Nathan had been tricked, backstabbed, and quite possibly bamboozled, but more importantly, he was cold, and wet, and also cold. Buckets of water weighed him down as he pulled himself over the stones that made up the side of the lake and collapsed onto the ground, the pain he’d undergone replaced by fatigue and stress. There was a splash as Lindon and Jason hopped up beside him, their fur matted and wet. The two dogs tensed and shook off the lake water that clung to their fur. Dirty water rained down on him and as he held up his hands protectively five other shadows quickly joined in the fun, the remaining puppies gathering together to jump onto Nathan’s prone figure and inspect him curiously.

There was a streak of purple across his vision as one of the puppies clambered directly onto his chest, pawing indelicately at the eye that had appeared there. It was Andross. The Maltese shih tzu’s actions sent a strange pang of unease through Nathan’s body, but even when the dog touched the eye directly, he didn’t feel pain. He raised his head, startling Jake and Jin who had drawn close, and stared at the new addition to his body.

The third eye had a deep blue iris, distinctly different from his normal almond coloured eyes. It was also larger, and didn’t actually provide him any sight whatsoever. As he gazed at it, it gazed back, and he shivered.

“This’ll make dating hard, but my anxiety was already doing that for me,” Nathan said, just loud enough that his words would reach the eye.

If somebody could hear him, they didn’t respond. The blue box had said he had one viewer. A person watching him, and his movements. The thought was strange, and more than a little disturbing. The eye didn’t pay attention to him for long and moved from side to side as the dogs crowded around him and looked up at it with curiosity. Some barked, while others like Zorian and Andross simply watched the new addition.

The smallest dog, Rei, raised a paw toward Nathan. The puppy’s eyes were filled with concern, and he gave Rei a weak smile as he took the paw in his hand. A blue box appeared the moment he touched the animal.

[Rei has initiated a companion pact. Would you like to make Rei your companion? Y/N. Note: Establishing a bond with a beast will grant you access to their quirk.]

“This again?” Nathan groaned, his emotions in turmoil but the presence of the puppies helping immensely. “Hey system, I have no idea what you are, but I didn’t agree to kill you. Can you throw me a bone and tell me what that message means?”

He wasn’t expecting an answer, but to his surprise another blue box appeared in front of him, followed by more.

[Companion pact: A companion pact will allow you to access part of your companion’s powers in the form of a quirk. In return, part of your attributes and abilities will be accessible by your companion in the form of a quirk. Warning: Creating multiple bonds will strain your soul. Iron-ranked bonding limit: 8.]

[Quirks: A quirk is a type of power granted through a bond between two parties. There are four types of quirks. Stat quirks, ability quirks, elemental quirks, and achievement quirks. Bonding with different items, companions, and potions will always grant a quirk determined by the type of bond created and the attributes and abilities of the bonded parties. Quirks beyond iron-rank cannot currently be slotted. Promoting your beast rank, stat rank, or elemental rank enables usage of higher ranked quirks.]

“At least someone around here knows how to show some kindness,” Nathan read carefully. “Thanks for that. No chance you can tell me what these uhh, different quirk types are? Am I saying that right?”

[Elemental quirks: An elemental quirk acts in the same manner as an elemental slot, providing an affinity or spell belonging to a single element. Current slot rank: Iron-rank.]

[Stat quirks: A stat quirk acts in the same manner as stat slots, providing a physical boost to one of your base attributes. Current slot rank: Iron-rank.]

[Ability quirks: The ability quirk is unique to the quirk slot. It allows you to use a skill or ability beyond your physical or magical capabilities. Current slot rank: Iron-rank.]

[Achievement quirks: An achievement quirk acts in the same manner as an achievement slot, providing the same effect as a held achievement. Current slot rank: Iron-rank.]

“Woah, hey, you’re pretty nice Mr System.”

Before the words had left his lips a new blue box made itself visible, almost benign in its appearance. He’d seen it before when he’d first arrived in this place.

[Counter mission proposal: Defend Gerasha against the Celestial-touched. Difficulty: Legendary. Reward: One legendary item, potion, or skill of choice. Accept? Y/N.]

“No,” Nathan crushed its hopes immediately.

The dang thing wasn’t giving him knowledge for free, but he’d suspected that from the beginning. Back on Earth his computer couldn’t ask for things so he'd thought this system might be similar, but it was acting like it was a living and sentient being.

Rei pawed at him again and he gazed into the puppy’s white irises, unknowing innocence and naivety flowing within them. The puppy was small, its bone-white fur hiding a soft belly and bony sides. It was also the first puppy that had come into the pound he’d worked in, and so it trusted him the most. He stroked Rei's soft fur, ignoring the system and the eye for a moment as he let calm bliss take over.

“Companions, huh? Sure, that sounds like fun. I know I could use some awesome companions right now.”

[You have accepted your first companion pact with Rei (Beast): Barbet. Rank: Iron. Congratulations!]

[You have gained access to Rei’s quirk: Stamina I.]

[Stamina I (stat quirk): Provides the benefits of the stat slot: stamina I. Category: Might. Rank: Iron-ranked. Effect: Required food intake and energy required to do physical activities is reduced by a quarter. Equip stamina I? Y/N. Available quirk slots: 4.]

“Wait, what? That actually sounds really handy. Yes, absolutely.”

Nathan’s chest tugged and he gasped as a flood of energy and strength flowed through his veins from deep within. The third eye on his skin glanced at him and then at Rei, but he ignored it in favor of exploring the new connection he held with the white furred puppy. It was clear that he hadn’t just received a quirk. He could feel where Rei was, even without keeping his eyes on the dog. He could also vaguely feel the puppy’s emotions, and he was sure that the dog could feel his in return.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Rei panted happily, breaking out of Nathan’s grip and strutting around the others as his paws tiptoed across the stones. The pack gazed at Rei in confusion, and after a quick pause they piled onto him, biting, and gnawing playfully at his side and limbs. Rei yipped at them, and Nathan laughed, pushing each one back one by one. The moment he grazed their bodies blue boxes swarmed around him.

[Andross has initiated a companion pact. Would you like to make Andross your companion? Y/N.]

[Lindon has initiated a companion pact. Would you like to make Lindon your companion? Y/N.]

[Warning! Multiple beasts have initiated companion pacts. Would you like to accept? Y/N.]

Nathan didn’t hesitate to accept each one, and a flood of energy, power, and emotions flowed through him as he did so. One by one each puppy went still, and he felt a sharp tug in his chest as he bonded with all seven. The System had warned him there would be a strain, but now that he’d actually gone ahead and done it, he could feel the each bond gripping onto the depths of his being, weighing him down and pulling him in all directions as emotions flooded through him. For a single moment he collapsed, unable to handle the pressure, but then he explored the emotions he was receiving, and a flood of warmth, love, laughter, and childish innocence caressed his soul. All of the dogs were barking excitedly, unaware of what was happening but just happy to be part of it, and in return their emotions eased the burden he was feeling, until he was able to stand up and wipe a brow that had filled with pools of sweat.

Seven bonds had been created and seven quirks shared.

[Fire affinity (elemental quirk): Provides the benefits of the elemental slot: fire affinity. Category: Elemental. Rank: Iron-ranked. Effect: You will be able to manipulate fire to a small extent, you will be able to increase the heat of flames around you, and you can walk over light flames without being hurt. Equip fire affinity? Y/N. Available quirk slots: 3.]

[Earth affinity (elemental quirk): Provides the benefits of the elemental slot: earth affinity. Category: Elemental. Rank: Iron-ranked. Effect: You will be able to manipulate earth to a small extent, you will be able to move the earth around you, and you will be able to sense which materials make up the earth around you. Equip earth affinity? Y/N. Available quirk slots: 3.]

[Time affinity (elemental quirk): Provides the benefits of the elemental slot: time affinity. Category: Elemental. Rank: Iron-ranked. Effect: You will be able to manipulate time to a small extent. Equip time affinity? Y/N. Available quirk slots: 3.]

[Air affinity (elemental quirk): Provides the benefits of the elemental slot: air affinity. Category: Elemental. Rank: Iron-ranked. Effect: You will be able to manipulate winds to a small extent, your steps will be lighter, and you will move faster. Equip air affinity? Y/N. Available quirk slots: 3.]

[Shadow affinity (elemental quirk): Provides the benefits of the elemental slot: shadow affinity. Category: Elemental. Rank: Iron-ranked. Effect: You will be able to manipulate shadows to a small extent, you will see better in the dark, and you will be harder to see in the dark. Equip shadow affinity? Y/N. Available quirk slots: 3.]

[Nature affinity (elemental quirk): Provides the benefits of the elemental slot: nature affinity. Category: Elemental. Rank: Iron-ranked. Effect: You will be able to manipulate plants and naturally occurring elements to a small extent, you will be granted limited communication with nature, and studying the plants around you will grant you knowledge of their quirks. Equip nature affinity? Y/N. Available quirk slots: 3.]

“Alright, alright, let’s just get our heads together and work out what to do now,” Nathan tried to get a grip on the smile that had spread uncontrollably across his lips. “Gather around, gather around.”

The barking and emotions of the excited puppies overwhelmed Nathan as he moved through the cavern, caution marking his every step. The light flitting in through the cracks above was getting stronger, and he could feel air filtering through an entrance. After a few more steps and a sharp turn he found a hole in the cavern leading directly into open air. He hesitated, but Jake and Rei dashed past him, stepping out into the light and quickly being joined by the rest of the pack. Lindon and Jason rolled over in unison as they touched the light, allowing the warmth of the sun to rub their damp bellies and evaporate the water they hadn’t been able to shake off.

“Ugh, boys, gimme a second here. I’m not as fit as you are,” Nathan groaned. “And don’t go too far, we don’t know what’s out there!”

In truth, he was feeling better than ever. Rei’s stamina quirk had given him a boost that was immediately noticeable. He felt like he’d gotten a full sleep and every step he took was lighter and stronger. He used the time he had to read over the quirks his bonds had gifted him, and he decided he had to be practical in his usage.

"How do I... oh!"

The quirk slotting process was quick and simple. The moment he thought of a quirk it appeared in his mind as a shining orb and when he thought about it being slotted there was a tug in his chest and a rush of energy. It felt like he was filling a gap in his being that he hadn't realised existed. He tried changing a few of the quirks around and smiled as he gained a grasp on the mechanic. He only had four quirk slots, but each quirk could be swapped out for another whenever he chose to. Soon the quirk section of his status screen had changed dramatically.

Quirk slots (7 quirks detected)

1. Stamina I (iron-ranked).

2. Air affinity (iron-ranked).

3. Shadow affinity (iron-ranked).

4. Earth affinity (iron-ranked).

He’d chosen his quirks based on their practical applications. There was a lot of air around him, and even if his feet didn’t quite feel like they were gliding on air, the resistance he felt as he moved had lessened dramatically. Shadow affinity granted him a limited ability to see in the dark, and the water around him became crystal clear. He could also see most of the individual fur strands of the puppies that barked at him to join them. As for the earth affinity, it was probably the most useful because of how much earth surrounded him but he wasn’t sure how to use it yet.

“Alright, alright, stop your barking. What is it?” Nathan stepped up to the entrance, hesitating as light hit his damp clothing. “Oh…”

The instant he left the cavern he was confronted with a steep incline filled with rocks and plants. He was standing at the edge of a mountain, but closer to the bottom than the top, and as he gazed at the alien landscape of Gerasha he gasped.

There was a river in the sky, but instead of water it was composed of clouds the size of mountains. Before his eyes the sky was being torn asunder as each cloud was sucked into an endless stream that rippled and cascaded across the air as it flowed into a single point above him, forming an orb with cloud matter was so thick that it was impossible to see beyond it. It was bigger than the mountain he stood on and stabbing into it was a gargantuan spire.

The spear-like structure was larger than any other Nathan had seen before, composed of twisted iron and many-angled pipes. It was close enough that he could see its bigger details, but too far to reach quickly. Three rings circled the spire, two and a half-elevated platforms split by massive pylons the size of skyscrapers. Each ring was flat, with the exception of three large towers, one per ring, that gazed down onto the lower levels, morbid monoliths that stabbed into the sky and clouds.

The first ring wrapped around the base of the spire, massive trees and roots spewing forth across its surface to overtake the metal that made up the foundations of the massive structure. Nathan had to crane his neck to see the remains of the second ring, large portions of the back side of the structure were missing, metal edges shorn and dismembered as though carved through by a massive hacksaw. Beyond the damage he could see the tips of buildings and trees caressing the sky, but all he could see of the third ring was its metal underside.

It was civilisation... or signs of it at least.

A bark stole Nathan’s attention and he saw Zorian sitting beside him, the puppy’s tail swishing happily from side to side as the spire came into view. The welsh corgi was the only one of its brethren to pay any attention to the stream of clouds, his eyes glued onto the orb and shining with intelligence. Nathan wondered what the puppies had received in return when he’d bonded with them.

“I hate to break it to you, but that’s not a giant tennis ball,” Nathan said. “But maybe someone inside has one for you.”

Zorian’s head swiveled toward him as he spoke, and the puppy thumped his tail against the stone ground in excitement. With a single leap he bounded down the stones to join the pack and Nathan looked back at the cavern and frowned. It was dark, and even if he hadn’t encountered anything other than the celestial emissary, the place gave him the creeps. Stumbling into strange megastructures wasn’t his idea of a good time, but it was a sign of civilization and the best hope he had of finding someone, or at least getting proper shelter for himself and the dogs.

“Hey System, I know I didn’t accept your quest, but no chance you can tell me if going there is a good idea or not?”

There was no response. He glanced down at the eye in his chest and saw it peering up at the orb of clouds in the sky.

“Okay then, I guess this is one small step for man, and one even smaller step for puppy kind.”