The force from Simon’s chest was drawn into the blue mist, and he felt it beyond that mist. Like an appendage he had never used before, he felt that he could control it, and move it around, like a sensitive fishing line that he had control over. So he tried to move it. As he did, he became aware of different sensations, as if there were distinct forces within that mist, that he could call out to. He could make out... four? No, five.
“This is SO weird” Simon told himself. He figured he must look pretty silly, standing in front of a floating ring with mist in it, a white-knuckled grip on opposite sides of it. He went nearer to one of the forces he sensed within, and felt himself being filled by a sense of strength. Like he was a boulder tumbling down a mountain, crushing all in its path. Or perhaps the mountain itself, unassailable. The feeling grew stronger and stronger, until he suddenly felt a connection. The billowing mist in front of him turned to a dark red color, like old blood, and symbols seemed to form from it. That’s not good. At first he was unable to read these symbols, but the longer he looked at each of them, the more it began to make sense, until something suddenly clicked, and he was gazing upon the following:
The Hammer
The Hammer is the unbroken Archon of controlled fury. A master of close combat, he is skilled at wielding any melee weaponry, and has the ability to wield it with deadly consequences. While less menacing from a very large distance, when he is encountered in enclosed space, it is only fit that one kneels and offers their neck.
SKILL
DESCRIPTION
Armsmaster (Unique)
You are master and possessor of any armor and melee weapons you conquer.
Impressive I
Lesser beings are less inclined to mess with you.
Lesser Strength
You are stronger than ordinary beings.
Lesser Vitality
Your body is tougher than that of ordinary beings.
Lesser Endurance
You can exert yourself longer than ordinary beings.
Current level: 1
Progress: 0%
Would you like to adopt this Archon for now?
“Hunh, so I can like, pick this class or something?” Simon wondered. It all felt like some sort of game. Save the world and all after you learn how to play as a certain character. However, it offered him to adopt it for now. Did that mean it would not be a permanent thing? He was unsure, but just in case this was a permanent thing, and out of pure curiosity, he decided to look at the other forces, or apparently Archons, as well. Let’s just hope the rest don’t want any more necks than necessary.
Next, Simon withdrew from this force, and the mist returned to a swirling blue. He approached one of the other forces, this one filling him with a breath of fresh air, like a sip of water for a man in the desert. “I like this one a lot more already.” He connected with it, and the mist was turned a sunny yellow, like evaporated gold.
The Pillar
The Pillar is the radiant Archon of chained stability. A highly charismatic master of deception and support, he wields many Weaves that enhance or disable friend or foe. While no great threat when encountered on his own, he is an unbreakable shackle in any army, and a fearsome leader to oppose.
SKILL
DESCRIPTION
Strength in Numbers (Unique)
Enhancing or disabling Weaves come easy to you and are undetectable until they come into effect, their effectiveness is greatly enhanced by the target’s acceptance of the Weave
Radiant I
You are charismatic and inspire trust and confidence. Others are more easily inclined to believe you
Lesser Healer
Your Weaves directed at healing are more efficient and easier to control
Lesser Enhancer
Your Weaves directed at enhancing are more efficient and easier to control
Lesser Disabler
Your Weaves directed at disabling are more efficient and easier to control
Current level: 1
Progress: 0%
Would you like to adopt this Archon for now?
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This one is pretty neat, and would actually be quite useful in a civilized society. Simon felt a little more hope that he would not just be thrust into some sort of toxic post-nuclear wasteland. Still, even Insane Mike had its tribal societies, so it wasn’t any guarantee for something better. He wondered what these Weaves were, but guessing from the description it was likely what spells were called by this ring.
The next force he encountered was the one he did not detect at first. Sure, he was by no means an expert at this yet, but it was definitely harder to connect to it than the previous ones were. When he did connect to it, he saw why in the dark grey mist that appeared.
The Whisper
The Whisper is the hidden Archon of dark shadows. A silent master of stealth and infiltration, he wields darkness and daggers to get what he wants. If uncovered, he is no more capable at direct combat than the average fighter, but when he remains in the shadows, the Whisper is the last thing one hears.
SKILL
DESCRIPTION
Shadowborne (Unique)
You are part of the shadows, and they are part of you. You can move unseen in the darkness, and Blink between dark areas.
Featherweight I
You can increase and decrease your weight a small degree.
Dagger Mastery I
You are more talented with a dagger than ordinary beings.
Lesser Agility
You are more agile than ordinary beings.
Lesser Perception
Your senses are more sensitive than those of ordinary beings.
Current level: 1
Progress: 0%
Would you like to adopt this Archon for now?
This one offered a chance. While he wasn’t terribly excited at the prospect of being an edgelord shadowlurker, the fact that it possessed featherweight might be a way for him to get down out of this prison. He was not looking forward to simply jumping down and breaking his legs, but if the weight decrease was significant enough, it might offer a chance at survival. Also, if he trained some with it he might actually be able to decrease his weight to near zero! The level thing hinted at that possibility at least. Still, it might not be too realistic to do this on a short term. After all, he did not even know the requirements for gaining these levels. Would he simply have to be this Archon for a certain period of time? Or would it be more like a game system, gaining levels by killing stuff? If that were the case, he would be up here for eternity anyway.
Deciding to see if there was anything better still, Simon disconnected from the Archon of shadows, and made his way to the next one. The next one felt oddly familiar however. It was like seeing an old friend, and he could swear he smelled baked apple pie as he connected to this Archon. A welcoming light green mist billowed up, replacing the blue, and when Simon read it he nearly jumped for joy.
The Housecarl
The Housecarl is the welcoming Archon of the Skyhome. While he possesses no strength in battle or leadership, he can be relied upon to take care of you in his Skyhome. As master of the Skyhome, he has absolute control over its contents and its movements, and decides who is welcome and who is not.
SKILL
DESCRIPTION
Skyhome Steward (Unique)
You control the Skyhome and its features, and are familiar with all its contents.
Cozy Caretaker I
You are able to affect the status of beings within the Skyhome to a small degree.
Cook
New recipes come more easily to you, you are more creative.
Lesser Endurance
You can exert yourself longer than ordinary beings.
Lesser Charisma
You are more likeable than ordinary beings.
Current level: 1
Progress: 0%
Would you like to adopt this Archon for now?
This had to be the one that might get him back down! If he could control the house, then he could simply float it back down to the ground, and safely leave. If he could then just figure out where in the world he was right now, then maybe he could find a way back to his hometown. If that was even a thing in this world. Hell, he didn’t even know if this world was still Earth. Considering the weird shit that had happened in the last few hours, it was no stretch to assume he was now in a place where Weaves or Skyhomes were a recognized thing.
Still, his curiosity compelled Simon to look at the last Archon in the ring, so he once again disconnected his fishing line and felt for the final force. It reminded him of the first, as it too gave him a sensation of power, but this time it felt less ominous and more… Joyful? Perhaps energetic was the word, Simon thought as he connected to it. Blue was substituted for a deep orange this time, and Simon read.
The Dancer
The Dancer is the destructive Archon of combat Weaves. An agile master of quick yet punishing abilities that allow him to decimate foes at range, and evade foes up close. If you somehow manage to limit his movements and fight him up close, you have a decent chance at bringing him down. If.
SKILL
DESCRIPTION
Born Ready (Unique)
You can cast and read most Weaves near-instantaneously, and form Weaves with greater efficiency. Combat Weaves are mastered with greater ease.
Deadly Dancer I
You are more limber and agile than ordinary beings, and can form Weaves from most positions.
Lesser Endurance
You can exert yourself longer than ordinary beings.
Lesser Vitality
Your body is tougher than that of ordinary beings.
Lesser Perception
Your senses are more sensitive than those of ordinary beings.
Current level: 1
Progress: 0%
Would you like to adopt this Archon for now?
This one seemed pretty cool. To be able to shoot fireballs or something as you run around a battlefield was straight from a comic book. Still, it was not more useful to Simon right now than the Housecarl.
So, Simon switched back to the green mist, and stared at the symbols in front of him. A few questions came up. First, how did he adopt an Archon? Should he simply say yes or something? Before he even tried something however, he was held back by the fact that he had made an assumption that may very well be incorrect. He had assumed that he would become this Archon or whatever. But perhaps that would not be the case. What if instead he summoned something by adopting it? Sure, the skill descriptions seemed to suggest he would take on those powers, but he wasn’t certain of that. Also, would he change? Or would the old Simon die and be replaced by a lunatic with axes who demanded people kneel and offer their necks? Would he turn into a Goth who refused to leave the shadows? There were a lot of unknowns here. However, Simon saw few other ways of improving his situation, and if any of those scenarios came to pass, he supposed he could live with or as a kind old Housecarl.
So Simon focused on the fishing line connected to the Housecarl, and tried to go deeper. Something seemed to give, and a rush of force came in over the connection, followed by green mist billowing out of the ring, blinding Simon to his surroundings and covering the surface wherever he looked. He tried to let go of the ring, but he found that he couldn’t move at all. The rush seemed to go on and on, and then just stopped. Simon finally let go of the ring, and looked around him. “Woah”.