"Okay, so now what? You said something about a Warsmith, whatever kind of smith that is.. That I was going to be a Zenithal Warsmith. From context, that would probably mean it's a Class or whatever equivalent you have here in this Universe, right?"
"Yes, that is exactly what that means, actually. Well, close. There are Paths and there are Classes. Paths are general directions an individual wishes to travel on their pursuit of Ascension. Classes are the specific 'vehicles' through which that power is focused for them. It allows for a more directed journey, despite the fact that very few ever travel that journey to the end. I can't imagine why. It's literally spelled out for you how to move on. Numbers and figures and everything. I even included an experience system! Do you know how many complaints I got about that? Why would anyone complain about knowing exactly how far they are toward the next stage in their Ascension?"
"What is the experience in the whole metaphor of the System? Skills and Spells are specific functions of Aura control powered by Essence. The Path is exactly what its name suggests and the Class is the vehicle in which you travel it. What is the experience even tracking?"
"It's tracking the level of soul density based on the actualization of your Path, whatever Path that is. That sounds vague because it is vague. It is also subjective. How you gain understanding and where you gain it is completely up to you. It's a journey on your path—little p—to self actualization and complete acceptance of a specific Concept—big c."
Huh? "But how are you quantifying a subjective experience? You can't possibly be calculating the level of understanding someone has gained and then add it to a percentage bar or something. You said yourself you don't have that level of attention to give to people."
"I'm not quantifying a subjective experience. I'm quantifying the level of density of one's soul compared to how it started. You start at level zero because your soul is as dense as it starts. The denser it gets, the more experience you gain in relation to that density. I don't control what revelations you have or how much soul density you gain or even how you gain it. I can help, which is what the System is in the first place, but I'm not omniscient as I said. Once you learn how to extend your Aura on your own, you can practice with it in order to gain density. Stretching, pulling, pushing, empowering, whatever. When your soul gets stronger, your experience bar goes up. That's it."
"So if I were to pop into Ackellia and was just a prodigy at sensing my soul, which you've said I probably would be better at than most because of my specific circumstances, I would just jump up levels for seemingly no reason? Are there any other benefits to gaining experience than just seeing the percentage bar go up?"
"Yes, actually, you would. You'll start at level zero in here, because this is your soul and is the baseline density though it's normally recorded at birth, which is when I start—well, the System starts—being able to affect anyone. As soon as you pop out of that portal, you can start gaining levels. I would like to say yes, that there are other benefits, but it's mostly just directly as a result of you gaining soul density that benefits happen and the System helps you allocate them. That's where stats come in. The denser your soul, the greater the power you have physically, mentally, and magically. When you level up, you see stat points show up on your Status window that you can allocate to different stats."
"Oh, so if I'm following this well enough, the stats are molds similar to Skills in that without the System you would have had to put more effort into deciding how your soul density affected you and you wouldn't always be able to control it as well as you'd have liked, but you automate the process with the stat points? It is rather involved, I'll give you that. I see the utility of the System quite clearly and I can't imagine how many people it's helped gain more power than they ever could have without it."
"Yes! That is a wonderfully accurate guess. Your body is empowered naturally as the soul gets denser, so you'll get stat points in a balanced manner as you level up anyway, but there are free points for you to allocate yourself, as well. There are also Skill points which increase the effectiveness of certain skills or allow you access to others if you choose. Be warned, though, that the trade off is that your free points for stats and the skill points are drawn from the same 'free density' that is assigned when you make your choices. Does that make sense?"
"Yeah, of course. It's the same density that you're using for either, so why would you have two separate pools available to choose from? It also narrows down choices so you don't go all over the place and spread your soul too thin, literally."
I realize rather randomly that the majority of my experience in this liminal space is just Aethos and I talking. There's not much to describe in a space that is pure darkness. Even my soul doesn't have any color. I just sort of sense the boundaries of it here in this space. I wish there were things happening other than talking so that I could describe them but it's just me and Aethos in this endless void of nothingness and the only thing that is happening is talking. I wish there was more for me to describe overall, but even the race description of the Mlem was quite barebones. It had just said its name, gave a brief description of the race as a whole, told me that Mlems are unable to cast Spells and only have one skill, [Morph], but they're incredibly resistant to physical harm. The [Morph] skill allows for rapid reconstitution of wounds, though it required a large store of, uh, shall we say biomass.
"Yeah, sorry about that. I don't spend a lot of my time in this space and even when I do it's mostly to rest so I never really needed anything. I could make give you a little environment if it would make you feel better but that might be a bit redundant considering you wouldn't be able to interact with it at all. You don't have a physical form. Uh, sorry again about that. Let's move on from ... that can of Mimic shit. Speaking of Mimic shit, you would think that they don't do that because they're basically just one big mouth but .... hold on, I should probably ask if you want to hear this. I'm doing the detached thing again. It's going to be kind of gnarly, is that fine?"
I try and nod my non-existent head and, although I feel an approximation of the motion, it feels as if I'm in a pool of gelatin and struggling against the force of it. Then I remember Aethos talking about how the soul is like a memory foam mattress and now that I'm out of my "container" it's going to start expanding because it no longer has a container to fill. This is the reason they figure I'll be better at sensing the boundaries of my soul than most. I'm getting a crash course in feeling them now, though it's weird that I hadn't noticed it happening until this point.
"It's actually not that weird you didn't notice. It's not like you had a sense to describe what your soul expanding should feel like. It's actually good that you noticed because you'll be more aware of your soul and, by extension, your aura when you get to Ackellia. Telekinesis is fun. I miss being able to use magic. It's the only part of all this that makes me miss being mortal, or at least having a real body. The brand of magic that I use as the System is derived from the Path of Utility. You could learn those spells outside of your Class and Path if you wanted but it would skew your advancement. Too muddled," Aethos pauses for a second before continuing. I'm sure it's more of a 'let me give you a second' pause instead of a 'I don't know what to say next' one.
"The Universe, and thus the System, is designed to specialize you in an area. If you get too off course you won't advance to the end. You're familiar with cultivation novels. You get the idea. It's remarkably similar, actually. I find that concept quite intriguing. That concepts would translate from one Universe to the next with such detail simply could not be a coincidence. How did—alright, I'll stop. I know, I'm worse than you with swords. I commend your strength of will not to regale me with the process of forging as you've had several opportunities." Aethos chuckles and I feel the vibration in my soul again. It really is like they're purring.
"It's a trick I learned over the years dealing with souls who end up being pulled into the System. Cats purr for—yes, we have regular cats here in Ackellia—several different beneficial reasons, not the least of which is for management of stress. I'm not going to list them all, just suffice it to say it quite obviously works on souls too. I adapted the practice here. I have more control over my consciousness than most other beings would because of how my Ascension works, where we are, and how much consciousness I have in general." Aethos suddenly feels much larger than they had at any point prior, as if they are a building and I am an ant. It's an odd sensation considering the Aethos in robes my mind had conjured doesn't change in size, but whatever sense this is is telling me that Aethos is massive. They shrink back down again before it overwhelms me and keep talking.
"So while I can't cast any type of calming spell on you, I can share feelings of calm and comfort with you and purr on your soul. I didn't just blast you with calm like I did my feelings of appreciation because that would have only delayed your panic and you had to grieve for a bit in order to work through it. If I'd forced you not to feel it, it would have come back worse later, most likely when it would be disastrous for you."
Aethos gives me another soul-squeeze, purring a bit harder, before letting go again. I wish the hugs didn't make me feel so ... safe. I hated hugs on Earth but I would probably kill to experience these things if given the chance. That's how comforting and warm and secure they feel.
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Aethos hums appreciatively and I can hear the joy when they start talking again. "Okay, so Paths. We'll start there. There are eight different Paths, the last of which is simply a 'Forge Your Own' kind of thing. Did you see what I did there? I made a joke! I don't get to make those very often to other people!"
Aethos pauses as if waiting for me to laugh. I don't laugh. They groan.
"Come on!! That was funny! You're a Blacksmith and you forge swords. Forging swords, forging your own path!"
I remain silent.
"You're no fun," Aethos grumbles. I chuckle at that. "Oh so my joke isn't funny but my distress is? Whatever, let's move on. So there are eight Paths for you to choose from, as I was saying. Utility, Faith, War, Craft, Peace, Sin, Magic, and Freedom. Freedom is the aforementioned Path where you make your own decisions outside the constraints of the others. More choices, but much more risk and no real reward outside the other seven. I had to allow for diversification, though."
"And those encompass every Class you can take? Just those eight?"
"Yes, for the most part. There is some bleed from one to the other because, as you may have already caught on, the Paths are a bit ambiguous as far as meaning goes. What one considers Sin, another may consider War, and so on. For example, there is a Class in both Sin and War called Assailant. One is a thug who simply beats people up with some extra strength points, and the other is a front-line fighter whose purpose is to 'assail' the enemy with attacks. It's not perfect and I tried to allow for as much freedom of interpretation as possible because as rigid as things are, they're also quite interpretable. Which is the point. One God of Darkness may have an entirely different perception of the concept than another. It's about Conceptualization, as I've been saying."
"Okay, that makes sense. So if I wanted to be a cook, that would be under Utility? And something like Enchanting could be under either Craft or Magic because it encompasses both? Are there different benefits or whatever based on which Path you choose the class from?"
"Yes, actually. A Craft Enchanter may have bonuses to the durability of the enchantment while a Magic Enchanter may have bonuses to the strength of the effect itself, based on their perception and conceptualization of enchanting."
"Okay, so Warsmith. I assume that's under the path of War, then? What makes a Warsmith different from a regular smith, whichever Path it happens to be under? I have ideas as to how smithing could be related to the concept of war, obviously, because I'm not dumb, but what makes it special?"
"Well, uh, oh here! I'll show you the System windows for each of the Class descriptions. Having this much consciousness only helps insofar as I can remember to use it. I know a lot, yes, and I technically have a perfect memory, but it's more passive recall than active recall most of the time unless I think about accessing it.
"It'll be like that for you, too, when you enter Ackellia. You'll remember things better and think a lot clearer, but you're not technically any smarter even at higher levels of Intelligence. 'Smart' is such a subjective term, anyway, but I won't get into that. Gosh, I just love hearing myself talk. I wish I got to do it more often."
I was always going to do something related to smithing as soon as Aethos had brought up the idea of magic and classes, so I don't much care for looking at the other options. I'll meet people from all over the world with different classes. I'm sure we'll talk about them at some point, especially because I'm essentially going to be a little baby to them in terms of knowledge. I can fight very well—I have several blackbelts, as I mentioned, and I know how to wield a katana, greatsword, longsword, different types of shortsword, and I may or may not have made a replica Zweihander to practice with from time to time—so martial prowess isn't something I'm lacking, but I have no knowledge on the System or anything about Ackellia in general. Perhaps I can play it off somehow?
I continue to ponder that for a few moments longer before a two blue windows show up in my field of vision.
Path of War
Class: Warsmith
Description: Amidst the chaos of war, a Warsmith is forged from the flames of conflict's crucible. This class embodies the fusion of artistry and physical superiority, sculpting the bearer into the very essence of War. Their hammer strikes the anvil of destiny with the flames of a Dragon and the fury of Storm. Legends are etched into the blades they wield with their very soul and with every swing the tides of War flow in tune with their whim. Forge with authority, oh smith of War.
Path of Utility
Class: Smith
Description: Embers dance to the song of the anvil as the Smith finds their calling amidst the music of the craft. Masters of the forge, they wield the hammer as a conductor wields an orchestra. Ore transforms beneath their ministrations into whatever it is they wish, mundanity because extraordinary underneath their skilled hands. Metal is their blood and the anvil is their body, connected intrinsically as they forge their legacy. Weave what is needed from the dreams of those who seek you, oh smith of Utility.
"Okay, so many things. First, did you write those descriptions? Second, why does it sound like you're trying to win a poetry contest? Third, holy melodrama, Aethos, what is all that? 'Weave what is needed from the dreams of those who seek you?' Is this a soap opera or something? I don't even know what any of that even means as far as benefits go. Like what does that do for me?"
"What? That sounds so cool! You may have been more traumatized than I thought if you can't see how cool that sounds!"
"Okay, Emily Dickinson," I roll my eyes, "Did someone ask you to write a poem with the prompt, 'What's a more pretentious way to say I make cool things from metal?' You're a God, Aethos. Why would you make a description of a Class into an English lesson? I hate to break it to you, but wow."
I am actually, genuinely surprised by this. I mean, I've read books where Class descriptions were over the top and don't actually tell you anything about the Class but to actually experience it? In real life? Where my life is literally on the line? No. Just ... no.
"Okay, fine, I see where you are coming from. Yes, I wrote the descriptions for the Classes. Perhaps they are a ... bit dramatic. But I think they're cool still and I can't change them now, so you're stuck with them like everyone else so there!"
"Really leaning into the informality there, I see. Bordering on a tantrum, Aethos?" I chuckle at the God's little bit of immaturity. It's not that big of a deal, but I do want to hear what the actual benefits of the Class are.
"... No. Anyway, the difference is the purpose. A Warsmith's whole purpose is to forge powerful weapons imbued with the concept of war, empowering that which they create and drawing power from those that use the weapons they make in battle. I'm not entirely certain on how that works, as you won't literally see them use the weapon but it works kind of like a tax. Not many people choose this class because the benefits aren't immediate and it requires people to purchase the weapons you make and actually use them in battle, but considering you don't actually care about the power aspect and just want to make swords anyway, it's perfect for you.
"Similarly, a smith of Utility's purpose is to forge useful things, or at least things that they perceive as useful, or their clients do. They make tools, utensils, armor, weapons, anything that can be forged with metal, they can make but it's less about the power and more about the use. So the more that people use the items they've forged, the more experience they get."
"Okay, that makes sense based on the Path actualization concept you touched on earlier. Also, it seems we both got distracted from the Mimic poop conversation you were trying to start earlier. I just realized that. I'm not complaining because I don't really want to explore what I'm sure is a very gory subject. I'm smart enough to know that if a Mimic is essentially a mobile flesh sack with a mouth that can [Morph] everything it eats gets digested inside the flesh sack except whatever cannot be digested. Leave it there, distraction over, let's get back to the Class benefits." If I had a stomach, it would be churning at the thought of ... all that.
Aethos adds another bit at the bottom of Warsmith.
Path of War
Class: Warsmith
Class Benefits: The Warsmith is granted automatic access to the Spell [Halo] and the Skill [Augment]. Resistance to heat is increased. Strength and dexterity are favored. Weapons forged by the Warsmith are sharper and more durable. Personally forged weapons wielded in battle by the Warsmith are more effective. The more weapons personally forged by the Warsmith wielded in a singular battle, the greater the effectiveness of each blade. Grants a Blade affinity.
[Halo] extends the soul to designated items—greater control is granted over items the caster has a connection with—allowing a certain level of control over said items, though less energy is expended when they are maintained in the natural formation of a "halo" around the caster of the Spell. Exerting further control over the blades in any manner increases the costs of Essence channeled to power the Spell.
[Augment] does as its name implies. It is a skill that allows the user to augment aspects of their physical capabilities based on their Will and Intent. Greater effects when used on singular capabilities such as strength or speed. An overall boost sees lesser returns, though it is still a significant boost from the baseline.
"Oh, okay, I see. That's a cool ability. [Halo], I mean. Just a literal halo of swords, or materials I can use in my forge. I can see that being really useful. Just walking around my shop with some molten metal, hammers, chisels, tongs, and stuff floating around me. Or running into battle surrounded by a fuckton of flying swords ready to stab you to death."
I'm being flippant, of course, but come on! Tell me that doesn't sound cool as hell.
"It does sound, as you say, 'cool as hell,' and it's why I figured you would pick it. See, illusion of choice, Zed. Illusion of choice. Also, I'm a God and I know what I'm talking about. So are we in agreement? You won't immediately be flung out of here once you pick, either, by the way. You'll get to see your final Status sheet, go over the projected changes, see what your body is going to look like and everything and we can make changes to that as needed, too."
"Alright, yeah. Let's do it. Zenithal Warsmith. I'm going to forge a fucking path through their corpses," I growl.
"Oh, Zed, was that a pun I detected? Maybe I should be silent, too? Because of how unfunny it was?"
I think really hard about rolling my eyes, even though I don't have them, to make sure they really understand my meaning.
"Fine! It was funny. Also it was cool. You're cool, Zed. The coolest. So cool. Can I have your autograph, actually?"