I decided not to move when the silver shell told me to stop even though it was clearly tired enough that I could of easily moved past it, but something about its tone told me that it was ready to turn me into a hat. And whatever a hat is, I decided I did not want to become one.
So we just looked at each other, and it seemed like the creature finally stopped shaking, which ment it wasn't so defensive against me? Yeah I have no idea.
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After an outrageous amount of time of looking at each other, the silver shell fell onto one of its legs and once again started shaking.
I looked around to see if any of the red shell had any ideas, but they were still sleeping. The blue rectangle from before decided to answer my confusion by adding more confusion. Classic blue rectangle.
[Skill Gained]
So seeing how I had a mystery to solve, I approached the silver shell slowly, thankfully it didn't seem as defensive as before as I got close to it.
Being this close, I heard heavy breathing, so it was just tired? But wow the silver shell definitely had a pretty shell. The top of its shell had a black line going across and it angled down at the middle point, there were also many black circles under the black line. Surrounding these were golden engravings. The lower part of its body looked carefully planned out with silver and gold engravings, there were some black parts of the shell that were on the underside of the connections between the middle shell, the side shells, and the lower shells. For some reason there were random red blobs on its shell and a wooden line sticking out from the upper part of its side shell. Even though it was pretty, Mother's eye still won by a long shot. But in the end, it was pretty enough to be pleasing to my eyes.
I also noticed that the silver shell wasn't as big as I thought it was. Upon closer inspection I saw that it's body was slimmer than I thought it was. The black flowly thing on its back gave off the illusion that it was far larger when it wasn't.
So the thing in its back is basically a scaring thing! What a smart evolutionary method!
What was weird was it made no movements even as trotted back and forth examining the silver shell. Perhaps it fell asleep? Ah thought too soon as it seems the silver shell woke up as I saw the top of its shell move slightly, oh its using one of the side shells to reach over to me, I wonder what it was trying to do.
Just as it was about to touch the shapes following me, it seemed to stop. After an awkward moment, the silver shell moved its side shell inbetween the two bottom shells. Using the space the two bottom shells made, the silver shell pulled hard on its side shell.
Oh it can remove parts of its shell as well.
I thought to myself after seeing the silver shell remove part of its side shell to reveal a dirty pale body part which had five other parts, which were slimmer, on the end of it. Unlike Master's digusting pale body that I saw from quite a distance, this one wasn't digusting at all, the opposite in fact.
It once again reached over to me, but this time it suddenly touched the shapes. That was a little bit weird, but what was weirder was the fact that I could feel the silver shells body. It felt warm and nice. Then something dawned on me, something I should've noticed immidately.
Was I not a being with no body? That should mean that I couldn't feel what the shapes felt... Wait are these shapes my body?! That would explain the [Body Formed] thing the blue rectangles spoke about! I have a body!
Now I feel like a idiot.
Ah whatever atleast I now know why these shapes are following me. Ah saying they were just shapes and that they were following me sounds weird. I'm guessing the six shapes near the bottom of my body are my legs? Probably. Ahh I'm thinking too hard about this, ima just leave these problems to future Eclipse.
It seemed as I was thinking all of this, the silver shell stopped touching me and withdrew its body part. Just as I was about to start complaining about the sudden lack of warmth, the silver shell suddenly fell forward with a mighty clang, barely missing me. There was silence until I heard the silver shell breath quietly
Hey why did you stop?
I angrily tapped the silver shell, before giving up and going to wake up one of the red shells. They should have the same warmth right?
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It seems as I was right, the red shells were warm, but they were sticky and made parts of my pristine fur stained red, so not very fun. I also found out that the shell of the red shells felt soft, unlike the silver shell, which was cold and hard.
I wonder if Mother has a warm shell, that would be nice.
Once again I felt the longing of my Mother's presence and couldn't help but come to the sad conclusion that I would not be seeing her anytime soon. But no need to get sad now! I wanted to do something while I waited for the silver shell to wake up.
Oh I know! If I remember correctly, the trianglur shapes were actually wings, that means I should be able to fly.
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After a dozen attempts of moving my wings back and forth, up and down, I could not even produce a hover- I knew I was doing something wrong as from the knowledge I've gained from mother, my kind was able to fly and quite fast too. Defeated, I trotted back to the silver shell and looked at it curiously.
The thing on its back has a similar texture to the shells of the red shell. I wonder if it carries the warm trait as well. Hopefully it's not sticky-
I hesitantly went closer to the silver shell's side and moved under the weird thing.
Not sticky, but not that warm as the red shells.
I quickly backed out as the small space reminded me of a certain event that I did not wish to relive. I looked at the silver shell for a bit before coming to the conclusion that it was asleep.
Wake up!
I once again tapped the silver shell angrily.
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It seems my luck has run out as I was forced to watch the slumbering creatures. I tried to get out of this place on my own from the sheer boredom of doing nothing in the space, but I only made it back to here as the tunnels were numerous outside this great space. It almost looked like the home of one of those rock dwellers I learned about. I wonder if the red shells and silver shell were the earth dwellers, but significatly evolved ones?
Wait its moving!
I heard a grinding noise as I saw the silver shell jump up with renewed energy. It looked around quickly, before our eyes met and it let out a high pitched noise.
Finally, it took you so long, hey you show me the way out of your home.
I trotted over to the creature, and it seemed to look at the line it left imbedded into the ground and me quickly. It seemed to be thinking of something that I definitely would not understand. It dropped onto both of its lower shells and seemed to start shaking again while making a strange noise, what a weird creature.
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Pov Silver Knight
The first sight that greeted me was not firey plains, nor was it pearlescent gates. It was the rough earthen floor that I have thought to have been my final resting place.
Was I spared?
I decided to just lay there looking at the complicated 3rd tier ritual, which im sure took the magic caster half of their life to understand and draw correctly without it exploding their face.
Did it fail? It seems to be a high tier demon summoning ritual, but what I saw was no demon... maybe the books and researchers were wrong about the appearance of demons? But there have been sightenings at this age of high tiered demons being talller than castle walls. Survivors of different demon attacks have stated different appearences of the demons, but one thing was common among all of them, they were abominations that constantly shifted from the color red and black. The demon I saw was no such thing, it was not an abomination, nor was it constantly shifting colors. It didn't even have a vile energy emitting from it. This was either a demon no one has seen before, or it was an entirely different species.
Well The Depths were said to be still unknown to the above ground species even though we have so much information about The Depths... If it was a high-tiered demon, I would've been able to use [Appraisal] on it to atleast figure out its name as [Appraisal] works on beings 5 levels higher than the user and increased by 2 each level in [Appraisal]... What level was that demon?
I couldn't help but wonder why that demon decided to spare me. Was I too low in levels that it only saw me as a speck of dust? That seemed plausable.
Wait... I NEED TO WARN THE GUILD!
I got up with panicked haste and looked around for my bastard sword. I saw it a arms length away, but as I was about to grab it I saw the undefined demon once again. Then the sparring part started to make sense. It never spared me as demons have never done this in all of history, no it decided I have a use as a lower leved being.
I have become its plaything... No I wont stand for this!
I almost grabbed my sword to attack the demon, but then I thought from a logical standpoint.
This demon is new to this world... It doesn't know about this world yet, maybe if I swear loyalty to it and become its servant I'll be spared from a horrible future.
Was I really a Holy Knight when I chose loyalty to a being from The Depths? No, I guess I wasn't. I couldn't help but fall to my knees as I felt tears form, I didn't hold back the sobbing, there was no point in doing so I thought. I was a faliure of a Holy Knight, even if I don't get spared, I didn't fight to my last breath like the Holy Knights in the legends that were called Heros. I thought of myself strong and unwaivering considering the amount of suffering I had to endure to get to this point, but I had so easily crumpled.
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I'm sorry brother, I couldn't keep my end of the promise. Please forgive me-
I didn't even notice the demon come close to me, until it tapped my right hand with one of its strange legs. I was so surprised that I stopped letting the tears flow. It didn't take me to long to understand what it wanted me to do.
"I understand my Liege, I shall cut off this fool's hand for committing the sin of defiling your magnificent fur my Liege."
I managed to make out roughly. I couldn't help but feel empty inside as I heard how I described the demon. As I was about to stand up, the demon pressed itself on my hand, rubbing itself on my hand. I once again felt the unimaginable softness the demon has, I couldn't help but stare blankly at it, but seconds later I felt tears reform, and I redoubled on my crying.
"I dont understand..."
I managed out weakly.
"I just dont..."
Was I not supposed to remove my hand? Was this not the demon that came from The Depths? Weren't demons known for their vileness? I thought it would have been in delight at seeing me cut off my own hand...
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Pov Eclipse
What was the silver shell doing, it was honestly starting to freak me out. Was I about to turn into a hat?!
Maybe I can negotiate? It seemed to like caressing my fur before.
I immedately trotted over to its right body part, and stopped. I didn't have a way to communicate with the silver shell! I decided to poke it with one of my legs as I felt that would've been easily understood.
"I understand my Liege, I shall cut off this fool's hand for committing the sin of defiling your magnificent fur my Liege."
I did not like how... hollow it's voice sounded, or any of the words the silver shell just said.
...What? This sounded too much like Mother.. even though we both knew each other for a bit, my Mother assumed the strangest things. And now its happening once again. My Mother must've come from these creatures. Since these creatures had different shell colors, I can't help but wonder what color her shell is.
I decided to stop trying to guess what color my Mother's shell was as it seems that I am on a time limit as the silver shell slowly moved its left bottom shell part- wait isn't this just a leg? And was gaining in height, meaning that the body part- hand I guess- was going to be out of my reach.
Panicking as it seemed to me that cutting was a very bad thing by the tone of its voice, I quickly moved myself beside the hand and moved back and forth like, trying to mimic the caressing movement that the silver shell was doing before.
Hopefully the silver shell understands this, as I have no more ideas... Wait it wouldnt get angry at me right? From what the information told me was that the majority of my siblings don't like getting touched by other creatures.
"I dont understand..."
It's voice sounded like it was breaking, not good?
Didn't you say you understood? Why are you saying the complete opposite!
"I just don't..."
It started making ugly sounds like before, its voice cracking as it talked.
Ah I don't like that sound, your earlier voice was so nice too!
And then out of nowhere, it fell on top of me and clutched me. This caused the shell of the silver shell to enclose me. I felt panic ensue as the space was too small, way too small.
Hey you can't just grab me like that!... Just don't turn me into a hat and we're good.
I felt panic, but that was slowly going away as I noticed how nice and safe this felt. Definitely awkward as I couldn't do much and could only hear the ugly sounds the creature was making and the inconstant breathing pattern it suddenly developed. I couldn't even see much as the thing the silver shell had on its back was covering the areas its shell couldn't. The lack of movement felt very similar to a previous event, but I tried my hardest to ignore it.
Atleast, unlike my kidnapper, I can thank the silver shell for letting me see what was hovering just outside my vision, I had antennaes! Which didn't make sense as I could feel fine without them. Another mystery yet to be solved.
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It seemed the silver shell turned back to normal as it inhaled and exhaled. It unwrapped me and stared at me, I think it was atleast.
"I am guessing that my Liege understands me to a certain degree based on the previous actions you have done my Liege, so please enlighten me why is a demon from The Depths so nice."
The silver shell said smoothly if you ignored the raspy voice and the frequent voice cracks it had.
Whats 'The Depths'? And the word 'demon' again... I'm just going to ignore 'Liege' for now as I already have alot infront of me.
I kinda just blankly stared at the silver shell as I said this cause even though I understood it, it couldn't understand me.
"Hmm, lets do this my Liege as it seems that it seems you do not have a mouth, if you are agreeing with what your servant has stated, raise one leg. However if my Liege is disagreeing, raise two legs. And if my Liege is missing a piece of information, flap your wings. I hope this servant hasn't overstepped any boundries by commanding you my Liege."
I was thankful it didn't say lift three legs at the end as that would prove difficult for a creature who didn't know it had a body until now. I lifted a single leg up before putting it back down.
"Thank you my Liege for your mercy once again."
It said with a exhale, seeing how I didn't know how to respond, I just stared at it.
"My Liege forgive this servant as this will sound as a interrogation, but I mean no harm or disloyalty but this servant wants to clear some things up, does my Liege come from The Depths?"
Again with that word.
I flapped my wings gently.
"Pardon my Liege, but if you are not a demon, what are you then? I have not seen a creature such as you my Liege- Ah! Forgive the forgetfulness this servant-!"
I decided to cut it off as I flapped my wings again.
"Sorry my Liege but I can not understand what you mean. Does my Liege not know what it is? Have you checked your [Status]?"
Stop saying weird words! Also stop repeating 'Liege'. I have a strong suspicion that you are referring to me. I am Eclipse! Not Liege!
This time I angirly flapped my wings making some dust move away.
"Forgive this sevant for asking so many questions, but has my Liege never checked it's [Status]?"
I once again flapped my wings but raised a single leg.
"Oh.. Uh, my Liege let me offer you the knowledge of checking [Status], but I must warn you my Liege, if there is anyone that asks you in the future about your [Status], you mustn't show it to them- Ah sorry about that my Liege no one would be insane enough to mess with you without having a death wish... Anyways, here I have a method to see the [Status]. Do forgive me my Liege, but creatures that have similar intelligence as my Liege usually have figured out a way on how to open their [Status]. But do not take this the wrong way, it is terrifying that my Liege is so powerful even when it has never seen it's [Status]."
Ahhh this is too much information, this is the first time I heard something talk this much. Please give me a short amount time to digest this new information.
Oo hey its pulling out something from a deformed sphere from above its legs. The thing It pulled out was a small white square with a blue triangle placed clearly in the middle. The triangle had other shapes on the inside of it. I quickly flapped my wings hoping the silver shell could explain the things for me.
"Hmm? Oh is my Liege wondering what I have in my hand? This right here is what my species has called a [Status] Reader. It takes a drop of blood and then the rune makes a weak link with the creature trying to read its [Status], and displays information it gained from that creature. So my Liege if you would, a single drop of blood is all that is needed.
The silver shell put the [Status] Reader right infront of me and waited. I flapped my wings slightly, I have no clue what a drop of blood was. The silver shell seemed to exhale at my confusion.
"I understand my Liege, I will carry out my duty. Just place one of your legs on the Reader my Liege,"
Willing to trust the silver shell, as I had no other place to put my trust im, I placed my leg on the [Status] Reader, or Reader for short I guess.
"Forgive this servant for causing damage to my Liege."
The silver shell, hm maybe it was time to call the silver shell just Silver. Like how it shortened [Status] Reader to just Reader. It definitely sounded nicer without the shell part. Silver pulled out a thin line from the sphere above its legs and poked my leg with it. I only felt some pressure and the thin line enter my leg. This caused me to shake slightly at the familiar feeling, but as I was waiting for the excruciating pain, I was surprised when the line just exited. It definitely wasn't as painful as when my [Body Formed].
I saw a translusent gray drop exit my leg and fall onto the Reader. And then a translusent blue rectangle, far larger than the ones I've seen before, appeared in-between Silver and I.
((Author Note: There is no blue box at the moment as I am still getting used to using them, I tried to make the status not take up much space, but failed. For now it'll be Bold letters))
Name - Eclipse
Age - 2 days
Species - Insectoid
Sub-Species - Juvenile Moth
Level - 0/10
Stats:
Strength - 0
Endurance - 3
Dexterity - 4
Wisdom - 1
Intelligence - 5
Skills:
Flight - Lv0
*New* Intimidation - Lv3
*New* Pain Resistance - Max
*New* Mental Fortitude - Max
*New* Translater - Max
Titles:
The Last Of Your Species:
You are the last of the insectoids, an ancient race forgotten due to time. Your status will be hidden from any form of Appraisal to increase your chances of survival. You will gain 2x experience for anything and skills are easily learned by you to help you earn a stable spot in this world.
The Path Filled With Ruin:
Your creator has given you a reason to live, It has said to consume the light and engulf the world in darkness, yet it hasn't forced you to do this. You learn destruction type spells twice as fast. If your existence is learned about, you will be hunted by all that is sentient.
*New* Child Of The Dark And The Light:
You were created in the dark, and morphed by the light. Light powers and dark powers exist within your body without causing chaos. You learn skills of both attributes twice as fast.
*New* Pain Is An Illusion:
You have felt unimaginable pain and ignored it halfway through. Your strong will has earned you the passive skill of Pain Resistance at the maximum level.
*New* The Unseen Has Been Seen:
You have seen unimaginable things, and have survived. You have been given the passive skill Mental Fortitude at the maximum level. You will learn complex spells and rituals twice as fast.
*New* Traveler Of Dimensions:
You have moved through realms and dimensions a day after your birth, you were born for adventure it seems. You have been given the passive skill Translate at the maximum level. Traveling through realms and dimensions in the future will be extremely easy.
The amount of information almost rivaled the information I gotten when I was first forcefully given informtaion. Of course unlike the information at birth, I had no clue what the majority of the words meant. The knowledge seemed to also bother Silver as it went as completely still. I went up to it once again and tapped it to see if it fell asleep again. That seemed to make it wake up as it snapped onto me.
"What are you..."
It said quietly for some reason. And without the 'servant' and 'Liege'!
I already answered you!
I flapped my wings in annoyance, was Silver mindless or something?
"Ah right.... Hey do you know if you are going to follow through with the 'purpose' of engulfing the world in darkness?"
I saw that it was very slowly reaching for the line imbedded into the ground, I wonder what was so special about it. I mean it was shiny, but thats it, the weird circle under us is way more interesting. Deciding that I didn't want to guess what this weird creature found interesting, I just lifted up two legs at once and saw Silver pause.
"Are you speaking the truth?"
I lifted a single leg this time confused on why it was making sure. Following my reply, Silver let out a exhale for some odd reason.
"This was supposed to be an average mission... why did it turn into me thinking I met an all powerful being and then me debating in killing the very same being that was not actually powerful but was somehow a threat to the very world... Alright let's do this Eclipse, I want you to promise that you won't hurt any sapient species with no purpose and will only act in self defense if needed too, I want you to also promise that you won't cause destruction or public disturbance. Ok?"
Finally someone used my given name! It's words did confuse me however. What a surprise
I looked at Silver weirdly before flapping my wings.
"What? What do you not understand? The word sapient species?"
I lifted two legs
"Uhhh... self defense?"
I know what defending was!
I once again lifted two legs.
"... The words hurt and destruction?"
Finally, took you long enough.
I lifted a single leg.
SIlence ensued, before Silver let out another weird set of noises and moved the top of its shell side to side.
"I guess thats what your [Title] said about how your purpose wasn't forced upon you. And theres the fact that you're literally just a smart baby. Alright just lift up a leg for the promise and I'll tell you all about hurting people and destruction and all the other things associated with them another time, right now, let's leave this place."
I looked at Silver confused, but then it hit me. Silver was being nice and not telling me more information and rather letting me digest the current information I was given! How thoughtful! I'm sure it'll answer all of my questions, like what a promise was and why was I agreeing to it. Since I had nothing else to do, I raised one leg.
Finally exploration here I come!