Wild Life: Chapter 14 ~Unchained~_Wild Life

WILD LIFE: CHAPTER 14 ~UNCHAINED~

Freya had been indulging in one of her favorite pastimes. Ever since Hope had come to Versailles the goddess often enjoyed watching her misadventures and battles. Freya loved the way this natural beauty fought, the way she moved, the way she acted. That's why when Freya saw Hope nearly fall to pieces as she watched the same battle that the goddess had been enjoying, Freya realized her godly self knew nothing about her favored adventurer. Now with quiet curiosity and worry the goddess continued to watch Hope, ignoring the battle of Fort Odin.

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As Amanda entered the smithy she found Hope lying on the cold floor staring absently at the ceiling with tears still in her eyes.

"I don't know what's wrong Hope... but if you need someone to talk with... or just listen I'm here."

Hope looked towards Amanda "Thank you Amanda... I know it won't help me to just leave. If I log out now I'm never coming back...."

"Please don't do that Hope, for both of us... please."

Hope sat up and continued to stare at Amanda for a few moments before she began to speak. "I said that I came here to explore Versailles right?" Hope asked

"You did." she confirmed

"Well that's only half the reason, the other half is that I'm trying to change the way I am... who I am." she explained

"You don't like yourself? she asked

"... it's no way to live, I came here so that I might learn to trust others once again... so that I could accept some of the more terrible things that have happened and move on... so that I could become a better person." she said somberly

"I don't see what you've done that's so bad Hope. You've saved people and made a lot of jokes since I met you." Amanda claimed

Hope looked at Amanda as tears began to fall once again "What did I do!? I lied and deceived nearly every person that I've met since I came to this world, I taught people how to throw molotovs, seeing a scene like that... even in a fantasy world nearly broke me again! I chose a class that will force me to get involved in wars and reward me for slaying players! What am I even doing here!? I'm not getting better I'm becoming a monster!" Hope yelled out as Amanda took a hold of her and embraced her tightly. "I didn't throw away the chains from our world... I just traded them for a new set." Hope claimed quietly as she began to push Amanda away.

"Do you trust me?" Amanda asked her

"... I do." Hope answered honestly

"Then you haven't wasted your time here, maybe it's still too early for you to become a better person. I don't know everything that's happened to you in our world and I may never know. We've only just met but I can tell, you aren't a monster Hope. You've given me your trust, you're changing." Amanda said without letting Hope escape from her as Hope began to sob and pulled the knight closer.

As Hope looked up from the knight's shoulder she saw someone she never expected to see, standing there in the image of the statue from the courtyard in Restia was Freya. The goddess silently walked up to the pair with a painful look on her face and placed a hand gently on top of Hopes head.

-Freya has offered you a Hidden Class.

Hidden Class!If you accept it, you can use exclusive skills related to the nature of the class.

Do you want to convert now?

While looking up in wonder at the goddess Hope quietly said “Yes...” at that moment her avatar was enveloped in light.

NameHopeAlignmentDivineLevel74ProfessionFavored WandererRaceAvatarTitleSurvivorFame1121(+50)Infamy0Health2150 / 2150Mana2680 / 2680Strength130(+115)Agility230(+80)Vitality83(+20)Intelligence20(+20)Wisdom94(+20)Leadership151(+170)Luck20(+20)Charm132(+175)Endurance104(+60)Nature Affinity223(+150)Fighting Spirit112(+40)Art287(+165)Attack281Defense83Magical ResistanceFire20%Water20%Wind20%Earth50%LightImmuneDarkness-30%Racial: 10% movement bonus and 5% experience bonus while in forested areas, 30% earth resist. You are a physical embodiment of Freya's will, able to inspire faith in her church.

-20 points added to all Stats.

-Charm + 100

-Art + 100

-Nature affinity + 80

-Immune to light.

-Dark resistance - 50%

-In nature all stats increase by 5% in addition.

-Enables you to equip certain items specialized for the class.

-Enables you to learn secret skills.

-Titles that add infamy are no longer available.

Outdoor non-combat movement speed + 10%

Stealth skill level rises by one.

Npcs are more likely to sell you goods at a reduced price.

-A book has been removed from your inventory.

-A title has been augmented.

Benevolent SuccubusYou have no qualms acting the fool or compromising your lesser morals to get what you want. Seriously not a single qualm in your mind or body. You're so shameless that half the time you don't even realize what you're doing till its already over. Rumors of your antics have reached epic proportions within a city. You always get what you want. If you're acting this way you have a good reason for it. Freya has taken an interest in your amusing activities, use of this title may draw her personal attention. Freya decided to make this title too good for you to justify not using it by adding your current titles bonuses to it.

-Makes npcs more willing to follow your lead.

-Use of this title will draw attention.

Charm + 250

Fame + 200

Leadership + 120

Endurance + 40

Fighting Spirit + 20

'...'

A new Passive Skill has been generated: Communion

CommunionThe ability to communicate through thoughts with the goddess Freya.

After reading that skill description Hope looked at Freya and thought 'I've never wanted to punch and kiss someone so much at the same time Freya.'

As the goddess laughed she disappeared without a sound and Amanda after having given up on the long silence being broken by Hope asked "What are you looking at Hope?"

"Nothing Amanda... nothing." Hope felt at that moment that the mood was entirely too serious and she wanted it to become less strained. Sooooo Hope being who Hope is...

*GROPE*

Amanda looked Hope dead in the eyes. "Hope you've got three seconds to mo..."

With a very serious face Hope interrupted her...

*GROPE* *GROPE* *GROPE*

"..."

*GROPE* *POW!!!*

As Hope lay on the floor laughing helplessly and clutching her head Amanda triumphantly walked out of the forge. After she was gone Hope stared at the door with a gentle expression on her face... 'Thank you Amanda' she thought to herself. 'Thank you for taking the chains away Freya'

'Don't forget to use the title Hope.' came a reply that startled her a bit.

'...'

'What?'

'I've a goddess in my head... I feel insane.'

'You were never sane dear...'

'...'

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Amanda absentmindedly made her way back to the wall to watch the ending of the battle. There were few lizardmen left and the fight was won. Her thoughts moved back towards Hope and she remembered something Hope had said that bothered her a great deal. "seeing a scene like that... even in a fantasy world nearly broke me again!" Amanda turned that single sentence over in her head multiple times before deciding that she would wait a very long time before she asked Hope what she meant by "again". After Amanda put the more serious thinking behind her she began to blush furiously and crouched down with her head between her knees. 'What the penguin was she doing... I can't believe she did that... shameless... scum... jerk... GRAAAAAAHHHHH... ' she thought to herself. As Lily began to approach Amanda she said quietly. "...all she had to do was ask."

"Ask what?" Lily said as Amanda jumped up and nearly fell over the wall. "Whoa Amanda... careful there, that would not be a pleasant way to go."

"Ah that was scary." she said

"So ask what?"

"Nothing."

Lily gave her a perplexed look and gave up. "That went really well, where's Hope? Shouldn't she be up here with you?" she asked looking around absently.

Amanda took a second to organize her thoughts. "Something came up during the battle, she went back to the forge for a while."

"Oh ok, Darius wants to see us. Let's go get him and meet up in the forge."

"Alright" Amanda said, wishing that Hope had somewhat recovered from her episode.

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As Darius, Lily and Amanda entered the smithy they found Hope playing around with Harry. Hope spotted them and turned then announced very loudly. "I'm sorry I groped you Amanda, it won't happen again."

As Amanda blushed furiously Darius stifled a laugh and Lily gave her a knowing look... "You only had to ask." Lily said

Amanda nearly fell over and Hope said a bit puzzled "What?"

"The battle was a resounding success!" Amanda interrupted

"That's good to hear."

*ding*

Quest Complete!

Level up!

Nature affinity has been permanently increased by 40

Familiarity within Fort Odin has increased. You have become a Hero.

Fame + 100

"Thank you for your aid Hope, I shudder to think of what may have become of us without your assistance."

"I would do anything for the sake of Restia commander, give it no further thought... excuse me there's something I have to do." she said while bolting out the door.

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Hope quickly scanned the courtyard to find Blindside then breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Cynthia standing next to him. "I'll be leaving Fort Odin to go north soon, I'm glad you're safe Cynthia."

The knight blushed "Of course I am, how do you expect me to make knight commander in the future if I die here?" she said jokingly

"Oh... so one day I'll have Restia's knight commander at my beck and call, wrapped around my fingers?" Hope said roguishly.

"You will not!" Cynthia said now very troubled by what she'd just said as her knights began to snicker.

"I guess I'll have to settle for having the knight commander at my anvil then." she said nonchalantly while walking back towards the smithy as the knight absolutely exploded with embarrassment.

Charm has been permanently increased by 4

'Nothing like a little fun to lighten the mood.' she thought to herself. 'I wonder if this is why Freya is so taken with me?'

'That's half the reason.'

'You can read my thoughts?'

'Only if you bring me up in the middle of them, that's how the skill activates.'

'Oh... good to know, the other half is?'

'You're a rare natural beauty that used her real appearance in Versailles.'

'Is it that rare?'

'Most of the beauties from your world tend to alter their appearance... I really don't understand them.'

'Well I didn't make myself look this way because I thought I was attractive.' Hope explained

'That's what makes it sooo good dear.'

'I see'

'Keep up the good work! Soon you'll have the whole of Versailles at our feet.'

Hope sighed 'Wait a second, our feet?'

'You're my avatar now Hope, the church will aid you and your actions directly reflect my own standing in this world soooo bring on the love.... oh but don't feel obligated to do anything for me, I just wanted to give you back your freedom when I changed you.'

'...Thank you Freya.'

'As much as I like being thanked I'd be much happier if you go out there and spread the love...'

Hope sighed 'I'll try'

'Good girl!'

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Hope arrived back in the forge while checking her status screen again to make sure she hadn't gone totally crazy... and she hadn't.

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"Thanks for waiting on me." she said

"It's no problem, what was so urgent?" Darius asked

"I wanted to make sure that Cynthia was alive."

"Oh the knight you bent over your anvil?" Amanda asked mischievously as Lily blushed and Darius went wide eyed with shock staring at the anvil.

"Yes, it would be a shame if I never got to do that again." she said as she looked at Lily and flexed her hand suggestively.

Lily turned and bolted out the door as fast as Blindside. "Why do you do that?" Amanda laughed

"I can't really help it... blame this world for giving me bonuses when I act up... it totally twisted my pure heart." Hope claimed listlessly.

"Yeah right." Amanda retorted

*cough* *cough* "Hope if I may..." Darius began as he handed her a heavy pouch "It wouldn't feel right to let your efforts go unrewarded, you can also restock supplies for your travels here at the fort without paying for them. You, Lady Amanda and Lady Lily shall always be welcome at Fort Odin. Take care of yourself out there."

"I won't have to since Amanda will be watching me like a hawk." Hope said playfully

"It's good to know you won't be going out there alone Hope."

"I'm also happy that I'll have someone to "play with" while I'm out there Darius." Hope said suggestively as Amanda blushed and smacked her aside the head.

Charm has been permanently increased by 2

"When do we leave?" Amanda asked

"As soon as you're ready Amanda, I've already made my preparations."

"It shouldn't take me very long."

"Take your time Amanda, I'll work on repairing the knights and guardsmen's equipment until you're good to go."

"Alright I'll see you in a little while." Amanda said as she walked out.

Hope looked down and opened the pouch... "Darius this has to be at least a hundred gold!"

"It is a hundred." he said candidly

"Why?"

"I figured you deserved the entire rewards budget for your actions here, I'll just give the other freedmen that come along some renown or something." the commander chuckled

"...Thank you Darius, take care of yourself."

"You as well Hope, you as well."

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After saying their goodbyes to Lily who was returning to Restia with the knights, Amanda and Hope headed north with Blindside and Harry following behind them. Hope and Amanda planned to traverse the Hines Highlands and make their way into Tullen. When they reached the bottom of the rising terrain that would lead them into the highlands Blindside stopped and looked back towards the Forest of Despair.

Hope noticed his behavior and asked. "Feeling homesick?"

"Yeah... I would like to return if I could." the moose said honestly.

"I'm afraid that freedmen might hunt you as a rare monster Blindside... both of you, I'm sorry."

*ding*

A new Active Skill has been generated: Mark of the Holy Beast

Mark of the Holy BeastThe ability to mark a familiar with the symbol of the church of Freya.

-Marked familiars are considered non-hostile and cannot be killed by players unless attacked by the beast first.

-Marked familiars become holy beasts and acquire divine alignment.

-Marked familiars may be called upon by other members of the church of Freya to aid them in difficult quests.(You will gain fame for this upon the successful completion of said quest.)

-If a marked familiar is slain they will respawn in their home territory after a short period of time without the experience gained throughout the duration of the quest.

-Marking a familiar counts as dismissing it.

"..." Hope looked at her familiars.

"What?" Blindside asked

"You really want to go back home?" she asked

"If I could... yes I want to go home." the moose said

Hope walked up to him and placed her hand between his antlers while thinking 'mark of the holy beast'.

A light shined and when Hope removed her hand Freya's symbol was there. Blindside had begun to shimmer with a faint, almost divine aura.

*ding*

-You have made the wilderness surrounding Restia safer.

Nature affinity has been permanently increased by 50

The Forest of Despair has been renamed The Forest of Hope.

Fame + 100

"Thank you!" Blindside shouted as Hope smiled at him.

"I may summon you at some point in time to help me but until then you're free Blindside, go make those other males jealous of your striking form."

"Oh I will... wait till they see my godlike form, they shall bow before the might of Blindsi..." *POW*

Blindside was once again knocked over and began to tumble down the hill as Hope broke out into helpless laughter. 'Freya is that you?' she asked the goddess

'You really need to teach that moose manners... never mind now that he wears my mark I'll train him myself.'

'Have fun!'

'Oh I will, if not for those beautiful horns he'd have been moose steak a long time ago... I was rather upset when you first broke one... but the end result is pleasing.'

Hope turned her attention to Harry as Blindside prostrated himself then became very, very shocked as Freya began to speak to him. "What about you Harry, freedom to do as you please?"

"I was born to be free... I know I'm your friend but this whole arrangement never sat well with me in the first place. If you ever need my help don't hesitate to call upon me." the wolf explained

"I'll miss the both of you but I'm happy that you'll be enjoying yourselves and you're safe."

Harry bowed his head as Hope walked up to him with her hand outstretched then to his dismay walked right past him and placed her hand on his posterior... Hope is a very vindictive person.

'Make me run around town with people looking at my derriere will you?' she thought as she began the skill activation. 'mark of the holy beast'... 'Let's see how you like people staring at your rear all day.'

A light shined and when Hope removed her hand Freya's symbol was there. Harry had also begun to shimmer with the same almost divine aura.

*ding*

-You have made the plains surrounding Restia safer.

Nature affinity has been permanently increased by 50

The plains surrounding the immediate area of Restia have been named Harry's Rest.

Fame + 100

Hope stifled a laugh... then looked at Harry.

"Thanks..." Harry said under his breath as Hope grinned at him.

"You set them free?" Amanda asked curiously

"I can still summon them but yes... they're both going home and they'll watch over the other players, mainly beginners. Sometimes they'll even join paladins and priestesses of Freya on quests." Hope explained

"Wow... won't people attack them?"

"They've been marked by Freya, people can't really kill them and attacking them would be a very poor decision. Incurring the wrath of a goddess should be avoided, just ask Blindside." Hope said pointing to the moose as he floated more then ten feet off the ground and spun at an incredibly fast rate.

"Holy mother of penguins!" Amanda shouted as it was her first time seeing the moose offend a god.

"... he does that sometimes, don't mind him." she said nonchalantly as Harry happily bolted towards the plains of Restia... Harry's Rest.

"Remind me not to offend Freya... is something different about you Hope?" Amanda asked noticing that Hope was slightly... different somehow.

"Freya took off my chains... show Amanda avatar status window, Hope."

NameHopeAlignmentDivineLevel76ProfessionFavored WandererRaceAvatarTitleBenevolent SuccubusFame1421(+200)Infamy0Health2150 / 2150Mana2680 / 2680Strength130(+115)Agility240(+80)Vitality83(+20)Intelligence20(+20)Wisdom94(+20)Leadership151(+220)Luck20(+20)Charm138(+425)Endurance104(+60)Nature Affinity363(+150)Fighting Spirit112(+40)Art287(+165)Attack284Defense83Magical ResistanceFire20%Water20%Wind20%Earth50%LightImmuneDarkness-30%Racial: 10% movement bonus and 5% experience bonus while in forested areas, 30% earth resist. You are a physical embodiment of Freya's will, able to inspire faith in her church.

-20 points added to all Stats.

-Charm + 100

-Art + 100

-Nature affinity + 80

-Immune to light.

-Dark resistance - 50%

-In nature all stats increase by 5% in addition.

-Enables you to equip certain items specialized for the class.

-Enables you to learn secret skills.

-Titles that add infamy are no longer available.

Outdoor non-combat movement speed + 10%

Stealth skill level rises by one.

Npcs are more likely to sell you goods at a reduced price.

After spending a good amount of time examining Hope's status Amanda said "I'm happy for you... I'm glad that you decided to stay... I don't know if I said that yet."

"I'm happy to be here." Hope replied honestly

As Amanda was about to close the status window she took a double take then asked "Benevolent succubus?"

"Oh!" Hope exclaimed slapping a fist into her other hand "Maybe that's why I look a bit different to you. The title says... oh here look, show Amanda title description benevolent succubus."

-Makes npcs more willing to follow your lead.

-Use of this title will draw attention.

Charm + 250

Fame + 200

Leadership + 120

Endurance + 40

Fighting Spirit + 20

"... Use of this title will draw attention huh? Maybe that is it. I can't believe you got your hands on such a great title... never mind I just saw a moose flying I can believe it."

"Well actually Freya made B.S. into a really good title but I basically earned most of it myself..." Hope explained

"That's pretty impressive." she said as Hope took a few steps in her direction.

"Want me to show you how I earned the title?" Hope said lustily as she continued to approach Amanda.

"Oh no you don't, cut that out! I'm on to your games Hope, it isn't going to work on me anymore." Amanda said confidently

"Who said anything about games Amanda..." Hope said without slowing as she was now directly in front of the slightly taller woman taking full advantage of her uniquely colored eyes.

At that moment Amanda had a very hectic battle with her inner voices and chose to flee. While blushing fiercely she turned and began to march, completely ignoring the impish grin that was plastered across Hope's face.

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Sorry about the triple release but I wasn't happy with where I was leaving the story... [th_093.gif]

I'll be taking a break now to play some games and relax... if I don't get a bunch of ideas and start wanting to write again... hahaha [th_084_.gif]

Proofread by lomie0.

Wild Life: Chapter 14 ~Unchained~

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