Yggdrasil Fallen, LitRPG Series
Book 1, Part 1: Obsidian
Chapter 3: Rush
Standing at the back of his van, opening the double doors to start loading some basic hand tools into his work belt Andre took a deep breath while looking over the larger tools he would need as he planned exactly how to load them all in. He found his thoughts straying to the encounter with Mr. Silderson inside, and the subtle intonations he thought he recognized from the man.
“What the hell was that all about? I sure as shit am not a fan of this “Mr. Silderson”, cannot wait to have this project behind me and the money in my pocket.” His stomach grumbled, reminding him about his coffee only breakfast and the fact he didn’t have lunch on hand.
“Ugh, those guys Curt was messaging had better show up early and haul ass. If I have any hope of going to see Jeff today this place will have to be completely clear no later than noon, even then I’ll be cutting it close with Silderson’s insane timeline.” He paused a moment as an almost devious new thought dawned on him:
“Maybe, I can convince him to come and help with some of the demolition work and since he’ll already be on the way… Lunch!” Andre was reveling in his self-perceived cleverness as a loud beeping shattered his semi-insidious thought process as a long truck backed into the driveway, bringing the rolloff dumpster he had been expecting.
“Great! At least waiting on that thing to show up won’t inhibit my lunch machinations!” He thought gleefully to himself as he returned to his load-in organization.
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“This “Andre” fellow certainly is an interesting person; I really hope he can fulfill his promised timeline.” Mr. Silderson said very casually to Curt, who was watching the roll off dumpster being delivered.
“He’s a good kid, he’ll do an exceptional job getting the work done as you are wanting it to be done. I’m confident enough to even say you’ll be as impressed with his work ethic and skills as you were with the architects. Though, I must ask: why did you lie to him about your wife, isn’t this property being converted to a corporate retreat? I’ve certainly never met your wife…” Mr. Silderson locked eyes with Curt and spoke cutting him off in a very brusque manner:
“Things have changed from our meeting this morning Mr. Delongh, certain details don’t need to be made public especially to the people who will be working on this property. Whether for my wife, friends, business partners or whoever may be using the property; its ultimate form and function are yours to provide, so long as they fall within the purchased designs, but its use is for me to decide.” Silderson paused his dressing down of Curt for only a few moments before continuing, his eyes having shifted from Curt’s’ to Andre’s back.
“It has come to my attention that individuals involved are feeling pressure from their higherups and, as they say, shit rolls downhill. Keep an eye on this “Andre”. I really don’t want him ruining our plans.” His sudden demeanor change, and ice-cold words left Curt internally shaking, as though the temperature had dropped several degrees.
“Can do, we’ll provide daily updates via e-mail with attached photos on progress if….” Mr. Silderson cut Curt off again:
“I’ve canceled my flight and will not be leaving until I’ve personally seen that progress meets my satisfaction and expectations. As Such I will be here in person to answer questions and expedite things as I see fit. Once my car has been delivered, I will be making impromptu visits here. I don’t want to have to babysit this… hire but since you claim he’s the best you can muster, I’ll just have to deal with the inconvenience.” Taken aback, Curt was silent for a few moments, watching the delivery driver climb out of the cab of his truck, walk over to Andre, who pointed at the front door.
“Very well then, just know our contracted agreement stands, and I will be unable adjust project costs, despite your inconvenience.”
Mr. Silderson shrugged, as the delivery driver knocked on the door:
“That is of little matter to me; Do as you see fit, just do not let me down.”
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Andre watched as the truck driver handed Curt some papers which he promptly signed, then turn, walk back to his truck, climb in and drive off.
“How the hell did he manage to get that thing up all those tight turn switchbacks to this site? Must have been one hell of a tricky drive!” Andre thought to himself as the long-bedded truck pulled out of the drive and down the road towards the incline.
“I’m taking Silderson back to his hotel, then I’ll be back at the office if you need anything. The couple of guys I messaged are in route and should be here within the next 30 minutes.” Curt spoke to Andre from his left, breaking his transfixed gaze on the huge truck which was just pulling out of sight.
“Ok, thank you Curt, I greatly appreciate the hand getting all that furniture out, not sure how I would have handled it otherwise. I’ll have your guys get in contact once the place is stripped.” Andre was doing his best to avoid Mr. Silderson’s eyes, who was standing nearby, a blank look transfixed on his face as he stared in his direction. Turning his back and lowering his voice Andrew asked:
“What’s his deal anyways?”. Curt shrugged.
“Just get to work, I’m not paying you to spank it in the bush”. Caught by surprise, Andre choked a laugh.
“Alrighty then, never thought you to be one of such eloquence.” He gasped out through his laughter.
As they were climbing into the huge black truck, Andre pulled out his phone, checking the time:
“Jeeeeez” so much for tearing into it by 8:15!” He laughed, his phone reading 9:03. May as well get to it.”
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Andre was working in a back bedroom, breaking apart a very old bedframe, fitted with a musty feather mattress when he heard the front door open.
“Hello?! Andre, Where you at?!” A loud, almost shrill voice called out. He set his hammer down and met the two guys in the living room.
“Well hullur gents, Curt sent you, I presume?” They both nodded standing agog at the huge living room, and windows overlooking the river snaked mountain valley.
“Yeah, he said you’d direct us.” The taller of the two younger men responded.
Andre nodded:
“Well, there’s a huge roll off, and a bunch of furniture, fill one up with the other”. He responded, a sarcastic grin playing at his lips.
“Alright, well grab some gloves and the dolly so we can set to work.” The tall man spoke, looking over at his companion who was still transfixed by the view.
“Don’t mind him, he’s new to the company… and apparently to the area” He continued, nudging his companion sharply in the ribs. The two vanished shortly, reappearing with the promised items and with that they all set to work moving methodically room by room breaking down furniture hauling it out and tossing it in the oversized dumpster. By Noon the house had been gutted of all its decaying, fetid fixtures save for one room. Andre stood in the hallway, staring down and into the room his eyes raking over the extremely odd wall.
“That’s one crazy wall eh?” Andre started at the voice coming from just behind him.
“Yeah, that’s the last room we need to empty, lets just get it done so you guys can be on your merry way”. Walking down the hallway Andre felt a tension beginning to rise in his chest, the walls and floors almost thrumming with an indiscernible energy, making his hair stand on end. Each step he took seemed to almost elongate hallway, leaving the room further and further away.
“Do you guys feel that?” Andre spoke to both the guys following him.
“No idea what you’re talkin about man, let’s just get this shit done. We’ve wasted enough time here already.” Grumbled the shorter guy.
Andre took a deep breath stilling his shaking hands as he continued one step after another, finally making his way into the room. The walls and floors around him almost humming around him, making his skin tingle as though the air itself was electrified, Andre Froze.
“You guys sure you don’t feel anything? It’s almost like this room is haunted. I’m getting all kinds of crazy vibes in here!” Andre spoke, in a quavering voice.
“Man quit dicking around, it’s just your fucking imagination. There’re no such things as ghosts, and there’s nothing different about this room than any of the others we worked through.” The taller man spoke, pausing a moment. “Other than that freaky ass wall over there” He continued motioning towards the back wall of the room. Andre didn’t look, choosing to look about the room itself, taking inventory of what they had to remove: a single upright coat cabinet that had its doors hanging loose, hinges rusted through with age, a dirty feather mattress in the corner and a huge floor to ceiling length mirror.
“This seriously it? Soooooooo damn spooky” The second guy grumbled again, an edge of laughter to his voice.
“At least we’ll get it in one load!” his companion stated energetically, obviously quite eager to be on their way, to a likely lunch and cleaner site.
“You guys grab the cabinet, ill get the mattress” Andre spoke to both of them, while staring almost transfixed at the heavily stained feather sack, wondering just how many exploits it had seen over the years. “I’d better not think too hard about that one, not sure id be able to touch it” he laughed to himself. Reaching down to grab the mattress, Andre froze, the thrumming energy in the air had suddenly stopped, replaced by a hot pressure that seemed to encompass his whole body. His skin felt as though it were on fire.
“What the actual fuck!” He screamed in agony, the sensation growing with intensity as the air began thrumming again, almost seeming to vibrate and the wavy wall to his left. In his pained, dizzy haze Andre turned his head to look at the wall, it had seemingly begun pulsing hues of blue, yellow, red and white. Falling to his knees Andre dry heaved and began coughing, the fire radiating throughout his body more than he could bare.
“Uh…. Are you ok… uh… dude?” Through it all Andre didn’t notice the other two guys standing in the doorway just staring at him, their burden balanced between them. Andre dry heaved again, spitting out acid and what remained of his coffee.
“I…. I… I really don’t know.” He sputtered as he felt the world closing in around him, electricity sparking across the surface of his skin, burning his flesh and seizing his muscles. The last thing he felt before his world closed, the deep depths of unconsciousness claiming him was a massive hot wave, exploding from the core of his being outwards shattering the mirror and window.
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
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Andre’s muscles twitched, jerking him to consciousness. He lay in cool moss which appeared to be growing in the shadow of a tall, crumbling building. Sitting up and looking around, Andre took in the decaying city scape, the horizon roiling reds, yellows and oranges as though the sky itself were burning. Grass, moss, trees and all forms of strange plants broke through the pavement encompassing cars, and smaller buildings with vines snaking in and out of the shattered windows of the larger buildings; huge flowers blooming from them. Despite the fiery skies and decrepit buildings, the vibrant trappings of nature seemed to encompass his senses with a deeper, almost more tangible feeling of being wholly out of place in a foreign land. No wind blew nor did insects buzz or even birds sing in this turbid landscape.
“What… the… actual… fuck” Andre sputtered, his voice shattering the stifling silence. His muscles burned, joints ached, and his head was gripped with pain like he’d never felt before; even worse than his most painful migraines. His body still reverberated with the echoes of the energy he’d felt which had seemingly dropped him into what he was beginning to believe was another dream. Though even in his most aware dream states there had always been some level of dissociation. Andre carefully gazed around himself taking great efforts to not further agitate his head, trying to make sense of this alien place he’d found himself suddenly dropped into. It was at this moment he made a very startling, very embarrassing discovery: he’d been lounging, assessing his surroundings in his birthday suit.
“Where the hell did my clothes go?!” he screamed internally, aghast at just how long it had taken him to notice something so blatantly obvious.
“Welcome traveler, it greatly pleases me to see you survived the journey” a cool, watery, feminine voice spoke from behind where Andre sat. He jerked violently startled by the sudden feminine voice. He began searching for something, anything to cover himself up with.
“Please do not be alarmed or embarrassed by your unclothed appearance. All those who travel to mine and my sister’s realms arrive in a similar manner.” She spoke with mild amusement, seemingly having read his mind. Andre feeling empowered not only by the sincerity of her words but also by the lack of judgment in her voice; slowly, painfully turned himself around to face the owner of the voice. The fire in his muscles and joints having not eased while the throbbing in his head threatened a bout of dry heaves.
“I apologize, I’m feeling as though a volcano is attempting to wage war with the arctic within my body.” Andre replied as he looked around trying to locate the source of the voice. As though manifesting from sunlight and mist he saw her. A woman dressed in a long, simple pure white Grecian stylized dress. Her long, slender arms while uncovered glowed a pale blue, a complex stylized runic pattern, ran up her forearms and to her shoulders where they vanished under fair, silver epaulets. She had long shimmering light red hued golden hair draped down to her shoulders, delicately falling down her back in shimmering waves. Most strikingly though, her eyes: both being one large iris, a silvery blue laced with waves of sea green, and deep blues, rimmed with the same glowing blue runic pattern which ran down her cheeks.
In stunned silence Andre attempted, much to the protest of his body, to shift onto his knees all the while entranced by the beauty in front of him. Having somewhat succeeded in his endeavors, he met the eyes of the woman in front of him who appeared, be it by a trick of light or actuality, to float over the ground.
“I am Phione, one of the nine sisters of Yggdrasil. Your arrival here in this realm between realms heralds great things for you. One could say the course of your future, your very fate has been irrevocably changed.” Her eyes seemed to pass over and through him, penetrating to the very core of his being.
“I can see the conversion process has already begun, quite a unique situation for one unmarked by the sisters. Tell me traveler, how did you come to find yourself here, in my presence?”
Andres’ mind was spinning, trying to make sense of her words all the while grasping at any semblance of memory of what happened between his time in that room and his waking. He’d hoped something that might answer the question she had just posed him might come to mind, at least for his own benefit or comfort. As he thought things through, what had been a mild echo of energy began to ramp itself up, the sensations he’d felt in the room were once again returning to him.
“Where am I even? How can I possibly answer how I got here?” he asked himself. As though reading his mind Phione let out a laugh, a light, bubbly sound; much like water trickling over rocks in a small stream.
“It’s quite alright young traveler, not all who arrive at my doorstep know exactly how they got here. Though, the fact you have arrived here baring a soul brand; with the conversion process having already started, is quite” she paused a moment, looking him over carefully.
“Unheard of, no… impossible.” After a prolonged silence, she asked:
“Would you care to share with me your name?”
“I… I’m A…a..andre” he barely managed to spit out through pained, staggered breaths. What had been a slowly building sensation had reached what he hoped to be its apex, feeling as though electricity were arcing over his skin.
“Di..did you say Sister of Yggdrasil? Like tree of life?” He gasped out.
“Indeed I did, but I suppose it is not exactly as you understand it to be.” She paused again her eyes fixed on Andre, seemingly following the arcing paths of energy across the surface of his body. Her eyes softened a bit more, if that were possible given her already languid appearance.
“The process of conversion is not an easy one young traveler, but your pain will subside with time. This realm will aid in the acceleration of the changes your physical form must undergo to bridge the way for the manifestation of aspect energies.” She continued apologetically.
“What exactly do you mean? Also, nice way to sidestep the question!” He managed to spit out before a surge of painful energy shot through him, his insides having become a burning, throbbing mess.
“Alas young Andre we do not have time for the full story but let us see what we may be able to impart in the time we do have. For time immemorial we sisters have existed, each inexplicably tied to one of the 9 primal aspects or elements as you know them. It is our job to maintain the balance in which the aspected energy feeds into the innumerable realms, sustaining life as well as the realm’s structure and form. Across the eons despite carefully controlling the balance and flow of energies; realms occasionally experience events that break the balance and trigger inexorable decay. In those times there have been mortals who have arisen, able to bare the marks of the sisters. Each mark unsealing that sisters’ related aspect element, bringing a different set of gifts to raise them beyond their mortal status. Thus, imparting them the chance to fight back converging forces to save their realities.” Phione paused, allowing Andre to take in and process all she’d said thus far.
“These “heroes” or “Ascended” as we have come to call them, come to us in different manners and by different methods but always unmarked and unconverted allowing us to initialize the process. This method eases the strain on not only their bodies but also their souls, creating a much higher chance for their survival of the process.” She continued as her eyes drifted down, settling on the mossy covered ground between them.
“Survive? You mean this process could actually kill me?” Andre spluttered out, attempting to return to his knees again before another surge ran through his body, his very being pulsing again.
“Yes, sadly it is very rare for one to survive the process. The strain of conversion on the mind, body and soul being too harsh for most to handle; though the death experienced by those who do not survive is far kinder than the inevitable fate that would be met back in their own realities.” Phione sighed, her eyes wet.
“Ok, well… you’ve said my conversion has already begun, not much that can be done about that now is there?” Andre growled through gritted teeth.
“You mentioned something about a soul brand. What is it and what bearing does it have with this conversion process.” He continued after taking several pained breaths. Phione shifted hesitantly, an obvious reluctance to answer his question etching itself across her demeanor. Burning agony ripped through Andres body, he could feel it to his very bones now.
“A soul brand marks a grievous affair, far more dismal than even an ascended’s life snuffed out during the conversion. Should one survive the process and receive a sister’s mark they are tasked with rooting out the cause of decay and aiding the sisters in rebalancing their realities. Should they fail this task they are savagely burned to their very soul by the imbalanced aspect energy as it spools out of control, destroying their reality. Thus, branding them with a mark of their failure, baring the weight of every soul lost; sealing the gifts granted through the sisters marks and rendering them impotent. It is very rare for an ascended to even survive the brands formation, much less long after in whatever world they’re cast into.” Phione fell silent, the weight of her words settling heavily on Andre’s mind.
“I see why you say it’s impossible for me to have such a brand. I haven’t even survived the conversion yet. Though I’m still confused about these other marks you’ve spoken of” Andre quipped through gritted teeth.
“That is correct. Each mark from the 9 respective sisters carves a rune of aspect upon your very being and breaking a seal allowing you to process and handle the respective sister’s aspect energies from around you, fueling the gifts and abilities awakened.” She paused again, Andre gasping for breath between dry heaves, fighting against the wracking pain coursing through his body. He forced himself into a sitting position pausing for a long time, what felt like possible hours to him, and slowly nodded his head.
“What am I supposed to do? Will this brand keep me from saving my reality? Assuming that’s really what this is all about anyways.” He spoke, carefully choosing his words.
Phione stood, continuing to watch him carefully, her eyes scouring deep into him.
“I do not know, young Andre, but perhaps should you choose to accept my mark, and partake the journey to find my other sisters you may find the answers you seek. It pleases me to see that you have survived at least the first stage of conversion.” She spoke cooly
“That was just the first stage?! How many exactly are there?!” He retorted
“Yes, you will experience one stage of conversion with each of my sisters, further reading your being to bare their mark. With that being said….” Andre cut her off, knowing exactly what she was about to say:
“Yes, I wish to receive your mark, though I wish you’d said it was only one of how many… 9? Now, how do we go about doing this, do I buy you dinner first?”
Taken aback at his brazen words, Phione paused briefly then quickly approached where Andre knelt while flicking her left hand across her right palm several times, Andre saw a blue liquid begin to drip down her wrist. In another sudden move, she placed her palm against his bare chest. Thinking to himself:
“Well, this is anti-climactic compared to the conversion”, he thought as he sat for a moment, allowing her warm palm to rest against his chest, now slick with the blue liquid.
“What now?”
She slowly withdrew her palm, watching him, before saying
“It often takes a moment for the bonds to come undone, it is best that you rest now, and allow your body to ada…” Before she could finish, his head began to throb again, his vision blurred and a quiet voice he had never heard before began speaking from the back of his mind as his vision was flooded with images of what appeared to be his own body with various graphical data on display:
“Aqua acclimation has been initialized, recalibrating cognitive processes. Good Day Andre, please be patient with me as I reacquaint myself with you. Breaking the initial seal is always a doozy, and will take longer than future unsealings.
“Non-aspect Gift granted: “Identification”: through use of ALIAS you are now able to inspect, identify, rank, grade and assess value of any object in your approximate vicinity. Higher “INTELLIGENCE” Statistic has a chance to reveal additional information.
“Non-aspect Gift Granted: “Sturdy”: Greatly increases your threshold for critical damage, increasing pain tolerance, aspected resistances, and resistance to physical harm, ability based on “VITALITY” Statistic. This is a permanent bonus to your “Defenses” stat which can be improved through increasing your “Vitality” stat.
“Non-aspect Gift Granted: “Convergence”: ???????????????
“Aqua acclimatization complete, Primal Aqua aspect has been correlated to your “MIND” statistic, improving Aqua Aspect level will improve “MIND” statistic, as well as improve and/or Modify ALL Aqua aspected abilities and gifts. MIND Statistic: Augments speed of aspect energy recovery, increased MIND Statistic may have additional effects on learned Skills. Effects may change with Aqua aspect rank up. Further changes may occur under UNITY effect. Correlation of Aqua Aspect to your “Mind” stat boosts it by one point per Aqua Aspect level.”
“Aqua gift unlocked: “Well Rested”: your body refreshes itself at a greatly accelerated rate, decreasing the amount of sleep and/or rest required to regenerate energy of all aspects. Secondary effect, minor enhanced wound recovery: you heal from all physical based wounds at a slightly accelerated rate, based on MIND and VITALITY Statistics”
“Aqua Ability unlocked: “Like a river”: Your Agility and Dexterity are increased by +2 per Aqua Aspect level/rank. This ability has a VERY LOW aqua energy drain effect and can be toggled on/off through ALIAS.”
“Aqua Aspect Growth”: Through use of Aqua Aspect Abilities, or channeling Aqua energy, you have a chance to learn new abilities, or accelerate the growth of your Aqua Aspect Rune.
“Thank you for your patience, I have initialized many changes throughout your being, and have finalized the aqua conversion, it is highly recommended that you get adequate rest, and refer back to me when you are ready to undertake your first level of training! Rest well!”
As the voice in his head went quiet the pounding migraine faded away and Andre was left sitting exactly where he had been before Phione “Marked” him, with her staring down intently upon him.
“Well, that was about as pleasant as sledding down a mountain of shit.” He muttered to himself as he raised his eyes to meet hers.
“So, what now?” He asked, feeling a heavy weariness wash over him.
“It seems as though the brand did not interfere with the conveyance my mark or the awakening of your abilities. With it, you will be able to find your way back to this place in time. For now, though, it seems our time has expired. It is imperative for you to rest, recover and learn as much as you can about all you have learned and been given here today. We will meet again very soon young Andre, rest well and be safe until that time.”
As the last of her words reached his ears Andre’s consciousness faded. Still sat rooted in place, now with his face upwards, the burning sky blackened until it was no longer there.