While I read the first page in my grimoire I was listening to the pig shuffling around below me. When it's sound moved off, I closed the book and peeked outside again, watching the animal wandering off toward the east. Looking to the sky, I decided it was time to move on.
Turning back to my makeshift camp, I pack my stuff back into my rucksack, including the less smelly rat skin.
Crawling out of the hollow I stretch enjoying the sun on my fur before jumping down the same way I got up. Only I missed the last branch by a hair and after scrambling for purchase for a second I fell, landing awkwardly on all fours. "Ouch."
A crashing sound behind me made me jump upright and spin toward the noise. The stupid pig was sprinting toward me, eyes a creepy glowing red color. Head lowered and tusk aimed right at me. I stared stunned for a second, and that was enough time for the creature to close the distance. So I threw myself to the side but to late the tusk grazed me as it passed, making a gash on my side.
Looking at the wound, I don't know what to think it is the first time feeling this sensation. However, I know bleeding is bad from watching Big brother kill that deer. So I press my hand over it, trying to make the blood stop flowing.
Except I don't have time for the pig already turned around, and it looks even madder now. With a roar, it sprints toward me again. But this time I am not standing still I started running to the side trying to get closer to the tree. Pulling my knife from my pocket I unfold the blade and as I dodge to the side again I swipe at the pig's hind leg. Only I miss and the pig jerks its butt in the air and kicks backwards, hitting me squarely in the chest. Sending me flying backwards, slamming into the giant black tree.
While sliding down the trunk in pain, catching on a few spines sticking out of the tree, I think. This tree is really creepy looking, Right before I hit the ground, however, I don't stop there as the ground gave way, dropping me several feet further down. Striking the ground again on a slight slope and rolling further down, bouncing off rocks and roots along the way.
Laying on my back, limbs splayed out around me, I say to the ceiling. "Well, at least it can't get much worse." Only to hear thunder in the distance and a clump of dirt fell from the ceiling right on my face. Spluttering, I try to push myself up off the floor. But when I pushed with my left hand, pain shoots up my arm into my brain, nearly making me blackout.
Staring at my open palm, there is a six inch black spine stuck through the center of my hand. Gritting my teeth, I grab the fatter end with my right and tug. Trying to hold back a scream. I soon let go as all I accomplished is tugging the skin and tearing more of the muscles inside. With a bit of whimpering, I wait to let my eyes adjust to the darkness, before taking a closer look. The spine looked to be held in place by tiny serrated blades, and when I tugged, they tore deeper into my hand. So I attempted to push the spine through the other way. While it still hurt really badly, it moved easier.
Glancing around me for my pack, I don't see it anywhere, but I saw my knife nearby. Scooting backwards on my butt, I grabbed it and with several deep breaths. I began sawing as much off the fat end of the spine as I could, without cutting my hand open. Letting out an involuntary whimper several times. I managed not to scream, thinking there might be something living down here, and I didn't want to attract whatever it may be.
When I have cut off as much as I can, I scan my surroundings again. Soon finding a small root sticking from the wall, sliding up to it, a start sawing a chunk off. Then I stuck it in my mouth and bit down, before placing my thumb against the spine and with a muffled scream. I shoved it through, as far as I could.
With my entire body trembling, and my feet kicking the ground in pain. I grab the other end and yanked, throwing the spine across the small cavern, before falling backwards onto my back.
A soft glow pulsed near the back of the cavern above what looked like a two foot tall pedestal. Groaning, I slowly stand up and shuffle closer. On the front of the pillar, there is a plain plaque with some writing on it.
[Congratulations, through secret trials and pure tenacity, you have earned one boon from the shrine of fate. Place an item of personal value on top and receive an object you need.]
Looking down at myself taking stock of my belongings, all I can think of is my grimoire or my knife. Neither seems like a good idea to leave behind in this situation. Grimacing, I hold out my hand with the thought of trading my book when the words change.
[Soul bound items are not acceptable.]
With a huff, I slam my pocketknife down on the pillar. "Fine, take my knife."
[Item accepted, Item rated at priceless to the owner.]
Suddenly, a swirling vortex of magic appeared above the pedestal. A few seconds later I stared nervously at a human man dressed in a strange outfit, looking back at me in surprise. He leaned forward, folding his fingers together. "Well, hello there and who might you be, young man?" The man said in a kind manner I could see in his eyes; he was genuinely curious and worried about me.
"My name is Arthur sir," I say with a little stuttering. but that's to be expected I could sense immense power hidden inside this man. Far, far more than my Dad could dream of having.
"Well, Arthur, are you okay?" He asked while looking me up and down, stopping several times on my many gashes covering my exposed fur.
I tried to shake my head to deny that anything was wrong. It had been so long since anyone asked me if I was okay and tears began welling in my eyes. But I was doing my best to hold them back.
"If you need to cry, do it, it is terrible to bottle up your emotions too long, young man."
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That was the final straw I could not hold back anymore, and everything that had been happening over the last year came back. I cried for what seemed forever while the man watched never once interrupting me he just let me let it all out. After I finished I really did feel much better feeling embarrassed at my childish behavior.
I looked back at the man who wore a warm smile. "It's fine now why don't you tell me what is wrong, I always find talking about my problems to strangers relaxing. Maybe I just like to spread the burden, who knows."
So I told him about my time living in Dad's mansion, how my potential rated zero and I had become useless to my family. Moms escape plan and tricking the kidnappers. Then I got excited explaining about learning how to hold a knife properly, and I felt proud when he congratulated. Me for it. Then I told him of my brief struggle with the pig before falling down this hole and pulling the evil spike from my hand.
After I rambled on for a good fifteen minutes I finished telling him of my adventure sofar.
"So there is a message on that pedestal that said you earned one chance at getting an item you need if you placed something important to you on it right?"
Nodding my head at the man, I said, "I put my pocketknife, that's all I had when I fell."
The man pulled out a metal box from nowhere and said, "I see well I should give you something even better. This is a dimensional inventory," My eyes nearly bugged out of my skull in shock and he continued. "And judging by the widening of your eyes, I don't need to explain what that means."
Shaking my head "No sir, but those are really rare only the King has one it can hold three items."
Grinning, the man winked at me, "well this will hold a great deal more than his I guarantee it. I doubt you will fill this soon, even if you stuffed every acorn in the woods inside."
The man quirked an eyebrow suddenly. "Hmm, that's strange are your wounds closing already?"
Looking down, I see what he is talking about: the gash on my side from the pig grazing me has almost completely closed. "This is the first time something has hurt me are they not supposed to close?"
"No, they are, but over several days, not minutes. Interesting, well at least I can rest assured you won't bleed to death soon. But you better learn to defend yourself if you plan to stay outside of a town." Then with a flick of his wrist the cube was tossed toward me I stuck out my hand grabbing it from the air.
Remembering Mom's lessons, I bowed to the human and proclaimed. "Thank you for this gift, I will keep your kindness in my heart forever and should we meet again, will repay it tenfold."
Nodding solemnly, the man replied. "I will await that time. Good luck Arthur and may this gift help you on your path to greatness."
When he finished speaking I felt an urge and summoned my Grimoire flipping to the back page, I tore it out, throwing it toward the closing gateway. " Someday if you're in trouble, write a message on that page and if I have the power to do so I will aid in any way I can."
With a small snap, the gate closed, leaving me alone once more.
Looking down at my grimoire, I see a small glow, "cool wonder what that means."
Turning to the first page I see it changed
[Alfirima Fea is eligible for an upgrade would you like to merge dimensional cube with grimoire, merger unlocks inventory page.]
"Cool! Does that mean no one can take the cube from me?"
The words blurred and rearranged themselves before my eyes.
[Yes, this grimoire is soul bound, so all upgrades are permanent and cannot be taken by outside forces. Except as a rare drop. in the condition that an entity with a grimoire kill's you.]
"Oh, well lets hope no one kills me Okay merge." As soon as I spoke to the book, it glowed a bright blue afterwards as the cube and book melted together. When it finished, my grimoire had turned a metallic silver color that reflected the light from the still glowing pedestal.
[Merger complete new page added inventory.]
Quickly opening to the last page I saw.
[https://i.imgur.com/pj3CBB0.jpg]
"Neat!" But I wonder how I take stuff out, and what does x5000 mean? Hmm, maybe I touch the picture?
No sooner than that thought entered my head my finger moved touching the picture of a sandwich. A copy of the picture popped up on the preview box when I did.
[Rare item, B.L. T +20% stamina for 4 hours + 20% health regeneration for 10 minutes. A nutritious lunch item from a parallel universe. Can remove one item at a time.]
"Okay, How?" I know I will think it into my hand I stare at the picture for a long moment but nothing happens "gimme my sandwich stupid book." Then it appeared in my hand. "What! Okay, put it back" and just like that it returned I also noticed the number changing back from x4999 to x5000 making my jaw drop open. "How am I going to pay the strangely dressed man back tenfold?"
Turning my attention to the next item, I poke it.
[Rare item Bottled water. Water from a parallel universe.]
Well, I suppose water is water no matter where you are from.
Moving on, I see a picture with three different knives.
[Epic item, Tritarium pocketknife. Unbreakable blade +10 sharpness.] However, once I moved my wide eyes from that blade to another, it left the preview box entering an empty one further down the grid.
[Epic item, Tritarium kitchen knife. Unbreakable blade +10 to slicing meat and vegetables bonus applied only when used for cooking.] Cool Mom would have loved to have this knife.
[Legendary item, Imbued tritarium machete. Unbreakable blade +10 to all stats when used in battle. Will size itself to owner, do you wish to bind Imbued tritarium machete?]
Stunned, I stare at the message written in the book. Turning back to the pedestal I bow deeply again "thank you sir and whoever is in charge of this fate shrine." After holding the bow for ten seconds I say to my grimoire "yes I would like to bind the machete."