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Heavy spoilers ahead! You should be at least at chapter 138 before glossing over this.
…..Unless you just like spoilers, then in that case, hello new guy! I hope you find my creation interesting!
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The Four Stages of Will
1. Clarity — Authority over the Self
The user becomes absolute within their own soul. This stage is vital, as it sets the foundation for all that comes after it. To acquire all benefits of this stage, a person must know themselves totally. Self Doubt weakens Will. Contradictions cause one to Fracture.
Examples of what it can do:
• Makes one untouchable by fear, illusion, temptation, despair, mind control.
• Allows one to command the body beyond mortal limits.
• They can refuse pain, exhaustion, and hesitation.
• Allows them to perceive guilt and falsehood within others. Though admittedly, certain races seem to have an ability to hide their hearts well…
"A person who knows themselves cannot be ruled."
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2. Conviction — Exerting will over the world nearby.
Instead of casting magic or using aura, those who use will simply force their desires into existence using their own power. This is the basis for their abilities going forward, but the initial ceiling is not very high, and backlash is felt more acutely.
Examples of what it can do:
• Force weapons, armor, and bodies to act beyond material law.
• Use a weapon to strike through things that "should not" be able to be cut or broken.
• Suppress weaker powers just by use of their presence alone.
• Will can turn intent into physical force: a step shakes space, a word becomes a calamitous blow.
• In more advanced capacities, Will can impose conditions on a battlefield and on one's self. Turns thought into powers. I.e teleportation, and flame lightning fists…. I like flame lightning a lot but you don't have to envision that if you don't wanna.
"What stands before me must yield."
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3. Sacrifice — Authority through Cost
This stage can only be reached after one has experienced sufficient backlash through the use of will and reached a degree of mastery.
Examples of what it can do:
• Trade blood, vices, memory, flesh, or emotions for overwhelming power and enhanced proficiency in the use of will with significantly diminished backlash.
• Make oaths metaphysically real.
Sacrifice is the most difficult stage to advance from. Ascendancy demands that ones who wish to master Will pay an appropriate cost to be what they are.
"I will pay whatever existence demands."
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4. Embodiment — Authority over Universal Principle
They do not just use power. They become living embodiments of cosmic law or principles.
This stage is a bit different from others, because the benefits received very from individual to individual. Making the powers they gain completely unique.
"Only what endures has the right to remain."
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Know. Stand. Suffer. Become. That is Will.
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