After I had finished dressing I contemplated what to do next. I hadn't been able to test my newfound mobility and freedom yet, I considered another attempt at exploring the yurt but shuffling sounds from the other side of the screen drew my attention. It must have been my siblings, the desire to explore was trumped by the feeling of a fraternal need to check on them. Using the end panel of my screen like a door I stepped out into the main room, gathered together in the fur-lined pile I slept in just yesterday were my seven younger brothers.
It appeared they were all still asleep, so I decided to take the opportunity to check on them while they were docile and not running around. They looked much cuter than before, the last time I had really taken a good look at them we were all thin, tiny things. Now they all appeared to have become plump little babies, and it dawned on me that I was two levels of growth ahead of them. I wondered how long it would take them all to reach 'child' as well.
I decided to put my inquiry ability to good use and see what I could learn about my brothers. I already knew that the oldest boy was my brother Malkadian, looking down at his much smaller form, as I did he seemed to stir, open his eyes and look up at me. I saw he had the same green skin and golden-colored eyes that I did, and his hair was a slightly lighter red than mine.
Even though he was still a baby I could already tell that when we reached the same age we would look like twins. Malkadian then glared at me in what appeared to be contempt and disbelief at my new form, I smirked to myself at his still very cute face, I guess we had a sibling rivalry.
At that, I felt a sharp pang in my heart and I was forced to take a step back, my head reeled as an image passed through it. A memory faded almost like watching shadows, someone was helping me to climb a tree boosting me up so I could reach a low-hanging branch. The person helping me, a boy maybe, had their face obscured by the shadows and I couldn't make out their features.
A moment later, the image faded and I came back to the present, but the pain in my chest lingered a little longer. I then realized that the rest of my brothers had woken up, and a few of them were looking at me with worried expressions. Even Sha'ree, who had been curled up behind them, seemed to share their concern.
I felt my brow furrow at the memory, it felt as though I knew the person I had seen and that they were close to me, but I couldn't remember who they were. I tried to focus on the memory and make it clearer or remember anything else, but nothing changed.
But I did recall the woman from my rebirth, The Countess, this must have been what she meant when she referred to my past life. My fists clenched in frustration, I needed answers. Maybe if I made an inquiry with the system I would get a response, like what happened with Sinai. But when I tried it didn't give any prompt at all.
I gritted my teeth and then took a deep breath, as frustrating as the situation was, stewing in these negative feelings wouldn't solve anything. Answers would come when they did, I would need to be patient. Moving thoughts of The Countess and my past life to the back of my mind, I returned to checking in on my brothers. Continuing my inspection I learned the names of my other six brothers.
Aside from Malkadian, there was Makadian, Drazahar, Dahkan, Tasar, Tamar, and Inash. I inspected each and gave them a loving head pat, but as I did I found that a few of them had an additional message attached.
Target contains a Trifecta Soul:
Player Soul - %$@#$@#^
Vaettir Soul – Drazahar Bloodstorm
Corporeal Soul – Baby Goblin
Target contains a Trifecta Soul:
Player Soul - %$@#$@#^
Vaettir Soul – Dahkan Bloodstorm
Corporeal Soul – Baby Goblin
Target contains a Trifecta Soul:
Player Soul - %$@#$@#^
Vaettir Soul – Tasar Bloodstorm
Corporeal Soul – Baby Goblin
I tilted my head in confusion at this, I was certain that when we were born only three of us had been Trifecta Souls, that being myself, Malkadian and Makadian. Had I simply missed these three? No, I was certain that wasn't the case, I remembered specifically looking for other Trifecta Souls. Looking down at my three little brothers they appeared to look back at me with bewildered expressions, almost like they had just woken up to themselves. Something didn't sit right with me.
“I want to ask all of you a few questions,” I said, looking down at my brothers. I wasn't sure if this would work, but it was worth a try, “Do any of you have memories from before being born? If you do, just raise your hand.” In response to my question, all seven raised their chubby little hands toward me. Well, that was interesting.
“Do you remember being here, in our yurt, yesterday?” At this question, only Malkadian and Makadian raised their hands. My eyes went wide at this. They were the only ones who remember being here before today? It confirmed my suspicions, something had changed with some of my brothers and it caused a few of them to become Trifecta Souls.
“Do any of you still have memories from your past life?” At this none of them moved, I was about to write off this question when slowly, five of them raised their hand. The five were Malkadian, Makadian, Drazahar, Dahkan and Tasar. All of my siblings now had a Player Soul.
At this, I took a step back to think. What did all of this mean? I looked up to see Sha'ree had been watching me intently this whole time. I had long ago come to the conclusion that she was far smarter than any well-trained dog, but just how much did she really understand? Shaking the thought from my mind, I was about to ask my brothers a few more questions when I heard our mother calling me. Her voice sounded like it came from the front of the yurt.
“Mother is calling for me, but I'll be back, I still have some more questions,” I moved to leave, then paused as a thought occurred to me, “Oh! Try thinking about how to finish your milestones. It's how you can grow stronger,” I whispered to them. I had a feeling that it would be better to not speak of us having Player Souls.
But there was no harm in steering them in the right direction to progress. I ran to the front of the yurt and found my mother preparing food in the center fire pit, the same one she had gathered us at before. But this time there was a large metal cauldron on top of the blazing fire, bubbling as she stirred its contents.
“Yes, mother?” I asked, and as I approached I got a powerful whiff of the food she was making. It smelled like a meat stew, mingled with sweet and savory spices and herbs. I felt my mouth water.
“Idika, you come when called, good. As my eldest and only daughter, you will be helping me to care for your brothers, as well as assisting me around our home. Until they are old enough to help you will be doing the Staghorn's share of work,” my mother began listing the chores I would now be expected to do. I would have responsibilities and tasks to do in the morning, afternoon, and evening.
Depending on the circumstances even some chores to do at night. I felt a little overwhelmed at the sudden workload but then realized that all these chores had been getting done till now and the only person who could have been doing them was my mother. I remembered the exhaustion that seemed ever present on her face. The feeling of love and wanting to help my mother filled me and I felt like I could move this entire yurt if it made things a little easier for her.
“But for today, you will simply help me with cooking breakfast, follow me around, and help assist me. You will not need to complete these tasks solely on your own until you are an adolescent,” she gave me a pointed look, “So unless you want more work, wait for your brothers to grow up,” Urana's stare felt like it was burning a hole through my head and I squirmed a bit. She finally relented and spoke again.
“Start by chopping the Lamot roots,” she pointed towards a basket, walking over I found it contained dark brown bulbs that were covered in thick spiraling plant roots. I hoisted the basket up into my arms, with some effort, and brought it to her placing it beside the cauldron. I found myself staring awkwardly between the basket and my mother, not sure what I was supposed to do next.
My mother gave me a sideways glance and smirked.
“Oh, so my daughter who grows up so quickly still needs her mother's help,” she chuckled, took up a knife from a wood board beside her, laid a white cloth on the ground, then grabbed one of the Lamot roots out of the basket. With expert skill, she cut away the twisting roots from the bulb, letting them fall onto the white cloth.
When she had finished the now baren bulb resembled a potato. I frowned a little, I could remember it was a food I liked to eat in my past life, I liked to put it in a lot of dishes and it help food stretch and fill your stomach. Why could I remember what a potato was but not the face of someone who was close to me? That wasn't fair. I watched as my mother placed the Lamot root on the wood board and cut it into quarters, then tossed it into the boiling pot.
“Just like that. Remove the vines, but don't lose them, they are used to make string. If your hand slips and you cut your finger drink a few drops from this red bottle,” she gestured to a small, round bottle with red tinted glass and a cork.
“If the cut is very deep or you lose a finger, drink from the orange one,” and she pointed at an identical glass bottle, except this one was tinted orange.
“I need ten more roots. Sha'ree and Suu'der Still need their breakfasts,” she placed the knife in my hand and positioned the basket and the cloth in front of me, along with the two glass bottles. Her casual mention of my losing a finger did not inspire confidence.
I was about to use the knife on the Lamot roots when I remembered one of my milestones. This might be a problem. I looked up at mother and put on the most innocent and indearing expression I could.
“Mother, can I do another chore, please? I don't want to... cut myself,” I said, reaching for an excuse. She stared back at me for a moment, then chuckled.
“Would you rather I go grab the board I used on you yesterday?” she looked at me, almost amused at my worry before her voice softened.
“You'll be fine, you'll figure it out,” she paused before following up with another smirk.
“After you lose a few fingers,” she then turned away from me, returning to stirring the pot. I watched as she added a few dried herbs here and there, occasionally stoking the fire.
I gave a sigh. Damnit, well I tried. I took up the knife and cut the first vine off the Lamot root, and just as I had feared, a red window appeared. Though the message conveyed that I had made an achievement, it felt more like I had signed my own death warrant.
Pre-tier Milestone Achieved!
Use a weapon.
Congratulations!
You have completed the Sixth Pre-tier Milestone!
You are awarded 10% Growth. You are now at 65% growth.
The time needed to reach adulthood is reduced by 20% of the total requirement. Your attributes and size will be finished adjusting within 10 seconds.
I felt my body grow slightly, it was nowhere near as drastic as the last time, but it was definitely noticeable. My clothing suddenly felt a little tighter, and if I had to guess they probably looked it as well. I could feel my beaded headdress digging into my skin and even my shoes felt tighter on my feet.
I winced, and cautiously looked up to where my mother sat, she was no longer stirring the pot and instead glared down at me. I could see the bags under her eyes, she must have stayed up all night so my clothes were ready for me this morning.
She raised her hand and the familiarly terrifying spiked board found its way to her. It would have been impressive if I didn't know what was coming next. I felt tears well in my eyes and bit my lip, but I just bowed my head and said nothing, ready to accept my fate.