"I'm definitely not one to talk considering I've killed more than my fair share of people, Zed, but I don't think it's going to make you feel as good when you're done as you think. Don't get me wrong, it'll feel good. Probably even fantastic. It might even last for a little while, but eventually that's going to catch up to you the same way everything else does. You'll have to work through it. Go to a Healer who specializes in the mind. They're all over Ackellia in major cities. You'll need to find a way to make some coin, but I imagine you'll find a good portion of it in whatever camp you find yourself in when you pass through the portal."

"I appreciate your concern, Aethos, and I'll probably even take your advice. For now, though, I just want to hear about the Skills and then I want you to let me pass through to the other side. Will there be an adjustment period when my soul settles inside, or will it feel like it's always been my body?"

"I understand, Zed. It's your life. All I can ask is that you take my advice to heart. The only adjustment you'll need to make is to your senses. They'll be exponentially stronger than they were in your human body and, although your Zenithal body will consider them natural, your mind is a different matter. Your body will feel as natural as your old one, perhaps even more so considering your soul will immediately begin to grow denser the instant you pass through the portal. Not too much, but any amount is still more than now. Plus, you've been here so long your soul has expanded almost three times over."

I focus on the boundaries I felt earlier and I notice that Aethos is right. I'm wider. More. It's a strange sensation. The only thing I can liken it to is the way my body felt when I was 14 and had that seizure. I began to feel like my jaw was wider than it was or that my fingers were wider but when I would look at them they would look the same.

"I told you before that Skills are bound to your soul and function as molds that your soul fills and then powers with Essence. The latter portion of the process is incredibly instinctual, even for Migrators like yourself. You only have to think about it and your soul does the rest. Outside of the System, you had to learn by trial and error which ways to manipulate it to get what effects. Of course, outside the System there are no Migrators. Anyone that came here before the System died the same way you would have had there not been one. This Universe weighs more, in a manner of speaking. Biology in your Universe cannot come to ours."

"Is that what you meant when you said that the Spell didn't go well, earlier? The people from this Universe traveled across, did some kidnapping then, too, but when they tried to bring them over, they all just died?"

"Yes. I also said that I would have disallowed it from the System if I could have but part of that compendium concept I was explaining earlier is that the Spell is part of that compendium. I cannot disallow specific Spells, only Spells created using specific Concepts. Such as Enslavement, as I mentioned. You cannot create or cast a Spell that contains the Concept of Enslavement."

"I mean, that seems reasonable. The Enslavement thing. Not that specific Spells not being disallowed thing you said. I'm not sure why you couldn't do that if you are the System to be perfectly honest."

"I am the System, yes, but I can't control the domain of the other Deities. I can't take Spells away from the Gods or their followers any more than they can control parts of me."

"Why not?"

"Why not? Because they have very real power against me if they so chose. I may, ultimately, be more powerful than them, but if they were to, say, kill a bunch of people all at one, that would disrupt the System. If they exterminated a race of people, I would lose that collective knowledge and the System would break. They could absorb a huge amount of Essence, depriving me of it, and the System would break. If I anger them, they could break the System. Small disappointments are fine, the rules are set and very well kept, but things of that nature? Taking away pieces under their direct control? Mutiny. The System ceases to work. Also, Yrgra, the Goddess of Space, would not speak with me when I Transcended so I could not ask her about it."

"You created a Spell based on the Concept of Space as a person on a Utility Path? I don't see how the two relate to each other."

"I was rather impressive, wasn't I?"

"Not my point. I mean, yes, that's impressive, especially since you still made it to Ascension despite the deviation that you warned me against."

"I would say the Spell was meant to be utilized, was it not? Also, I was on the Path of Magic, not Utility, and I was pursuing an understanding of the Concept of Utility. It was not a deviation as such. You'll learn more about how that works when you begin your own journey, if you wish to grow stronger, that is. It's not required, after all."

I assume Aethos includes the last bit as more of an attempt at providing an alternative to what sounds like an intense struggle against the very Universe to get stronger. Aethos chuckles. Such an interesting thing, laughing in what is essentially their thoughts. They don't exactly have the biology for it.

"Anyway, back on track. Skills. You've got them. Here they are and what you can do with them. There are only five. Like I said, your soul can only support so many. The goal of the System is to eventually allow you to bond to these, casting them without the mold. That's something you can 'toggle,' also. There are options to turn System assistance off and on so you can practice things like that without its aid."

"So I'll have six Skills and one Spell?"

"Yes."

[Serene Slaughter] - Combat is your happy place. You feel best when amidst the storm of a fight. For five minutes after this Skill is activated, or until the battle is over, you enter the state of Serene Slaughter. You think faster, move smoother, hit harder, all with a smile on your face. Woe unto those who oppose you.

[Master of Body] - A passive skill that draws on the user's channels at a low rate to power, it grants the bearer increased ability to control their bodies.

[Tough Skin] - Activation of this Skill grants five minutes of skin hardened by Essence, increasing resistances to heat, cold, stabbing, slicing, blunt force, magic attack damage, and taunts. Can be used in battle, but can also be used to handle molten material.

[Master of Blade] - A passive skill that draws on the user's channels at a low rate to power when holding a blade, granting the user increased control over blades.

[Master of Forge] - A passive skill that draws on the user's channels at a low rate to power when using a forge, granting the user increased control at the forge.

"I'm not going to lie, these all seem like what I would consider Spells and not Skills, even though they fall under your definition. Aside from the passives, which are very vague by the way, they require activation in order to use. My understanding of a Skill is something that grants passive bonuses because I'm skilled in it, not something that passively grants extra skill in something when activated. Also, I'm assuming that's not how my actual full Status sheet is going to look, considering [Augment] and [Halo] aren't there."

"I know what you mean when you say that, but unfortunately that's not how it works. Essence powers Skills and Spells here. They aren't something that can passively boost you without the fuel to do that. I'm not sure how things work, exactly, in those fantasy universes but this isn't fantasy, unfortunately. There are rules. Also, yes, your Status sheet will look different depending on your preferences. You could put it all in Comic Sans if you wanted, or have it all shown as a mirror reflection. It's very customizable, as I said."

"This is very much fantasy, just so you're aware. If I were to write this little story and give it to someone, they would consider it fantasy."

"Well, why would you do that?"

"I don't know. Someone may find it interesting."

"They'd find a nearly three hour conversation interesting?"

"Some people might. I would have."

"Okay..." Aethos says, unconvinced despite having witnessed several memories where I did exactly the thing they're saying people would not be interested in doing.

"If I have three Master Skills, or whatever, what growth potential do I even have? It seems like those are pretty pinnacle as far as Skills go."

"Well, sure they're Master skills but that only means that they're the last of an otherwise longer chain of lesser Skills, not that they're the strongest in effect. Or that you're automatically the strongest because you have them, despite your higher starting density.They're low-maintenance, high efficiency passive that also have a directed active aspect."

"So, they're not ultimate Skills or anything, got it. Speaking of active and passive, unless I activate the Skills I'm just stuck with my own personal capabilities, then? Like back on Earth where none of this was possible? You realize I have to remember that I have these in order to activate them, right?"

"Oh. Yeah. Right. I didn't forget that you're a couple rails short of a station, but I didn't really think about it, either."

"Hey!"

"What? You've used that analogy several times since we met. The station and the trains of thought. Is that wrong now?"

"Don't gaslight me!"

"Wha—"

"Don't try and tell me you don't know what gaslighting is, either! You can read minds and you witnessed the whole of my childhood. Refer to that, if you have to."

"Fine. Sorry. Anyway, you can toggle the System to remind you that you have Skills when certain conditions are met, if you want. It's also in the options I mentioned."

"Okay, I'm almost ready then but one more question, perhaps a few follow ups: why are the passive skills so vague despite the very dramatic names?"

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"The 'Master Of' Skills are very lucrative skills that you only get after having spent years and years on a specific subject, gaining mastery in that subject and being considered by others to be an authority on it. You are quite good with fighting, holding black belts in Tai Kwon Do, Krav Maga, and Kyusho Jitsu. You studied swords, gaining a blackbelt in Kenjutsu, and regularly practice with several different types of swords outside the katana as well. It's only a small stretch to consider you a Master of the Forge because yes, you've only been forging them for four years but you have a nationally recognized talent in the craft. I felt it only fair to give it to you."

"Thank you. I appreciate the praise. Now, why are they so vague?" I repeat, not unkindly, just insistently.

"Because Mastery is vague. In what way is someone a Master of something if there are just so many ways of doing it? It is also based on interpretation and conceptualization. While you are under the effect of the skills, which is always except when you are unconscious, you are more controlled as a whole. You fight better with blades or you forge them better, specifically, or your [Halo] spell is more effective when you're using it on blades. Your body responds better to your commands at the passive level of Skill usage and can begin to make minute changes to itself based on your understanding of the Concept of Bodily Mastery. It morphs based on your understanding of it. To begin with, without that understanding, it's just a flat efficiency multiplier, basically."

"Okay, so basically everything is up to my interpretation in this Universe, then. Got it."

"Well, isn't is that way in your old world, too? No, I understand, no more digression. You wish to go. I see that. As I said, I simply love getting to talk."

Then, without preamble, a circular hole appears across from me. It is as if it were a hole in a wall with no window inside, it's that clear. Time is frozen on the other side, however. Nothing is moving but I see several figures through the hole that, were I not in this strange liminal space, I would not have seen or been prepared for. They're all humans, at least these three are, wearing brown, cloth robes that have a big letter A across the chest. Above the A is a picture of a large flying bird I don't recognize. It's particularly fluffy, though, and quite cute.

Aethos sighs behind me. "It's a Saffin."

"A what?"

"A Saffin. They're our world's pidgeons, only a lot bigger and a lot dumber. They regularly kill themselves by diving headfirst into beast infested water and their call sounds like a fart. I don't know why they picked it as their symbol. It has nothing to do with me, or the person they think they worship. They know those birds are an affront to nature. It makes no sense."

"So you don't like them because they worship a different bird than the ones you're into, then?"

"I don't like the implication I know is behind those words," Aethos says grumpily. I 'smile.' It's not literal, hasn't been this whole time, but Aethos can sense the intention.

"I have no idea what you mean." I move toward the portal in a weird sort of stuttering glide. I'm trying to walk but I don't have feet and all I can do, apparently, is glide but I don't know how to do that. I look like a penguin trying to moonwalk and somehow doing it forward instead. No, it doesn't make sense. That's my point.

"At least you'll be more in control of your literal body than you are the motility of your soul here," Aethos says comfortingly.

The closer I get to the portal, the more of a pull I feel on my soul. It's like I'm being sucked into it by an invisible vacuum, only its at low power.

"Your similes never fail to amaze me, Zed. Simply shocking."

"Shut up," I laugh. "So I just pass through?"

"Yes, as soon as you pass through, your body 'passes through' the portal, although what's happening is I am creating it as your soul exits into the Universe atom by atom in a huge display of skill only you'll be able to appreciate. I'm waiting for the praise."

They do, in fact, wait for the praise.

"You're so smart, Aethos. So skilled too. You're simply the best. Better than all the rest. Better than anyone. Anyone I've ever met."

"Why'd you say it like that?"

"No reason."

"Why lie to someone who can read your mind?"

"Why give me the chance?"

"Fair point. Good luck out there, Zed. As soon as you pass through, your perception will shift drastically. You'll fall through it backward in the arms of the person who pulled you through, so be prepared for that. Don't forget to activate your Skills. I would start with just [Serene Slaughter] as it's a low level boost accompanying the battle trance effect. [Tough Skin] if they manage to hit you, obviously, though don't waste it if they're not strong enough. [Augment] as a last resort as it's Essence heavy if you don't know how to control the level of activation. You don't know how to do that, in other words."

I don't even know if I'm going to need them because [Master of Body] is also a "low level" boost to my control, though "low" I'm sure is still much higher than other Skill's "high" due to its status as being a Master skill.

I don't waste any more time. I don't think about it. I don't let fear get to me. I don't let the anger touch me. I simply let the pull take me, pulling me through the portal. I immediately experience a minor disorientation because I had been looking at the portal when I left, which looked to me like I would be exiting it head first despite knowing that I wouldn't be—Aethos had literally just told me the opposite—but as my "head" passes through the portal my perception shifts. The view is now of my now vacated forge and I am moving away from it. Slowly. I'm thinking faster than my body is moving.

The instant I feel the surrounding air, I instinctively activate [Serene Slaughter], having just discussed it with Aethos. I am bathed in a cold calm that I'm only vaguely familiar with, have only felt on one memorable occasion. The night before my mom died. The night I punched him in the face. The void of fear, the void of anger, the void of anything beside chilling readiness. Only this time, I feel a sinister smile find its way onto my face.

Oh, these fuckers are dead.

As soon as I feel my shoulders exit the portal, I whip my head back into my attackers face, hearing a rather loud curse and the crunching of nasal cartilage, along with the release of my torso. I twist my upper body as soon as the portal allows me to—which is damn near immediately, mind you—grabbing the guy's throat and squeeze as hard as I can. The effect is both interesting—perhaps it might have been horrifying were I not under the effects of the skill—and gruesome. His neck simply gives beneath the strength of my hands. His spine snaps with almost no effort, along with all the surrounding tissue and pathways. Dead nearly instantly. I haven't even fully passed through the portal yet.

I'm fucking fast now.

I land on the ground, my new talons—which, just as Aethos said, feel as natural as my human appendages had—providing the stability as they dig into the soil, one hand on the ground next to the freshly dead guy. I can't imagine how that must have looked. Probably badass, though.

I don't give them a chance to react. I leap after the two that I'd seen on the other side of the portal, standing oh-so-stupidly close together, grabbing an arm each and whipping them ass over teakettle onto the ground. Barely even any effort. Their arms leave their sockets with an audible pop and the beginnings of a scream before the rest of their body is launched at the ground with enough force that it might have dented a car on Earth. The screams cut off suddenly as they find themselves devoid of any air considering it was knocked so forcefully from them.

The talons on my feet find their throats less than a second later as I use them as springboards to launch myself at another Armada member. Barely two seconds have passed since I started materializing from the portal and already three of them are dead. The humans seem not to have even realized it yet, it's been so fast. The one I've launched myself at has barely started to open his mouth to scream when his neck is twisted sharply to his right as my fist connects with the left side of his face. Before he even starts falling, I've already found another member and launched at him, too, leaving the corpse behind me to rot.

My legs are more powerful than I had even imagined while inside Aethos's Domain. My senses stronger. I hear the hearts in the chests of the Armada members as clearly as you would a drum. I smell their sweat. I see the pores on their skin from dozens of feet away. The [Master of Body] Skill has given me such a sense of myself that I didn't even need half a second to acclimate to being inside it, already knowing how to move in just the right way to utilize this strength.

I know I am not the strongest by any measure, but I am fast. Faster than these humans, anyway. I could tell that the second I exited the portal. It's as if I just know they are weak and I am strong. That their lives are in my very capable hands.

The smile is still on my face when my talons claw another throat, and another, and another, leaving only the leader alive, though his throat has my hand wrapped around it, holding him a bit above the ground where one of his friends is bleeding out.

"What was your goal here?" I ask him. He's pissed himself. Were the Skill to deactivate right now, I would be much less calm about that. It stinks. I can feel the sweat from his flesh on my hand. His pulse is racing. He's terrified.

Good. So was I.

"W-w-we j-just wanted to—"

I squeeze a bit. "I would think very hard about lying to me right now. It took me five seconds to do what I just did to your little friends."

"We know that when we bring someone through the portal, sometimes they come out," he licks his lips, swallows nervously, "like you. Strong. Fast. Capable. We didn't think you were going to be able to do all that. We saw you through the portal. You were just a regular human male. Powerless. We thought we could handle whatever you had. Thought we were ready. Oh Gods, please don't kill me," he cries, tears spilling from his eyes.

"What did you have planned for me? That you were ready to 'handle me' into doing?" I say. I'm still smiling. I can see the effect it's having on him. Can still smell it, too. I can't turn it off. The calm. I don't know how. I'm not sure I want to, either. Right now, though, all I can feel is ready.

"We had a buyer. Someone who was going to come pick you up and take you somewhere else. I don't know anything else past that, please. I have a family. The money was going to keep us fed for a while. Without me, they're dead." The man is shaking at this point. I'm not sure I care. I'm not sure he deserves to keep breathing after all this. After planning on selling me. You can't magically enslave someone, but you can sure as hell physically enslave them, just as I had been worried about. They were planning on doing that exact thing to me. Taking my control away.

"Where's the nearest town? What's it called?" I ask, instead of answering him. He cries a bit harder, clawing at my hand with his nails, trying to get me to put him down. I barely feel it. He's too weak. If I had been weak, he would have done this to me with just as little hesitation. Perhaps even less because he would have enjoyed it. I can smell it on him, somehow. My new nose is telling me that. That he would have gotten pleasure from making me feel the way I'm making him feel.

"Esh," he squeaks out, his eyes wide with fear. His face is getting red from the constricting pressure of my hand. I notice it all. I ignore it. I'm good at ignoring things. He points to my left with his eyes rather than removing his hands from mine. If he let go, it's one less hand supporting him. One less hand keeping him alive.

"It's that way?" I ask, gesturing in the direction I'd seen his eyes move with my head. He nods as much as he's able.

"Why the Saffin?" I ask, for some reason.

"What?" He asks, clearly thrown off balance but also not thinking clearly due to the fear. I can smell that on him too. Zenithals really do have some seriously strong senses.

"Why did you choose the Saffin for your little cult's mascot?"

"Because it's immune to the effects of mind control. It's completely independent. It cannot be controlled in any manner and neither can the Aethosian Armada." He says it as if repeating a sales pitch. He probably is. It makes sense the birds can't be mind controlled. They don't have a mind to control. Too damn stupid, apparently.

"It seems that I'm controlling you in a pretty effective manner right now, wouldn't you say?" He starts crying again. I'm not sure what I would be feeling right now. Maybe I'd feel guilty. Maybe I'd feel angry. Maybe I'd think he's pathetic. I just think he's not worth it. I let him drop onto the corpse of one of his Armada buddies. He thanks me for it.

I'm already walking in the direction of the town. Completely naked, I realize. I turn back around, walking toward the violently sobbing man.

"Give me your robe," I order him, though I don't put any force behind it. I'm truly not trying to intimidate him. The battle is over. I just need some clothes so my nethers aren't swinging when I enter the next town. I don't give a shit about his nethers. They can shrivel off for all I care. It's certainly not cold enough for that, but a man can dream.

"I don't ha—"

I cut him off. "I didn't ask if you had anything else. I told you to give me your robe. You stole me from my world. A world I can now never go back to. You're incredibly lucky that I didn't just pop your head like a grape and ask your corpse to thank me for my service. Now give it to me before I decide to go through with it." I hold out my hand.

A minute later, I'm walking back toward the town with a robe on, though I tear the front some to hide the symbol there. I have no interest in being seen as a member.

The man behind me is still crying, though every so often I hear him call a name.

My smile had dropped as soon as I acknowledged that the battle was over and the Skill along with it.

I wish I hadn't heard him say those names.