Part 21: Oops!... I Shifted Again
“Where am I?” asks the Seeker the Mysterious Stranger, as they take a look around the room. Mystical inscriptions inscribed in the wall, from a time long forgotten. Ancient pictures, depicting forgotten history. Statues showcasing goddesses and kings. It looks like the throne-room of an ancient palace.
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With them in the room are 12 animal spirits. All look at the Stranger in anticipation.
“You could compare this place to the 'menu' or 'shelter' in a video game,” responds the Stranger in a violet hooded robe.
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“It's a sanctuary. The place, where you assign your skill points. The place, where you trade your loot. The place, where we can take a look at the map. But fist things first... For walking the northern path and taking the leap of faith, we all receive EXP. Everyone levels up.”
The Seeker feels a sudden burst of energy. Everything vibrates. Light flows through their body.
All LEVEL UP
+ 20.000 GROUP EXP
SEEKER LVL 15!
+ 5 Max Vibes (55 Total)
.
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The Stranger hands the Seeker a torch. Its flame burns violet. The Seeker accepts the violet flame.
New Skilltree Unlocked: Alchemy
'Alchemy...,' thinks the Seeker to themselves. 'What's this about? Like doing chemistry or mixing potions?'
“Not exactly,” explains the Stranger. “Here we are transforming the mind, not matter. You have taken the leap of faith. You have chosen evolution. The violet flame will help each of us to transform into our greatest versions.”
The Seeker takes a look at the Skilltree. To unlock skills, the Seeker must pay 5 LOVE. They spend all their LOVE to unlock the skill: 'Turning failures into lessons'.
Meanwhile something happens among the animals. Each of their Auras suddenly change in color. Their auras all flare up and turn violet.
EVOLUTION
“What the hell is happening?” asks the fox in panic, as his entire body starts vibrating. His tail splits into two distinct tails. His aura explodes. As the dust settles, he stands there in a new form:
TWO-TAILED FOX SPIRIT
1 Strength
2 Speed
2 Charisma
1 Stealth
3 Intelligence
1 Energy Control
Special ability: Duplication
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“Wow...,” grins the fox excited. “I feel so different now. Let me try something.”
The fox closes his eyes and concentrates hard. Suddenly an identical twin forms out of his tail and separates when a full body is formed. The clone looks identical to the fox. As they touch each others paws, the two foxes merge back into a single one.
“This will be fun,” smiles the mischievous fox, as he already thinks of new ways to prank his friends.
The aura of the eagle explodes next. He also receives a new form:
THUNDERBIRD
2 Strength
2 Speed
1 wisdom
1 Resilience
2 Awareness
2 Energy Control
Special ability: Lightning Strike
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“I feel... So powerful...,” speaks the eagle and flaps with his wings. From his wing bursts out a lightning strike. The energy hits an mechanical circuit. A hidden door suddenly opens.
“Finally... Now that I can open these doors, I am able to get the hidden treasure! I don't know, since how many levels, I was waiting for this.”
The aura of the bear explodes next. He grows in size. New transformation:
GRIZZLY BEAR
3 Strength
1 Speed
1 Wisdom
3 Resilience
1 Awareness
1 Divine Protection
Special Ability: Humming
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The bear tests out his new ability. He begins to growl but it turns into a humming:
“Ooooommmmmmmm”
As he hums, everything starts vibrating. The ground, the walls, the roof. A piece of roof falls on the ground, revealing the full moon shining through the hole. All animals are frozen, paralyzed by his voice. No one can move until the bear closes his mouth again.
Next turn is the cat. Her violet aura explodes. Her ears and hair changes. Dark patterns form on her fur. She grows in size. New transformation:
LYNX
1 Strength
2 Speed
3 Clairvoyance
1 Psychic Power
1 Astral projection
1 Shadow control
1 Energy Control
Special Ability: Third eye
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The Lynx concentrates on the space between her eyes. When she looks at people, it is as if she suddenly receives information just by staring. She knows things, that she couldn't know.
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“Next will be the dog,” predicts the Lynx.
The dogs aura explodes. He grows in size, his fur changes color. New form:
GREY WOLF
2 Strength
2 Speed
1 Astral projection
2 Awareness
1 Shadow Control
1 Agility
1 Energy Control
Special Ability: Werewolf
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“Oh no!” howls the wolf, as he looks through the open hole in the roof. “Its full moon! Last time this happened, it ended in a massacre! Run away, guys! Before--”
The wolfs body shifts again. He stands upright. Walking in two feet. His body grows in size. He turns into a horrific creature.
“Wait a second...,” speaks the werewolf, as he moves his claws. “I am still fully conscious! Does that mean... I have mastered my shadow-self?”
He swings with his claws. He jumps up and down, testing his new form. He holds this form for three minutes. When his hunger starts getting out of control, he turns back into his wolf form on his own accord.
“This is just like flow state,” howls the wolf excited.
The goat transforms into something new as the violet aura explodes next. New form:
Black Goat Edgelord
1 Clairvoyance
2 Psychic Power
1 Astral projection
2 Shadow control
1 Wisdom
2 Energy Absorption
1 Energy Control
Special Ability: MIND CONTROL
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The goat makes a hand movement, like a Jedi or a Sith. Directed at the bunny.
“Listen, I have a business idea. If you invest now, you will become rich.”
“Tell me more about this business idea that will make me rich,” responds the hypnotized bunny with spirals in her eyes.
Meanwhile the squirrels aura explodes next. New Form:
KARATE SQUIRREL
1 Strength
2 Speed
2 Agility
1 Resilience
2 Energy Control
1 Awareness
1 Psychic Power
Special Ability: Chi strike
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The squirrel takes a deep breath. Her hands begin to glow up. Like an aura of energy coating them. She strikes against a stone statue. It crumbles and shatters. Broken pieces fall on the floor.
As she sees the helpless bunny being manipulated by the goat, she jumps towards the goat and strikes against the chakra nexuses in his energetic system. The goat becomes paralyzed. The bunny is freed from the goats control.
“Be careful,” shouts the squirrel. “He is trying to exploit you!”
The violet aura of the released bunny explodes. She receives a new form:
WENUT
2 Speed
2 Energy Control
1 Awareness
1 Psychic Power
1 Divine Protection
1 Astral projection
2 Channeling
Special Ability: Reiki healing
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She looks like an anthropomorphic bunny goddess. Walking on two legs with long ears and a snout. She wears ancient clothes.
“Are you okay?” asks the bunny the goat with compassionate eyes. The goat is bleeding from his face.
She lays her hand on the goats wound. Her hand emits warm energy. Like an electromagnetic force. The goats wound closes.
“What are you doing?!” asks the goat confused. “Didn't you hear the squirrel?! I tried to exploit you! Why are you still helping me?!”
The bunny smiles. “Because that is what my heart tells me to do. I love you unconditionally, despite your flaws.”
The goats eyebrows turn narrow. “What? You think you are better, than me? Eh?!”
The Grey pigeons aura bubble bursts. New transformation:
WHITE DOVE
1 Speed
1 Energy Control
3 Awareness
2 Divine Protection
2 Channeling
1 Clairvoyance
Special Ability: Bringer of peace
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They quiet pigeons feathers turn all white. There is a golden glow around the bird.
The white dove closes his mouth and takes a deep breath. As they exhale, a wave of light radiates through the entire room. All conversations halt. Everyone calms down. As the wave of light reaches them, they experience sudden bliss.
Even the goat feels this wave of healing energy. He suddenly remembers that he wants to change. His heart speaks to him, it reminds him of his dream of having golden wool. It tells him, that he shouldn't treat his friends that way. He listens to the beat of his heart, nods and speaks with regretful eyes:
“Sorry... I played with your heart, got lost in the game.”
“There is nothing to forgive,” smiles the bunny with a warm smile.
The next one to burst is the goldfish in a plastic bag. New form:
GOLDFISH IN A GLASSBALL
3 Speed
1 Energy Control
3 Divine Protection
2 Clairvoyance
1 Psychic abilities
Special ability: Portuguese
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The Goldfish is amazed.
“É inacreditável como esta bola de vidro é estável em comparação com a bolsa. Também é muito mais fácil de rolar!”
The goldfish has full control over the round water-filled glass-ball. He plays with it, experiments how good it rolls.
“Acho que isso poderia realmente funcionar... posso até chegar a Marte!”
Suddenly the squirrel twitches, as she hears the goldfish speak.
“What the hell did y'all say about my mother??!” she yells violently, as she charges at the ball and kicks it away.
The ball lifts off, flying directly towards the Seeker.
“Ops, você acha que estou apaixonado...!” screams the fish in panic, as he flies through the air.
The scorpion, who lurks in the shadow, feels an explosion of his violet aura. His appearance turns yellow. New Form:
DEATHSTALKER
1 Strength
1 Speed
2 Stealth
2 Intelligence
1 Awareness
1 Shadow control
1 Psychic Ability
1 Energy Absorption
Special Ability: Spewing Venom
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The Scorpion focuses his gaze on the Seeker. He aims with his sting and shoots a toxic liquid at them.
But just before it reaches the Seeker, the goldfish jumps between them.
“Que fui enviado de cima,” screams the fish in terror. His glass reflects the venom. The liquid bounces back and lands on ancient stone tiles. As it comes in contact with the venom, the stone melts like lava.
“Damn it!” screams the scorpion. “Mark my words... Next time, I will get you, Seeker!”
“Is it finally my turn?” asks the chicken excited. “I bet I'll have the coolest form.”
His violet aura explodes. New form:
BIGGER CHICKEN
1 Strength
1 Speed
1 Resilience
1 Agility
1 Stealth
1 Psychic Power
1 Astral Projection
1 Energy Control
1 Divine Protection
1 Clairvoyance
Special Ability: Flame of Truth
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“Seriously?!” screams the chicken offended. “Is that all I get, for everything I went through?! This is unfair... I read it in the wrong order only by mistake! I swear!”
The grinning Thunderbird kneels next to the chicken, with tape measure in his hand. “Oh wow... You have grown by five centimeters,” laughs the eagle.
The chicken gazes at the Thunderbird with spiteful eyes.
“You know what, eagle? Instead of always criticizing, why don't you take a look at your own path?”
As the chicken speaks, flames leave his mouth. The startled bird jumps away. Both the Thunderbird and the chicken are surprised. The chicken looks at the Mysterious Stranger.
“This is the Flame of Truth,” says the Stranger. “Whenever you speak the Truth to someone else or to yourself, you activate it's fire. It has the ability to burn away all lies and half-truths. But to exercise it, you must be true to yourself.”
“This is very difficult...,” speaks the cowardly chicken. “I will be punished for telling the truth. Sometimes its just easier to lie...”
“You want to be brave right?” asks the Stranger the chicken. “Then this is the way. There is nothing braver, than living in truth. To be authentic to yourself and to others. That doesn't mean, that you need to lay bare all your secrets. It just means, that you are honest, whenever the situation demands it. Don't sell illusions to others. Don't live in illusions yourself.”
“Yeah okay...” sighs the chicken. “However... I am still pissed off over that new form. I mean seriously... Everyone else gets cool transformations, but I am just a regular chicken. It's not fair!”
The Stranger places his palm on the chickens shoulder. “We all need to work with the role, that we are assigned. Why not instead of complaining about your circumstances, focus on changing them. Work with what you have. You want a better transformation? Then make it happen.”
The chicken breathes out air. His eyes are burning.
“I will become a dragon,” he decrees with commitment.
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As he speaks, fire leaves his mouth. Words of truth are spoken.
Suddenly twelve golden doors open up in the room. Above each door frame is a name written, corresponding to all twelve animal spirits. Their true name in a secret language.
“It is now time to part ways, my friends,” speaks the Stranger to the animals. “But don't worry. We will meet again.”
“What does that mean?” asks the bunny worried. “Won't we take the journey together?”
“Each path is unique. You all need to learn, how to grow on your own. But be sure, all of our paths will one day cross again. To some it may take days, to others may years, but all of us will meet again in YouTown.”
“Then let us do a promise,” demands the squirrel. “That we will all one day meet again.”
She puts her hand in the middle.
“We will meet again,” promises the fox and puts down his paw.
“We will meet again,” joins in the bunny.
“We will meet again,” affirms the bear and places an oath.
“I will meet you all first,” shouts the smiling Thunderbird and puts down his wing.
The goat also places his hoof in the middle. “I might also attend,” he mumbles quietly.
“Eu não sou tão inocente,” sings the goldfish along, thinking he's part of a musical play.
The wolf, the lynx, the chicken and the dove also join in. “We will meet again,” they decree in unison.
“Come on Seeker,” speaks the Stranger and places his hand in the middle. “We are also part of this promise.”
“We will meet again,” decrees the Seeker and places throws their hand into the middle.
Only one is missing: Deathstalker, the bitter scorpion. He lurks in the shadow, where no one sees him. His toxic-green eyes are glaring at the Seeker.
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“Now is the moment!” whispers the scorpion. He jumps out of the shadow towards the Seeker. But the oblivious Seeker turns their back. The scorpion hits against the lever of a metallic construction on the wall.
Suddenly the sound of an ancient horn echoes through the ancient room. Everyone is pulled into their respective door.
The fox, the dove, the goat, the bunny, the wolf, the eagle, the lynx, the bear, the chicken, the Goldfish, the squirrel and the scorpion all fall into their portal, like falling into still water.
All animal spirits are gone. Only the Stranger and the Seeker remain. The earth underneath their feet begins to shake. Something emerges out of the ground: A portal with a golden archway. Many symbols and images are inscribed into the golden pillars. It's like a thin layer of blue water separates their room from what they see beyond. Daylight streaming into a dark cave.
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“Checkpoint V,” whispers the Stranger. “This time it will be different. This time, everyone is on board.”
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The Stranger and the Seeker look at each other and nod. Together, both the Seeker and the Stranger step through the gate into the next part of their journey.
TO BE CONTINUED