“Umm, it looks like I only have 15 minutes Ysella.”
“Ahh, you must have locked in your class. Well, that doesn’t leave me too long for picking your gift.” She leaned in again, her voice dropping low like the purr of a great cat. “Would you like a powerful skill you will need to develop or a strong piece of equipment?” It was all I could to consider her request rationally as my body responded against my will.
Ysella seemed to notice my burgeoning erection with a titter. “My excited are we…? You are a bit young now, but I am sure you will… grow.” She blew softly on my ear as her hands delicately enveloped my manhood like warm silken sheets. I don’t know how long I was paralyzed like that, but a sharp nip on my ear lobe brought me back to reality. “Clock’s ticking little man…”
“Uhhh…” my mind was awash with the competing desire to lose myself in the moment versus choosing rationally. I managed to groan out my choice “Skill…” Just like that, the sensation stopped leaving me without release. Ysella turned me towards her and my body went with the motion like it was putty. Softness covered my lips and I experienced my first kiss in a new body. A kiss from someone who had more experience and skill than any mortal. It lasted forever and an instant. Something poured into me like hot fire with the kiss. As it ended I leaned in for more.
With a giggle, Ysella pushed me back and I fell. When I didn't hit the floor, I was surprised. When I noticed the vague red of Ysella’s room growing fainter in the distance I began to worry. “Maybe when you see me again lover boy if you make good use of that skill. Watch out for that first step, it’s a doozy.”
I began to feel the air rushing past me as I fell and I began to panic. I was falling down from nothingness into a world. I could see oceans and such in the distance along with mountains. It might have been beautiful and picturesque if I weren’t screaming trying to figure out how to stick the landing.
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What was the princess thinking sending her out into this provincial town Cassie wondered, not for the first time. She flitted from rooftop to rooftop over the town of Anglesmart her blue-black garb making her hard to see against the backdrop of the night sky. Especially with the few lanterns to light the roads.
Cassie settled into place on the roof of an inn near the center of town. She went over the conversation and events that lead her to be here in her mind. Her sworn liege, Princess Relia of the Kingdom of Turmin, was known to have visions of the future. Though they weren’t always reliable or didn’t always show the full picture.
The Princess bade her come to this town as she had a vision of a visitor of great importance who would make their debut here in the center of town, just before midnight. The princess seemed disinclined to inform her father or brother of these events to get someone else to do it. Instead, she had asked Cassie to nab whomever it was and bring them back to her before anyone else could know.
Kidnapping was technically within her duties as a spy-type class, though not one she had much more than the basic training in. Hopefully whoever it was would be willing to come along with her. Assuming they were trustworthy. Cassie was withholding her judgment to see if this newcomer was worthy of meeting her liege. If they were not, well, the distance between here and the capital Turmina was fairly far and a lot could happen.
Shaking herself out of her memory she patiently waited for something to happen. Sitting in a comfortable meditative trance that let her conserve her energy while maintaining awareness with her Shadow Eyes skill. Shadow Eyes allowed someone to attune themselves to nearby shadows as long as there was a continuous connection between the user or user’s shadow and the shadow(s) they were looking through.
It did have a downside in that it didn’t do a very good job of looking up. To be fair most humans, and humanoid creatures have a hard time remembering to look up for threats. So Cassie was as startled as the guard on patrol when something crashed into the street intersection below.
Belatedly she heard the sound that must have been his scream. Cautiously she looked over the edge of the rooftop into the small crater as the guard patrol likewise inched up nervously. There lying in a small crater surrounded by broken cobblestones was a badly bruised, but seemingly alive being.
He wasn’t too tall, maybe 5’2 or so, with a wiry frame like an acrobat. His arms and legs were scaled and grey in tone, though he lacked the tail of a lizardfolk. His torso and head seemed mostly human, though the black horns with green tracings sticking out from his white hair seemed to indicate something else…
“Demon…” went up the mutterance of the guards. They seemed nervous and cautiously approached the unconscious person. As he didn't seem to respond they quickly restrained him and talked quietly amongst themselves. They began carting him off like the carcass of a dear brought back from a hunt, strung up along a spear held between two guards.
Cassie could only catch scraps of their conversation from her vantage point, as she followed along thinking. Though she wasn't entirely sure about bringing a demon back to the princess. This demon certainly fit her prophecy, a demon suddenly appearing in a small town like this definitely a visitor of great importance. Though, that importance may be more for what they represent than because of who they were in particular.
The guards brought the demon into the local guardhouse, presumably into a cell within. Then one set out carrying a scroll case. They must be contacting someone experienced with demons to investigate.
The princess’s orders were to bring him back with none the wiser which is impossible now. Given that it is a demon and she didn’t really want to take a risky action like a prison break for someone who may ultimately harm her liege she opted to do the time-honored option of minions everywhere. Report back. With none the wiser Cassie left the town, it would be a long run back to Turmina.
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[Wake up Ehl.]
I stirred feeling groggy and tired as a familiar voice called to me.
“Five more minutes, don’t wanna go to school…” I turned to try and get more comfortable to go back to sleep. Fully intending to sleep through the alarm. Except I couldn’t, my eyes popped open and I saw my hands were bound in front of me with braided leather cord. I tried to move my legs and realized I was bound at the ankles as well.
Mild panic surged through me as I realized I didn’t know how I came to be here. The last thing I remember was falling. Before then I was in a room… I felt my cheeks heat up in embarrassment at that recollection.
[Calm down Ehl, please. Let me try to explain what is going on.]
That familiar voice came again. Though I wasn’t hearing it with my ears, but rather somewhere deep within my chest. It was soothing and calm yet filled with power. Like the waves of an ocean. I tried to relax and sort through my thoughts and memories. I knew things, how to talk, walk, eat, etc.
However, there seemed to be a gap between the things I knew how to do, versus my memories of myself. I was unsure how I came to be in this position. A memory unfurled itself like a flower that blooms at night. Abysia, is the name of the voice of the woman inside me. At a gut level, I felt that I could trust her and she would help me however she could. Instinctively I knew that I merely had to think to her and she could hear my inner thoughts.
[Abysia, I will try to remain calm, but I am feeling very stressed out. What’s happened to me?]
[You have arrived in Yenope from another world. During this transition process, many of your past memories are sealed up. This is to prevent you from being overwhelmed as the knowledge you need as someone new to this world is filled in. The memories will slowly return to you over time as you acclimate to this new place. Though if you prefer I could remove them while they are sealed or strengthen the seals to keep them away until you want to see them.]
[That makes a certain sense.] I thought for a moment. Did I really want my old memories given that I came from another world? I still had memories of that world, one very different from this one. Just no memories of my place within it. Though maybe I would change my mind in the future. [Can you seal them up until I ask for them please?]
A slight buzzing sensation went through my mind. [It is done. We have a few things to talk about before the specialist the guards summoned returns. First, will you look over your status screen with me.]
I nodded and mentally called up my status screen. A few messages greeted me that I had to close before I could see the underlying screen.
[Glory Unlocked: Survive a Fall from a Great Height]
[Glory Unlocked: Survive a Massive Injury]
[Glory Unlocked: Be placed in Jail while Innocent]
Name Ehl
Age 14
Class Runic Adept
Race Demon [Beyond-Touched Dragonkin: this information is hidden]
Titles [all hidden due to Hero status]
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Stats
Strenth
13
Mind
14
Agility
15
Spirit
16
Body
20
Charisma
15
Stat Points Remaining: 2
Racial Abilities
Beyond-Touched
Your heritage was touched by the outer realms. You are more resistant to mental and soul attacks than normal.
Runic Eyes
You can see in natural darkness. With effort you can see the runic symbols inherent in natural elements.
Dragon Tongue
You have the ability to speak any language you have heard.
Skills
Skill Rank
Companion’s Blessing
F
Evasion
D
Runic Body
D
Runic Magic
F
Twist of Fate
F
Unarmed Combat
D
Weapons
D
[What are stat points? Why did my Body increase? Does it have something to do with those notifications about Glory?]
[Glories are when you accomplish something rare or powerful and the Hero System rewards you. Surviving a great fall and being placed into jail while innocent both rewarded you with a stat point. Your body increased due to surviving massive damage. I had to activate the ability I gave you to keep you alive.]
[Is that the Twist of Fate? I mean I am glad you did keep me alive, was I supposed to fall out of the sky like that?] I guessed based on the names of the two new abilities that had appeared.
[Yes that is the ability I gave you. I can’t say too much about how it works directly, though you should know that it can’t be used for a while given how much it had to change. No, you shouldn’t have fallen from the sky like that.] Abysia’s voice was calm but the last line was tinged with a bit of nerves.
[I can only guess two thing’s happened, first that one or more of the gods that imprisoned me attempted to divert you to a hostile environment. The system will not allow that to happen so it forced you to appear in the closest space that wouldn’t injure you based on where you left from. People arrive to Yenope in the manner you do through the heavens, since you have the Twist of Fate ability a fall from the sky must have been deemed survivable.]
Concentrating on the ability as Abysia mentioned it only brought up a short summary.
[Twist of Fate: You can alter the flow of Fate. This ability functions passively with your interactions with the world. You can draw upon this ability to forcibly alter Fate. When Fate is forced to change in this manner you will be unable to actively do so again until a cooldown period has passed based on how much was altered by it’s activation. Cooldown Remaining: ~1600 hours ]
[So this Twist of Fate stopped me from dying? Guess that is why the cooldown is so long.]
[Partially, the other reason is that you are unique. Look into your titles.]
With a thought, I looked into the titles that are marked as hidden. Only three appeared for the moment.
[Survivor: Survive a lethal blow.]
[Hero of Chaos (Unique): You are the Champion of Abysia. Hero titles hide information by default.]
[Hero of Lust (Unique): You are the Champion of Ysella. Hero titles hide information by default.]
[Hero titles are unique, a person is only supposed to be able to have one. I planned to trigger the Chaos Hero title after you arrived to minimize the presence of your arrival to Yenope.] Abysia explained. [However, Ysella granted you her hero title before releasing you into this world. Since I am with you the system allowed what it normally wouldn’t and granted you both hero titles. Which I suspect has a few effects.]
[For one your arrival was definitely noticed by the Gods at large. However, due to the conflicting hero titles, you are hidden from all of them, including Ysella. Hero titles were designed to shield their bearers from scrying magic. The loopholes that would normally let a God access their champion have been obstructed by the overlay of my title. I still have access to you as you carry a piece of me with you. Well that, and I was largely responsible for the creation of the Hero System.]
[That is a lot to soak in at the moment. Give me a second to consider and ask some questions please?] Abysia answered me with a mental nod and I sunk myself into thought about the situation. It seem I had attracted unwanted attention, but I was relatively well hidden. I was imprisoned falsely, though maybe it was just a holding cell given I just crashed into a city of some sort and maybe I destroyed some property.
A flash of guilt ran through me. If I destroyed something by crash landing I might have hurt or killed someone with the impact. A soothing reassurance came from Abysia.
[Are you reading my mind?] I asked startled by this mental feeling.
[No, I cannot read your mind unless you want me to. However, we are connected on a spiritual level so I can read your emotions. Well, at least until you train yourself to restrain them. It’s why you didn't sense anything from me before. I projected a feeling of reassurance in response ot your feeling of stress. Should I not do that in the future?]
A bit of nervousness tinged Abysia’s thoughts. If she weren't a goddess with supreme power I might be tempted to think of it as a crush. I swept that thought aside and answered her.
[That makes me feel better, and it’s okay the feeling helped jostle me out of some negative thoughts… umm, I was unconscious until I came here. Were you able to observe what happened?]
[I was not able to observe, unfortunately. While I don’t sleep inside of you I can share your body’s senses. Right now I am limiting myself to looking through your eyes and listening through your ears. It seems likely we are in a human jail cell, probably a town or village based on its small size.]
[Is it possible my arrival hurt someone?] I asked with a bit of trepidation.
[No, the Hero System will not allow the arrival of a hero to Yenope to injure inhabitants already here. Though, some of the darker summoning methods require blood sacrifice as part of the ritual. Heroes can be brought here by Gods or Mortals. Though Mortal summoning has far greater restrictions on it.]
There was a sound of voices coming from outside the cell area I was in. It wasn’t that loud but enough to know it was there. It seemed to be coming closer. I needed to be ready for one last question before I greet my first people on Yenope. From behind bars, not the best place to be I thought grimly.
[Should I hold onto these stat points for now?] I asked.
[I wouldn’t spend them in a rush, stat point gain isn't that common. In some ways you got a very lucky start.]
With a mental nod of thanks, I concentrated on the voices coming closer. One male and one female voice. Though the footsteps seemed like it was more than two. Idly I wondered how my hearing had gotten so good. The voices became more distinct and understandable as they drew closer.
“Ugh I hate being woken up so late,” came an irritated feminine voice. “Remind me again Guard Captain Throm why this couldn’t wait til morning.”
“We apprehended a demon that came into town. The guards are on the lookout for his summoner now. He was unconscious so we brought him here and sent a runner to you per your request and your contract with Mayor Bram to handle things of a magical nature Lady Mage Jezabel.” the voice of Captain Throm was tired and worn out as though he had this sort of argument hundreds of times before.
“If it’s a just demon just kill it.” Jezabel snapped. There was a slight pause and the voice sounded a little less irritated and a bit more pleasant. “It’s not just a demon is it?”
“It looks demonic enough, and the Analyze skill returns a race of demon. Just a bunch of the normal information is hidden. In addition, Detect Aura doesn’t find any trace of a demonic aura around him either,” Throm replied.
“Well, why didn’t you say so sooner Captain Throm? My current experiment is on its last legs and this could be a chance for a new one.” came a sugary-sweet response from Jezabel. Something in the tone and being called an experiment did not sit very well with me.
Light footsteps approached more quickly and the others increased their pace to match. The light from their torches was disorienting and for a brief moment, I saw only shadowy silhouettes. As I blinked away small tears of eye strain I took in the scene. A few guards stood behind the front two, Throm and Jezabel I assumed.
Throm was a moderately aged man with brown hair and brown eyes and a serious look on his face. His metal cuirass looked old but well-maintained. A longsword swung at his hip. His tabard was of a pink pig on a brown field with a blue background.
Jezebel was a much more interesting contrast to the guards around her. Bubble-gum pink hair was slightly messed as though she had rolled out of bed. She wore white robes with golden symbols. In her hands was a staff made of a grey ashy wood topped with a large ruby. Her eyes though seemed to absorb my world though, they were blood red and tinged with a faint bit of mania. She licked her lips like a cat stalking a mouse.
“Ahh, I think this one will do just fine Captain Throm. I will take excellent care of my new… toy.” Jezebel gave me a malevolent smile and internally I gulped. Out of the frying pan and into the fire.