*******

— NAVID HAKIMI —

— Role: Spirit Dancer, Level 0 —

— Specialism: none. —

— Weapons: none. —

— Abilities: 2—

— Proficiencies: 2 —

* Ability 1: The song of encore. Send out a cosmic blast that transcends the laws of physics, passing through buildings and pushing outwards to a 1 mile radius. ‘Chosen’ Allies hit by the blast will find their stamina levels rejuvenated. Allies can be limited to your party or your race. Cast time 1 minute, cooldown 12 hours, Stamina drain high.

* Ability 2: Shy Away. Meld into your surroundings temporarily, hiding your presence from everyone. All threats you pose to others will seemingly disappear. Effect will last for 15 seconds, cooldown 2 minutes. Stamina drain, moderate.

* Proficiency 1: Keeping pace. Your natural baseline stamina always operates one level higher than your current level.

* Proficiency 2: Musically gifted. You may choose an instrument and be imbued with the talent to play it at expert level.

********

Navid awoke, lay on the couch, his small pot belly hanging out just below his t-shirt. His noise cancelling headphones continued to blast Lizzo, which had now been on loop for hours.

“Well, that was a weird nap” Navid chuckled to himself. He stretched his arms above his head and let out a contented sigh. Ambling towards the kitchen, he could smell the fresh pot of coffee he’d brewed earlier. A wide grin spread across his face, he couldn’t wait to leave home and go to university. His normally strict religious parents had left for a week-long trip to visit family in Newcastle and this is what freedom felt like. With each mile they drove, his sense of freedom got stronger.

His first night was spent in his boxers gaming and his first morning was spent spinning around the house dancing and singing. This was a vastly different setting to the hurried morning prayers that usually echoed around his house each day. His off-key singing and sporadic dancing was a much needed break from his usually fully regimented life. He was off to study law in the coming months, but smirked as he fully intended to switch to drama in his first year.

Music: Lizzo - Stayin’ Alive (cover)

As the next track began to ring out through his headset an irresistible urge to dance surged through Navid’s body. This wasn’t his usual urge to dance, something different was stirring within him. A gentle tugging deep within his core began to blossom outwards. An intangible energy he couldn’t perceive with his senses began to emanate from his body.

“Wait a sec” Navid muttered to himself, brow creased in confusion “Am I high?!” the thought was quickly dismissed. Whatever this sensation was, it felt incredible. Rolling with the punches he launched into a full dance routine, mimicking moves from ‘Stayin Alive’ along with a few of his own signature spin moves. From the glimpses he saw in the mirror, he was impressed. Although he did muse as to why he had such raw energy this early in the day.

Whilst Navid danced, the energy he was radiating seemed to intensify and then with one final surge it dissipated away. Immediately, Navid slumped over, struck by a sudden wave of exhaustion. His thick, curly black hair fell across his forehead, his olive skin soaked in sweat. Panting and gasping for breath, Navid spoke to himself “good god you need to get in better shape”. Right there, in the centre of his living room, he curled into a ball and fell asleep.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

***

Metal blades clashed, Gus was barely hanging on, doing everything he could to delay the inevitable fate. Every hit he defended, violently vibrated down his arms and now they were at breaking point.

Lara bolted upright, springing into action. In one fluid motion, she slid between Gus and the last remaining goblin. Raising her forearm over head, an arcane shield materialised before their eyes, a shimmering barrier of pure energy met the descending blade of the creature. The impact of the blade sent the goblin backwards, its beady eyes widening in surprise that Lara was back on her feet. Just moments ago she was almost unconscious. Seizing the opportunity, Lara unleashed a huge blast of fire, flames streaming from the palms of her hands they streaked like a comet and landed right in the centre of the goblin’s chest. The creature let out a blood curdling shriek as the flames engulfed its body. Slowly, it fell to the ground, lifeless eyes staring back at Lara.

Lara’s vision once more went dark. White writing ingraining itself into her soul yet again…

*******

— LARA HOLLINGSWORTH —

— Role: Sorceress, Level 1 —

— Specialism: none. —

— Weapons: none. —

— Abilities: 2—

— Proficiencies: 3 —

New Proficiency: Mana infused. Your spells no longer take physical effort that reduce your stamina, you’ve been infused with a base level of mana. Mana is now the source energy for spell casting and is replenished over time through rest or alternate sources.

*******

As the words began to fade, reality took their place.

The distant sound of helicopters drawing closer put her on edge. She was smart and knew she had to hide, she turned, wild eyed looking at Gus.

“I know” he croaked “I’ll tell them I’m the last man standing and only survived because of him” he said, pointing towards the man who’d died bravely trying to defend the soldiers, outmatched three to one. “You need to get out of here… fast!” Gus said, looking at Lara pleadingly. He was a good man, she knew she could trust him.

“Ok” Lara said hurriedly “thank you”

Lara grabbed her bag from the bridge and sprinted across the green, strangely still full of energy, she ran the final kilometre towards her mothers house in a full sprint. Scrambling for her keys she hurried through the door. “Mum” Lara screamed.

“I’m here sweetheart, I’m here” her mothers voice cracked with relief.

They embraced in a deep and emotional hug. Lara’s mother relaying everything she had heard, the sound of gunshots and screaming, whilst clutching her walking stick tightly out of sight in her overly floral bedroom.

“It’s all over now mum” silent tears running down her cheeks, gripping her mother tightly. “I know it’s scary, but the military are coming and they’re going to take you to a very safe and special place”

“It sounds like a silly thing mum, but when they knock on this door you need to answer it and tell them you’re home alone. Do everything they ask and make sure you keep your phone fully charged. I’ve put some money and fully charged battery packs in your purse” Lara’s voice cracked despite her efforts to sound casual.

After some back and forth with her mother, Lara managed to convince her what to do. Helping her pack some clothes and food in a bag for her to take with her. Lara could not take the chance of being discovered. Who knew what type of military and governmental testing she’d be subjected to if she fell into the wrong hands. There were too many people hiding in their homes, curtains twitching whilst the battle took place on the local village green - too many witnesses. She had to figure out what was happening to her, to the world.

In a fresh set of clothes, Lara slipped out of the back door, she needed to navigate her way to the area she felt a connection to during the battle. She knew her energy didn’t just return without some sort of help. There had been a tug at her soul as if it was being replenished with energy from someone, or something. With no real idea of what or who she was looking for she headed northeast, avoiding the local green and moving towards the old windmill at the edge of town. There was plenty of farmland, a stream and various escape routes. Filled with confusion but searching for answers, Lara strode on.