"Holy..." The once familiar neighborhood that Grayson had grown up in had completely been transformed. Gone were the even streets and the massive concrete jungle that stretched for miles. Nature reclaimed what was once theirs. The streets were completely twisted and scattered across the uneven surface, it was like an earthquake had occurred, but instead of a tsunami following, nature rushed in like a wave.
The strangest part of this wasn't just the destruction of the city, but the strange flora and unnaturally large plants that seemed to be spourting through cracks in the ground, sometimes extending into buildings that streched stories. "The awakening must have taken a lot longer than it felt, for me not to notice something like this." This was the conclusion Grayson had come to because otherwise, only a complete idiot would have not noticed all this happening around him. Suddenly, the sky darkened unnaturally around Grayson.
He looked up toward the sky with his attention focused on the strange event. Now wasn't the time to be so awestruck. Up above in the sky was a flock of what appeared to be giant birds flying high above the sky. That isn't something you would find around here. He watched as he saw the flock of birds with their razor-sharp talons, descend upon a huge beast off in the distance he hadn't noticed earlier.
Their talons cut straight through the tough hide of the beast. It screamed, reflexively Grayson covered his ears and found himself sweating profusely.
The gravity of Grayson's situation finally dawned on him, he was not prepared for what was in store for him. After the awakening, Grayson felt lighter for some reason, but other than that, nothing else felt different.
Judging from what he had just seen he was not in any shape to be fighting monsters like he had just seen. He could still hear the screeches of the battle that was taking place a few blocks away from him. No weapons and no superhuman powers from what I can tell. Step one should be getting the hell out of here for the time being.
Back in his parent's house, he saw how utterly destroyed the house was. There was a huge hole that poked through the second floor extending out toward the open roof above. Great a totally destroyed house, what could- ah never, System.
Grayson sat in his bedroom which thankfully didn't have any major issues other than a few cracks in the floor and his belongings scattered about. “Let’s see.”
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Name: Grayson Alderwood
Title: N/A
Race: Human
Class: N/A
Level: 1
Stats Points:
* Fortitude: 3
* Agility: 3
* Strength: 4
* Intelligence: 10
Skills:
[Past Echo]
Activate to receive a random skill from [REDACTED], enhancing your abilities with unpredictable effects.
Talents:
[Fast Adaptation] (Humanity Exclusive)
Humans adjust quickly to changing environments, allowing for more stable performance in unfamiliar conditions.
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For the most part, it looks like not much has changed, except that it shows I’m able to level now and I gained a talent.
I’m not entirely sure how useful [Fast Adaptation] will be but I’m sure it will come in handy if I’m gonna leave my house.
“Past Echo,” Grayson had been purposefully ignoring this skill, “If I’m going to survive in this new world, I can’t continue being afraid, it’s time to see what this Skill is about.”
…
Under a sky so dark it looked otherworldly, huge brown shapes smothered the sky, shifting back and forth, descending in waves like tentacles. They completely blotted out the sky, and their scales provided a very unsettling site, their vast, leathery wings beaten like warm drums. A figure stood coughed as he grappled to pick himself up. His breaths were ragged and heavy, his entire form was draped in cuts and his robes were soaked in blood. Around him, were a handle of people lay strewn around a battered ground, with craters lain wherever the eyes could see. Each person struggled against the weight of fatigue and wounds, helpless against the mass of brown figures that dotted the sky.
One man in particular sprawled on the ground close to the mysterious figure had a pool trickling from the gaping hole in his chest. He let out a faint gasp trying to force air into his lungs. The mysterious man knelt, his hand reaching out hovering above the sprawled figure. He tried to stop the shaking whilst keeping himself steady. He tried whispering the man's, but his voice was so broken and raw that it only came out unintelligible.
"It's going to be alright..." he finally got out, his voice quivering as he stared up at the descending monstrous shapes.
The sprawled man knew the promise might be hollow, be he clung to it because in front of him, those eyes. Those eyes were shown with a brilliant light that would never compromise anything.
A glimmer of fiery gold light began to flicker at the fingertips of the standing man in his bloodied robes. Slowly, the light spread, slowly then steadily growing in speed. It began coalescing into a soft, pulsing aura. The others around him who looked like they had given up hope lifted their heads weakly, eyes windening as tiny orbs of light- like fireflies- began to bloom all around him.
The air grew thick with them, the ethereal swarm of golden lights spiraled and multiplied, illuminating the grim battlefield with a warm, hopeful glow. They swirled fast, so much faster, and the once battered voice rang out clear, echoing his command all across the battle despite his exhaustion:
[Radiant Firefly Ember Spiral]
In an instant, the fireflies shot outwards straight toward the dark skies. The dark shadows that blotted the sky sensing the danger began forming into one huge stream in an attempt to drown out the brilliant light. But it was naught, the light intensified until it became a blinding pulse, exploding into a halo that engulfed the oncoming beasts.
This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.
Then, everything went silent. Then still.
...
Grayson woke up jolted upright, gasping, drenched in sweat. His heart pounded as if it might tear straight through his chest. The memory, the vision- whatever it was- lingered in his mind, an echo of desperation and sacrifice. A past echo. For a moment, he lay staring at the ceiling, feeling as if a great weight had been placed upon him. For himself and himself. He clenched his fist.
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[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
[Past Echo] has been consumed.
[Past Echo] has been replaced with the skill [Firefly].
New Attribute Unlocked: Mana.
Level Up! You have reached Level 2!
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“Tell me fainting and ending up on the floor isn’t gonna become my new life.”
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Name: Grayson Alderwood
Title: N/A
Race: Human
Class: N/A
Level: 1>2
Stats Points:
* Fortitude: 3>5
* Agility: 3
* Strength: 4>5
* Intelligence: 10>17
* Mana: 11
Skills:
[Firefly]
Summons controllable fireflies that explode on impact, dealing area-of-effect damage.
Talents:
[Fast Adaptation] (Humanity Exclusive)
Humans adjust quickly to changing environments, allowing for more stable performance in unfamiliar conditions.
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No [Grand Firefly Ember Spiral]? I man can dream I guess. Anyway, I wasn’t expecting my stat points to increase. Just look at my intelligence stats it must up a whole 7 skill points.
Grayson continued sitting cross-legged on the floor of his bedroom, with the remnants of his old life scattered around him, going through his System Window.
I wonder what the difference between mana and intelligence is. Wish I paid more attention to the RPG games I played as a kid. The chaos outside felt distant to Grayson as he focused on his system window, finding himself having fun thinking about the possible future paths he could take.
He was so focused on the screen before him that he didn't notice the rustling noise that came from the screeching floorboards outside of his room. Short shadowy figures carrying crude weapons slowly glanced through the slightly open door to Grayson's room, their hunched forms barely visible through the small crack. These goblin-like monsters, which had gray skin, sharp teeth, and clawed hands finally emerged from the darkness, pouncing straight for the distracted Grayson.
Before he could react, one lunged straight at him, claws slashing across Grayson's cheek, missing his neck by a few inches. "Get away from me!" he shouted, shoving one of the creatures aside. Had the creature been a little more careful in its attempt at striking Grayson it would have ended him in a single blow. Thankfully luck was on Grayson's side today, as the creature stumbled into a stack of books scattering across the floor.
Grayson eyed the two goblins that were eying Grayson both had crude knives but one of them was significantly taller than the other. This one appeared to be the boss as it ordered the smaller one to charge Grayson in its unintelligible language.
The second creature charged right at Grayson waving its knife around, with a wicked toothy grin on its face. Grayson, thinking quickly, grabbed a nearby chair and threw it at the goblin. The chair collided headfirst into the little goblin- having not expected it. It was knocked off its balance as the first goblin regained its footing. Grayson's eyes darted around the room, he searched for anything that would help him survive this encounter.
The creature he pushed back earlier charged again, angrily, baring its teeth. In a panic, Grayson snatched a heavy book from the floor and preapred to crush its skull with it. But as he raised, he caught a glimpse of the creature's wide, fearful eyes, as it eyed the book he was holding. Doubt washed over him, he didn't see a monster for a second, but a child. "What am I doing?" he thought to himself, hesitating.
The monster paused, confusion flickering across its face, but it didn't last long, as it took advantage of Grayson's hesitation. It charged once more, this time its claws connected, raking across Grayson's lower legs, forcing him to make a decision. It was kill or be killed. There was no point in forcing moral issues right now when the thing was trying to kill him. "I'm sorry but it's either I die or you and I quite enjoy living," Grayson shouted, slamming the book down as hard as he could onto the creature clinging to him. It didn't die, so he struck it again and again, until finally, it fell backward, letting out a horrified screech as the weight of the book crushed it, with its life fading from its eyes.
----------------------------------------
[System Notification]
Grayskin Squelch slain!
20 XP Awarded!
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Panting Grayson looked down at the lifeless body, bile rising in his stomach. He had just taken a life. But now was not the time to reflect, he shifted his eyes toward the little Squelch that was shaking with its crude knife aimed at Grayson. He shuddered looking at it, but he knew he couldn't just leave it alive. He ran toward it raising his book and preparing another strike. The Squelch saw its fate approaching but in a desperate attempt, it also charged toward Grayson once again waving its crude knife at Grayson.
Grayskined Squelch Slain!
20 XP awarded!
This was the second life he had just taken today. As different as it looked from Grayson, not a moment went by where he thought it wasn't a person. But the moment of reflection was cut short as the third figure, larger and more menacing than the other Squelchs, rammed Grayson into the side. He had been so caught up in his previous battle that he somehow had forgotten the more dangerous one. The leader almost held a dagger like the one earlier, but this one's was incomparable. Grayson groaned as he felt something inside of him hurt. The larger Squelch slowly approached Grayson laughing. It's dagger up and started licking it.
Unlike the other two little Squelchs, this one had not been impressed by Grayson's earlier display. It walked toward him overconfident, and that was its mistake. Immediately Grayson, swiped at the Squelch's feet knocking him down. Unfortunately, though it was headed straight toward where Grayson was lying. "Get off me!" Grayson shouted as the creature whose face twisted in red fury, as if to say, "A runt like you dares!" The creature grabbed ahold of Grayson and with quick speed launched it at his heart. Panic surged in Grayson as he grappled back against the creature. He tried kicking it back but it didn't seem to be very effective, or it was simply too furious to care.
In that moment Grayson grabbed onto the Squelch's hands hoping to break the dagger free. He struggled as he felt how much stronger the creature was than him. It slowly pushed the dagger toward Grayson's chest giving a vicious smile. Grayson was losing the battle there wasn't much he could do at this moment. He was completely locked down by the monster.
Desperation went through his body as it tried searching for a solution. Then, finally, he remembered his new skill. "[Firefly]!" he yelled out focusing on the command.
He then made a gamble. He released one of the goblin's arms and envisioned a swarm of fireflies shooting out his fingertips. The dagger reached toward his chest at even faster speeds, but at the same time, a few specs of golden light erupted from Grayson's hand, and the tiny orbs shot toward the Squelch's face. It tried jerking to the side but it was already too late. The gamble paid off, the fireflies exploded in a dazzling flash lighting up the room.
System Notification: Adult Grayskin Squelch Slain! 100 XP awarded!
Grayson jerked his hand back as the recoil from the blast burned his hand. "God that hurt," he yelled as kicked the dead creature away from him, gasping for air, as he regained his footing. The weight of the battle hung heavy in his mind, but today he survived, just for that, he smiled. System Notification Level up! You have reached Level 3!
Relief washed over him. He just finished searching his house for any remnants of monsters. He had taken lives, completely exhausted. Now he felt the reality of the new world pressing down on him. "Just a quick nap, and then I'll gather supplies and find somewhere more safe," he murmured to himself, yawning.
With his newfound resolve, Grayson scanned the remnants of his childhood room one last time, crawled under his bed, and went to sleep.