John was an average knight.
He was the epitome of normality in the ranks of Delruse knights; in relation to his peers, he didn’t particularly excel at strategy, nor was he ridiculously strong and his skill with a blade was anything but legendary.
John did not hail from one of the powerful lines of nobility, and he certainly wasn’t a commoner that had fought his way, tooth and nail, into his knighthood. He came from one of the lesser, merchant families that, while small in comparison to the true upper-class, could easily afford his education on the etiquette of the Delruse aristocracy.
John didn’t outshine his classmates when he entered the academy to begin his training as a knight. He did not possess the fledgling mind of a natural-born general, John’s ability to absorb information was not abnormally high, and he wasn’t a genius-level talent when being taught how to fight. To the instructors of the academy, he was known as the ‘constant’, as the results of any of his exams or mock-battles would always be quite… typical.
John wasn’t ugly, and he wasn’t considered handsome, or beautiful, for that matter. His short hair was dark brown, as were his eyes, he had a square- jaw and his muscled, tall form stood a little over six feet.
There was one thing that John knew for certain that he was only one that could handle his sworn duty – after all, the Queen of Delruse herself told him so. John could still remember the moment.
*****
John’s knees were shaking, sweat was gushing out of him and his jaw was clenched with equal parts fear and anticipation. He was about to learn what the Queen had decided his future would be. With trembling hands, pulled his blade out of its sheath. His hand clenched, his knuckles white, John reached forward and shakily sliced open the wax-sealed letter. Taking a breath, the young knight cast his gaze upon the parchment.
Dear John Stone,
It is with great pleasure that I write to inform you that your application as a Knight of Delruse has been accepted. Congratulations. You have been assigned to one the most important duties a knight of your calibre can ever be given.
As I have been informed by my advisors there is a location; a very important place, and a possible weakness that needs to be protected and I think that you, John, are just what is needed. You shall be placed in charge of its protection.
The Queen of Delruse.
John marvelled over the mix of elegant and blocky penmanship that the Queen was known for. What other woman could possibly write this way? Surely she is but the only one!
*****
After making a few inquiries, John managed to track down the location that was so strategically valuable that a knight such as he was designated as its guard. Deep in the bowels of the castle there was a small room, barely 5 feet on a side, with walls of smooth grey stone and a single, iron-banded wooden door. John trusted his Queen and her advisers and their decision – so, with his back straight and his chest swelled with pride, so he stood in front of the door facing the opposite wall. John spent his time thinking of all the myriad of ways that this room was so vital it needs a dedicated guardian.
A secret tunnel and an escape route for Delruse’s nobility? Or is it the opposite? A possible entrance for the queendom’s enemies? Ha! We don’t have any enemies! Delruse is the sole queendom of our island! Well, there’s the dirty, evil commoners, but they don’t count.
For a few days, John continued his watch over the room; he’d look to the left, then the right and he’d listen all the while.
Left… there’s the wall.
Right… there’s the other wall.
Middle… there’s the floor
Left… there’s the wall.
Right… there’s the other wall.
Lef-
A strange sensation washed over his body.
He shook his head. What was that?
When nothing happened, he shrugged and continued his watchful patrol.
Left… ther-
It happened again; a feeling of wrongness in the air.
His brow furrowing, John hurriedly pulled his blade from it’s sheath, and gazed warily around the room. Something’s off…
“To whomever or whatever is out there, show yourself!”
Almost as if in response, the air in front of him shattered, revealing a swirling purple vortex. As the roaring winds this otherworldly thing had created pushed the knight backwards, John could do naught but open and close his mouth in shocked confusion.
The violet-hued entity seemed to stretch forward, and something fell to the floor with a clatter. As quickly as it had appeared, the unexplainable phenomenon vanished.
“Wha… what just happened?” John managed to ask himself, before both his mind and his body collapsed.
*****
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John let out a muffled groan, his eyes slowly opening, revealing the familiar, strategically-important room he had been tasked to protect. Did I fall asleep? I didn’t, did I? What have I done?! I even had the gall to dream on duty! I can’t believe I’d dishonour the Queen in such a way!
The average knight tensed, expecting admonishment any moment – after a few minutes, John realised no one had noticed his lax in duty. Hastily, he scrambled to his feet and let out a relieved sigh.
Everything’s fine. I just need to keep watch.
Left… there’s the wall.
Right… there’s the wall.
Middle… there’s th…
John blinked. He blinked again. “Huh.”
There was something out of place – a silver sphere – that was resting in the centre of the room.
“What are you?!” John demanded, drawing his sword.
The ball didn’t respond.
The knight stared at it, unwilling to let his guard down in front of the mysterious object. “Where did you come from?”
Once again, the orb didn’t react.
Cautiously, John walked forward, one step at a time. “Why are you here?” He questioned.
The ball was apparently unfazed, and didn’t react.
Is this some kind of trick? A prank? Or… that’s what it wants me to think? Haha! You can’t fool me!
John leap forward, swinging his blade behind his back, he brought it down in an overheard cut. The knight had expected it to shatter, or at least crack, but he was shocked when, instead of breaking, it shifted, his sword missing by a hair.
Before John could even process seeing an inanimate object move, the sphere rolled up his blade. With a shout, he frantically waved his sword through the air, trying to shake the orb off.
Instead, it seemed to make the ball move faster and, before John knew it, it was racing its way up his arm. Dropping his sword, the knight tried to rip the ball off his arm. He had assumed that it would try to dodge his hand, but before he had even gotten close, it bounced from his right arm and onto his left hand.
It abruptly stopped moving, losing all momentum. It shivered and it melted, but rather then dripping to the floor as any other liquid would have done in the same situation, it seeped into the gaps in his gauntlet.
The knight clawed at his armour, but before he had the chance to pull it off, he heard sizzling and steam burst out of his gauntlet.
“What the hell are yuagh!” John lost control of his body and he collapsed.
Why can’t I move?! Why can’t I feel anything?! What’s it doing to me!?
Moments later, sensation returned, and John ripped off his gauntlet. “What in the Queen’s name is that?”
Three silver lines, each an inch long, running perpendicular to his arm, had appeared on the inside of his wrist. Stunned, John reached forward and brushed his fingers across the strange symbol.
He gasped as lines of text started to flash across his vision, accompanied by a strange, monotone voice.
Scanning… complete
User found…
Seeking contact with User… complete
Integrating with User… complete
Initiating System… complete
“What is happening to me?” He shouted.
You’ve been connected to the System! It had changed from emotionless to cheerful in a heartbeat.
John shrieked.
Almost a minute later, he stopped screaming and started taking deep, heaving breaths.
User, have you calmed down yet?
“W-what are you?” The knight asked shakily.
I am your Personal System Unit! My purpose is to provide you with a connection to the System! To start off our companionship on a positive note, I would like you to know that your ‘Queen’ is unlikely to know your name or even that you exist. I recommend her leaving her employ, shortly followed by inciting a rebellion among the peasants and crowning yourself a king!
The knight tensed. How could I even listen to this thing?! This must be why the Queen had me protect this room! I must report to her Highness!
Huh?
John wrenched the door open and started running as fast as his armour would allow.
Are you listening to me?
The knight jogged through the bowels of the castle, reaching the staircase that leads to the rooms above.
Well, aren’t you just being rude? All I did was suggest a little military coup – what? Is that… another User?
He had ascended into the castle proper, and was moving as quickly as he could; heading towards the throne-room’s entrance.
John! Stop! We’re getting closer to the other User!
The man had stopped in front of the giant, marble doorway, blocked by the crossed spears of the two royal knights.
Listen to me! The User’s in there! That’s bad! Very bad! We haven’t even finalised your System integration yet!
John nearly collapsed in front of the two guardsmen.
“There’s an enemy in the castle!” He panted. “I have to report the threat to the Queen!”
Damnit, John! You’re still weak! Whoever’s in that room is going to try to kill you!
The royal knights stared at him and he took a breath, ready to convince them to let him through, but they pulled their spears to their sides. The doors opened, revealing a sight that few had ever seen.
Fine! You leave me no choice!
John didn’t even register the entity’s words – he was stunned into silence. I can’t believe it… I’m looking at the Queen!
Please choose one of the following growth options…
Skilled: Base psychological stats are increased. +1 stat point and +4 skill points per level.
Enhanced: Base physical stats are increased. +4 stat points and +1 skill points per level.
Powered: Gain a random ability (Examples: Bend-Spoon, Invulnerability, Extend-Hair, etc). +1 stat point and +1 skill point per level.
The Queen’s beady eyes looked at him over the top of her crooked, squashed nose and her sausage-sausage like fingers clutched a golden, jewel-encrusted sceptre that looked tiny in comparison to her massive, bloated form. A gaudy crown rested atop her dirt-brown, knotted hair, tilted.
On either side of her gargantuan, shining throne, armoured forms stood guard.
She’s so… beautiful! I would die for this divine being!
Growth option selected: Powered
Generating power…
John slowly walked into the throne-room, the doors slammed behind him after the royal knights followed him inside. I want to tell her everything… but how could I presume to do anything without her permission! Preposterous!
What is wro- oh, hells!
She slowly raised a finger, fat jiggling down her arm.
What will she say? I will do anything for you, my Queen! Just tell me what to do!
“Where is the pig? Who dares delay my lunch! It’s been minutes since I ordered that servant to fetch it!” Flecks of spit spattered to the floor below her.
How could anyone deny my Queen her food!
John! Wake up!
She blinked, staring at him. “Ah, almost forgot about you.”
John bowed his head, pulling his fist over his heart. “I have urgent news, my Queen! There w-”
“Guards, kill the intruder. I tire of his presence. And where in the bloody queendom is my damn food?”
For a second the average knight thought he must have misheard her – then his world shattered.
Power gained: Conditional Intangibility
As the guards marched towards him, weapons held at the ready, John was reeling in shock.
My Queen can’t be this…this... pile of filth! What was I thinking?! Why would I pledge myself to her?!
Move! Run! Damnit, just do something, John!
As he saw the words flash across his vision and heard the yell of the mysterious voice, the average knight somehow managed to pull himself together. He whipped around, his entire being focused on evading the danger behind him. He took a step and the tip of one of his sabatons caught the edge of a raised tile. The knight, his eyes blazing with renewed determination, tripped.
The Queen’s guards halted in confusion, looking at where their target had been.
As if it wasn't even there, John fell through the floor.