The Anima Relics

The Anima Relics are three powerful relics that work together in regards to soul extraction and protection, making them a formidable set of relics within Drevhall. Each relic is powerful in their own right, able to be used separately to protect the wielder and grant unique boons to them. However, the full potential of these relics are brought out when used together. This trio consists of the following relics: The Arescent Anima, the Anima Ancora, and the Gratia Aurea.

These relics were previously in the possession of TheClassyBritish. However, Classy took them with her when she left the Riverlands to try and avoid the assassins, but was ultimatrly killed and the relics were stolen. The current holder of the relics is unknown.

#### History

The exact origins of these relics are unknown, but they were discovered by Bambus during his travels throughout the land. It was during the Sculk outbreak that it was discovered the Arescent Anima and the Anima Ancora could be used to safely dispose of infected mobs, with the sword absorbing up their souls in order to become strong enough to extract a living soul. Meanwhile, the Anima Ancora protected the wielder from being infected by the sculk.

Bambus retreated into the nether to carry out further experimentations with the two relics, attempting to find a means to fully harness their powers - specifically how to carry the Anima Ancora when it bears a living soul, due to the relic growing extremely heavy while carrying. It was during this time he stumbled upon the Gratia Aurea - a powerful golden apple which was greater than that of an Enchanted Apple but blinded whoever wielded it temporarily. Bambus never specified how he obtained such a relic, only mentioning how it would be useful in both carrying the Anima Ancora and serving as a potential means for curing disease. Bambus also took on TheClassyBritish as a student, teaching her how to properly use the relics and their true importance as Bambus was rarely around to handle the relics during the Sculk Infection. However, Bambus eventually departed, leaving the three relics in Classy’s possession.

With the relics, Classy swore an oath to wield the Anima relics solely to save souls that had too infected bodies, never to use to harm or imprison a soul and to especially ensure they did not fall into the wrong hands. After discussions with High King David and settling on a date, the three relics were first used on one of the worst infected individuals, SlashertheFox. The extraction took place within the High King’s domain within the Nether and was a success, although the Knights of the Withered Rose had to escort a blinded Classy out of the Nether and to her home of Copper Lake. Though it was a difficult task, the transportation was a success. Later, the soul was transferred to a new body and was a success, thus paving a way for Soul Extraction and Transportation. This selfsame act of extraction into the Anima Ancora would then be repeated on Turtle\_Titan\_yt.

Classy ultimately departed from the Riverlands, seeking a new life for herself somewhere else outside of the lands and to avoid being killed by the Hand of Blood. She took the relics with her in an attempt to ensure they would not be used against others. However, the woman was found and killed by the assassins, resulting in the relics falling into the organisation's hands. Yet upon the destruction of Bran Manor, the guildhouse for the Hand of Blood, the Anima Relics were nowhere to be found. Some believe the relics were taken by the assassins, while others believe that another party took the relics from the destroyed manor.

#### **The Relics**

##### The Arescent Anima

The Arescent Anima is a black and blue sword of unknown origin that came into Bambus’ hands at a certain period of time. This sword is able to extract the souls of those who are struck with it, allowing the wielder to effectively take their souls. However - for the Arescent Anima to accomplish this, the weapon must absorb a fair number of mob souls in order to gain enough power to tear someone’s soul from their body. This also makes the sword stronger the more mob souls it absorbs, and can lose this power if not constantly powered.

When carrying the sword, the user becomes surrounded by smoke, giving them an almost frightening appearance but they gain no additional effects. When someone is struck by the sword, they gain a withering effect that allows for the sword to cut the soul free from the body effectively before their body disappears. The pain those harmed by this sword use it on is extremely brief, like being pricked by a needle. This is due to the soul being absorbed before the body can register the pain. If someone is killed by the Arescent Anima without the Anima Ancora, their souls will not be absorbed. Thus to fully use the Arescent Anima, the Anima Ancora must be held in the other hand.

##### The Anima Ancora

The Anima Ancora, also known as the Soul Anchor, is a soul lantern that has been specifically modified to contain the souls of those struck with the Arescent Anima. Though how it was created exactly remains unknown, only that it holds a greater power than the common soul lanterns. Some theorise that potential runic magic or voidal magic is responsible for the connection between the Arescent Anima and the Anima Ancora.

When not containing a soul, the Anima Ancora is still powerful in its own right - it grants the wielder a protective barrier, protecting them from harm and giving them immense strength. Runes float around the wielder, forming a circle around them. The Anima Ancora has especially been proven to protect the wielder from sculk infected mobs and the infection itself, so long as it is carried. Yet as a price, it gives them slowness, which is to be expected when it comes to these relics. When a living soul is contained within the Anima Ancora, the relic becomes noticeably heavier for the wielder to carry, to the point where they are unable to move with the anchor. The only means of successfully carrying the Anima Ancora is by bearing the Gratia Aurea.

##### The Gratia Aurea

The Gratia Aurea, known also as the Apple of Life, is considered both the strongest and damping of the three relics to bear. It may appear to be a normal golden apple at first but it bears properties that no Golden Apple and Enchanted Golden Apple have. It is rumoured that the Gratia Aurea holds unique healing properties, being able to cure a variety of diseases and illnesses with a single bite. It is even said the apple can be used to bestow life back into a body, which was proven upon the activation of SlashertheFox’s body.

When holding the Gratia Aurea, the wielder gains immense regeneration and strength, permitting them to carry the Anima Ancora safely when it bears a living soul. However, the Gratia Aurea grants the wielder complete blindness. This makes transporting the wielder difficult due to the slowness from the Anima Ancora and the blindness from the Gratia Aurea. Thus when transporting a soul, the wielder must have guards there to protect them from harm - as proven with the multiple occasions Classy had to be escorted by the Knights of the Withered Rose.