Novels2Search
Whispers of Ateheeris
Chapter 2: The Awakening of Fortuna

Chapter 2: The Awakening of Fortuna

Stepping out in the wee hours, I found the mist doing its best ghost impression, hugging the ground like it was scared of heights. The Whispering Woods were doing their whole mysterious vibe thing – the kind of place where you half expect a tree to lean over and go, "Got a secret, can you keep it?"

The paths I used to race down, laughter trailing behind me like a forgotten scarf, now felt like they were in on a joke I hadn't heard yet. Every rustle and whisper seemed to say, "Buckle up, buttercup, you ain't in Kansas anymore."

Pushing deeper, the vibe got thicker, kind of like walking through a room full of tension – you know, the kind you can cut with a knife but wouldn't 'cause it's just so darn thick. Then, bam! I stumbled upon this random crack in the ground. Not your garden-variety hole in the earth, but the sort that screams, "Adventure this way!" like a neon sign in a dodgy alley.

Just as I'm eyeballing this crevice, thinking it's got a "plot twist" written all over it, a shiny system prompt pops up out of thin air. It's like those annoying pop-up ads, but instead of selling you sketchy sunglasses, it's all cryptic and ominous, floating there like it's trying to audition for a role in a sci-fi flick.

You are entering Fortuna

So, there I was, staring down the throat of this place called Fortuna. I mean, with a name like that, you'd half expect to find a slot machine or two inside, not just spooky vibes and mystery. But hey, the call of adventure and all that jazz, right? With a gulp that I hoped sounded more heroic than nervous, I took the plunge into the belly of the beast.

Inside, Fortuna was putting on quite the show. The walls were basically an ancient version of mood lighting, with runes glowing softly like they forgot to pay the electricity bill and were making do. Following the glowy breadcrumbs, I wandered deeper, feeling like the place was taking a deep breath with me. It was less an 'abandoned dungeon' and more an 'enchanted maze with personality.'

And then, jackpot! In the heart of this magical labyrinth, there was this sword, just hanging out in midair as if it had forgotten gravity was a thing. It was lit up like the main act at a concert, stealing the spotlight. I reached out, half expecting to pull a "sword in the stone" moment, and bingo! The moment my hand touched the hilt, it was like I'd stuck a fork in an electrical outlet – in a good way. Energy zapped through me, and right on cue, another system prompt popped up, ready to add its two cents.

Do you wish to select the 'Fortuna Ciphra' class?

Without skipping a beat, I was all in. It was like that moment when you finally decide to adopt a pet and suddenly, everything just clicks. The sword, now going by the rather grandiose name of "Dominus Sortis" (because why go for 'Bob' when you can sound like an ancient artifact?), seemed to give me the nod. It was official; we were a duo now.

As I stood there, probably looking like I'd just won the fantasy lottery, a fancy status screen popped up. It was like getting a high-tech upgrade in a video game, except instead of pixels, it was all too real. The screen flickered, probably for dramatic effect, and there it was – my new reality, spelled out in glowing letters.

Status Screen:

Name: Alex Cross

Class: Fortuna Ciphra (Mythical)

Level: 1(0/100 Exp)

Health: 200/200 (20/min)

Mana: 240/240 (23/min)

**Stats:**

- Vitality: 20

- Strength: 19

- Agility: 21

- Intelligence: 24

- Defence: 20

- Luck: ∞

- Fate Influence: 5

**Skills:**

- Class Skills:

Fatesiphon - LV MAX

"Steals one skill and half of total stats from an opponent."

Destiny Blade - LV MAX

"Enhances swordplay with luck-infused essence, making each strike unpredictable and fatefully guided."

Luck's Gaze - LV MAX

"A Mythical skill enabling the appraisal of items and beings, revealing their fate-touched potential and hidden truths."

- General Skills: None

**Items:**

-Dominus Sortis(soulbond)

"I was just standing there taking it all in. I got a mythical class. Wow, But why me? I mean, sure, I've always felt like I had this untapped potential, a hidden flair for the dramatic perhaps, but a mythical class? That's the stuff of legends, and here I am, just Alex from the village, known for... well, not much really, except maybe for that one time I accidentally let all the chickens loose. And now, I'm suddenly Fortuna's chosen? It's like going from zero to hero but without the training montage."

"I glanced down at Dominus Sortis, its glow casting eerie shadows around the dungeon. 'You could've given me a heads-up, you know,' I muttered to the sword, half-expecting it to mutter back. No response. 'Great, a mythical sword too, and it's the silent type.' I couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of my situation. Just this morning, I was worried about what I'd eat for breakfast, and now here I am, juggling fate itself on the tip of my newly acquired sword."

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

"As I took my first steps as a Fortuna Ciphra, I couldn't shake off the feeling that somewhere, somehow, the universe was having a good laugh at my expense. 'Well, System,' I thought, 'joke's on you because I'm going to rock this mythical class.' With a newfound spring in my step and a slightly overinflated sense of confidence, I prepared to face whatever this dungeon threw my way. After all, with ∞ luck, what could possibly go wrong? Famous last words, I know."

Curiosity piqued, I couldn't resist diving deeper into what 'Fortuna Ciphra' and 'Dominus Sortis' were all about. So, I pulled up the class and sword description

Class Description:

The Fortuna Ciphra is a mythical class, whispered in the annals of Ateheeris as a legend brought to life only once in a blue moon when the stars align with fated precision. It is said that a Fortuna Ciphra can see the threads of destiny as they weave around friends and foes alike. With each encounter, they siphon a strand of their adversary's fortune, augmenting their own destiny and altering the flow of the battle in their favour. To encounter a Fortuna Ciphra is to face the capricious whims of fate itself. Their presence on the battlefield is an omen that luck is about to take a startling turn. With Dominus Sortis in hand, a Fortuna Ciphra does not just fight; they dance along the razor's edge of chance, where every stroke can tip the scales of fate. Their strength grows with each battle, a testament to the elusive nature of fortune. +9 to all stats per level

Sword Description:

Dominus Sortis stands as the perfect complement to the Fortuna Ciphra. A sword of commanding presence, its blade forged in the hidden forges of yore, tempered by the will of the cosmos. The sword embodies the very essence of dominance and control, each etching on its surface a testament to the countless victories written by fate's hand.

As I stood there, still slightly dazed from the whole 'chosen one' moment, I found myself staring at the list of stats on my newly updated status screen. "Strength, Agility, Intelligence...," I read aloud, sounding like I was reciting ingredients for some mystical recipe. The numbers next to each word seemed important, but what did they actually mean? Was a Strength of 19 enough to arm-wrestle a troll? Could an Agility of 21 let me dodge raindrops?

Scratching my head, I figured there was no harm in asking. "Hey, System," I said, feeling a bit silly talking to thin air, "Mind giving me a rundown on these stats? And, uh, lay off the technical jargon, would you? Pretend you're explaining it to Jax after he's had a few too many at the tavern."

To my surprise, the System obliged, its voice echoing in my mind with a hint of what I swear was amusement.

"Alright, hero-to-be, let's break it down, shall we? Think of Vitality as your life's battery level. The higher it is, the longer you can run around without needing a pit stop. It's what keeps you from keeling over after a brisk jog. Sitting pretty at 20, you're not exactly a marathon runner, but you won't be gasping for air after climbing a flight of stairs, either.

Strength, sitting at 19, is pretty much how hard you can swing a punch or lift heavy stuff. It's the muscle behind the hustle, so to speak. You're not about to enter a strongman competition, but you could probably lift a decent-sized boulder or two without throwing your back out.

Now, Agility, that's your ability to do the cha-cha slide without tripping over your own feet. With a score of 21, you're nimble enough to dodge a wayward spell or maybe even dance around in a fight without looking like a complete clod.

Intelligence and you've got a whopping 24 here, is how well you understand the mysteries of the universe... or at least how to cast a spell without accidentally turning yourself into a toad. It's the brainpower that fuels your magical mojo.

Think of Defense as the armour of your character's metaphorical knight. It's the grit that stands between you and the business end of a dragon's claw or an enemy's blade. With a Defense sitting at 22, you're akin to a fortress wall—sturdy, dependable, and not easily breached. You won't be shrugging off cannonballs, but you're definitely not one to fall from a stray arrow either.

Luck, ah, now that's an interesting one. With a staggering 88, you're the person who finds a gold coin in their shoe on the same day they win the lottery. It's the universe's way of saying, 'I got you, pal.'

Lastly, Fate Influence at 5. This one's a bit esoteric, but think of it as your ability to nudge fate ever so slightly in your favour, like convincing the universe to let that critical hit land just when you need it most."

"Wow, System, that was... surprisingly informative," I admitted, impressed despite myself. "Thanks for breaking it down for me. Now, let's see what this Fortuna Ciphra can do."

The system responded "Your welcome".

Just as I was getting comfortable with the idea of being some kind of chosen one, with my new and somewhat bewildering array of stats, the System decided it wasn't quite done throwing curveballs my way. A shimmering prompt materialized in front of me, its words glowing with an otherworldly light:

"New Quest Alert! 🌟

Hey there, Alex! Hope you're settling into your swanky new role as the Fortuna Ciphra. Now, don't get too cosy just yet, because it's time to put those shiny new skills to the test. Your quest, should you choose to accept it (and let's be honest, do you really have a choice?), is to embark on a little adventure and defeat your first being.

Don't worry, we're not talking about taking on the Dark Lord on day one. Think of it more as a 'getting to know your sword' kind of deal. A warm-up, if you will.

Quest Objective: Defeat your first being.

Reward: A pat on the back, a boost in confidence, and maybe, just maybe, a shiny new item or two.

Good luck, and may the odds be ever in your favour (not that you need it with that Luck stat of yours)!"

- The System

I couldn't help but chuckle at the System's attempt at humour. "A pat on the back, huh? Well, I guess everyone's got to start somewhere," I mused to myself, feeling a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation. This was it, the beginning of my journey as the Fortuna Ciphra. With Dominus in hand and a heart full of determination (and a healthy dose of apprehension), I took my first steps towards facing whatever—or whoever—awaited me in the depths of Fortuna.

Little did I know, this 'warm-up' would be the start of an adventure far greater than I could have ever imagined