Soft rolling hills bathed in warm sunlight. Low trees swayed in the breeze, brushing the hair out of her face, Rebecca opened her eyes.
“Oh. This isn’t good.”
Sitting up she looked around. There was a tall cube like building in the distance. She saw a circle of lavender trees surrounding the building at the center. Short hills obscured the base of the building, but she suspected it was no more than a 5-minute walk to the building.
“Greetings.” A voice came from Rebecca’s left.
Turning she saw a feminine figure made of dark smoke, swirling, seemingly unaffected by the light breeze. Roughly the same height as Rebecca, her smoke like body flowed down, spreading out fading into the teal-colored grass.
“Hi?” Rebecca said, not fully understanding what she was seeing.
With a wave of her hand, Rebecca’s companion, summoned a small table and two chairs.
“Please have a seat, we can enjoy some tea while we chat.”
With another hand wave, a beautiful tea set appeared, with tea already poured in the cups. Taking their seats, Rebecca took a sip of tea, it was a pleasant melody of fruit and floral notes.
“It’s good. But um, what is going on? How did I get here?”
Rebecca, felt the smile from her companion more than she saw it, the featureless face was creepy. But she felt no hostility, or malice. It was odd feeling at peace with something she had no frame of reference to compare to what was happening.
“Your species has been integrated. Your world has reached the minimum requirements for integration. Allowing you the pleasure of joining the [Grand Experiment], the [SYSTEM] has chosen your species, isn’t that great?” The joy mixed in with her weird robotic voice reminded Rebecca of the first generation of Furbies with low batteries.
“Right, and what does that mean? Also, what is your name?”
“Ah, yes. I have no name. Would you like to assign a name to this one?”
“Miri, I have always liked that name, you seem like a Miri. You are quiet cheer for not having a name.”
“Miri it is, thank you for saying so, the [SYSTEM] has deemed this is the best approach to put you at ease, facilitating a smooth transition. As for what my previous statement meant, it meant just that. The [SYSTEM] has deemed your species sufficient to join the [GRAND EXPERIMENT].”
“Right. That really doesn’t answer my question. What is the System, and what is the Grand Experiment? What is this place? What am I doing here? And where is my family?” Rattling off the questions Rebecca noticed she felt no fear. Which was odd, because she knew should be panicking. Hell she’d spent her life feeling like she was constantly drowning in anxiety, this should have sent her over the edge.
“The [SYSTEM] is just that, it governs all, blesses all, knows all. As for the [GRAND EXPERIMENT] I can say no more. That information is not for your purview. You are merely tasked with taking part in it, and survival, of course. As for why you feel no fear or anxiety, well that is because your body, and thus your mind has been reformed, eliminating all previous… deficiencies. Priming your physical form to accept the will of the [SYSTEM]. Marvelous is it not?” Miri spoke with such infliction at the end convincing Rebecca her new vapor friend was a sycophant of some cult of the System.
“So you just go around kidnapping people, curing them of anxiety, and what leaving? Keeping me trapped here forever? And you sorta glossed over the whole location of my family? Where are my kids?”
A light chuckled escaped the smokey figure, causing the tendrils of smoke to vibrate.
“We did not kidnap you, we integrated you. You are part of the [GRAND EXPERIMENT] now, your previous life holds no meaning now that you have joined. As for your children”, pausing, Miri pointed to the building at the center of the clearing they were in. “they are located in your… what does your species call a communal living quarter… Ah, yes, there it is… an A-Part-Ment. Odd terminology. They are safe and asleep at the moment. Younglings, we have found receive this notice much better from a paternal figure.”
Rebecca knew in her soul that alone should terrify her, but she wasn’t. A strange cultist, made of smokey vapors, the System kidnapping her, and her children, and invited her to tea in a psychedelic colored clearing centered around the most industrialized apartment building she had ever seen. Yeah, she should be freaking the fuck out.
“I guess there is some thing to say for body reforming, and curing anxiety, or whatever. And my husband?” Rebecca asked.
“I do not know.” Miri replied in the same cheerful tone.
“I’m sorry, what was that?”
“I do not know. His location was there a moment ago, but when I went to tell you, it was edited, and is now redacted.”
“You can see this information?”
“Oh yes, I forgot. Well, I didn’t, the [SYSTEM] created this personality for you to be flippant, and cheerful. But I digress. Please say ‘status’, and you will see what I am talking about.” Miri said as cheerful as ever.
“Ooook, this is weird. But I guess I can go with it for now… Status.”
A screen appeared in her field of vision, not far from her face. Reaching out she could move it around or allow her hand to pass through it with a thought. Manipulating the screen felt second nature even though she had never seen or heard of anything like this before.
Name: Rebecca Soxe
Age: 29
Race: Human (Sub Variant - Earth)
Level: 0
Soul: Harbor Realm
Body: Grade F
Stats
Body: 8(+0)
Mind: 10(+0)
Control: 9(+0)
Charisma: 12(+0)
Magic: 12(+0)
Soul Arts: 12(+0)
Titles: [Matriarch of the End]
Achievements: [None]
Skills: [Myriad Tongues][Chains that Bind]
Talents: [None]
[REDACTED]
Lineage: [Redacted]
“You’re gonna have to help me out here Miri, what are all these stats? What does all this mean?"
"As any good experiment is conducted you need to establish a base line of known statistics. That status window is a quantification of your base statistics. But don't feel down, the average stats of your species is 10, so you are doing quite well comparatively. As you gain more experience, more knowledge, and create more records for yourself your levels, race, and stats will improve."
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
"What are all these plus stat numbers?"
"You receive those from your Title. Titles can be a flat bonus, percentages, or grant you access or privileges otherwise unavailable to others."
"How do I check that?"
"You can tap the title name, or simply think about it, it is designed for species with and without physical bodies."
"Right", Rebecca said as she tapped the only title she had.
[Matriarch of the End][Disabled]
As the chosen equal of the [Patriarch] of the End, Empires will fall before you falter. Nations will be forgotten before you realize your might. No ending is ever humble, bring the fear of the End to all who stand before family.
You share a small percentage of stats with the [Patriarch], this link is shared both ways, so long as you are both living. As long as the [Matriarch], or [Patriarch] are alive, stats are shared, at an even further reduced percentage, with the rest of the lineage of the [End].
Beware - the percentage of shared stats is reduced due to distance from the [Patriarch]. Further bonuses will unlock as you progress, based on proximity.
Warning
Stats can not be shared as [Patriarch] can not be located.
Warning -
[Patriarch] has not Awakened. Title disabled.
"I guess that explains why they are all zeroes, but where is my husband? If the system can't find him, how am I supposed to find him?" Rebecca did not like where this was going this was all too weird, and even though Miri was growing on her, and she was being helpful, this all felt off.
"Oh the [SYSTEM] knows where he is, his location is just [REDACTED]. That may be unfortunate to hear. But I assure you, you will be reunited in time. Your task is to guide the younglings until the end of the tutorial. Then you will be transported, with your offspring, out of the training grounds back to Earth. During your time in the training grounds you and your offspring will be protected by the system. Allowing you to study and guide your offspring. What will be available to study will be based on the performance of your husband.The further he progresses in the endless plains, the more he kills, and the harder he survives, the greater rewards you receive."
"Oh shit."
It dawned on Rebecca why she was feeling weird about this entire situation. She had noticed the flags the more Miri talked about the system. Survival. Protected. If she and her children were safe, it meant Ethan was not. If Ethan had to kill he would, but could his mind take that kind of life again? Was he going to regress, and slip back into old habits? She had worked so hard to get him out of that dark place, was he going to go back? Could he come back from that a second time?
"Oh fear not, we will find you a new suitable mate, should your mate die." Miri said, once again all too cheery. Rebecca decided she in fact did not like Miri.
"I'm not worried he'll die. He won't. I am worried about what is going to happen when he gets here. You don't know him like I know him."
Sensing Rebecca's confidence in her husband, and the odd redactions, Miri submitted a request inquiring the status of this human Rebecca was so sure about. Miri completely froze. The usual flowing movements eerily just stopped, like time was frozen around her, just her. Something told Rebecca, Miri was talking to the System, or whatever was her boss.
The trees continued to sway gently in the distance causing an odd juxtaposition of her new reality. Slowly Miri and the tree began to sync up as Miri came back to life.
"Oh, you may be correct. How interesting. All information regarding your husband has been [REDACTED]. As well as the disappearance of his guide."
"I am assuming his guide was like you, a smokey... person?"
"Oh yes, they are both [REDACTED]. I have been locked out of all further inquiries regarding either."
"Oh boy, not good. Not good at all. Where are my kids, can you take them to me?" Panic was finally setting in, Rebecca noticed that it disappeared if she directed it towards the System. That did not sit well with her. It meant her feelings were being manipulated. If she felt that, she knew Ethan did as well. He hated being manipulated. Fought against it.
"You can just use your skill to find them, if you are done asking questions. As your guide I will be available anytime you have questions just summon me, by calling for me."
"My skill?" She remembered her skills as soon as she asked that. Quickly bringing up her status again, and access her skills, the skill windows opened on top of her status window.
[UNIQUE][MYRIAD TONGUES]
As basic as it gets, the single skill every new initiate receives upon entrance into the [GRAND EXPERIMENT].
Allows for the communication across all barriers.
As long as individuals have a true soul, communication is possible. This includes, but is not limited to written word, pheromones, micro facial muscle communication, and other such body languages common to species other than your own. Facilitated by the [SYSTEM], some features may not be available as some races communicate through emotions.
No rarity is assigned this skill as there is no upgrade path.
This skill can not level up as it set at level -/-.
Fusion is not available.
"Got it, the system is monitoring us." Rebecca thought to herself, as she pulled up the second skill she had.
[UNIQUE][CHAINS THAT BIND]
Level 1
Allows for the connections between you, and your target to become physical in nature.
The usage of this skill is dependent on the caster.
Attack, Defense, Tracking all are possible. How will you guide this skill to evolve is up to you. Depending on the aspect infused into the chains depends on the effect transferred to the target.
[WILL] influences the solidity and visibility of the chains.
[AFFINITY] influences the power of the aspect infused in the chains.
[STRENGTH] influences the durability of the chains.
[INTELLECT] influences the maximum number of chains.
Not fully understanding the skill, Rebecca knew she could figure it out in time. But what were all those stats that weren't mentioned in her status window? Something for later on when she had time.
"How do I use this skill?" She asked Miri, standing up.
"Focus on your soul center, and think of your targets, then release your intentions."
"Thank god I don't have to call it out like that one video Ethan showed me. That kid calling out 'Lightning Bolt' still gives me cringe by proxy." She said to herself as she felt within herself.
Something was there. It felt familiar. Like her own self. Like it had always been there, just out of reach. But now with her new body, it felt more connected to it. She was feeling her soul for the first time. There was a spot thicker than the rest, orbiting around her soul. Flat and round, it spun around her soul like a 2D moon, she reached out with her mind, and tapped it.
A warmth flooded her body, and a question filled her mind. Who. Who was all it wanted to know.
Mark, and Haley.
What.
Find.
Harm.
No.
Wordless communication continued until it all snapped in place. Rebecca knew exactly how to use the skill, and what was needed every time it was used.
Instantly she knew where her children were, she started running before he noticed. The cube grew closer, as she realized she had no idea how to enter the building.
"How the hell do I get in?"
Instantly two thin chains materialized on top of each other, the same but distinctly different to her senses, connecting to her chest, leading around the side of the building. Made entirely of light, they didn't cast light themselves, as if they were overlaid in her vision alone and not real. Her instincts told her this wouldn't work for anyone. Only people she had built up karma with, that just left what the fuck karma meant.
Was she going to have to give the cult of the system 10% of her paycheck to find people now? Wait, did she even have a job anymore? Were bills a thing still? She wished Ethan was there, he was always good at figuring these things out and explaining it to her in a way that made sense. Because so far, none of this made any damn sense to her. She was on information overload and just wanted him to handle this so she could take a break.
"He's on his way." She said to herself as she rounded the corner of the building spotting a crowd of women, and younger teens trying to get in the building.
Cries for people to get out of the way could be heard from the crowd. Along with several asking 'what the hell was going on' parroting her thoughts exactly. She needed to get to her children and couldn't be stuck in this soon to be mob.
"HEY! EVERYONE SHUT UP AND CALM DOWN" a booming voice echoed from behind the crowd, louder than it should have normally been.
Everyone momentarily settled down.
A tall, thick woman built like a lumberjack walked out into the middle of the crowd wearing a plain gray dress down to her knees, with no shoes. Taking a second to look around Rebecca noticed everyone was dressed the same. Even her, which was weird because she hadn't thought to look before.
"More system controlling stuff, I am sure." Rebecca thought to herself.
The tall woman spoke again.
"Everyone needs to calm down, and get in line. We all want to get to our children, there is no need to trample each other to get there. If Bob was right, they are all asleep waiting for us to wake them, and let them know what is going on."
"Who the fuck is bob?" Rebecca asked as she made her way through the crowd.
"Oh, that is what I named my guide. Thought it was funny." The large woman chuckled as she turned back to speak to the crowd,"Everyone needs to get into lines, make space, go on, back it up, back it up."
Rebecca saw the same look of wanting someone anyone to take control, as she felt inside, on several of the faces in the crowd. Standing next to the tall woman, she watched as order was slowly restored, and mothers, sisters, and daughters began to file in, she even spotted older women, much older women file in.
"So the elderly are included in the protection. So far I am seeing all women. Weird." Rebecca mused to herself.
"Yeah, it seems the system places a priority on procreation of 'entities that can birth future generations', according to Bob. Casey. You?"
"huh? Casey?"
"My name, Casey."
Ah, right, sorry weird day. Rebecca. Not Becca. Rebecca."
"Nice to meet you. And yeah you're right. From what I asked Bob, it seems even some women who never had kids, but are too old, or 'not fit for survival' whatever that means, were sent here to care for the children whose mothers are gone." That last word hung in the air as Rebecca thought about what Casey had said.
"There are going to be far more children then mothers and grandmothers. Even if some sisters are older, we are still going to be short handed." Worry evident in Rebecca's voice.
"Noticed that too, did ya. Did you notice how even if the apartments are abysmally small this building can't hold us all?"
"I hadn't done the math, but now that you mention it... today just keeps getting weirder and weirder."
Rebecca turned and saw that the build was at most three stories tall, maybe 100 meters long. But there were hundreds of women here, possibly over a thousand children. Turning further to face the doorway she saw there was no interior. Just a blank void, women would walk up to it, hesitantly, and then walk through disappearing.
"What is going on here? Seriously I am getting tired of asking that today." Rebecca said, catching Casey's attention.
"Okay, one more weird thing to add to the list." Casey, now watching the line of women disappear as well.
"Hey, Casey, did you want to give it a go first? I'm not sure I trust that."
"You know what, I think I'll let you go first, I have to... direct traffic..."
"Sure, see you around." Rebecca said as she walked forward. Reaching out she felt nothing. Like the void wasn't there.
Resolving herself, she stepped forward, disappearing into the nothing.