Mark felt each and every one of his nerves on fire. The suit closed over his incorporeal form causing lightning to shoot through his newly forming nervous system. Bones coalesce from shattered shards of calcium into a skeleton. Layering upon that skeleton are strings of red muscle that shiver with tension. The red meat connects with sinews that thrum like bow strings, snapping around and forcefully connecting joints. The organs forming out of a churning liquid inside the gut as they are rearranged over and over again.
Finally settling down, the new form of Mark finished it’s upheaval. What resulted was a human male. It’s body muscled and broad, with freckles along the face and shoulder in abundance. Brown hair was roughly cut to about an inch long. With a classically handsome face and a cleft chin.
Mark took his first breath in the new body and screamed.
-------------
Francis stood in a black space. It’s emptiness and darkness in stark contrast to the white-ish void of before. He hears the tapping feet of a person walking up behind him but cannot turn his head.
“Once upon a time.” The voice of the person behind Francis starts. “There was a man who was cursed by a god to be a halfling.”
“Who said that?” Francis frantically asked. “Who’s there?”
“Not to your liking? I’ll start again.” The voice spoke. “Once upon a time, there was a man who...”
“What are you talking about? What’s this ‘Once upon a time’ bullshit?” Francis was starting to get angry.
“Cool it. I’m your story you hear?” The voice soothed. “We gotta work together to come up with something.”
“Some kid of story?” Francis was confused. “Like my personal story? That’d take ages to get right! I’ve been plenty of places and done a lot of things!”
“It’s more like that brief introduction people ask the ‘what’s your story’ kind of thing.” The voice continued. “So work with me here. It doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be. Once upon a time...”
A moment passed as Francis considered what he was supposed to do. He could continue to fight against what was happening, or he could go along with the mystery voice. Seemingly unable to move otherwise, He decided to play along.
“There was a man who died.” Francis picking up the thread. “And while he was dead a goddess offered him another chance.”
“Now you’re getting it.” The voice encouraged. “She said ‘you can come back to life as a halfling for half of your remaining life.’”
“Little did I know what that deal would entail.” Francis started to slowly turn. “I found myself in a strange land that I had never been to, with a body I wasn’t used to.”
“There I built myself up into the halfling you see today.” The voice starting to sound more real. “I’m lucky to be alive.”
Francis finished his turn and saw the voice. A halfling stood there. The short and thin body had a wide face and ears that stuck out. Red hair topped the head and hung down to the shoulder in a smoothly combed fashion.
“And who are you?” Francis asked.
“I’m your story, and I’m you.” Francis replied.
-------------
Tim could not move. Tim could not see. Tim could not hear. Tim could not taste. Tim could not think. And yet, Tim was.
After a time, an eon perhaps, a crack appeared. Rough fingers pulled at the opening and stones were lifted out of the way.
“Hematite, a good strong core.” said the dwarf. “We got another dwarf in the making here!” it shouts out.
The impeding stones were broken and the large piece of ore was lifted onto a cart by many dwarfs. The cart, ore, and entourage travelled along rails to a room. There it was lifted onto a slab and arranged precisely in the centre.
The gathered dwarfs all stood around the ore. As a group they picked up various hammers and chisels hung about the room and started carving away what was not dwarf. The hammers rose and fell with a rhythm all their own.
Over time a humanoid shape was formed. The entire body a base black with stripes of red flowing throughout. Accents were added. Eyes of marble and Teeth of quartz. Facial features such as eyebrows and a beard were inlaid with gold.
With the main body formed, a smaller dwarf approached the handiwork. It inspected every inch before giving a nod of approval. This dwarf picked up small a small hammer and chisel. They began carving magic runes around the heart, spiralling outwards to cover the entire chest. Their work continued covering the form in these runes. Down each leg, across the stomach to the left arm, across the back to the right, then returning to the neck, finally they finished on the back of the head.
The final chisel blow on the form caused a blue spark to fill the runes in the opposite order they were carved. Flowing down the back of the head, up across the arms and belly, up and down the legs, before spiralling finally into the heart.
These runes fully lit up causing the body to shudder and flex. The small dwarf, satisfied at their success, placed a hand over the forehead of the dwarf on the table. Leaned down to it’s ear.
“Welcome to the world young one.” Were the first words Tim heard.
-------------
A small gray fox, on all fours, trotted along the forest path towards school.
“Be a man. Be man. a man.” the fox studiously thought. The words feeling a little alien in his head.
Along the way it spotted other small animals heading in the same direction. There were the squirrels and sparrows. Like him, they were being educated today. The elfs had this school in the forest to allow others to become like them.
“Be a man. Be a man. Be a man.” the fox concentrated on getting the words right now that his fellow classmates were near.
If the fox was good, tried hard, and played nice. He would keep getting treats and more education.
A decade passes.
The gray fox is no longer small. He is quite old now. The lessons are taking well.
“I will be a man. I will be a man. I will be a man.” The fox almost never had to consciously start the mantra. It’s constant refrain a soothing murmur.
The magical theory of the grand spell had been ingrained upon his very soul. All that is required is to build up the magical reserves to sustain it within his body. His first few transformations were well received, but fleeting. Barely lasting hours before reverting to four paws.
Two more years pass.
The gray fox, a fox no more, sits at a desk. His gray fur and pointed face were currently studiously focusing on a book in front of him. It’s contents were about mana storage within an elf’s body. Soon there would be enough to permanently sustain their humanoid form.
After mastering this method of storage, another would have to be researched and implemented into the elf body he currently had. Not only would he have to sustain his own form, he would have to uphold the grand spell for the next generation of students. Perhaps he would be lucky and clever enough to improve upon it.
50 years swim by in the blink of an eye.
Graduation is upon the gray fox elf. Him and his cohort are now about to head into the world outside of the school. Their task, to live well and learn. The fervent hope of everyone involved in their education that they would return with new knowledge for the grand spell.
The gray fox elf walked down the aisle. On either side of them were the many students he had spent all of his time studying and learning with. In his mind the spell run continuously, it’s gentle hum a constant background noise that he had acclimated to long ago.
The gray fox elf ascended to the stage. Looking all around at the staring faces, he took a deep breath and smiled. Striding forward the most important piece of parchment in his life was presented to him.
Paul saw his name along with many other unfamiliar symbols.
-------------
The five people, once again physical, return to the white-ish void. Marks scream peters out into ragged breaths as he hunches over from standing. Hugh marvels at his new found form. Tim is standing stock still. Paul rubs his elongated face and nose. Only Francis looks comfortable in his new skin.
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Hugh steps forward towards the goddess and bows. His flawless bronzed statuesque human form brimming with vitality and energy turns the bow into art. “Thank you, oh goddess, for what you have done.”
“Glad you like the results.” She winks at Hugh. “How about the rest of you?”
Mark gives a small keening noise as he curls up into the fetal position.
Francis looks up at everyone. “Different perspective I would say, could be better.”
Paul breaks from staring into nothing to comment. “I’m so soft.”
Tim grates as the sound of stone rubbing on stone emanates from his joints. “I’m surprisingly OK with this.” his voice deeper than it was before.
“Wonderful!” the goddess smiles. “I’m so glad it’s working out. I recall that you all have the classes you want in mind already. So that makes this next step a breeze.”
The goddess taps her chin in contemplation for a moment before pointing. “Smallest to tallest.”
A mote of dark energy leaves her finger and floats towards Francis who stiffens in anticipation. “The [Power] of the [Rogue]. Dexterity and flexibility for you.”
Francis’s body ripples as the dark mote hits him in the chest. Every muscle cramps and he gives out a stifled grunt through clenched teeth. The moment passes and he relaxes. He inspects himself and gives an exploratory stretch.
“Hey I can touch my toes!” Francis bends at the waist. “I mean they’re so much closer now but still!”
Pointing towards Tim a bright white mote makes its way to them. “The [Power] of the [Cleric]. Healing magic and the fortitude to protect others for you.”
The mote impacts the heart located rune on the dwarf body of Tim. It’s white light spirals out through every rune infusing them in a brief glow.
“Oh.” Tim says and begins flexing his rough fingers, then tracing some of the runes on his body. His touch causing them to briefly glow white.
Aiming at Mark, a red mote shoots out with speed and impacts his curled form. “The [Power] of the [Fighter]. Strength of arm and knowledge of weapons for you.”
Mark gives out a grunt as muscles bulge and writhe. He eventually stills and then uncurls. Sitting up from where he lay, He marvels at the new found mass on his frame. Flexing his arms, veins pop out in definition.
With only one person remaining. A purple mote drifts towards Paul. “The [Power] of the [Wizard]. Knowledge of spells, and the intelligence to wield them for you.”
The purple mote enters Paul’s forehead who immediately falls to his knees clutching his head. The purple energy crackles and snaps audibly beneath his fingers. As the colour disperses, Paul stands back up on shaky knees and says in his best imitation of Keanu Reeves. “I know ma-gic.”
Finally, the goddess extends a finger towards Hugh. Several motes of energy begin rotating around the tip each in a different colour of the rainbow. “The [Power] of the [Spell Blade]. It’s unmatched potential will be limited by only your wildest imagination.”
The motes leapt from the goddesses finger. Each impacted in a different position on Hugh’s body. With each mote a wave of energy flowed from the impact point to cover the rest of his body. Soon a rainbow coloured shell had coalesced around him which then sank into his skin.
“This feels amazing!” Hugh flexed his body and gave a few experimental hops in place. Eventually he got a slightly far away look in his eyes. “Oh and there’s the [Status] box!”
Status Name: Hugh Class: Spell Blade Kill God HP: 439/439 MP: 240/240 SP: 333/333 STR: 520 STM: 355 AGI: 396 INT: 270 DEX: 361 LCK: 66
“What’s a status box?” Paul asked. “I don’t see anything like that.”
“Well you wouldn’t. You all have the mark five [Power]. You need to say [Character Sheet].” The goddess spared a brief moment for the rest before refocusing on Hugh.
“[Character Sheet]” the four say in unison.
“What the fuck does any of this mean?” Francis gave the sheet a stare.
“What the fuck kind of basic build is this?” Paul objected.
“I’ve owned and operated a farm for decades, I’m not dumb.” Mark felt offended.
“I don’t think I’m ugly.” Tim lamented.
As the four continue to read and inspect their character sheets. The goddess and Hugh have their own conversation.
“The journey ahead will be long and hard.” The goddess whispered to Hugh. “You will face many hardships. But I believe that you will succeed. You must succeed.” She tilted her head towards the others. “They are expendable.”
“I understand. I will try my best, but the mission comes first.” Hugh gave a grim nod in return.
“Then go forth and join your initial companions. It is time to journey to the new world.” The goddess shooed Hugh towards the four.
Three of the four were being lectured to by Paul. “I’ve seen these sheets before. I’ll be able to answer any of your questions. First off being that I don’t think the attribute numbers accurately reflect who we are as people.”
Hugh interrupted. “Hey, it’s time to go.”
Paul started. “Oh, yes, I suppose it is.”
The five of them assembled in roughly a line. Hugh standing a half step in front. The goddess giving them a final look over.
“I’m now seeing a couple of problems, that I will immediately remedy.” The goddess snaps her finger once. “First off, clothes.”
Simple tunics appear on the four with Hugh getting a full set of leather armour.
“We were naked?” Mark fingered the cotton garment.
“You couldn’t tell? I could tell. Didn’t want to say anything. New world could have been a nudist colony for all I knew.” Francis said from waist height.
“They were skin suits, not fully clothed suits.” The goddess snapped again. “The more important thing is to protect your identities. Those mark five [Character Sheets] are incredibly out of date with the current [Power]. So you’ll need these to show off if anyone asks.”
Appearing before each of them was a blue box just floating in the centre of their vision.
Status Name: Paul Class: Mage Kill God HP: 7/7 MP: 2/2 SP: 1/1 STR: 8 STM: 12 AGI: 16 INT: 16 DEX: 16 LCK: 10
Status Name: Mark Class: Warrior Kill God HP: 12/12 MP: 0/0 SP: 1/1 STR: 16 STM: 14 AGI: 12 INT: 8 DEX: 12 LCK: 14
Status Name: Tim Class: Healer Kill God HP: 12/12 MP: 2/2 SP: 1/1 STR: 13 STM: 16 AGI: 10 INT: 12 DEX: 10 LCK: 8
Status Name: Francis Class: Thief Kill God HP: 9/9 MP: 0/0 SP: 1/1 STR: 8 STM: 12 AGI: 17 INT: 13 DEX: 17 LCK: 11
With all of them distracted. The goddess finishes by saying. “With all of that out of the way. I hereby charge you officially with your duties. Kill God, and don’t forget to bend your knees.”
Only Tim had the awareness to get out. “Wha..?” before the five of them suddenly found themselves in free fall. The white-ish void above them rapidly receding through a shrinking hole in the sky with the visage of the goddess waving goodbye.
All five hit the ground with heavy thuds. Hugh being the only one to keep his feet. The other four slowly stood up to marvel at the forest they found themselves in.
There was a vibrancy to the green that four of them had never seen before. The broad leaved trees allowed only a small amount of light to filter through the canopy giving everything a shadowy green tint. The air was clean and refreshing, filling the nose with a beguiling floral scent. The sounds of the forest birds singing were under cut by a rhythmic creaking of wood and the crunch of wheel on gravel.
“I hear a cart!” Hugh says and immediately heads off in the direction of the sound.
Mark looks to the others. “Stick together ya?”
The rest give nods of agreement and they hurry after Hugh.
With gigantic eager strides, Hugh leads the way through the forest. His nimble steps effortlessly finding purchase on sturdy stones, immobile roots, and flat ground. In contrast, Tim, Mark, and Paul were stumbling fools in comparison. Sticks breaking, slipping on leaves, and even finding the one puddle of mud around. Francis seemed to manage much better though, only earning scuffed knees from helping the others.
Hugh burst out of the forest finding a cart path and a caravan rolling through.
“Hello there!” Hugh called out, waving his arms high and wide. “I’ve just arrived in this world and I’m looking for directions to the nearest town!” A large grin split his face and excitement made his eyes shine.
The remaining four clambered past the final trees. Mud and dirt covering their bodies and clothes from the brief unexpected trek through the forest.
At Hugh’s sudden declaration and appearance, the caravan guards aimed bows, crossbows, and javelins. Every man and woman riding carts also brought up a ranged weapon to point at Hugh. As one, they loosed their projectiles towards the man who just stood there, smiling face frozen in surprise.
Dozens of arrows peppered the mans body like a reverse porcupine. The many coloured fletchings forming a scintillating pattern as each arrow and bolt adds an additional bit of motion.
As the volley finished, Hugh’s body stayed upright for a moment before finally falling backwards in a perfect arc.
The four could only stare dumbfounded at the sudden and violent end of the one most favoured by the goddess. They looked up at the caravan to see everyone there reloading whatever weapon they were wielding.
“Thank God we were able to save those poor people from the transmigrator.” A man from near the front of the caravan spoke into the silence. “He must have captured and robbed them of everything.”