Alphon: “Cruel man, I would have-”Nao: “Don’t care. Besides, it’s better this way.”Alphon: “If you say so.”Arc: “Have you decided what to do with that artifact?”I take out that freezing orb from my pocket while making sure my hands are covered by a magic shield. Arc: “You’re gotten to the point where that daily exercise won’t reward points anymore. The method of helping your friends will be harder to achieve with your points.”Nao: “…No, I won’t let them become like Anthony. I’ll continue to learn magic and save points to give to my friends.”Alphon: “Heh, I agree. Who knows what could happen if you gave this to one of them. Put it with the others, it will be good target practice.” I get off the bed and go to my closet. Within is a black box with the 3 artifacts I’ve found so far. On the box is a rune symbol for defense. I really need to learn a better way to hide these. I kneel down and begin reciting the words Alphon taught me but…Nao: “Um, what’s the code again?”Alphon: “F
……The only thing that moves is the wind. The only thing that is heard is the distant cars. No one dares to make move, not yet. I get ready with paralysis and ready for the bell to ring. Trevor: “Okay, I’m bored. You!”And there it is. I knew he couldn’t stand it for long. Trevor throws himself into the crowd and starts unleashing heavy blows on everyone.That momentary distraction causes the few eyeing me to turn around. I run up and touch as many as I can before they notice. Instantly, 5 guys are struck with orange lightning that sends them to the ground shaking. Nao: “Come on, next?”The others not fighting Trevor turn to me. But unlike the others, they take out guns. *FIRING*I quickly put a magic shield. The bullets slide harmlessly down it. That was a close one. Trevors: “Tch, cheap. Hang in there man, I’ll deal with these guys soon.”I look through my shield and see a dozen men already on the ground.Astral: “Take your time, I’m not completely useless against guns.”I sa
……A new ceiling…I shouldn’t make this a usual occurrence. I look to my side to see Alyson resting at my side. Damn it, I wish she didn’t have to see me like this.Arc: “Don’t move.”…Why?Arc: “Your mana core was strained too much. You…almost died.”…What?Arc: “Your crystal mana center isn’t fully formed. At this stage, too much stress could cause it to rupture and tear you from the inside out.”…Arc: “I’m…sorry. I shouldn’t have recommended it to you. Alphon was right, the speed is not worth it.”It’s…okay. Just leave me alone for a moment Arc.…*Sigh*I try to focus on recovering instead of any negative thoughts.Alsyon: “Nao!?”I move eyes toward the sound. Alyson is sitting up next to the bed with tears in her eyes.Nao: “Hey.”Alyson: “I’m…so glad…I didn’t…”Nao: “I’m sorry Alyson, I’d never want you to experience…loss again.”Alyson: “H-How are you?”Nao: “…I’ll be fine. I just need to stay still and heal.”Alyson: “Good, get some rest. I will be with Deanna downstairs and
???: “Okay, you can guys can stop staring.”“Wow, 2 girls for the price of one.”“Girl doesn’t do that justice, that’s a peak woman.”Alyson: “Are you…an elf.”???: “Oh, so this world knows of my kind? Lucky!”???: “I got the gist of what’s happening and-”“Woman! Help us stop this girl from killing herself and we’ll let you experience some love before we’re forced to kill you.”???: “…As I was saying you guys stink of those bastards.”“Wha-”*SPALT*!!Just…like that? The 5 men chasing me were turned into red stains painting...everywhere.???: “I hate that smell.”???: “Oh, sorry. Let me clean that for you.”In a flash of light, the…stuff that fell on me was gone.???: “Hi, my name is Prisha. What’s your name?”Alyson: “Aly…son…”Prisha: “You’re taking this pretty well.”She looks me up and down with those majestic eyes. I’m too paralyzed with fear and confusion to even register the lust within them.Prisha: “You’re hot.”Alyson: “W-What?”Prisha: “Don’t mind the trash and guts, let’
Scan.Nao:Strength: 36Endurance: 34.5Intelligence: 26Charisma: 22Agility: 32.5Magic: 32VSTrevor:Strength: 33*Endurance: 36*Intelligence: 12Charisma: 17Agility: 38*What’s with the asterisk?Trevor: “This is not the best place or audience but I guess it will do.”Nao: “Are you sure you’re okay? I wouldn’t want to beat you when you’re not 100%.”Trevor: “Don’t worry, you’re getting me at my best.”Prisha: “Ohhh, this is getting exciting.”Deanna: “Please Trevor, don’t go too far.”Alyson: “…”Trevor: “Enough talk, start!”Trevor rushes me with a flurry of attacks right from the start. Time to test-*Shatter*Oh…the ring broke. Dozens of punches sink into my face and body before I could even put up a defense. But…it doesn’t hurt as much as before. Nao: “Heh.”Trevor: “?”I push past the assault and punch Trevor in the face but…it doesn’t do much either. Is our two stats really canceling each out?Trevor: “You’ve gotten better but this isn’t enough to get me excited. Where’
Artemis: “Oh please, don’t look at me like that.”Nao: “No. You’re lucky I don’t-”Artemis: “You can’t do anything to me here. It will be just as useless as those shots you took at the ring outside.”Nao: “It will make me feel better though.”Artemis: “But that’s not why you’re here.”Nao: “No, I…need…your help.”Artemis: “You want to make a contract with me? Interesting, what has happened out there to force you to do this?”Nao: “I don’t have enough energy to save my friends so I…need a boost.”Artemis: “Oh yes, my husband’s former friends. How’s Anthony anyway?” Nao: “…In jail.”Artemis: “…I see. He was one of the better ones. He even reminded me a bit of…him.”She gets off the recliner and approaches me. Long violet hair flows in the wind and those seductive purple eyes drill into me. I wish I had enough mana to hold a shapeshift, seeing her tower over me is…disturbing.Artemis: “How cute. After everything I’ve done to you…”Artemis: “I almost want to help you for free but that’s
Mat: “Tallow? Holy crap!”Velo: “Your arms! Are they better now?”Tallow: “More than better, I can finally help.”Vale: “No you don’t!”Vale stops attacking me and bum rushes Tallow but I know they can’t do anything.Nao: “0%”I catch my breath as the spikes remove themselves from my neck. This battle is over.Tallow: “Freeze.”Instantly, all of the Vales turn into living Popsicles.Tallow: “I don’t know how long that will last. Let us get out of here.”Tallow frees everyone while I get Arc and Artemis back. I have to make sure they don’t see Artemis though.Artemis: “I guess that artifact wasn’t completely useless.”Yeah, I guess some artifacts need the right type of person to work.Artemis: “Those types tend to be fickle. Hurry and leave before it changes its mind to help us.”Tallow: “Are you okay Nao?”Tallow offers a hand and I happily take it with my free hand.Nao: “Yeah, thanks for saving us.”Tallow: “Welcome, but if it wasn’t for you, I won’t have gotten this far.”*Crack*O
???: “Wake up, we have some annoying company.”…Huh?Nao: “Prisha? Isn’t it still nighttime?”Prisha: “No, the sun is almost up. Enough about that, we have a problem. You all need to get up and go now.”My senses start to awaken from their slumber. I think…I understand what she means.“Exit the building now or we’ll be forced to come inside!!”Sirens and yelling can only mean one thing. I mentally slap myself. Were we so exhausted that we didn’t think the police would show up? Of course they would, crazy people hijacked a hospital. I’m surprised they took so long. Prisha: “Should we fight our out?”Nao: “No! We have enough to deal with, we don’t need law enforcement after us too. Wake up everyone else first.” After 10 minutes of getting everyone up, I go to the window to see several police cars around the hospital. Alyson: “God, I hope no one saw me. I can’t avoid losing my job. Not now.”Mat: “Your job is the least of your problems. What if they take us to jail?!”Deanna: “It’s w
[Perspective Shift: Nao]I wake up.But little has changed. I’m still numb from the news from yesterday. No, I’m not numb. I’m just suppressing the urge to do what must be done. I force myself up and-Alphon: “Not so fast kid, I still need to help Trevor. One more treatment should do.”Nao: “…Alright.”I give up my body and try to recollect my emotions again.[Perspective Shift: Alyson]Alyson: “Mmmmm, Nao?”Prisha: “Think again sweetheart.”…Oh yeah, we slept in the same bed. But I don’t remember being in…this position.Alyson: “Did you do this on purpose?”Prisha: “No, maybe you just needed someone to really hold. I for one have no issues.”Alyson: “Of course you don’t.”Before Prisha can get any ideas, I untangle our bodies and get ready for the day. The…very stressful day. Before freshening up and savoring the last moments of peace I’ll have, I take a look at Deanna. She does look a bit better. Hopefully, she’ll wake up soon. After enjoying my time getting ready for the day with
Notice:I know we just started but due to severe problems at home, I will no longer be able to write for the foreseeable future. I'm sorry, but I'm putting this on hiatus until further notice. If you don't hear back from me within a year, probably means I'm dead or worse. It's been a fun ride, hopefully I'll see you later.In order to reach the 100 word mark, I'll just repeat the notice.[ I know we just started but due to severe problems at home, I will no longer be able to write for the foreseeable future. I'm sorry, but I'm putting this on hiatus until further notice. If you don't hear back from me within a year, probably means I'm dead or worse. It's been a fun ride, hopefully I'll see you later. ]
[Perspective Shift: Nao] Nao: “Don’t worry guys, you’re doing well.”Mat: “Says…*Pant*…you.”Velo: “Gathering mana…is…hard.”Nao: “Baby steps.”You’re sure this is the correct way to teach them?Arc: “Yes, they’re not you. They’ll need to start with meditation and feeling mana before anything else.”I didn’t think that would tire them out this much.Arc: “I hope this puts in perspective how lucky you are to have me.”Right, lucky. Nao: “I think we should stop here, it’s getting late.”Mat: “Thank you.”Velo: “Are you sure?”Nao: “Yeah, we all need to rest after all.”Velo: “…Alright, I’ll do better next time.”Mat: “Yeah m-me too.”Nao: “Great, I’m looking forward to it.”*Ding*Points: 30 Continue Teaching (+5) [Daily]Nice, that’s a nice bang of daily points. I go lay down on my bed and watch my students leave the room. Heh, students. Who would’ve seen that coming? Mat is the first to leave and Velo gave one last look before motioning for the door. Velo: “Nao?”Nao: “Yeah?”Vel
We stare each other down. Despite having the field advantage, I’m sure Vale will find a way to surprise me. I take a mental check over the magic items I have.Magic Missile Gun [9 Shots]Invisibility Cap (Tallow) [1 Charge, for 1 minute]Magic Shield Gloves (Tallow) [1 Charge]Not terrible, I can do this. Vale: “Let’s test this out.”Vale creates 2 dozen across the entire room and commands them to attack me. But due to the environment, they’re not fast enough. I raise my hand and flash-freeze them while imprisoning the main one.Vale: “Yeah, I thought so. Plan B it is.”Eira: “Watch out!”!I see a bright light burst to life behind the ice prison. Instantly, I know what he’s doing. But the target…I move in front of the wall where Victor is slumped against outside. I create several ice walls in front and activate my magic item. Tallow: “Magic Shield!” A bright blue translucent shield appears right in time for the world to turn white.Vale: “Mini-Magic Cannon.”I can’t see anything,
Victor: “We’re in, nothing weird so far.”I take a step through the door and scan the area. The inside of the building is old, dirty, and damaged. Plates, glass, and dust litter the cracked floor. Moonlight weakly slips through the windows to my sides. Chairs and tables are flipped over and scattered across the area.Victor: “Watch your step.”Tallow: *Nod*We creep along the scarce few smooth sections of the floor. My eyes dart to every dark shadow of the room. My frozen arms tremble, ready to freeze whatever may jump out to get us.Victor takes out his magic missile gun while leading me deeper into the building. Through the hallways and corridors, much of it was the same. Empty rooms, destroyed materials, and an awful smell. Probably to deter the few people snooping around.I know this is a temporary safe house but I can’t believe this place has the materials necessary to keep Trevor alive. That was until Victor brought us to a seemingly normal door. He looked back at me and nodded
*Knock* *Knock*Nao: “…Huh?”I look at the clock, I notice that it’s 7:30 PM. Not an awful time to wake up. I hope this is worth it.I look at Alyson’s cute sleeping face.Nao: “I’m glad you still have that same look while sleeping.”I kiss her cheek before getting out of bed and opening the door. At the doorway is Mat who tries to say something before seeing Alyson’s sleeping figure.Mat: “Bro, did you-”Nao: “No.”Not yet.Nao: “What’s up?”Mat: “I wanted to tell Alyson that Victor is back with the info we need. I was going to tell you afterward but since you’re both here…”Nao: “Okay, I’ll tell her. Is…Tallow still insisting on being the only one going with Victor?”Mat: “Yep, it’s times like this where I feel the most useless.”Nao: “I’m…sorry. I wish I had more artifacts for you.”Mat: “It’s fine, I’ll just continue spreading the message online. It’s all me and Velo can do after all.”Before I could say anymore Mat closed the door. *Sigh*I look back at Alyson’s sleeping figure
“Oh my god…did that really happen?”Alyson: “Yes, I hope you understand the threat that Hiroshi presents. If he’s willing to do that to his men, imagine what he would do to us or…you.”“I think I get it Ms.Redfern, I’ll make sure this gets to the right people.”Alyson: “Please, call me Alyson. Since we’re on a first-name basis, can I have yours?”“Of course, the name is Ruby.”Alyson: “And what about you cameraman?”Ruby: “Sorry, Kevin is mute.”Kevin: *Nod*Alyson: “I understand. Prisha will stay near you just in case anything happens.” Prisha: “Aww, I just woke up and already I’m put to work. Oh well, I’ll do my best. I’ll also throw that invader bootlicker in jail while I’m at it.”Ruby: “Thanks, for everything. I’ll be sure to put in the good word for you and…you’re brother.”Alyson: “I’d appreciate that.” With that, Prisha led the reporters and the surviving spy out of the house. I watch them leave while keeping my distance from the group. Alyson, Mat, and Victor are still in t
[Perspective Shift: Nao]*Door Open*Finally, I’m back home. At least, back at base. I don’t think this will ever feel like home. *Hug*?!Suddenly, I feel something soft and warm envelop me. I start to focus and notice Alyson hugging. It’s a bit uncomfortable due to the size difference though.I grow to acceptable sizes and hug her back. We stayed like that for a few moments before breaking apart. Alyson: “You didn’t have to grow on me like that. It doesn’t bother me.”Nao: “Maybe, but I prefer being tall.”Alyson: “…Alright. I want you to know that I’m proud of you for what you did. It could have been much worse if your killed Sever.”Nao: “…Thanks, I mean it. But I…”Still feel that desire deep down. Nao: “If you don’t mind, I would like to go to sleep.”Alyson: “I understand but…you should know what happened while you were away.”Nao: “W-What happened?”Alyson: “Follow me upstairs and I’ll explain.”I do as she says while listening to the story. I try to swallow any destructive
[Perspective Shift: Nao]Sever: “My employer knew you would be too impulsive to stay still after your home is invaded. Clearly, you want to end this quickly but we have other plans.”Nao: “Tch, you’ll regret healing me. I’m much stronger and wiser than before. Now that I can move, I’ll be sure to kill you this time.”Sever: “You’re not the only one that’s grown. Even If you somehow kill me, I’ll make sure to delay you long enough to shut down that shield of yours.”Nao: “What?!”Sever: “Yeah, afterward we’ll make a bigger bloodbath than what happened with Astral.”Nao: “…Fine.”I bite my lip and stuff the pain coursing through my body. It’s not as bad as I expected but it will never be pleasant to shapeshift.This is where all my practice pays, I transform into a form that will inspire fear and horror. Nothing too crazy but enough to force a reaction. My body breaks apart and reforms into a form resembling a werewolf. But the form is more…grotesque than normal. I grow pure black fur