Alex and the professor continued heading south down Colorado.
“The river splits up ahead.”
“I'm expecting to clear up the other fork.”
“That would be on brand.”
“We should hurry, I want to clear the next cave before New Ben gets back.”
Alex sped up, relaxing as the wind picked up and tugged at his clothing.
“When New Ben gets back, are you going to be… not normal, but less Full Till?”
“Full Till?”
“You know what I mean.”
Alex looked down at the river watching the light from the rising sun play across its surface.
“I swear time moves differently now.”
The professor sighed gustily.
“This is what I mean. Stop being weird.”
Alex kept running, playing the professor's words over and over in his head.
“How?”
“How do you stop being weird?”
Alex just nodded.
“How did you do it before?”
Alex shrugged but kept running.
“You can do better than that.”
“I… just did. People were easier before. Losing Maddy and Old Ben, even you. I just stopped.”
“You stopped?”
“Trying. I didn't see the point. Everyone I cared about, everyone worth caring about, was gone. So I just didn't bother.”
“What about my other students?”
“Who?”
“The other students in my class.”
Alex looked down at the river again.
“You had other students?”
“Till? Wait, are you serious?”
“I can't…”
Alex rubbed at his eyes and shook his head.
“Till?”
“I can't remember your other students. I know there had to be more, but… I can't, I don't… why don't I remember?”
“I don't know Till. If only you'd been a Psych student, I'd be more helpful now. But you need to relax with New Ben. You can’t treat him like… oh.”
“Professor?”
The professor smiled as she drifted alongside Alex in her ethereal thinking chair.
“You're acting like you did back then. You've aged, but your friendship didn't. You're acting like you're still students, and Maddy isn't here to sort you out.”
“Maddy wasn't always-”
“No, before university you were worse. You know she mellowed you.”
“So I need to grow up? That's what you're saying?”
The professor clapped her hands together and nodded.
“I knew you'd get there in the end. Just act your age.”
“Rude.”
Archaeology Site Located
Quest - Earth 0 | Incan Outpost Archaeology Site
Find all of Historical Significance at the Site
Bonus Archaeology Quest
Quest - Earth 0 | Incan Battle Site Archaeology Site
Find all of Historical Significance at the Site
This quest is only accessible for 20 Earth 0 minutes due to the proximity of an Adventurer/Archaeologist who has completed previous parts of The Quest
This area contains a site where an Incan Scouting party initially made camp while evading their enemies then were set upon by the highly aggressive Onix Trono Raiding party from another Earth
Lay the fallen to rest
0/3
Site Accessible:
00:18:39
00:18:38
00:18:77
The Quest:
Recover all 11 pieces of Viracocha's Regalia of Creation
(6/11)
“That escalated. I didn't expect the unIntegrated Incan to evade the Trono pricks indefinitely, but they lost 3? In one attack.”
“Get moving Till. The rest of the quest is the same, so you can't waste time.”
Alex frowned then looked expectantly at the professor who for a moment met his gaze with a blank expression before jumping slightly.
“Oh!”
Releasing several pulses highlighted the cavern and Alex set off at a fast trot.
As he had before Alex released Inner Fire into the Earth to carve out an entrance.
“This feels different, there's more resistance.”
Looking down the professor frowned.
“The cave is completely filled with loose dirt that has been packed down over time. Also, there are bodies.”
“Wonderful.”
The professor just shrugged then pointed at her wrist which resulted in Alex shrugging then stamping down harder.
“Your control over your fire is impressive. How are you clearing the cavern without damaging the bodies.”
“Flame Manipulation out of combat, with my Inner Fire. Its part of me.”
Fire surged up and out of the ground, flowed up Alex's leg then sank into his body.
“Show off.”
Walking forward with his head down Alex stepped down a flight of steps that appeared as he got closer, the ground just collapsed into ash and dirt. After descending into the cavern Alex looked around then kept walking forwards.
“I hate that this quest is stealing my reverence for an untouched Incan site. Each of these caverns would've been the finds of my career and now… now I just walk through like it's the bathroom.”
Crouching down before the first exceptionally well-preserved body, Alex sighed deeply.
“Mama Qucha, ñust'aykita k'anchay.”
“You invoked Mama?”
“They were her followers. Look, you can see her marks on their clothing and jewellery. Viracocha must've tapped the best Scouts he could find.”
“Still, isn't it presum-”
“Thank you Alex, I have long wondered where these wayward children were.”
“Mama.”
Alex bowed deferentially without looking up.
“You're wasted on my husband, Warrior.”
“You won't say that when I bring him back.”
“No, then I and the entire Coricancha will be in your debt.”
Alex kept looking at the ground.
“These Scouts deserve to be honoured. They fought… without… it wasn’t right what happened to them.”
“They did well,” the Goddess crouched and pressed her palm against each of their foreheads. “You'll need to check them before you leave. It seems even in death they serve.”
Standing in a fluid, graceful motion Mama twisted her hand and the ground shimmered but nothing emerged from the depths.
“Thank you for recovering these brave Incas, Alex.”
“Of course, Mama. Just, that wasn't the plan, I… we didn't know they were here.”
Mama looked at Alex, shook her head slowly then frowned at the professor.
“Wawa? I thought you had this under control?”
“So did I Mama. Recent events… so did I.”
“The friend. Will he be a problem?”
“No! No Mama.”
Mama reached out and cupped Alex's face in an almost grandmotherly way directing his eyes up till they met hers.
“So powerful, yet so broken. Not every battle requires an axe, Alex. Some,” she squeezed his jaw then patted the side of his head, “require a different weapon. It seems my husband isn't the only one that needs to be rescued.”
“I'm… a work in progress, Mama.”
“A work in progress that the entire Multiverse is expecting great things from.”
Alex shuddered and looked back down at the ground.
“The entire Multiverse?”
Mama surprised him by laughing the patting his shoulder.
“No. Some just want to kill you to strike at us, mostly Viracocha.”
“The Onix Trono.”
“Amongst others. You don't get the kind of power and… respect, or, perhaps kamay, control, is more accurate, that Viracocha has without fouling a few streams.”
Alex nodded while attempting to parse Mama’s rather aquatic-themed metaphor.
“Kamay? You mean Viracocha dominated the Multiverse?”
Mama laughed softly and turned back to the three bodies and ran the back of her hand over her eyes
“Before the System there was Viracocha. After… I had a husband. A lot of people choose not to forget how he got that power and that he chose to give it up. He gave kamay to the System, he wanted to leave that behind. But-”
“Some people don't believe he gave it all away?”
Mama Qucha sighed and her shoulders trembled slightly, almost imperceptibly.
“He didn't.” Mama whispered softly then cleared her throat and looked at the roof of the cavern. “Relieve these three of their great burdens Alex then I need to leave. These Scouts have been here too long.”
Alex nodded and opened his mouth to ask a question then saw the professor shaking her head and just nodded again.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
“Yes, Mama.”
Moving forward Alex opened a small pouch that was hanging from the woven belt of the first Scout and removed a pendant on a belt woven from multiple materials. Shuffling to the next he riffled through a matching pouch and removed a ring. Finally he shifted to the last Scout, a tall woman and paused. Looking up he saw the professor and Mama had moved away and were deep in conversation with their backs to him. Shaking his head he looked down again and opened the Scout’s pouch and found nothing unexpected. Allowing Eternal Equilibrium to shift his vision he assessed the Scout and froze, everything else in the cavern was cold and lifeless except Mama, the professor and the two items he'd already covered. Except for a large woollen mantle. It pulsed with power and even seemed to be sucking power from outside the cavern. Reaching out he felt a tug, not against his hand or even his body but against his soul, or more accurately hid Inner Fire.
“Interesting…”
“You found Ayni. Viracocha used it to balance the elements when he wasn’t as powerful, I think we can all agree, you couldn't do that if you tried. Your power doesn’t come from elemental balance. You favour Nina and, to a certain extent, Pachamama. Much to my disappointment. My Unu would've been a wonderful element with your power.”
Alex nodded to himself, channelled fire and watched as the flames ran over the backs of his fingers then into his palm before they were sucked into the mantle.
“Nina…”
“Surely you of all people, knew the Quechua word for fire, Till?”
“I did. I do.”
“The other elements?”
“Pachamama, which has come up already, in this context, the Earth element. Unu,” Alex bowed deferentially to the Goddess who just smiled, “water. Then Yawar, the element of air. With our powers combined…”
“Till, did you just quote Captain Planet?”
Chuckling Alex stood up and looked at Mama Qucha.
“Thank you for coming. You, and your unu, help. I feel… calmer. Battle, death, they… help, but only to force everything deeper. That's what I did after…” Alex took a deep breath and shook himself, “after Maddy and Old Ben. You, your unu, I don't know how but it, you help.”
“Viracocha felt the same way.”
Alex smiled and made eye contact with the Goddess.
“Thank you.” Pausing he felt a sudden warmth. “From both of us.”
Tears appeared in the corners of Mama's eyes and she nodded slowly, reached out past Alex and seemed to look through him.
The professor cleared her throat.
“Sorry, New Ben could be back at any moment. If we want to avoid questions, like how Till can meet with a Goddess he isn't attached to, we should wrap this up.”
“You're right, as always, wawa. I’ll see you both soon.”
With that Mama and the three Scouts sunk into water that replaced the ground of the cavern and disappeared.
“That's one way make an exit.”
“Till, let's look at the gear and get out of here. New Ben made it clear that Pantheon quests should be private.”
“True. I'm just enjoying… I can't remember the last time I felt this clear.”
“Take your time then. I'll head up and meet New Ben if he arrives, that should give you some more time.”
“Thank you, professor. I mean it, thank you.”
The professor paused then continued floating up, leaving Alex to light the cavern with his fire while inspecting the new Godly gear.
Apu Willay (Deities Story), Viracocha's Aya Huilla (Ring) of Creation
Celestial Grade Jewelry
(Viracocha's Regalia of Creation 7/11)
+50 Intellect
+50 Wisdom
The tale of the Coricancha is delicately etched into the intricate design of this ring. Each twist and turn of the band tells the story of the Highest Deities in the Incan Pantheon, seamlessly intertwining their narratives with the essence of the natural world. From the earthy embrace of Pachamama to the celestial dance of Inti, the ring serves as a testament to the divine harmony and balance present in the cosmos
You are not a God
“I'll just equip that one.”
Apu Huascarán’s Wakas Qochay (Spirit Pendant) of Cosmic Light
Celestial Grade Jewelry
(Viracocha's Regalia of Creation 8/11)
+150 Wisdom
+150 Spirit
Crafted with reverence to the cosmos, this pendant embodies the celestial wisdom of the ancient Incan deities. The woven cord, intricately braided from threads of gold, silver, and copper, symbolizes the interconnectedness of both the elements and the Earth’s that make up the Multiverse. At the center rests a meteoric substance, imbued with veins of shimmering light that echo the stars' dance in the night sky.
This pendant channels the cosmic knowledge of Apu Huascarán, the most reverred mountain deity, who held the wisdom of all the heavens and Earths. The pendant also serves as a conduit for spiritual enlightenment, guiding the wearer on a journey of celestial mastery and deep cosmic insight
You are of insufficient level to wield this item
You are not a God
“Damn it! I guess it was bound to happen eventually. Anyway, damn it! Anyway, what about Ayni?”
Ayni (Balance) Unqo (Mantle)
Celestial Grade Apparel
(Viracocha's Regalia of Creation 9/11)
+150 Wisdom
+150 Spirit
Created as a gift to Viracocha that was never meant to be worn by the God, the Ayni Unqo embodies the harmonious essence of cosmic unity. Woven from the finest alpaca and llama wool, its intricate patterns weave together the threads of creation and existence, celebrating the interconnectedness of the elements, Nina, Unu, Yawar and Pachamama
Each stitch carries the blessings of celestial harmony, resonating with the divine wisdom of the cosmos. As the mantle envelops the wearer, it imbues them with a heightened knowledge of the elements and their role in the Harmony of the Multiverse
You are not a God
“Yes! Not armour. It's going to look ridiculous though.”
Alex equipped Ayni then fell to the ground twitching.
Your Inner Fire has overwhelmed the Elemental Harmony contained within Ayni Unqo, the item has been irreversibly altered and has become Supay's Ember Mantle
Supay's Ember Mantle
Celestial Grade Apparel
(Viracocha's Regalia of Creation 9/11)
(Volcanic Retribution Set 4/5)
+100 Strength
+150 Inner Fire
Reforged with the power contained in the fiery depths of Supay's realm, Supay's Ember Mantle radiates with the primal energy of volcanic power. Woven from the finest alpaca and llama wool, its intricate patterns honor the interconnectedness of all existence while channeling the raw power of Supay's domain
Each stitch is imbued with the blessings of celestial harmony, resonating with the divine wisdom of the cosmos and Supay's volcanic fury. As the mantle enshrouds the wearer, it attunes them to the fiery essence of the Uku Pacha (Underworld), enhancing their affinity with fire and Supay's dominion over the volcanic forces that shape the earth
Volcanic Retribution Set - 4 of 5 Collected
5 of 5 unlocks: Legendary Ability: Fire God
The Quest:
Recover all 11 pieces of Viracocha's Regalia of Creation
(9/11)
With a groan Alex rolled onto his back and looked around. The cavern had changed.
“What the fuck happened?”
“It was time.”
A deep resonant voice echoed off the blackened walls of the cavern.
“Supay?”
“You aren't completely devoid of sense then, unlike my brother.”
Alex got to his feet and looked at the figure before him.
“You're Viracocha's brother. I never made that connection.”
“He didn't tell many people. For obvious reasons. Qucha may be the only deity that knows.”
“We seem to-”
“Have a lot in common, yes. Not just the eyes.”
Stepping forward Alex took in the features of the God before him. Similarities to Viracocha were obvious now that he was looking for them. However, Supay's eyes mirrored Alex's orbs of fire. After tolerating Alex's gaze for long enough, Supay stepped back and forced shadows to obscure his features.
“This is the first time I've left my home in… eons.”
“Why?”
“It was time. While my brother has claimed you, that doesn't stop me from asserting the will of Uku Pacha. It'll annoy him, but it will also help you. Plus, I haven't had a Chosen of own. I wonder what the System will do when two Staff God's claim one Adventurer.”
With a wave of his hand Alex's equipment returned to his Inventory leaving him naked in the cavern.
“What-”
“Don't speak Alex Till.”
Reaching forward Supay dragged a flaming nail down Alex's scar. The scar started to glow like it contained magma. Alex grunted like he was in pain.
“That should do it.”
“Do what?”
“I don't know, I haven't done this before. But whatever it is, it's done. This is going to piss him off.”
With that Supay was engulfed in fire and he disappeared.
“What the fuck?”
Hidden Quest Completed
Chosen Duality
Be Chosen by two Deities in the same Pantheon
3,210,170 experience earned
Bonus Quest Completed
Archaeology Site Located
Quest - Earth 0 | Incan Outpost Archaeology Site
Find all of Historical Significance at the Site
Bonus Archaeology Quest Completed
Quest - Earth 0 | Incan Battle Site Archaeology Site
Find all of Historical Significance at the Site
Lay the fallen to rest
3/3
Site Accessible:
00:02:19
00:02:18
00:02:17
Level Up
Name: Alex Till
Race: Human (Earth 0)
Class: Fire Warrior
Titles: Planetary Forerunner 100, Multiverse Forerunner, Multiverse Dungeon Diver, Multiverse Elite, Initiation Perfectionist, Varkarakos' Bane, Supay's Chosen, Auqui (Prince) of Uku Pacha, Twice Chosen Herald of the Coricancha
Faction: Clark County Resistance (Vice-Leader, Ambassador)
Sponsors: (2 of 3) Bio-Evolutionary Laboratories, Teacher of the Worlds Society
Core Pantheon: Coricancha
Deity: Hidden, Supay
Level: 89
Strength: 523
Inner Fire: 332
Constitution: 262
“Only 11 levels to go…”
Alex staggered out of the cavern and found the professor speaking to New Ben.
“Good timing Ti-”
“Alex, you really need to warn people.”
“What?” Alex looked down, remembered he was naked and laughed awkwardly. “Sorry, God stuff.”
Both the professor and New Ben rotated back to stare at him.
“God-”
“-stuff?”
“Supay…” Alex waved a hand over one shoulder in the direction of the gently smoking cavern and equipped his gear, “just turned up.”
“Till? Supay? The God of the Uku Pacha?”
“Yes. Did you know he's Viracocha's brother?”
“No. No… he can't be. I, no. That means… Till, that changes so much. Brothers? No.”
“It's the truth, once you see him in person you wouldn't be able to doubt it. Professor, there's more.”
“More? No, I can't take more.”
“Supay is also a Staff God.”
“No-”
The professor froze which made Alex laugh.
“What happened to you?”
“Hey, welcome back New Ben.”
“Thanks. You seem… better? Anyway, what happened to you?”
Alex stopped watching the frozen professor and made eye contact with New Ben for the first time causing the Alchemist to step back quickly while grunting like Alex had hit him.
“New Ben?”
“How did you get more powerful?”
“Gear… and-”
“And? Theres more… something. Viracocha and…?”
“Supay?”
“I don't know. I-”
You are being Scanned
“That'll do it.”
“That isn't possible. Twice Chosen?”
“If it helps, Supay did it to piss of his brother.”
“It doesn't help.”
“Right. Sorry?”
“Don't be sorry, you need to get more powerful. But, Twice Chosen? I didn't even know it was possible.”
Alex just shrugged.
“Why, how are you so… relaxed? Before I left you were, I'll be honest, you were awkward.”
“This is difficult. Last time it was me and… Old Ben, was before I met Maddy. We were kids. Everything was so easy, everything was… it was easy. Then you and Maddy died and everything was hard, I couldn't,” Alex paused and looked up at the sun and sighed deeply. “I couldn't deal with people, not after hearing you both die. So I didn't, I just didn't. Then you came back,” Alex raised a hand to stop New Ben from interrupting, “I know you aren't my Ben, I know you're from another Earth… I know that, but, sometimes… sometimes I forget. Then my brain gets in the way and I get muddled. That's when I come across as awkward, teenage me has his friend back, but adult me knows how much I've lost, who I’ve lost. It's a lot. Mama Qucha helped, some how.”
New Ben just stared, he opened his mouth a couple of times to speak and each time he stopped before saying anything. Then he just nodded, walked over and pit a hand on Alex's shoulder and nodded again.
“I can't promise I'll get better than this, or that I won't back slide into awkward. I can promise I'll do things most people shouldn't, like what happened with Raqqer. But I've got your back… Ben.”
“Right back at you mate.”
Alex nodded and looked south.
“Ah, do we hug? I'm not great at this people… stuff. I don't think I've-”
Ben wrapped both arms around his friend.
“Thank you, Ben.”
“You two are weird.”
The professor moved as she came back online.
“Thank you professor. That was a nice moment and you ruined it.”
“You ruined the moment I was having, not being weird.”
“You were frozen. Why can't two friends hug?”
“Oh they can, that's fine. You two are just weird. No amount of hugging will fix that.”
“You're a horrible person. Wait, are you jealous? Because you're ethereal.”
The professor looked at Alex then at Ben who held his hands up.
“Wise move New Ben.”
The professor turned back to Alex and stepped towards him, raised a hand and flicked him in the forehand. In the corner of his HUD Alex watched as the professor's Maypi bar dropped into the red. With that she turned, raised her head and started drifting south along the river without looking back.
“That was…”
“You get used to it.”
“You and your companion are different.”
“I'm pretty sure I'm her companion, not the other way round.”
“That makes sense. Professor Ladere is definitely in charge. You two are like an old married couple. I should make sure my wife isn't watching your feed and taking notes.”
With that Ben hurried off after the professor, leaving Alex unsure of whether he should laugh of cry.
“What a day. I swear it was easier not talking to people.”