Edward’s POV:
The initiation is almost here.
I wonder how this status screen works? Does it reveal everything about the Host? How does it even work?
Why use numbers to show strength? What are the numbers based on? Does 10 mean the average strength of a man who hasn’t worked out?
Or maybe the numbers are based on an aristocratic brat that smacks trees in his free time?
The other part I don’t understand this initiation is why do I have to use a pod? What could possibly be the point?
Does the pod use radiation? Mutating the Host to make him see things? Causing hallucinations creating this status window?
The only thing I do know is that this pod is called “Ancient Technology” by these humans. And doubting what is said is heresy, condemnable with death, so know one questions it.
I did, but I’m not dead yet. So the rule is kind of stupid for the people who only think to themselves.
Any pod in known existence is under the control of the woefully wonderful Church of Gaia and any research into the pod is firmly, and I mean firmly, advised against, as they don’t say you’ll be hanged, whipped, tortured and so on, but it’s implied that that’ll happen to you if you do decide to research the pod a little.
Of course, they’ll have to catch you in the act. So guess what I found! Or, Alan really. But we found a book of research notes pertaining to the pods two days back.
We’ve gotten through about… Half of it?
So far, the only things that the research found out is that it emits something which changes the user in a beneficial way.
At the halfway point, the researcher hasn’t figured out what is emitted, so I assume it’s written later in the book, but it’s good to know that something is going to be entering Alan’s body.
Now that I think about it, what if the pod forcibly injects parasites similar to me? But I'm not ready to fight...
Oh hell no! I don’t even know how to, shit. I’ll have to prepare some defenses.
Do not let any unknown beings inside of the brain!
Understood.
Yup, clones are wonderful. The only problem child is the original, this one refuses to listen to orders, but it doesn’t matter.
I made a total of 4 clones, and not to worry, I regenerated all of my missing appendages after a short rest.
Alan POV:
Edward has been silent the moment we entered the chamber. The chamber has 10 pods, 8 of them already have initiates inside.
There lies before me a pod. The exterior is a shiny black, and the area where the head would be is transparent, allowing peaks at the head.
As I step closer to the pod, the pod hisses as the air leaves, and the doors slide open.
Within contains a chair, quite comfortably, actually.
After taking a seat, the doors slide shut and a prompt pops up in front of me.
Beginning Initiation. Are you ready?
“Yes”
Then I hear another hiss and the insides of the pod grows darker and darker, as the air begins to thicken, and it’s… harder… to… think...
The Parasite POV:
Oh no! The Host has fallen asleep! Or was he knocked out? The air did seem a little suspicious, maybe I should have forced his lungs to not contract? No... That would've killed him, maybe...
Hey... Could it be? Yes, my theory was correct, they do in fact use parasites, or something of the sort.
I wonder how they communicate?
I see… They are sending out Mana at different frequencies, and creating something akin to what I use to order my clones… If they hold Mana…
Bring me one of them!
Yes sir!
Yes… Interesting, I don’t think this parasite is capable of thought, perhaps this is a hive mind? I won’t be sure until I eat it…
Taking a chunk out this parasite, I begin to understand the frequencies more.
I think I can use this to control all of them… I think I can do that, yes.
Hey! What are you doing you problem child! Hey! No! Don’t eat, never mind.
Let’s see… Those mindless drones are set up around the brain, perhaps to serve as enhancers? Or to create the status window...
Hmmm… I tried bending all of the new parasites to my will, but a couple of them just lost it, I wonder why?
Using my newfound power, I the new parasites to my will I force them to wake Alan up, and to create a few changes in the status window.
All in all, the entire process was quite easy, and these parasites didn't eat cells, it seemed like the way they operated was on an extremely small amount of energy provided by the world outside of The Host.
Which means less competition, but that one drone that I got also changed me…
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
I don’t think I’ll be eating as many cells a day now...
The Host POV:
It's finally done! hurriedly, I call out "status". And it appears in front of me.
Status Window Name: Alan Walker Alignment: ??? Level:1 Class: None Race: HumanGender: MaleTitles: The Host Fame: 0Infamy: 0 - Health:100 / 100Health Regen: 1.5 / Sec Mana:200 / 200Mana Regen: 2.0 / Sec Stamina:500 / 500Stamina Regen:5.0 / Sec - Strength: 20Agility: 15 Vitality: 15Hey: 0 Intelligence: 10Wisdom: 10 Leadership: 0Luck:10
Interesting. Should I say I was expecting this?
Author's Note: Freakin Tables suck.