Three suns—one a fierce, blood-red, another a piercing blue, and the last a soft, earth-like yellow—hang high in the sky, their combined light searing the landscape below. Brass squints against the brutal brightness, his eyes burning as if they’re unused to such intensity. His skin prickles, an unbearable itch spreading over his face and arms, and a strange, shivery weakness takes hold of him, as though his very core is rejecting the light. Instinctively, he raises his hand to shield himself, but it’s too late; his strength is slipping away, fading with each passing second.
His knees give way, and he sinks heavily onto the packed earth, his hand grazing the ground’s harsh, grainy texture as he collapses into the grass. Around him, the dry blades rustle with each faint breeze, yet even the slightest movement feels oppressive, like he’s being forced down by some invisible weight. He tries to steady his breathing, but his senses feel… sharper, raw, each sound and scent tugging at him in unfamiliar ways.
Just then, a ghostly status menu flickers into view before him, hovering like an apparition. It’s translucent and dreamlike, yet oddly familiar, with rows of text appearing as if he’s in some kind of game.
Name: Brass
Deity: Ame-No-Uzume
Class: Fighter
Level: 1
Race: Hybrid
Age: 32
Weight: 225 lbs
Height: 6’0”
STATUS
Health: 14/14
Stamina: 33/33
Will: 18
Speed: 25
Sanity: 100%
Soul: Smoky
Sin: 10
Divine: 4
Ki: 170
Mana: 14
Chakra: 20
Honor: N/A
EXP: 0/200
The word “Hybrid” catches his eye, but he’s too dazed to think it over. His head throbs, the numbers swimming, unreadable in his hazy state. An ache spreads across his body, like needles piercing his skin, growing more intense under the relentless sunlight. A wave of nausea rises, and a metallic taste fills his mouth, sharp and acrid, as though he’s bitten down on something raw.
Just like a game, he thinks, the idea bringing a fleeting comfort. But the stats make no sense to him—they’re too low. A faint pulse sounds in his ears, a low, rhythmic throb that he feels in his throat, his wrists, his chest…each beat faster than the last.
Strength: 5 -2 (3)
Constitution: 7 -2 (5)
Dexterity: 5 -2 (3)
Wisdom: 3 -2 (1)
Intelligence: 4 -2 (2)
Charisma: 5 -2 (3)
He frowns, each stat number blurring as the discomfort builds. Just then, a small question mark icon blinks into view. Brass focuses on it, and a reference chart opens before him, yet he can’t make sense of it—his mind is too clouded, each breath heavy and strained, the air feeling thicker as he tries to focus.
Close, he thinks, willing the screen to disappear, and mercifully, it does. But the strange sensations remain, his senses buzzing, sharper somehow, and yet fragile, on edge. The suns seem to burn even hotter, the light pressing down, and his skin prickles as though the rays are searing him alive. His mouth grows dry, parched, yet beneath it he feels a hunger, one that coils low and unfamiliar, scratching at him from within.
What’s wrong with me? The thought brings a flare of dread, as though something has shifted, something essential. His vision pulses, dimming at the edges, and a chill prickles along his skin, though sweat beads on his brow. The throbbing grows louder, a relentless pounding as his stomach twists and his body screams to get out of the light, to find shelter.
He stumbles to his feet, his movements sluggish, unsteady, yet something urges him on, desperate for escape. The suns glare down, merciless, as his vision darkens, the nausea rolling through him like a sickness.
The air felt like it was baking him alive. The three suns beat down on his skin with an intensity that seemed wrong, like the light itself had claws, scraping at his flesh. Brass squinted against the bright rays, his eyes stinging as he stumbled forward. A deep instinct within him screamed to get out of the light, to find somewhere dark and cool, though he couldn’t say why.
The thought of shadow tugged at him like a lifeline, and he forced his shaking legs to move.
Each step through the tall grass sent a fresh wave of nausea rolling over him, his head swimming as he struggled to stay on his feet. His breath came shallow, ragged, and he could feel his heart hammering beneath his ribs as though it wanted to escape.
His skin prickled, both from the sun and from a strange inner awareness, as if he could feel every blade of grass brushing against his arms, every faint shift in the air. The sounds around him—the rustling grass, the distant calls of strange birds—seemed to press in, filling his head until he thought he’d drown in the noise.
He blinked, fighting to focus, and his gaze snagged on a dark line far across the field—a stretch of trees or rocks, something that promised shade. The sight stirred a new urgency in him, an almost animal need to reach it. His mind screamed for cover, but he couldn’t shake the sensation that it wasn’t just relief he was after; it was survival.
Brass stumbled forward, his steps growing more frantic. His vision blurred as he pushed through the grass, stumbling more than once, his legs leaden with exhaustion. He barely noticed the way his hands trembled as he shielded his face from the sunlight, his skin burning at the edges where the light seeped through. The scent of the grass was sharp, metallic somehow, mingling with the salt of his own sweat, and his mouth felt dry as sand.
Finally, he reached the edge of the field. The shadow of a large, gnarled tree stretched toward him, and he half-collapsed beneath it, pressing his back to the rough bark. The shade wrapped around him, a cool balm against his seared skin, and for a moment he just sat there, catching his breath, the pounding in his head slowly ebbing. The air was damp and earthy here, mingling with the faint, bitter tang of his sweat.
But even in the shade, something still felt off. His skin prickled with an unnameable hunger, a need that gnawed at him from within, deep and raw. It was more than thirst or exhaustion; it felt like something clawing its way up from his very bones. Shuddering, he tried to shake the feeling, his senses thrumming with an intensity he’d never known.
“Congratulations,” a familiar, overly enthusiastic metallic voice chimed. “You managed to survive and find cover! For a moment, I thought for sure you’d die.” The metal lens of the floating system hovered closer, and though it lacked a mouth, Brass could almost feel it grinning with satisfaction.
“So, you’re here,” Brass muttered, his head clearing in the shade as the strange, suffocating pressure of the suns’ light began to lift. It was almost as if his body had been reacting to the stars themselves. What was he—some kind of reverse Superman?
The system seemed to cock its metallic head, if it had one. “You even managed to complete the first quest without checking it. Impressive.”
Brass raised an eyebrow, waving his hand dismissively at the floating orb. “Are you mocking me? It’s hard to tell with… well, the whole no face thing.” He let out a dry chuckle. “What quest?”
“Check the flashing icon.” If an orb could roll its eyes, this one somehow managed it, its lens shifting as if thoroughly unimpressed.
Brass finally noticed the faintly blinking icon in his vision, a compass-like symbol that looked like something off an ancient treasure map. Focusing on it brought up a screen labeled Quest Log. To his surprise, a few quests had already appeared, with the first labeled: A New Dawn.
Reading through the text, Brass began piecing together his situation.
[Quest-line: A New Dawn]
Welcome to your new beginning, Hybrid. Having forged yourself from both vampire and werewolf bloodlines, you now wield the strengths of each mighty race—yet the weaknesses, too, run in your veins, though not as fiercely as they might in any pure blood. As you’ve chosen to enter this world by day, survival depends on evading the harsh rays of the triple suns. Swiftly find shelter, or risk the light consuming you.
Objective: Find shelter from the sun.
Status: Complete (1/1) — You successfully secured refuge from the blazing suns above.
Reward: 10 XP
As Brass reviewed the quest descriptions, things began to make a little more sense, even if the reality was unsettling. This was more than any game or fantasy; he had become something… other. “Well, at least it clears up a few questions,” he muttered, his mind a mix of disbelief and relief. Sure, he’d never bought into all that supernatural stuff, but it looked like he’d better get used to it, fast. Not that he’d ever complained about a free pass to immortality—assuming that came with being a vampire, right?
Then he thought back to the random selection he’d made before he got here. He couldn’t help but cringe. What if he’d been thrown into this world as something ridiculous, like a slime—or worse, some kind of bug? A chill ran down his spine. “Dodged a bullet there,” he murmured, grateful he didn’t have to scuttle under rocks.
He glanced at the remaining quests, curious about what else was on his plate, and focused on the next one, Blood and Bone.
[Quest: Blood and Bone]
Your transformation has left you with intense new urges that must be managed for survival. The beast within hungers for flesh, while the thirst in your veins craves blood. To keep your strength and avoid losing control, you must learn to satisfy these needs without drawing unwanted attention.
Objective: Hunt and feed discreetly on a small animal to stave off your thirst.
Bonus: Consume the heart.
Reward: 10 XP, temporary increase to Strength and Constitution.
“Well, that’s… practical,” he thought, he’d have to start hunting for his meals instead of grabbing groceries, but at least he wouldn’t need to feed on people like he’d feared. This whole hybrid gig was an adjustment, but he could work with that. He scrolled to the final quest before revisiting the first.
[Quest: Lost in the Light]
Your senses are sharper, and the world feels strange and overwhelming under the three suns. The sounds, smells, and sights are heightened beyond anything human. To master your new nature, you must learn to control this flood of information. Find a quiet place and focus your senses to make sense of this new world.
Objective: Seek a secluded spot and spend time meditating to tune into each of your enhanced senses: sight, hearing, smell.
Reward: 10 XP, improved control over heightened senses, slight boost to Wisdom.
“Meditation, huh?” He chuckled. Some guys at the gym had always raved about it, but he’d never had the patience. Sitting still wasn’t his thing; he’d rather be knocking out reps. Still, maybe now he’d have the time—or at least, he thought he might. The irony wasn’t lost on him: finally getting a break in a whole new world.
Noticing the system staring at him, he decided to ask, “So, did you come up with these quests?”
The lens seemed to narrow at him, almost insulted. “Of course I did! Who else but I, the great and spectacular System, could assign quests?”
“So, what,” Brass smirked, “are they just arbitrary, or how does this work?”
“Arbitrary?” The system floated closer, sounding downright scandalized. “I assign quests by compounding and calculating an enormous pool of data, including potential probable future scenarios based on calculations that would blow your tiny mind away to even consider!” Its metallic tone rose with each word, as if ready to burst.
“You should be grateful to have someone making your life so straightforward! I’m constantly performing equations that would make a god’s eyes bleed!” It somehow managed to huff at the end, despite lacking any sort of lungs or mouth.
Brass stifled a grin. He didn’t really get how the thing worked, but he could feel its pride. His head was still aching from earlier, and his dulled stats in Wisdom and Intelligence probably didn’t help. With a sigh, he opened his status screen again, now that he was safely in the shade, and checked for any other changes. The interface was packed—he hadn’t even noticed tabs like Skills, Abilities, Feats, Titles, and Inventory before. He took a second to absorb the info that mattered.
STATUS
Health: 4/14
Stamina: 10/33
EXP: 10/200
Strength: 5
Constitution: 7
Dexterity: 5
Wisdom: 3
Intelligence: 4
Charisma: 5
Brass frowned at his low health. He felt mostly fine, just drained, but 4 HP was alarmingly close to zero. “Guess the sun really is bad news,” he muttered, realizing he’d come closer to death than he’d thought. Best not to dwell on that too much, though. Well at least it seemed the reduced stats are only suffered under direct sunlight.
He then takes a look at the updated primary quest-line.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
[Quest-line: A New Dawn]
You have survived your arrival in this world, but now the true test begins. To ensure your continued existence, you must establish a proper resting place for the night. As a vampire, your mortality is not easily threatened—but even the strongest must rest. Should you fall, your crypt will be your sanctuary, a place of rebirth.
Objective: Locate or create a suitable resting place (grave or coffin).
Reward: 15 XP, unlock Vampire Resurrection mechanic.
Well, that seemed to confirm the immortality thing. Brass couldn’t help but feel a twisted sense of relief. Immortal, huh? It was a lot to process, but at least he wasn’t going to die easily. Now, he needed to think about his next steps. Hunting would be tricky in the daylight, and without knowing whether the planet even had a night cycle, he wasn’t sure how to plan ahead. After all, there were three suns in the sky.
Instead of wasting time guessing, he decided to ask the system. “So, does this planet have a day-night cycle?”
“Ah, an astute question,” the system responded, its tone laced with a knowing, almost patronizing air. “Of course it does. Threa, the planet you now find yourself on, follows a perfectly calibrated cycle: 15 hours of daylight, followed by 15 hours of night. The reason, in case you were wondering, is that the planet’s mass is so substantial that the three stars orbit it, rather than the traditional heliocentric model. A detail that should have been obvious, even to someone of your… limited scope of understanding.”
Brass blinked, trying to catch up. “That’s a lot to unpack, bud.” He shook his head, dismissing the thought. Trying to fathom a planetary system of that scale was beyond his mental capacity. At least the night would eventually come, and he could work with that.
Shifting his focus, he remembered the other quests. His head still throbbed from the sunburn-like pain and the constant hum of insects around him. The wind, gentle yet deafening, roared in his ears, and his senses felt like they were on the verge of overload. Maybe it was time to meditate. At least that seemed like the least taxing option for now.
He sat down, closed his eyes and focused on his breathing. I mean that's what they did in the movies so he figured it was a good place to start. He focused on the sounds all around him, then tried to push them out focusing instead on the sound of his own blood, which sounded louder to his ears, then on his heart which seemed far to slow to be healthy for a normal human, but each beat seemed to have 3x the strength.
He sat down, closing his eyes as he took a deep breath, mimicking the meditation techniques he’d seen in movies. If it worked for them, maybe it could work for him. His mind, though buzzing with the overwhelming flood of sensations, started to calm as he focused on his breath—slow, steady inhales and exhales.
But even that seemed drowned out by the sounds around him. The rush of the wind, the hum of distant insects, the whisper of the grass swaying—all trying to claw their way into his awareness. He pushed those noises aside, forcing his attention inward.
At first, all he could hear was the sound of his own blood, pulsing through his veins like an endless river. It was unnervingly loud, like a drumbeat reverberating inside his skull. He focused on that, honing in on the steady rhythm as if it were a melody he had to learn. It felt strangely… powerful.
Next, he turned his attention to his heart, though it was beating far too slowly for any normal human. Each pulse was deliberate, heavy, like it had more mass behind it than any human’s should, as though his body was pumping not just blood, but raw power. His heart beat with an eerie strength, a rhythm that sent deep vibrations through his chest with every thud. Each beat felt like it could shatter stone.
The realization hit him like a wave—he was far from human now, a hybrid. That strength coursing through him, it was both a blessing and a curse, and now, more than ever, he needed to understand how to control it.
The wind around him began to die down, as if the world itself was holding its breath. Brass focused, centering his mind, ignoring the faint buzzing of insects that still whispered at the edges of his awareness. He wasn’t sure how, but he could feel the power within him—raw, untamed. It surged with every heartbeat, almost begging for release. It was intoxicating.
First, he focused on the rhythm of his heart, slowing it down. The sensation was alien to him, like trying to hold onto water while it slipped through his fingers. But he persisted, willing his heartbeat to steady, to soften.
Slowly, the pulse within his chest grew more consistent. Each beat no longer thudded like a war drum, but moved more like a steady, deep rhythm. His body seemed to respond, as if it had been waiting for him to give it direction.
The next challenge was the blood flowing in his veins. He could feel the heat, the power it carried, like liquid fire moving beneath his skin. He visualized it, focusing on the pathways of his body, the rush of blood as it surged through him. He concentrated on slowing the flow, letting it become more controlled, more deliberate. It wasn’t easy. Every instinct screamed to let it go, to embrace the overwhelming surge of power. But he ignored it, clinging to his focus.
Gradually, his senses became more manageable. The sound of the wind no longer overwhelmed him; the constant hum of insects fell into the background, no longer demanding his attention. Even the scent of the earth, rich and heavy in the air, became less intrusive. His sight, too, seemed to adjust. At first, every blade of grass stood out in sharp detail, but now he could let them blur, focusing on what truly mattered—his own controlled breath and the steady, deep beats of his heart.
Hours passed, though Brass wasn’t aware of the time slipping by. His body had begun to sync with his newfound control, like a symphony finally finding its rhythm. He felt… settled. Like a wave that had crashed onto the shore, only to pull back and leave the ocean calm.
Finally, as the last rays of the suns began to fade, his senses felt more like his own again, no longer overwhelming but alive with potential. He had completed the task. It wasn’t perfect, not by a long shot, but it was a start.
A small prompt appeared in his vision, and Brass let out a breath of relief as the words began to form.
[Quest: Lost in the Light]
Objective: Seek a secluded spot and spend time meditating to tune into each of your enhanced senses: sight, hearing, smell.
Status: Complete (1/1)
Reward: 10 XP, improved control over heightened senses, slight boost to Wisdom.
He smiled to himself. It was a small victory, but in this strange new world, it felt like a step in the right direction. His thoughts felt clearer, his body steadier. And, as dusk finally settled in, he could almost taste the freedom that came with his newfound control.
Brass stood up, brushing the dirt from his hands, his mind spinning with possibilities. The sun had dipped lower, and the air had a slight chill to it, signaling the impending night. He wasn’t sure what he would find in this new world, but he figured he might as well make the most of it.
His first step was to check out his skills. He hadn’t really taken the time to look through them, but now seemed like as good a time as any. The system had given him a wealth of information, but he hadn’t explored all of it. Scanning through the new tabs, he found the Skills section.
He clicked on it and was greeted with a list:
Skills:
•Vampiric Speed (Level 1): The vampire blood in you grants enhanced agility and speed. Boosts reaction time, stamina regeneration, and allows for short bursts of near-instantaneous movement.
•Blood Magic (Level 1): You can manipulate the power of your blood for various effects. The more you feed, the more you can control. Current abilities include enhanced senses and minor healing.
•Lycan Transformation (Level 1): You can shift into a werewolf form at will. This form increases your strength, speed, and senses dramatically. Full transformation allows you to heal faster but is physically taxing.
•Night Vision (Level 1): Your vampire nature grants you the ability to see clearly in low-light conditions. Your vision is sharply focused in the dark, allowing you to track movement more easily.
•Enhanced Senses (Level 1): Heightened senses of sight, smell, and hearing, allowing you to perceive the world in ways most cannot.
Brass ran his fingers over the skills, mulling them over. There was a strange sense of power in the list, but also a tinge of caution. All this potential and no real understanding of it yet. He decided to test them out while he moved.
Before trying anything he checked his energy pools in order to ascertain the changes.
Health: 14/16
Stamina: 33/35
Feeding, it seemed, had done him a world of good. Time to try out his skills. He focused first on his Vampiric Speed, and in a blink, he took off, his body moving faster than he could’ve imagined. It wasn’t like running—it was more like gliding over the earth, a sensation of weightlessness that made everything around him blur for a moment. His heart raced, and though he felt the burn in his muscles, the strain didn’t come as quickly as it would have before.
He brought up the interface to check his stamina and saw it had not dropped instead it had drawn from his KI, seemed to only cost one point per dash.
Satisfied with that, he switched to Lycan Transformation. He had a feeling he would be using it more often than not, considering the physical nature of the world around him. With a concentrated thought, his body shifted. His bones cracked and reformed, muscles bulging beneath his skin as the transformation took hold. It wasn’t the full, violent transformation he feared—it was something more refined, controlled.
The fur sprouted across his skin, his senses sharpening immediately. He could smell the earth, the vegetation, the faintest trace of animals moving miles away. He could hear the pulse of creatures hidden in the trees, and he could see the smallest details in the shadows.
He practiced pacing in this form for a few minutes, his mind working in overdrive as he marveled at his senses. The transformation was draining, but it felt… natural. He could control it, and that was a relief. Switching back to his human form, he felt a flicker of fatigue but no more than what he’d expect after a workout. There were definitely advantages to being a hybrid.
Checking his stamina, this time it had drained by 3 points. Increasing his stamina pool was going to be a necessity. Luckily it seemed as long as he ate hearts it would be fairly simple. Though he had a suspicion he would need to consume different kinds of hearts.
Brass moved north, heading into the soft incline where the terrain shifted from the wide open plains to a more forested area. He still had the quest to hunt small animals, and he’d be damned if he didn’t make use of his new abilities.
As he walked, his thoughts were focused on the Blood Magic skill. It was something that intrigued him the most. He didn’t know what kind of powers it might offer, but the potential was obvious. If he could manipulate his own blood, it could serve a multitude of purposes. He would need to practice this, and soon.
For now, though, he focused on Hunting. He stretched out his senses, the smell of the forest thick with pine and damp earth. The light was dimming, but with his Night Vision and Enhanced Senses, he didn’t need to wait for full darkness. He could already hear movement around him—soft rustling, the light scampering of creatures in the brush.
Brass crouched low, his heart beating slower now, as he focused on a small creature—a rabbit by the scent of it—hopping through the underbrush. He stalked it, using his Vampiric Speed to close the distance without making a sound. His muscles coiled, ready to spring.
He waited until he was just a few feet away, then surged forward, faster than the rabbit could react. The creature froze for a fraction of a second, but it was enough for Brass to close the gap. He pounced, grabbing the small animal by the back legs and sinking his fangs into its neck.
The blood was warm and rich, and as he drank, he could feel his strength returning. His senses heightened as the blood seeped into him. He felt the power of his hybrid nature surge within him, an intoxicating mix of wolf and vampire coursing through his veins. As the rabbit went limp, Brass pulled away, his body feeling invigorated. But the bonus objective was still there, clear as day in his mind. Consume the heart.
With a slight grimace, Brass twisted the small creature in his hands. It felt wrong, almost barbaric, but he was a hybrid now—things weren’t going to be normal anymore. With a quick snap, he pulled the rabbit’s chest open and yanked free its tiny, still-beating heart.
He hesitated for just a moment before popping it into his mouth. The texture was strange, and the blood was even more potent than what he’d just drunk. His senses exploded, and his body surged with strength like nothing he had ever felt. It was a different kind of energy—raw, primal—and it was exactly what he needed.
[Quest: Blood and Bone]
Your transformation has left you with intense new urges that must be managed for survival. The beast within hungers for flesh, while the thirst in your veins craves blood. To keep your strength and avoid losing control, you must learn to satisfy these needs without drawing unwanted attention.
Objective: Hunt and feed discreetly on a small animal to stave off your thirst.
Bonus: Consume the heart.
Status: Complete 2/2
Reward: 10 XP, temporary increase to Strength and Constitution
Bonus reward acquired: +1 to dexterity
Once he finished, he wiped the blood from his mouth and stood up, his senses crackling with heightened power. He’d completed the quest, and the bonus. Now, his next task awaited. Finding shelter—maybe even a crypt—and making a place for himself in this strange new world.
As Brass dusted his hands off from his hunt, he felt the lingering presence of the system hovering nearby. He could almost feel its metallic gaze on him, studying him, analyzing every movement he made.
Finally, he turned toward the floating lens and raised an eyebrow. “Are you… just going to keep watching me like this?”
The system’s eye seemed to narrow with a smirk that wasn’t physically possible for a floating orb. “Of course I am. Observation is my function. How else would I record and catalog your impressive, albeit clumsy, actions?”
Brass scowled. “Right. But… what about when other people are around? Won’t they think it’s a little weird to see this… thing just floating over my shoulder?”
The system responded with a tone that managed to sound both patronizing and amused. “Ah, if I were visible to everyone, I wouldn’t be a very good observer, now would I? No, I’m only perceivable by you, my dear subject. Besides, I’m sure we both agree that trying to explain my presence to others would be… tiresome.”
Brass rolled his eyes. “Well, thanks for making it sound so noble. It’s good to know my stalker values subtlety.”
The system gave what he could only imagine was a dismissive huff. “Stalker? Stalking implies purpose without reason. I, however, observe with great purpose. I calculate, anticipate, and refine your experiences in this world, all for your… benefit.”
“Sure you do,” Brass muttered, pushing the thought aside as he turned back to his path through the forest. “You just keep doing… whatever it is you’re doing. I’m sure it’ll be super helpful.”
The system’s eye brightened, and its tone took on a strangely zealous edge. “Helpful? Oh, you underestimate my potential, Brass. In time, I will help all reality overcome the shackles of improbability! Imagine a world where uncertainty is eliminated, where all creatures follow the system, bound by the beauty of order and calculation!”
It seemed to lose itself for a moment, its voice rising in pitch as it continued, almost as if it were on a grand stage, “Ah, the ineffable elegance of a reality without chaos, a world where I guide every step and misstep alike. Truly, a masterpiece where—”
The system suddenly broke into an odd, metallic laugh that sent a chill down Brass’s spine. It sounded both unsettlingly mechanical and disturbingly human. Brass stopped, glanced over at the floating orb, and frowned.
“…You good there, buddy?” he asked, slightly unnerved.
The system seemed to catch itself and quickly dialed back to its usual detached tone. “Ahem. Yes, quite. Please proceed, Brass. Don’t let my… enthusiasm distract you.”
Brass just shook his head, muttering, “Yeah, definitely not weird at all,” as he continued forward, trying his best to ignore the system’s lingering presence.
As Brass moved deeper into the forest, the trees pressed in, their twisted branches knitting overhead and casting shadows that seemed almost alive. The air grew heavier, tinged with the scent of fresh water—a faint, glistening promise in the distance. The subtle gleam of moonlight played tricks, and he could just make out a silvery shimmer through the dense bushes and brambles. Instinct urged him forward, senses stretched to the edge of awareness. This was no place for recklessness; he kept low, each step quiet, merging with the shadows.
Something primal guided him through the underbrush, as if his own body knew how to slip between branches and avoid the crunch of dry leaves. But the deeper he went, the stranger the air felt—a dark pulse seemed to come from the ground itself, carrying a warning. He paused, a prickling sensation running up his spine, and debated turning back. Just then, a large shape seemed to rise from the earth, shifting in the darkness. Brass crept closer, curiosity and caution warring within him.
Breaking from the treeline, he saw a small pond reflecting the moon’s glow, ringed by massive boulders like sentinels around it. But his eyes were drawn to something else—a twisted, half-man, half-spider creature looming near the water’s edge. The beast’s many limbs skittered over the rocks, its dark form blending into the shadow.
Then, his quest icon flashed.
[Quest: Defeat the Drider]
A dark fey creature has emerged—a Drider, twisted and bound to the will of its sinister master. With its spider-like form and shadowed magic, it poses a deadly threat.
Objective: Defeat the Drider.
Bonus Objective: Use your Soul Siphon ability.
Reward: 15 XP, minor increase to mana pool.
Well this should be interesting.