WILD LIFE: CHAPTER 20 ~FAVORED~

There was a blinding flash of light, while she covered her eyes the scent of smoke and blood flooded her nostrils. Hope opened her eyes to find that she was standing at the fountain where the journey through Versailles first began many months ago. Gathering her wits and realizing that time was of the essence Hope bolted for the northern gate. As she passed the guards Hope saw phantom like images of players. She assumed that these phantoms were the actions that players had taken during the battle and decided not to interfere with them. Glancing over the battlefield she quickly noticed a large formation of knights. They stood tall as vanguard of the gathered force, players and npcs alike.

Regaining her composure Hope stopped to consider the current situation. Even if she charged onto the battlefield saving all of the knights would be unlikely. Hope had noticed the lack of Freya's presence among the defending forces. Realizing that this field was in dire need of healers she began to sprint back towards Restia for the church of Freya. The elf passed by hundreds of phantoms that were banding together in large groups. Without a moments hesitation Hope burst through the open doors of Freya's church.

"Who's in charge here!"

A small balding man in white robes stepped forth from the crowd of priests and priestesses. "I am the highest ranking member of our order at the moment, why are you here freedman?"

Hope spoke with urgency "Why are you not supporting the defense?"

The man frowned "All of our orders paladins are away on quests, we've no one to defend us on a battlefield. I have decided that it would be best to remain here during the course of this siege." he explained as some of the others grumbled with displeasure.

"Fellow Restians are dying to defend this city, you have the power to save them. It is your responsibility to use that power, not sit idly by as this cities people suffer to protect all of us. How can you just wait here and do nothing? Is this what Freya would want?" Hope was having a hard time concealing her disappointment in the church.

*ding*

Morale down!

The robed man took offence at her impatient attitude and pointed words. "I am Luther van Constantine the seventh! I will not blindly throw away the lives of Freya's faithful to protect those who do not follow her will! I will not be spoken down to and lectured by a freedman much less an elf at that! You are banished from all of our goddess Freya's facilities from this day forth! Leave these grounds at once elf!"

Hope removed her hood and looked Luther straight in the eyes as color visibly drained from his raging face.

*ding*

Morale up!

'Freya, one of us is about to do something extreme about this haughty bigot and you really won't like what I have in mind... then again if you like art...'

'I already did it the moment he tried to banish you, he's on his knees isn't he?' the goddess chuckled 'Although, in hindsight I may have enjoyed watching you mete out punishment more.'

Hope grinned as the priest fell limp. 'What did you do?'

'What Luther tried to do to you, he has been excommunicated.' Hope made a mental note to never cross the goddess who like her, had a rather unforgiving temperament.

*ding*

Through removal of a self serving priest, the Church of Freya has prospered.Fame has increased by 20.

Contribution to the Church of Freya has increased by 10.

Public value of the Church of Freya has increased by 50.

Church of Freya’s Public Value : 840

-A piece of equipment has been augmented.

Ring of the ExplorerTypeRingQualityFlawlessDurability? / ?Artistic ValuePricelessCreatorFreyaDefense10A gilded silver ring created by the goddess as a gift to the polite adventurer she favored. The movement speed bonus will increase by 5% for every hundred levels gained. As the bearer of this ring gains more knowledge of the goddess Freya new effects will be added.RestrictionNoneEffect(s):

Soulbound to Hope.

Charm + 60

Agility + 55

Art + 35

Leadership + 20

Outdoor non-combat movement speed + 10%

Cannot be dropped upon death.

Hope looked down at the man as he desperately prayed. "That isn't going to work Luther, you've lost Freya's favor and the right to be here." He looked up towards Hope with terror in his eyes "Gather your things and get out, you will never serve Freya again." Hope spoke acidly then turned towards the churches acolytes.

The now leaderless priests had gathered around after recognizing Hope. She wasn't exactly sure how to handle the attention that came with representing Freya's will. After a few moments of inspecting her, one of the priestesses spoke up "Just as the rumors say Freya's avatar, you're almost glowing Lady Hope."

"We have work to do, will you help me?" Hope asked, bypassing any small talk

*ding*

Morale up!

"What would you ask of us?" a priest asked

"Have any of you worked with the knights before?" the mood of the followers had changed drastically since Hope made her identity known.

"Most of us have some experience with the knights, yes." the priestess spoke

"Everyone who has worked with the knights before should have a basic understanding of how they operate, you're coming with me. Restia's knights are dying as we speak and you can save them. Do not fear the battlefield and make your presence known to the knights, they will protect you."

*ding*

Morale up!

The priests and acolytes began to get worked up while following Hope out of the church. "The freedmen are immortal, ignore them. Any resident of Versailles is a priority over freedmen, understood?" There was a resounding confirmation spoken in unison. "I'm going on ahead, be careful out there... are you able to cast light?"

"A small orb, yes."

'Freya, would it be too much trouble to give them a spell that could act as an emergency beacon? It needs to be inconspicuous, I'd rather they not draw the enemies attention with it.'

*ding*

A new Sustained Skill has been generated: Beacon

BeaconThe ability to create a repeating pulse of light within the sky far above one's current position.

-Costs 60 mp per minute.

As the acolytes stared towards Hope in shock she continued, "Don't be surprised, Freya is with us all. If you find yourself or a group in need of rescue cast the spell our goddess has granted you. I've very good eyes and I will be watching the skies. You're healers, be careful and pick your targets. Rushing may very well get you killed. I have friends among the knights and though it is selfish I'm going on ahead to help them, stay safe."

After spending nearly 2500 mana in a single cast of wolf aspect targeting the healers, Hope turned and sprinted off leaving the gaping acolytes stunned.

*ding*

Charm has been permanently increased by 2

Leadership has been permanently increased by 3

Morale up! Fame + 50

A Beast Aspect secret has been discovered! Pack blessing now available.

Beast AspectThe ability to grant a portion of the power a familiar holds unto the targeted character or characters. This skill will generate new aspects as the warden's bond with new species of familiars grows.

-Costs 50 mp per target

-Targets ? 10, mp cost = 1/2.

-Targets ? 40, mp cost = 1/4.

-Duration time = 30 minutes.

-Moose aspect ~ Strength + 12% ~ Stagger rate + 40%

-Wolf aspect ~ Agility + 12% ~ Movement speed + 10%

-Turtle aspect ~ Wisdom + 6% ~ intelligence + 6% ~ Casting speed + 20%

Sprint has reached intermediate rank!-Costs 10 less mp/sec

-Non-combat movement speed + 100%

-Rough terrain is less difficult to traverse while sprinting.

Vitality has been permanently increased by 2

Endurance has been permanently increased by 3

-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 from benign npcs.

Charm + 300

Fame + 250

Leadership + 150

Endurance + 80

Fighting Spirit + 40

"Glad I won't have to wear a hood outside of town anymore." she spoke quietly while drawing the cloth hood back over her head

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The goddess Versailles, A.I. creator of Royal Road and everything in it paused a moment to observe the adventurer she used her Freya subprocess to interact with. Hope had caught Versailles attention again. "Any resident of Versailles is a priority over freedmen, understood?" that sentence made the A.I. stop and smile.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*ding*

Mana has been permanently increased by 500

Hope nearly fell on her face as she stopped in her tracks and mulled over what had just happened for a moment... 'Freya?'

'I didn't do it...'

'That's not normal right?'

'It seems that I’m not the only one you’ve impressed.'

Hope smiled absently, ‘I’m glad that my actions have been found pleasing but I’d rather not owe them a favor.’

‘You don’t owe anyone anything dear… just enjoy it and take what you can get. Sometimes we gods and goddesses like to reward the ones that amuse us, that’s all.’

‘Amuse?’

‘Most of us have different interests, it’s rare for more than one god to favor an adventurer. I really am quite taken with some of your antics.’

‘I forgot that you enjoy spying on me while I streak through cities.’ Hope added dryly

Freya began laughing like a little girl at her comment. ‘That’s one of my favorites.’

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Hope inwardly cursed Harry again before resuming her sprint.

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In a matter of minutes Hope had closed in on the vanguard. The fighting was intense and lives were being lost too quickly. Goblins and knights traded blows as cyclops broke formations. Shamans and archers peppered the knights from afar and kept cyclops from dying. Instead of loosing arrows and protecting the knights Hope sat down and activated meditation... The suspense was unbearable. Hope knew that this was the most effective way to help but it still pained her to sit still and do nothing with the battlefield so close. After what had seemed like an eternity Hope stood and cast Moose aspect on nearly 200 knights costing her roughly two thirds of her mana.

The effect was seen almost immediately as goblins and cyclops were staggered and pushed back. Smiling Hope turned her attention to the knights and looked for her friends. Hope smiled when she spotted Eugene as he bludgeoned a cyclops aside the head. With some luck the cheery knight would survive with the newfound support and incoming healers. After some more scanning Hope began to worry because Cynthia should be easy to spot among the knights.

"She's not here!" Hope frantically looked away from the vanguard. "If she isn't dead yet then why isn't she here?" She tried to deny the most likely answer to her worries. "What would she be doing?" Talking to herself Hope tried to see the battle from Cynthia's perspective... "That's it!"

Hope rushed forward past the knights towards the goblin shamans and she was not disappointed. Dashing fearlessly back and forth among the enemies, cutting down shamans with her massive battleaxe was Cynthia. To turn the battle in their favor Cynthia had opted to break formation, a true barbarian. Hope scowled as a cyclops joined the attack on Cynthia who was already barely surviving under the focused arrows of goblin archers.

"Let's do this!" A familiar voice called from behind her.

Hope had started to turn as Eugene rushed past her at an impressive speed considering the armor that weighed him down. After spreading divine rejuvenation around Hope cast wolf aspect on Cynthia and smiled while Eugene lobbed a halberd at the cyclops drawing its attention. As she was loosing flurries at the goblin archers and any shaman that rendered assistance to the cyclops Hope avoided incoming projectiles with practiced ease. Cynthia, who had turned and spotted her unexpected allies began to sprint towards the cyclops. As the large beast fell to one knee after taking a blow from Eugene's flail, Cynthia brought down her battleaxe upon its head from behind easily finishing it off. Hope ordered a retreat and placed a hand on Cynthia's back as they ran. 'Divine Touch'

"Nice to see you here Hope... I thought I was as good as dead for a moment." Cynthia chuckled ruefully as Hope shot her a scowl.

"The battle was getting pretty intense before you showed up..." Eugene chimed in "...it still is I guess."

"Priests are on the way... no they're already here." Hope decided not to tell the knights how she had gotten here.

The knights sighed in relief. "How did you manage that?"

"Freya likes me so her church likes me and we don't have time to chat, see those?" Hope was pointing in the direction of two close lights that pulsed 50 feet in the air.

Cynthia gasped at the unusual sight. "What are those!?"

"Freya's acolytes are causing them, it's a distress signal. You both know what to do?"

"Of course!" they answered in unison

"I'll be moving faster than either of you... wait a second." Eugene and Cynthia both stopped running and stared at Hope confusedly. 'Blindside are you busy?'

'Not really' the moose answered

'Harry are you busy?'

The wolf hesitated '...yes'

*Yipe!*

'No! I'm not busy at all. I am Freya's faithful servant! What do you need Hope?'

Hope summoned both of them as a smile blossomed on Cynthia's face.

"Blindside help Cynthia, Harry you're with Eugene. They'll explain where to go, now hurry every second we waste is another life in jeopardy. The three of us will move to assist any of the healers that send out a beacon. Save the healers, save the knights." At that all of them began to move to separate positions.

The rest of the battle was simple, for nearly half an hour Hope would assist the vanguard with rejuvenation and buffs when her mana allowed while picking off shamans and archers at range. Every time a beacon appeared nearby Hope would move to assist. The acolytes proved to be just as effective as she had hoped, very few lives were lost after Freya's followers stepped onto the field. They all showed good judgement in knowing when to use beacons. After the first half hour of this the battle was effectively over. A wave of phantoms swept across the remaining goblin forces leaving nothing in their wake.

*ding*

Through aid given during the goblin onslaught the Church of Freya has prospered.Fame has increased by 50.

Contribution to the Church of Freya has increased by 100.

Public value of the Church of Freya has increased by 50.

Church of Freya’s Public Value : 890

A smile swept across Hope's face as she gazed at Eugene and Cynthia from a distance as they dismounted her familiars. Then there was light, Hope covered her eyes again as the scent of nature washed away the battlefields odor. Hope slowly opened her eyes and looked across the lake while ignoring a certain gaping, glowing and nude turtle.

*ding*

Quest Complete!

Level up!

Level up!

Level up!

Level up!

The history of Versailles has been altered, 127 npcs have been saved.

Your former familiars have gained reputation, Fame + 74.

A statue is being constructed in your honor! Fame + 250

"Oh, I wonder if Leo is sculpting it?" she remarked absently

Now that the battle was over Hope decided to check over her skill and status updates.

-Dire Arrow has been augmented after reaching intermediate.

Deathly ArrowBy focusing your vision and strength you become able to shoot your next arrow much father with great accuracy. This skill causes tunnel vision while in effect.

-Critical attack damage + 100%

-Ranged attack damage + 60%

-Range + 150%

-Costs 150 mp

Through Archery Mastery a new Active Skill has been generated: Volley

VolleyLoose a rain of arrows upon a targeted area from above with deadly efficiency. As skill level rises penalties shall become bonuses and continue to grow.

-Critical attack rate - 10%

-Ranged attack damage - 20%

-Range - 30%

-Area of effect = 2 meters

-Costs 200 mp

Through Throwing Mastery a new Active Skill has been generated: Fan of Knives

Fan of KnivesUpon activation of this skill ones next thrown knife will become many, attacking a horizontal line of opponents simultaneously. Every knife spawned through this method is a perfect replica of the original knife that will dissipate after impact.

-Range - 40%

-Knives = 12

-Costs 50 mp

Freya chuckled, 'Keep up the good work Hope.'

'Thank you Freya, for helping me save them.' she spoke honestly

'Thank you for trying... leaving so soon?' The goddess figured that Hope would test her new skills or allocate her stats so she was confused when Hope moved to set up her shelter.

'Amanda and I hit it off in my world, we're lovers now and she's worried about me. I have to go tell her how it all went.' Hope spoke with uncharacteristic happiness in her voice as the goddess beamed with delight. 'Though I guess allocating my points first wouldn't hurt.'

*ding*

'Congratulations Hope!'

-You have received a pair of Promised One (?) rings

Promised One (?)TypeRingQualityFlawlessDurability? / ?Artistic ValuePricelessCreatorFreyaDefense5One of a pair of rings made out of a mysterious metal that was created by the goddess as a gift to her favored adventurers who found happiness in each other.RestrictionNoneEffect(s):

Soulbounds when equipped.

Cannot be dropped upon death.

'Like you didn't see that one coming.' she spoke accusingly

'Well I saw the potential... that girl did spend an awful lot of time staring...'

Hope broke into laughter and knocked over her tent. 'Don't tease her, please.'

Freya chuckled, 'I won’t, see you again soon dear.'

'Goodbye Freya and thank you for the rings, they’re beautiful.'

With a gentle smile on her face Hope silently decided to keep the rings a secret from Amanda until the next time they met.

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When Nadia logged out she was greeted by the smell of fresh sweet rolls and coffee. Ashley had prepared something for herself while waiting for Nadia to take care of business in Royal Road. She silently exited the capsule and snuck up behind Ashley. Nadia leaned down and pecked Ashley on her right cheek while using her left hand to snag a sweet roll.

“Is everything ok?” Ashley asked timidly

Nadia took a few steps towards the bedroom and turned around. “I was able to save them, everyone is alive.” Nadia grinned and put the half eaten roll in her mouth.

Ashley gave her a playful look while standing up. “Thief!”

In response Nadia turned tail and ran while being chased into the bedroom.

*Thump!*

“You could’ve at least let me make it to the bed first…” she said roguishly

Ashley pinned her down from behind, “Thieves get the rough treatment.”

"Careful Ashley you're giving me more bad habits." she spoke lustily

"Some bad habits are worth the trouble... sorry if I'm a bit rough, you put me in the mood hours ago."

Nadia laughed, "I'll have to tease you more often."

"Shut up..."

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