~~~Caffeine~~~
Caffeine was awake when it happened. He had felt something coming and crawled out from under the warm blankets to stand guard. Dearest Human was very tired when he stopped the rumbling place, and Caffeine wanted to let him rest. After all, Dearest Human was grouchy when he got tired.
It was nice and warm outside the covers. Dearest Human had left the Rumbling on, and it made warm air to protect them from the Bad Wet Whiteness outside. Dearest Human was the best!
There were some Not Dearest Humans walking by outside, and Caffeine gave them his quietest woofs to let them know he was watching. He wanted to tell them very loudly that this was his Warm Rumbly place and they should stay away, but Dearest Human was sleeping and would get very grouchy if Caffeine woke him up.
His warnings worked, and none of the Not Dearest Humans tried to attack.
There was a loud noise. Then a Voice said some things that he didn’t understand. Then the Voice offered him power, and Caffeine accepted. Dearest Human needed lots of help and protection. Many scary things were out there in the dark, and you can never be too sure that a large rock or a tree stump won’t suddenly attack. The Voice said some more things, but Caffeine ignored them.
Dearest Human made some tired noises when the voice was talking but didn't wake up. That was good. Then the Rumbling stopped... that was bad, and the cold started sneaking inside.
Lots of Not Dearest Humans ran around outside after that, and some made very loud noises. Caffeine woofed at all of them to please be quiet because Dearest Human was still sleeping.
His stomach rumbled.
It was almost the wonderful Breakfast time! Caffeine waited for a very, very long time until finally, Dearest Human started to make the wake up noises.
Breakfast time!
~~~Stanley~~~
A strange feeling dragged Stanley from his dead sleep, and it wasn't the dog licking his face.
His head was pounding and his mouth was dry when he swiped at his phone to turn off the blinding light. A flailing hand found nothing, and then he saw the words hovering in his vision.
Unique Hidden Attribute Unlocked: Twin-Soul
Twin-Soul Value Unknown(further analysis required)
The words faded as more took their place, and Stanley guzzled water as he read over the floating messages.
[World Quest Failed]...
His thirst eased as his anxiety climbed. This was bad. This was so bad! He was climbing out of bed when he got to the class options.
Class Selection:
Psionic (Rare) 100% Affinity
Telekinetic (Uncommon) 50% Affinity
Transporter (Rare) 48% Affinity
Iron Mind (Rare) 47% Affinity
Luckily, Stanley had gone to bed fully clothed, so didn't have to waste time getting dressed and immediately started throwing things into a backpack as he glanced over the list and shivered against the cold. Hadn't he left the truck on?
It was the most ridiculous thing to have a floating screen in his mind offering game-like classes to him, but Stanley didn't feel the slightest incredulity. He felt only dread.
He dropped a handful of dog food on the floor before stuffing the rest into his pack, and Caffeine started gobbling it up while Stanley went to the fridge for his own supply... and found it empty. "Shit!"
He'd eaten everything yesterday in his stupid attempt to push the damn truck all fucking day.
His stomach gnawed at him.
There was a timer ticking down in the corner of his vision, and Stanley's dread only increased every time he glanced at it.
(14:01)... (14:00)... (13:59)
He looked through the first class option while stuffing water bottles into the pack.
Psionic (Rare) 100% Affinity
I think therefore it is.
A Rare Class that focuses on the power of the Mind.
Practitioners eschew the use of Mana, instead converting all external and internal energy directly into their mental energy.
Strong minds use this energy to force the world around them to bend to their will. Masters of this class can alter reality on a whim and a thought.
Considered a combat class with a mix of offensive and defensive options.
Class Level Effects (Novice)
+3% Effective Mind Attributes
+3% Psionic Energy Pool
Class Requirements:
Psionic Energy Pool/Channels [Requirement Met][N/A](Adaptable)
Sounded fine to Stanley, and he only skimmed the next one as he hauled both himself and Caffeine out of the truck into the cold, dark night.
Telekinetic (Uncommon) 50% Affinity
No touching required.
An uncommon class that uses Mana to move physical objects around the caster.
Considered a combat class with a mix of offensive and defensive options.
[Class Level Effects(Novice)]
+2% Effective Mind Attributes
+2% Mana Pool
[Class Requirements]
Mana Pool/Channels [N/A](Adaptable)
It sounded worse in every way, if a bit more straightforward in the description.
Stanley waved his hand and mentally blasted a swath of snow off the grass, tearing up half the grass with his overpowered but crude attempt.
"Caff, do your thing." Stanley set the pug down in the mix of dirt, snow, and grass.
He needed to get back to Lee and was kicking himself for not staying with him. Idiot! What the fuck was I thinking?
This shit was bad, and he needed to get across the country yesterday. Unfortunately, there was only one way to do it.
Stanley needed to fly.
It was something he'd done once before, back when he was much weaker. An activity he'd since avoided, no matter how tempting it was to fly his truck over slow drivers blocking the road. His increased power should make it no big deal, but the lack of fine control was the only reason Stanley hesitated now, but not for long.
With a careful and much more gentle thought than he'd used on the snow, Stanley willed himself off the ground... and floated into the air.
Okay. So not that hard.
It only took the barest of intent to hold himself up, and Stanley stayed in the air while Caffeine looked for the right spot. At least, until the pug abandoned his search and eyed the floating man suspiciously, sniffing at his feet and whining even though Stanley was only a foot above the ground.
"Hurry up, Caff." This was taking too long... but it was going to be a long flight. Stanley dropped back onto the ground, hoping to stop distracting Caffeine, and checked the next two classes while he waited.
Transporter (Rare) 48% Affinity
Point A to Point B.
A Rare Class specializing in the movement of goods across long distances.
Users may utilize a wide variety of skills, dependent on their chosen method of transportation.
Considered a non-combat class but with some limited defensive options.
Class Level Effects (Novice)
+1% All Effective Attributes
+3% Mana Pool
Class Requirements:
Mana Pool/Channels [N/A](Adaptable)
That was disappointing. He'd been hoping for something more specific, like maybe teleportation. The description was far too vague as it was, and he wasn't about to risk that option. As for the next...
Iron Mind (Rare) 47% Affinity
I think therefore you do not.
A Rare Class that specializes in mental attacks.
User may inflict a variety of effects on their enemies, from merely distracting a foe to outright killing them depending on the power difference or strength of the mental attack.
Class Level Effects (Novice)
+3% Effective Mind Attributes
+3% Mana Pool
Class Requirements:
Mana Pool/Channels [N/A](Adaptable)
It sounded interesting but not exactly helpful in dealing with his current needs... His stomach growled again, loud enough to make Caffeine stare from where he squatted. "Good boy."
Stanley needed to fly, but first, he needed food... Caffeine trotted away, business done and nose in the air as he followed a presumably interesting smell to god knows where. Using the same careful mental touch, Stanley pulled the pug back and into his arms. It felt as easy as carrying himself, so that was a good sign.
The truck stop was dark, but the combination of a full moon and the layer of snow covering nearly everything lit up the world enough for Stanley to make his way easily to the building. The lack of his feet crunching on the snow also made his passage silent and eliminated the risk of slipping.
The silence was broken before he reached his destination by the distinctive sound of a shotgun slide, which also brought Stanley to a halt in the air.
"I don't care what anyone says," a man's voice yelled from near the building, right before he stepped forward into the moonlight, shotgun aimed at Stanley. "Even if it's the end of the world, you still ain't looting my store!"
Stanley hesitated at the sight of a gun pointing his way. He hadn't ever tried catching bullets and wasn't sure if he could... but he could also simply toss the man away. How high could he throw a human... or he could push him through a wall... or three?
"I'm not a looter," Stanley finally said, choosing diplomacy over violence... for now. "I just want to buy some food."
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
"Not happening!" the man yelled, "So why don't you just mosey on out of here, flyboy, and I won't have to shoot you for trespassing."
This fucking moron... Stanley considered violence anew before his stomach growled again, much more audible this time, and... that wasn't his stomach.
He looked over his shoulder and felt a chill down his spine at the sight of the beasts approaching in the moonlight.
They looked like coyotes, with their lean bodies and narrow faces... but they were huge, especially the first one that looked to be nearing the size of a horse. Even wolves didn't get that big... Then he heard their distinctive howls, which were immediately answered from further away in a decidedly unnerving cacophony in the dark.
Stanley lifted himself and Caffeine higher into the air as he turned back to the shotgun-wielding man. "Guess you can handle those, then?" Caffeine was squirming, but Stanley didn't let him escape.
No way are you going to play with them!
"Sonny, I've been protecting my land for decades, and I ain't afraid of a damned coyote!" The prick turned his weapon away from Stanley, training it on the still-approaching beasts, and pulled the trigger.
It was a lot quieter than Stanley expected; a small pop... and that was it. The man loaded another shell and fired again. Another small pop.
The coyotes started running toward him as the howls picked up.
Stanley considered simply leaving the bastard to his fate, but this was unfamiliar territory, and he had no idea how to go about finding another store in the dark. Then again... the shotgun was apparently a dud, which meant he could take whatever he wanted from this place. Though he didn't want to waste time waiting for the damn animals to finish eating the guy, either.
He spun to face the threat, hand rising as he prepared to find out how much damage he could really do to a living creature.
Caffeine huffed as he finally laid eyes on the source of the howling and squirmed slightly as if he wanted to go say hello, which, knowing Caffeine, was exactly what he wanted to do.
Stanley held tightly to the pug and shove...
The coyotes skidded to a stop on seeing him descending closer and then nearly scrambled all over themselves to run away... all before Stanley even hit them.
Surprising… but at least it was fast?
The man stared up at him when Stanley turned back around, but didn't point the useless gun at him. "You didn't do squat... but fine!" he huffed. "Get your damn food and get out!"
"Sure." Stanley hit the ground harder than intended and stumbled as he went inside the dark store, Caffeine still in his arms.
"You still gotta pay!" the man said, following him inside. Luckily, he didn't complain about the dog. Stanley was ready to take whatever he wanted, and damn this guy if he thought otherwise.
The demand for money was a joke, and he pulled his wallet from a pocket and tossed it at the man's feet. "All yours." As if money was going to matter now...
A lighter came from another pocket, and the small flame led him to what he wanted in the dark store. Jerky.
Every flavor and variety went into his backpack as he cleared the shelves, and Stanley headed for the door less than a minute after entering. One package he ripped open, stuffing his jacket pockets with the dried meat. A little something to keep him going through the upcoming flight, and it would keep Caffeine from trying to escape... hopefully.
"Your wallet..." the other man called after him.
"Keep it," Stanley said. The guy was going to die. Maybe he hadn't chosen a good class? Why else would he be trying to use a shotgun? He was also an idiot for trading actual food for money that was likely already worthless. Not that he had a choice this time.
Then Stanley was outside and rising into the freezing air. The wind bit at his face as he sped up through the dark sky, and he shuffled Caffeine inside his jacket mid-flight.
The darkness should have been lit by a glowing metropolis below him, but was now only the dim white of moonlight reflecting off the snow, with dark patches and lines where plows had cleared the roads.
Luckily, Stanley didn't need to see the roads or even landmarks to know where he was going.
A feeling that had been with him since he woke up pointed Stanley in the exact direction he needed to go. He wasn't sure why the feeling was here now, but he knew it was Lee, which probably meant it had something to do with the message about a Twin-Soul.
Whatever it was, he could feel his brother, and it led him southeast, and also technically into the earth, but he was still smart enough to understand that the earth's surface curved... Stanley followed that sensation through the sky as he flew and, while doing so, considered his so-called Class Selection.
The choices further down the list were worse than the first few, and he wasn't planning to go searching for another option down there.
The first class suited him well enough, though he worried about whether it would affect his ability to fly as he was currently doing. For that reason, Stanley landed before the timer was up and made his choice. Also, to let some of the numbness fade from his face...
Class Chosen: Psionic
New Class Skill: Psychokinesis (Uncommon) - Level 1 (Novice)
Stanley waited for something to happen... but nothing did. He mentally lifted himself back into the air and...
Skill Level Up: Psychokinesis
Okay...
It didn't seem to change anything, so Stanley flew away while checking what his new skill was supposed to do.
Psychokinesis (Uncommon) - Level 2 (Novice)
I think it, and it happens.
Users gain the ability to control nearby physical objects with mental power alone.
Skill Level Effects (Novice)
-1% Mental Energy Cost
+1% Effective Willpower
That just sounded like what he'd been doing before, and without a fancy skill either. Though he wondered what class Lee would pick... would he even have the same options? They were supposedly Twin-Soul, whatever that meant, but somehow, Stanley suspected his brother wouldn't have the same choice... it was just a feeling, but a strong feeling. Especially considering that Lee manifested no hint of telekinesis...
The wind was bitter on his face and hands as he flew, and the darkness made it a nerve-wracking experience. Not at all what he'd hoped for the first time he really got to fly.
That was all secondary, of course. Stanley was still busy hating on himself for leaving Lee alone. They both knew something was coming, not when or what exactly, but they knew something was going to happen. Then they just split up like fucking morons!
"Fuck!" Stanley screamed into the wind. "Fucking fu..." He had a moment's warning of something approaching his face at speed.
It wasn't enough warning, and Stanley took a bird to the face.
At least, that was his best guess when he started spitting feathers out of his mouth after a terrifying tumble through the sky. He leveled out and only kept going in the right direction thanks to the feeling of Lee in the distance.
Caffeine was squirming and trying to get out of the jacket when Stanley heard the squawk from somewhere far too close. It sounded suspiciously like a seagull.
There was a flash of moonlight against something white, and Stanley let go of himself, pushing his mind against nothing in a wide sphere around himself, hoping to avoid another collision.
His stomach lurched as he plummeted, but nothing hit him, so that was good. Unfortunately, once he leveled off, the sounds of squawking birds resumed immediately after the wind stopped roaring in his ears.
More flashes of white flickered in the dark sky, and Stanley hit back with mental slaps at any sign of motion. There were some squawks, and a few times, he felt enough feedback to know he'd hit something.
Caffeine got his head clear from the jacket and growled out into the dark. Stanley tried to follow his gaze in case the pug had better night vision, but it was hard to tell with the way his head kept turning and his eyes looked in two directions at once...
So instead, Stanley abandoned the fight, ducked his head down, and flew away.
It was cold, so, so cold, but Stanley endured it as he barreled ahead, stuffing Caffeine's face back inside the jacket. He didn't have time for fucking birds that didn't know better than to harass him. In the corner of his vision, a timer was still ticking down, and each second lost felt like a hammer blow in his gut. The damn birds were lucky it was so dark...
(00:05)
(00:04)
(00:03)
(00:02)
(00:01)
Then it was no longer dark. A glowing screen appeared in his eyes.
The Dungeon is Open.
Less than a second after the message appeared, a new one took its place.
You have been conscripted into the Grand Raid Dungeon: [The Fall of Boston]
Invaders are coming! Join your allies and prepare your defenses! Fight!
Rewards will be granted based on Contributions to the Defense or the Assault once the Invaders have been Defeated or Driven Out or when all Defenders are Defeated.
"Conscripted my ass," Stanley growled, waving away the damn screen right as a blue, glowing wall appeared in the sky before him. He slid to a halt in the air only a few feet from the shimmering surface.
No, no, no.
It didn't seem to extend far in either direction, only a few dozen feet, but trying to slide around it proved futile when it only seemed to follow him. Backing up made it disappear, only to reappear when he got closer.
Then he touched it.
[Dungeon Perimeter] No Dungeon Entities may cross until All Invaders or Defenders are Defeated.
~~~Invader~~~
You have entered the Grand Raid Dungeon [The Fall of Boston](Earth).
World Quest Issued: [Subjugate the Sapients]
Racial Quest Issued: [Establish an Eternal Stronghold]
Nefraxis was already moving all four hands through the motions of a spell when their feet touched the surface of the new world, and they rushed its completion, spending additional mana for the sake of expediency. In their extensive experience, these first few moments were the most prone to unforeseen... problems.
Not that they should have anything to fear in an F-Grade dungeon, even a Grand Raid. It was extremely unlikely that anything could match their strength at this early stage, but it was better to be safe. Rare as it was, it was not unheard of to find an abnormally strong enemy in a lower ranked dungeon, especially from the local beasts that ranked up by different rules than the sapient population.
Then the spell was complete, springing up around them in a dome of magical darkness and protection.
Nefraxis observed the world outside their protection, a world of chaotic violence that could all too easily snuff them out before they were ready. The natives should not be too far along their paths yet, but then, neither was the raid team.
The main difference was that the Eternals had prepared for this moment for their entire lives. They had trained in numerous Dungeons, fought countless foes, and raised their Classes and Skills to the peak of what they could reach while not passing beyond F-Grade. Not that they couldn't have evolved higher before this, but they had remained where they were, intentionally, to be ready for this very moment.
Now they would be the forerunners of the Eternal March in this new world.
It was an honor like no other. A mission trusted only to the best. A mission rigged against them from the start. Only, once again, it was by design. The Great System saw the challenge taken upon their shoulders, and it would reward them commensurately.
For now, they most likely stood at the peak of what this brand new dungeon offered. Unfortunately, the gap between them would only shrink in the first few days. The natives would grow quickly, a growth fueled by the surrounding violence. Those that survived, that is. Meanwhile, Nefraxis and the other Eternals would remain stuck at the peak of F-Grade until the dungeon itself, and the monsters within, grew strong enough to raise them higher.
They could deal immense damage if they attacked now. Could crush the living monsters under their feet. But that was not the plan. Their orders were clear. A time-tested tactic that Nefraxis would not deviate from. They would hide and work from the shadows to prepare this dungeon for its inevitable subjugation to the Eternal. Then the rest of the world would follow.
"Report," Nefraxis ordered, still observing their surroundings with shrewd attention as they ruminated on the task laid out before them. They stood between towering structures of stone, metal, and glass. Clearly, a monster race that had gone far and reached higher than many would without magic, but they were still monsters.
"Confirmed shield active," Calderon said, a useless observation considering that Nefraxis had personally cast the spell that now hid them from the local denizens.
"High life density in the area," Ruish said, a valuable yet still useless bit of information. They could all see and hear the disgusting cacophony of life that surrounded them.
Nefraxis did not yet know which of the lifeforms passing their hiding place were the dominant Sapients, be they biped, avian, or quadruped. It did not matter, truly. All would join the Eternal March in the end.
Gravus did not speak, only hovered unresponsive above the ground as they spread their magic into the surroundings. They were a new addition to the standard squad, assigned specifically for this mission and this world.
The Seers had sent word down through the High-Commanders, or so they had heard. The Seers had seen something important in this new world, something far above such a lowly one as themselves, and Nefraxis did not question those above. Receiving a missive like that, one handed to them directly by High Commander Avidora, was already an honor beyond all expectations.
This mission was important. More important than it already should have been. Nefraxis could practically feel them watching, though knew they could not be. Only the most high, the Eternal itself, could pierce the veil between Dungeons, and Nefraxis was not so arrogant as to assume that level of importance.
Morgrath, the last member of the march, was even less present than Gravus, little more than a helpless spirit until they gained a vessel. Another new addition meant to aid with this infiltration...
One of the biped locals fell just outside the barrier, oozing red blood from its blessedly dying body. The garments adorning its flesh led Nefraxis to assume this was the most likely species to have built such towers that surrounded them. The avians and quadrupeds did not cover their flesh.
The creature was dying, its life fading along with its soul, a Soul that would depart from the flesh momentarily, leaving behind the scraps as a Core. Nefraxis did not need to act. The magic emanating from Gravus had already touched upon the creature, and it would serve a greater purpose in death than it ever had while alive.
But before that, Nefraxis desired knowledge, and two hands spun a new spell, a delicate thing that snaked through the barrier and latched onto the biped.
Analysis.
Human(Ungraded)
Titles: N/A
Class: [Transporter]
Traits: [Adaptable] [Passenger Specialist]
"Morgrath, take this one." Nefraxis gave the order immediately upon reading the trait.
It made sense now why they had been singled out. Why the Seers had placed such importance on this world. The Multi-verse would tremble once word spread, and Nefraxis would be here at the forefront of it all, leading the Eternal March toward glory and triumph. And when they succeeded, their names would rise high indeed, perhaps even to the most...
No. This was not the time for such useless dreams. The Seers would not have placed such importance on them if the task ahead was easy. This would be the greatest and most difficult challenge any of them would likely ever see. They must not fail. They would not fail.
Twin orbs of red light gleamed from within the eye-sockets of their grinning skull as Nefraxis twitched a thin finger of pale bone and altered the spell-thread touching upon the Human. The thread thickened, wrapping around the dying monster and dragging it inside the dome of darkness where Morgrath waited to pounce.
The human expired, and Nefraxis spun a new spell around the forming Core. The spell was complete when the Core appeared and Morgrath drew it into their spirit. Then Morgrath dove into the flesh vessel, taking the Core with them, and the first newborn Eternal opened glowing red eyes on Earth. "It is mine," Morgrath said through the flapping mouth.
"Prepare the flesh," Nefraxis commanded.
Morgrath closed their glowing eyes and went to work restoring the damaged flesh from the inside. It would be useful to walk among the monsters as one of their own, and given any luck with these Humans, possibly recruit as many as would serve willingly.
After all, becoming Eternal was a strong lure for the mortals of the multiverse.
Outside, a hungry quadruped stopped, nose twitching at where its meal had vanished, then ran away with a terrible scream. Likely detecting the magic emanating from Gravus and seeking to avoid the corruption.
Run away, little one. It matters not. The Eternal March is inevitable.