Adam entered the cave mouth of the Labyrinth and stepped into a 20th-century-style waiting room with a set of closed double swinging doors, a pedestal, and a waiting area. The floor was covered with white tile, while the walls looked to be some kind of marble. The lighting came from some sconces on the wall that were obviously technological in design. There were even chairs and recliners off to one side that looked to be an area one could go to have a seat and take a break.
Adam double-checked the room with his Scan and True Sight abilities. Nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary. The only Mana he detected was coming from the portal he’d come through which led back to the dungeon world, Bounty. Off to the side of the double doors was a pedestal with the travel node on it. Since he’d stepped inside to find a place where he could try to look over his Status Screen, Adam moved over to the waiting area, picked a comfortable-looking recliner, and sat down.
Adam opened his Status Screen and noted that it had updated to show his Three Classes with their levels in parentheses.
Basic Class: Agent of Chaos (50)
Advanced Class: Envoy of Chaos (50)
Master Class: Ambassador of Chaos (50)
Some progress had been made with his attributes as well. Instead of “???” for each attribute his Strength, Agility, Dexterity, Endurance, Constitution, Perception, Intelligence, Wisdom, Willpower, Charisma, and Luck were all listed as “? + 200” while his Chaos Attribute was listed as “350.” That made sense. He’d received five points of Chaos per level for fifty levels as an Envoy of Chaos, and two points of Chaos per level for fifty levels as an Ambassador of Chaos. So, two hundred and fifty plus one hundred for three hundred and fifty points of Chaos.
Granted, he still didn’t understand what that attribute represented but at least he knew the Class system and perks worked. He needed to figure out what the values of his health, mana, or stamina were. Adam thought for a moment and then decided Stutterstep was a good candidate to test what his mana was actually sitting at.
Adam used his Mold Chaos ability to set up fifty small targets on thin metal stands within 10 feet. Then he created a timelapse camera on a tripod that could take in the whole area and record him. His health regeneration replaced the mass he utilized to create the objects almost immediately, which indicated to him that his health regeneration was far above what he had listed. Those question marks had some weight to their value. Adam reviewed what his Mana and Mana Regeneration had been before and figured that at most he should be able to make 34 attacks in a single second based on his maximum mana that he remembered.
The math was simple. A second attack cost 50 mana. A third cost 100 and a fourth cost 200 and it kept doubling from there. To make 34 attacks would cost 214.7 billion mana. To make 35 attacks would cost 249.4 billion mana. If he could make 34 attacks but not 35 attacks within that single second he’d know that his mana pool was right around the 391.8 billion he had before. Probably just a little more with the extra 200 points in his willpower attribute.
Adam created a timer that would be visible on screen and also made sure that the camera was recording in slow motion then he created a longsword and waited for his health and mana to top off before he spent all his mana on Stutterstep and attacked as many targets as he could.
To him, it just seemed like he was moving through one of his kata’s and before he knew it he was done. He took a breath, stored the sword in his Shadow Vault, and allowed some of his mana to replenish before he activated technomancy and watched the recording. Adam counted the attacks and watched as the time crossed one second just before his 35th attack.
Adam waited almost 17 minutes to recover his mana, which is how long he expected it to take. He set up 23 new targets, prepped the camera, pulled out his long sword, and activated Stutterstep only spending 209.7 million mana. The mana he’d spent was replenished by his Mana regeneration instantly.
Adam checked the footage and the timer and was satisfied that his mana seemed to be exactly where it had been before The System had reabsorbed, or absorbed, the multitude. So, if he was correct his attributes were all sitting at around 39.1 billion, except for Chaos of course. He should have around 15.6 billion hit points and 391.8 billion stamina and mana. A little more because the Class levels he had gained were adding points to those attributes.
What did that mean towards attacks and such? He specifically remembered reading something about damage caps. Could this system keep his damage capped no matter how high his attributes were? Adam didn’t think that was the case because if it could cap his attributes it would have. Maybe there was a point where The System stopped counting the numbers? That could be possible, lazy programming but possible.
Adam considered everything and then decided it was time to head into this Labyrinth and see test his findings. That’s when he made another discovery. His Mold Chaos ability didn’t allow him to reabsorb the items he created. He could utilize the ability to make items from his mass and his health regeneration seemed to replenish the mass he utilized, but he couldn’t reabsorb the items. Adam went over and touched the targets he’d made and placed them in his Shadow Vault for now. It was only a 10-foot cubic area but it was enough to hold the little target stands he’d created. His body wasn’t acting like a blob anymore. It seemed that The System had adjusted him back to a more humanoid form so it could adjust some things.
Adam finished picking up all the targets he’d made. Once he was done, he over to the Pedestal and placed his hand on the Node there.
Welcome to Labyrinth Entry Way Bounty Zeta 1 or Bounty Z1.
Congratulations you have picked up your 1st labyrinth Node Point. Once discovered Node Points may be used to fast travel to other unlocked Node Points throughout the Labyrinth. As this is your first Node Point within this network the fast Travel option is not available to you.
New User Message
This Message is displayed for all New Users of the Labyrinth Travel System, commonly referred to as “The Labyrinth”
The Labyrinth is a travel network between all Universes, Dimensions, Realms, etc… within The System. Unlike the various locations mentioned a moment ago, the Labyrinth is not limited by environmental settings.
There are designated safe areas within the Labyrinth. These will be marked and accessible to all. Otherwise, the Labyrinth can be quite dangerous, tread carefully.
Adam closed the message window. There hadn’t been a lot of info in the message, but it looked like one aspect of the Labyrinth was still the same. It could be used as a way to travel between locations. Now he just had to figure out how to use the Labyrinth to get to his family and friends.
Adam pushed against the swinging doors, stepped through another magical curtain of energy, and froze. He was at the top of a short stairway that led down to a concrete floor. Off to his right was a set of train tracks with a landing for a train or subway car. Adam could hear rumbling coming from one end of the tracks as white light escaped from the tunnel and grew brighter. A moment later a female voice announced.
Arriving at Bounty Zeta 1. Please exit the car if this is your stop and stay clear of all entry and exit points if it is not. We will be stopped for five minutes and then resume our journey to Astrix. Thank you for riding on the Green Line.
Adam watched a subway train, a much cleaner subway train rolled in and stopped. Within moments the doors on the side opened and Adam watched as two groups of five exited the vehicle. One was a group of elves dressed in Chain Armor and the other looked to be a group of humans following some sort of barbarian tradition. Neither was talking to the other as they exited the train car and headed up the stairs. Adam walked down onto the landing as first the humans and then the Elves disappeared through the exit
Adam stepped onto the subway car and found a seat off to the side that wasn’t too near a door. On the car with him were a few other individuals. One was a human male in a dark blue business suit, complete with a tie and briefcase. Another was a female Orc dressed in some exquisite plate mail armor carrying a huge two-handed battle axe. The last individual sitting in the subway car was the most interesting. He was wearing a brown robe and carrying a staff of sorts. Adam’s True Sight and Scan ability flared around the robed individual as he detected condensed pockets of mana all over the man, mostly from his clothing. Adam nodded to the man who smiled and nodded back before his eyes glazed over and Adam could tell he was interacting with his interface.
Adam sat back and waited for the train to get underway. After waiting for five minutes the speaker came to life when the female voice said
Last Boarding Call for the Green Line. Last Boarding Call for the Green Line. The next stop is the city of Astrix. Travel time is approximately two hours.
Last Boarding Call for the Green Line. Last Boarding Call for the Green Line. The next stop is the city of Astrix. Travel time is approximately two hours.
Adam sat back in his seat while he waited for the train to get underway. There was no rush of last-minute passengers because no one else came down the stairs to get on the train. A few moments later a horn went off and the train began moving. Adam looked out the windows and expected the tunnel to go on and on. That didn’t happen. Almost immediately the train left a tunnel behind and exited into empty space. It seemed to be riding tracks that sat on nothing as they wound their way through a course that wasn’t visible. Adam’s Scan and True Sight ability allowed him to see that there was a heavy density of mana outside of the cab but otherwise, the space around the train was empty, except for the track that led off into the distance.
Adam was startled out of his contemplations when the man in the brown robe said, “I’d turn off your sight, looking out into the Abyss can drive one mad,” from only five feet away. Adam had been so engrossed in looking out of the train that he hadn’t even seen the man get up and move closer.
The man just stood there casually as Adam deactivated True Sight and Scan as he said, “I think I would have been okay, I just found it interesting that we’re gliding along on something we can’t see, I’m Adam by the way, you are?”
“I am High Magus Oz, you of course understand why I will not share my full name?” High Magus Oz asked.
“Of course, as my true name is not Adam,” Adam said as he waved his hand toward the outside of the train,” You said that’s the Abyss?” Adam asked.
“There is a dining car on this train, if you’d care to join me I can share what I know while we eat?” High Magus Oz asked.
“But there’s only one car?” Adam said.
“The dining and rest areas are attached dimensionally. Think of the train car as an anchor point to physical reality. The Anchor is only a very small percentage of the space associated with the entire vehicle. If you would care to join me?” High Magus Oz asked again.
Adam looked around and realized that while he’d been distracted the other human and the Orc had already left the cab. He hadn’t even noticed. Adam turned to the High Magus and said, “I would be delighted to,” as he stood.
High Magus Oz turned and walked to ward a door behind him that looked onto the tracks they were leaving behind. When he opened it a portal opened into a lavish dining area with tables and booths, most occupied with waiters and waitresses running around to see to their guest’s needs.
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High Magus Oz walked over to the podium where a humanoid of a race Adam had never encountered before stood. As the High Magus stepped up he said, “Booth for two please?”
“Of course, sir, right this way, the humanoid said as he led them to a wall that had a window that also looked out onto the expanse of nothingness. As they started to sit Adam noticed that they were moving toward a structure that the train was about to pass through. A moment later they were on the other side and he could see an archipelago containing a bright blue-green ocean with many islands on and above it as waterfalls fell from the floating islands into the water and onto the islands below.
“Ah, Heaven’s Gates,” High Magus Oz said. He noticed that Adam hand’t shown any recognition, so continued, “The City Astrix is the Capital of a region known as Heaven’s Gates. There’s a very large ocean with thousands of islands including some floating ones that roam through the sky. In fact, the city of Astrix is on one of the larger Islands as it houses the largest city in this region.”
“And this is all within The System?” Adam asked.
“I knew you were new but that question…Exactly how long have you been a part of the System?”
“Just over half a day,” Adam said honestly.
“And you started on a Dungeon Planet, and you’re not dead?” High Magus Oz said before he raised a hand with two fingers. One of the waitresses saw the gesture, nodded, and ran off.
“I just ordered two drinks. If you don’t mind me asking, where did you come from?”
“That’s a really long story, but I can say that I was in The Multitude when the System absorbed it,” Adam said.
“What was the Multitude?” High Magus Oz asked.
“The Multitude was much like the System is…”
High Magus Oz cut Adam off as he said, “It was an offshoot of the System, or a bastardization by some folks that thought they knew better?”
“The latter,” Adam agreed.
“That happens from time to time. Can’t say I’ve heard of the Multitude, but then again The System encompasses a large area.”
“How large?” Adam asked.
High Magus Oz looked thoughtful as the waiter made his way over to their table and placed a couple of glasses with a blue liquid inside. Adam picked up his glass and looked quizzically at the Hight Magus who said, “The drink is called Heaven’s Kiss. It’s made from the nectar of the Namlar flower found in this region. It’s quite sweet and very potent,”
Adam took a sip of the drink and was surprised by how the liquid vaporized as soon as it entered his mouth. The vapor was immediately absorbed by his skin as he felt the effects of the liquid try to take hold. His attributes allowed him to easily overcome the feeling of intoxication though he could have sworn that he could still feel a slight buzz. That stuff was strong. The flavor wasn’t bad either. It tasted like Mango, Oranges, and Pineapple had wrapped his tongue and nose in their smell and taste simultaneously with all three flavors. It was a very sweet and fruity drink that Adam hadn’t actual drank as he didn’t swallow it, it was inhaled. Adam found it quite refreshing as he thought about how a liquid could vaporize just as it hit a person’s mouth so that it would spread throughout the person’s head. Adam looked at the High Magus, whose face was a little bit shocked, as he set the drink down and said, “Quite Nice and refreshing.”
The High Magus picked his glass up and took a very small sip, as he set the glass back down, “You were supposed to sip the drink, Adam. My apologies for not explaining that before you took a drink. Are you okay?”
“Never better, had a bit of a rush but nothing too harsh,” Adam said.
“Very well, then I’ll get back to explaining about the System. You are on the Green line of the Interdimensional Transit System or I.T.S. Some worlds have compared this to a Train or subway system, while others compare it to airports with flights between locations. Both Analogies would be correct,” The High Magus said as he paused and took a sip of his drink before he continued. The System is vast. It is also populated with races and monsters of all types and levels. As new areas are added to the System they are designated as on the Fringe because the structure of the System’s Realm of Control has a central point from which it is spreading out.”
“How big is The System?” Adam asked.
“It is easier to ask how many stars are in the sky, then multiply that number by another set of stars in the sky?” High Magus Oz said.
“Surely you’re not implying that The System is infinite?” Adam asked.
“Infinite, no, not infinite. But so large as to almost be infinite. For instance, I do not know what this Multitude you speak of is, or was, though The System has absorbed such offshoots in the past, so it is not unheard of. Wherever your multitude was though, you are no longer anywhere near its location,” the High Magus explained.
Adam took a sip of his drink before he continued, “Very well, I’m very far away from anything I’ve ever known. How do I find others from my origin point that are important to me?”
“Such as family and friends?” The High Magus asked.
“Yes,” Adam said.
That’s easy,” High Magus Oz said as he held up a hand to forestall any questions Adam might have. Adam relaxed and let the High Magus continue, “Anyone absorbed by The System has all their skills and levels reset. Additionally they are placed somewhere with progression opportunities within the scope of their new level. If you just arrived, I am unsure why you were placed on a Dungeon World except to say that The System believed you could survive the placement. Your loved ones and friends could be anywhere in the Fringe of the System where the levels of creatures and people fall within the Basic levels of all classes. Eventually, as people that are new to The System level and progress they find a way to make it to one of the Regional Cities like Astrix. These can be reached by trains, ships, teleportation, portal, gate, and several other ways I haven’t mentioned as well as some I probably don’t know about. Once in a regional city, a new member of The System is considered to be fully acclimated to The System. Fully acclimated members of The System can find other fully acclimated members of the System by purchasing their whereabouts from the System Market.”
“You mean I can just go to the System Market and purchase their location? How much does doing so cost?” Adam asked.
“The price is variable, depending on their class and whether they’ve chosen to make it harder for people to purchase that information.” The High Magus explained.
“Let me guess, anyone can purchase this information which can be troublesome if someone has made enemies?” Adam said.
“Got it in one,” The High Magus said as he took another sip of his drink.
“Can I at least verify if they’re alive or dead?” Adam asked.
“Oh yes, That’s much easier and cheaper. You can also purchase an update package that will download into your status screen and notify of you of any changes to that status. Though be warned that the status of an individual is not binary. There are more status conditions than ‘Alive’ or ‘Deceased’. I have heard individuals claim that the conditions ‘Unknown’ and ‘Outside System Limits’ have been seen as well. “
“Thank you for the information. I do have one question, why are you helping me?” Adam asked.
High Magus Oz looked thoughtful for a moment then said, “Honestly, I don’t know. I just knew I needed to be on the Green Line this morning and then I met you. It was obvious you were new to the System. All I ask in return is that someday if the opportunity presents itself, you pay this act of kindness forward.”
“Karma, I can understand that, and I will pay it forward Adam said,” as he took another sip of his drink. “I do have another question, why use trains to get around if teleportation and portals are available?” Adam asked.
As I said you are on the green line. The green line is mostly for Basic class individuals that would like to go to newly established areas or low-level dungeon worlds. The stops are pretty much set and there is a schedule. Granted, it takes a little longer than using a portal or teleporting but the price can’t be beat. Using the trains is free. Food and drink while on the train isn’t, except for water of course, but otherwise, you can safely travel around the fringe of The System and explore the various cities and dungeon worlds for no additional cost. Portals and the like can get expensive. For instance, a portal from Bounty, the Dungeon World you were just on to Astrix would cost just about a million credits. One of the reasons is because there’s a train every two hours but the other is because the distance both across dimensions and spatially is quite far. It takes a very high-level caster or an insane amount of energy for a technological device to open a portal that reaches that far.”
“So what other color lines are there?” Adam asked.
“Yellow Lines are for the Advanced classes. Red is for those with a Master Class. Orange is Heroic, and Legendary is Blue. Though I have never met those that have evolved their Legendary Class I have heard that the Purple line, if you can find it, is for those that have,”
“If you can find it?” Adam asked.
“Yes. Think of the transit system as covering an Onion. The Green line rides around the outside of the onion. The Yellow line goes deeper and connects to some green line stops. There are some Red line stops that connect to the Yellow and Green line but no Green lines have any stops that intersect with the Orange or Blue stops. As I’ve said I’ve never seen a Purple line, those most likely only intersect with the Blue line and I’ve never been on that line.
“Does Astrix have Yellow and Red connections,” Adam asked.
“Yes, it does. If you’re thinking about getting on a Red Line I think there are only three stops total that intersect with the green and yellow lines. Ironically, those connections are the only places the yellow lines intersect with the green lines as well,” The High Magus explained as the waiter returned and took their order. High Magus ordered for both of them and the waiter retreated to put their order in.
“What did you order?” Adam asked.
“They serve a dish that contains a boar equivalent that isn’t too pricey and is quite delicious. I thought you should at least try it before you move on?” High Magus Oz said.
“Very well, do I owe you anything for the meal, I do have credits,” Adam said.
“Don’t worry about it. As I said, just pay it forward. I’m sure you will run into someone someday that is hungry.”
“I have before and I’m sure I will again,” Adam said with a smile, “Still if you had a feeling and sought me out, I have to wonder why?”
“My specific realm of study is fate. While it is true that I am a High Magus, which is an Advanced Class among those that practice magic, I have long sought after and studied the currents of fate. Most think no such thing exists but I have witnessed, more than once, great events following a premonition. Today my premonition told me to be here on the Green Line. Well, not today specifically but for the last week I’ve been riding the Green Line watching for something out of the ordinary and you are the first person I’ve seen that fits that description so I am following my fate, as some would say.”
Adam looked at the High Magus thoughtfully and then said. I need to test something and I’d also like to sever any karma I might owe you. Trust me when I tell you that my fate is often volatile and not always pleasant for those that are close to me So, while I will still do as you have asked and pay it forward, I would also like to do something nice for you. Is there a component or ingredient that is hard to come by that you need to complete some project you’ve been working on?”
“You can create magical components?” The High Magus asked with interest.
“Possibly but I was thinking more of a base material you need to create something. Something you’ve been having a hard time acquiring or getting machined into the shape and size you need,” Adam explained.
“I have been working on a Ring of Protection so that I could adventure into more dangerous areas. The material that would make it work the best is of course Adamantium, though Mithril would work as well. Both are hard to find and once found very expensive to shape.”
“Is the ring for you?” Adam asked.
“Yes.”
“Very well, let me see your hand,” Adam said as he used Mold Chaos to create a finger-size measuring tool. The high mage stuck out his hand and Adam sized his finger with little effort. Next, he used Mold Chaos to create a solid band of Adamantium that should be large enough to be engraved and enchanted in the palm of his right hand and held it up to the High Magus, “As requested, one Adamantium Ring, sized to fit.
“What? How? Is that a conjured item, will it disappear?”
“It is not a conjured item, it is a formed item from raw chaos. Nor will it ever disappear, it is permanent,” Adam said.
“And you can just make a ring made out of Adamantium like that?” The High Magus said with a hint of doubt in his voice.
Adam looked at him quizzically then conjured a bar of Adamantium and set it down on the table, “I believe this bar is worth more than our drinks and our meals?” Adam asked quizzically.
“Put that away Adam, you’ll get us killed!” The High Magus said frantically.
“The ring and the bar are yours take them and hide them away if you think that’s best, I’m not worried about one bar of Adamantium.
High Magus Oz reached out and touched the bar and then the ring which caused both to disappear into this storage as the waiter carrying their meals made his way to their table. Adam watched as the waiter put the plates down and then left.
“I will say thank you for the Bar and also any perceived debt that I may have thought you owed me is cleared between us,” The High Magus said.
Adam nodded and smiled as he smelled the food before him. It smelled eerily familiar to pot roast and bacon. It had purple potato-like sides and carrots which gave the plate a colorful appeal. Adam looked to High Magus Oz as he said, “Thank you for ordering our meals, this looks delicious.
High Magus Oz nodded, picked up his fork, and dug in.
Adam picked up his fork and did the same. They ate in silence except for the occasional groan of pleasure. The meal did taste like a pot roast with the hint of pork though it tasted more like fried bacon than beef. The potatoes and carrots were also quite good with only a hint of salt, pepper, and butter added. Before too long their drinks were emptied and they each received a refill as they finished their meals. Dessert was some sort of light vanilla cake, though the vanilla flavor also included the taste of a fruit he didn’t recognize which was amazing because he of course remembered everything.
“What type of fruit has been added to the cake?” Adam asked.
“It’s called a ‘Heavenly fruit’ and only grows in this realm. It is usually utilized for healing and mana potions but in very small quantities it can add flavor to other recipes. Add too much and it overpowers the other flavors. Too little and you can’t taste it. The chef that created this cake did an exceptional job,” High Magus Oz said.
“No complaints here,” Adam agreed. “The meal and dessert were fantastic, Thank you for dinner,” Adam said sincerely.
“You are quite welcome, Adam. We have a few minutes before we arrive. Before we head back to the train car can I ask if you have figured out how to use the contacts list?” High Magus Oz asked.
“Actually, no, we have a contacts list?” Adam asked.
“High Magus Oz held out his hand to shake Adam’s Adam did the same and they clasped arms each grabbing the other man’s forearm. As they did so Adam received a Prompt.
Would you Like to Allow High Magus Oz to be added to your contacts list, Yes or No?
Adam chose “Yes”
The High Magus smiled and said, “it’s as easy as shaking hands. I would suggest that you adjust your settings so that the option doesn’t pop up every time you shake hands then you’ll just have to focus your will and you’ll be able to add those you shake hands with when you want to,” he said.
“Thank you again for the information. I did not know that. It will make it much easier to keep track of people that meet with a contacts list. I take it I can send messages through the System to anyone on my contacts list.
“Yes you may, though remember, there is a cost in credits to the System. There is an additional cost if you want to confirm that they read it or not.”
“Thank you again for the information,” Adam said.
“It is the very least I can do for the gifts you bestowed. Now I believe it is time for us to make our way back to the train car and wait to pull into the station. There should be a few more of us getting off at this stop.”
“Will there be enough seats for everyone?” Adam asked.
“Absolutely, as the train car fills up it just expands to add more seating as necessary, High Magus Oz explained.
High Magus Oz stood as Adam followed suit and then led Adam back to the Train car. Oz had been right, the train car was almost full of occupants. As Adam looked out the windows he noticed that the train he was on was on an elevated railway as it made its way toward a city that was much larger than the fictional city of Asgard from the Marvel movies, though the architecture looked somewhat similar. Just then the feminine voice he’d heard when the train arrived and departed station Bounty Zeta One came over the speakers.
Welcome to Astrix in Heaven’s Gate. This stop has connections to the Green, Yellow, and Red Lines. There will be a two-hour delay before departure as the Train is serviced. If you wish to continue on the Green line immediately please exit this Train and make your way to Train 7. It will be departing in 5 minutes.
Thank you for traveling on the Green Line.
Have a nice day