The darkened doors woke me with a high pitched screech, bringing my hands to my ears. I rolled around, blood dripping through my fingers, before falling off the stone bed that I was on. I stood up shakily, tears flowing from the loud noise. Where am I? Last I remember, the raven person tossed me through the wrong door. A gunshot like noise sounded, and I flinched back. What is with all the sounds! Can’t people keep it down? I stepped forward hesitantly. Let’s take stock of the situation.

I glanced down at myself, then started muttering. “Woke up in a stone room, looks like a cell. I got nothing on my save a pair of pants and a shirt. Dead guy in the corner of the cell, looks like he’s on top of… a grate? Whatever. Let’s see where this door leads.”

I quickly moved forward, glancing at the cell door. Large, metal, with two holes for food and viewing. Nothing too unique. Pressing against it, I tried to look out and see if there was anybody there, and tested the lock. No dice. Two guards at every door, and I was sure that they were at mine, too, even though I couldn’t see them. I had to find another way.

I moved the dead guy over to the stone bed, placing him there as his final rest. It was something I loved to do in videogames, and it usually held a secret for any player if they did something similar. However, at that time, I just wanted the guy to have his final rest in peace. Nobody should die unrecognized, unknown, unseen, alone. I quickly moved his hands over his chest, just like if he was awake, and closed his dull eyes.

A bit of pain in my heart welled up for this stranger, yet I quickly let it go, as I didn’t need it at the moment. I had to find a way out. I observed the grate, trying to figure out if I could get past the guards using it. Below it flowed a near literal river of human waste, and I recoiled in disgust, retching. Now I realize why nobody leaves that way, the smell alone could kill them. I covered my nose and looked past it. The scat looked like it was flowing towards a giant… mouth. Okay, more than one reason not to go that way.

I looked over the room once more, trying to find anything that could be of use, and I caught a glimmer from something metal in the dead guy’s pocket. I turned around, looking for the light source, and a tray slid on the ground from the food slot in the door.

“Eat up, kid, it’s your last meal.” The guard closed the slot and walked away. I quickly moved to the metal in the man’s pocket, and grabbed it. A screwdriver. Going to have to be good enough. The meal looked positively revolting, and I shoved it aside. Under it, however, was an interesting discovery. A note, addressed to me.

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

Dear Max Durran,

Sincerest apologies for my mistake. You were correct, the Bright doors were for you, not the Glass. A mistake of three doors by me, means you get three boons from me. They will arrive after this message. Once again, I sincerely apologize for my mistake. Good luck with your new life!

Best wishes,

Abethos, Archen of the High Judge

I clutched the paper, nodded, then tore it up and tossed it down the drain.

Note, your chosen action will have consequences.

A message, appearing… right in front of my face? What is this? I blinked, and the message disappeared. Well… Let’s double check something. As a programmer, I knew all about games, including the modern VR setups that used voice command to show… “Status.” I spoke out loud.

Maxwell Durran: Age 24.

Level: 1. Class: N/A.

Skills: Archen Gaze, Archen Potential, Archen Fate.

The concise message showed me… nothing, other than the fact that this was what I thought it was, a game. I started as a noob character, as most people do, but what were the skills I got?

Archen Gaze: Skill Rank: Basic. Skill Level: 1.

You have collected the eyes of an Archen as one of your gifts, and given your eyes to him. Your new eyes allow you to size up anyone you see, giving you a statistical analysis based on their numbers. They also allow several other boons, such as Night Vision, Visual Recording, and Visual replication, that will be unlocked at later ranks.

Grants: 1% increased visual acuity/perception per level, 1% increased statistical accuracy per level, 1% increased knowledge/intellect per level.

Archen Potential: Skill Rank: Basic. Skill Level: 1.

You have collected an Archen body as one of your gifts, and given your shell to him. Your new body allows you to reach any height imaginable given enough time and effort. All your limits are removed. This skill will adapt to whatever you wish to do, and can do anything you wish, even giving you wings should you desire to fly.

Grants: 1% increased statistical baseline per level, 1% increased ability based on desire per level, 1% decreased training time required per level.

Archen Fate:

You have collected an Archen Soul from a minor Archen of Fate, Abethos. Your soul now is fated for greatness, and, no matter what you do, are unable to escape it. A king amongst men, conqueror of all, the Grim Lord Durran.

Grants: ???

I looked over the skills that I was granted, and my heart rose and sunk at the same time. If what this said was true, Abethos had basically killed himself by granting me these powers. A soul? If I was right, that means that Abethos no longer had one. He was dead.

I granted the Archen a moment of silence in remembrance of the bastard. Then I looked up and returned my gaze to the task at hand. Getting out. I knew that there were guards out there, I knew what would happen to me, but I simply didn’t care.

I grabbed the screwdriver and clutched it tight before throwing it in my pocket. Time to make my escape.