Lightning flashed in the distance thunder answering with rumbles of its own. The peaceful town slept as a singular child sat before her parents hiding a very timid blue-eyed cub from their untrusting glares. A few times her eyes darted to the side where the horned female figure stood.
Her parents of course did not miss this action but ignored it as a child's uneasiness at being caught red-handed. The player was lost in her thoughts, wondering how to salvage the matter.
"So, Meire. Will you tell us why you have a Moonlight Lynx in your arms?".
'Ah. So that's what it is. Should have known but the fur has yet to gain the shimmer and silver glow'. Meire thought. The lynx gave her a look and she realized it could still hear her thoughts.
'It'll be fine'.
Meire had in the few moments that it took her to get dragged and seated here to face the parent council gone through the words that had appeared before. It was a lot for her not to be jumping with excitement and glee. Only the bigger cities and kingdoms had people with access to what everyone knew plainly as The Words.
But now she did. Even more, she knew what the being standing next to her was.
'A true life...'
"Meire. Stop looking at nothing and tell me why, how and what you think you are doing with a moonlight Lynx. Those creatures are dangerous".
"Sorry Apai". She muttered. Apai(Father) was a large well-tattooed male. Which was the reason Inon had yet to be kicked out of the house. That and Inon was merely a cub. Apai's normally sleek black hair tied to his skull in a ball and held by a Dust stalker fang was now loose ans hanging around his face.
"Inon is not dangerous. She was abandoned in the forest..."
"Forest Meire. That's your first problem. Why did you enter the forest alone". Meire but her lips at her slip up as her Ama(mother) berated her.
"Second. You don't bring back strays Meire. I thought we already told you this". The sharp glance from the female to her was enough to make it certain to her that she'd heated that part.
"This time it's different Apai". She argued. Both parents sighed. Amai shook her head.
"An animal is an animal, a beast is a beast. Nothing changes that".
At this point, Meire looked to the now-watching player. The look without a word was understandable. "I think I have an idea. But I wish to get their permission first".
Meire's head shook quickly. " If you do they'll be spooked. Best to let them see first". It seemed to not sit well with the being as she eyed Meire's parents. " Please".
At this point, the parents were getting alarmed. Amai had this confused worried look while Apai was already antsy and fidgeting. It was one thing for their daughter to look in a certain direction sometimes. But for her to talk to nothing was worrying.
"Is she sick?". Was Apai's question. Amai looked unsure. Before she could stand though Meire was on her feet. Setting Inon to the ground she stepped close to her parents and crouched before them.
Without a word, she took both their hands. Left for Amai and right for Apai. Then nodded to something they could not see. Apai was feeling his heart beat faster as some sensation of something beyond him rose within him.
"Apai, Amai you'll understand now. Inon is different.".
The player set her palms on both figures shoulders. She didn't like this, but it was this or lose the one human she had. It wasn't a threat per se but she could surmise where it could go with kids.
Shutting her eyes she searched for that thing she always saw when she sought to find a mind. 'There it is. You two'. It was like lights, doorways which she knocked on.
The flinch from both parents at the simultaneous sensation alerted the girl. "Let it in Apai, Amai. Dotm push against it".
The girls words must have done something as she felt no resistance on the doorways. Without waiting for another second she opened the doors and went in. The two stiffened and seized. Words blurred into their sight. Yet one word made it clear to them. One word that clicked into being the moment their eyes found the entity standing behind them, their bodies felt the hands on their shoulders.
'Alkis'.
****
Frierwood village rose with a lazy drawl as the festivities of the previous night ended. None but the older ones knew what it meant to have an Alkis amongst them. The younger ones of course were excited but still, it was normal.
I sat on the bed still awed by how good, drinks, and even sleep felt so real. It was maddening. Yet again I had to wonder if this wasn't some other world and I wasn't dead. The branches and the other quest materials at the foot of my bed said differently.
"Time to get my rewards".
Thinking of it was enough to make the quest notification appear in my vision The end showed a completed tag and then a receive rewards. Clicking yes I was surprised when nothing happened. Then shouts and gasps from outside reached me.
The village folk were in shock staring into the air as little spots of light floated around. It felt like they were searching for something. The colors were beautiful. One shot up to me and got so close it touched my nose.
"Is that ...a fairy?". There was a little female with transparent wings that spilled green stardust. It winked them buzzed away and into the Village leader's home. Many more followed and soon they all came carrying all my quest items.
"Hey don't ..."
The branches joined together in a weave that made them look like strings and not sticks. Curving and carving into itself until it formed a long black staff. The orbs of essences from the wolves I killed floated and conjoined to form a larger orb which set into the head of the staff just as it finished curving around itself.
The staff flashed with light and floated from the fairies to me.
The moment it touched my hands I felt different. Connected. It was like a whole lot of things that were locked away had been opened. It felt weird.
The fairies brought the leaves and wolf flesh to me and without a word, it was clear that I had to conjoin them. Light weaved as the leaves were set into the center of the fur and the next thing I was holding was a thin book with only two four pages.
Opening it I saw writings and descriptions for a spell.
"So it's a Grimoire." I looked at the staff. " And it's my magic staff". I chuckled. Looking up at the fairies I watched them smile and speak amongst themselves. Their words I could hear and understand but as a whole, they lacked meaning. It was like words separated and uttered. They dance around me and above me before flying off into the sky.
"Thank you". I yelled after them.
*
The first spell in the book had been something I was eager to learn. Luck was not on my side thoug, not with the Village leader bringing a problem that needed fixing. I might have refused given I really wanted to learn my first spell. My very first spell. But I knew I wanted to help the village too. If not for an altruistic sense then for the fact that it could help with the ascension quest.
It was a struggle to not peek into my Grimoire as the village chief explained their problems to me while leading me through a path. The only reason I found a bit of interest was that the route followed was different from the first. It cut through a side of the e land that had no trees and was just sandy ground.
The location wasn't that far. As she presented the problem to me my interest slowly grew. The village was located at the edge of the continent. And at the edge of the Frierwood kingdom named after the woods at their border. But the woods bordered the kingdom from the sea. Even better was its position beyond some hills. Frierwood village's location put them in trouble with the storms bringing in heavy tides or flooding.
Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.
Usually, the problem was never bad enough to cause danger to lives but it destroyed their farmlands and flooded the villages destroying property at times.
Basically, the villagers wanted me to do something about that. The fact they saw me as an Alkis didn't help matters.
I stood at their farmlands contemplating the matter. A part of me disliked the fact that I had to solve ecological problems not just cull some creatures. Were they expecting me to just magically snap their problems away?
"Wait. Maybe I could". Looking at my Grimoire I smiled. 'Time to see what the spell book gave me'.
Sitting at the edge of the Frierwoods and facing the sea I couldn't help but feel a certain sense of wrongness coming from the woods. 'Is it just me or is it darker in there?'. I was unsure and since I had not taken a walk within to know how the deeper parts were I couldn't make a decision.
Shrugging I turned back to my book. There were only two pages and I could not turn the second page without going through the first. The first page was written in gray metallic ink over the whitish-green parchment.
**GRIMOIRE OF THE PRIMORDIAL**
**VOLUME I**
**INTRODUCTION**
**Welcome, Child of the Primordial
Within these sacred pages lies the knowledge passed down from the dawn of existence, inscribed by my hand, Tora, the Primordial Magi. As an ?#?*&?#?*, one of my children, something I am still unclear of how it happened, you are entrusted with the profound and boundless power that shapes our cosmos.
You stand at the threshold of Akash, the pure essence of magic that flows through all existence. To wield this power is to embrace the fabric of reality and The Mother's force itself. The path ahead is one of mastery and knowledge. Each spell within this Grimoire is not merely learned but understood, felt, and integrated into the very essence of your being.
Each page of this tome is sealed by the Akashic, awaiting the awakening of your potential. As you master each spell, the subsequent page will reveal itself, guiding you ever closer to the pinnacle of magical supremacy**
It felt weird now. "So I have a sort of mother in this game". I was beginning to atleast piece a bit of the confusion together. "The Primordials in the Prologue description are our parents. Maybe not for all of us or maybe for all of us". I rubbed my white hair. Soft.
"Something happened that made the Primordials stop descending or something. And the Creator Player used the lack of gods here as a lore to bring us in. Okay if I go out on a stretch and say that the Primordials are referring to her administrators, not a surety but just if, that would put us below Administrators if I was right".
A sense of suspicion rose in me. 'A position below that if an administrator sounds too good'. It was doubtful. Yet if it was true then how were we simply meant to ascend? For such a beginning I doubted the starter quest would be that easy.
The next page had turned on its own revealing the next set of words.
**The First Spell: Arcane Conflagration**
**Akash Name:** Arcane Conflagration
**Effect:** Summons a massive, blazing inferno of magical energy capable of incinerating entire landscapes or being finely controlled to selectively burn specific targets. Adjust intensity, color, and elemental properties. Integrate with other spells for complex effects.
**Guidance**
Each spell within this Grimoire represents a step toward mastering the Akash. Approach with reverence, dedication, and an insatiable curiosity. Only by fully understanding and harnessing the Arcane Conflagration will you unlock the next page, continuing your path as an ?*#?&#.
May the Mother guide and empower you.
**Tora, the Primordial Magi**
"The suspense is killing me for the glitched words already" I groaned. The final set of words were four instructions.
**Akashic Flow: Sense and direct the force of magic in and around you.
**Imagination Magic: Visualize the desired elemental manipulation and channel the Akashic to manifest this.
**Control Magic: Focus your willpower to command the elements to obey your commands.
**Direction or Flow Magic: Guide the natural flow of elemental energy to achieve desired effects**
"This honestly won't be helping me in finding a solution for the sea flooding". I was tempted but I needed to clear this task and hopefully gain my ascension.
Shutting the Grimoire I stood and grabbed my staff. "Loving this wizardry feel". With a grin, I moved back to the path.
I took the day overlooking the farm fields and surveying the lands. It could be easier to fix a flooding issue if this was a developed place. But considering I was in medieval times it meant I had my work cut out for me.
"Luckily these guys are woodworkers as well". With a sigh, I retreated to the village to find Hanna. We would need to start planning how to use the resources around to safeguard the village.
****
Meire held my hands as we stood behind her parents. In such a town like this and in most towns close by the Verdani as Meire called themselves followed a system. They had the town lord who was like a leader or chief. They gave orders and decided on things, though there were the elders of the Verdani who could attempt to veto a decision but it was usually dependent on the chief's choice or mood.
It was this chief that her Apai and Amai were trying to explain my existence to. A long night of talking and explaining things had given me more knowledge on what was what.
I was on a continent called Sylvan Reach. Weird naming sense if you ask me. These people thought or saw me as an Alkis, one of the gods who once walked their world Aeus ago. While I couldn't touch anything around me I could take whatever Meire and her parents granted me. Which was why I was able to use the scrolls of images in my hands.
The image depicted a figure meeting their people or maybe some people who weren't exactly them. It brought good things, knowledge, power, and wisdom. The image showed several images of gatherings, of hunts led by this thing, and of teachings in combat.
The last image showed the thing vanishing like mist.
The beings had not been seen since then.
'And then we came'. I closed the scroll as I thought it over. It was clear those beings had been the Creator Player's administrators. Why they had stopped coming was a reason to find out later.
For now, I watched the chief look at the two villagers skeptically.
"You say the only way to see this Alkis is letting her touch you?".
Apai nodded while Amai looked like she wanted to argue. The chief noting this looked to her. "what do you have to say Drises?".
Amai, or Drises as I learned was her actual name. "The touching means opening your mind to her. She's a being of well I'd say imagination. That's the only way we can see her".
"And you say she is here right now?". The chief pondered. Apai and Drises nodded. "Show me something. Anything as proof. I refuse to doubt my people but also refuse to be made a fool of".
Drises and Apai made a slight bow. " Your caution is understandable Chief". Apai turned to me and looked unsure of what to do.
"Give me the plate". On the table to the side set on it was a plate filled with fruits I wanted to try. If this reality was so real then maybe it would actually have taste. Apai turned to the chief and made another bow.
"She requested I give her your fruits".
With his acceptance, the plate was brought to me. Taking it out of his grasp elicited a gasp of shock from the chief as he rose from his throne. An exchange between me and one who could see me meant that whatever I received because unseen to any who had yet to be touched by me.
I popped a green tiny fruit into my mouth. The fruit exploded into flavors that were just unfair for a little thing to have. It was hard to keep back a moan of surprise as I swished the fruit to my mouth and felt it dissolve till only a little seed was left.
I sat out the seed and watched it hit the ground with a tiny thump. Meire was smiling widely as the Chief's eyes followed the seed rolling to the side.
"I agree". The excitement in his eyes was one I didn't understand. 'I would think having someone sift through my mind would be bad'.
Shrugging I walked behind him and set a palm on his head. The moment I felt the acceptance I moved in.
The chief twitched like the others had as his eyes glazed over. I was certain he was seeing something like I did.
"The Records. You activated the records for us". He muttered before turning to me. His eyes traveled all over my form. In reality, I would have felt a little peeved but his look had no malicious intent, no perversion to it. It was the lol of a child who couldn't believe he was before a talking tree, the look of a man who found their comic book hero to be real.
It was pure awe and reverence. To a disturbing point.
He was on his knees the next minute and a phrase I didn't understand spilled from his lips. Soon the family was on their knees too, even Meire following as her mother tugged her to her knees.
"Tūn sēmpē sāta shānta kātahintukumāpak. Tūn sēmpē sāta shānta kātahintukumāpak. Sredēgi mūsatash wadājīn tūsan welē amē. Sredēgi mūsatash wadājīn tūsan welē amē. Kukumājāk tā māsāt. Tūs sēnta tūs krantē dākā. Mājāk tūmon bēme dēste".
**Recalibrating speech**
**Language - Old Verdani - Learned**
"May peace and tranquility guide us. May peace and tranquility guide us. In the embrace of the Divine, we find solace. In the embrace of the Divine, we find solace. Grant us wisdom. From you to us, the path is clear. Lead us to our destiny".
I felt a chill rush up my spine at their prayer. I didn't know why but I felt the prayer was just wrong.
**Chief Uhrak has pledged his essence to you**
**You have gained a leader under your banner**
**Ascension tasks completed**
**Ascension on hold**
I felt a pressure grab onto me. It was unlike anything I knew. The chief's room faded away and I found myself standing on a circular plate. Around me were five gigantic forms.
"The child has arrived".
"Mother should have let her make this decision on her own"
"I believe pressure was the idea".
Voices, tongues languages I understood yet didn't. I could sense the system pumping notifications into my mind but couldn't see any.
"Silence all of you. You frighten the child". Another voice boomed. This one carried weight.
"?#?#?&!. You have been told not to use the force on us. Desist from such acts". This one was mighty. It lacked the previous weight but had a strangeness and depth to it.
"You keep squabbling amongst yourselves". The other voice seemed to talk normally now. If normal was with the presence of the others but lacking the weight to it.
"Listen child. You have been brought to us before your ascension to make a choice". I could finally see the speaker. It was a great eye, one that sent shivers of dread down my spine. I was a single speck to the eye.
"Choose wisely". The eye vanished. The surroundings faded away and I was back in the chief's house.
**Proceed with Ascension**
I was confused. Where was the choice? What was all that? If the choice wasn't to be given now then why was I shown all that? It was a task to keep my worry within me even as the chief and the family rose.
I watched Meire run to me as I thought of one thing. 'Ascension was not going to make things easy. I had to get as ready as possible'. As the girl got close to me a smile spread on my lips, forced as it may be.
'Luckily, I knew just how'.