I never thought I would need a checklist for waking up in strange places after apparent death. Surely that's more of a one-time thing … unless you're a Buddhist or something. Guess it's time I learnt. Body, sore but not dying, danger, seems safe.

Kovit: “Are going to lie there all day?”

I sit up and look towards the voice.

David: “Ah hey, Kovit.”

I look around.

“Where are the others?”

Kovit: “Dead, you should have gotten the notifications in the trial but here's a good rule of thumb. Not at The Waystation after a trial, then they are dead.”

David: “Oh …”

I feel a weight in my chest and lower my head.

“Were you with them? Do you know what happened?”

Kovit: “We made it up the stairs to the second top level with no problems but it went downhill then. The other two stuck to the back while JC and Gunther took point and I was behind them.

The turret fire must have alerted the NSF because on that level there were six or so of them and they were ready. JC was spotted as he checked the room at the top of the stairs. JC signalled a halt and took cover and the NSF opened fire.

Gunther and JC held until the NSF started reloading and then stormed the room but the momentum was already against us. A few of the guards from the top were on the next flight of stairs ready and one of the first group threw a LAM onto the stairs. The guy got hit close range and died while the girl was blown to the bottom of the stairs. Took a while for her notification so I assume she died from her wounds and the fall.

JC and Gunther pushed hard and killed the rest on both floors, I don't know if the objective was killed or captured but it ended after they went upstairs.”

This was not how it was supposed to go. Would I have been able to help if I was there or was it my turret plan that got them killed with its noise tipping off the NSF? What if we skipped Gunther and just went straight to the top?

Kovit: “Hey, wake up.”

David: “Oh hey um, I was just thinking ...”

Kovit steps up to me and squats down to my right.

Kovit: “I know what you were thinking, this isn't my first battle. Don't dwell on it. Looking back to see what you could've done better is not a bad idea, but blaming yourself for what happened is wasteful and won't get you anywhere.”

That makes me look up at him and I don't know what emotion I should be feeling. I'm torn between being angry that he doesn't care they died or upset because that heartlessness seems like a good idea, in the end, I'm unable to express either.

Kovit: “These trials are death to all but the strongest, smartest and most able. You either adapt and rise above or fall by the wayside. Despite having basically no skill or ability you made the best of every situation you could. You adapted what little you had to each problem faced and that is how you got back here. Even that is sometimes not enough to survive these trials.

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Those two did nothing from beginning to end, they could not adapt and forge their own way and because of that, they had to take what they were given. They are responsible for themselves. You are responsible for yourself.

Now I imagine you are still in some pain, so get up, it's time to heal you and give you the very basics so you can go rest and recover before we continue.”

Kovit stands and offers a hand.

Taking his hand he pulls me to my feet with ease and leads me to the large black obelisk in the centre of the room.

Kovit: “This is The Obelisk, you can use The Interface to interact with it and use your rewards to buy improvements, powers and equipment. Though that can wait for tomorrow, for now, there is another function you probably need.

The Obelisk can heal you from anything bar death for a relatively small amount of points and you need some healing. When we return to The Waystation we are all healed enough to make us conscious and stable physically for free. A minor perk since The Crucible wants strong people and getting us back here just to die is pointless. Though it is the bare minimum to keep us going and that is where The Obelisk comes in.

Injuries infused with energy like magic, special poisons or curses don't get fixed for free. So on top of what's left after the bare minimum, you will also have these to get rid of those.

If you know what is wrong you can get that fixed and it will be cheaper, otherwise ask for a “full heal” and it will get everything back to normal. After unlocking the first stage of your genetic potential you will need a full heal. That burning feeling in your body is your genes breaking down after unlocking them.

Call your interface and ask for a “Full Heal” and after that, I will give you the rest of the basics.”

Interface give me a full heal. Light comes from The Obelisk and surrounds me as I rise into the air. This is surprisingly cool and the relief, I didn't even know I was hurting in some of these places until it went away.

All my wounds are closing and healing completely in seconds. It's like watching a film in rewind. Despite all my wounds being healed the light sticks around. I feel like my body is popping like I'm a fizzy drink. After a few minutes, the popping stopped and the lights faded as I was lowered to the ground.

Kovit: “Alright, now that you aren't going to die it's time to rest.”

David: “Whoa, what the fuck. What about explaining all this shit?”

Kovit: “I'll explain how the rooms work … “

Kovit points at the nearest door.

“... and then we can get some rest and talk about the rest in the morning.”

David: “Hold on, I'm freaking out. How am I suppose to rest after what we just went through? I basically died, twice, not to mention the people that died … the people I killed and now you are saying just go take a nap. Come on you have to give me more than that. Just … let's just talk for a bit. I … don't want to be by myself. Hey, we're a team now aren't we?”

Kovit: “No, we aren't.”

David: “What?”

Kovit: “It's understandable, you're meant to think that when you do your first mission. I'm a guide, I work for The Crucible to assist and advise new challengers. I show you the ropes, so to speak and give some advice, that's all.

David: “You work for this thing?”

Kovit: “I have my own problems but while I won't be taking part in any of your trials, I think I have a solution for the current problem. You have a one time chance to get a human creation from The Obelisk for free.”

David: “Human creation?”

Kovit: “The Obelisk can literally make any human you can imagine. You can make yourself a skilled warrior that will loyally fight by your side or a doctor to treat your wounds. The idea is to give newbies a supporter to assist them in their trials.

Very few can meet the trials without any help at all. A lot of newbies use it to make a plaything.” Sigh “They are usually short-lived. So a little bit of advice.

Average human stats are 100 in each stat, you can get yours from your interface, but your created human can be anywhere up to double that, so do that. They can also be given knowledge and skills that would be possible for someone like them to learn in the real world. Give them at least loyalty to yourself, combat skills and knowledge of the things you will need to survive missions. Lastly, The Obelisk can assist you in making a personally suitable for you, just ask it, it is better you get along well.”

David: “What just make a friend, that doesn't seem …”

Kovit: “Your morals are your own but you might want to get a bit more flexible if you want to survive. Use it or don't, it's up to you but whenever you are done, choose any door, place your hand on it and imagine any kind room, house, etc you want. The door will let you access that room etc and only you and people you allow can access it. I'll see you in the morning if you want to know more.”

And like that Kovit walked up to a door and left.