Titan's Bloodlines and those of your Titan allies and families. The reason why they cannot enter the Titan Records is because they haven't been accepted by Ymir's Will, sadly. They require to pass through a similar trial than your own first."
"Damn, my wife became a Chaos Dragon, and she got inside the Draconic Records pretty easily. But you guys are a bit harsh, aren't you?" I wondered.
"And with justification, we Titans won't accept any weaklings. And the Giants, although our lesser descendants and the ones we consider our true successors, cannot truly handle the path of the Titan due to their weakened bloodlines." She explained. "You, your family and friends are special cases. Unique Mortals that ascended to Gods and have proven themselves to be worthy, like the Frost Queen, whom I personally trained so she could free Yggdrasil from the Blood Moon."
"Those must have been harsh times…" I sighed.
"They truly were. Just when we had thought our world was healing, he appeared. I know that Venerable is long dead now. His soul has been completely destroyed, and now there's a girl holding all of that power, trying to slowly assimilate it." She said. "Take care of that Vampiress, she holds an immense power. A power that the Vampire Venerable once used to turn the whole world into an eternal night."
"I also hold a piece of that power…" I sighed, looking into my hands. "I stole it to win against him and ended becoming a Vampire Dragon too. I'm a weird mix of a lot of stuff."
"Hahaha! I can tell, you're a freak of nature!" Laughed Skadi out loud, the other Titans agreed.
"I guess I am, Hahahah!" I laughed along, eating the meat and drinking beer. "By the way, can I connect to my Unique Skills at least?"
"Oh my, right, I forgot about that." She laughed, giving me a kiss in my cheek. "Mooch, there you go handsome."
FLAAASH!
After Skadi kissed me, I felt like I was finally reconnecting with most of my powers. I still couldn't draw my dragon form here, but everything else came back. My System, the Divinities, Divine Abilities, and more. It was as if I was finally back online.
[Congratulations! You've passed Skadi's Three Step Trial!]
[Your Human Soul has been successfully tempered, forged, and evolved into a Frost Titan Soul.]
[The Frost Titan Bloodline has finally Awakened! You can now wield Azure Ice Essence to channel the runic powers of Frost Titans.]
[You have consumed and assimilated a large quantity of Soul Treasures, your Frost Titan Soul has become much stronger, and therefore, the rest of your soul is also strengthened.]
[Your [Soul Ether]: [SS-] Stat has increased to [SS]!]
[You can now wear Soul Gear, crafted using Soul Treasures that can only be found inside of Soul and Etheric Realms.]
[As a reward for the Trial, you've received the following gifts from Skadi…]