Azarus was already fond of his new toy. He was reluctant to give the screens credit for it, but he thought it was well worth paying Kuscal’s Divinity to indulge in his curiosity.
[Achievement Store]: Spend accumulated points to equip your Champions with weapons, armor, consumables, and other enhancements.
Azarus remembered how Moka’s eyes had lingered on the guard’s armor in the first run. The way she coveted the spear that was much higher quality than her carved sticks. He resolved to equip her for the next run.
Until now, being correct was more or less an assumption on Azarus’s part. Having confirmation was valuable, but not where his new [Divine Insight] shined. He liked it because it was fun. It was as simple as that. If he were free, it would be useless. He still had the sense he should be able to peer into people’s souls. But he was not free and could not see someone’s entire being in a single glance. If he stopped to consider it, the satisfaction of his interactions with Kuscal and Granon was fading with a quickness that worried him. He tried not to consider it.
Deciding to examine one more thing before he gave into the increasingly insistent urging of the notifications at the edge of his awareness, Azarus turned to the single decoration in the vast hall. His first creation. Before using the ability, he examined it for himself, noting the changes.
The minotaur’s ghostly wife had dragged or cajoled her broken husband near an emerald lantern. They were in the shadows just outside the ring of light. He looked exhausted, spent in body and spirit from trying to carry a tombstone of his own making. The weight continued to drag him back, pulling him toward the ocean of blood. In contrast, his wife’s mouth was set in a firm line, righteous fury blazing in her eyes. She was reaching her hand toward the light cast by the emerald flame. Her fingertips looked more real than the rest of her, as if they were flesh and blood and not the manifestation of a spirit.
Azarus followed the path up, his eyes landing on the elven alchemist. She had her back to her campfire, facing the scores of greedy eyes stalking her from the forest. In one hand, she held the silvery dagger Azarus had painted for her. She was waving it without finesse, trying to ward off the enterprising beasts. In her other hand, she held three vials between her fingers. She had popped the cork off one and was in the motion of pouring it behind her into the fire.
Something about the scene was lacking. Try as he might, Azarus could not quite place it. He continued on, searching for a pattern. When he examined the monster hunter’s scene, he found the same feeling of something amiss.
The weathered hunter was grappling with the boy he had tried to save from falling. The boy had given up all illusions of personhood. He wrapped himself around the man like a naga, clutching at his face and clothes. Unlike a naga, beneath his waist was a thick, muscled tongue instead of a snake’s tail. The crushing strength of the monster’s tongue trapped against the hunter’s sword against his body. The clawing fingernails of the monster’s boy-shaped lure kept him off-balance. He was reaching for a dagger, but the large, yet unnoticed, claw reaching over the lip of the cliff spelled disaster.
Azarus noted the similarities and differences between the three scenes. Despite his efforts, he could not figure out what was bothering him. Each scene embodied the individual’s hardship. They were poignant and satisfied his desire for correct representation, if a touch artistic. He found no sense of a flaw in the minotaurs, or in Moka’s unchanged scene.
Azarus tapped his finger against his lips as he studied his work. The feeling did not fade and he could not place it. The last time he had checked the painting, such a feeling did not haunt him. That begged the question: did the painting change, or did he? Deciding to wait for inspiration instead of continuing to think in circles, Azarus put his musings aside and inspected his creation through [Divine Insight’s] lens.
Untitled Painting
Rarity - Unique
Category - Living Divine Relic
A singular existence, crafted from the soul of a god and infused with great power. What this Relic can do or will become is unknown. As the inaugural creation of a newborn god, this Relic holds special significance and unmeasurable potential.
Azarus dismissed the information as nothing new. He could, however, admit to himself that he enjoyed seeing it written out. Special significance and unmeasurable potential, indeed. He liked the sound of that.
Mood bolstered, Azarus allowed the screens to flood him with their offerings. He would not turn down more Divine Points and a potential reward like [Through Mortal Eyes], even if spending the points was an obvious trap he was being railroaded into.
Quest: Clear the First Floor I - Complete
One step closer to discovering what your stubbornness has cost you.
Reward: Divine Points
Azarus could not help but laugh. Predictably, the screens sought to tear him down. They had mistaken him if they thought vague threats would be enough to make him cower and obey. However, he was curious to note the increasingly hostile and personal tone. He swiped the screen away, intent on discovering if this was a pattern or an outlier.
Quest - Baby’s First Miracle - Complete
The [Divine Store] has much to offer for gods who wish to become [King].
Reward: Divine Points, New feature! [Prayer] is now available in the [Divine Store]!
To Azarus’s relief, he could put to rest the suspicion a god of manipulation caught him. None of them would be so obvious. The screens waved a stick with the first notification. Then told him what it wanted in the second, with a small, implied incentive. It even managed to sneak an insult into the name of the Quest. Next, he supposed would be a carrot to help him along.
On a whim, Azarus inspected [Prayer]. To his surprise, [Divine Insight] offered additional information.
[Prayer]
Category: Unlockable Function
When your Champion beseeches your aid, you may purchase a [Miracle] at discounted cost.
Please purchase in [Divine Store] to access.
Azarus felt exasperated, if somewhat amused. [Prayer], a way to spend Divine Points to facilitate spending more Divine Points. Lovely. After experiencing the last [Miracle], Azarus considered the unlock a hairsbreadth short of tempting. He moved on to the next notification.
Quest: Pied Piper - Complete
Convert your first follower.
Till death do us part.
Reward: Divine Points
Scratching at his stubble, Azarus tried to remember a recent slight he had given to the screens. The insults were flowing like water and he did not appreciate what the screen was implying. Resolving to get this over with, he gestured to where he had hung his notification log.
“Please show me all the remaining notifications.”
The screens played along.
Quest: Peeping Tom - Complete
Use [Through Mortal Eyes] for the first time.
Reward: Divine Points, New Blessing! [Chosen One] is now available in the [Divine Store]!
-
Achievement Unlocked!
[Giant-Friend]
Congrats! [Moka] befriended a local creature with the Giant Bloodline instead of becoming a snack.
More like bullied into cooperation.
The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
+Moderate gift of Might when equipped
Reward: Achievement Points
-
Quest: Extra Set of Hands - Complete
Congrats! [Moka] converted a local to your religion and enlisted their aid.
Religion is a strong word here.
Reward: Divine Points, New feature! [Followers] is now available in the [Divine Store]!
-
Achievement Unlocked!
[Giant-slayer]
Congrats! [Moka] killed an entity far beyond her means.
Rumor has it the Beast aspect of a goblin’s bloodline is wolverine.
Cannot be equipped
Reward: [Soldier] Archetype Unlocked!
Azarus side-eyed the notifications. The word ‘sass’ sprung to mind. He found the snide comments in the notifications to be somewhere between the realms of amusing and blasphemy. Given their source, he leaned toward the latter.
Choosing to not give the screens the satisfaction of a visible reaction, he dismissed the notifications and pulled up the [Divine Store]. Channeling his new [Insight], he looked at the Unlocks he had available.
Unlocks: 250 DP each
* Parallel Growth - Enables the option of respeccing a Champion once per run, as if they started with their new Class from level 1.
* Bloodline - Enables Bloodline evolutions. Selections do not carry over between runs.
* Titles - Titles are earned during the first Trial and evolve with subsequent feats. Each Title grants a unique Boon, Gift, or other enhancement. Titles do not carry over between runs.
* Champion Quests - Allows god to assign Quests to their Champions, in addition to each floor’s task.
* [New!] Followers - Allows Champions to recruit along their journey, bringing willing Followers through the Tower with them.
* [New!] Prayer I - When your Champion beseeches your aid, you may purchase a [Miracle] at discounted cost.
The first thing that stuck out to Azarus was, [Followers]. He was unsure if the screens had deliberately withheld that Unlock until after Moka had missed the opportunity to bring Granon with her, or if it resulted from his unwillingness to acknowledge the notifications. Given the order he received the notifications, he was inclined to believe it was purposeful. Another slight to hold against his captor. He would have his satisfaction someday.
Filing that thought away into the growing knot where he held his grudge, Azarus reread the descriptions, not allowing his irritation to color the information. [Champion Quests] quickly caught his attention. He found himself tempted to use his Unlock Token on it straight away. It would allow him to communicate with Moka, even if the screens had to act as a dubious intermediary. Before making the purchase, he tabbed over to the Blessings.
Blessings: 150 DP per Champion
* Memories of a Past Life - Selected Champion starts each run waking up from a memory-like dream of their past runs.
* Remnants of Reincarnation - Selected Champion keeps their most used Skill from their previous run.
* [New!] Chosen One - Selected Champion may hear your voice as if over a great distance, or through a barrier.
Without a second thought, Azarus purchased [Chosen One]. He did not slow down to check to see how many Divine Points he had in stock. Nor did he slow down to weigh the cost of spending the points. He needed it. Being able to speak with Moka, even with restrictions, was a necessity. It was a waste to spend his token on a Blessing, which left the points as the best option. A new screen invaded his space.
Congratulations!
You have purchased the Blessing [Chosen One]! You may apply this Blessing to a Champion between runs.
Azarus cursed the store for being useless. He had forgotten that changes could only be applied when the Mirror’s surface was once again a reflection. That brought his plans to a grinding halt. Checking his points, he saw he had enough remaining for one more Blessing. [Memories of a Past Life] was another essential, but he considered saving up his points for an Unlock. Increased game function seemed more important than an individual upgrade.
It crossed Azarus’s mind that if the Blessings only applied between runs, it was probably the same for the Unlocks, and therefore [Followers]. Unfortunately, that meant the screens were not to blame for Granon’s absence. He mentally shrugged to himself. They were already enemies. There was no reason not to blame the screens.
Azarus went over the Unlocks again. He dismissed [Champion Quests] as a lesser version of [Chosen One]. His primary goal was to communicate with Moka. With that covered, [Chosen One] bumped down the list of his priorities. After narrowing down his options, only one stood out to him as something he might regret not purchasing earlier rather than later. Decision made, he saw no reason to wait until the next run to act. A quick glance revealed he had enough points for one more Blessing, and he could use his Unlock Token. It was best to rip off the bandaid now, before the screens gave him a reason to hesitate.
Congratulations!
You have purchased the Blessing [Memories of a Past Life]! You may apply this Blessing to a Champion between runs.
-
Congratulations!
You have exchanged your [Unlock Token] to purchase [Followers]! This function will be automatically applied at the end of your current run.
Azarus stretched, trying to shake loose the draining feeling that accompanied each purchase, excluding using the token. As much as he was looking forward to seeing the two Blessings in action, he was equally excited to see what the second Trial had in store. If the pattern stayed the same, there would be some sort of village in an unfamiliar landscape. He crossed his fingers, hoping this one did not contain humans. The last thing he needed was Moka building siege weapons to mount a one-woman war.
A quick glance showed Moka still jumping cactuses. Above her head, a button appeared.
[Begin Second Trial]
Azarus braced himself for another stream of screens and choices, then pressed the button. He viewed the new screens through [Divine Insight’s] lens.
New Skill Selection!
Generating Skills based on actions [Moka] took during the first Trial…
[Create Blueprints: Heavy Weaponry]: Using her Major gift of Savvy, Moka may generate blueprints for a Heavy Weapon she can build with the tools and materials on hand.
[Specialized Trapmaking]: Moka’s Moderate gifts of Reason and Foresight enhance this ability, allowing her to create traps tailored to a specific outcome.
[Deconstruction]: Making use of her Major Savvy and Moderate Reason, Moka may take things apart with ease, allowing them to be repurposed.
Azarus took a moment to appreciate [Divine Insight]. Instead of cryptic descriptions he was used to, the uses of the Skills were stated outright. It made the choice near effortless. The irony of [Create Blueprints: Heavy Weaponry] appearing after he had imagined Moka building siege weapons was not lost on him. He was almost tempted to choose it, just to see what she could do. Almost. Until he could communicate with Moka, he had no intentions of equipping her for battle.
A flash of hesitation passed through Azarus’s consciousness as he reached out. The skinwalker was a powerful foe, especially if the Trials increased in difficulty. Images of Moka’s massacre flashed through Azarus’s mind. It was not worth the risk. He selected [Deconstruction].
New Spell Selection!
Generating available Spells from [Peasant] Archetype…
[Create: Food and Water]: They can take your land, your grain, and your dignity, but not your magic.
[Summon: Nail]: Somewhere in the world there is a nail standing too tall, about to be hammered down. Summon it to you.
[Mud-ball]: Channel your anger into a ball of mud packed with sticks and stones. Hurl it.
Azarus blinked at the descriptions, before remembering he had forgotten to use [Divine Insight]. It did not matter now, as the Spells were rather straightforward, but the vague explanations were back. He supposed he did not mind seeing their evocative style occasionally.
Again, the decision was quick. As much as Azarus would like to give Moka an outlet for her anger, or the ability to summon nails, it was not happening. Nails were just small piercing weapons and a boulder of mud would just scratch the surface of Moka’s anger. [Create: Food and Water] was the only option. He hoped he would not have to watch her try to drown someone with it.
Initiating Trial Two!
In the Mirror of Eons, Moka jumped over a cactus. When she landed, tri-colored flames rolled out from the point of impact in a ring. Everything changed. She stood, looking refreshed in a new, dark navy blue coat with horn buttons. She had a dark gray, corded rope slung over one shoulder and a leather duffel bag hanging off the other. Looking around, she blinked as if trying to remember what she had been doing.
It was evening in a wasteland. Two moons hung low in the shy, one fat and orange, the other a purple sliver. Dry, desiccated trees littered the landscape, sticking out of dirt on the verge of turning to sand. Moka stepped on a fallen branch as she took in her surroundings. It crumbled to dust beneath her fancy leather shoes. Raising a hand over her brow to block out the moons’ light, she looked toward a cheerful campfire in the distance.
The well-dressed goblin jerked back as a screen popped into place inches from her nose. The Mirror of Eons displayed the notification for Azarus to read.
Welcome, Champion of Azarus. Your task is to find the [Hero] and change their fate according to your god’s Domain. To aide your quest and reward your efforts, your god has granted you:
Azarus acknowledged this Trial’s task, a hero instead of a village this time, then skipped past reading the rest of the screens’ pontification. Instead, he looked at Moka through [Divine Insight].
Moka, Champion of Azarus
Archetype - [Peasant]
Class - [Architect]
Bloodline - Locked
Gifts:
Natural - Minor Vigor, Luck, and Knack
Class - Moderate Reason and Foresight
Major Savvy
Achievement - Minor Violence
Skills:
[Good Enough]
[Course-Correct]
[Deconstruction]
Spells:
[Create: Food and Water]
Moka herself was already heading toward the campfire in the distance. She skulked along, sticking to the shadows. Every few steps, she would stop and look up and around, as if searching for watchful eyes. Azarus commended her efforts, urging her to look harder.
To Azarus’s dismay, Moka’s eyes slid off the speck, following her from a few hundred feet up. The [Windstepper Griffin], as [Divine Insight] labeled the creature, stalked the goblin from afar, crawling on its belly in mid-air as if the sky were a solid platform. Heedless of the danger, Moka continued toward the fire.