Chapter 2: Waking up
A week passed, and the spirit continued to read the book. Faster and faster the book flowed through it and eventually something appeared to stretch out into the fire place and up towards the sky. Or down towards the sky, or maybe inward? The book was mostly gibberish and sometimes pictures or strange meaningless letters but somehow they felt like they were making sense.
Mats had explained that you connected to the ether, or spirit world, and got wisdom from it and that the fireplace strengthened the signal.
“Wisdom is a better word for it than knowledge at least.” He had said while he was taking a brake from his chanting.
The forest had no guardian and the wizard was attempting to summon a replacement. They needed to be fairly strong and experienced otherwise the situation could become worse.
He spent the nights chanting and the days sleeping and chatting with his new companion, explaining things or talking about the weather.
There were many things they could try to get the spirit to remember its past but the best was the System Book. If it had used the Standard System before it would get its old information back. If not it should at least show some useful information. It was the safest bet and the system was very useful anyways.
“I can tell that you are not an undead. But if I'm wrong for some reason, I might have to send you on. Just so you know, there might be a not so very kind reason for your missing memories.”
“That sounds...” It thought for a moment.
“The main reason I'm trying to get my memories back is because I'm curious. That doesn't sound like an undead. I...just feel...” It trailed of.
“It doesn't sound that way but you never know. Just thought I should warn you that things might not be very pleasant.”
On the ninth night the orb shined and it was suddenly complete.
“Finally!”
Mats chuckled. “It took a long time since you're not in the best shape physically.”
“...Seven days without puns makes one weak. Oh! I could create a skill for lame puns”
“Would it get better or worse if you leveled it?”
“Both!” it shouted in high spirits“ So what now? I just say or think status?”
The skill orb shined and ate him.
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STATS LEVEL 3 Constitution 3 Strength - Intelligence 3 Dexterity - Wisdom 3 RACES Human(spirit), Spirit(human), Human Spirit CLASSES --- ABILITIES --- SKILLS Language: Common Tounge STATUS SCREEN STANDARD STATUS SYSTEM NAME --- RACE Human Spirit*
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“A status is an orb that surrounds your spirit. It can work like a shield or like a helper for your other skills. They are hard to make so you usually get them from someone else. I don't know how to make one for a spirit and if you get them from someone else there is always the chance of being manipulated. Making orbs and putting peoples souls in them, as you can guess, is a way to some more... unkind magic. That is way I had you make yours yourself. Good job in making it so fast.” Mats was smiling.
“And you didn't tell me this before because?”
“If a person makes a skill that controls themselves... it will be very powerful.” He said with a wide grin.
“...!” The spirit said something very rude.
“No, but it's way I didn't explain this beforehand. I don't think you would have been as diligent if you knew that you could be making the shackles to enslave yourself with.”
“How do I know I didn't.”
“You don't. It's all a matter of trust. You are just a tiny spirit lost in the woods. Its not healthy to not be aware of that.” Mats was having a blast.
”...”
“Now, now, don't be like that and let's have a look at your status. I'm sure I know what it says already.”
Mats picked up the coin used to gain the status. It had laid there for the past week.
The spirit thought it was odd. It had been here the whole time and had not even looked at the surroundings. Having no problem with sitting in the same spot was strange to.
It realized that something had changed. He realized that something had changed.
The status.
“A status is often used as a means of identification.” Mats said.
“They usually get to see just a bit of it but I should bee able to see all of yours”
He pushed the coin up to the spirit.
“Hm...It's as suspected. What probably happened is that you used to be a human who got separated from their body. Your spirit-body left your body and became a spirit and then instead of dying, which would be the common result, you stabilized. It's what I gather from looking at the races section. It's not that uncommon with wizards or shamans so maybe you were one.”
“You're a wizard Harry” the spirit mumbled, not sure way.
“When you stabilized you were essentially reborn and that's way you have no name. Any questions?”
“Whats with the stats and level?” The spirit was eyeing them and wondered way the level was there.
“Your level or rank as it also is called, is something innate to creatures with souls. When you increase it you become stronger in certain ways. Usually you cultivate it by meditation but there are lots of methods.”
“So you make your soul stronger?”
“Probably, but people usually don't. It's easier to increase other stats instead. A stat is a type of skill that is made to mimic the level. If you have a bunch of them you get most of the benefits of levels and can cover up for the benefits you don't get. It's what most people say anyway. It's a natural versus man made sort of thing. Though you should increase your level because it helps you remain yourself. Magic can have some nasty effects and a status break can be pretty nasty.“
The wizard stood up and started putting some more wood on the fire.
“The stats included in the Standard System are fairly safe to use, so don't worry”
It had started to darken and he was getting ready for another night.
“Oh, and Classes are skill orbs made to put other skills on. They are like tiny bonus spirits with their own levels. Skills can also have levels but abilities don't. But I'm rambling. Now that you have your status you are healed in a way. You should think of what you want to do next.”
He kicked the square sending the sticks flying into the wood were the shadows of the trees grew darker by the minute. The spirit could see now and was not sure it had before. And the forest did not look nice. For some reason. A reason the tiny spirit did not know. Call it a feeling.
“There is something out there.”
“Yes, lots of somethings.”
They were quiet for a minute, listening to the crackling fire and the wind between the trees.
The moon had become brighter then the sun whose last light could be barely made out between the trees.
Mats looked at the spirit and was pondering something as he began to speak.
“I said that but... I should have said what you could do next.“