It was still the middle of the day despite all the happenings previously. That meant there was still a lot of daylight to burn.  Which meant I had a lot of time on my hands to relax and test my power. Before anything though, I wanted to assess the extent of that super's damage. He did send a power surge through my house after all.

My phone of all things survived. Recent news was always up-to-date in Wildrest, any city innervated with supers had to be. There was always some new destruction to be reported on, some new heist defused, or some new super inducted as hero. It was the reason I wasn't surprised to have reports coming in as early as this morning.

Point in fact, early this morning there was an entire street broken into and robbed. My mind flashed to the rats. The extent of the robbery was too large to report on with any credibility. It seemed before the hero could get to the villain the culprit shifted into a rat and scurried away in the tide of things. There was little to do at that point but attempt to stop the rats, who had already begun slipping into every nook and cranny, dragging away anything they could and abandoning the larger thefts if approached. Needless to say, the exact paths the stolen merchandise took were random at best.

I read through the article, Parvus peering over my shoulder. We were sitting on my porch, relaxing after all the chaos of this morning. A full stomach had something of an effect on my mood. I was calm, coming to terms with the destruction of my house, and the Origination of my new power.

"I was there, you know." I told the small man. "But judging from these pictures, I was long gone by the time any cameras could show up. The guy was in the process of retreating, he must have gotten away with a huge haul already."

Parvus nodded curiously, watching the phone. He blinked as I scrolled through the recent news.

"Here. Luminaire." I said, finally spotting him. "The Bright Spot." I read through it.

He had the ability to soar through the sky like a shooting star, bright as the sun. He was a super with a less than ideal physical trait. He was always faintly glowing. The life of a hero was a tough one for him. He would never have a civilian life after the fact, he'd always be recognized. It was the type of situation I'd made sure to avoid, though noble as it was.

"Various reports of technological damage. An official statement from Luminaire, the damage is only temporary. He's claiming he never got close enough to warrant permanent damage at the level of brightness he was displaying." I shook my head. "Yeah, save it for the city. You flew right over my house."

There wasn't much else on his powers. Obviously, the majority was kept close to the vest, otherwise, criminals might have the advantage of dealing with a particular hero. Truthfully though, anyone paying enough attention could glean most super's functions.

I could've filed a complaint. The practice of the Enhanced Protection Organization was to compensate for any damages that their agents cause. I wasn't comfortable with the EPO knowing the location of my house, however. The EPO was a powerful organization and the things they could do with a small amount of information was disheartening. I'd rather they not know about my power, which they'd no doubt find out if they were sent here. Just the sheer amount of paperwork involved for that particular venture might've been enough alone to deter me in any case.

"Let's go Parvus. I need to get my mind off things."

The Woods, despite all the change to myself, was exactly as I knew it. Save for perhaps the speed at which it flew by me. I was much faster traveling here now. An effect of [Woods Man].

The spot in mind was a ways away from my house. It was the single oldest tree in the area. You could see the entire area of my section of forest from there. The unreal aspect of Root's power was also apparent in the distance you could make out between the edges of the city. It simply didn't make sense. Looking outside in, this section of forest was much smaller.

Leaves crunched under my feet, at this time of the year, moving silently was hard to do unless you were in the trees themselves. My senses extended outwards as I listened to the sound of the forest. Animals in the distance, a flock of birds taking off west. I smiled content.

When I arrived at the old tree it was much the same as I had always seen it. The familiar sight was a comforting one. The gnarled tree was wide at the base, sturdier than anything I'd try myself on and more. Its trunk was in width, the length of a large van. It tapered upward, but shot into the sky as if it was reaching for the stars themselves. It's branches extended over the clearing and further, greedily soaking in sunlight and rain.

I always compared its height to man-made structures, but I could never get a sense of it. It was forest for miles, buildings and even trees didn't compare to this ancient behemoth.

I stared upward at its magnificence and took an appreciative look. From the movement on my shoulder, so did Parvus.

I moved forward with a spring in my step, anticipating the climb. Parvus pulled at my ear and I looked at him. He was pointing to the tree and distantly I could make out my friends there. They were nearly lost in the fog of distance. But I could make out the figures.

"Monkeys, Parvus." I laughed, finally hearing them hoot and call as they spotted me. "They've been climbing this thing much longer than I have. I'll introduce you."

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I placed my hand on the tree as I always did before climbing. It was easy to forget how large of a lifeform it was. I tried to remember every time I climbed it.

My gentle hand became a hard grip, and soon I was steadily rising the trunk. Feet found purchase the moment my hands left their holds. My muscles burned lightly with the effort. Usually, as I passed a branch thick enough to support me I would take a small break. But today was anything but usual, and suffice to say there was a little wooden man who was in such awe that I just had to impress him.

Suddenly, we were surrounded by hoots and hollers and I looked around realizing we had just reached the altitude my monkey friends like to hang out at. They were climbing above, below, and to my sides, making it for all the world look easy.

They were curious black primates that I met long ago. They were very familiar with my family and knew we meant no harm, so neither did they. Although, their curiosity often led them astray, as they were now poking Parvus.

"Meet my friend everyone." I gestured, laughing. Parvus was holding on firmly but enduring their stares.

I motioned upward with my hand, and the monkey above me hooted and swung himself up climbing onto a branch above to watch me. I made my way to the same one and took a seat, feet hanging over the edge.

Parvus slid down my arm and stared downward himself, no doubt realizing the height we were at. It was easily enough height to die from, but I never had such fears. Our little moment became one wild and loud as I was prodded curiously and fingers pointed towards Parvus.

A yellow banana appeared in front of me and I blinked. Laughing, I thanked the monkey and unslung my pack. By now, they were familiar enough with me not to touch my things, they knew I would get mad. But that familiarity also meant they knew I brought gifts.

"Here you go, sour candy straight from Wildrest." I opened the box and gave it to them.

I nearly choked when the first candy was popped into one of the monkey's mouths. The smaller monkey puckered up so much I thought he was gonna suck his own face in. I laughed as the other monkeys did, eager to try it themselves. Even the smaller one came back after sulking.

Parvus somehow managed to approach, the monkeys were deftly avoiding knocking him over or stepping on him. Though they did poke him generously, it wasn't enough to throw him off balance.

We sat for long enough that Parvus made a few friends and I made the move to get up. The monkeys were familiar with my visit and so they knew I was heading upward. It also meant they were playfully pulling me back, tugging on my clothes or flicking my bowstring. The last one was the most annoying, but the scolding I'd give would only make me stay longer, thus fulfilling their objective. I learned that one months ago. It wouldn't work this time.

I swatted the flicking hand away. "Stop that." The monkey chuffed, smiling. "Maybe Parvus wants to stick around?" I said looking at the small man.

Parvus was busy trying to form some communication with two small baby monkeys. It looked like they inevitably released their children upon him. At the very least, they were equal in size. Those things were a handful.

He looked at me and gave me a thumbs-up, but tilted his head and pointed upward.

"Exactly. I'll go up for a bit and take the same way down. I'll get you on my down." I affirmed. The wooden man nodded.

And then I was climbing again, this time though less than half the monkeys accompanied me. Half of the rest looked like puckered buttholes and the other half were all curious about Parvus. The ones with me would eventually return but as was normal, it was the older monkeys climbing with me. Most wouldn't go all the way, but there were a few who sometimes sat with me at the top.

The view was amazing. My arms and legs burned but I was in no danger, there were enough branches around me to reach out and rest. The trees at this height seemed like saplings. At times, it seems like I could jump off and land in the canopy.

And then I was at the top, finding my regular perch. One monkey climbed with me the entire way. It was Scar, as usual. The oldest of them, we thought. He was a branch below me but all the same, we sat together.

My vision flashed blue and I found the timing suspicious. 

Achievement: [Highest Climber]

You've conquered one of the highest points in your area with nothing but your own will and steadfast resolve! Only the most determined, those striving for higher heights, ever risk themselves so.

Effects:

+Unlocks [Treetop Heights]

Suddenly, I felt something, or rather, sensed it. There was a transparent portal before me. It shimmered brightly but looking at Scar below me, he didn't seem to notice its presence at all. Was it an effect of my power, that only I could see this?

Something connected me to the portal without me having reached out, and I pulled on the feeling. To my surprise, another notification.

New Dungeon: [Treetop Heights] (Epic)

A dungeon located at the highest point of the oldest tree in the region. At this altitude, various aggressive wildlife and are not shy to attack visitors. Birds of prey, dangerous large insects, and hostile plant-life, make traversing [Treetop Heights] dangerous. 

Note: As a First Entry, all enemies and foes within will be enhanced and variable. Rewards, including equipments, exp, and items, will be enhanced in Rarity or otherwise affected.

My heart raced, realizing what I was experiencing. I was seeing a dungeon, an opportunity for rewards and training. Of course, it wouldn't be without danger. That was the caveat to my powers, it seemed. There was no respawning, I wouldn't trust my life to my power. There have only ever been a few supers who could boast such an ability as respawning. I doubted I was one of them.

There was risk to this. Especially so considering the Epic Rarity of the dungeon. I wasn't a fool, what I had just come across was stupidly lucky for a beginner. In a game, this would've been a highly contested location, hidden, or otherwise hard to get to. And considering where I was sitting, it was honestly fitting. If this hadn't been a routine of mine, who could truly say they would ever climb the tallest tree here? Not to mention the fact that no one even lived around here except me and family. Would anyone be so foolish to do so for fun?

This was an opportunity to become stronger. A dangerous one that I came across by luck alone. There were very real risks to my wellbeing. Death wasn't out of the picture, realistically speaking. I knew more than most the dangers wildlife could bring to bear, how dangerous The Woods were alone. 

Nonetheless, I unslung my bow. Then, carefully, pulled on that feeling. No one knew the dangers better than I did. I'd just have to be extra careful.