Chapter 4
The new world
Michael Neuroghast
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I moved around in my new body as it finally formed around me, While it was certainly different from what I was used to, the period of confusion had been short and generally more of a nuisance rather than anything significant. I began to explore the other options the fate zone provided me. While many of the shops had interesting items, none were obtainable without acquiring something only obtainable through hunting on the monster planet. The screens lining the wall also appeared to be more helpful than a cursory glance had shown. These screens were where one could spend the points found in the status screen. Through using my 10 class points, there were a variety of classes available to me: artificer, psionic mage, enchanter, all variants on those base classes. I decided to put off the decision for now.
Using my ability of flight allowed for a much easier experience moving through the tower than everyone else, However, I was prevented from entering any floor above the 8th. The third floor, in particular, had some interesting options. It seemed to base its shops on titles and crafting. Already people seemed to be practising skills, anything from leatherwork to weapons engineering seemed to be available.
Looking down on the large group of latecomers now entering the fate zone, I realised that groups were beginning to form already. One group were those who embraced the new reality, and the other those who were scared and lashing out towards those who had supposedly shattered their worldview. Looking down at my hands which now were more like ghastly images than actual physical material, I began to wonder why I found all of this chaos normal. It felt like the dull grey world had been dyed by a myriad of colours, almost as if I always belonged here, like this. It was certainly an interesting theory.
Below the conflict had begun to escalate, and it appears to have been caused by one of the new groups of entrees. They had large bodies that seemed capable of crushing iron with enough effort. Nearby a small group of variant humans seemed to be keeping someone from charging towards the laughing group. Taking a closer look at the variant human he looked like an elf that seemed to have a large bruise across one side of his face. “Why do people act like this, they start to feel powerful and suddenly they act like their untouchable.”
The leading figure of the large group let out a large laugh causing everyone's attention to be directed towards the small group. “Look at this everyone, the little demi here is mad that he got hurt. If you didn't want to get hurt so bad then you should’ve stayed a human like all the smart ones here.” Seeing the attention the man was gaining the small group of elves clenched their fists then moved away towards the entrance of the monster planet. “Hahahaha, look at that their runnin’ off to where they belong” Everyone watching the confrontation either walked away or ignored it, not bothering to intervene. After the large scene, many of the variant humans left through the Monster World looking to avoid the group of large men. “Might as well try it, there's no better target” I activate elemental control and target it towards the leader of the small group, curious as to how it will work for a mental spirit. The spiritual energy that forms my body begins to flake away and move towards my target, slowly it converges around his eyes allowing me to project illusions into his own perception.
While it might be fun to mess with him right now there's not much reason too besides honour and glory. Now that I know what it does that was all I really needed. Blocking myself from his vision as I walk towards the gateway that leads towards the monster planet I see that beyond the gate sit a variety of screens each with a different list of information decoding different locations to explore. Looking through the various screens I see one that draws my attention.
Wild Spirit Clouds
(upper atmosphere)
Requirements - magical flight
Features
(spirit colony)
Monsters
[Malicious Spirits]
[Avian Nightmares]
[Wyverns]
Well, that seems like it's perfect for me in my new form. Might be a bit difficult if I'm immediately thrown into danger, but hopefully, I can fly fast under pressure. Pushing the screen before me a bright light encompasses me before I'm left standing within a small temple floating atop a solidified cloud. Looking upwards there were only thick purple clouds shifting and moving extremely fast. Below me, the storm continued but small openings revealed a small planet that in comparison was probably much larger than earth.
Shifting over into my spirit form the world around me seemed to change, where originally was rushing cloud cover now rested a large city of towers. Below, rocky islands seemed to float seamlessly in the clouds. Various small lights moved from place to place glowing in various colours.
“This is beautiful”
“Sure is isn't it”
Hearing the voice from behind me I jump away in fright, before quickly looking over my shoulder. Standing at the spot where I was previously was a grey and blue women who was swimming through the clouds like they were water. Upon seeing me noticing her she began releasing an unrelenting tsunami of questions. “Your an interestin’ one ain't ya, all purple and shifty. Your almost like one o’ those air spirits. Are you an air spirit from above the cover, what's it like? No your not an air spirit, but then what are you? Do you know what I am?” With one finger pointed towards herself she began to swim circles around my floating form.
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Confused at the unrelenting chatter that proceeds her appearance, “So I suppose you're a spirit then, probably an air spirit.”
“Nope, I’m a Naiad variant. So now I can live and dance in the clouds up here. Well, then strange spirit what are you doing here?” She says hanging upside down from a cloud floating slightly off the ground.
Still reeling from the series of questions and statements, I was barely able to utter a response. “Well, I was hoping someone would help me learn how to control some of my abilities.”
“Well, then why don’t you go see Gi Ryall?”
Nix Aegis
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Standing before one of the many blue screens that populated the hallway I debated my various choices there were the popular ones that everyone was moving towards grassfields, the glass forest, mistwood, and various other standard fantasy locations. The mistwood seemed interesting because it currently had the longest line of elf variant humans, but also had a notification for a great treasure. It all just seemed like too much, far too many places to explore and plunder far too many secrets to find hidden in the monster world.
Deciding on an option I walk over towards the glass forest screen waiting for the line to close in before taking a closer look at the screen.
Glass forest
(main surface)
Features
(rudimentary town)
(destroyed ruins)
Monsters
Crystal beasts
Light elementals
Glass swarms
Well if there's a town they might also have supplies for sale that are actually buyable, or it just means I'll have a place that is easier to protect. “Well then let's head out” A bright light envelops me before I appear inside a gazebo-like structure seeming to be at the centre of a large collection of tents inside a perimeter of barbed wire. People moved large pieces of a wooden crystal from place to place as they began to try and build a sturdy wall using the strange material and large collections of barbed wire. Two elf looking gentleman stood before the gazebo. One of them was dressed in a grey suit and a navy tie looking like he just walked off of wall street he simply stood there waiting a few seconds before they spoke up.
“Welcome to the glass settlement if you would like to help us with the construction project then please go talk James over there if you want to help the hunters then please go talk to Jesse when he returns from scouting the area around the wall.” Spouting out this obviously prepared speech the man seemed to stare at her waiting for some semblance of a response.
“Well, I really just wanted to go out and fight some of the creatures listed on the screen.”
“Then I suppose you'll want to talk to Jesse about joining the hunters or as he's begun calling it the guild. He should be back at about noon until then you can either help build up the town or head around the perimeter like Jesse he just left a couple hours ago.”
Moving towards a small opening in the fence I began to wonder how this place had been constructed so quickly. It wasn't large but was surprisingly organised and developed for a town on a planet that had only appeared in the sky about 18 hours ago. I expected a small camp of tents at most but it appears that they've already got a functioning group of builders with a half-built wall. I would have expected something like this after a week of the system but this seems to be moving far too quickly.
Standing at the edge of the clearing I take a look at the crystal forest trees made of crystal wood with leaves each reflecting out a myriad of colours into the air. The ground was littered with sharp pieces of wood that looked as if they could cut through flesh by themselves. A layer of light mist sat in the air feeling like a cloud of sawdust whenever my hand passed through it.
“Well then guess it's time to move out”
As I moved through the dusty air I found it harder and harder to breathe until finally had to cover my mouth with a loose cloth. The light around me would occasionally brighten intensely before calming down to a calm shine in the air. Once I arrived a fair distance into the forest I began to hear a loud shattering sound from my left. Looking over I saw a warthog made of thick and dirty crystal appearing like a moving statue with Glowing green eyes.
Crystal Warthog
(Threat 4)
“Threat 4 what does threat 4 mean” staring at the sudden screen that interrupted the fight I suddenly felt a heavy blow against my stomach knocking me backwards about 5 feet into one of the trees. The pain rocketed into my system looking down I saw that the hog was rearing for another charge quickly dodging to the side I watched the hog as it rammed into the tree causing a large dent in the wood. Looking down at my stomach I see two cuts set a glow with purple blood.
Staring down the crystal beast I point my foil forward as shadows begin to coalesce around the blade before dancing around my forearm like a dancing beast. The hog turns towards me and begins another charge towards me. I move to the side before stabbing towards the hogs exposed side easily cutting through the tough crystal dyeing the outer crystal a dark hue. The hog charged for another 8 feet until it finally stopped, before turning around once again and facing me.
Another charge and another stab this process went on three more times before the Hog began to keep its distance. This thankfully gave me the chance to try and deal with my wound, ripping off a part of my shirt I used it to wrap around the two wounds that now lied in my stomach. Looking up I was barely able to avoid the boar as it charged forward at me while I was distracted. In the process tearing off the cloth that sat over my mouth as the dusty air moved into my lungs I began to cough heavily eventually purple blood ejecting from my mouth. Looking at the hog I let my anger take over as the shadows that now rested under its skin began to form blades and borrowed its way deeper into its crystalline body. A high pitched screech radiated from its body. The last thing I saw before blacking out was one of the system's screens.
Congratulations
You have slain a crystal warthog (threat 4)
You have gained 20 fate points
You have gained 10 silver ker
You need 100 FP to purchase a threat increase