Momentarily blinded by the rising sun Alex took a moment to react.

"Dr Vance, it’s good to see you again."

"Thank you for accepting my offer. Apologies, when I transferred over it was still dark, i didn't intentionally stand with the rising sun at my back."

"It makes for a great entrance. Of course I accepted, you work with your military to improve the effectiveness of their fighters, something tells me that is something I could benefit from as Earth 0 gets deeper into the Multiverse… and gets me closer to Earth 51. You also gave us information in that dungeon, you didn’t need to."

"Your worried about the Undead situation?"

"You know about that?"

"You intrigue me, so I kept tabs on you. The System makes that easier than you'd know. Especially with newly Integrated worlds. It's an entire business."

"What's an entire business?"

"Sharing the success and failures of a world during and after Integration."

"People are watching us?"

"How do you think you had three Sponsor options straight away?"

"Wait, how much do you see?"

"Depends on what package you pay for. The System chooses what it shows and what it obfuscates."

"I.. this… that worries me." Alex took a deep breath and shook himself. "Professor, does that mean people know about the… you know?"

"I'll answer this one," Vance bowed slightly to HistoriAI, "Discoveries aren't shared, no matter what package you’re on. So whatever you've found is still a secret. Though, the fact that you found something is common knowledge. Speculation on what that is, well, at the moment it’s worth more to the Multiverse gambling houses if it stays a secret."

With that Vance smiled, clasped his hands behind his back and looked around interestedly.

"Thanks Dr, that he-"

Vance put his hand up, interrupting Alex then waited.

"Don't use the h-word. That information was common knowledge in the Multiverse, but the System decides what support I can provide. I'd rather it be something that actually," Vance waved a hand, "ya know."

Alex nodded slowly.

"Can we walk? I'm not on a time crunch, but I have a lot to do."

Faction Quest:

Clear Las Vegas Boulevard South to Sunset Road

31/2000 Undead Slain

"The Faction Quest?"

Alex nodded again, looking around like he expected to see someone watching as they started walking.

"Good." Vance clapped his hands together. "I have something for you."

The rather unassuming man stopped and withdrew a small box from his Inventory and handed it over.

Alex took the box and looked at it before looking back at Vance.

"How do I…?"

Vance looked bewildered then smiled.

"You've never found a loot chest? Of course you haven't. This should be fun. Put the chest on the ground, then place your right hand, palm down, on the box's surface."

Alex did as he was told then surged back as the box liquefied and flowed up his arm and sunk into his body.

"What the fu-?"

Vance laughed softly, then held his hands up to Alex.

"Sorry, that never gets old. Higher level loot chests do that. It's actually really useful as it repairs damaged gear in dungeons. Some even give you short term buffs."

Alex nodded and visibly relaxed. That was when he looked down and saw the Tome on the ground.

"Skill or Ability?"

"You choose. That distinction has never made much sense. I actually modified my HUD so everything displays as an Ability. Originally Skills were meant to be more internal, while Abilities were meant to be more external, but as the System evolved and Adventurers got stronger the line got less distinct."

"That makes sense. I guess I'll do the same."

"As a sponsor…" Vance raised a hand to his temple and flicked tit at Alex.

Accept HUD update from Evolutionist Vance?

Yes/No

Alex selected Yes.

HUD update complete

Skills Lost

Abilities Gained

Display Full List?

Yes/No

Alex selected Yes again and quickly reviewed his complete list then reached down and picked up the Ability Tome.

Ability Tome

Unranked

Grants an Adventurer access to a curated list of Abilities

Select One Ability and Use the Tome to learn it permanently

Alex flicked the Tome open.

Ability Tome Activated

Select One Ability From The Following List

Fiery Strikes: The warriors weapon strikes are automatically imbued with Volcanic Resonance, dealing additional damage over time

Fire Shield: Create a protective shield of fire around yourself, reducing incoming damage and reflecting a portion back to attackers

Flame Torrent: Unleashes rolling torrents of fire, engulfing enemies in devastating waves of flames, causing massive area damage. Increased damage to enemies in the ring of fire caused by Smouldering Embers

Conflagration: Create a massive explosion of fire, incinerating everything within a specific area and leaving a burning aftermath causing Smouldering Embers and Activating chain on any enemies, even if there are less than five present. Chains are imbued with Volcanic Resonance.

Ember Form: Transform into a living embodiment of fire, granting increased speed, Strength, Inner Fire and immunity to physical damage while active. Lasts 1 minute. Time extended to 2 minutes if Warrior is standing in the ring of fire caused by

Soldering Embers. Heals the Warrior by 20% if Warrior is under 50% health when transformation is complete. Cool Down - 24 hours

Interdimensional Flames: Manipulate fire to open rifts between dimensions, to briefly shift to alternate Earths. This ability grants access to unique knowledge, artefacts, or fragments of knowledge from alternate versions of the Warrior

"Thoughts professor?

“Limited. The System is implementing more stringent control on the level of support I can provide outside of archaeology. Interdimensional Flames would help with current Side Quests… but with what you’re planning, as I’ve stated Undead are very susceptible to Fire damage.”

“If I may?”

Alex turned to Vance then down at the Tome.

“Vance… honestly, I’d forgotten you were here. I’m used to it just being the professor and me.”

“Totally understand Alex. May I call you Alex?”

Alex nodded.

“Fantastic.” Vance clapped once then looked down at the open Tome. “Can you share the list of Abilities with me?”

“Sure. Um, how do I share that?”

“I forget you haven’t interacted with other Adventurers, except for those two Scouts. When you’re looking at the screen with the list of Abilities,” Vance smiled as Alex nodded, “just focus on me. The System is very intuitive.”

Alex did as he was told and saw when Vance’s eyes glazed over slightly.

“Fascinating,” Vance said. “Truly fascinating. Now… I’d skip Fiery Strikes and Flame Shield. The level of fire based damage you do is already exceptionally high, and you can channel Volcanic Resonance into that axe of yours already. I’d expect that Ability to change dramatically soon, or get replaced entirely. Flame Shield, while useful, I’d be more inclined to let it evolve. For now your Infernal Armour will suffice. Flame Torrent is interesting, the sheer volume of enemies you’re up against… Smouldering Embers will be a huge factor and adding waves of fire damage will be invaluable. That Ability will be incredible. Conflagration is similar. I’d lean in that direction if you weren’t aware of the nearly 2000 enemies stacked up against you. Ember Form… something I’m actually working on integrating into my latest Spine variant is hands down one of the most devastating Abilities in the Multiverse, or, it will be after a couple of evolutions and once you’ve levelled it up. The cooldown is the only reason I don’t suggest it now. If you could run through the entire Strip with Ember Form active… amazing. Lastly, Interdimensional Flames. While it pains me to not tell you to take it…I want to, I really want to.” Vance sagged like he was in pain. “An Ability to shift between Earth’s, at such a low level. But it won’t help you… but it’s so strong-” Vance sighed and squared his shoulders. “Flame Torrent.”

Select Flame Torrent Ability? Once Selected this choice cannot be undone

Yes/No

Alex selected Yes.

Initiating

Ability Selected

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

Primal Fury II: After being drenched in the blood of their foes a Warrior can enter a state of enhanced ferocity, increasing Strength by 15, Agility by 15 but reducing Constitution by 25.

The aggression of attacks generates heat to rival the Warriors Ferocity, gradually causing a ring of fire to build around the Warrior, burning enemies and slowing their movement speed. This AoE effect adds

Smouldering Embers.

Smouldering Embers: Reduces enemy resistance to fire damage and increases enemy damage taken by all attacks. The more enemies caught in this AoE increases the expansion of the ring of fire. If over 5 enemies are caught in this ring. chains of fire lock the enemies together slowly pulling them closer to the Warrior. Damage over time increased incrementally the longer an enemy stays in the ring while consistently sustaining damage from the Warrior.

Blazing Fury: Channel your Inner Fire doubling your attack speed, Strength, Inner Fire and fire damage output. Every attack creates a Flame Elemental which burns enemies within range for 30 seconds, extended to one minute within Smouldering Embers.

Flame Whirlwind: Spin rapidly, creating a whirlwind of fire that damages all nearby enemies over time. Increased damage to enemies afflicted by Smouldering Embers

Ember Walk: Like ash cast into the wind, the Warrior learns to move through flames unharmed, using them as a means of quick transportation or as a defence mechanism.

Flame Manipulation: Manipulate and control fire, shape it into various forms for offensive and defensive purposes, more powerful if Smouldering Embers is active.

Infernal Armour: Cloak yourself in fiery armour, granting increased defence and resistance to all elemental attacks.

Blazing Hurl: Guided by fire the Warrior selects a target and throws its melee weapon, either hitting all foes in its path, or, dealing severe and debilitating damage to a single enemy. The Weapon leaves scorched earth in its wake, marking enemies outside its direct path increasing the damage done from additional thrown attacks.

Scorched Earth ignites with Smouldering Embers when the Ability is activated or when fire is introduced to the area.

Volcanic Resonance (passive) - A strong connection to the colossal power boiling below the crust of the Earth allows the Fire Warrior to channel Volcanic Resonance through the blade of a melee weapon. While in the body of an enemy the blade acts as a conduit, dealing burst fire damage.

This Ability benefits from damage modifiers from all other abilities. Long encounters can open fissures in the Earth's crust, exposing the surface to the magma below.

Flame Torrent: Unleashes rolling torrents of fire, engulfing enemies in devastating waves of flames, causing massive area damage. Increased damage to enemies in the ring of fire caused by Smouldering Embers

Ability Symbiosis Detected

Flame Manipulation, Volcanic Resonance and Flame Torrent

Allow Flame Torrent to evolve?

Yes/No

Warning - Once evolved the Ability can’t be returned to its pre-evolved state

“Ah, Vance. Any suggestions?”

Alex sent the System message over.

“Ability Symbiosis. Fascinating. I’ve never even heard of it. Truly fascinating! Accept.”

Alex activated the evolution.

Evolution Complete

Flame Torrent: Unleashes rolling torrents of fire, engulfing enemies in devastating waves of flames, causing massive area damage. Increased damage to enemies in the ring of fire caused by Smouldering Embers

Becomes

Volcanic Eruption: Rolling torrents of lava are released from the Earth, engulfing enemies in devastating waves of fire and lava, causing massive area of effect damage. Increased damage is done to enemies caught in the ring of fire caused by Smouldering Embers. Chains formed by Smouldering Embers are imbued with Volcanic Resonance and can be controlled by the Warrior.

“Wow…”

“You’re right Alex. That… are you sure you aren’t secretly part of the System?”

“Ah, yes?”

“Very believable. Now, there it is.” Vance swiped away a screen only he could see. “The System has deemed that my visit has met the threshold for help and support. What I didn’t expect was that you’d help me.”

“How did I…?”

“I’ll tell you next time. See you in the Dungeon, if I can swing it. Or it’ll be at level 62.”

“Thanks Vance.”

“Once thing, trust the Te-”

The doctor phased out mid sentence leaving Alex standing there waiting for the rest of what Vance was saying.

“Trust the what?”

“No way to know Till. Best option is to clear the Strip and potentially catch him in the dungeon.”

“You’re right. But still, what a cliffhanger.”

Alex spun with his axe drawn as a throat was cleared behind him.

“Infernal Armour.”

A formally dressed young woman took a step back and her eyes went wide then she was dressed head to toe in golden armour that flowed around her slight form.

“Hap’iy Aventurero nisqa.”

“People really need to stop sneaking up on me!”

“Till, going off the designs in her armour… she’s Incan. She could be the spokeswoman from your second sponsor.”

“That makes sense. Still, there are better ways to get someone's attention."

Alex looked skyward to see that the sun had risen high in the sky while he'd been talking with Vance.

Name: Redacted

Race: Redacted

Class: Redacted

Title: Mother Sea

Level: Redacted

“Well that is quite possibly the most pointless Scan ever.”

“Till…”

“Honestly though. A title?”

“Till, show some respect.”

Alex looked back at the woman, her armour was flowing off her body and seemed to be contained in multiple bracelets on both arms.

“She looks… I can’t place it, but I feel like I’ve met her before.”

“Napaykuy Aventurero.”

Alex heard what she said but a small screen on his HUD and displayed, “Greetings Adventurer.” Scrolling up he saw, “Hold Adventurer”.

“Hi, ahh, Mother Sea.”

Again the small window populated with new information, “Hi, … mama qucha.”

Then the translation window flashed twice and disappeared.

The small woman smiled and nodded to Alex before walking closer.

"Thank you for accepting our offer Adventurer."

"Be nice Till."

"I'm always nice."

"This isn’t someone you can annoy."

"I never annoy people."

"Right."

"Be nice HistoriAI," the lady chided.

Alex turned to stare at the woman.

"No one has even spoken to her before."

"No one else on Earth can see her."

"What? No. No, that can't be right."

The small woman laughed and Alex was forced to smile.

"Forgive me, Alex, I must be wrong. Again, thank you for accepting our offer of sponsorship."

"You're from the…" Alex quickly accessed his Sponsorship Screen, "Teacher of the World Society?"

With another laugh the woman responded.

"Intimately. Now, I have to ask. What was it about our offer that interested you. Earth 27 could offer a lot more when it comes to power growth."

"Archaeology, specifically Incan archaeological study is important to me and the professor. I've also found sites related to Incan expeditions that relate to Viracocha. A God I have a vested interest in."

"As do I. We're very committed to finding him."

"Finding him? You mean finding evidence he left behind?"

"Viracocha lives. However he is missing… though we don't know why."

"Missing? But… he'd be… really…-"

The woman laughed again, the noise sounded like the relaxing at the beach. Alex shook his head.

"Old? Alex, Viracocha is a God. Age is a mortal concept. Someone who created the Multiverse hasn't worried about age since he was created. Even then, I doubt anything so mundane ever worried him."

"That makes sense. What came first, the System or Viracocha?"

The woman tilted her head and looked off into space for a moment.

"I never asked. But, why would one need to be first?"

"I guess. Why did you offer sponsorship to me? You didn't seem to expect me to accept it."

"A confluence of reasons. Your Class, your interest in archaeology, specifically the study of my people and lastly, that you're on The Quest."

"The Quest?"

The woman waved her hand and a screen popped up on Alex’s HUD.

The Quest:

Recover all 11 pieces of Viracocha's Regalia of Creation

(1/11)

"Oh… that quest. Of course. Out of curiosity, do you know my progress?"

"We know you have discovered something, but until you share that information… I urge you to keep that to yourself. Our enemies are numerous."

"Your enemies are numerous? You're an Archeological Society."

"Alex… do you not know who I am?"

"If I was the biological professor I would've slapped you at least three times already. I'm sorry Mama Qucha."

"It's alright, warma. One's first interaction with the willka often slips by them. No one expects a Water Goddess to appear just outside the Vegas Strip."

"Water Goddess? I… what?"

The watery laugh suddenly made sense.

"Alex, it's fine. You're not the first and you won't be the last."

"Mama Qucha… you're Viracocha’s wife."

The small woman bowed her head again.

"I have that honour, just as he has the honour to have me as his wife and to be the father of our children."

Alex paled then dropped to one knee.

"Your worship, my lady. I'm sorry, what's the correct term?"

"Mama will suffice. Now, get on your feet, Adventurer."

"Now, I have a gift for you. Something that should help you on your journey."

"Mama… that's going to take some getting used to, honestly, you shouldn't give me anything. I should give you-"

"No. Never remove my husband's, well, anything from your Inventory that once belonged to him. Now, the Society has a gift for you, can you accept that if you would refuse one from me?"

"I…-"

"Just say yes, Till."

"Yes, Mama."

Mama Qucha withdrew an ornate gold and silver chest from an Inventory and held it out to Alex.

"Thank you."

Alex placed the beautiful box on the ground and knelt before it.

"Kichasqa," suggested Mama.

"Is that Incan? For 'open'."

"Quechua. Close enough."

"Off course. I actually knew that."

Mama laughed again.

“You’re more off balance that I expected. It’s e ndearing to know that some things still get to you. Watching you over the last few days made me think you’d take this all in stride.”

Alex leaned closer to the chest and paused.

"Kichasqua," he whispered.

Sections of the chest spun and slowly it collapsed in on itself, leaving an equally ornate silver and gold bracelet before him.

"The chest…"

"I always love to watch how people react to our treasures. For some reason everyone forgets that the Inca's have the combined experience of millennia working metals."

"This is beautiful, Mama. Thank you."

Alex reached out to touch the beautiful bracelet as he Scanned it.

Inti's Sweat, Coniraya's Tears

A-Grade Jewellery

A bracelet blessed by Inti, Incan God of the Sun and Coniraya, Incan God of the Moon

+40 Strength

+40 Inner Fire

+10 Constitution

+10 Wisdom

Bonus - Fire attacks release rays of light that inflict additional damage to distant enemies

Health regeneration is increased by 50% at night, and by 80% while in moonlight while out of combat

The golden segments glowed brightly with thr sun high in the sky, while the silvery threads felt cool against his skin.

"Wow. That's a lot of stats. That health regen is massive."

"Members of our Pantheon felt that your upcoming trials warranted an enhancement to your formidable abilities. As you will be facing constant enemies and time between fights will be limited, health regeneration will be invaluable. Inti felt that increased area damage would also be helpful. That was before your Dr Vance provided an additional Ability."

"Please, thank your fellow gods. This bracelet… it's amazing."

"You're welcome Alex. Please, stay alive and continue on The Quest. My husband… I fear he needs you."

"I will Mama. Thank you."

Mama Qucha reached out and brushed a cool hand across Alex's brow then disappeared. Leaving behind the smell of salt and sand, reminding Alex of the beach again.

All Stats increased by 10 for 12 hours.

Looking up Alex was shocked to see that more time had passed, the sun was already descending again.

"Did Vance and Mama have some kind of control on time? I feel like they were here for less than an hour each but most of the day seems to have passed. It's almost night, let's hold here professor then make our way down the Boulevard. Something tells me this is going to get loud and messy."

“I don’t think it was them, more likely the System manipulated the passage of time for some reason. You’re right though, the moon will be up in an hour.