As Brian walked down the well-packed dirt road to Mona’s tavern, he took in the sights of the town for the first time. He coined the style ‘rustic-chic’ in his head as the wooden buildings weren’t fancy, but they were extremely well crafted. The wood had a smooth finish, the cuts were precise, and everything looked sturdy and practical. While some buildings had more decoration than others, the simple, functional designs gave everything a pleasant, understated charm.

Brian stood out in his jeans and floral button-up and caught several stares from passersby. He smiled at any who braved eye contact and gave a friendly nod as he approached the tavern.

For some reason, he’d imagined saloon doors, but he had no idea what the seasons were like here. Maybe that was a question for Mona—thought probably not his first. The door was open when he entered, and he noted its solid, reinforced construction. Inside, a dense scattering of tables filled the floor with the bar centered in the back. The tavern smelled of foreign spices and cheeses. Constant skittering sounds came from the rafters. A few patrons were seated here and there. Stairs to its right led both up and down. Whatever time of day it was, the tavern had a quiet, unhurried vibe. The number of tables made Brian wonder if that stayed true all day.

Behind the bar stood a kindly-looking woman, possibly in her forties, with greying brown hair up in a messy bun. She looked surprisingly fit—much more so than he would have expected. Now that he thought about it, everyone he had seen so far appeared to be in excellent shape.

He approached the bar, thankful that it was empty. “Hello there! I’m Brian Turner. Are you Mona?” He did his best to put on a friendly face.

“Sure am, Brian Turner. It’s a pleasure.” She returned his warm smile. “You must be the one I’ve been hearing folks gossip about—you and your fancy carriage.”

Brian chuckled. “The one and only. I’ve had a very long and interesting day, and Day Captain Fletcher suggested you might have a little hospitality for a stray.”

Mona gave him an appraising look, then nodded. “Well, Fletcher is usually right about these things, even if he isn’t the most pleasant in how he says it. Strays tend to find their way here one way or the other. It doesn’t hurt that we’re the only tavern in town.” She wiped her hands on her apron and gestured towards the stool in front of him. “Have a seat, Brian Turner. You look like you could use a drink. First one is on me.”

Brian sat as she moved about, chatting as she worked. “So, what brings you all the way to Lowstead? I’m guessing it’s not the scenery.”

As he settled in, Brian could feel the stress bleeding away, finding it surprisingly easy to relax and chat with the woman. “It wasn’t exactly by choice, unfortunately.” He admitted with a small grin. “Mona—I apologize if there’s a better way to refer to you—but are you someone who prefers a direct approach?”

“Mona’s just fine, Brian.” She winked at him. “Beats dancing around things, don’t you think?” She moved directly across from him behind the counter, giving Brian her full attention. “Go on—speak your mind. I’ve got ears and time for a story before the dinner rush.”

Brian took a deep, calming breath. If he failed, he would at least fail spectacularly. “You asked for it,” he began, diving right into the deep end. “I think I’m from a different world. I understand most of what’s going on around me. I’m randomly unlocking ‘nodes’ when I get too emotional. And… I think I may never see my friends or family again.”

He watched her closely, waiting to gauge her reaction as wore his fakest smile of the day.

“Well now,” she said gently, “that’s not quite what I was expecting. Sounds like you’re dealing with more than just being a little lost. And if you’re unlocking nodes without even meaning to… that’s something you’ll want to get a handle on sooner rather than later.”

She paused, tapping her chin thoughtfully as she pieced things together.

“Most folks work hard for their concepts. There’s a plan, a goal, that they shape over time. Around here, it’s not uncommon to meet people who still have empty slots they’re trying to fill or ones that aren’t trying at all anymore.” She gave him a sympathetic look. “You’ve got a blessing and a curse. You’ll fill those slots quickly, whether you want to or not. And if you’re not careful, those choices might not be the ones you want.

Brian took another deep breath, wishing he could square breathe in the moment without it being weird. “So… if I don’t want choices made for me, I need to be intentional. I get that. But right now, I don’t have a way to protect myself—or Daisy, my… carriage. But how do I make the best choices? I don’t know what’s useful here, or what I’ll need later.”

Mona nodded, brow slightly furrowed as she tried to find the answer that would best aid her newest patron. “Protection, huh? That’s a good place to start. You’ll eventually run into someone or something that isn’t as friendly as us Steaders.” She glanced out a window, her tone casual. “Monsters and bandits aren’t as common around here, but they show up now and then. Most locals know how to avoid them or can deal with them with the right skills.”

She leaned forward on the bar, meeting his eyes with more seriousness. “Think of concepts that suit who you are and what you want to be. Early on, in Foundation, you’re just starting the path. As time goes on you’ll figure out how you take it all further.”

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

“M-monsters?” Brian stammered, adding a new word to his mental dry-erase board.

Mona couldn’t help but let out a small giggle. “Yes, monsters,” she replied, as if it was a normal thing. “Not all the time, but they’re out there. Sometimes it’s just an animal that’s stumbled into their own concept. The more mana in the area, the more often it happens. Thankfully with the Deadlands nearby, we get fewer than other parts. But not none.”

Seeing Brian’s stress, Mona filled a tankard and set it in front of him with a thunk.

“Normally, I wouldn’t ask someone this, and neither should you—it’s rude. But would you mind sharing your node and concepts so far? It’ll help make it easier for me to make more useful suggestions.” Her tone shifted more serious again. “I want to be clear. This is just advice. Your choices are yours to make.”

Brian took a long drag from the tankard, gripping it hard as he mulled over the decision. Despite the warning, he needed all the help he could get.

“So far, I’ve unlocked [Home] in my heart node and [Ordinary] in my crown. I'm still not sure what any of that really means.” He took a breath, then added, “[Home] gave Daisy the ability to heal herself and her passengers and increases defense. [Ordinary] makes her and anyone inside seem less noticeable and less threatening.”

He took another drink. “I just don’t want to end up with a bunch of skills that won’t actually help me survive here.”

Mona listened carefully, nodding as he went along. “Alright, that gives me a clearer understanding. Each node affects a different part of you and influences what skills you develop.”

She tapped her chest. “Your heart node always unlocks first, usually when a person reaches maturity. At first, it’s just potential—it develops based on your chosen anchor. That’s an item that represents how you’ll express that potential. So, someone who unlocks [Cut] could choose a sword and become a warrior, or scissors and become a tailor.”

She gave him a thoughtful look. “For most people, your heart node will result in a recovery skill. It’s the thing that keeps you going.” She paused, studying Brian’s face. “I know this is a lot to take in, so here’s the rhyme we teach our children. Helps them remember the basics.”

Root to move

Sacral’s wish

Solar boosts

Heart to fix

Throat creates

Eye to see

Crown’s aura

For you and me

She refilled his drink. “In simple terms, root nodes usually result in skills that affect your movements, solar plexus for enhancements and improvements, heart for recovery, throat for skills outside your body, third eye for perception and insight, and crown for skills that affect you and others around you.”

Brian nodded slowly, processing everything, “What about sacral?”

“Sacral is… that one’s… different. Sacral is most influenced by your intent, so whatever you’re aiming for has a good chance of affecting what skill you get. Some people unlock it early if they’re after a specific effect. Others wait until it’s last, hoping it’ll give them something essential they might be missing.”

Their conversation wandered from there, with Mona peppering him about his time on Earth. While they were talking he noticed a few times that when a customer would leave, rats would appear and scurry up the tables to bring the used dishes to the back of the tavern. He traded stories in exchange for a few more drinks, and once he’d caught a good buzz, an idea struck him.

In the middle of her explaining about her rats, Brian’s eyes lit up with a possibly stupid idea, “I have an idea that I think will unlock a concept—will you humor me? It might be a little loud.”

Mona tilted her head, used to hearing bold and drunken plans, “What’s this idea of yours?”

“One moment, I need to grab some things,” Brian said, downing the rest of his drink before jogging back to Daisy. He returned with his phone and Bluetooth speaker. He loaded up the Garden State soundtrack. “I want you to close your eyes and listen to this. I’m real sick of this song, but it’s the best I’ve got.”

Mona indulged, closing her eyes as Brian hit play on Frou Frou’s Let Go. Brian closed his eyes as well as he tried to let the music wash over him.

The unfamiliar sound filled the tavern, the melody catching the attention of nearby patrons who had been minding their own business until now. The ethereal notes took over the room and Brian ignored it all and tried to let go, surrendering himself to the music. Tears welled up as the weight of his day—and everything he might never see again—finally were brought to the forefront.

You have unlocked your [Throat] node. (4/7 nodes remaining)

You have imprinted the concept of [Music] in your throat node.

You have gained the ability: [Roadtrip Playlist] - Gain access to your full music library. Songs played through Daisy manifest different effects depending on the content and the user’s synchronization.

Four minutes and thirteen seconds after starting, the music faded.

“Huh. It actually worked.” Brian looked, wiping his eyes as he looked over at Mona who still had her eyes closed. “Mona? You okay?”

Mona took a slow breath. After a moment, she opened her eyes with a pleased look on her face.

“That was… new,” she said appreciatively. “Can’t say I’ve ever heard something quite like it. You need to watch some of the ranked bards from a major city if you have a chance—with the right synergies, it’s a whole spectacle.

Brian deflated a little. He’d hoped that he’d introduced something impressive to this world. He felt a gentle motion on his shoulder and he turned his head to see a rat was giving him a reassuring pat.