The Comprehensive and Concise Guide to Ranking by Chezly Falthrick
A Summary of Rankings and Their Associated Milestones
> While a particularly talented being might remember the patterns of an ability, skill, or spell, and learn it more quickly, their soul will still have to re-learn it. While memories are rarely purged upon death, remembering having done something, or having understood something, and being able to do so again in the future are quite different.
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> I do apologize for my rambling tone in this section. This is simply a topic which I find difficult to write about while remaining unmoved and academic; as many of my students fall into these same traps.
Naomi
Flight Deck, Central Bridge, Wesnmen’s Coallition Trading Barge
The large red woman’s deep, soothing, voice was hypnotic. The nearest experience Prism could compare it to the few times Willow had guided her through meditating. The difference was the situation. Then, she’d asked for help and had trusted the one distancing her mind from her body. She denied the pull, her distant pink star pulsing softly and the droning background noise shifted to a higher pitch for a moment. Soft motes of something that she hadn’t previously noticed as they faded from existence, consumed by the emptiness itself.
A quick glance behind herself confirmed that the soft thumps she heard were little goblin bodies hitting the floor, arms splayed out forward while their knees dug hard into little bellies. Eyes flicking toward System, who was slightly behind her on the left, she saw his eyes glazed slightly but he hadn’t fallen. Chaven, on her right and just in front of her, also hadn’t bowed. She wasn’t sure how many goblins had resisted, she had at least seen Jaxa still standing.
Returning her attention to the huge orc, she found piercing silver eyes locked onto her. “Hhmm, a daughter of nothing. Are you a member of the Order of Nothing, then?” The tone now sounded more weary.
Knowing she couldn’t hope to bluff her way through being a member of whatever that order was, she decided on the truth. “No. Why do you call me a ‘daughter’ of nothing?”
Large bushy brows pulled together, the orc stepped forward and leaned down to stare more closely at Prism’s face. “I am certain you follow the path of The Empty Nothing. There are no others who have such vacant souls. A soul with as little to it as yours would be horrendously weak and unstable given any other path. Come, lay down your arm and let us speak of your path.”
This time, being ready for it, Prism felt the subtle intrusion of millions of tiny motes into her mind and maybe her soul. Knowing they were there, she decided to just observe them for now. Although she’d never used her mana directly within her soul before, it was simple. Just as she’d the cloud of black mana to exit her body and do something, she directed it to exist within her soul nexus. Sending the mana out to catch the motes, she absorbed them in the same way she had the noise. In the same way she did emotions or kinetic energy. The oddity was in the fact she was absorbing something that had already been in her soul.
They seemed to blip out of existence, then back into the same position. The difference being they were now under her control and she could examine them more closely. Doing so, she distractedly followed the large woman as she stepped back and gestured for her to follow. Though, she pointedly did not release the oversized blaster which she had casually leaning against her right shoulder.
“The shaman has some form of mental manipulation skill.” System’s voice sounded panicked through the party link.
Hoping to sooth him, she replied, “Yes, but it doesn’t work on me. Chaven seemed mostly unaffected, too.”
“Yes, yes. I am trying to determine a path to victory, yes.” The Avron in question agreed, nervous.
The orc sat back down in the captain’s chair. The chair which was intended for a goblin captain. The chair which accommodated her perfectly. “How are you able to fit in a goblin-sized chair?” Prism asked, seeing that the chair fully fit her and yet she was much larger than it. Her head began pounding at the incredulity as her eyes reported two conflicting things at the same time. Had the chair looked too small, or the orc looked too big, or if one or the other seemed to grow or shrink, it’d all make sense. According to her eyes, though, none of that happened. The chair was simply way too small, and also fit her perfectly.
A brassy laugh tore from the tattooed woman’s throat. She laughed for a long moment, giving Prism time to forcibly ignore the weird optical illusion and instead focus on the mind-controlling motes she’d captured. They floated about innocently within her, not attempting to influence her at all now that they were under her control.
“You’ve never seen a sizeless artifact, I see.” She patted the arm rest solidly, slamming against the stick-thin metal arm with a massive fist. It gave off a soft smacking sound, exactly like a sheet of thick metal slapped by any human hand. There was no groaning of protest over the harsh mistreatment by someone so much larger than its intended occupant, or cracking of materials.
“The chair exists as a concept rather than a physical object. What you’re seeing is what you expect to see, given this is a goblin ship you’re expecting a goblin sized captain’s chair. You should instead just expect to see a chair which will fit whoever is occupying it, as that’s closer to the truth.” The casual expectation that Prism could simply stop believing what her eyes were telling her was odd.
Before she could think of another way to distract the clearly dangerous woman, she spoke again, “It is interesting to find a human following the path of The Empty Nothing aboard a smuggler’s ship.”
“Smuggler’s? This is a trading ship, isn’t it?” Prism asked, though her voice lacked any real interest. The way the goblins had acted and demanded they stay in the passenger’s hold, she’d assumed they’d had something to hide. Being smugglers was as good an explanation as any other.
Leaning her considerable frame forward, elbows resting on knees, it seemed the orc was flexing every muscle as hard as she could. “Indeed. You may have assumed myself and my crew were part of a pirating party? In fact, we are a party of enforcers from the O.F.F.” Sharp eyes stared into Prism’s clearly searching for recognition.
Knowing her eyes likely wouldn’t change one way or the other, Prism just shrugged, “I’m unfamiliar.”
Smiling broadly, the orc leaned back in the chair, “My name is Jemer. I will be happy to educate you, attend me well.” More foreign motes to absorb.
The little things almost reminded Prism of pollen. They were tiny, even in her soul nexus they weren’t easily spotted. Her mana had no trouble capturing them, whether she herself noticed them or not. Since she had her mana cloud set to absorb them and fill her soul with them, it did.
“The Orcish Federation Faction is one of the premier factions for all orcish people. In particular, my kind, hell spawn orcs, are well regarded. You see, we’re a powerful variant of an already powerful race.” Her tusks seemed to almost glint as every aspect of the woman radiated her smug superiority.
“You would do well to heed my words, as an elite within the already elite peoples.” More motes subverted to her own design.
“Are you okay over there, Prism? Chaven, Jaxa, and I have been talking but we don’t know how to help.” System asked, clearly concerned.
“Just wait for now. She seems to want to manipulate us instead of fighting for some reason.”
Jaxa exclaimed, “Then we should fight! Never give the enemy what they want!”
“Just run some simple simulations to gather information.” She suggested to System, before ignoring the chatter on the party channel.
With another disinterested shrug, Prism asked, “What makes you so elite? As far as I’ve seen, you’re just big. I’ve killed something a hundred times larger.”
The question seemed to startle Jemer, as she stiffened and blinked slowly. Deciding she wasn’t being mocked, she answered, “Ahhh but you must be quite new to be so unfamiliar. The hell spawn orcs have a universal achievement which we all gain upon entry into the world. It is the very achievement which gives us our name. ‘Hell Spawn’ is the name of the achievement, and it allows us to subvert and twist the natural order of things. Beyond that, my personal achievements from the tutorial include several which increase my strength, size, and intellect beyond any mere orc’s: much less a human.”
For the first time, Prism regretted not staying on Motrendi for just a bit longer upon arriving from the tutorial. Some of the goblins had informed herself and System that the achievements displayed between the tutorial’s end and a person’s initial spawn had an actual impact on them. Those achievements made intrinsic changes to the person and their soul. Generally those changes were positive, as universal achievements were only assigned based on conditions beyond the norm. However, there were achievements with negative effects.
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
“I don’t know what achievements I have.” She answered casually, seeing it as an easy way to keep the orc talking rather than beating her and her party into submission.
“Could we beat her if Chaven and I just shoot her a few times?” She sent through the channel, knowing it was likely something System would have already tested. After all, that had been the basic strategy for the last two days worth of exploration and combat. It had been a long few days. It’d only been possible due to Chaven’s contract-based ability. He was able to use it to turn off the more violent suppression systems, so he could move freely through the ship as his contract with the goblins had stipulated.
“No.” Was the short and unambiguous answer.
Thankfully, the orc seemed fascinated by Prism’s last statement. “Don’t know? How is that possible? All factions take their new arrivals to an Eternity Node to check their UAs.”
“My faction re-wrote my contract soon after I arrived and I ended up off world. That’s why I’m on this ship, actually. I need to fulfill my contract.”
“How intriguing! You must have quite the talent for a faction to send a new arrival off world. More impressive, you already have an insight and mana. How long ago was this? Thirty years? Forty?” It seemed Prism’s abnormal situation was more than enough to keep the orc’s attention and curiosity. Though, the total disregard of her entire party which was milling around behind her, was disconcerting. She obviously didn’t see them as enough of a threat to even pay attention to.
Continuing to examine the motes, trying to figure out what she could do with them now that they were hers, Prism shook her head. “My contract is to attend and help someone else, someone who does have a lot of talent.”
“Reeeally?” Came was the drawling answer. “In that case, what say you and I make a deal, since I can feel none of my attempts to coerce you have worked.” The last was spoken wryly.
“I had hoped you couldn’t notice.” Prism answered honestly, earning another burst of laughter.
Once she’d calmed, Jemer she exclaimed brightly, “See, this is why I enjoy those following The Empty Nothing path! They never worry over much about what they say, almost never have an idea what other people’s emotions will drive them to do, and absolutely don’t give a shit! HAH!”
Slapping her knees, Jemer continued, “My proposal is this. You sign a new temporary contract with me. This contract will cover the same amenities and comforts which your previous passage contract with the goblins gave you. In addition, you’ll spend some time with me. I’d like to hear more of your stories and perhaps I’ll even be willing to teach you a thing or two.”
The offer was… Good. Shockingly good, actually. She glanced back at her party, then returned her gaze to the grinning shaman. “Will you give the same deal to my companions?”
“Hmmm… My charge is to bring the goblin’s and their colluders to justice. I don’t believe you are part of their scheme, given what I’ve learned from the ship’s records. Let me see about the others with you…” Her eyes went distant for a few moments. Moments which Prism knew would be the absolute best opportunity they’d get. She considered trying something. Perhaps she could send her cloud of mana out and take the distracted woman’s thoughts? Steal her ability to move? Absorb her desire to harm them? There were huge problems with each option, but if there was a time to do something it was now. Yes.
The question was weather she wanted to attack her. The orc hadn’t necessarily been overly hostile. She’d forced some of the goblins to bow to her, and had tried to get herself and System to do the same. However, it could be argued that had been self defense. At least, it might have been argued had she not called them ‘new thralls’. Whatever Jemer’s primary goal here was, it was clear that at least one of her secondary goals was to take people and turn them into thralls.
Jaxa and Chaven had confirmed that thrall was near synonymous with slave. The difference was that thralls were technically ‘legal’ and even upheld by most courts, as thralls had to sign a contract. Those contracts were generally maximum duration with no escape clauses. She’d learned all of this during one of their infrequent rests between rushing around the ship trying to find a workable, and not orc infested, path to the flight deck. It had only increased her desire to break the overarching system which allowed, and even encouraged, such a lack of care toward individual freedom.
Besides rubbing the freedom loving American within, it was inhuman and immoral. Despite the goblins possibly engaging in smuggling, they’d not given her any hints that they were doing anything that she felt was truly atrocious or villainous. She was beginning to wonder at the difference between legality and morality. The divide had always existed, but here, she felt it was wider than ever. That line of thought was enough for her to decide. Yes, she should take the opportunity.
She should- “Don’t!” Cut in System’s frantic voice. “No matter what you try, she’ll just kill you and then capture all of us.”
Ah. So, there was no chance of them defeating the woman, then.
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Willow
CsevTransport Pad C, Vesheen City, Shee
The soft ‘ding’ followed by an androgynous announcement which cut through the clamor of thousands of beings chattering were the only indication that anything had changed. “You have arrived on Shee. Please make an orderly exit through the opening doorway.”
There wasn’t so much as a blip or feeling of movement between being on Motrendi and being on Shee. There had been a kind of twisting sensation when passing through the same-world portals she’d been getting used to on Motrendi. She couldn’t quite remember what it felt like to fall through Madrick’s weird mouth portal. The falling sensation might have just been because she was literally falling, or the portal itself might have increased the feeling. Who knew. This was vastly different. Dangerous. If someone wandered into this room, not knowing, they’d end up on another planet entirely without having a clue. I guess, until they got out. So the not-knowing would be pretty short lived.
One entire side of the circular room slid open, a three and a half meter wide opening. She watched in amusement as many beings rushed out as if their lives depended on exiting the transport room immediately. No one quite got trampled, but she thought it might have been close with a few of the larger and smaller beings so packed together and all moving urgently through the doorway. Just like airplanes back home, some things truly are universal. Herself, Luzzi, and Ravvy just waited for a bit.
Once the wave had subsided into more of a tide, they made their way out. Exiting the huge metal doors, they were greeted with the sight what could only be described as a picturesque European village. Painted tile roofs in bright colors sat atop little cottage style buildings set in beautiful lanes. Each building had its own unique dimensions and shapes, yet the materials and construction were all similar.
The streets were full of beings moving up and down the lanes, but weren’t congested. The teleportation platform had brought several thousand new beings into what seemed to be a small village. The small size was apparently an illusion, as the dissipating crowd seemed to be easily distributed. There was no bumping shoulders, nor the lingering smell of too many people living in too-small a space. The later had been a familiar smell which Willow hadn’t missed, but had to reacquaint herself to again on Motrendi.
“Our rift slot is tomorrow morning at 7:00. We have twenty hours. I would like to get five or six hours of sleep before we begin.” Luzzi informed the others as they walked down a cobbled which Ravvy had chosen. Willow wasn’t sure if the little alien dude knew where they were going, or had just chosen at random. Either way, it didn’t matter too much. As Luzzi said, they have plenty of time.
Glancing toward the paavaras, Willow asked, “Do we need to book a hotel or something?”
“I’ve already made sleeping arrangements. It’s part of the itinerary I sent you both.” Her tail wound and unwound. Oops. I missed that part.
Quickly pulling up the message Luzzi had sent, she found that there was indeed a line with a booking link. Following it, Willow found an attached map and guidance coordinate. Unlike on Earth, the UICI wasn’t kind enough to have a ‘your-brand-here maps’. Nope, instead there was a standard mapping module which nearly everyone used.
She’d even gotten the map module as a perk of being a disciple. However, the map required that either the user explore to fill it out, or that they buy or be given an already filled-out map from someone else. Since no one in the world was apparently generous with information, the later wasn’t going to happen. Given that buying an entire world map, or even just city maps, was unreasonably expensive, they were going without. However, coordinates were much more common. Coordinates were like a tiny little mini-map with only the path from where the user currently was to their destination displayed.
Looking over the map, Willow’s annoyance grew as she saw the paths change. Ravvy wasn’t taking them to the hotel, or inn, or whatever ‘Shandy’s Cups’ was, but that wasn’t what annoyed her. No, what she was irritated by was the fact that as they passed cross streets and the coordinate updated their path, new areas of the map were displayed. Then, those areas were re-covered when the path changed, confirming that all of the information to have a full area map was actually available to the UICI but it simply wasn’t showing it.
“When you buy maps… Is that actually buying a data pack that the UICI uses to show the area?” She asked as they walked, suppressing her annoyance and not allowing it to color her voice.
“Nope!” Ravvy replied. “The bastards who designed the map module that everyone uses were total geniuses, you know. What they did, you see, is they made it so that everyone who maps out any area anywhere is actually sending allllll that data to them. So, when you explore, you’re actually providing the Windell’s United faction with a ton of data. Topology, geographical surveys, POV camera data, tons. There are some things that automatically get censored by the UICI before it’s sent. For example every being you’re looking at is blurred out in the footage sent to Windell’s. Or, if you were walking around naked for some reason, it’d filter out anything that you consider private. Actually, it’ll pretty much just do that. Censor anything you consider private or secret.”
“What if I consider everything I see private and secret to myself?”
“Hah! You’d have to actually believe it. But yeah, you could do that.” For some reason, Ravvy seemed amused by the entire thing.
Feeling the opposite of amused herself, but knowing he’d immediately latch onto any display of negative emotion, Willow continued to keep her true feelings out of her voice. Doing her best to only sound curious, “Why hasn’t someone made a better mapping system that just shows everything to anyone who buys the module?”
She saw Luzzi rubbing her face from her peripheral and knew she wasn’t going to like the answer. “Because anyone who tries that is hunted down, captured, forced to remove the module from the store, and then tortured and killed over and over!” Ravvy answered with a mirthful laugh.
He turned down a lane, continuing to act like he knew where he was going. “That’s horrible!” Willow gasped, “How is that legal? Shouldn’t someone stop them from hurting people like that? Torturing them? That’s not okay!”
He turned around, his too-wide mouth split in a way way too wide smile. Aw crawdaddies, I let myself sound angry. “Remember rule number one Willow! The strong do what they want and everyone else deals with it. There is no law above that one. Windell’s United is a very strong faction with hundreds of gods. It’s rumored they even have a god king, though that’s widely believed to be intentionally spread to foster more fear rather than anything confirmed.”
Stopping his backward’s walk, Ravvy waved his hand over his slight shoulder to direct Willow’s attention to their destination. She blinked upon seeing what looked like a county fair. There were little stanchion looking things with blue-white light connecting them instead of rope or whatever the mesh the extendable ones used.
All the blue-white lines directed the eye toward a ticket booth, where a giant cyclops sat on an appropriately sized stool and sold people tickets. The sight was so incongruous that Willow’s attention was broken and her anger was sent to the back of her mind. It wasn’t forgotten, just left to stew and fester. She knew she’d revisit this topic later. When I can do something about it.