The florescent lights above my head flickered.
Behind me, rows upon rows of the same cheap shit sat on the shelves waiting for the next mindless consumer to buy. None of this ever really felt real to me, even when I was still in school. I graduated with all my friends thinking we could take on the world. But life tends to hit you hard in the nads, even if you don't have any. My mom got real bad over the summer and I had to stay and watch over her. She could barely even recognize me, and her episodes left her in and out of seizures most of the time. While she was living at a home, she wouldn't be for long.
Dr. Lindburg told me that a tumor in her brain was stimulating all of her episodes and the next one will probably kill her. My coward of a father left five years ago, leaving me to take care of my mother as her Alzheimer's got progressively worse and worse. Two years of this soul crushing life, but I'm still here. As of last month, life insurance could no longer cover the bill though. I had to get two jobs just to keep a roof over our heads...Even if it was a different roof. There was only one thing that I knew. My life couldn't hold out like this much longer.
I've been so lonely, only talking to my friends when they could spare time playing Elsiege Online from their action packed college lives. Sometimes this emptiness made me want to just walk into the local bar and hook up with the first guy I saw. Just for some companionship. Just to know that at least someone still wanted me. I sometimes find myself aching for the touch of someone else, but I never get around to actually taking that big step. If I ever did, that would just be another person who I would lose, and I would be left with the responsibility of fixing the mess. Like always.
The light flickered again, irritating my already tired eyes.
With all the new technology we have these days, why hasn't anyone come up with a type of bulb that doesn't have such shitty ambience? Everything I look at in this light is covered by a haze of...Depression.
I was working the late afternoon shift at the Grab'n Save, and the sun was slowly sinking lower and lower towards the horizon. Looking at the beautiful sunset outside only served to stoke my bitterness. I stood at an empty checkout line, trying to combat my drowsyness and provide the best service possible to all of the nonexistant customers. I decided to lean my head against the register so I could get a better view out of the mechanical sliding glass doors of the convenience store.
Why am I here? Why am I locking myself in this fucking cage. Kathy went to K. State, along with Sydney and Leonardo and...
*Sigh*
All of my friends left me in this fucking town to rot!
I slammed the keys on the register in a fit of frustration, my eyes beginning to water. The drawer of the register popped open, spilling change all over the floor. I let out a pitiful mewl and sank to the floor, overcome by my thoughts and raging emotions.
I-it's not fair! Why me?! Why do I do this to myself?
This breakdown had been a longtime coming and in a way, it felt good just to sit down on a floor covered in loose change and just have a good cry. Luckily, I was the only one on shift, so the only evidence of it would be on the security tapes, or so I thought. I just took a back seat and let my emotions run their course. A good cry is just what I needed. After around five minutes, I got to my feet and started to clean up the floor. I was feeling much better until I heard my boss clear his throat behind me.
"*Ahem* Laila, if I could see you in my office, that would be wonderful. I don't know what is going on in your life, but it is clearly affecting your job."
With those ominous words, he led me to his cramped little closet shoved at the back of the store that he liked to call his office. I was slightly blushing the whole time he was leading me because this meant that he silently witnessed me crying on the floor alone, and just...Watched.
Mr.Boyle always gives me the creeps, but this was a whole new level. That means that he watched a young woman cry on the floor for five minutes without lifting a finger, not to mention he was probably just waiting for me to clean up my workstation and hop back to it. And they say chivalry is dead.
He sat down heavily, his chair likely squealing in pain from supporting all of his weight, and put his hands into a steeple as if he was some executive of a major corporation. He gave me a look and started on his dramatic monologue of which I have heard many times before:
"Laila, you know that Grab'n Save is a chain which prides themselves on excellent customer service and most importantly and excellent attitude. What would a potential customer do if they walked in to see you bawling on the floor. We have standards to uphold as one of the nation's most widespread convenience center organizations......
Blah, blah, blah. Who the fuck does this prick think he is? Does he even hear himself? Does he think any of this, this shit actually matters?!
"Mr.Boyle, what does this have to do with my job? Can I go back to my shift now?"
I ever so rudely interupted him, saving myself around half an hour of lecturing.
"Actually, that's a no. You of all people know of our three strike policy, and this is your third strike. Your lack of professionalism and blatant disregard for Grab'n Save policy leads me to believe you are just not a good fit. We're going to have to-"
"Wait! You're not saying what I think you're saying. You can't! I need this job!"
"No. I should have fired you for shoplifting that six pack of beer. I told you! One more mistake, and you're gone! Now get the fuck out of my office before I call the police!"
I was furious. This son of a bitch is firing me for crying on the job! As I walked out of his office, I shoved over a display of sunglasses just to let that fat piece of shit try to bend down and clean the mess himself. My thoughts were racing. I had no clue what to do. I had just lost my major source of income. I exited my workplace for the last time in my life and made my way over to my rusted over piece of shit car.
Well, I guess I will just head home then and try to calm down. I wouldn't want to do anything irrational like set Boyle's house on fire, or key his car, or...
*Sigh*
People always tell me that I am way too hot tempered, but I think thats better than just laying down and taking it, giving up...
*BZZZZT* *BZZZZT*
My phone rang in the back pocket of my 'glamorous' store uniform. It was from the home. Shady Hills institution for the Mentally Infirmed and Disabled. The fact that they were calling me couldn't be good. The voice on the phone was somewhat distorted and panicky.
"Ms.Bryne? Ms.Bryne? Your mother is having another episode! We tried to put her under with a heavy sedative, but she...Well she has lost it. Please get here as soon as possible!"
The phone was muffled and then went dead.
Holy Shit! No! This is way too soon!
My already troubled mind was send into hyperaction after hearing about my mother. Without thinking, I tore out of the convenience store parking lot, rushing to make it before it was too late. I would only find out much later, that the heavy sedative ended up slowing my mother's already weakened heart too much, and she passed away withing the next few minutes of me driving desperately towards the home, on the outskirts of the great town of Woodless, Kansas.
I turned on to the freeway, the 'do not enter' sign not even registering in my mind as I flew onto the freeway. I only sped up, hoping that I could make it in time to try and calm her down like last time. It was the only reason she made it. There was a nagging feeling gnawing at the pit of my stomach as well. I pulled out my phone to redial the insititution.
Am I forgetting something?
I looked up from my cell to the sound of a car horn. That was when time seemed to slow down. In front of me, a pair of headlights flashed into my view, blinding me. I could hear the screech of brakes that were far too late to be of any use. The last thing I saw before the collision was the frightened face of a young man who I had just doomed to an early grave. Then the impact came and I was weightless.
I saw.
Nothing.
Just a blank white empty space all around me. I could still feel myself though. I looked down to find all of my clothes had disappeared.
Wha...I'm dead aren't I?
I knew I was dead. I could still feel my skull cracking on the windsheild as my corpse flew out of its seat. I forgot to put on a seatbelt. The implications of being dead also hit me fairly quickly. Instead of feeling shock or anger or fear, I finally just let go. I blew out a long breath which I had been holding in for years.
No more people to rely on me. No more responsibility.
As much as I loved my mother, she was killing me from the inside out. To watch a parent reduced to a dependant, infantile state was one of the most heartbreaking things I had ever endured. But that was over now, for better or for worse. I could finally just...
Let go...
Then something popped up in front of my face. A blue window
Congratulations
You have died
Title gained:
Abyssal Wanderer
You have looked into the abyss.
Experience gained will be increased 10%
Experience gained:
1250%
You have leveled up!
You have leveled up!
You have leveled up!
You have leveled up!
You have leveled up!
You have leveled up!
You have 12 attribute points to spend!
Congratulations
You have gained a divine skill(passive):
Purging Inferno
Many can claim mastery over flame, but few beings can ever unlock the secrets which dwell within its purifying heart. Its ceaseless depths and combative spirit are seen in your soul. With the might of the purging fury, you will fear no evil. May the eternal flame guide you through the abyss.
Fire resistance raised 90%.
All fire spells are 50% easier to gain.
All fire spells have a 25% boost to spell strength.
Fire elementals will be easier to contract with.
Intelligence stat raised by 25.
Wisdom stat raised by 25.
Maximum mp raised by 100.
All combat skills 50% easier to gain.
New stat unlocked!:
Intelligence -->Greater Intelligence
Wisdom -->Greater Wisdom
New spell unlocked!:
Candle flame(5 mp)
A small flame which can light up the darkness. Can ignite certain materials.
Experience gained:
33%
Fuck me...
****
"Green eyes, blond hair, and everything in between! Lookin' sharp handsome!"
I said to myself while looking at my visage in the mirror. I needed to keep up appearances for graduation, which was tonight. The only problem was that there was one pesky zit, which kept irritating my face. I reached up to obliterate the deformity which dared to mar my somewhat okay looks. My fingers were about to apply pressure I heard my mother scream like a banshee from downstairs.
"BRIAN! HURRY! WE'RE GOING TO BE LATE!"
"SHUT THE FUCK UP MOM! I'M GETTING THERE!"
I screamed at the deranged woman. For some reason, she always insisted that we be early for every single school function or appointment and eventually it made me lose it sometimes. I did feel a little bad for yelling at her though. I finished up and dressed into my graduation gown and stupid little square hat. I walked into the kitchen only to be met by a familiar scene.
"*sniff* Harold! How could you let our son talk to me like that? I *sniff* did not raise my son to be a callous barbarian! These are your sinister genes at work!"
My mother began her tantrum while my father and little brother were in the kitchen simply waiting for us to leave.
"Brian, don't use that kind of language with your mother, it's disrespectful. Anyways, can we go now sweetie?"
My dad lectured me in a bored kind of way. Most people would think that my dad would have been furious that I swore at my mother like that, but this kind of stuff happens nearly every day. While my father is the calm, collected parent, my mother is extremely obsessive over every single thing. Mother dear can get annoying real fast, but she has her own special charm. She is the most caring woman I have ever met, even if I feel like she cares a little too much about everything.
"Yea! Ha! Nice dress Brian!"
Cyrus my twerp of a brother taunted, referring to my graduation gown. His first grade way of thinking sometimes ground on my nerves.
Damn brat.
Me: "Yea real funny. We should actually leave now though."
Mom: "B-brian, stop being such a meanie to your mother."
My dad picked up the car keys and threw them to me.
Dad: "Hey you wanna drive Brian, you just got your license?"
Me: "Yea sure. Why not?"
We piled in the standard minivan and we were on our way. In the car, my mom was getting teary eyed while sharing stories of when I was just a baby, sad that I would be moving on to college in the next year. Speaking of college, I still had not decided where I was going to actually apply to. Most of my friends were going to K. State, but I was still undecided. I couldn't wait to go to my first frat party, 'cuz I heard those things are off the fucking wall crazy! While I was fantasizing about chugging beer from a bong, my mother was still droning on about me as a kid.
"Brian...You know that you will always be my special little man don't you? Brian?"
"Jeezus mom! Can you stop it with all the mushy shit? I'm 18!"
My dad interjected with a heavy sigh.
*SIGH*
"Brian. Give your mother some slack."
Truly a man of few words. We live really far from the high school, so I usually take the bus home. This is why the drive was taking so long. I merged on to the freeway and then-
"AAHHHH!"
I heard a scream, but it did not even register in my mind as a pair of headlights was rushing directly at us. I tried to turn the wheel and avoid the oncoming vehicle, but it was far too late. I felt the impact slam through my body like a shockwave. The roar of the two metal beasts colliding with each other took away my hearing and I felt the glass of the windshield fly through my face, cutting it to ribbons. The heat of the impact made me feel like I was in a furnace, and I could feel my body get crushed as the minivan crumpled.
I don't know when the movement stopped, but when I came to, I was hanging upside down from my seat in the overturned car. I could taste blood and felt multiple shards of glass in my mouth and throat. I tried to make a noise, but it only came out as a choked gurgle as blood ran down from my mouth onto my face. I looked around and saw something that would be seared into my memory for the rest of my life. My mother's lifeless, bloody corpse hanging from the passenger seat. Headless. The oncoming car had ripped through the side of the minivan, taking my mothers head and her right arm with it. I was shaking and I couldn't stop. I tried to unbuckle myself from the seat, but my hands were shredded from the glass. I was struggling to form a coherent thought. My mind was going haywire.
Please....no...
Why hadn't the airbags gone off? My mother always kept them off because she liked to have my little brother sit on her lap while she drives, even though it's illegal. The irony did not miss me as I struggled to turn around so I could see what happened to the rest of my family. My hands, slippery with blood fumbled with the seat belt latch until I heard a *click*.
My body fell and my head hit the top of the minivan. Then there was nothing.
White.
All around.
I fell on my knees and released an animalistic scream which I hadn't realized I held in. My world seemed to shake.
"AAAAOUOUUUGGGH!!!"
What the fuck? Is this a dream? That...That didn't happen. It couldn't happen.
I tried to calm myself down, dry heaving. I flopped on my back and closed my eyes. I could not think or focus on what happened, so I just tried to go to sleep. I do not know how long I stayed like that, but eventually something did rouse my attention.
Congratulations
You have died
Title gained:
Abyssal Wanderer
You have looked into the abyss.
Experience gained will be increased 10%
Experience gained:
1250%
You have leveled up!
You have leveled up!
You have leveled up!
You have leveled up!
You have leveled up!
You have leveled up!
You have 12 attribute points to spend!
Congratulations
You have gained a divine skill(passive):
Fate of Fortuna
Do you choose to let your destiny define you, or will you make your own fate? You have lost and you have gained, but the favor of lady luck is not given lightly. The machinations of the universe are on your side; many will flock to those with the blessing of fate. May fortune favor those who are worthy.
Luck stat raised by 100.
Charisma stat raised by 30.
All attacks have a 5% chance to do no damage.
Maximum hp raised by 50.
Experience gained will be increased 50%.
No spells or promises will be able to bind you.
All skills will be 25% easier to gain.
New stat unlocked!:
Luck -->Greater Luck
Charisma -->Greater Charisma
Experience gained:
49.5%
After reading the panels, I was not struck by the fact there were multiple windows flashing in front of me, I was struck by the fact that this confirmed that I really died.
And my mother really died. And my...My brother...My...
Tears began to stream down my face as loss tore a hole in my heart which I knew could never be filled. No amount of healing would ever make this feeling go away.
Who caused this to me? Why am I feeling this pain? Who's fault is this? Someone...Needs to pay.
Then, another blue window shimmered in front of my face:
Congratulations
You have gained a new title:
Avenger
The rage you hold in your heart is beholden to no one and nothing. There is only one thing which can mend the scar torn into your soul. Vengeance.
You will always have the ability to find those who have wronged you. Your intuition will never fail you.
Experience gained:
32.4%
You have leveled up!
+2 to all attributes.
I left the endless white expanse.
****
(A/N: 3rd person now, writing in 1st is kinda really hard)
Laila shot up from where she lay on the grass, breathing heavily. She was alone in a grassy meadow, with a babblng brook only a few meters away. In the top right corner of her view she could see two bars, one blue and one red. Other than that, there was no indication she was anywhere other than earth. The wind blew across the field, and an airy feeling prompted her to look down. *yelp* She tried to cover herself on instinct when she learned that all of her clothes had disappeared, apparently along with her sanity.
Where the hell...?
She shakily stood up, and started to walk around, looking for something to clue her in as to what just occured. As if on cue, another window shimmered into existance one meter infront of her.
Welcome to Elendil!
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
You have escaped the shackles of your world. Make your second chance count.
Live as you see fit.
So...A different world huh? Thats new.
While many would feel devestated by learning they would never see their old world again, Laila was ecstatic. This is just what she had been wanting. An escape. She had often dreamed of going to a world where things weren't dull. Where she would not be at the mercy of greasy faced bastards like her boss.
Now that her blood was pumping, she wanted to explore right away. She had escaped. This excitement brought her attention back to her current situation. How was she going to find clothes? Food? People?
Ah, fuck 'em. From what I can tell from the previous windows, this world is like a video game. Does that mean...?
She tried to focus in on herself and was pleasantly surprised by the appearance of another panel.
Name: Laila Bryne
Level: 6
Class: (None)
Titles:
Abyssal Wanderer
hp: 30/30
(regen 0.0005 per second)
mp: 45/130
(regen 0.05 per second)
sp: 29/30
(regen 0.05 per second)
Endurance: 10
(Sp regeneration and capacity)
Greater Intelligence: 32
(Fortified measure of damage and strength of magic attacks and techniques)
Agility: 8
(Measure of speed of movement and perception)
Constitution: 7
(Hp regeneration and capacity)
Greater Wisdom: 35
(Foritfied mp regeneration and capacity)
Elemantal resistances:
Fire: 90%
Water: -5%
Air: 10%
Earth: 0%
Light: 30%
Dark: 0%
Strength: 12
(Measure of damage of attacks and physical capabilities)
Charisma: 7
(Measure of the ability to charm and inspire others)
Dexterity: 8
(Measure of grace and skill)
Luck: 6
(Really...You need me to explain this?)
Skills:
(1)Purging Inferno(passive)
Spells:
lv: 1/10 Candle Flame (5 mp per minute)
Equip: (None)
Primary: N/A
Secondary: N/A
Familar: (None)
Sweet! This is the same panel from that one game I used to play. Trippy...
Laila tried to wave her hand through the blue window, only to have it disappear once her hand came into contact with it. This movement brought a bright flash of red into her view. Looking down, she realized her long-ish hair was an unfamilar color. Her once brown hair had turned bright red! She rushed over to the water to see what this world had done to her. Magic could wait!
This probably has something to do with that 'purging inferno' skill. Hmm...Not bad. Not that there was much to improve on, but good enough.
After a thourough inspection of her looks in the nearby stream, Laila noticed that her looks had somewhat improved. Not significantly, but as if she had just visited the local salon. Also, she noticed her 'assets' had picked up some mass as well. Satisfied, she turned away to study the surrounding forest more closely. The sun was high in the sky, so Laila assumed it was mid-day. She randomly chose a direction and just started walking.
After around an hour of wandering through the forest and trying to activate her spell, she finally got the hang of it. She just had to envision the spell and mp cost in her mind. To her, having magic be that easy was slightly...Underwhelming. She expected magic to be hard to learn. But this was probably due to her skill. She was walking along with a small orb of orange, fluid light hovering above her fingertips. It gave off a soft glow, but she could manipulate the intensity of the small orb. She had not seen any signs of life other than the odd insect or bird flying overhead. The landscape she was in was a forest with rolling hills, about 50 meters in height.
Laila stopped to take a break at the top of one such hill, and saw a column of smoke in the distance, around 30 kilometers away.
That's the only thing I've seen so far, I might as well go towards it!
With that logic in mind, she decided to return to walking. If she did come across some other people in this world, she knew it was going to be difficult considering the state of her dress(or undress). Seeing as this was a 'video game-esque' world as far as she could tell, she had no clue what to do. But anything was better than dying of exposure...or starvation...or predation.
She continued her trek into late afternoon, when the sun was beginning its descent. Throughout the forest, she noticed her sp bar steadily depleting as she walked through the forest at a brisk pace. From her experience playing a game called Elsiege Online with some of her friends, she knew that this bar likely represented her energy or stamina. And she did not want to find out what happens when she runs out.
What do I do to recover it? Just eat? Or sleep? I'm tired and my feet fuckin' hurt! I never knew how much of a luxury shoes were until now...
Suddenly, she heard voices in the brush in front of her. She froze, and slowly hid behind an adjacent tree, partly because she was embarrassed of her appearance and partly because she knew that not everything would be friendly in this world. That is what made it exciting...
"Wait! Easy does it now! Let 'er down slowly, we wouldn't want to hurt the lassie. She'll fetch a nice price!"
One of the voices rang out, and she heard some scuffling. The voice sounded deep, and vaguely Scottish, even though this was a different world. She peered around the trunk of her hiding spot to get a look at what was happening. A squat man looking in his late 50's was motioning towards a rope net hanging from another tree, and two other younger men were helping to lower the net. They were wearing a mix of a woolen shirt with leather padding on the shoulders and chest. Something was struggling in the net and making a strange hissing noise.
Hmm. These people look like hunters, or something. At first, I thought they were slavers from what the short one said, but whatever is in that net definitely isn't human. Trapper perhaps? I might as well watch for a little longer before I make first contact.
The man firmly grasped the net once it was lowered and hoisted it onto his broad, muscular back. The thing in the net could only struggle in a futile attempt to escape and the three men started off again. It looked red and furry, but that was all Laila could tell from this distance.
"What d'ya think we can get from the peddler for this one here? Bet'cha I can get 30,00 dinari! My barter skill is level 4, an' with that kind of money, the forge do be able to run for years on end!"
The short one holding the trapped animal said to one of his companians, who only laughed and replied in a much more normal accent.
"Right. Uncle, you understand we're splitting the money. I wouldn't want you gettin' any fancy ideas..."
The men were almost out of earshot, so Laila took the opportunity to peek out of her hiding place and got their attention.
"Um! Excuse me! I, uh, kinda need some help..."
Might as well try and act up the damsel in distress.
The hunters saw Laila's head from around the tree and were surprised for a moment, and the older one walked over to Laila.
"And who might you be? You don't see a stranger walkin' around these woods often. "
He continued to approach, but contrary to his somewhat confrontational words, a look of concern was one his face. Laila was starting to panic because she knew that very soon, this buff grandpa would be getting an eyefull.
"Wait! Don't come closer, I dont have any clothes. I uhh...Lost them?"
Laila's quick excuse ended in somewhat of a question, but the man stopped and raised his eyebrows in confusion. A tense silenc occured, lasting only a few seconds until a look of understanding appeared in the man's eyes. Unknown to Laila or Graffar, a misunderstanding just took place between them. The man then replied remorsefully.
"Oh...Oh my. A'course, ye musta been terrified. Well, no one will hurt ye now lassie, yer safe." He reassured Laila and turned back to one of the younger hunters, shouting. "Ralfus! Go run to the village and tell Elder Grey that we found another refugee! Also, grab one of your sister's outfits!"
Refugee? Laila thought. Oh well, I guess that works. I knew there had to be a village close or at least a house, since these people were trapping out here...Wait? How did I know that?
Laila was brought out of her thoughts when a brown, woolen cloak was thrown to her by the old hunter. He was looking away and scratching his cheek awkwardly.
"For now, ye can borrow me cloak until we get to the village. Don't worry, Elder Grey will find a place for you. I hate ta think of what'cha went through to get here..."
The hunter appeared to have a soft spot for refugees, or naked girls. Either way, the small act of kindness warmed Laila's heart and she threw the cloak over her shoulders, wrapping it around herself. The brown cloak went down to her knees, providing temporary covering. The old hunter, Graffar, spoke gently, his voice heavy with sympathy.
"Come now lass, lets get some grub in your belly. You like your sp is halfway gone already. Mighty intersting hair y'have...Like fire...Ah! Where are me manners?" The old man dipped his head in a mock formal bow. "Blacksmith Graffar Leech at ye service! That over there is me good fah nothin' nephew, Lukas." The man said while motioning back towards the remaining hunter, who appeared somewhat indignant. "The other lad who ran off is Ralfus...AHAHAHA! so you can smile after all! Good good! Now who might ye be m'lady? Not t'pry, but it'd do yer elder a favor if I had a name to put that pretty face."
Graffar was encouraged when he saw the poor refugee woman smile at his goofy antics. There was only one plausible reason in his mind why a young woman as beautiful as the one in front of him was naked and alone in the woods, and the only thing he could do now was try to help her. Laila on the other hand was shocked. After Graffar had introduced himself, a blue window had popped above his head reading:
Graffar Leech
Class: Blacksmith
Affiliation: Aquaintance
After staring at the window for a few seconds, Laila started, remembering she had yet to reply.
"Laila. My name is Laila Bryne. I...Just, uh, need a place to stay for a while..."
"Don't worry young miss. We'll be headin' to the village soon. Lukas! Grab the Flair Fox, but be careful not t'hurt it now."
Then Graffer walked back over to Lukas, over the soft dirt of the forest floor. Laila followed the man. Looking through the tree canopy, she saw the column of smoke close in the distance, close to a kilometer away. A weight seemed to ease off her chest now that she knew she would be safe in a village. Laila noticed the same window when Lukas was within 3 meters:
Lukas Logrow
Class: ???
Affiliation: Aquaintance
Hmm. So this 'intro' window can only show you information which you learn.
Soon, the trio was walking through the forest, the two hunters slightly ahead of Laila and making small talk. The spark of excitement was still hidden in her eyes. She was looking forward to seeing this village.
After around thirty minutes of walking, they arrived at a clearing and Laila got her first view of Lindel Village. It consisted of around 30 wooden buildings making a rough ring around the center of the village which was a green grass meadow with a river running through it. Two cobblestone bridges spanned the river and allowed for the group to pass over. She could see a number of people going about their daily lives. A housewife hanging freshly washed clothes on a line. A young boy sprinkling seed in a pen of clucking chicken-like creatures with two pairs of wings. Out in the center of the village green, there were also a number of tents.
In front of the trio, Graffar's nephew was waiting with a wizened old man looking to be in his last years of life. His face was wrinkled like dried leather, but he was standing up straight, wearing nicer brown cotton clothes. The geezer was clutching a wooden staff wiith intricate carvings along the side which gave off a powerful aura. A magus.
"So, Graffar, care to introduce me to the guest? I'm guessing we are providing shelter?"
Graffar grumbled somthing about not being a servant, but he stood aside and introduced Laila to the village elder.
"This here be miss Laila Bryne. We found her in an unfortunate situation, and it's only right tha' we give her refuge. But righ' now, it's important tha' she get changed and fed." He then addressed his nephew. "Ralfus! Take Ms.Bryne to the house to get herself decent. Also, get some food for her from the kitchen!"
Elder Grey let out a chortle and addressed Laila.
"Hoho! Well Ms.Bryne, since you have the approval of Graffar, you are welcome to stay in Lindel as long as you wish. Though we are simple logging village, we will do our best to accomodate you."
Laila replyed with respect, thanking the elder and then departed with Ralfus to get her a change of clothes. After Laila had left, Graffar then turned to the Elder with a more serious tone, most of his 'Scottish' accent gone.
"We found her naked an' alone, wandering through the forest. I don't know how she ended up in such a state, but I'm sure I don't want to. Ah...A shame. The bandits around these parts have all sorts of unsavory practices. She be just lucky she escaped with her life. She hasn't spoken about it, but I'll have Louise talk to her tonight."
"Indeed, the refugees from the Division Wars create so many refugees, creating more bandits, resulting in more banditry. It is a vicious cycle indeed. I wonder how the war against the demons fares...Too bad we only get news from Peddler Herndal once a month..."
Graffar only grunted in response before going to put the Flair Fox he caught in an iron cage he had prepared. The live monster trade was always in need, and he would make a killing selling a rare specimen like the Flair Fox. It was just a pup now, luckily, but when it grew it would become an A class monster. When Herndal arrived in a few days from Arcadia, he would be able to rid his hands of the beast and gain a good bit of coin.
----
"I will just wait outside then. Holler if ya need anything."
Ralfus said to Laila as he handed over clothes and boots which would probably fit her. Ralfus looked to be around 27, and his class was 'apprentice smith'. While much taller than his uncle, he still was burly and well-built, something Laila couldn't help but notice. Her arm snaked through the gap of the cloak, grasping the bundle and revealing her upper thighs. She ernestly thanked him before entering the adjacent room in Graffar's house to change. When she was holding white cotton blouse , a window popped up:
Cotton Garment
Grade: cotton
+1 Endurance
I guess all clothes count as armor or something. Shit...I'm gonna have to get used to a world without underwear...
After a short amount of time spent grieving over the lack of undergarments, she came out of the room wearing the white cotton blouse, somewhat tight fitting leather pants and matching brown leather boots. The chest area of the blouse seemed to be rather tight, as noticed by Ralfus who nearly cut himself while preparing lunch for the two of them, but other than that the clothes fit nicely. The pants and boots both gave her +1 Endurance and +1 agility respectively. She took a seat at the table and decided to learn a bit more about this world.
"Sooo... Where are we?"
Ralfus seemed a little taken aback and replied as he set a plate of bread and salted meat in front of Laila.
"We are in a province on the eastern border of the Empire. Luckily, we are pretty far from the front lines, so we aren't as impacted by the fighting as some places. Our province is called Arcadia, and the city is about a weeks travel south, following the river. Every spring, we float the logs down to the city. Where did you say you were from again?"
Ralfus took a seat across the table from Laila, digging in to the plate he made for himself as well.
"Well, I don't remember where I'm from." Laila calmly lied, "But, like, what Empire are we a part of? And what did you mean by front lines?"
Ralfus was thinking that she had amnesia. He had heard of this happening to those who had a very traumatic experience. It happened to Widow O'Leary when her husband was mauled by a Barghest, a giant black wolf creature.
"It's the Scholomantic Empire, but since it really is just a collection of provinces, it's easier just to call it the Scholomancy. And as for the front lines, we humans have been fighting The Division Wars ever since I was a child. My mother and father...They were conscripted to fight twenty years ago, and never came back since. I, I don't really know what happened to them, but my s-sister went off to join the war last year since she hit the minimum level requirement of 10 needed to join. She went off to find what happened to mom and dad... I just hope she...She doesn't die." Ralfus looked lost in his memories, but he soon got a hold of himself, "Anyways, my uncle told me that the Division Wars started with the assasination of the Scholomantic Prince Alexis. Then the Emperor Alkestes vowed vengeance towards the demons, who were the ones to order the assasination. The beastmen sided with the demons, and we have been fighting a losing battle ever since. Every decade, the Scholomancy loses a few provinces to the encroaching forces every year...Or so I've been told. As for the front lines, the main point of conflict is way south of here. The demons are currently laying siege to the province of Staelen, on the Godstool plateu. Who knows what will happen after that. It's only a matter of time before they set their sights on Arcadia."
Nodding her head to the depressing explanation, Laila finally gained a sense of understanding of her situation. While she did not realize it, her increased INT and WIS greatly assisted with her adaptability and comprehension.
So I'm in a feudal, medieval world. Also demons and beastmen exist, huh. I only have one thing I want to learn now...Magic
And so Laila's interrogation lasted until Graffar arrived home with his wife.
****
Brian's eyes slowly opened due to a dull rythmic roar filling the air around him. He rolled over for a second, moving to turn off his alarm clock, but was distressed when he found out his alarm was not there, only grass. Suddenly, the events of his accident hit him, and he rose from his resting place, looking around. He did not recognize where he was, but he wasn't really worrying about that. He was thinking about the death of his mother. Tears started to form in his eyes, making their way down his face.
I thought that was just a bad dream. Why can't it be a dream?
He was standing in an open plain, and dark grey clouds were churning above his head. A dull thumping and a roar could be heard in the air, coming from all around him and he caught movement from both his left and right sides in the corner of his vision. The noise sounded like the screech of an airplane turbine. The colder air made Brian shiver involuntarily. That was when he noticed that he wasn't wearing any clothes...But he couldn't care less. He looked up at the churning sky with tears streaming down his face, as if to curse God for crushing his world, but then a window shimmered in fron of him.
Welcome to Elendil!
You have escaped the shackles of your world. Make your second chance count.
Live as you see fit.
Name: Brian Locke
Level: 7
Class: (None)
Titles:
Abyssal Wanderer
Avenger
hp: 81/81
(regen 0.0006 per second)
mp: 30/30
(regen 0.004 per second)
sp: 50/50
(regen 0.05 per second)
Endurance: 11
(Sp regeneration and capacity)
Intelligence: 7
(Measure of damage and strength of magic attacks and techniques)
Agility: 9
(Measure of speed of movement and perception)
Constitution: 8
(Hp regeneration and capacity)
Wisdom: 11
(Mp regeneration and capacity)
Elemantal resistances:
Fire: 0%
Water: 0%
Air: 0%
Earth: 0%
Light: 0%
Dark: 0%
Strength: 15
(Measure of damage of attacks and physical capabilities)
Greater Charisma: 35
(Measure of the ability to charm and inspire others)
Dexterity: 6
(Measure of grace and skill)
Greater Luck: 104
(Really...You need me to explain this?)
Skills:
(1)Fate of Fortuna(passive)
Spells:
(none)
Equips:
Primary: N/A
Secondary: N/A
Familar: (None)
A...Video game? So it appears that I really am in another world. This is explaining my stats?
Brian reached out to touch the window, but it just disappeared and his fingers passed through thin air. He was, in short, lost. He had lost everything, and now he was in an unfamiliar field with weird windows popping up and telling him he was in a different world. Brian had now lost all composure and was looking around with dead eyes, as if he had given up. That was when he finally noticed the situation he found himself in.
To his left, a line of soldiers and knights stood as if ready for battle, and they were only about 200 meters away. The fierce looking line of men was facing him. He could only tell from this distance that the dark armored soldiers had darker skin. Brian couldn't make out any of their faces because the black helmets they were wearing had a face guard. A purple banner with a black fist was waving in the wind behind the front lines, and similar banners were peppered throughout the array of soldiers. Brian noticed that this line of men stretched as far as he could see, and the rythmic roar was the sound of this army marching. The entire army was clad in black colored armor and they were armed with long, iron pikes. Among the marching horde, large shadows which looked as tall as two-story buildings could be seen moving along with the army, wearing massive matching black armor. Brian could squint and see that these beasts also had bat-like wings which were folded to their sides. The roar which acompanied this force was the sound of their giant winged beasts expressing their thirst for blood. The entire army in front of Brian was, in short, massive. From his vantage point, he noted that this force sprawled for as far as he could see.
What is that? 2,3, 500,000 men at least. Why are they...oh. That makes sense.
Brian could also hear similar noises coming from behind him. He turned around, not really caring at all, and found an opposing army also facing him. They looked a lot fewer in number. Wearing shining silver armor, the front line of this army was also facing towards Brian. Some of these men were riding horses, but most of them looked to be common infantry. Behind their ranks, a standard of a golden eye on a red backdrop fluttered in the wind. There only seemed to be about 200,000 of them, and they knew they were outnumbered. Tension and nervousness was nearly palpable around the silver clad soldiers.
Brian was 'spawned' right in the middle of a battlefield. Naked and alone. Not that he really cared. At this point, the only thing Brian wanted was his mother back. He just wanted to go back home. He wanted to take back the last words he said to her.
'Jeezus mom! Can you stop it with all the mushy shit? I'm 18!' were my last words to my mother. I can't...I can't remember the last time I told her I loved her.
Brian could care less if he died at this moment, because there was no point in living if he had no family, friends, or...Anyone. Here he was, in the middle of what was gearing up to be a very violent battle, and he was completely alone. He always had someone to depend on throughout his relatively pampered life as a suburban american. That life was over now. And Brian was having significant trouble with that fact. He stared blankly out at the amassed troops, not really thinking about anything.
A horn called out from behind the ranks of the silver knights. With that signal, the men drew swords and brought down lances, and began their charge towards Brian and the opposing army. An intense battle cry was raised from the shining mass of silver-clad soldiers making a valient charge to vanquish their foe. Officers riding armored horses rode alongside the charging men, rallying them and driving the men into the awaiting enemy. The opposing dark armored forces were calmly awaiting their opponent. Their discipline was truly admirable. When the silver armored troops were within 50 meters of Brian, the dark armored forces decided to act.
(Greek Fireball)
Many flaming balls of magic were sent screaming from the mages standing behind the lines of the dark armored men through the air towards the charging enemy. This display of magic even made Brian's dead fish eyes widen slightly as they flew over his head into the oncoming ranks. The once valiant battle cry raised by the silver armored troops changed into screams of pain and wails of death. The liquid fire which splashed on the charging masses of silver soldiers, was incredibly effective at halting the charge. What the spell (Greek Fire) lacks in actual damage, it made up for in area damage.
That was when the dark armored troops decided to advance, marching in unison. An intimidating figure strode out in front of the dark armored troops. Clad in all-black armor with spikes protuding from the shoulders and joints. The helmet completely covered this person's head, with only an eyeslit on the faceplate. In fact, the faceplate was the most eyecatching feature of the armor. On the faceplate, where the mouth would be found, the metal was warped to form what looked like a demonic grin, with sharp fangs and a fierce smile. There was a purple and black tattered cape which hung off the shoulder. This figure was wielding a black trident which was crackling with blue energy, travelling down the length of the weapon like a tesla coil in its right hand. In its left, was the purple and black standard of the dark armored troops. The figure, which radiated a menacing aura, was leading the march towards the enemy silver army.
The silver armored troops, though disoriented, were in the process of trying to continue their charge. They recognized that if they didn't regain their ranks, they would be ground into dust by the impending force. The silver troops resumed their charge, running past the charred corpses of their comrades to confront the enemy.
That was when the first soldier neared Brian. A man in silver chainmail and armor, had half of face covered in blisters from the magic spell. This man, half-crazed from watching his friends die and the other half was in a rage from being nearly burned alive, decided the most logical course of action was to cut down the naked boy in front of him who could be affiliated with the 'demon-scum'. Brian on the other hand was still wallowing in his apathy, so he just took a ready stance to recieve his judgement. As the blood-thirsty man got within 10 meters of Brian, he could see a blue window and a red bar pop up over the charging man's head. The man raised his shining steel sword and ran to close the distance between them. Many of the man's comerades were charging behind him.
(73/73 hp)
Unknown Soldier
Class: ???
Affiliation: Enemy
Instead of trying to resist, Brian closed his eyes. He waited to recieve a blow, but nothing came. Instead, his gut wrenched as if he was falling and something warm splash against his face. He opened his eyes and was surprised by what he saw. The man who was about to strike him was lying on his back, a black-shafted arrow pierced clean through his skull. His comerades who were charging behind him also met similar fates. Somehow, Brian was not struck by a single on of those arrows. However, more silver troops were charging over the bodies of their dead friends, now making another desperate charge towards the Brian and the dark armored troops behind him. Maybe they thought that the dark armored troops were trying to protect Brian even though that was certainly not the case. This made the silver armored infantry lead by a mounted officer started to make their way towards Brian.
However, they never got the cance, because that is when the ranks of the dark and silver troops finally collided. The collision, which happened on a frontline spanning about half of a kilometer, was deafening. The orderly black ranks dissolved into chaos as they were forced to engage the charging army. Brian, who was sandwiched in between the colliding armies, was shoved to the ground by a dark armored soldier's shield, before being trampled by countless feet.
-12 hp
He probably could've avoided it, but he did not have the drive nor the motivation to fight back. His vision as he hit the ground became one of cloudy sky, obscured by fast moving limbs, blood, and falling corpses. Amidst all of the chaos and screams of battle, Brian became mesmerized by the churning clouds. A single drop of water hit him on the forehead, and not a second later, it began to rain. The fierce melee, happening right above Brian's head, was made twice as brutal due to the rain. The slickness of the water, made some soldiers who were previously dueling with weapons drop those and choose to grapple on the grassy plain which was quickly becoming a muddy hell.
Brian turned his head to the side to watch a silver armored man who was grappling in the mud with a dark armored female soldier dig his thumbs into her eyes. Her screams were earsplitting and she was writhing in pain until her red hp bar hit zero. That man then had half of his head taken off by a dark armored man. That half landed near Brian, who was unfazed by the violence occuring around him. He felt that he was effectively desensitized to gore and brutality. Every once and a while, someone would step on his stomach or face with a metal-tipped boot, taking a few hp away every time. Despite that, Brian refused to move.
Brian could not tell how much time had passed, but by the time the brutal fighting stopped, it was dark. At one point, one of the huge winged beasts had landed near Brian, wreaking havoc among the enemy forces. That was when they finally chose to retreat. The dark armored troops would not let their enemy who had killed many of their comerades go so easily, and had pursued their enemy relentlessly. By the time it was all over, only a few hundred of the silver armored troops were able to escape the massacre. The battle, which had started fairly one-sided, ended with a slaughter.
Brian's torso was buried beneath several corpses, but his head was exposed. This day, even though Brian had done nothing other than take a few hits to his hp that had almost recovered, had been emotionally taxing for Brian. His only companians through the whole ordeal were the flies which were feasting on the death which was wrought. As such, he was about to fall asleep under the mutilated corpses of several soldiers, when a metal clad gripped his hair and forcefully removed him from the bloody dogpile.
-2 hp
The tug on his hair was hard enough to cause him a small amount of damage. Brian was then grasped by the neck and raised into the air. It was dark and he couldn't tell what was happening, but a torch was brought near to him. He opened his eyes and saw two glittering golden eyes looking out at him from behind the eyeslit of a full black metal face mask. On his left, a dark-skinned man wearing high quality armor was holding a torch near his face. The person holding him by the neck was the same intimidating figure which had led the charge, holding him by the neck. In its other hand was the black trident, still crackling with energy. While she was hoisting him in the air, a blue window popped in front of his face.
Unknown Lord
Class: ???
Affiliation: Uncertain
These windows are so useless and annoying. I wish there was a way to just disable them...
Such were the thoughts spinnning through Brian's head as he was in such a situation. Contrary to appearances, a somewhat feminine voice rang from behind the grinning demonic facemask.
"What are you? Are you an angel? How did you get to the Godstool?" When Brian didn't answer her, she tried again with a different approach,"FROM WHERE DID YOU HAIL!! SPEAK!!"
The armored figure raged while sharpening her aura and tightening her grip around Brian's neck. Even if Brian wanted to respond, which he didn't, he couldn't have because the deranged woman was choking the life out of him with one hand. When the unknown lord was done venting her frustration at having taken substantial casulties even though they outmatched the opposing force in every single way, she cast aside Brian and let him catch his breath to respond. He rolled on the muddy ground, coughing and trying to catch his breath.
I'm not afriad to die here. I welcome death. At least then I wouldn't be alone. I might as well learn some things about this person before she kills me.
"Actually *cough* it's proper to introduce yourself be-*cough*-fore you ask for someone's name."
The armored figure was taken aback by Brian's nonchalance, and replied, suddenly more interested in this mysterious person.
"Fine, you have a point. I am Elenia Khyser, 2nd daughter of the Great Shah, Azrael Khyser, and General of the Free Races of Demios. What I would like to know is why you look like a human even though you are not one. Obviously not...With those numbers."
She must have some sort of analyze skill to be able to see my data.
Elenia was indeed very shocked. She almost couldn't believe her eyes when she saw the person suddenly appear in the middle of the battle plain, out of thin air. Only a very high level magus could even hope to gain the teleportation skill, and she only knew of two others in existance which had it. She had told her personal guard to watch that person. It appeared human, which meant she would sadly have to kill him, but she at least wanted to interrogate him first. When she used (Percieve), a higher form of the base skill (analyze), that's when she was really shocked.
A Greater Luck stat of 104! The most Luck she ever saw a person have was 32, and this particular individual was widely ridiculed for investing in such a 'useless' stat. But this person, her grandfather, had told her the secrets of the Luck stat. It did do something. Whenever something was left up to chance, such as an arrow being shot at a person, then depending on the strength of the Luck stat, it could influence the arrow's path to make it miss. Even if it was fired by an expert marksman, though the Luck stat would have to be considerably high. What the hell was Greater Luck anyway? Elenia was full of questions she was bursting to ask this enigma, but she had to be sure of something. Just as the battle was beginning, she ordered some archers to fire arrows at that person. What happened had confounded the poor saps, as they kept on missing the target who was just standing still. Despite all of the arrows that were shot specifically as Brian, not a one found its mark. Elenia realized the power of this person, so she intended to find him after the battle if he survived.
Brian got to his feet, smirking.
"Well, sorry to disapoint, bu-*cough*-t I am human...Arent you? And as for my 'numbers' I can't explain them"
What a stupid question to ask. To Elenia, it seemed he was taunting her. But she was not so stupid to give in to this boy's provokations. She spoke back with a haughty voice.
"A shame really. I would have liked to get to know you better, but it seems that you don't want to cooperate. Such a pretty face too..." She eyed down his naked body.
Unkown to Brian, his looks had recieved a total makeover. His high Greater Charisma, while it included his charm, mainly focused on improving his appearance. This certainly did not escape Elenia's notice, and she eyed him like a predator through the eyeslit in her facemask.
"Take him to the slave camps. I will wish to talk to this one tommorrow, so make sure he will be able to speak."
She was addressing two burly guards which had appeared behind Brian. Sometimes the guards had a tendency to 'accidentally' beat the captured slaves to death. If that happened to this person, she would....She would be sllightly dissapointed, but other than that fine.
Brian had metal shackles placed on his hands behind his back. The figure turned away and strode back into the night, the torch bearer following her. Now that Brian looked, the armored figure did look too slender to be male, not to mention the emphasized chest area on the armor. She left, crossing the muddy field of death, leaving Brian alone with two musclehead guards. The only light was from the three moons overhead, which was sufficient. They made him put on a pair of pants they had looted from a nearby corpse because they didn't like having to look at 'his sickening human manhood'. Brian did as he was told, and was soon being lead around two kilometers away to a large group of tents surrounded by a ring of torches.
The cries of pain and anguish could already be heard from Brian's location.
The slave camps.
End CH 1