With a shaky exhale he turned to the next page. The crimson deepened into a dark scarlet, almost like dried blood, casting a harsh flickering light that made the room feel like a furnace.
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PAGE THE SEVENTH — WRATH (Dark Scarlet)
Charge: Unleash thy furie. Let anger burn through thine enemies, leaving ash and ruine in thy wake.
What Wrath Seeketh Vengeance rightful, judgment sharp, and the humbling of thy foes.
Deeds that be Counted as Wrath
• To punish treason; to answer crueltie in kind; to break the hand that striketh thee.
• To pursue a mark without turning aside, till sentence be fulfilled.
• To defend thy name with measured steel before witnesses.
The Way of Wrath Thou shalt channel thy rage to destroy. Strike down foes with fist or flame, and let none stand in thy path. Each act of Wrath, being here inscrib'd in blood, kindleth thy power and sharpeneth thy judgment.
Recording the Sin Write thy deed of Sins with the crimson quill. The Book shall judge the worth thereof if Wrath: E (paltrie), D, C, B, A (masterful); beyond A be S and EX. Great slaughters and judgments wrought against the mighty earn the greater reward. Record within foure and twenty houres, else thy due is halved.
Rewards & Exchange
• Stat Gain After level up with sin: Wrath most oft strengtheneth Strength and Endurance, for the wrathful are mighty and tireless.
• Wrath-Experience to Sin-Point Reckoning: nine to one (9:1; called the WSP).
Risks Wrath uncontrolled may harm those thou holdest dear. The Book cautioneth: temper thy furie, lest it consume thee and turn the Verdict upon thine own head.
Thus Speaketh the Book Burn brightly yet beware the ashes.
At Present (Isaac Wilson)
• Abilities: None.
• Wrath-Experience Point: 0 (reckon'd nine to one for the WSP).
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"The concept of Wrath is different from the others," he breathed. "From this I can at least understand how most of the sins work. But Wrath is on a whole different level from what I expected."
The promise of Strength and Endurance felt closer to him than Pride's swagger or Lust's charm. "But if it's about getting revenge like it says I'm not strong enough for that. Since it also shows it'll make me stronger I might as well put that on hold," he muttered with a slight smirk. "But the warning… I'm not sure how I'm really gonna handle that." The words haunted him. Harm those thou holdest dear.
"Why am I thinking too much into this? Who do I even hold dear?" he scoffed, thinking of his current life and how things were going. At least his brother and mother weren't here. He let that thought die before it went anywhere and turned to the next page.
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PAGE THE SIXTH — ENVY (Emerald)
Charge: Covet what others possess. Steal their strengths, their skilles, their very essence, to make them thine owne.
What Envy Seeketh That which another hath place, art, visage, or name.
Deeds that be Counted as Envy
• To mirror a rival's craft and outdo him before witnesses.
• To don another's semblance or signature move and wrest his station.
• To usurp the throne thou truly desirest, proving the better in deed.
The Way of Envy Thou shalt desire what is another's, taking his gifts by guile or by force. Let his power become thine; let his repute serve thy rise. Each act of Envy, being here inscrib'd in blood, mirroreth their greatnesse in thee.
Recording the Sin Write thy deed of Sins with the crimson quill. The Book shall judge the worth thereof if Envy: E (paltrie), D, C, B, A (masterful); beyond A be S and EX. Stealing a mighty gift or publickly dethroning the envied earneth the highest mark. Record within foure and twenty houres, else thy due is halved.
Rewards & Exchange
• Stat Gain After level up with sin: Envy most oft enhanceth Intelligence and Agility; for the envious are cunning and quick.
• Envy-Experience to Sin-Point Reckoning: six to one (6:1; called the ESP).
Risks Envy breedeth foes who would reclaim their gifts, and counter-arts that bite the thief. The Book warneth: covet truly; counterfeit desire perverteth the gift and cracketh the mirror. Guard well that which thou hast stolen.
Thus Speaketh the Book Take their light but fear their vengeance.
At Present (Isaac Wilson)
• Abilities: None.
• Envy-Experience Point: 0 (reckon'd six to one for the ESP).
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He breathed out slowly, thinking on the faces of people who had everything he didn't. Talent he wished was his. Stations in life he'd never touch. To wear what they have like a skin. The idea thrilled and chilled him at once. He turned the page.
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PAGE THE EIGHTH — GLUTTONY (Orange)
Charge: Consume beyond need. Devour life, energie, or soules, to feed thy unending hunger for power.
What Gluttony Seeketh Consumption, absorption, and conversion of strength.
Deeds that be Counted as Gluttony
• To drain stamina or essence by touch.
• To heal by feeding upon a foe's vitalitie.
• To store stolen powers and refine them into suited boons.
The Way of Gluttony Thou shalt gorge upon the essence of others be it meat, energie, or soules. Take more than is meet, and so grow strong. Each act of Gluttony, being here inscrib'd in blood, filleth thy being with might.
Recording the Sin Write thy deed of Sins with the crimson quill. The Book shall judge the worth thereof if Gluttony: E (paltrie), D, C, B, A (masterful); beyond A be S and EX. Devouring a great force or a soul of high degree earneth the greatest bountie. Record within foure and twenty houres, else thy due is halved.
Rewards & Exchange
• Stat Gain After level up with sin: Gluttony most oft bolstereth Endurance, for the gluttonous endure through excess.
• Gluttony-Experience to Sin-Point Reckoning: seven to one (7:1; called the GLSP).
Risks Gluttony may sicken thy soule, and cosmick judges set their gaze upon thee. Moreover, each great feeding requireth an ordeal; if thou skippest the due, decay creepeth in thy marrow. The Book cautioneth: consume wisely, lest thou be consumed.
Thus Speaketh the Book Feast fully yet beware the cost.
At Present (Isaac Wilson)
• Abilities: None.
• Gluttony-Experience Point: 0 (reckon'd seven to one for the GLSP).
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"Gluttony sounds like… food," he muttered. But reading deeper he understood. This wasn't about overeating. This was about draining life force.
His fingers traced the words on the orange page. It sounded almost like having vampiric powers. Consuming others to get an Endurance boost. Not gonna lie the idea of storing stolen energy did sound tempting. It also felt messy. But who was he to complain? He laughed to himself. It wasn't like he hadn't done the most disgusting things in life just to survive. He knew there was probably a lot more linked to this sin than what was on the page. He'd find out more about it when the time came.
He turned to the next page.
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PAGE THE NINTH — SLOTH (Ice Blue)
Charge: Shirk the burdens of effort. Warp time and will, to rest, recover, or to slow them that oppose thee.
What Sloth Seeketh Stillness, thrift of motion, and the governance of small moments.
Deeds that be Counted as Sloth
• To win by waiting, letting others labour in thy stead.
• To husband strength, striking only at the sure hour.
• To ensnare a field in languor, and step betwixt the tickes of time.
The Way of Sloth Thou shalt avoid toyle, laying burdens upon other shoulders when it profiteth thee. Bend time to grant thy flesh rest, or to hinder thy foes. Each act of Sloth, being here inscrib'd in blood, granteth thee ease and puissance.
Recording the Sin Write thy deed of Sins with the crimson quill. The Book shall judge the worth thereof if Sloth: E (paltrie), D, C, B, A (masterful); beyond A be S and EX. Great acts of Sloth as halting the moment it selfe earn the highest mark. Record within foure and twenty houres, else thy due is halved.
Rewards & Exchange
Stat Gain After level up with sin: Sloth most oft enhanceth Endurance and Intelligence; for the slothful conserve strength and plot cunningly.Sloth-Experience to Sin-Point Reckoning: ten to one (10:1; called the SSP).
Risks Sloth may weaken thy resolve, and the hour of action may overtake thee unawares. The Book warneth: rest not overlong, lest thou be overtaken and seal'd by thine own idlenesse.
Thus Speaketh the Book Rest in power yet stir when thou art call'd.
At Present (Isaac Wilson)
• Abilities: None.
• Sloth-Experience Point: 0 (reckon'd ten to one for the SSP).
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When he finished reading all the sins he rested back on the bed with his hand on his forehead, staring up at the ceiling. He exhaled slowly, taking it all in.
"Honestly after going through all the sins Sloth doesn't sound like anything special," he said. He paused then added, "But the definition of its power is on a whole different level. Unbelievable no matter how anyone looks at it."
He shut his eyes and let the rain drum against the glass for a while. Then he opened them again to the cold light pooling on the page. With everything he'd read it was clear he'd eventually have to commit sins. That's what the book was asking of him. Meaning he'd have to go the extra mile. There was even a possibility he might have to kill for it.
He turned onto his side and stared at the wall. Was he ready to go through with this? He couldn't answer that. Not right now. It was best he let the future decide what would happen when the time came. For now he should just finish reading whatever was left of the book.
He sat back up and turned to the next page.