…Thank… you… I hear, almost whispered in a slow, elderly sounding voice. I look around thinking someone is nearby, yet no-one stands out. The volume makes me think he is right next to me, but with no-one around I am left puzzled.
…Do … not… think… too… hard… I… Am… The… Rest… I hear the voice again, and it is almost painful trying to listen to it as it lasts over fifteen seconds. At least this clears up what is going on, I assume the Rest gained some form of sentience from the improved core.
…Yes… That… And… More… I am immediately concerned by the fact it appears the Rest can hear my thoughts, but the possibilities excite me.
…We… Are… Connected… Rest… I… Will… Explain… Although I am once again cautious of this voice, I decide to trust it. Perhaps it can tell me more of my situation. Besides, there’s also the fact the voice is literally in my head. My course of action decided, I lay down to sleep. This time, there’s a difference.
Rather than an abrupt awareness of another place, I slowly come to in a bed similar to mine, but softer. Sitting up and looking around, there isn’t much of note. I am on the only feature, but the walls look like the wood of the Rest, albeit much larger. There is also a proper doorway rather than a small hole I have to half crawl through.
“Ah, good to see you asleep again” I hear the same raspy voice as the last time I was transported during my sleep. “I am glad you were intelligent about this. It would be a shame if another Queen embarked upon the road to Kingship. Nonetheless, your choice has allowed the Rest to expand its capabilities in all directions. With a deep connection, you may guide it. Walk with me.”
With the strangely abrupt end to our conversation, I walk outside. Initially, nothing seems different. Then I remember the area we were in before was nothing substantial, more a suggestion of a place, whereas I can see trees in all directions for hundreds of meters before a white fog cuts off vision. I also notice the tree we came out of is massive, reaching what I believe to be almost a hundred meters into the sky before leaves start to appear and block my sight. There also seems to be the same fog, but it is wispy and difficult to perceive.
“As you may see, the major function of the Rest is a peaceful area to do as you wish while you rest. This can be harnessed many ways, but the most common is training. I do not know what the situation is like for you, but based on your complete lack of fighting prowess in our last interaction, it is not a perilous life. Now, as the guardian of the Rest, you may choose how to spend your time. I recommend we train your fighting.” After the seemingly half-assed explanation, I can only agree with her. I don’t know what else I can do in here, and I am sure some further combat training will help me. One thing that bugs me is how long we have.
“How long can I stay in here?”
“I don’t know the exact time, but the last one would have been close to four days, so with the upgraded core the time dilation will have increased. I expect close to a month, if not more. It depends on how well the Rest can sustain itself, as well as how much your mind can take.”
It seems as though I will have plenty of time here. Once again, my training begins. The day is divided into three parts, where the first third is spent on the basics of fighting. Rather than focussing on daggers as we did last time, there is a rotation with swords, daggers and spears. Occasionally the sword or spear training will include shield use, and the dagger training will have a sword too for basic dual wielding. The second third of the day is more practical, day to day things. We train hunting, skinning, farming, herbology, tracking, trapping, climbing, stealth, foraging and even alchemy. Each is done all at the same time, with the exception being farming. Different to last time, the creatures are still formed of bark and twining branches, but now they are more realistic. Covered in grasses as fur or leaves as feathers, large chunks of soft wood as organs and thin branches to simulate veins and muscles.
Perhaps of most interest to me was the third section of the day. Although the first few days had this time designated for more fighting, my ‘trainer’ soon realised I was lacking in many areas of knowledge, and especially in using my power. So these sessions were spent either teaching me about the history of spriggans or training my powers. It was on one such occasion that I discovered another aspect to one of the blessings I received.
We were training, when she asked me why I spent all my time as a human. I responded that I was a human, and it was how I lived. This was met with ridicule, and I was asked to display my ability to shift between forms. What surprised her though, was the fact I didn’t have to reform my body at a place of power. Although difficult to describe, the process of changing involved my body changing to reflect its regular structure in much the same way the animals are now structured. Everything became wood of some form, and at the point the transformation was occurring a vibrant green light would be emitted. During this process, I discovered I could alter my body at will. These alterations would not transfer to my human body, but my spriggan shape was completely malleable, a feat unheard of for all but the eldest of shamans.
Naturally, some tests were done. It was found I could transmute parts to be stronger, thinner, thicker, weaker, elastic, stiff and so on. This proved invaluable, as I am able to essentially create weapons out of my body. An example is a dagger exiting my palm. I cannot disconnect these protrusions, as this hurts me, and the construct quickly breaks apart. However there is a possibility we hadn’t even considered before. Archery.
Archery is quickly added to the training schedule, as part of manipulating my body. By changing tension, flexibility and rigidity, I can form a fully functional bow on my arm. The third session is also filled with basics in all my powers I currently have. Admittedly there are only few, but any training is better than no training.
Another notable event was the temporary deepening of my link to the quasi-sentient Rest. The resulting communication was not one of words. As an incredibly ancient entity that was never fully sentient, it only communicates in concepts. Most of them are basic, but there are things it understands that mortals cannot. It had some confusion at an Aether construct implanted into me, but it is dormant while I am inside this realm. Many things were cleared up, such as the fact the core acts as a centralised power generator. Apparently the core also gave it some control over itself, as opposed to instinctual growth, and allows it to do many things it could not before. It is also confused, for lack of a better term, as to why it is semi-sentient. Ages in its past it had a core, but it never experienced this, only increased awareness.
Eventually, my month of training ended. Although I couldn’t keep track of the time, my trainer did. Upon leaving, she told me I had spent a month and a half. Whether this was due to the Rest or me, we will never know. My awakening was met by two things, many screens and wolves howling to the east.
[Skill]s learned:
[Skill]
Level
Effects
Herbology
[Novice 5/10]
[5%] Increased chance to intuit herb’s properties
Synchronicity with [Nature Sight]
Tracking
[Novice 5/10]
[5%] Increased chance of noticing tracks
[5%] Decreased chance of losing tracks
Foraging
[Novice 6/10]
[6%] Increased chance of noticing resources
[6%] Decreased chance of ruining foraged resources
Synchronicity with [Nature Sight]
Alchemy
[Novice 6/10]
[6%] Increased product potency
[6%] Decreased chance of failure
Sword Mastery
[Novice 7/10]
[7%] Increased damage with swords
[7%] Increased speed with swords
Dual Wielding
[Novice 4/10]
[48%] Decreased accuracy when dual wielding
[23%] Decreased speed when dual wielding
Spear Mastery
[Novice 6/10]
[6%] Increased damage with spears
[6%] Increased control with spears
Shield Mastery
[Novice 5/10]
[5%] Reduced damage taken with shields
[5%] Increased chance of successful block
[Skill]s Increased:
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Stealth
[Novice 9/10]
[9%] Decreased chance of being noticed (Passive)
[45%] Decreased chance of being noticed (Active)
Dagger Mastery
[Novice 9/10]
[9%] Increased damage with daggers
[9%] Increased speed with daggers
Bow Mastery
[Novice 9/10]
[9%] Increased damage with bows
[9%] Increased accuracy with bows
Skinning
[Novice 9/10]
[9%] Increased product quality
[9%] Increased skinning speed
[Skill] Improved:
[Reform]
[Novice 8/10]
May reform your body without requiring a place of power. Current options: Human or Spriggan (Queen) or mix of the two.
I briefly glimpse the screens before dismissing them, noting the improvements to [Reform]. I don’t know much about wolves, but I am pretty sure there is safety in numbers when confronting them. Unfortunately I am alone a fair distance from town.
Using [Reform] I mold my body, giving myself daggers within my wrists and reinforcing my legs. I crawl out of the hideout, preparing for a fight. Seeing no wolves in my immediate vicinity, I climb the Rest’s branches to attempt spotting the wolves. Although difficult, I could use the daggers to dig into the bark slightly, allowing better grips. I also morph my feet to be more claw-like for better gripping.
Reaching a reasonable height, I survey the surroundings. There appears to be some movement to the west, and the town appears mostly deserted. Everyone who can is going inside with any animals they have. The movement to the west is getting closer, and I don’t think I can make it to the town in time, so I climb back down to hole up inside the Rest.
Five minutes of hiding pass without incident. These five minutes also alerted me to a recent development, being a slight green glow throughout the Rest’s interior and a small green gem-like object in the centre of the floor. My nerves don’t allow me to think on this much, but I resolve to investigate after the threats have passed. Unfortunately, after the five minutes the threat is knocking at my metaphorical door.
A small wolf’s head peeks through the hole, where it sees me and immediately rushes in. I can only assume the wolf assumed I am prey and attacks me. I don’t have the time to contemplate this, as it is soon upon me.
My daggers were never removed, so they are at the ready. As the wolf lunges towards me, I dodge to the side and strike at it. Although difficult in such a cramped space, my dagger successfully tears through the wolf’s side. Although doing little damage, it is still great to know I can fight back.
My moment of introspection is quickly interrupted by the wolf, who has recovered and quickly turned back around, as it once again lunges for me, this time at my leg. A quick step back and the wolf misses, at almost a perfect spot for me to strike, my dagger once again ripping the fur and damaging muscles, yet the wolf still lives and quickly darts away. The wolf seems much warier of me, and it looks pretty damaged. I expect one more strike and it will either flee or die.
The wolf howls, likely letting its pack know where it is before once again rushing at me, going for my throat. This time, I don’t manage to dodge properly, and a large chunk of flesh is torn out of my shoulder while the claws leave a gash on my chest. My dagger, in motion the whole time, goes through the soft underbelly and lands what I assume to be a fatal hit, as the wolf loses its energy even as it stops chewing the flesh still in its mouth.
ALERT: [Forest Wolf Level: 12] Killed: No Rewards: Entity Ineligible
It soon drops to the ground, no longer supporting itself, nor am I supporting it. I am glad the fight is over. Although brief, both parties were damaged. My training overnight seems to have paid off, and I am sure I would have died without it. I don’t think I have long before more come, as the howl probably let the rest know, so I move the body to mostly block the hole. As I’m doing this, I hear the same slow voice in my head.
…More… Coming… Heal… Yourself… This is great advice. Or would be, if I knew how to heal. Fool… You… Are… Nature… Use… It… Trying not to interrupt it is seriously frustrating, as any thoughts other than comprehending its words make it slow down. I… Will… Guide… And with that, a strange sensation arises. It is similar to the feeling I get when trying to manipulate nature, but more precise in its intentions. Understand?... It says in a questioning tone, making me realise I had already been healed. I direct my thoughts inwards, trying to thank it. You… are… welcome…
[Skill] Learned: [Nature Healing]
Level: [Novice 1/10]
Effects:
Heal yourself or others using nature magic.
Healing done this way is [1%] more effective
Healing done this way is [1%] more efficient
The sensation is difficult to describe. There’s a feeling of interconnectedness with the entire world, or at least the natural world, before a wave of hot and cold at the same time flows through me. I can see and feel my injuries repairing, although after one glance I look away. It is really disconcerting to see your flesh wriggling like maggots and elongating before reconnecting to the other side. This doesn’t last too long, as another howl can be heard from right outside.
The corpse of the wolf moves a bit, pushed inwards by an unknown force. Probably one of the other wolves. It doesn’t take long for a gap large enough for a wolf to be made, and another one enters.
Taking the initiative this time, I lunge for it with my daggers out, but the wolf manages to react and completely dodges my strike before attempting to respond in kind by biting me. The wolf had moved too far for this to be effective, and it doesn’t manage to reach me. Taking the opportunity, I swipe at it, managing to hit it across it’s front leg.
The wolf, slightly cowed, lunges forward again, keeping most of its weight off the injured front leg, and just misses me once again. In a good place, I strike again aiming to stab through the eye, but I lose my footing and don’t manage to connect. Taking advantage of my misstep, it once again tries to bite me, but it cannot connect as its leg slightly gives. I stab out again, just managing to do some damage, slicing through its back. Starting to become enraged, it lunges again but cannot move its leg enough to get the height required to reach my neck. Before I can attack again, I slip slightly and have to move back a step, allowing the wolf to lunge again, however the wolf doesn’t manage anything. I take a few quick steps back to put some distance between us, warily watching the wolf. The injuries to its back and leg reduce its mobility, so it does not follow.
Glad for the brief respite, I take the chance to regain my breath, and the wolf snarls while occasionally glancing towards the dead wolf. The battle is joined soon after as it ducks down and sprints for my leg, managing to clamp down on it. Swiping towards it once again as I lose my balance, I miss and land hard. I manage to fend it off with my undamaged leg as it pounces towards my throat, letting go of my damaged leg. I don’t have a good angle to strike, so my flailing arms cannot do anything to it.
Taking its time, it does not let me get up and looks for an opening. Seeing one, it tries to take it, yet my flailing arms manage to ward it away before it can do anything, allowing me to get a lucky shot and slice against its neck. It begins bleeding profusely, and I think I hit a jugular as it whimpers and tries walking away, before it collapses next to the other dead wolf.
ALERT: [Forest Wolf Level: 14] Killed: No Rewards: Entity Ineligible
After this battle, I take the time to try and heal myself again. Lasting about two times the last one did, I can feel the damage being reversed. My leg is still damaged and will not be able to support my weight much, but my shoulder is almost at full functionality.
Unfortunately, I am interrupted by a loud growling. What is surprising is that I can understand it. “Come out. You are a worthy prey.” After about a minute of not responding, it growls again “The Tree will be our sanctuary. We will take it by force.” Once again, I do not respond. “Fine, if you won’t come out we’ll have to make you.” This alone is not threatening, however the voice in of the Rest urges me to leave.
…They… Are… Strong… Will… Damage… Me… Please… Protect… Outside…
Following the Rest’s heeding, I exit, and find five wolves outside, encircling the entrance. One of them stands out far more than the others, a great beast of a wolf. This wolf seems to be coated in stone plates rather than fur and is at least twice the size of the others. It steps forwards and growls, once again I can understand it. “Good, you are not a complete coward. By the Ancient Tradition, I challenge you for the right to this Place of Power. Do you accept?”
“I do not know what you mean, but I guess I have no choice. I will accept your challenge.” As I say this, I reform the dagger in my right hand into a short sword and remove the dagger from my left hand. I also modify my left arm to have a hardened bark covering, something I had forgotten about in my previous fights.
The wolf runs at me, and I meet its charge with one of my own and a sword swing. I manage to get a lucky shot between its plates. Angered at this, it snaps at me but the blade gets between it and me. Not one to let the opportunity pass, I try to stab again but the blade rebounds off the plate. Attempting to bite me again, it doesn’t manage to achieve anything. I dart in with my blade point first, managing to get a hit on it’s eye. The beast going completely in a rage attacks me, but the blade in-between it’s face and me prevents it from doing much. I once again slash at it, getting it along the front leg where there is no plating, lightly damaging and inconveniencing it. Still enraged, the beast leaps for my throat and manages grab my upper arm, tearing into it.
Morphing my left fist into a club, I strike its snout in an effort to force it to let go, yet it holds on. My arm still in its jaws, it claws at my chest but manages to cut itself on my sword and releases my arm itself. Taking advantage of the situation I stab the wolf In its underbelly, where it is not protected by plating, eliciting a slight whimper as it takes a few steps back. Rather than try to bite me, it charges towards me with head bowed in an attempt to knock me over. Although fast, it is not difficult to sidestep this, and as the wolf runs past I stab towards it, once again finding a gap between plates.
Turning around, it lunges again, managing to knock me to the side without doing any harm, but positioning my sword so that an attempted attack of mine misses completely. It goes for my throat again, but my left arm, coated in toughened bark, gets in its way. The beast is in too difficult a position for me to successfully hit it, so another attempt is rebounded off its plating. Seeing this, it takes the opportunity and gets my throat, tearing a large chunk and my jugular out.
As I feel my awareness fading, I reach out to the nature around me and pull the power into me in an attempt to heal. It is barely successful, and rather than an artery a root replaces the jugular in transferring blood. There is also a protective layer of bark coating my previously open wound, stopping the general bleeding from being too serious. As I’m kneeling on the ground, unsure how I got there, I go to stab the wolf only to find my sword has disintegrated at some point. My fist hits the stone plate of the wolf, and it looks at me in confusion before growling, “How do you still live?”
My response is a weak laugh, with barely any energy behind it. “Because I am nature. Or at least that’s what the tree said.”
Swallowing my flesh, it walks leisurely towards me. “You have put up a good fight. Rest now in the embrace of Nature.”
Before reaching me, I morph both arms into long blades and try to skewer it. Neither manage to do anything as I am too dizzy to aim properly. “I’ve still got more fight in me.” I say before leaping to my feet again, a moment of vertigo hitting me.
It lunges for my throat again, and I barely manage to dodge before attacking with both arm-blades again. Due to it’s half blindness and the damage already done to its body, it does not manage to dodge as my left arm penetrates its ribs and my right goes through the already damaged eye. With both brain and heart damaged, it does not manage anything more than a brief whimper before collapsing and taking me with it.
ALERT: [Mutant Forest Wolf Level: 28] Killed: Rewards Available: Challenged Entity
I look around, and the wolves that were excited by this event start to back away, with a mourning howl shared between them. They run off into the forest after a moment, never looking back. I realise it is probably a disconcerting sight, an man with his arms up to his elbows in a wolf's eye and chest. I am quickly distracted by mu musing by a screen appearing.
Challenge for Place of Power complete: To the victor go the spoils. You may choose the reward:
Guardian Spirit: The vanquished will serve the Place of Power as guardians.
Harvested Energy: The energies of the vanquished may be used to empower the Place of Power.