Day 10 A.F.
After getting freshly showered in his own private bathroom, and sleeping in his own King-sized bed, Darius couldn’t help but think, I can definitely get used to this. He’d met his uncle, who was staying down the hall in one of the guest bedrooms, though the stairs made it a little difficult for him to get to and from his room. Tired of seeing his uncle struggle every day to get around with a missing leg, Darius finally decided he had the resources to actually do something about it. “Uncle, today’s the day.”
“The day for what?” Marcus asked. “the day you find a wife? The day you come out as gay? You know I would support you regardless of which team you went to bat for, right? Who am I to judge if a man likes to take it in the ass? As long as you’re happy.”
“What? the fuck you talking about old man?” Darius paused for a moment when he saw the smirk on his uncle’s face. For some reason, his uncle had woken up and chosen violence today. “Hey, at least people want me. I bet it’s been decades since you’ve caught even a whiff of tail.”
“Son, if you’re catching a whiff of tail before getting down to it, you might want to re-think your life choices,” Marcus retorted.
Both men ended up cracking up with laughter and gave each other a sideways hug, which turned into Darius helping his uncle down the stairs. “but seriously though, I think it’s time we got you a prosthetic leg. After that last battle, the quest, and the war chest reward, we have more than enough to find you something good.”
“Are you sure you want to do that?” Marcus asked. “I know we’re at war, and in times like these, you need every resource you can get your hands on.”
“Uncle… Marcus, you lost your leg trying to find me. I can’t help but feel responsible.” Darius held up his hand before his uncle could interrupt. “I know you’ve said it’s not my fault, and that I was kidnapped by the kobolds, that I didn’t choose to leave like that, but it doesn’t change how I feel every time I see you struggling to get around. Let me do this for you. I know you’d do the same for me in a heartbeat, and probably long before now. Besides, not only did we get thirty thousand credits from the war chest, each of my team got three thousand two hundred credits from looting the undead, not to mention all the crafting loot and items we got. I can afford to get you the leg, hell I might even be able to get that leg regrown if I can find the right potion or something. So, what do you say?”
They had made it down the stairs and Darius pretended not to notice his uncle surreptitiously wiping a tear away from his eye. “Well… if you insist, I can’t really stop you.”
“Let’s get some breakfast, then we can hit the Office-Village hall,” Darius chuckled. “I can’t really refer to it as the Office anymore, can I. the upgrade changed everything about it.”
“Bah, good riddance, I say. It was just a cheap, secondhand, modular building I tossed there years ago. It gave me more problems than I’d like to admit.”
Breakfast was a mass of steamed buns filled with some savory meat and vegetable mix, something called Congee that was kind of like oatmeal, but made with rice, and deep-fried bread sticks. It wasn’t the eggs, bacon and toast he and his uncle had grown up with, but it was filing and tasted surprisingly good. They thanked Zumu for the meal, and after finishing they made their way to the Village Hall and together, accessed the System Marketplace. Darius knew he would need to get to his own management stuff for the Hamlet, but he needed to finish helping his uncle first.
After some searching and narrowing down the results, they were left with eight options to choose from.
Alchemical Options
Elixir of Regeneration
* Cost: 3,500 System Credits.
* Description: This potent alchemical potion induces rapid regrowth of a missing limb. After ingestion, the leg regenerates fully within a week, restoring full functionality. The new limb is organic and indistinguishable from the original.
* Duration: Regrowth begins within 24 hours, with full regeneration in 7 days.
* Limitations: Requires the user to rest during regeneration. May cause intense itching or discomfort during the process.
Golemancer’s Stone Limb
* Cost: 2,500 System Credits.
* Description: An alchemically treated stone leg designed to be bonded to the user’s body via a specialized potion. Though made of stone, it’s lightweight and highly durable, offering both resilience and functionality.
* Abilities: +5 to Strength for actions involving the leg, such as kicking or bracing.
* Limitations: The leg may be heavier than natural, which could impact speed or agility.
Prosthetic Options
Basic Iron Prosthetic
* Cost: 300 System Credits.
* Description: A simple and affordable prosthetic leg made of iron. The design is rudimentary, featuring a cup for the knee, a sturdy rod for the leg, and a hinged rectangular base for walking.
* Functionality: Basic support for walking minimal adjustments possible.
* Limitations: No advanced mobility features, heavy, and may cause discomfort over time.
Articulated Steel Prosthetic
* Cost: 1,000 System Credits.
* Description: A more advanced prosthetic leg featuring articulated joints for better mobility. Made from high-quality steel, this prosthetic allows for smoother movement and improved balance.
* Functionality: Provides improved mobility and comfort, with adjustable joints for a more natural gait.
* Limitations: Heavier than a natural leg; requires occasional maintenance.
Enchanted Silver Prosthetic
* Cost: 3,500 System Credits.
* Description: A finely crafted silver prosthetic leg imbued with enchantments to enhance the user’s mobility and speed. The enchantments provide a slight boost to agility and reduce the weight of the leg, making it feel almost natural.
* Abilities: +3 to Agility; lightweight and resistant to wear.
* Limitations: Requires periodic recharging at a magic source to maintain enchantments.
E-Tech Cybernetic Legs
E-Tech Basic Cyber-leg
* Cost: 3,500 System Credits.
* Description: A basic cybernetic leg made from durable alloys and synthetic materials. It connects directly to the nervous system, allowing for near-natural control. This model offers simple functionality with no additional enhancements.
* Functionality: Restores full mobility, with basic sensory feedback for better control.
* Limitations: No special features beyond standard mobility.
E-Tech Advanced Cyber-leg
* Cost: 8,500 System Credits.
* Description: An advanced cybernetic leg that integrates seamlessly with the user’s nervous system, providing enhanced speed, strength, and precision. The leg features built-in shock absorbers and is highly customizable.
* Abilities: +5 to Speed, +5 to Strength; includes adjustable settings for different terrains.
* Limitations: High energy consumption; requires regular recharging.
Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.
“So, what do you think?” Darius asked.
“So many of these are so damned expensive. Look, I’ll just take the basic Iron prosthetic. It’s all I really need, and it’s only three hundred credits.”
“But look Uncle, the Regeneration potion could completely restore your missing let. Good as new.”
“That’s thirty-five hundred credits, son, way too expensive. It’s not like I’m a top shelf warrior that’s going out there to fight off all them monsters. Save the money for someone who really needs it.”
“I told you; you are my Uncle. This is my personal money I’m spending and I’m going to get you something good. Something comfortable that can last you a long time, and if needs be, help you get away if our defenses are breached.” To make his point, Darius removed the basic Iron option from the list. It was only there because his uncle had put it there, anyway. After a moment, Darius decided to emphasize his point and removed the Articulated Steel Prosthetic as well. While in normal circumstances, it would be a decent option. He needed to make a point to his uncle. Marcus is going to get something good, whether he likes it or not!
“Why do you need to be so God damned stubborn?”
“I get it from your side of the family. Now you are left with regrowing your leg, a stone leg, the enchanted prosthetic, or go full on cyborg. Now what will it be? If you argue with me, I’m going to remove the next cheapest option, and eventually you’ll be stuck with the most expensive leg replacement I can afford. Now, choose!”
Darius heard his uncle grumbling under his breath, but let it slide. He knew his uncle well, and it wasn’t easier for the older man to take anything that even loosely resembled charity. Sometimes you’d have to push him into a corner for him to accept help.
“Fine, you win,” Marcus grudgingly gave in. “But I can’t be laid up for a week waiting for my leg to regrow. I also don’t need a bunch of fancy features. I do like the sensory feedback of the cyber-legs, but I ain’t no bionic man, so the basic version will suffice.”
Darius nodded and selected the E-Tech Basic Cyber-leg for thirty-five hundred credits.
E-Tech Basic Cyber-leg
Cost: 3,500 System Credits
Description:
The E-Tech Basic Cyber-leg is a reliable and straightforward prosthetic option designed for those who seek to regain full mobility after a lower-leg amputation. Crafted from a blend of durable alloys and synthetic materials, this cybernetic limb offers a balance between strength, weight, and functionality. The design prioritizes ease of use and longevity, ensuring that the user can regain their independence without unnecessary complications.
This cyber-leg features a sleek, minimalistic design with a matte finish, making it both aesthetically pleasing and discreet. Its exterior is made from a lightweight, yet highly durable alloy that resists wear and tear from everyday use. The joints are constructed with high-tolerance materials, allowing for smooth and natural movement, closely mimicking the range of motion found in a natural leg.
Connection and Control:
One of the standout features of the E-Tech Basic Cyber-leg is its ability to interface directly with the user's nervous system. Upon installation, the cyber-leg is connected to the neural pathways in the thigh, allowing the brain to send and receive signals as it would with a natural limb. This connection ensures that the user has near-natural control over the prosthetic, allowing for instinctive movements and reactions.
Functionality:
The E-Tech Basic Cyber-leg is designed to restore full mobility to the user. It provides the necessary support and stability for walking, running, and other basic physical activities. The cyber-leg includes basic sensory feedback systems, which relay pressure and balance information back to the user, helping them navigate various terrains with greater confidence and control.
The sensory feedback is rudimentary but effective, giving the user an awareness of the leg's position and the type of surface they are walking on. This helps in avoiding falls or missteps, providing a greater sense of security and normalcy.
Power Source:
A unique aspect of the E-Tech Basic Cyber-leg is its power source. Unlike other cybernetic limbs that require frequent recharging or battery replacements, this leg is powered by ambient Essence—a form of natural energy that can be absorbed from the environment. The cyber-leg contains specialized converters that draw in ambient Essence and convert it into energy, providing a steady and consistent power supply. This makes the leg highly efficient and self-sustaining, eliminating the need for external power sources or regular maintenance.
Limitations:
While the E-Tech Basic Cyber-leg excels in restoring basic mobility, it is a no-frills option with limited capabilities. It does not come with advanced features such as enhanced strength, speed, or additional sensory augmentations. The sensory feedback, while useful, is not as refined as higher-end models, and the limb's functionality is limited to standard movements and tasks.
This leg is ideal for users who need a dependable and straightforward prosthetic solution without the need for advanced or specialized features. However, those looking for additional enhancements or performance upgrades may find this model lacking.
The prosthetic leg appeared in a flash of light. It came in fancy looking packaging and when Darius opened the package; he found the instruction manual right at the top, along with a vial of pain reliever and a healing potion in a syringe applicator. Looking over the instructions, he saw the two potions were for the first time attachment of the Universal Socket Adaptor. It was the cup-shaped part that, from the instructions, would surgically attach itself to the limb’s stump, conforming itself to the leg in a seamless and permanent fashion. According to the literature provided, the adaptor would work with any E-Tech prosthetic limb should the user decide to upgrade in the future.
Darius sat his uncle down, and following the instructions, had Marcus drink the vial, wait five minutes, then place the socket over the end of the affected limb. It only took three minutes for Marcus to start feeling the effects of the potion. At five minutes, he was out cold. Darius watched in fascination as the adaptor flexed the walls of its cup out once it came in contact, then once it was pushed up as far as it would go, the walls contracted and formed a tight seal around his uncle’s leg. Then there was a whirring sound, a rather disturbing grinding noise, and Darius realized he’d forgotten to place the waste collection bin under the adapter. He rushed over to grab it and barely managed to get it in place just as the adaptor started to expel the bloody, pureed flesh. It only lasted for a moment, but it was then that Darius realized how it directly connected to the user’s nervous system. Darius grabbed the needle with the healing potion and, as soon as the adapter quieted down, stabbed the needle into his uncle’s thigh and depressed the plunger.
Marcus was unconscious for a good half an hour or so before he groggily woke up and saw the Matte black cup firmly attached to his stump. “It’s done?” he asked.
Darius nodded. He’d already disposed of the gunk the thing had shot out, not wanting his uncle to see what remained of his stump. “It’s all finished, just waiting on your lazy ass to wake up from your nap to do the last part.”
Marcus chuckled. “Then what are you waiting for? Give me my damn leg.”
Darius held up the leg to the adapter and lined up the nub sticking out of it with the recess in the leg. As soon as they touched, they snapped into place and he could hear several clamps clicking into place and a faint humming coming from the leg as it powered on. The prosthetic shifted and flexed on its own, then settled down with a cheerful beep. Knowing what came next, after the initial diagnostic calibration, Darius pulled his uncle to his feet with the instructions to stand as straight as possible.
Following the instructions, and using Darius’s shoulder for balance, they both watched as the new limb flexed and shifted. It grew thinner and longer, before shortening and thickening, then it cycled through the same process again until it settled down and it matched the real leg in length.
“I-I can feel it,” Marcus said, a faint emotional tremor in his voice. He flexed the foot, moved the ankle around and bent his knees as he checked out its range of movement. It didn’t come with individual toes, looking more like a foot in a sock than a bare foot. But it still had almost the full range of motion his real leg had.
Marcus hesitated for a moment, his grip firm on Darius’s shoulder, then he took a single step forward, leading with the prosthetic, then followed with his real leg. He let go of his nephew and took another trembling set of steps, and before long, he was walking around the room, on his own, without the crude crutch.
Darius saw tears leaking from Marcus’s eyes and the look of intense gratitude and a jumble of other emotions Darius couldn’t figure out. But it didn’t matter, his uncle was whole again. The two grown men embraced each other, gripping tightly as they stopped fighting the raw emotions coursing through them. With tears on both of their faces, they hugged each other until their embarrassment managed to outweigh their other feelings and they broke apart.
“Well, um… thanks,” Marcus managed.
“Yeah, no problem… I should…” Darius said, then trailed off.
“Yeah, lots of work to do…” Marcus added.
The two grown men stepped away from each other and went in different directions, a silent promise between the two to never mention that particular moment again.