That tone… shit. I am already missing his snark. This short seriousness is way more ominous. Rather than the image of a figure, the fourth option is a vortex spinning over an empty field of blue. It looks almost like a symbol, but every time I try to look at it closely my eyes shy to the side. I have to concentrate to look at it long enough to get my Identification to work.
Identification: Singularity (Magical Class, Unique)
The Singularity gains mastery of gravitational forces for themselves and others. What her mind can encompass, this Class can accomplish. The Singularity's potential is only limited by her Will and Intelligence.
Strengths: Will, Intelligence
Weaknesses: Strength
Kora? What does ‘Unique’ mean?
“It is a particular Skill or Class offered for the first time.”
So it's not necessarily good?
“No. Not necessarily. There are a few advantages to a unique class, some of which are more important than others.” It feels like she's counting points on her fingers. Did she have fingers? I don't even know what her species was. “First, there is the potential that what you've been offered is horribly unbalanced and upsets the Parity of the Tournament. If you can turn off the gravity for the entire combat arena but yourself, it may be a matter of patience until everyone floats to their eventual deaths. I imagine the Seventh would not offer this to you if he felt that way. He also probably has not created it to be too weak, as he has been Censured for his actions against you already. Second, the other Mentors are preparing their Competitors to engage in combat. They will be wholly unprepared for a Unique Class, and therefore we would have the definitive edge of surprise for many, if not all, of our early combats. Finally, the Class will tailor itself to your abilities, rather than the other way around. It already made itself reliant on your two highest attributes, and your strangely powerful soul Boons will help shape it in the future. The Class, in many ways, will become yours.”
That feels… also strange. It will become mine? It will shape itself to me? Who am I? Who I thought I was died a month ago. I put everything into Katie, every action and decision. Without my compass, how do I know which way to go?
“Competitor, it is, perhaps, not my place. But this seems like a good time to choose who you want to be without this Katie.”
“How do I do that?”
“Start with this choice. I will Mentor you to the best of my ability, whatever Class you choose.”
“You won't choose for me?” I ask, half joking, half hopeful.
“Competitor, you know my thoughts.”
So my options are to become a weird insect deity, continue to pretend to be something I'm not, stab people fancy style, or become some sort of gravity wizard. Potential be damned, option one is out. I've already decided I’m staying human. Option two… is also, surprisingly, out. Maybe some of the therapy got through in the end. Option three gives Kora the best chance to help me directly, but now that my soul is apparently going to block her from influencing my body, I don't know how effective that will be. And stabbing people isn’t exactly what I want to do, even if they aren’t human.
Damn. There's no way the god of asshats offered me this Unique Class out of anything resembling benevolence. But something resonated in Kora’s advice. I don't know who I want to be, but, so long as I survive, I get to try to find out. Starting clean, with something no one has ever been before, seems like a good start. Taking a deep breath to settle my nerves, I step closer to the fourth circle, though I pause before I enter it.
“Anything I should know before I do this? About what's coming next?”
“The Tournament is different every time. We will need to be ready for anything.”
Fantastic.
“If you're taking the Unique Class, accept the Skill evolution before you do, and the transformation will be more potent.”
I mentally accept the pending Gravity Aspected evolution. There's a brief violet flash, but I don't feel any significant change. I sigh, staring at the slowing churning vortex over the fourth circle. I'm not making a horrible mistake, am I?
“That question is impossible to answer.”
Gee, thanks, Kora. I can always count on you for reassurance. Ignoring her confused silence, I step into the sapphire glow.
The world glows brighter under the light of the circle, and then the blue begins pulsing in cadence. A familiar cadence, like it matches a distant heartbeat. Wait, that's my heartbeat. The instant I recognize the rhythm, the blue light takes on a vivid purple glow, the purest amethyst light freed from its gemstone prison. My skin burns, first on the surface and then deeper, down into my muscles, into my bones, deeper still until it permeates the candle flickering beneath my heart. Like a dam breaking, the fire shifts, distorts, flowing into new channels of potential. One, two, three rivulets of flame carve their way through my body. The feeling isn't unpleasant; it’s more like the ache of hard work rewarded, like how, after long hours of study, knowledge finally sears itself into memory.
Another trio exists beside the new three. Two burn deeper and brighter than the other four, their channels more defined, more… sturdy? It feels like they’ve been there some time, though I’ve just now gained senses enough to notice them. The three older streams feel different, as if they don't fill the same space; stronger, yet less substantial somehow.
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Skill acquired! Weaken Gravity (Uncommon, Magical)
You have the ability to lessen the effect of gravitational forces in a localized area at the cost of soul energy.
Energy Cost: Variable
Cost determined based upon area of effect, strength of effect, mass affected, and souls affected.
Evolve to gain additional benefits.
Skill acquired! Strengthen Gravity (Uncommon, Magical)
You have the ability to heighten the effect of gravitational forces in a localized area at the cost of soul energy.
Energy Cost: Variable
Cost determined based upon area of effect, strength of effect, mass affected, and souls affected.
Evolve to gain additional benefits.
Skill acquired! Gravity Shift (Unique, Magical)
You have the ability to designate a direction for the gravitational attraction in a localized area at the cost of soul energy.
Energy Cost: Severe
Evolve to gain additional benefits.
Class detected. Pending boosts applied.
Toughness raised from 3 to 6.
Will raised from 10 to 11.
Class detected. Soul energy available! You have enough soul energy to evolve a Skill. Choose from among the following options:
Soul Expression, Gravity Aspected (Uncommon, Evolutions: 1)
Weaken Gravity (Uncommon, Evolutions: 0)
Strengthen Gravity (Uncommon, Evolutions: 0)
Gravity Shift (Unique, Evolutions: 0)
Energy burns in my veins, crackling but contained, like tamed lightning. It wants a purpose, either to be released, or used. This is the energy taken from the lion and the bug, and yes, even a drop from Peanut’s sad little death. I can feel the lion’s aggression, the aspect of its soul the energy retains. Feeling the fire surging through my core, I'm aware of my body, and I guess my soul’s relationship to it, in ways I never imagined. I somehow know that, with a thought, the potential in that loose energy will happily burn deeper channels into my spirit.
“How are you feeling, Competitor?”
I don't know. Good? Is what I got strong?
“That will depend on you. When it comes to Magical Classes, and Unique Magical Classes at that, it is often the creativity and adaptability of the user that determines how strong she can become. But these Skills have potential.”
Am I going to be thrown straight into another fight?
“There are no guarantees in the Tournament, but I imagine not. The weakest have been culled, and the Twelve get no enjoyment from deaths unearned.”
Good, I guess. Pretty fucked up, which I get is kind of beating a zombie horse at this point, but I’m grasping for a reason not to hate these sadistic assholes, gods or no.
I need to experiment with all this. Concentrating, I try to pour a little energy into Weaken Gravity, but it feels like there's a wall between me and it.
“You can't use Skills in this space. Be patient. I would be surprised if you aren't offered the time and place to practice before you have to risk death again. I would advise you to hold off on committing your Skill evolution until we know what you're capable of.”
I glance down at the shredded dress clinging precariously to my shoulders and the skin showing through the jagged rents in the fabric. Stomach, hip, and, whoop, way too much thigh. There's no one looking, but I feel the self conscious desire to cover up. Do I really have to continue fighting for my life dressed in tattered graduation clothes?
“Don't worry yourself. There's no chance anyone will be looking at your body sexually.”
Uh, wow, Kora. I thought you were my friend. Even the system said I have average Charisma.
“That's… Oh, by the Twelve. That isn't what I meant, Competitor. I'm sure that plenty of sentients would find you worthy of potential, um, mating, so—”
Kora. I was fucking with you. You're kind of adorable when you're flustered. Even if I can’t see you.
“I do not understand you, Competitor. This is serious.”
Don't I know it. Anyway, clothes?
“There will be opportunities to clothe yourself, and in more than just another mundane dress. I won't be surprised if the next stage involves seeking magical artifacts to equip yourself for battle.”
The inevitable timer appears in my vision, counting down from ten minutes. I take the first five minutes to imagine what I might be able to do if it does turn out to be another fight. I have several magical abilities that will allegedly allow for gravity fuckery. If I can figure out how to leverage them, I won't be quite so helpless this time. I’ve got a few uses in mind, even if I can’t imagine I have the power to lift something like Cuddles yet. Though who knows?
Name: Sam Foreman
Race: Human (Common)
Class: Singularity (Unique)
Level: 7 (Pending)
Class Evolutions: N/A
Soul Energy: 121/121
Statistics
Strength: 2
Agility: 4
Toughness: 6
Intelligence: 8
Will: 11
Charisma: 5
Skills:
Identification (Legendary, Evolutions: 4)
Perception (Legendary, Evolutions: 4)
Soul Expression, Gravity Aspected (Uncommon, Evolutions: 1)
Weaken Gravity (Uncommon)
Strengthen Gravity (Uncommon)
Gravity Shift (Unique)
Boons:
Ravenous Soul (Legendary, Evolutions: 0)
Psychic Telos (Legendary)
The last five minutes I spend thinking of home. They’re probably still searching for me, me and the million others who were snatched away from the lives they knew. My dad doesn't show much emotion, but I know how much he loves Nolan and me. I know him. John Foreman won't stop looking until all hope is gone. I wish I could tell him that it pretty much already is.
“Morbidity and melancholy are not the path to victory, Competitor.”
Oh, don't worry. I'm just sad I'll probably never get the chance to say goodbye, or tell him how much he matters, or how much I appreciate everything he did after... yeah.
But don’t get it twisted, Kora. I'm not going to lie down and die. That would dishonor my family, Katie, and everyone else who'll cease to exist if I lose. Dickhead failed to take advantage of my moment of weakness. Even if I wasn't fighting for the existence of my species, I'd keep fighting just to spite him, and all the other faceless gods watching this shit.
As the timer drops towards zero, it isn't only fear that makes my hands shake.
