When Adil woke again there was an old man standing over him, shining a staff across his belly like a medical fleshlight. The man wore a lab coat and had a sharp, short, black beard, matching unkept thick hair.

“Hold still,” The man said in a sort of analytical Scandinavian accent. It was like a stoned Elon musk. a strangely analytical voice that wants to detail the impending death of the world from killer robots.

“What are you-“ Adil objected.

“Just hold still,” he repeated and Adil obliged lying back down.

Adil looked across his stomach and saw there were a series of symbols passing through a small screen, it was where the man's torch-like staff was shining.

“You appear to have fixed the problem in an unusually unique method,” The man said, moving back and bringing his staff up from Adil's chest.

“I believe I will add your details to later patch notes. The development will help inhibit any future tampering talented individuals may attempt,” The man added. 

Notification

Patch note:

Hugo has remotely updated your mana and translated essence system. interference from external mana sources severely inhibited.

Adil steadily sat up and looked around again at the spawn area.

The strange black-blue creature again appeared, he was climbing over the shoulder of the mysterious old man. Adil looked across the cavern and with a closer inspection noticed a faint change in hue. It was as though everything was a shade darker and bluer.

He saw the armoured skeletons were still on the ground in an area of the cavern, but now, next tot he sceletons an opening in the wall showed an open cave entrance.

Further away and blocking off the cave's entrance he saw there was a bubble enclosing them. The bubble was a sort of dome made from jagged polygons attached to each other, shifting as they reflected the light from outside. 

The wizard pulled back his strange glowing staff and reached out his hand.

“Hugo Lefebvre,” he said with a smile.

Seras was standing behind him looking disgruntled.

“He’s the one that sent us here. To this world. He also saved us just now and apparently froze time,” She said bluntly.

“By the world, do you ever calm down?” Hugo asked.

Adil looked around in confusion.

“So why are we here? Can you take us back?” He asked.

“I’ve already tried that,” Seras added.

“He says we need to figure it out.”

The man gave a sympathetic smile and put a hand on Adil’s shoulder.

"It would not be nice if I were to trigger the memories. I advise you to let it come back to you naturally."

"But... This has to have some purpose. Why here? Why us? Can you tell us anything?"

“Well, You know how in your world there is, a computer screen. Just a screen. A thousand by a thousand pixels. Yet, in just a few seconds it could convey a message, a piece of information that would make the poorest man the richest. Something that could change your world in an instant. This, all with just a small number of lights working together. Now, if I think that way when I see a screen like that, imagine what I think when I see something like you. The possibilities you have. That is why I did this.”

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Seras gave a shrug, showing that’s the best, he was going to get. The scientist laughed. Adil struggled to recollect his thoughts.

“We need to get Swift back, he’s been taken,” Adil blurted out. He attempted to get up. When trying to stand his legs seemed to wobble for a moment until he appeared steady.

“I’m well aware, but I can’t help you. If I don’t get back before time unfreezes there will be unavoidable consequences,” he tapped Adil with his staff.

“But it’s your fault we’re here,” Adil said pleadingly.

“I understand how you might see it that way. I do, but there is more to this than you can readily imagine. Knowing the capabilities you have unlocked I believe you should be more than able to take care of the troubles yourself.”

Adil didn’t look happy at this response

“You appear still troubled. I will leave you, Kurt, until this matter is handled you are to accompany these people.” The wizard added.

“You’ll what?” Said the black-purple creature appearing beside them.

“Kurt, there is a time for action, not apathy or reticence. You have spent the last week watching Netflix, it seems appropriate that you help in this situation.”

The creature started walking forward, looking displeased.

“Fucking noobs….” He replied softly and out of earshot.

“Have fun,” Hugo said, and then with a wave of his staff a portal appeared, it was just large enough for him to step through. The portal disappeared as he passed and then space itself seemed to change, the background imagery seeming less fragmented as time started moving normally again.

“Where, where has he gone?” Adil said.

“That’s none of your concern” replied Kurt.

“No, Swift,” Adil added.

Seras pointed to an opening in the side of the cavern, revealing a sort of pathway down. Rocks that had been blown out of the wall lay scattered along the passageway. Light shone in, highlighting ornate designs across the walls of the cave. Like tribal markings etched into stone slabs.

“He went down there with the mage,” Seras explained.

“Why did they take him?” He asked.

“Probably so he doesn’t respawn,” Seras replied.

Adil saw his notifications around his screen, a concussion icon had just tilted to 0:00 and as that happened he felt like he could think more clearly. Another set was visible, he had reached level three, but seemingly the ability points had already been spent.

New trait

Mental tether

You have learnt how to expand a part of your essence into the outside world without risking damage. Allows you to connect your essence to things in the outside world.

 New quest

Reunite!

Task:

Find Swift, and solve the mystery of the hidden caves.

Exp: 600

Adil shook his arm, trying to make himself feel normal again and said to Seras.

  “I have a weird new talent, it says I can my essence to things. Like people.”

“Like a telepath?” Seras asked not even phased.

“I think so.” 

“Ok, try with me”

“If you’re sure.”

Seras didn't reply but seemed ready so Adil focused on his internal mana. He reached out with his mind, a tether of essence seemed to link to Seras and he soon started to feel her presence. He let out a gasp as he felt the connection.

Suddenly he was in a room, shattered glass was spread across the floor and a broken chair smashed against a kitchen table. A girl was being held by a woman in her mid-thirties.

“Why are we still living with him,” The child asked.

“We’re going Rosie, it doesn’t matter where, but we need to go.”

“Mum, you still love me, right? Even if he's my dad. Even if I did that?”

“Of course honey, don’t ever say that.”

Adil was ripped back to reality. Seras looked furious.

“No one fucks with my mind. You had no right to see that!” Seras shouted and she stormed away.

Adil ran up to her “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to.”

“Just don’t Adil, just don’t.”

They were silent for a moment then Seras said again.

“I know it’s not your fault, let’s just go.”

Adil came next to her and thumped the side of her plate, getting a smile in return. They moved in towards the cave, Kurt teleporting onto Adil’s shoulder, morphing into a small raven. 

"Hey," Adil said turning to the now little creature, getting no reply in response.

They entered the dark of the cave and ventured through to see what awaited them, glowing insects and mushrooms illuminating deep in the path.