“Till, I said I was sorry.”
“It doesn't matter.”
“Well, I wasn't being serious. Even if we could change companions I wouldn't.”
“Thanks. I gue-”
Earth 39 Portal Detected
Multiverse Incursion
Warning: Portal is bi-directional
“Bi-directional?”
“Till, surely you know what-”
“I know what it means. We haven't seen a bidirectional portal before have we?”
“No.”
“Exactly. So it's worth mentioning.”
“It does go to-”
New Quest
Eradicate the Kyrn Invasion Force
0/113
New Quest
Scout the Earth 39 side of the Portal
0% Scouted
Travel to Quest location for additional information
Warning - This is a time restricted Quest, the portal will close in 15 minutes
14.59
14.58
14.57
“Interesting. Do you think the Kyrn will get a Quest to kill me if I go across?”
“Yes.”
“Brilliant. Completing a Quest and denying the rats. Win, win. Shall we?”
“We aren't waiting for trumpets?”
Alex pulled up his Kyrn Quest progress.
Bonus Quest
Collect 11 Lesser King Crowns, 17 Sub-Monarch Circlets and 3 High King Crowns
10/11
5/17
2/3
Rewards: Earth 39 Portal Device
Further rewards depending on completion
Running forwards Alex dropped a shoulder and lifted a rat clear off its feet, reaching up he grabbed the screeching creature and threw it with all of his Strength at a group of rats at the Portal.
“That's disgusting, Till.”
“That's not what I meant to do. Wow, that is really gross.”
Walking through the mess of a rat that had popped as another was thrown through it at a velocity similar to if it had been shot from a cannon he surveyed the carnage around the Portal.
“How…?”
“You threw that rat,” the professor indicated what was, unexpectedly, thr most intact of Alex's enemies, “fast enoigh that it misted that rat,” again the professor indicated a rat, this time was a rather vague gesture as the rat in question covered a fairly large area, “then impaled these three through the chests, or, through two chests and into the last. Yes, your Ratathrewy, I already regret that, only partially penetrated this last one. But it looks like it was screaming so it's teeth tore through it’s mates heart. Wow, it's worse up close.”
Alex and the professor looked at the horrific mess until Alex shook himself and prepared to move through the Portal.
5/113
“Time for Earth 39.”
“A few rats are still on this side.”
Alex withdrew his axe and pulled up his Map, smiling as red dots populated. Then he stepped forward and threw.
“Volcanic Hurl.”
Stepping through the Portal Alex could feel his axe speeding off in the direction of a group of rats.
Earth 39
The Kyrn Dominion
System Correction
Illegally Obtained Onix Trono World
Contested by - The Kyrn Dominion (Onix Trono) 99.9%, Alex Till (Coricancha) 0.1%
“Contested… a subtle sugges-”
Alex's vision blurred then dissolved into a field of stars before returning to normal.
New Faction Quest
War
Eradicate The Kyrn Dominion
Alex Till, Ambassador of The Clark County Resistance has declared War on The Kyrn Domination, the dominant Faction of Earth 39
In conquest, the Kyrn Dominion, favored of shadowed deities, claim that is within the crimson flow of human veins. Let the rivers of their blood be an offering to our dark gods, fueling our ascent, for in the clash of realms, The Kyrn Dominion, we who have been touched by the otherworldly, shall stand supreme.
The booming voice reverberated around the Portal.
“Was that because we apparently declared War, unnecessary capitalisation, or because we came to Earth 39?”
The professor looked off to the side then back at Alex.
“Because you declared War.”
“Ahh, do you know why I did that?”
“It wasn't intentional?”
“No.”
The professor looked at Alex before continuing.
“Odd. Presumably it's because The Kyrn Dominion is a front for the Onix Trono and because you aren't-”
“We aren't.”
“Fine, we aren't their favourite people. Stepping foot on their land must've been considered an act or war, so the System decided to declare it on your behalf…”
Again the professor looked off to the side.
“Yes. If you’d attacked a member of The Kyrn Dominion while on Earth 39 before declaring war you would've been penalised.”
“Penalised? How do you all this?”
“The System has.. let’s call it a Faction War Wiki page. Now that you’ve ticked ‘Faction War’ on your Bingo card I have access to it. Now, being penalised, It doesn't happen often, your damage would've been reduced by 80% and your health by 90%-”
“Bloody hell, bit of an incentive to just declare war.”
“Permanently.”
“Thanks System.”
The professor looked at Alex then shook her head.
“I don't think the System would step in like that.”
“Viracocha?”
“Presumably.”
“But, we're on Earth 39?”
The professor shrugged.
“Viracocha made it, he probably still has access. As much as we'd like to believe it is, our Earth isn't special, Multiversally speaking.”
Alex nodded, then looked around, taking in the land that surrounded the Portal. For the first time he took in a lot more detail. The land itself seemed tired, like it was devoid of some life affirming quality, even the sky seemed to be lacking something. There was no vegetation visible, just dirt that appeared to have been sapped of anything that could grow.
“There's nothing here. Literally nothing, well, nothing living.”
“The Kyrn are jealous masters, they need to reign supreme.”
“Over plants?”
“Over everything.”
Alex shook his head, continuing to survey the area.
Quests Updated
Eradicate the Kyrn Invasion Force
5/113
Scout the Earth 39 side of the Portal
1% Scouted
Earth 39 is a barren land, the Kyrn Dominion have eradicated all other life to officially be considered the dominant lifeform.
Push back against the rule of The Kyrn Dominion, finished Scouting the area and secure a beachhead for the coming assault.
Beachhead created
0/1
Warning - This is a time restricted Quest, the portal will close in 15 minutes
13.41
13.40
13.39
With a loud gasp the professor staggered slightly while holding her head.
“Professor? Are you-”
“There's so much…”
“So much?”
“We've never visited another Earth before, arriving meant that I synced up with the Earth 39 System Node and all, and I mean all, all of 39's information flooded in. With no System generated entities… there was a lot of backed up information.”
“What did you find out?”
“There are a lot of Kyrn.”
Alex stared at the professor then back out across the barren landscape.
“Is that good?”
“Very. Securing the beachhead will give you what you need for all of your Kyrn quests, which will give you permanent access, then you can cleanse this Earth.”
“All of it?”
“Returning here after securing the beachhead will give you the quest… oh, that’s a little on the nose, Kyrnicide. I'm sure you can put two and two together?”
“I need to kill every Kyrn?”
“Yes. It will be a Faction and… interesting, a Pantheon Quest.”
“That’s a lot of Kyrn.”
“A lot of experience. The Illustrious Rattor, Lord of the Kyrn is level 172.”
“So… beachhead, Kyrn Crowns, Quest Rewards, cleanse Earth 39. What else?”
“You'll need to claim 39 for both the Coricancha and The Clark County Resistance. Then? Honestly I don't know. Don't die, it'll be interesting. That isn’t a ‘one visit’ itinarary”
Alex shook his head slowly
“Every rat? Raticide.”
“Kyrnicide.”
“That isn't better.”
“If it helps, Kyrn aren't born, there are no baby Kyrn. They're… it's hard to explain, grown would be the closest to their current method of maturing.”
“What?”
“It's actually very interesting. They're basically plants. They grow from seeds into the different types of Kyrn.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
With a decisive nod Alex gripped his axe harder.
“So, it's like aggressive gardening. I'm clearing an outbreak of weeds.”
“Ahhh, yes? Sure, if you prefer that.”
“They're just weeds.”
“Yes…”
“That helps.”
Then the professor grunted then collapsed to her knees.
“Professor?”
“I'll be… so much data. I'll be ok. Just-”
The professor reached out to steady herself resulting in a puff of dust releasing from the dry ground.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
“Shit. That isn't good.”
“No… why am I corporeal? What's different about-”
Cutting herself off the professor looked up and grimaced.
“We have bigger problems.”
Following the professor's line of sight Alex swore.
“Fuck-”
“Alex Till!”
“Sorry. Can they hurt you?”
“Let's not find out-”
The professor's voice was cut off as she screamed and fell to the ground causing an even larger dust cloud to be released.
“How many…?”
The professor grunted and a pulse of light sped away from her in a hazy ring. With a wave of her hand Alex knew the information caught up in the pulse had been transferred to his Map. The professor's hand was instantly pulled in against her body as she convulsed and groaned in pain.
“What can I do?”
“Kill them! We don't want to find out what they'll do if they get to me.”
“Why is this happening?”
The professor's eyes flashed with a sapphire brilliance then she seemed to pull even tighter into herself.
“The System hasn't… there hasn't been an entity on Earth 39 that can… there hasn't been a System connected entity here since the original… since the residents were killed by the Kyrn. But 39 stayed connected, every shred of… all the information was stored for the next residents. I… we… that information belongs to us now.”
“What does that mean?”
“If we kill every… if no Kyrn remain we can restore 39 to its original… Viracocha's original design.”
Flames coursed over Alex's body, then, starting at his bracer the fire seemed to change, going from the flickering blue, orange and yellow to a pure white gold.
“Till?”
“It's Eternal Equilibrium.”
“How?”
“I don't know. I shouldn't even know what is doing this to my fire… but I can feel… I can see…”
The professor watched Alex as her body was wracked with painful tremors. The Kyrn came into range so she saw the moment her companion finally accepted the latest in a long list of changes and acted. Fiery chains appeared coiled around his left arm, in the blink of an eye those chains were wrapping around the fastest Kyrn causing Volcanic Resonance to spread through their bodies. With a tug of his left hand those Kyrn were dragged to their knees.
“My flames are different here.”
“Is it a good kind of different?”
“Very good.”
“Earth 39 doesn't have any of the restrictions on it that our Earth does. I have no records of Adventurers with your skills being on a different Earth before they reach level 100, this could be normal, or…”
“Or?”
“Just kill some rats.”
The second line of Kyrn surged past their chained brethren, instantly slowing as yet more chains wrapped around them.
“Volcanic Fury!”
The flames burning across Alex's body were sucked into him, filling his eyes and gifting him enhanced Strength, attack speed and fire damage. Swinging his axe in a scything arc he cleaved multiple Kyrn in half at the waist which just made him smile and laugh.
“Primal Fury!”
Heat blasted from Alex, staggering the Kyrn closest to him and setting the ground at his feet and in a ring around him on fire. Looking at his HUD caused Alex's smile to stretch even wider. His Buffs were standing out like firey beacons while the entire HUD glowed in an ethereal golden light. Smoldering Embers appeared, the fire damage enhancement stacking up as more Kyrn arrived increasing the spread of Embers.
“Till…”
“It's OK professor. I can go all out. I don't have to hold back.”
“Just don't burn the world down.”
“No promises. Volcanic Eruption, Flame Manipulation, Flame Whirlwind!”
The Earth fractured and released a flood of lava across the dry ground. Kyrn died but more surged forward, clawing at the charred remains of their fallen allies to get closer to Alex.
The professor watched as her companion spun, his terrifying axe slicing the stronger Kyrn apart before they could touch him. With a shudder that didn't come from the pain tearing through her she squeezed her eyes shut which stopped her from seeing what was happening, but did nothing to block the sounds. The crackling and hissing that accompanies a raging inferno, the screaming of the Kyrn and the laughter of Alex. The sound of terrifying inevitability, the sound the proceeded the deaths of the Kyrn closeby. The sound that every Kyrn would hear eventually. The sound, the death knell brought forth by The Fire of Creation. She felt the System’s acceptance as the title flashed through her internal matrix and knew that she had done something she could never take back.
Alex opened his eyes, ash, charred blood, flesh and other burning fluids rained down around him and he laughed again. Throwing his axe into the ground blade first he clenched both fists and controlled the lava, dragging it back into the fissures he'd torn in the Earth then sealing them up.
“That was fun.”
Alex almost had his breath under control but the wild joy he felt was still shown in the dancing golden flames that could be seen in his eyes. With another shudder the professor sat up.
“You terrify me when you're like that.”
With a quick nod Alex reached down to offer his hand to the professor who exrended hers to accept his help. They both frowned as their hands didn't meet..
“Incorporeal again. Of course.”
Alex nodded then looked around as the mess he'd made.
“At least I can stop the fire now.”
“True. Your control over fire after you fight is definitely far better.”
“Time to loot? Or are there more?”
“More? Till… do you know how many…?”
“No? The 108 left in the quest?”
The professor couldn’t help but laugh herself, then shake her head.
Quest Completed
Eradicate the Kyrn Invasion Force
1010*/113
Active Quests
Scout the Earth 39 side of the Portal
8% Scouted
Earth 39 is a barren land, the Kyrn Dominion have eradicated all other life to officially be considered the dominant lifeform.
Push back against the rule of The Kyrn Dominion, finished Scouting the area and secure a beachhead for the coming assault.
Beachhead created
0/1
Warning - This is a time restricted Quest, the portal will close in 15 minutes
9.05
9.04
9.03
Collect 11 Lesser King Crowns, 17 Sub-Monarch Circlets and 3 High King Crowns
10/11
5/17
2/3
Rewards: Earth 39 Portal Device
Further rewards depending on completion
“Oh…”
“Exactly.
“Let's loot all the plant rats, finish the active quests then we can check out what the quest rewards were.”
Moving forward Alex stuck out a booted foot and nudged it against a blackened and charred Kyrn body.
Faction Battle Results:
Kyrn 3rd Legion forces - 1005
Clark County Resistance forces - 1
Losses:
Kyrn 3rd Legion - 1005
Clark County Resistance - 0
Experience:
Kyrn Dominion - 0
Kyrn 3rd Legion - 0
High King Raccis, General of the 3rd Legion (deceased) - 0
Clark County Resistance - o74,000 experirnce
Alex Till, General of the Earth 39 Clark County Resistance forces - 14,743,851 experience (Experience Increased by: Faction War Leader Bonus, Deity Champion War Bonus, Mortal Enemy War Bonus, Solo Combatant War Bonus)
Loot Received:
Clark County Resistance - Outpost Token, Outpost Upgrade Token
Alex Till, General of the Earth 39 Clark County Resistance forces - 1x High King Crown, 12x Sub-Monarch Circlets, 1x Lesser King Crown.
“Holy shit. Fuck, this is going to suc-”
Alex fell to the ground.
Level Up*
You are now Level 85
Name: Alex Till
Level: 85
Strength: 428
Inner Fire: 282
Constitution: 252
“God damn that was a lot.”
“22 levels… Earth 39 is like a farming zone. Also, you still have 110 Attribute Points to allocate.”
“I know. Just… just give me a minute. That was a lot.”
The professor waved a hand and a screen popped up on Alex's HUD.
Scout the Earth 39 side of the Portal
8% Scouted
Earth 39 is a barren land, the Kyrn Dominion have eradicated all other life to officially be considered the dominant lifeform.
Push back against the rule of The Kyrn Dominion, finished Scouting the area and secure a beachhead for the coming assault.
Beachhead created
0/1
Warning - This is a time restricted Quest, the portal will close in 15 minutes
4.52
4.51
4.50
“Damn it! I'll just leave the free points till we have the Outpost sorted.”
Dragging himself to his feet Alex looked around.
“Suggestions?”
“Head west, then arc around to the north and east. But go quickly..
With that Alex was off, sprinting directly west.
31% Scouted
“Arc around now.”
Again Alex did as he was told, swinging around to arc back to the east while heading north.
79% Scouted
“Head back to the portal.”
The professor added a waypoint on his Map and Alex changed direction again. Arriving back in front of the portal with no one and nothing trying to kill him confirmed that the faintly glowing ash contained every enemy in the area.
“Now head north.”
“What about south?”
“The ocean?”
“The Kyrn don't have a Navy?”
“Arrr you just hoping for Water Rats?”
“No. Wait. Did you just… are there pirate rats?”
“Yes, of a sort.”
“They won't attack from the water?”
“They will, but, the Outpost area you need to occupy, according to the quest, is on land.”
“That wasn't in the quest.”
“No, it's up here.” She indicated her head. “Also, the Outpost will be conveniently located in what was a town on 39, before the Domination.”
“The Domination… wow.”
“The Kyrn are definitely fond of grandiose terminology.”
100% Scouted
“Here’s good.”
Alex stopped walked and looked around. Struggling he pulled the Outpost Token from his Inventory.
“Just throw it on the ground.”
Alex looked over at the professor then shrugged again before throwing it down.
“Nooooo!”
Alex jumped, pulled out his axe and activated Molten Fortress. After nothing happened he turned to the professor who was doubled over and laughing silently.
“Really?”
“Sorry, I just thought a little levity would lighten the edgelord vibe you're cultivating.”
Muttering to himself he deactivated Molten Fortress and returned the axe to his Inventory.
“I'm not an edgelord… oh God.”
“What?”
“I am.”
“How… Eternal Equilibrium. You know about the Multiverse? You actually know relevant stuff now?”
“I guess. Anyway, it's starting.”
Use Outpost Token to create Outpost on Earth 39? Token will be consumed
Yes/No
After selecting Yes the process began then almost as quickly it stopped again.
Outpost Upgrade Token detected
Use Upgrade Token
Yes/No
“Professor?”
“What does your attunement say?”
“That using it will give me the option to enhance the Outpost. The enhancement can either be guided by our Faction or Pantheon, not both.”
“True. What are you thinking?”
“This is a Faction War.”
“My thoughts exactly. Plus, something tells me having you lead the assault will add some Coricancha flair to the place.”
Alex selected Yes and the Outpost construction continued. An hour later Alex was standing in front of a building that looked suspiciously like the pre-Integration Station House, in a suburb that looked like it was pulled directly from Clark County. The only difference being it was a walled town and he was the only person within the walls.
Quests Completed
Scout the Earth 39 side of the Portal
100% Scouted
Earth 39 is a barren land, the Kyrn Dominion have eradicated all other life to officially be considered the dominant lifeform.
Push back against the rule of The Kyrn Dominion, finished Scouting the area and secure a beachhead for the coming assault.
Beachhead created
1/1
Quest Rewards:
1x War Outpost Token
1x Faction Portal
Legion Crusher Title
Collect 11 Lesser King Crowns, 17 Sub-Monarch Circlets and 3 High King Crowns
11/11
17/17
3/3
Quest Rewards:
1x Earth 39 Portal Device
1x Pantheon Shroud
“Interesting haul.”
War Outpost Token:
This Token grants the Bearer one War Oupost.
This Outpost can only be used while the Bearer is engaged in a War with, a) another Faction, or, b) another Pantheon.
A War Outpost is the equivalent of an Upgraded Oupost, however, there are no Portal facilities.
A War Oupost can be defended by, a) Faction or Pantheon members, b) System generated NPC's, or, c) Mercenaries.
Note: The Sytem does not guarantee defenter capabilities
Faction Portal:
A Portal to the Outpost Commander's Faction Headquarters can now be found in the Outpost's Portal Network Building.
Note: Any Portal's present before Outpost construction will either be, a) destroyed after they are used next (Quest portal), or, b) moved to the Outpost's Portal Network Building (any other Portal type)
Legion Crusher Title:
Earned by single-handedly crushing an entire enemy Legion of 1000 soldiers, while in their own territory.
This title not only commemorates the audacity of a lone warrior,but grants a formidable stat boost. You gain a surge in Strength (+100) when assaulting over 100 enemies at the same time, turning each swing of the axe into a resounding statement that leaves everyone questioning, if 1000 doesnt get the job done, was Roboute right?
“Well played System. Honestly though, how many people are going to get that reference? One in twenty? Also, he was wrong.”
“Till, you get that?”
“Of course. Keep up professor.”
Earth 39 Portal Device:
This item creates temporary Portals from the Bearers location to a fixed location on Earth 39.
Fixed Location - Clark County Resistance Outpost
Note: Can be used on any Earth, including Earth 39.
Note: This item is Soulbound to Alex Till
Pantheon Shroud:
This item will hide all information regarding the wearer's Pantheon.
Note: This Shroud cannot be pierced.
Note: This item cannot be worn on the Celestial Plane
“Wow. They're both better than I expected.”
“I'm still hung up on you getting the Roboute reference.”
“Eternal Equilibrium, we talked about this.”
“I know, but… after all this time, you get stuff. Before you were so… boring, dumb even.”
“Because I didn't get pop culture references or know about movies?”
“Basically, yes.”
“Seems a little shallow.”
“Accurate though. Now we can talk about my Multiverse Theory.”
Alex started to nod the intentionally looked off to the side before nodding.
“Oh, you're totally right about that. But we definitely can't talk about it.”
“I am? Oh my god, this opens up so many possibilities. Why can't we?”
“Oh, because… Viracocha. Also, can you imagine what would happen if we accidentally pulled someone through a crack in the membrane that separates Earths?”
“Because Viracocha?”
“Yes. He's being very firm on this. But, he has said that you can continue working on your theory… and… when we get him out you can present it to him and… he'll tell you what you're right about.”
“He'll Grade my presentation?”
“Ah, yeah, he will. So it will need to be good.”
“This is so exciting. Even more so than my phd presentation. I'll get started right away!”
“Good, good. Just remember, we can't talk about it. Because-”
“Because Viracocha, I get it Till.”
“Good.”
With that Alex stepped through the original Portal back to the banks of the Colorado.
“Another successful-”
The Portal shattered and fell to the ground.
“Attribute Point time?”
“Definitely. 110… bloody hell. This is going to suck as well.”
Strength: 500
Inner Fire: 320
Alex sank to the ground then shook his head.
“Not as bad as I thought. 72 to Strength and 38 to Inner Fire. Nice and tidy. Let’s find out if we’re considered a God yet.”
“Till, you aren’t even Level 100…”
Alex shrugged, looked up at the sun then started heading south.
“True, but I have to start somewhere.”
The professor shook her head then smiled to herself.
“The Fire of Creation…”
Again she felt the System’s acceptance of the title.
“What was that?”
“Nothing.”