Pantheon Online-Chapter 265 Master and Apprentice (Part 4)

"Punch out with more force!" Paul shouted as Colt ran through the drills. "That's it! Feel the heel of the staff snap back to rest against your elbow. Don't worry about getting bruised. You'll toughen up when you get used to it."

Colt nodded as he alternated punching up with his left and right hands before punching down. When the staff came to rest horizontally in front of his chest, he admired how fast it moved. 'Punching up in this stance strikes an opponent on the temples. When I punch down, it hits their legs. But, if I do the punches fast enough, then all four can be done in the same time as a single slash and recovery with a sword.'

"Ok, switch to Horse stance and do the overhead rib strikes!" Paul called out.

Colt spread his legs as if he were riding a horse and raised his staff overhead. As he spun the staff in a fluid motion, he lowered into the horse stance. As the weapon snapped to a halt, he imagined its tip striking an opponent's ribs. 'This attack uses the momentum of the spin, the downward motion, and the delivery muscles of both arms to create a powerful rib strike.'

Colt continued to practice the move while alternating his dominant hand. This was to train both his left and right so he would not fall into a more easily understood pattern because he favoured one over the other. "Good, now give me nine forward lunges. Three to the solar plexus, three to the throat, and three to between your opponent's eyes. Then, switch your dominant hand and give the same routine!" Paul called out.

Colt frowned as he took a forward stance before performing the first three lunges. 'Striking the solar plexus causes my opponent's diaphragm to spasm.' Then, he moved on to lunging at an imaginary throat. 'Striking the throat will leave them unable to breathe.' Then, it was time for the strikes to be between an opponent's eyes. 'They will likely close their eyes and lose focus. Any strike to the head can potentially kill someone with enough force.'

"Good form. But remember, accuracy is key! What use are speed, strength, and power if you're unable to hit what you are aiming at?" Paul said as he circled Colt. "Well done, now, move on to overhead strikes. Remember, half step forward and rest your staff on the shoulder. Complete the step forward and snap that staff down at an angle to strike the neck, shoulder or clavicle of your opponent. Begin!"

'The Bo Staff is more dangerous than I thought.' Colt frowned as he performed the exercise. 'It's fast and carries a lot of power in its strikes. I hate to say it, but maybe Paul was right.' He enjoyed the different spins with one and both hands, but they were mainly for getting used to how his staff felt in his hands. Paul had taught them to him so he could understand the balance of his new weapon while building strength and flexibility in his muscles and joints. However, when Colt used the playback function of the training hall to analyse everything he had done, he could not help but feel it looked cool to watch. 'The spins aren't much use in real combat. But in the game, they can distract my opponents and could still be useful for blocking projectiles and spells.' Colt hummed as he thought to himself. 'I should definitely use them in-game to make it more entertaining to watch for the viewers. More importantly, they'll serve best as a distraction for activating embedded runestones.' Colt chuckled to himself as he finished the exercise.

"Ok, take a break and let's talk," Paul said as he tossed a bottle of water to Colt.

Colt sighed in relief as he sipped the water before sitting cross-legged on the mats in front of Paul. When the latter sat down with a pensive expression on his face, Colt became curious as to what his instructor had to say.

"Ok, I've done some thinking," Paul said as he scratched his jaw. "Essentially, we're going for something similar to the Monk class in other games."

"I figured as much myself." Colt sighed as he thought about the class. "They can be tough to deal with because of their buffs and versatile skills."

"Yeah, but you're in a unique position." Paul cocked an eyebrow as he studied Colt. "Usually, monks serve as frontline combatants with support abilities. Like self-buffs, team heals, and so on. Now, with your enchanting abilities, your weapon and armour will act as your self-buffs."

"Ok, but I can also use my runes and spells to cover healing," Colt replied with a frown.

"True, but stay with me here. I think you should lean into the dark element." Paul said with a serious expression plastered on his face.

"Wait, why?" Colt asked as his eyes went wide. "I told you Allevia's Will will see me as an enemy! Plus, that'll take me down the Dark god route! If I do that, there's no telling how my followers will react!"

"Listen to me carefully," Paul replied with a sigh. "I've been going over the details of what you saw in Amari's space. No matter how I look at it, all I see are natural occurrences. Who decided that the dark element was evil? The old gods? Why?"

"Because it leads to elements that are harmful, I guess," Colt replied hesitantly. However, Paul shook his head.

"No, I think it was because they were afraid of the power. I think it can do more than just debuff and increase destructive power. Amari himself was proof of that." Paul said as he rubbed his chin. "By using chaos, he could bring about positive effects, as well as negative. I think it's all a matter of perspective."

Colt frowned as he recalled Amari's battle in the Inheritance against three Light gods. Then, when he recalled Amari's space, he realised it was filled with life.

"Let's take his undead as an example. Now, death is natural. Imagine dying with regrets. Wishing you could do more to protect the ones you love. Would you accept being turned into an undead if it meant you could do that?" Paul said with a slight smile. "Most people probably would. So in this case, the undead are seen as something horrible, but when used to protect the living they become acceptable. It's not the power itself that's the problem, but how it's used."

"So, you're suggesting my followers will accept my power, no matter what it is, as long as it's used to benefit them?" Colt asked with a frown.

"Exactly!" Paul replied while nodding his head. "Explore the dark element more. Start experimenting with combining it with fire. Let's face it. At some point, you'll have to fight Arthur. I can guarantee he'll follow the path of Light. For most of your career, you've been nothing but his shadow. It's time to follow your own path."

"There's one problem," Colt said with a sigh. "How am I meant to be a healer following the dark element? It's too good of an ability in this game to ignore it so easily."

"I have faith the dark element can do something similar," Paul replied with a slight grin. "You must know in most games there are abilities that allow you to steal the health of others and use it to replenish your health bar. Well, I believe those abilities are hidden in the dark element. It's unorthodox, and players dislike it. That's usually because their moral compass tells them it's wrong to steal another's power or health."

"However, as an ability, it's powerful. You weaken your opponent and strengthen yourself at the same time. Over time, it could turn the tide of any battle. Especially group ones, if you can find a way to transfer it to your team." Paul continued as he studied Colt for his reaction. "Think of it this way, just now you have to fight for followers. Because your Authority is not useful to everyone. But what does every mortal experience? Something that no one can escape?"

"Death?" Colt replied after a brief pause.

"Correct. If you're a god that can grant them peace in death or torture them for eternity for not believing in you, what do you think will happen?"

"No matter who they are, or what they do. They'll worship me because death can come for anyone at any time." Colt murmured.

"Exactly, so work towards promising them a better eternity after life rather than making their short lives easier. Salvation, reincarnation, and heaven. They're all keystones of why popular religions have endured. Follow their example."

Colt nodded as he realised Paul's analysis made sense. 'Ok, now I know what element I have to choose when I reach Tier 3.' Colt thought as he tried to imagine his path ahead. 'It's going to be rough. Other players won't like it, and I risk sparking another War of the Fallen. But the point is to win the game. All I need in the end is for Ragnarok to stand behind me.'

Paul smiled when he saw the look of acceptance and determination on Colt's face. 'It looks like he's found his path. It was never about throwing away what you already know. But discovering what more there was to your path.' Paul thought as he nodded silently. 'Your potential is amazing. I hope I get to see the day when you discover the limits of the Domain technique...'