The first words that I notice, are highlighted in bold print. Congratulations on Unlocking the following spells: Mana Control Novice 1 and Lightning Bolt Novice 3. You have also unlocked Mana Aspect: Lightning. The words consume me as I continue to read. The pages review more information on what Mana is and what it can be used for. The following passage sticks out to me. As you have slain your first foe, a part of their Mana is now yours. The Mana will be first used to upgrade your body beyond the mortal realm. When you reach the next tier, nothing on the Mortal Tier can harm you. A word of caution, all creatures and beings will also advance.
Truth be told, I had only the smallest idea of what the book was talking about. As much as I would like to pretend this wasn’t happening. The corpses around me, the lightning that flew from my fingers, was something that couldn’t be denied. The stench of blood and gore was wafting throughout the floor. This was real life, not a video game or a waking nightmare. I have to find a way to survive, no matter the cost.
Going back to the book, I glanced at the information on the spells I had unlocked. Mana Control, Novice 1: You have reached inside yourself and awoken the pool of Mana. This ability allows you to move the Mana to any part of your body. Higher levels will unlock more abilities.
Lightning Bolt, Novice 3: The ability to harness the power of lightning. At this level the spell will deal up to twenty points of damage to a single target. At Novice 2, you unlock the ability to target multiple enemies for an added Mana cost. Novice 3 allows you to keep the spell active after it has released, by channeling more Mana beyond the activation cost, this spell can deal extra damage to multiple targets or to a single target. The spell collapses once you stop channeling Mana or your Mana Pool is empty.
Mana Aspect, Lightning: Mana has the ability to do all, you do not. For greater control over a force, you can choose, or be given, the ability to specialize your Mana control. You can take on a variety of Aspects. Lightning Aspect allows you to wield this force of nature. Lightning is countered by Earth and enhanced by Water.
After digesting that information, I closed the flaps of the book and take a look around. Everyone in the vicinity had already made it to the stairwells and were rapidly making their descent. Taking a deep breath, my eyes sweeping back and forth, I moved towards the stairwell. The bounding echoes of the floundering feet assault me as I entered the stairwell. A war cry, that would do Ares proud, reverberates through my eardrums. I glance down the stairwell and behold a vision of the goddess herself at battle.
A women with golden locks, that would put Rapunzel to shame, stood on the Landing. She was no more than 5 foot 6 inches tall. Her body curved in all the right places, and for a brief moment, time stopped. In her arms, she wielded a baseball bat like the hammer of Thor. Each time the bat swung, a Thunder Pigeon wished they had never been born. Upon impact the Thunder Pigeon’s chest caves in, blood splashing upon the walls, bystanders and her.
I increase my speed down the steps, taking two or three at a time. I close in enough to have a clear shot, reaching inside and pull the Mana forth once more. It comes easier to me now, as if we are approaching first name basis. I don’t hold the Mana in my grasp long, there are three other Pigeons making their way towards the enraged women. Spraying my fingers wide and thrusting my arm out. The electrical current arcs down my arm as I release one Lightning Bolt and then a second. My Mana pool drops to zero, my feet no longer able to hold me up. As the thud of my body hits the floor, the bolts connect with their targets.
Two Pigeons are hit, the crackle of electricity flashing through their bodies. A sizzle and snap occur, and the Pigeons both arrest their flight. In the meantime, the blonde Amazonian winds up and hammers the remaining Thunder Pigeon. The force of the blow sends the bird smashing into the concrete walls, leaving a smattering of blood and yet another corpse sliding down the walls.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
The women look’s over at my gasping and prone form. “Thanks for the help, but I had it under control.” Looking down, she glares at me, her lips curled in a slight snarl. “Just because you see a women under attack doesn’t mean we need a man to assist.”
As my ragged breathing slows to a more normal pace and the Mana in my pool has recovered slightly. I look her in the eye and reply, “Look, I was just passing through, idk what is going on, but I am not staying here.” Lowering my gaze, a bit. “This world has gone insane, if you know what is going on, please let us know. If not let’s just try to stay alive, yeh?”
Sweeping my eyes around, I see a crowd of people from above looking down at us. One man stood with his hands shaking, his eyes moving around wildly. His foot lifts and then drops back down in the same spot, his lips trembling as he speaks, “Excuse me, do you have any idea what is going on? Is it the Communists?”
Once he has finished speaking, I clasp my jaw shut and take a deep breath before responding, “Not even a President could conjure this forth. Did you all see the dollar brand Reaper?”
The man steps back quickly, his arms raising as if to ward off a punch. He hesitantly nods at my last words. The others crowd around do likewise.
“In that case, you know he said something about Mana and creatures, right?” More nods go around the group. “Then look in your book and see what it has to say.”
This causes the group to look around in surprise. Shouts of confusion and regret fill the air. The spokesperson for the frail, speaks once more, “What book, you and the blood covered women over there are the only ones I see holding a book?”
“The Guide book, you didn’t grab the book that appeared right after Mr. Gloom and Doom left?” I look around and most of the people are shaking their heads, a few look back up the stairwells before shaking their heads and looking forward once more. The blond-haired woman is the only one I see nodding her head. “The book is a guide, and it seems to keep updating itself whenever something new happens to you. The Mana the figure was talking about can be used to defend yourself.”
At the empty looks I received from the crowd, I shake my head and turn to head down the stairs. “Look, I don’t have time for this, I don’t know what is happening outside these walls, and I need to get to my friends.”
For all that is good in the world, please let Jeremy be ok, I know I’m not one for prayer, but if it helps, I’ll do it. Shaking the thought away, I begin my descent of the stairs. The lingering shadow from the group causes a slight hesitation in my step. One after another the rest of the group follows. The blonde warrior pauses for a moment before quickly catching up to me.
“Let me lead, I can deal with anything that comes close.” She says as she passes me in the stairwell. Her shoulders are raised as she holds the bat out in a firm but comfortable grip. Her eyes are sweeping back and forth even as she says the words.
“Be my guest” I say. “I am not sure, how I am throwing Lightning around like this, I’m more of a glass canon right now anyway.” After she passes, I take a quick look behind me at the others. Their eyes are mostly downcast, just plodding one foot in front of the other. Dismissing them from my mind as useless in a fight. I continue down the stairs. My Mana pool slowly refilling as we march on to the unknown.
The fifteen or so flights we go down are the longest of my life. With each step I take, my body is strained. My fingers are curled in my hand, a tension hangs in the air. Breath after breath is taken and then expelled. I really should have done more cardio. At this rate, these killer birds won’t be the one to get me.
We finally make it to the bottom of the flight of stairs, with no further attacks. The blonde warrior pauses at the exit to the stairwell and looks over at me. “Be ready, anything could be on the other side of this door.” Her expels the air in her lungs and takes a quick gulp of air before pushing the door open before I can respond.
Taking in the lobby floor, I see debris all over the place. The scene would look right at home with news images of a looting spree. I don’t see any Thunder Pigeons waiting to swoop down and attack us. Taking a few steps towards the looming building exit, I place my steps with care. “This floor looks empty, I don’t see anything dangerous at the moment thankfully. Let’s head towards the exit and get out of here.”