2 weeks, 0 days to invasion…
I’m tired. I'm so tired. The world around me is nothing. It’s unimportant. I’m able to rest. To be at peace. And that is ok. I’m happy like this. Nothing matters. Nothing but this simple joy of sleep.
Yet eventually I do wake up. I find myself not in my room, but in an opulent 4-poster bed with plush sheets. I groan and flop over, my wings, horns and tail melting away as I take on my fully human form for increased flopping efficiency. I manage to roll myself off the bed and hit the ground with a soft thump. I put my hands under myself and push myself up onto my ass, glancing from side to side. I think this is Miria’s place? They must have taken me over here at some point… did I pass out? Damn, that’s just… ugh.
I get to my feet and activate my eye mutation. It allows me to see the flow of mana through the walls of the chamber, though it is far more difficult considering the absurd amount of mana moving through said walls. I see the chambers below, and 2 mana signatures moving through them. Probably Miria is one of them. Is the other one Autumn in her human shape? All species gain basic polymorphic abilities at tier 3, so I wouldn’t be surprised if she had a human form. I wonder if I’ve seen it before and just don’t remember… ugh, my head is so foggy in the mornings. Why can’t levels just take that away?
With a mental kick, I make myself move. I fall into my own shadow, finding myself within the shadow gate space I do when using my powers now. This is way too useful to be classified as rare+, jeez. I pick a shadow and pop through it, appearing beside Miria in what I now know is a kitchen. Autumn, or at least I think the woman is autumn, jumps 20 feet back with a yelp of surprise. Miria doesn’t. She bursts out laughing as Autumns response, however. As do I.
“Hey, don’t do that!” Autumn shouts, scrunching up her face. Definitely Autumn, yeah.
“Sorry about that.” I say, still chuckling. I then turn to Miria. “You didn’t jump in surprise. Mutation or skill?”
“Mutation.” She says with a smile. “A nerve mutation I got for becoming lord Aftermath’s champion. When in danger, my body reacts automatically. If not in danger, it doesn’t react. You startled me, yes, but I knew you weren’t some wraith come to end us.”
“Not that I could even if I tried.” I point out, chuckling and sitting at the table, which Autumn joins me at. “You have essence, right?”
“I do, yes.” She nods with a smile. “All stats maxed out.”
“That must have been unfathomably expensive.” I say with an impressed nod.
“Oh, it was.” she agrees as she makes her way over to the stove, where a teapot is screeching at us. “But I already had a few stats quite up there, as I’m on the upper end of tier 3. Got 40 levels on Autumn.”
“Oh, will you shut up about that?” Autumn mutters, crossing her arms and blowing a strand of hair from her face.
“No.” Miria says with a sweet smile. She pours 3 cups of hot water on the teabags in the cups, then picks them up and hands them out to each of us. I take a sip and let out a pleasurable groan.
“That feels amazing first thing after waking up.” I say with a sigh.
“You do know it’s almost midday, right?” autumn asks, an eyebrow raised as she takes a sip. Miria comes to sit beside her as well.
“Yeah. 12:24 to be exact.” I say with a nod, taking another sip.
“How do you know that?” Autumn asks, eyebrows rising.
“I have a mental clock.” I say with a shrug.
“Sounds handy.” Autumn nods, taking a final sip before setting the cup down. “So, are you still doing the dinner tonight? I’d get it if you wanted to rest.”
“No.” I shake my head. “I want this.” I sigh. “Did you talk with any of them?”
“I talked with your brother.” Autumn offers up. “It’s fucked up what you went through.”
“Trust me, I know.” I say, then sigh again. I need to stop sighing.
“I ended up talking with Evelyn and her mother.” Miria says, leaning against the table and staring down into her teacup. “She told me a lot more details than Snowstorm told Autumn.”
“She badgered me for details for hours.” I agree, nodding. I sit up. “I should get stronger. Maybe purchase a new skill. But it can’t be something to integrate as a constant part of my fighting style. I have too many skills already. I wasn’t able to use them all effectively. A well timed heal during the fight might have let me push through.”
“That’s quite true.” Miria nods. “I’ve never had to deal with that problem. Too many skills is a nice problem to have, when normally the only was we can get skills is through classes, titles, and our species. Sometimes feats can unlock a skill, like being burned too many times or something.”
“Yeah, I have fire resistance from that. It helped during the fight, but it’s not high enough ranked for that.”
“Thats it then!” Autumn interjects, raising a finger to point at me. “I spoke with Snowstorm on how your essence stuff works. You can upgrade skills instead of purchasing new ones, right?”
“Uh… yeah, I can.” I say, nodding. Then pause. “Wait. I can see where you’re going with this. If I have too many skills and want to get stronger, just make the skills I normally use stronger, right?”
“Exactly!” Autumn nods enthusiastically.
“Alright, lets see what needs an upgrade.” I wave a hand, and my stat sheet appears for all of us to see.
Name:Abhor
Level:57/150
Age:16
Titles:Timebreaker, Barterer, adaptable, Tier 2 evolution, Humanify, TIME, Legendary progenitor , twice dead
Strength:150
Durability:150
Speed:150
Stamina:172.5
Intelligence:150
Essence: 58,000
Class:Eternal darkness
Soul weapon:Eternal darkness
Timewarp demi-dragon[2/5]
Skills: Greater Enhanced stamina(High)Rare, Bartering(low)Common, Heat resistance(Low)Uncommon, Breath of time(Low)Rare, Voice of the word(High)Rare, [LOCKED](?)Unknown, Illusion mana manipulation(Medium)Rare, Shadow step gate(High)rare+, Demishift(low)Rare, Eternal pierce(low)Rare, Many last times[species max] mythic, Eye of the
forbidden(High)Epic+, Greater shadow manipulation(High)Epic
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Techniques:Mana manipulation(B), Time manipulation(E), Dark Mana defense(C), Potential(???), Calm(C), Overload(C), Confusion(C), Illusion mana manipulation(C), Shadow Step Gate(B), dark magic claw strike(E), Legendary proficiency(B), Invisibility(C), Illusion mirror(E), false strike(D), Lesser illusionary sight glasses(D), Dark mana manipulation(B), Dark trident(C), Mana sense(D)
Mutations: Abyssal eyes(A), Time transmuted skeletal structure(A)
Spells: Rot of time(Lesser), rewind heal(Lesser), Darkzone(lesser)}
Staring at the options, a single choice pops out to me.
“Heat resistance.” I say with a nod. “It’s the only skill below rare besides bartering.”
“Really?” Autumn asks. “Why not a higher ranked one? Wouldn’t making a rare rank skill into an epic be better?”
“No, I can’t do that.” I say with a sigh. “I can only purchase up to rare rank skills at this tier. I think I should advance heat resistance, then purchase cold resistance and hopefully they’ll fuse.”
“That makes sense.” Miria nods, scrolling through my stat sheet. She pauses at the bolded skill. “Is that skill… Mythic rank?”
“Yeah.” I nod and sigh. “That’s my death loop skill.”
“Oh…” She winces. “Yeah, I won’t ask about it.”
“Thanks.” I nod.
“Well, as for your idea, I approve. But would you have any skill purchases left for in an emergency?” Miria asks, prying her eyes away from the juicy mythic skill.
“Yes. One.” I say, nodding.
“Then I think it’s fine. Go ahead.” Miria nods. I flip open the options until I find what I want.
{Skill heat resistance(Low)uncommon upgraded to Heat protection(Medium)Rare}
{Skill purchased: Cold protection(Low)Rare}
{Skill fusion: Heat protection(Medium)Rare + Cold protection(Low)Rare}
{Skill gained: Thermal barrier(Medium)Epic}
“I think…” I say. “I made the right choice.”
{Skill:Thermal barrier(Medium)Epic: The ultimate insulation. This skill creates an invisible barrier wrapping around your body, providing complete protection against both fire, ice, and temperate mana, as well as natural temperature differentials. It can be empowered through usage of mana, and if broken, the barrier can be restored with mana.}
With a flick of a claw, the skill description appears to them both. Autumn nods in approval.
“This is good.” She says. “A climate protection skill is amazing for quality of life. Also the fighty parts too. You could probably swim in lava with this.”
I've seen this skill before.” Miria says, running a finger along the screen. “My teacher had it. He always bragged about the powerful Epic rank skill and all the effort he went through to get it.” She chuckles softly with a satisfied grin. “Meanwhile all you had to do was lie down in a hot tub with a nice lady.” She leans back in her chair before picking up her teacup, taking another sip. She looks down at her teacup, then turns back to me. “To veer a bit off topic again, while it's still fresh in your mind, could I ask a question?”
“Uh, yeah, sure.” I say, feeling suddenly slightly nervous. Miria and Autumn exchange a glance, then turn to me.
“What more could you tell us about the person who killed you?”
<{0}>
“This isn't dinner, this is dessert.” Evelyn says as she sits beside me. Aftermath had graciously provided me with a room to set up for the dinner, on the condition that he could attend too. It's not like I'd disclude the guy so of course I said yes. I'd intended to invite him anyway. Anyway, everyone's made it here. Bertram, Snowstorm and Ysolda sit at the far end of the table talking about something way above my head. I heard the word “technically” too many times so I started tuning out until Rosaline and Evelyn arrived, so I snuck off to them instead. Miria and Autumn sit at their own end of the table talking quietly to each other. Aftermath sits few seats away from me, in his demiform obviously, staring down at the apple tart on the plate in front of him like it is some baffling contraption way above his head.
“Well, I'm good at making desserts.” I say, chuckling as I lean against the table. “Though, these are just the appetizers.”
“All this? These are the appetisers?” Rosaline mutters incredulously.
“You're tier 2, you can eat way more than a normal person, don't worry. Ah, there's the food.” I grin as a woman wheels in a truckload of food, which I had worked with the church's chefs to make. Mashed potatoes, ham, salad, pork, beans, the whole ordeal, it's all made and made well. I'm proud of it. I press a button under the table, and everything under the table vanished into a compressed space within the table, clearing room for the lady to put the new food on. Bertram whistles, leaning forward.
“I am so glad I came to this.” He says with a grin, only to get knocked over the head by Ysolda.
“Manners.” She mutters, gesturing to Aftermath. He pales and nods.
“Oh, none of that.” Aftermath waves a hand dismissively. “Pretend I'm not here. In fact…” His voice loses its divinity as he continues, “That's better. Thank you for this Abhor. Let's all eat and enjoy ourselves, alright?”
“Yes, I can agree with that.” Snowstorm says, grabbing a plate and leaning forward to scoop up some mashed potatoes. I chuckle and do the same with the beans.
“What are these?” Evelyn asks, pointing to the beans on my plate.
“Beans.” I say. “Have you never eaten beans before?”
“No, I've eaten beans before. I've just never seen them made like this.”
“They're refried beans. Rosaline, what have you been feeding your kid?”
“Don't blame me for not being exotic.” Rosaline says, raising her hands in mock defeat.
“They're beans! They're not exotic!” I insist, waving m hands at the beans. I grab the bowl and dump some one each of their plates. “Eat!” I say firmly.
“Uh… I don't know about-” Evelyn starts.
“Eat!” I say again. She sighs, accepting defeat, then takes a bite. The pauses, then nods begrudgingly.
“Ugh… it's… really good.” She sighs in defeat.
“Yeah, they're good.” Rosaline agrees, taking a bite of her own. All around the table, compliments roll in like a dam broken. I just smile and take it in. Pride is best served with mashed potatoes.
<{0}>
A few hours later, after all the food is gone and everyone has begun to say their goodbyes and leave, Aftermath approaches me.
“Is something up?” I ask, standing from my seat when he approaches. Aftermath nods his head.
“Well, yes. But no. Yes but no.” He sighs and shakes his head. “May we speak in private?”
“Sure.” I nod. “Let's chat after everyone else is gone. Unless it's urgent, that is?”
“No, not necessarily.”
“Alright. We'll talk then.”
<{0}>
“So, what did you want to talk about?” I ask, standing beside one of the larger cushions in my dragon form. Aftermath, now also in his draconic form, sits comfortably in front of me, tail flicking from side to side as he thinks.
“What was the purpose of the event you held?” he asks, not restraining the divinity in his voice. He knows it doesn't affect me, so he doesn't need to hold it back, as it's tiring for him to do so without a skill aiding him.
“I wanted to have some fun, throw a party, you know.” I say, shrugging. “That's all.”
“That's not all, and we both know it.” He says sternly, lowering his head down to look into my eyes. “You're scared.”
“You really do see through me, huh.” I sigh, running a talon across my face before falling off my snout. “Yeah, I'm scared.” I flop onto a cushion, wings splaying out to either side. “I… what if I die, and don't come back? I'm not immortal. I'm not powerful, or at least not comparatively so to higher tiers of individuals. I'm on the low end. the high end of the low end, but still the low end. What if I leave those that I care about behind? What if I don't get to see my friends again?”
I flex my claws, which dig into the fabric, puncturing the likely ungodly expensive pillows. I don't even feel like making a pun about them being “Godly” expensive.
“You're years too young to fear leaving those you love behind.” Aftermath says, his voice soft and sad. “Half of me wishes you didn't have that accursed loop power. The other half is grateful you're even still with us at all.” He rests one large talon on my shoulder as best he can. “You are not fighting alone, timeling. You have me. You have your brother. You have your friends. And I'll damn myself if we let you die again.”
For a moment I look silently up at him before sighing. “Gods, I thought I was over this already.”
“Nobody ever just gets over dying, Abhor. Aftermath says. “That's why most call death loopers “Mad prophets”.”
I sit up. Then I look down at myself. “I think I need to go somewhere, Aftermath.”
“Yes. That's why you held the dinner party. You weren't sure you’d make it back, right?”
“No, I'm not sure.” I sigh. “Maybe it would be smarter to wait for my skill to recharge. But I need to talk to them. Even if it's dangerous to go. Can you send me?”
“I will send you.” He nods. “But take this. I should have given it to you the last time you went, but I was worried it would be noticed due to it carrying traces of my divinity. But they seem to have some tool that suppresses divinity. So they shouldn't detect it.” Aftermath reaches into nothing and pulls out a green pendant looped into a necklace. The pendant is a green triangle, shimmering softly. I take the pendant. It grows to fit my current size, so I loop it around my neck securely.
“Thank you.” I say. “What does it do?”
“Smash it and it'll bring you right to me.” He explains. “But be careful. Anyone you are in physical contact with may come with you. It’s not guaranteed, but its possible.”
“I'll remember that.” I nod, standing. “Send me now?”
“Are you sure? You don't want to tell anyone you are going?”
“As far as they're concerned, I'll be gone a day at most. I don't want them to be worried, so just do it.”
“As you wish. Be careful.”
Space folded around me, and then I was gone.
