Interlude
Dining Delectably with the Divine
John hesitated to follow the request. Everything in him was screaming to escape, but even if he wanted to, he couldn’t just disappear. Knowing every second he waited might be taken as more of an insult, John slowly walked forward.
He took his seat at the table and stared at the being across from him. He wanted to ask a thousand questions, but decided to keep his silence as he had been instructed. The woman clapped her hands together once and the small table was littered with more food than John had ever seen in such a small area.
Breads, pastas, fruits, vegetables, cheeses, meats, sauces, desserts, and a few things John had never even seen before were piled high before them. His host gestured to the food warmly before taking a peach from the table and having a bite. Her eyes closed in succulent satisfaction as she slowly chewed the fruit, and John had to avert his gaze before things got weird.
“It has been too long since I have taken corporeal form. One forgets just how enjoyable some habits of the flesh can be. Please, enjoy whatever you like. It is clear you have been through quite an ordeal. In the Crater Heart, I am not surprised. Tell me freely, which pass did you descend?”
“Which pass? I don’t know what you mean.”
The woman didn’t explain, but she did look closely at John for the first time. He still wore his armor, so his face and eyes were hidden from sight. But whatever she was searching for, she obviously found it.
“The mongoliensis! You are fortunate indeed to still be alive. Very impressive, I must say. Tell me, how many did you kill?” The woman smiled at him like an adult congratulating a child on their drawing.
“Just one, but it was wizened,” John said, trying to justify the apparent lack of numbers.
“You actually killed one? I was only jesting! The pack is very capable and works extremely well as a team. To kill even an enhanced one is quite the feat. You really are something special aren’t you?”
“Well you saw the state of my arms. I barely made it out it there.”
“Indeed. It is no easy task to escape a pack of mongoliensis. They are not forgetful creatures. I would not envy being in your position when your time here is done.”
John’s bemused expression lent his tone a little extra force as he responded.
“Didn’t you say something about giving me information?”
“Ah, my apologies. As I said, I have not done this in many years. Let me start again.”
The woman twisted her wrist with a finger pointing upward and the scene shifted. John was standing on the transport pad again, the room was back to the wealthy sitting room it had first been. Before John could even process that the woman had seemingly turned time backward, she waved her hand and the room became the dining room again. She smiled anew at John’s flabbergasted face.
“Please, join me.”
John was even more hesitant to approach the table this time. But nevertheless, he moved to his position opposite her and took his seat. This time, he had no trouble keeping quiet as the woman began speaking once more.
“Welcome to the Realm of the Gods. My name is… difficult for humans to enunciate, but you may call me Mistress of the Moment, Goddess of the Grains, Alikeelifice or if you’re boring, call me Ali.
“You’ve been granted an audience with me due to your success in finding the temple in the Crater Heart. This room exists on my plane, but also as a room at the top of the tower. You should know that the trial to reach this temple has a difficulty of Wizened. There is only one temple in stage one with a higher difficulty rating, though there are many other Wizened Temples throughout. At your gene total it is extremely surprising that you were able to make it to the protection of the tower. Since you have though, you are entitled to the barter system.”
“The barter system? Like trading one thing for another?” John asked.
“Correct. You can trade souls you have gained, genes, or gene progression. The cost goes up from there, but there is always something to trade.”
“Why would I want to trade something like that?”
“Good question. You can trade for answers to questions. You can trade for valuable souls using souls you don’t need or genes you’ve saved up. Or you can make a wish. Only one wish may be requested, and they have the highest price.”
“A wish? Like a genie?”
“The Djinn are a tricky people, and their power is limited by their age and confinement. What I speak of is truly a wish for anything you might desire.”
“I was always taught not to make deals with other worldly beings. Why should I trust you?”
“I have already healed your arms when I could have done nothing. I provided this gourmet meal which you have barely touched. I have given you three reasons to believe my divinity and none to doubt it. Were I a lowly human such as you, I might take offense at your distrust in my hospitality.”
“I’m sorry. It’s just not that easy to swallow. How do we do this?”
“Any question not phrased as an inquiry about the price of certain knowledge will cost you to have answered. You may always resend the question before it is answered if the price given is too high. But after the information is shared, your price is final. Any soul you wish to trade for must be paid for with a soul or souls of equal value. Genes are also acceptable, but the rate is much worse. The best exchange rate is perhaps the one that comes at the greatest detriment to the asker, gene progression. All levels of gene progression are usable as currency, and it is the easiest way to trade. So, with all of that in mind, do you wish to make a deal?”
John seriously considered the proposal. He wasn’t a fool to trade away his valuables for a chance to learn more. But on the other hand, John had no idea where he was going after he left the tower. The Mistress of the Moment had already confirmed the raptors wouldn’t leave him alone.
That meant that without a better idea of the surroundings, John would be sure to wander straight into another trap. And beyond the immediate threat of the dinosaurs, he still had no idea how he was going to find a base to complete his shuffle trial. The unfortunate position he found himself in all but twisted his arm into the deal.
“How do I start?” He asked.
As if those were the magic words, the room changed. The table with the food was still there, but next to it on the wall was a digital counter. It had double zeros in the slots, but the word “Primitive” was glowing over them. It looked straightforward enough, so John asked his first question.
“How far away is the nearest base?”
The counter on the wall immediately ticked up to seven. John’s eyebrows rose at the cost of the question. The Goddess of Grains gave him the opportunity to take the question back, but he figured it was worth the price to know.
“The nearest base is only a day’s journey away. But I would caution you against taking the nearest option to return. Closest base and safest base are not necessarily the same answer.”
John felt himself subtly weaken as the price of the question was taken from him. It happened without delay upon the completion of the woman’s words. John looked to the counter on the wall.
If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
The glowing number seven remained in place. John supposed it was a convenient way to know how much his total was in case the price grew too great. After a moment, he asked his next question.
“What kind of reward is given for completing the shuffle trial?”
The counter only raised by two. John was satisfied with the price. He was much less satisfied with the answer.
“That depends on the manner it is completed.”
John scowled at the woman, but she was unfazed by his displeasure. He hadn’t considered that his questions might be vague enough to elicit a useless answer. He would have to be smarter about his questions.
“What is the cost of knowing the reward scale of the shuffle trial?” John asked through partially gritted teeth.
“Fifteen genes of primitive progression.”
“Deal,” John said with only slight hesitation.
If it weren’t for the pile of primitive genes he had in his bag that he had no use for, he might find the cost to be harder to cope with. As it was, he was just trying to estimate how many genes he could gain back with what he had. He was sure it was more than the collective total of his penalty so far.
“Bases are classified by tier like everything else in The Garden. Standard bases are named after colors. They are all considered Primitive in tier. After that, there are Awakened tiered bases, which are named after gemstones. Starting at Enhanced tier, bases can be inhabited by animals as well as sentients like humans or the gurx and are named after precious metals like gold or silver. Advanced bases will almost always be inhabited by packs of creatures with an alpha at least Advanced in tier. Names of those bases correspond with different basic elements such as carbon or helium. After that is a Wizened tiered base. These bases are generally presided over by a single Wizened individual with many lower tiered creatures of several species serving under it. These bases are named after complex elements or elemental compounds such as water, fire, or even rust.”
Ali paused for dramatic effect before continuing. John was extremely interested in the different levels of the bases. He was especially interested to know his own base was Awakened by her explanation.
It seemed that the tiers of the bases had something to do with the answer to his question. If they didn’t, he didn’t think the supposed goddess would be sharing the information. That was why John was so interested to hear her continue.
Ever since his meeting with the queen of the ants, John had known there was something incredibly far above even the extremely dangerous Wizened tier he had seen in a few animals. Ali’s explanation was to be a complete one, it appeared that he would finally get his confirmation. After a suitably suspenseful pause, she gave him his wish.
“The final tier is not one many will ever see, wether in the form of a base, a soul, a creature, or a gene. It is extremely rare, and even more difficult to reach such a level. In order for a beast to surpass Wizened tier, they have to complete their gene progression, similar to the process of gene tally humans undergo. When their gene has spread their entire body, they must compress their power to an unimaginable degree in order to successfully create their core. If the creature is successful, they will have reached Divine tier.”
“Divine tier,” John repeated, sure not to make it into a question.
“Divine tier bases are extremely few in number. They are not named after any specific classification, but The Garden usually recognizes the leader of the base and names it after them. These bases can be inhabited by anything from Primitive to other Divine beasts and even sentient races are accepted in some so long as they prove their worth. These are the six tiers by which you may be rewarded when completing a shuffle trial. Another five genes for me to explain the rewards.”
John had a lot of information to digest with what she had already told him. But he still needed to know specifically what he might expect from different level bases. He nodded his agreement and waved for Ali to explain.
“First, all forms of success will grant you something called a Title. Titles are not only accolades bestowed by The Garden, but also serve as a type of enhancement. The higher level Title, the better enhancement.”
“In addition to a Title, Primitive bases will grant you an Enhanced soul with your choice of defense or offensive focus. An awakened base would upgrade your Title and grant you your choice of an Advanced soul or an Advanced cultivation scroll in your choice of mind, body, or soul.
“Enhanced bases and up will start giving the truly useful Titles. In this case it would have something to do with the shuffle feature, either limited choice upon next shuffle or greater opportunity in the shuffle itself. You would also receive choice between an Advanced cultivation scroll or an Advanced soul.
“Advanced tier bases will grant you a greater Title related to the shuffle feature. Perhaps it would even give you a pass on the next time you are shuffled. A Wizened scroll or soul of your choice would also be included.
“Wizened bases upgrade the Title further and give a choice between a random Divine soul or cultivation scroll.”
“Divine bases, should you be unfortunate or foolish enough to wander into one would grant the highest Title prize and both a divine cultivation scroll and soul of your choice.”
John was quiet for so long after she finished speaking that she plucked another peach from the table and started to enjoy it one bite at a time. There was so much information to parse that John didn’t know where to begin. It sounded like no matter what, completing the trial came with a pretty great reward. There were specifics he was uncertain about, but he didn’t see the need to waste another question answering them. He did have a few more questions to ask though.
“What is the price of knowing the location of the nearest base?”
“Four genes,” Ali responded
What is the price of knowing the level of the nearest base?”
“Twenty Primitive genes.”
“Forget that one,” John said, not willing to waste so many genes on one question. But the price gave him an idea.
“What is the price of knowing the name of the nearest base.”
“Two genes,” the supposed deity returned.
“What is the price of knowing the location of the safest base to attempt to reach near me?”
“Three genes.”
“I accept all three prices,” John said.
John was going to outright ask the level of the base, but after seeing the price, he could automatically assume the information was valuable. His ingenious loophole to learn the tier of the base through the name it held was one he was especially proud of. He certainly liked two metaphorical dollars a lot better than twenty.
His counter rose by another nine genes. It was starting to pain his inner Scrooge, but he had a lot more to ask, so there was no way around it. The number settled in the thirties and Ali began to speak once more.
“The nearest base is half a day’s journey form the temple. If you stand on the tower steps at dawn, following the sun will lead you up the correct intersection. As for the name, the base is called Thunder Fox Sanctuary. Now, the safest base is about a week away. That’s only considering the difficulty of reaching the base and not the difficulty of the base itself. Be careful how you phrase your questions.”
John rolled his eyes. He had thought his question was specific enough. But perhaps it had been too specifically focused on the journey.
He wasn’t worried about the tier of the base anyway. Not after hearing the name of the closest base. Unless there was a complex elemental compound out there called the Thunder Fox, that meant the base was Divine. John had only just had the tier confirmed and now he was half a day’s journey from an entire base on that level. That gave John a frown, and he found his next question
“Why the hell is The Garden so damn coincidental? It seems like things always happen in the most convenient or inconvenient way. When I lost my first bow, I got a new one. When I needed a way to disguise myself, I got this armor that just happened to have a full helmet. When I needed help, Jane finished her evolution in the nick of time. I got an augmentation for my arrow just in time to save my ass from being eaten by a bear. My dad taught me that once is a coincidence and twice is a pattern. So, what’s the deal?”
John’s counter ticked up by a surprising margin. It moved all the way to forty-five genes. John winced, but decided it was worth knowing. Even the helpful god, Ali supplied him with the answer.
“The Garden is user friendly. The goal of everything in The Garden is to grow. Opportunities you don’t recognize are constantly being offered. Those who take the chance and shoulder the risk will always be granted a path to success. To put it simply, those things happened because you needed them to in order to survive. Had you not used your augmentation on the arrow you spoke of you probably would have died. The Garden foresaw an opportunity to test you and you rose to the challenge. Always pay attention to the signs.”
“I think that I just have one more set of questions.”
“All desires can be fulfilled for the appropriate price.” Ali said.
“What is the price of knowing where to find and how to reach my father?”
“Both answers together would be thirty genes. One or the other would half the price.
John almost cursed at the seemingly ridiculous price. This one question was worth two thirds of everything he had already spent. Just what the hell had happened in his father’s shuffle? He waved for Ali to go ahead.
“Your father shuffled to a place almost six hundred thousand miles from Emerald Base. He moved almost perfectly south following a river in the area and is currently stuck outside of an Awakened base because the local species doesn’t equate well to human speech and so he has made no progress getting into the base. As for how to reach his location, there are a few ways. Obviously, you can travel on foot. You can trade raw genes to use the base transfer system in any Enhanced base or higher. Of course, the most straightforward way would be to finish your own trial with a result high enough to grant you the “Shuffle Master” Title. It would grant you immunity from involuntary shuffling as well as the ability to enter any active shuffle from the starting point via the shuffled party’s room. If you had that Title, you could simply transition and be there in seconds.”
John shook his head at the bit of apparently free information he hadn’t asked for. It sounded like the trap the hunter set for his prey. He didn’t like the way she dangled it like a carrot over his head. So, he had to clarify.
“Let me guess, “Shuffle Master” is the highest Title awarded for the shuffle trial, isn’t it?”
Ali might have been a god. John didn’t know for sure what she was, except weird. But what he did know was that the shit eating grin on her face was as human as it got.
“Would you like to pay for the answer?” She asked through the grin.