I knew intense suffering. If this was a dream, it was, by far, more real than any other he had before. My skin felt on fire. One moment my organs felt like they were being ripped apart and completely shredded, then the next moment everything was put back together as if nothing had happened.
Organ after organ I would be wracked with unimaginable pain and then heat and burning, then it would be fine, and another organ went through the same process. The entire time my skin felt like it was both on fire and being poked by millions of pin pricks. No matter how badly I wanted to wake up I couldn’t.
I did everything I could to shift my thinking and I tried to remember happier times. Then I tried to focus on what I wanted, to be whole and healthy. I refused to give up even as my body and soul felt like it was being crushed by intense weight.
Then as I felt darkness was all around me, I was blinded by intense light.
I woke up gasping for air! “Ah-ha, got... to... breathe... holy... what... was... that?!”
Words both appeared in my vision and echoed in my head.
Temporal Encoding Complete
Congratulations! You have finished the second stage of absorbing the Ancient Celestial Dragon core. You have gained the following benefits:
Mana Capacity and Mana Regeneration have increased.
Total stat point increases: +15 Strength, +10 Dexterity, + 25 Constitution, +15 Intelligence, +25 Wisdom, +13 Charisma.
“What the hell does that mean?”
Query Accepted
The Ancient Celestial Dragon core you absorbed came from a very old dragon.
“I figured that much by the word ‘Ancient’ but...” I started to say but was cut off by my System.
1. You do not understand. Old as in the beginning of this universe and others.
“Oh. Wow, but how does that explain what just happened?”
Query Accepted
You have completely phase 2 of the assimilation process. During this stage more of the energy flows through your soul and body. If there are remnants of the creature’s soul within it has a chance to resist or in this case judge the worthiness of the recipient.
“But what do the words ‘Temporal Encoding Complete’ mean?!” It was not like my system to withhold information and it was causing my frustrations to rise.
Query Not Accepted
“WHAT?!”
I couldn’t believe it. It may have only been over a day, but my system has always been more than willing to help me understand things. I wasn’t sure what to do about this. That was when a new notification appeared in my vision.
You have completed phase 2 of the Ancient Celestial Dragon core. You have an opportunity to immediately combine and finish phase 3 and phase 4. Do you wish to proceed, Yes or No?
“I wanted this over. If I’m going to die then so be it system, but if I die because of lack of information I’m going to be seriously pissed off!” I said as I mentally selected the ‘yes’ option.
I immediately screamed in agony as everything I had just experienced hit me again but times thirteen!
My vision was blinded by light, and I think I passed out. I’m not sure as when I opened them, I was floating in a golden bubble in space.
A deep voice spoke, and every fiber of my being thrummed to every word. “Do not blame your system for not being able to answer your question. It was not meant to know.”
“Who are you?” I asked.
“That is one of my questions to you.” The voice replied.
A few moments passed before it asked two questions in a commanding voice. “Who Are You?! What Do You Want?!”
“Hey, I know those lines. They are from one of my favorite sci-fi series of all time.” I replied.
“Yes, I know. I have been inside your Mind, Body, and Soul. Those questions have power and meaning behind them. Yet I do not think you fully understand what that means, not yet anyway.”
“Will you help me understand?”
The voice boomed with laughter. “Ha, ha, ha, ha! Now that is the right question!”
A moment passed and it continued. “I am the remnants of the Ancient Celestial Dragon core you are absorbing.”
“Nice to meet you. Do you have a name?”
The voice replied. “You are being rather cavalier about possibly being destroyed.”
“My parents taught me to be respectful and my Nanuz and Uncles taught me to be honorable even in the face of danger.” I answered.
“Wise people and their wisdom show in your very soul. Very well, to answer your question I have had many names, as names have power, I will gift you with that knowledge should you survive what is to come.”
“I’m all ears.” I replied.
The voice boomed in laughter once again. “Ha, ha, ha, ha! That would be a very uncomfortable state of being if you were all ears.”
“No, it is just an expression...”
The booming voice cut me off. “Ha, ha, ha. I know that but the visual it inspires is quite hilarious.”
“You know you’re right.” I replied as I thought about how weird that would look to be covered in ears.
“Of course, I am right I tend to be. As do you do you not?” The voice replied.
That caught me off guard. “Well, I tend to use both my mind and heart, yet when I truly listen, I tend to be pointed to the solution. It tends to be so clear to me, but others have a hard time, yet I tend to be proven correctly. It’s hardest when I’m blinded by emotions. I never really thought about it before.”
“Yes, there are reasons for what you do. Your mind, your very soul are touched by time, as is mine. You see we are fractured in time and space, in being one thing and it’s the opposite. That duality is your greatest burden as it was mine. Do you understand?”
“No but perhaps I am beginning to.”
“And that was the right answer. Knowing you understand very little but seeking out the truth is the true measure of wisdom. Of all the magics and powers in existence Time is not understood by Intelligence alone, no it is your Will and your Wisdom that helps you understand.” The voice stated.
A long pause went by before the voice continued. It was clear to me the voice wanted their words to sink in. “If you had not a Divine Infinitum you would be dead already. I embodied time and space. I embraced my charge and traveled through time and journeyed across the stars and realms. Along the way I gained both Light and Dark traits, your system calls them abilities.”
“How did you die?” I asked. This being sounded very powerful, and it made my mind wonder what could kill it.
“Some would call it hubris, but I call it self-sacrifice. I helped both the Light and the Dark lock away several ancient Eldritch beings that were the antithesis to the Light and the Dark. It was one of the rare times they banded together to stop a greater threat. The apocalypse your world is suffering is only the beginning. It is a chance for Light to give a final chance for redemption. It is Dark’s chance to further claim as many as they can for their side. In the end it matters not. Perhaps there is a third choice. What I do know is the greater enemies are those who exist outside.”
“Outside? You mean the Eldritch?” I asked.
“Yes and no. Those that serve the Eldritch are not always like their masters, they are those who are lost and beyond madness. I cannot speak more about this, and that is not the purpose of our conversation. The apocalypse is THE event, but it was not the catalyst. I was wounded in the greatest of battles. That wound left me with a choice. Sacrifice much of my power to heal and live or instead sacrifice myself to entrust my power to another. I chose the latter.”
“My respects to you for such an honorable act.” I commented. I was not sure I could do such a thing.
The voice continued. “There were five options to bequeath my legacy. One of the Light, and one of the Dark, three caught in the middle and possibly falling to one side of the other. In the end I chose you.”
“What?! I thought I received your magic core as a quest reward for closing the portal. My understanding is that reward is random. Also, why me?” I asked in confusion.
The voice laughed. “Ha, ha, ha, ha! To most things are ‘random’ but that does not mean without the ability to predict probabilities to one such as I. To answer your question, why you. It is simple, you did the same selfless act as I had done.”
“Huh? No, I didn’t. I did not kill myself. I’m pretty sure at least up until this moment I was very much alive.” I answered perplexed.
The voice chuckled. “Ha, ha, ha. Perhaps you do not realize what you have done. You sacrificed your guaranteed salvation to save those you both knew and did not know. You chose to return just for the chance to save others. That is the same thing I do now. Your Divine Infinitum will give you the chance to absorb my power, but you must change and adapt just as your core and spiral have.”
“What do you mean?”
“Simple. A human body has infinite possibilities but as you are now you cannot contain my powers. So, you must adapt.”
“I feel like you are leading to something.”
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
“Yes, I am. It is why I prevented your system from showing you the results of phase 2 and why I forced it to initiate phase 3 and 4 together. Temporal Encoding Complete.” The last sentence the voice spoke thrummed and I felt it in every fiber of my being.
“What does that mean?” I asked the disembodied voice.
The voice boomed in response. “It means you are now both a part of time and beyond it. Yes, I have picked up several abilities over the eons, but my greatest attunement was to time itself. To be both a part of it and separate. Even the god of time could not find me, for I was everywhere and nowhere simultaneously. That is what Temporal Encoding Complete means you now can never be hindered by any negative time or slowing effects. Only time magic you wish to experience and wield will occur. Your system is as much a part of time as the universe itself so it cannot comprehend what this fully means. I will allow it to understand some but only you will understand it’s full meaning.”
I was speechless. Not even a time god could touch me. Good to know there was a time god. Lower case g which means lesser and not the big guy.
“Sadly, this also means from this point forward you will no longer age. Though your cells can die this will give you a natural resistance to necrotic damage. Most death magic spells tend to have elements of speeding up cell death, that part of the magic will have no effect on you, but that does not mean you are immune to that type of magic in totality.” The voice explained.
“Good to know. Let me first say thank you for this and what you are doing. If I already received the Temporal Encoding as part of phase 2, what is phase 3 and 4?”
“As I said earlier your very spirit is fractured. Such a profound choice you made has consequences. Who you were, what you are, and who and what you will become has been broken. This affects your very mind, body, and soul. I cannot fix this completely, but I can put in motion the eventual healing needed for you to be made whole again. That shall be set in motion but also means you cannot remain solely human. Your body must adapt, and you must become as I was, an Ancient Celestial Dragon.”
“Hold up. Wait a minute! You mean to tell me I’m going to become a dragon?! I mean an actual dragon?!” I said in disbelief.
“Yes, it is the only way to both begin to heal you and it will be needed for phase 4.”
“So, I get to be a dragon?! One of my rules in life: be yourself, cause everyone else is taken... unless you can be a dragon then be a DRAGON! My friends would say be Batman but that pales in comparison to being a real dragon! Let’s do this!” I said in giddy excitement.
“Do you not wish to understand phase 4?” The voice asked.
“Oh, yea right. Sorry just excited. Why does me becoming a dragon help the next phase? Also, what happens in phase 4?” I replied.
The voice explained. “By becoming an ancient celestial dragon your body, including all your organs will be able to handle the influx of my power. Your Divine Infinitum would have survived and grown regardless, but you might remember the intense pain you felt everywhere, your body, as it is, cannot handle what I give you. One of my kind is built to survive the extremely harsh environments of space, the stars, and other realms. Some of my power will be used in this transformation. For the power contained within my core this is easy as it is like genetic memory and cell replication. It will still be excruciatingly painful; of that I am sorry.”
“It’s okay. I get to be a dragon. Sorry believe it or not, lifelong dream coming true here. If pain is what it’s going to take so be it.” I replied, not deterred in the slightest.
The voice continued. “Very well. Phase 4 is when my magic core fully infuses with you as the last vestiges of who I was becomes a part of you. As part of my sacrifice, I ensured that many of my abilities, spells, and skills would transfer over. Several will be made available to you when you awaken. However, there will be some that will remain dormant until you reach an appropriate level, or the right circumstances are met. Much of my magic is related to time, it will take you a great deal of reflection and hard work to use that power to the fullest possible. Lastly, I will tell you this, do not tell others about me or of what you have become. My kind were forces of nature that could be seen as being both Light and Dark. If others discover you to be a dragon, do not reveal your type. Yet of all these warnings the most important is never reveal what Temporal Encoding truly means. You will begin to understand my unique power soon enough.”
“Thank you for everything.” It was all I could think of to say. This being was giving its life for the chance to help save others. It would always have my respect and appreciation.
“AND SO, IT BEGINS!!!” The voice boomed.
Then every part of me exploded. I was a scattering of feelings, thoughts, and emotions. As I felt like I was starting to be stitched back together the pain came in roiling waves of intensity. Once I felt like I had organs again, they only brought with them pain and agony.
Each organ morphed and changed, while they filled up with liquid fire. That fire poured out of each organ and burned through every vein and artery. I screamed and screamed until I felt that same liquid fire scorch my throat as it continued to spread. Then it hit my brain and I recalled every painful memory I had ever experienced in exacting detail and magnified exponentially.
Then ever so slightly a memory of hope or love with show itself. I felt the joy of knowing my best friend would always be there for me. It redoubled my commitment and love for him as my brother. Then I remembered other family members, many who I knew were now gone, saved from such brutality and horror this apocalypse would bring.
Then I saw flashes or images that felt like memories but different. I saw the local town overrun by goblins. People were in cages or used as slaves or worse, food. I saw my best friend traveling across the country, fighting zombies and then coyotes. A flash of three people armed approaching the compound. An image of magic pulsing and flowing. Then in an instant a flash and everything was gone.
I gasped awake. I bolted upright and then jumped to my feet.
“Holy cow! What was that?!” I exclaimed as I immediately checked my vitals.
“Eyes, ears, nose, mouth, arms, legs, family jewels. All check! Whew! Wait I thought I was turned into a dragon? Was that just some weird extremely painful dream? Why and I still human?”
Welcome Back!
Query Accepted
Congratulations! You have completely absorbed the Ancient Celestial Dragon core! As a result, you have gained the following changes:
Race change to Ancient Celestial Dragon...
“Wait if it says it right there that I am a dragon, why am I human?”
Query Accepted
You are using a shapeshift ability that has you completely in human form. Even if someone inspects you, they will only see the race you take the form as. Please Note: Finish reviewing the summary of changes.
“Sorry System. Please continue displaying the changes.”
Congratulations! You have completely absorbed the Ancient Celestial Dragon core! As a result, you have gained the following changes:
· Race change to Ancient Celestial Dragon
· Your Divine Infinitum has grown in power. Mana Capacity and Mana Regeneration increased.
· You have greater control over your ability Gravity Momentum Manipulation
· You have gained the ability True Shapeshift
· You have gained the ability Partitioned Mind
· You have gained the ability Dark Mantle
· You have gained the ability Flight.
· You have gained the ability Draconic Regeneration
· You have gained the ability Seer’s Gift
· You have gained the ability Claws of Time
· You have gained the spell Magic Missiles (Time Variant) (Tier 1)
· You have gained the spell Plasma Bolt (Tier 3)
· You have gained the spell Black Hole Arrow (Tier 7)
· You have gained the spell Time Boost (Tier 4)
· You have gained the spell Rift (Tier 8)
· You have gained the skill Quick Step
· You have gained the skill Probability Calculations
· You have gained the following stat increases: +10 Strength, +10 Dexterity, +25 Constitution, +25 Intelligence, +25 Wisdom, +13 Charisma
“Damn that’s a lot of stuff from one core!”
Correct
Query Accepted
Such a high number of benefits is so improbable that the only conclusion was the core came from a being who imbued as much of its power in its core. Such an act would result in its death.
“Good to know System. Let’s learn what all the new abilities do. I’ll wait to read up on the spells and skills after I get a better handle on all the changes.”
Query Accepted
Ability: True Shapeshift
Description: Many dragons possess the ability to turn into any race they desire. The ancient dragon can not only look like the race, but their mana signature and physiology are indistinguishable from true beings of that race. This form cannot be forcefully changed, granting immunity to polymorphic magical effects.
“Nice so that explains why I feel as human as ever. Good to know it can’t be forcefully removed. Also, nice to know I can’t be turned into a sheep or something like that.” I said as I continued reading.
Ability: Partitioned Mind
Description: Your mind is now your own. This ability provides two primary functions. First, it allows you to completely compartmentalize parts of your mind preventing all others including the system access. Second, it grants you the ability to split your thought processes to perform true multitasking. You can now perform multiple computations and thought calculations in parallel.
‘So finally, my mind is my own again. Isn’t that right system?’ I mentally thought inside what I visualize as a separate bunker in my mind.
I waited to see if the system would respond. Several minutes later and nothing. ‘Sweet! Okay time to move on.’
Outside my mental bunker I mentally thought, “That will be very useful. Let’s move to the next one System.”
Ability: Dark Mantle
Description: The vast void of nothingness can strike fear to even the most devoted. Warning: This can cause some to become fanatics to your cause and others to wet themselves in your presence.
Passive effect: Those that oppose you will second guess their choices reducing their battle effectiveness. Dark aligned creatures will naturally see you as someone worthy. For several Dark aligned beings, those with this ability deserve to be served and obeyed. Others may be stricken with fear. Warning: This part of the ability cannot be turned off.
Active effect: Can inspire both fear and awe in those around you. This ability weakens Outsiders and Eldritch beings within your vicinity. Please Note: This ability could draw Dark aligned creatures to your side.
“This complicates matters a bit. I don’t really want people to piss themselves when I walk by. I should probably invest heavily in Charisma to help compensate. Alright next one System.”
Ability: Flight (Gravity Variant)
Description: This form of flight allows you to create opposing gravitational forces between you and the ground or air molecules to enable flight. This can still be used in space even if objects are separated by vast distances.
“Well, that is going to be one of the very first abilities I’ll be testing out! Okay these keep getting better. Bring it on, System.”
Ability: Draconic Regeneration
Description: The healing powers of some types of dragons are legendary. This ability will automatically heal any wound. This ability uses ‘True’ healing meaning it cannot be blocked by any magical means. Mana and stamina can be expended to increase the rate of regeneration.
“Alright now we are talking! Just what I need to help me survive the apocalypse! Man being a dragon is so freaking cool! What’s next, System?”
Ability: Seer’s Gift
Description: Some might consider this a curse. This ability taps into latent bloodline powers granting you periodic clarity and insights. Sometimes granting visions or moments of just knowing. Without proper control these flashes are completely random. Please Note: This ability is one of the most difficult gifts to master.
“Hmmm. A bit vague but sounds promising. Let’s just hope it doesn’t trigger during a battle. Wait did I just cause a death flag?! Cancel, cancel, cancel! Nothing to see here death flags! Moving right along! Okay, System, show me the last new ability.”
Ability: Claws of Time
Description: Shift your hands into wicked claws. These claws can pierce through time. Attacks inflicted use time magic to bypass any resistances in the current moment. Can be used with devastating effect. Warning: Pushing too hard and you can create a tear or rip in time that you must close.
“Wowzah! Bypassing resistances by piercing time, that’s wicked! My offensive capabilities just increased dramatically! Though the warning is a bit ominous so I might want to error on the side of caution. Either way, it was a weapon I plan to use.”
That was when the smell hit me. I was completely naked; my clothes were shredded... again! And I was covered and standing in blood and filth! “Yuck! Man, I need a shower! Times to use PURITY!!!” Saying the last part as a used the ability multiple times to make both myself and the hallway clean, and I do mean multiple! There was black sludge on the walls and the ceiling! “How the heck did it get on the ceiling!” I said after losing count of the number of times I used my favorite ability.
“You know it has got to be almost lunch time and I’ve been making all sorts of rackets. Is Gr’ex really still asleep?”
My curiosity got the better of me as I walked back to Gr’ex’s room and opened the door.
SNOOREEE!
I found Gr’ex completely knocked out, snoring, with two pillows stuffed over his ears. “That little shit heard me screaming in pain and what does he do?! Stuff his ears and go back to sleep! Why I outta... no, no... woosah, woosah. I’ll get him back for this somehow!” I said as I closed the bedroom door and headed downstairs to plot my revenge!