Despite his lingering disbelief, Krys knew he needed to press on, determined to make progress in this new and fantastical world. He stood up, trying to wipe himself off of any dirt clinging to his skin. He felt way too exposed and needed to find clothes somewhere, somehow. Scanning around in a complete circle he didn’t notice any trails in any direction. He couldn’t hear any sense of civilization… he had no idea how far away he was from that city he had seen from above previously. He knew it had to be nearby though… but if he started walking in the wrong direction would he lose his chance at finding help? “Clee?”
Krys turned his gaze towards the noise and there, standing atop a nearby rock embedded into a small hill was the creature from before. Now, a bit wary, Krys took a step back. The creature had moved quite a significant distance without making any noise. If it hadn’t announced itself, would he have even noticed it? It could have snuck on him.
This thought is was eventually helped him to put down his guard. The creature had cocked its head, watching him. Curiosity getting the better of him, Krys slowly approached the strange creature. “What’s up little guy?” He asked. He watched, fascinated as the little fur ball twitched an ear at the sound of his voice. “Clee-clee?” It sounded off again. The noise almost sounding like a question.
Krys would only approach so much, finding a comfortable distance he really tried to scrutinize the thing, focusing his attention as much as possible suddenly he noticed that pulse again.
# Bestiary Updated!
[ New Encounter Unlocked: Furcubi. Furcubi are small, curious creatures native to the Celestia Forest. ]
Blinking his eyes he let the message fade away. Watching the “furcubi” all over again. He tentatively took a step closer… and then another. At this distance the furcubi seemed to hedge slightly, shifting its weight onto one foot, it leaned away. Krys stopped and crouched down. “I’m sorry I don’t have any food or anything to share with you.” The little fur ball twitched an ear and blinked, eyes widening as it’s head cocked much like an owl, almost completely 180 degrees. It looked so cute, innocent and hilarious in that moment that Krys couldn’t help but let out a short laugh. Krys realized that the furcubi's response was unexpected but rather endearing.
“Well, maybe we can find some food for you and clothes for me at the same time. I guess its time to explore a little.” He said while rising. He tightened his jaw as he steeled his nerves. Yes. He needed to get a move on. At least he had good reason to believe he was in this, Celestia Forest. He took in a deep breath and turned around until he felt a slight pull. Pausing, he hoped that his Sense of Direction perk was helping him get to the city he was looking for. He started taking steps in that direction. A sense of anticipation filled him as he trekked through the dense foliage, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of civilization.
Suddenly as he was making his way his vision pulsed again. Only, this time it was a little different. The edges of his vision seemed to ripple with a reddish glow before fading away. He paused, curious and a bit unnerved. That hesitancy may have been what saved him because the quiet forest was violently disrupted with a loud crashing noise. Branches cracked and came crashing down around him and there was a loud creaking before he saw what appeared to be a massive snake lunging for him with a open mouth, it must have spotted him from up in the trees. It’s body seemed just as thick as the trees around him, in some cases even wider actually. The serpent was a bright grassy green. Fear gripped him as he stumbled backwards, desperately seeking a way to escape the path of the colossal creature. But a quick glance around showed he didn’t really have many options. Quickly he snapped his attention back to the incoming threat, the large fangs almost upon him! He threw himself forward, sliding just under the large snake and rolled into thicker foliage. He felt the slight sting of twigs and branches as he forced his body through their usually uninterrupted space. Heart pounding in his chest, he concealed himself within the dense undergrowth, breathless and alert.
# Bestiary Updated!
[ New Encounter Unlocked: Gargantuan Serpent. ] Level: ??
Breathing hard despite his best efforts, he blinked away the message. There wasn’t any other information on the beast, probably because it was of higher level. Who knows. Krys tried to be as still as possible, listening for any further incoming attacks. The forest seemed eerily quiet, only the distant sounds of crickets chirping filled the air.
Then, like a phantom appearing from nothing the serpent was there, its body touching the tip of his head as it passed over him. His heart froze for a blink of an eye before he made a snap judgement, sliding over to his right, he rolled onto his belly before jumping to his feet and just started running in whatever direction he was facing. Krys sprinted through the thick underbrush of the forest, his adrenaline pumping as he pushed himself to the limit.
The snake had either felt him earlier or smelled him. Didn’t they taste their prey with their tongues? Krys didn’t consider any plans in that moment, he just ran. Though he started to slow, feeling tired as another pulse manifested. This time a normal one and he looked.
# Status Update!
[Stamina: 5/15]
Oh. He slowed to a regular running pace. Watching as the drain on his stamina ceased. Okay… but behind him he could still hear the crashing and crushing of branches and bark as the serpent pursued him. He glanced back, his heart racing as he saw the massive serpent gaining on him. He burst into a small clearing then, a ray of light penetrating through the canopy. He hadn’t noticed the forest had really thickened around him. Standing in the light he felt something. Pulse.
# Alert
[Conditions met for mana bypass.]
Blinking rapidly as he tried to think, watching the gargantuan predator speeding for him he remembered he had some abilities… He quickly accessed his character sheet and found the skill Flora Manipulation. Oh right! He could manipulate the plants around him! Focusing his mind, he commanded the flora to rise and create a barrier between him and the approaching serpent. Unlike branches and twigs that could be snapped via brute force… these plants were young and fresh, vibrant things with green stems. They had a bit of pull and together they significantly began to hinder the beast. The serpent, sensing the obstruction, thrashed and lashed out, its slithering body tangled within the entwined foliage. Krys closed his eyes for a moment, attempting to catch his breath, the tension in his body relaxed a bit as he really felt his connection to the light of the sun. The warmth. He focused on that and his ability, thickening the plants more and more. He directed them to constrict. As Krys concentrated, the plants responded to his commands, wrapping tighter around the flailing serpent. Unfortunately, Krys didn’t understand the scope of what he was dealing with. As the serpent's struggle grew more desperate, its scales glistening with a toxic green substance, Krys realized that this was no ordinary creature. There was a sizzling noise as the plants began to corrode away. As if the glistening substance were some sort of acid. Krys's heart raced as he watched the plants rapidly dissolve under the serpent's corrosive venom. He started to back away when the back end of the beast suddenly shot forward from the darkness, brushing the left side of Krys’ body. He was thrown to the right, his skin felt burned and that side of his body felt numb as if smacked by a giant rubber ball. He landed against a tree and crumpled to the ground. His vision ringing. As Krys struggled to regain his senses, the serpent reared its massive head, its razor-sharp fangs glistening with that same frightening venom.
There was still a chance however, for Krys could feel through the sunlight that his body was mending a bit faster than it should have. He looked over at his character sheet where it listed his health and watched as the numbers were rising. 20/50, 21/50, 22/50, 23/50, 24/50… He had this innate sense that normally health didn’t just recover in the middle of a battle like this. The tail end of the serpent shot forward again, and this time Krys hurled himself away, rolling to his feet, he limped at the ache that his left side felt. His skin felt like it was on fire, swollen and lethargic. He had to figure out a way to deal with this. As Krys surveyed his surroundings, he spotted a group of nearby trees, their branches swaying gently in the breeze. Maybe. He started to run towards the trees, filling the connection to the sunlight once again, he focused on activating his skill while he heard and felt the vibrations of the serpent pursuing him. It hissed with frustration. As it slid towards him, opening its mouth again Krys stopped and turned around to face his enemy. With a deep breath, he activated his Flora Manipulation skill, causing the trees to come alive with a burst of vibrant energy. The branches outstretched and twisted into sharp points, jutting straight into the creatures open maw. The serpent let out a wail of pain as the sharp branches pierced its flesh, causing it to recoil and retreat momentarily.
It’s eyes seemed to constrict with anger and in a split second it lunged forward again. Almost reflexively Krys jumped to the right, barely avoiding getting bitten. A single pierce from one of those fangs would be worse than a sword to the heart he figured. Mentally he flinched as if he could swat a sudden fly and lo and behold the nearest branch responded, flicking whip like against the side of the serpents head. The serpent's head snapped to the side as the branch struck it, but it quickly recovered and turned its gaze towards Krys with a newfound fury. Another lunge, though this time the serpent kept its mouth shut as it slammed into Krys and sent him flying backwards, through the foliage and out into another open clearing. Pulse.
# Alert
[Health: 1/50]
[Health: 2/50]
[Health: 3/50]
He was bleeding in several spots, scratches, cuts and long lacerations here and there. Krys gritted his teeth, feeling the burning pain from the serpent's attack pulsating through his body. He looked up with groggy eyes, barely able to push his upper body from the ground. The serpent began to glide forward again. Almost languidly, as if victory was assured. Summoning his last ounce of strength, Krys forced himself to stand, wobbling unsteadily. Meanwhile he activated his Flora Manipulation causing all the branches and exposed roots between him and the approaching predator to sharpen, facing the serpent like wooden spikes. As the serpent approached, its eyes narrowed, recognizing the sudden change in the environment. It seemed to underestimate the situation, or perhaps it felt it was a hated challenge. It quickened its pace and began to barrel forward. Krys grit his teeth as he tried to force the ability to penetrate the serpent. If only he could get one of the sharpened branches to… pierce through its scaled skin, he thought. Just as the beast was about to fully exit the thick foliage there was a loud crunch and then a squelching noise. Blood splattered in all directions as the serpent's momentum came to a sudden halt. It’s mouth widened as if it didn’t register its predicament, those fangs raised above as if some wild guillotine. Krys gulped, the creature had once again come face to face with him.
# Victory!
[ Level 10 Gargantuan Serpent Slain! ]
Congratulations on your hard-fought victory. You have acquired a new title.
# Bestiary Updated!
[ Gargantuan Serpent: These majestic specimens stalk the canopies of old forests. Usually content with lounging in the boughs above, when a worthy prey enters their vicinity they become deadly efficient and persistent hunters. There massive fangs and emerald colored scales both can emit a highly toxic and acidic venom. ]
# Serpent-Slayer
You defied the long-earned might of one of the kings of the forest and lived to laugh another day. Your presence will cause potential predators to pause before attempting to prey on you.
Krys shuddered as he read the entry in his Bestiary, realizing the immense danger he had just faced. Then he saw how much experience he earned. Krys couldn't believe his eyes as he saw the experience points in his character screen. He had just gained enough to…
# Level 1 Attained.
# Level 2 Attained.
Skill Points: 6
- Subterfuge: 1.9
- Defense: 3.3
- Offense: 2.3
Knowledge Points: 2
- Arcana: 0.3
- Bardic: 0.1
- Spirit: 2.8
# New Abilities Available
Krys couldn't believe his luck. He had barely survived that. Looking at his health he saw he was at 15/150. For a split second there he had been one breath away from death. He shuddered at the thought before his mind went back to his aching body. He knew that he needed to make a decision quickly on how to allocate his newfound skill and knowledge points. So he pulled up his options:
# Available Abilities:
[1. Absorbing Block; Use martial arts to take a hit whilst absorbing the bulk of the incoming damage. - 2 SP]
[2. Piercing Blow; Like striking vines, punch at your opponent as if wielding a razor-sharp weapon. - 2 SP]
[3. Shield of Light; Use the light around you and embolden it to become a physical shield. - 2 KP]
[4. Deflect; Turn an incoming attack back on the enemy at half it’s strength, meanwhile avoiding damage yourself. - 2 KP]
Hm. He thought, I could take both skill-based abilities and still have 2 points left over, but for the knowledge-based abilities, I can only choose one, if I want to use up all my KP. Deciding he needed some more offense and defense capabilities he decided to acquire Absorbing Block and Piercing Blow. As for the last choice however, he couldn’t shake the feeling that deflect required mana and it didn’t say he could use light instead, though it should be possible, he instinctively understood that there was more information about this that he was lacking. With a sigh, he decided to take the risk and learn the Deflect skill, hoping that he would uncover more about its mechanics later on. Focusing on the dead serpent in front of him he watched as the creature seemed to shimmer slightly, as if a thin barrier of heat surrounded it briefly. Pulse.
# Loot Gargantuan Serpent? Y/N
Intrigued by the pulse of energy, he cautiously approached the gargantuan serpent's lifeless body and inspected it. He decided to mentally confirm that he would like to loot and watched as the serpent seemed to sag a bit, as if it could become more dead. A few areas of the creatures body began to glow, such as its eyes, fangs and a few choice scales along its long sinuous form. It was as if the world were telling Krys exactly which parts to harvest. He moved to them and found that when he tried to remove any of those glowing parts, they easily came away. He piled them on the ground and looked back at the corpse. Blinking in surprise as it seemed to deflate a bit more and then with a noise that sounded like a great sigh a number of items suddenly appeared.
# Loot Summary:
Serpent Eyes x2
Pristine Venomous Fangs x2
Emerald Gargantuan Scales x20
Serpentine Pantaloons; Good
Serpentine Vest; Good
Scaled Moccasins ; Fair
Scaled Pouch x3
Snake Meat x3; Excellent
Krys's heart raced with excitement as he surveyed the loot scattered before him, remnants of the vanquished serpent creature that now lay lifeless on. He quickly donned the pants, vest and the moccasins. Everything fit snugly as if fitting to his body perfectly. Actually, the pants did feel a bit too snug in certain places. Krys couldn't help but give a satisfied grin as he realized that the Serpent Pantaloons not only provided excellent protection but also seemed to enhance. He watched as they gleamed in the light as if taunting someone to dare attempt to mar them. After this he tied the pouches with their attached string to his pant loops. Automatically the rest of the loot seemed to disappear, he felt his pouches stretch to accommodate the new materials. The only thing left on the ground were three large cuts of snake meat. “Clee?” He heard, looking up towards the sound. He saw the Furcubi there, walking along a branch with its long tail holding tight to an even higher one. It jumped and used it’s tail like a rope to control its descent. The cute animal landed on soft padded feet and wobbled over, reminiscent to the movements of a monkey. “Clee-Clee.” It repeated, more assertively. As it eyed a piece of meat. Krys chuckled. “We should probably cook it first. Let me.”
Using all the skills he ever retained from camp he got a small fire going and used some branches to hold the meat above the flames enough to cook them well without burning them. He searched around the immediate area for any herbs and seemed to find some that had a nice scent so he placed those into the cooking meat as best he could before turning them over. The smell was heaven. At this point his Health had recovered and he was no longer bleeding though his skin was still smudged with dirt, grime and dried blood in a few specific places. He cooked all of the meat, realizing he didn’t have a way to store them anyways. He ate one piece and gave the other two to the Furcubi who gladly devoured them.
As the Furcubi finished gobbling up the meat, a message flashed across his vision: "Companion Acquired”. Excitement surged through him as he read the words, his heart pounding with anticipation.
[Would you like to name your Furcubi companion?]
Krys swallowed and looked at the little guy. “Hm. What would you like to be called?” The alien monkey cocked its head at this question. “Yeah, you might not even understand anything Im saying. The only things I know about you are that you are evidently pretty fast and quiet. How about… Zoomi?” He asked. “Cleee!” Was the response, the creature seemed happy, though that could be because of the lovely meal it was still enjoying.
[Name Forcubi Companion: Zoomi?]
“Yes. Let’s do that.” Krys gave his assent. A slight swirl of golden dust seemed to swirl around Zoomi for a moment, causing the beast to stop chewing and look around curiously before looking back at Krys and seeming to offer a genuine smile. Life was suddenly feeling much better to Krys, he had food in his belly, he had gained a couple of levels, acquired new abilities and had survived a deadly encounter. Oh, and the best thing was he had clothes now. If he could find that city he wouldn’t have to endure an embarrassing encounter.
He pulled up his Character Sheet.
# Status Screen
Name: Krystofer Garcia
Alias Available
Race: Human (Evolved)
Class: Angel
Level: 2
Experience Points: 2.50
Health: 150/150
Mana: 0/30
Stamina: 45/45
Authority: Life
- Domain(s): Nature, Light
Cards: 17
Home world: Earth
Current word: Ulom
Location: Celestia Forest
Companion(s): Zoomi [Furcubi]
Skill Points: 2
- Subterfuge: 1.9
- Defense: 3.3
- Offense: 2.3
Knowledge Points: 0
- Arcana: 0.3
- Bardic: 0.1
- Spirit: 2.8
Abilities: Flora Manipulation, Illuminated Mending, Wings of Light, Starlit Winds, Absorbing Block, Piercing Blow, Deflect
Perks:
Racial: Human Adaptability, Logical Mind, Sense of Direction, Natural Charisma
Class: Rune Sense, Sanctity
World: Rift-Walker, Self-Destined, Sky-Chaser, Star-Gazer, Wind-Weaver, Serpent-Slayer