I was awake before I opened my eyes. I felt... fuller. Even as I just woke up from a no-doubt deep slumber, I could tell my thoughts were clearer and faster. My sensations more precise, my intellect more developped. In a sense I was ... more crisp, more real. This was accompanied by the feeling that all that was just regaining something once lost. But that there was still more to become again.

The bed was firm, though some might say stone-hard, and the wall cold. A simple pleasure in this land where the sun had not yet set. I opened my eyes to a skull staring closely at my face.

"Hi."

I did not flinch, for surprise and fear were emotions of lesser mortals. I did back up slowly as to see the whole room better, but that was not an uncontrolled reaction born of an instinct of self preservation. Not at all.

The room was the same as when I'd fallen asleep after talking with Lyn; same bland featurless walls, same illusion of a flame, same axe I'd taken from my latest fight resting against the wall. Except for one key difference, namely the skull oozing a malefic aura staring at me while being at less than an arm's length from my face. It was resting atop an armored form split in the midsection by two rows of teeths and an eye in the middle. the bust was a solid chunk of a dark green metal with pieces of ribs jutting out, like they'd been melded inside. Some were golden, others had a bronze sheen, even if most seemed normal. From under and the top of the armor, you could peek at shifting and flowing bones. The lower section was only a wall of hanging bands of various origins. Some were made of various leathers, others chains of varying sizes, some were silk and other were parchment that had weathered the ages. Though not one was the same as another, they all had one common point : scriptures of unintelligible languages were written, carved or painted on them and the words oozed arcane auras, some radiating divine warmth, others foul corruption.

"I know you're not deaf whackadoo. Hi." The skeleton repeated.

"Greetings." My voice was a lot deeper than it used to be.

It conjured a chair from the sandstone that catched it as it sat in the air, looking satisfied. How that was apparent with just a skull, a skirt and a trunk I could not say.

"May I enquire as to what... you are doing in my room ?"

"Well, waiting mostly. Sitting too." After having said its unhelpful piece, it stayed silent for an uncomfortable amount of time until it cracked up.

"Sorry, my sense of humour only gets worse with time. I'm here because I have an offer that might- will interest you. I shall teach you mastery over the arcane and offer up the wealth of information I've collected in the centuries I have lived through, and you shall help me try to kill War. You might know him as Country Razer, the Butcher of Cairnos, Titanslayer, Sea-Splitter or Markus, the owner of the Pit. What say you ?"

I was most definitely interested, though that last part sounded slightly concerning. Well, if I just had to try...

"Yes."

A severed arm appeared out of thin air where it would have been if it had arms, and the stranger fist pumped it in the air as it said "Yesssss. Oh you have no idea how hard it is finding buffoons like you and I. Now just let me bind our souls..." What ? My vision doubled as another plane briefly supperposed itself to our current one in my vision. The inside was pitch-black, and before me stood a titanic onelisk of shifting azure hues, from which hung golden chains and bonds towards other directions, fading in the seemingly endless and empty expanse. One such chain snaked towards me and as quickly as the vision had appeared, it faded away as if a moving shadow in a dark room that went back to its original spot when you blinked.

"There, should've opened up your soulsight. Well someone's coming. Smell ya later." He disappeared in the sand with his chair, not leaving a single trace. I hadn't even gotten his name, and I wasn't too keen on the whole "signing my soul away" deal. One thing's for sure though, I wouldn't tell Markus.

I pushed myself up with my six arms- wait what ? I took a good look at myself. I stood taller than before, and had two new pairs of arms to play with. Not that I'd complain, I was overjoyed. They all looked exactly the same, and I could see that the shift also added muscles and meat to my bones. The height I'd gained wasn't just the arms, I didn't have two new pair of pectoral muscles, but my legs had gotten longer too. The robe I'd tied around my waist looked more like a small loincloth now.

The knocks on my door took me out of my momentary distraction. I took my axe and dagger in opposing hands, and opened the door. Lyn stared at me gawking, though I couldn't see her very well since the doorframe now got in the way. She mock-wiped an imaginary tear "They grow up so fast you don't even realise it until it's too late." Then she burst out laughing and smiling. "Now that's just a plain awesome first shift. I'm kinda jealous, mine was much less impressive. Come here big boy."

I stepped out of my room, ducking under the doorframe. "You may stop treating me as an infant now."

"Wow what was that ? 8 words ? You even learned how to talk !" I decided not to answer this low blow. I had been perfectly capable of speech. I just... Upon reflection, I had not been as capable as I was today. This brought forth many questions though, since in addition to simply growing up overnight I'd apparently learned some vocabulary.

I followed her outside and behind the walls, where I trained with Ben and Jim. There were now a number of tents seeming as if they belonged to merchants or a caravan some distance away and... The mountains had disappeared. I understood the Pit was actually moving across the desert, though it still kept the opening in its crescent pointed towards the fixed sun.

Markus and my duo of mentors awaited there. They all seemed excited after seeing me, which was not a good sign.

"Read your species and affinities to me" Markus commanded. I briefly considered lying, but decided against it as he may had known more than I did. To assume you knew more than another was the way of the fool.

Species [ Hecatoncheires - 1st Shift ]

Affinity [ Soul Touched ]

Feats [ None ]

Kills [10]

"A spiritual affinity... interesting." He simply stared at me and so did I in return. I could feel gears clicking in his head, though which ones I could not tell. I had no knowledge of how the affinities worked. Was this a racial trait of my kin ? Or had the skeleton given this to me ?

Jim and Ben simply looked hurt "An affinity for the arcane ? What are you, a twig ?"

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"I thought we taught you better than this."

"We're not mad, just disappointed." I was speechless. Was this really a disgrace in their eyes ?

"Bet he thinks he's hot shit now."

"Aye, I think we ought to beat that out of him." They were grinning to each other now, and I understood two things. Firstly, they'd been joking. Secondly, I was in deep shit.

"Well, let's start fighting practice hm ? Two on one, us against you. Let's get you used to those new arms."

///

Six arms weren't even close to enough. I was tossed around like a ragdoll as soon as I punched and did not pull back my arm fast enough. The axe had not been of any help either, they were just too strong. Fifth Shift, as I learned. It hadn't just been a one-sided beatdown, they'd given me important lessons along the way. Important lessons and bruises, but pain had always been the very best teacher. The day had passed quickly, and I had seen neither Markus nor Lyn who was still supposed to teach me magic. I still fought in the arena, moving to the circles nearer to the centre, and had butchered my opponent. He had been at the first shift too, the Pit only matching fighters of equal rank, no matter the difference in skill. He had been strong and fast, but all too human. I'd lashed out with dagger axe and stick, and the onslaught had broken through eventually. Relentless offence had a way of breaking the ones relying on cunning and dexterity. I could see other races in the arena, more common at this shift than the last it seemed, though humans still made up the bulk of the fighters.

I did not want to take more lives meaninglessly, so I stopped there. One might say that killing just to be safe from undetermined consequences at the hand of Markus did not hold enough meaning to justify taking a life, but I valued mine more than theirs. I would not go poking around the sleeping hydra, especially if it had split a sea and razed a country.

I went to the dining hall alone this time, and waited in the queue for my meal. A faun that indeed smelled the same as a goat served me a weird mush that I recognized as mix of cereals, vegetables and meat. What animal had this come from ? Did it come from humans ? Did all sentient races have the same potential for creation ? If not, that would mean some races' lives had more value than others. Mayhaps some had innate arcane prowess wherehas others thrived in building or forging. Then, their value would be decided by what I wanted to discover. If I became a master at one field, was it alright to exterminate a race that only had expertise in this domain ?

I stopped the thought there, recognizing arrogance. I could become the best in a field, but that did not mean others couldn't create interesting things to discover in that same field. They might not have been better, but they were different and could create special things. The more I thought about it, the more I valued life.

Lost in my mind I sat at a random table with a spot for me. After eating half of my mushy meal mindlessly, I observed the table's occupants, listening intently despite the strong ambiant noise. The first was a battle-scarred human in leather armor and a blond woman with red eyes pointy ears and fangs.

She wore a white robe and if I'd learned anything in my brief life, it was that any who wore this was not to be trusted. It lacked the golden symbols that had been present on the other priest's armor, but I did not let my guard down because of a simple detail. I tried to be as inconspicuous as possible while still observing them and finishing my meal.

The man had those features that made you think of an unwaveringly loyal, trustworthy dog that's been through a lot. He had the leader's charisma that made you want to respect and be loved by him "Yeah he's a bad matchup, but I'm sure that I can take him if you work your magic."

The woman had a certain seductive charm, as if a dangerous flower that was well worth the risk. "I'm just warning you. You've been a great customer so I just wanted to give you some advice. I'll still provide my services, so long as you pay the price."

The man snorted "I've done my homework, your advice is not needed. What'll it be you want this time ? An artifact ? Gold ? A trade of service ?"

She shook her head "I don't need anyone dead at the moment. I'll be sure to ask you if the need arises. I've had something in mind actually. I trust you've heard of the Aurelian market ?"

I stopped observing them after understanding the man was an assassin. No need to make him work overtime. "Of course."

"I need an entry as a member of the maids that take care of the clients." There was a pregnant pause in the conversation.

"You're lucky I can provide... and I know better than to ask questions. Make sure you drain Flavius and curse him properly, and you'll have the entry when the Pit stops at Telmar."

"Don't worry he won't get a blink of sleep tonight." She winked playfully with a wide grin and left. The man sighed in a way that made him sound older by decades than what he seemed, as if he'd just avoided a great danger he knew he'd have to confront again. "Too good at her job that one."

I left as soon as I finished my plate. It seemed this Pit was dangerous in more ways than the arena's duels.

///

After this busy day, I only craved the sweet embrace of my bed. And so, my surprise was understandable as I found it already occupied by the morning's soulbinding skeleton, taking what I assumed to be a suggestive pose as floating arms traced symbols on the walls and ground.

"I thought these rooms were private and could stop intruders. What gives ?"

"You are an intruder more than I am here. You occupy this room temporarily but I'm the one who made it. You can think of me as your ... friendly archmage ex-king lich landlord, that just so happened to be the architect of the building he owns." He nodded thoughtfully as if that had made perfect sense.

"Anyway, wanna learn magic ?"

The fatigue of the day faded away, replaced by a burning interest.

"Tartarus yes." The skull bended in a way that made the mouth reach a bit higher and flatten the orbits, as to give the impression of a smile. The sight was disturbing to say the least, but I only took it as a promise of the things I could do once I learned.

"Well I'm going to teach you the manipulation of primal magic, so open your ears unless you want me to do it for you." An arm appeared out of thin air and simply ripped down the middle, torn as if it was paper. The bones inside cracked with a loud shattering noise, sending splinters flying in various directions as the blood gushed downards only to be absorbed by the ground. "It's one of the least complex, though by no means one of the easiest to learn. Simple does not equate easy, and this one has a multitude of applications."

"Primal energy flows through each living being. It is nigh impossible to create artificially, and as soon as a creature dies, its energy will soon flow out and dissipate. To manipulate this energy in dead beings is very useful and called necromancy, though sadly illegal for pathetic reasons. Especially when looking at other types of magic... Illusionists think completely destroying someone's sense of reality is a "cool prank" and no one says a thing. Mental specialists can rewire personalities and make them feel pain on unimaginable levels. But I find a way to make dead bodies useful and suddenly it's "dark magic" and "an abomination against all that is holy and good."" ...

"Forgive my rants, it's not like they can do anything about it." He chuckled. "Primal magic has a whole lot of other uses, especially on live subjects. You can mend someone's flesh or atrophy their muscles. You can stick back cut-off limbs or lock their bones together. But that takes a very high level of mastery and power. Practicing on dead flesh is easiest if you don't have a knack for usurping another's life-force and forcefully making it do what you want, necromancy is the way to start. So anyway, here's what we're going to do today : you're going to learn anatomy because that makes things a lot easier." The ground parted and he brought up the cadaver of the human I'd defeated today, along with a panoply of metal tools that would look more at home in the belt of a torturer than a doctor.

"Let's practice medicine."