Eight Era, cycle 1721 – cycle of the squatting dog, season of Unkh, day 245

Amaka wiped the sweat from her face; it was pouring off her. She moved through the forms Masinga had taught her; they were instinctual. Her muscle memory formed the moves perfectly, and – when she had finished – her body felt more supple and more flexible.

‘You seem comfortable now,’ Masinga noted.

‘I feel it; I still haven’t had the prompt pop up saying I’ve learned a fighting style, though,’ whinged Amaka.

Masinga snorted; it sounded like the roar of a jet engine, only deeper. Black ash and smoke burst from its nostrils, and two basalt-coloured figures holding cracked and evil-looking blades stepped out from the black smog.

Race: charcoal warrior

Genus: golemoid

Class: D

Affiliation: n/a

Specialisation: n/a

Harvestable items: gems (rare)

State: n/a

Level: 64

Health unknown, stamina unknown, magicka unknown

Endowments: unknown

Curses: unknown

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‘Perhaps you need to use it in a fight,’ suggested Masinga.

‘Will you teach me how to do that?’ Amaka asked.

‘It is a racial ability.’

‘That’s a pity, but what do you expect me to do against them? They’re so powerful that I’ve never even made a scratch on one of them.’

‘You don’t need to kill them; just practise your forms on them.’

Amaka looked at the 7-foot golem, down at her 5-inch dagger, and back at the brick shithouse in front of her. ‘And what am I meant to do with this?’ she said gesturing her dagger at Masinga.

‘Again, it isn’t about how much damage you do, but about the proper forms. Without the form, the move isn’t as useful; the form is for offence and defence, making you quick to attack and allowing you a chance to block. Any part of your body that’s out of position reduces the quality of the fighting style; you may as well be using an amphibian style.’

‘What?’

‘Hmm?’

Masinga and Amaka looked at each other, both confused.

‘Whatever,’ Amaka said. ‘I must have been an adrenaline junkie in my last life to put myself through this. Either that or a masochist.’

‘The prospect of a cave full of caroks probably helps drive your determination,’ suggested Masinga.

‘True; also, this levelling system is a real motivator. To see a real quantitative measurement and to have levels to aim for really does something to me. It’s like an addiction. I’ve heard people say exercise is an addiction, and I always thought they were right fucking wackos. I mean marijuana is an addiction, I used to love that shit, but exercise was just hard work for only qualitative results. But to have a level system… it’s like Pokémon: I’ve got to have all the stats!’

New skill tree unlocked: he wai tonu – still water

‘I did it!’ Amaka shouted and jumped about.

‘Congratulations, now defend yourself!’ Masinga commanded, and a fist the size of her head came flying towards her.