Pressing my hands against my temples, I sat sitting in the corner of the overpopulated viewing area, watching my fight with Korbin over and over again. Each time my performance had started so fucking strong, combining Water Step into Lightning Strike fluidly, then using Flow Inverse on myself to change where my attacks energy came from. It was beautiful. I'd even received a change to Flow Inverses skill descriptions wording, now with more range of utility as I read the notification I previously ignored during our match.
SKILL UPGRADED
Flow Inverse (uncommon) —>
Flow Inverse (uncommon) - when activated, the user will respond to an attack with another, even their own, as water has no limit to where it can fill if it's where it must go. User strikes a Flow point, reversing the Flow and momentum completely. Effectiveness varies based on % advantage in agility to foes. +2 agility, +4 perception when active.
The notifications header said it was an upgrade, yet the rarity didn't change. Uncommon probably wasn't something to reasonably complain about at my level one stature, but it's interesting to know skills could upgrade in increments. Not like it made a difference anyhow, considering how easily Korbin popped right back up after every one of my attacks.
I don't understand, how did he tank that kick so easily?
Every time the sequence played over in my mind, his bright glowing hands leaving light trails through the air kept stealing away my attention as I smashed my heel into his ribcage. Main reason being, it didn't quite look like fire. The light felt more ethereal, it didn't share the same dancing characteristics as fire. Yet, the blistering heat was undeniable, remembering the smell of my burning arm and face hair as we clashed.
The sole boon from having your ass beaten by your teacher and broadcasted for the supposed 'multiverse' to see, was the ease of analyzing every mistake made projected across almost every wall along this endless silver-white building. Many others sat watching their own fights and others playing on long metallic panels tucked in square rooms throughout the facility as well, indicating studying was one of the intentions of this place. Thus far, this footage has been the only means of distracting myself from the soul shattering sense of failure that haunted my innermost thoughts. My mind was far too restless for Meditation, and I needed to know why I lost.
Our fight was relatively quick, admittedly. We may have gone blow for blow longer if Korbin's fiery orange hands hadn't spread across his entire body. From there it was like every fucking movement he made was a hundred times sharper and stronger.
"I don't think they're playing an alternate ending here, son." The damage reflecting old man said, standing beside me. He kept relatively close ever since I arrived here after the fight 10 minutes ago. Though, he must've read my face and knew I didn't feel like being bothered right now.
"Hold no shame in your heart, you fought bravely." He continued, resting a hand on my shoulder.
"Thanks, but, I need to be more than brave, sir." I replied, shaking my head watching my neck get snapped.
"And I'm sure you will be. But life is long, Thomas. This moment doesn't define you." He replied with a chuckle. I sighed, burying a snapping response out of respect for my friendly elder.
"I…I think I just need a minute, if that's alright?" I asked, relaxing my jaw to speak. The old man smiled.
"Yeah, of course kid. Just know you did good, plenty of us have been watching. Don't let hatred taint a good soul, son." He answered, releasing his grip on my shoulders. With that he strolled away, leaving me confused about all the hatred talk until recalling the chained dagger psycho I put down right after him.
Shit…everyone saw that, didn't they?
Shaking off the shameful memories of having lost my cool, it occurred to me another fight was yet to begin. I turned around to check the other walls, recalling Korbin and I fighting right after the blonde. Shit…that's right, I forgot she was there.
Of course I got totally embarrassed right in front of her too.
Frustration fully eclipsed to rage as my teeth dug deep into my inner cheek. The 20% chance I had to fight Korbin first coming to fruition is absolutely fucking ridiculous. I knew in my bones that I could handle each and every other one of the others, their fear worn so openly at the very sight of the blondes talent screamed as much.
To the others, that fear meant failure was an option. Tapping out is on the table when you want to live more than you want to win. They've just never been given the ultimatum before, while carrying themselves as if otherwise. I had made that choice, on multiple occasions in this tournament alone. Yet of course, the guy who taught me how to turn discipline into will was my first major fucking fight. And I HAD him.
"Damn, that was a brutal ass axe kick, huh?" A grizzled voice chuckled, stealing my attention from the screen. Beside me stood a pale lithe man, grinning up at me with his bright blue eyes peaking under his dark pulled over cowl.
"Can I help you, uh…guy?" I asked through clenched teeth, trying my best not to let my anger leak out onto strangers. The man chuckled breathily, strolling over to the nearby wall and leaning his back against the fight projected on it.
"That's not the question. It's what I can do for you, friend. I know exactly how unfair it feels to face off against that guy." He said with a warm grin. Curious, I felt my brow shoot up turning to face the dark cloaked stranger.
"You know him?" I asked, dubiously. The man kicked off the wall, strolling over to shake my hand.
"I know the type like the back of my hand, Ace. And yes, I fought this one in particular too." He said, narrowing his eyes into a short grimace before fluttering his eyes open.
"Names Jimmy, Jimmy Eisenhower." He continued as I hesitantly accepted his handshake.
"Well Jimmy, feel free if you got any ideas. I've been picking this fight apart over and over again and all I'm finding is failure." I replied, damn near spiking my Wakizashi.
"That's about what the rest of us saw from here too, my friend." He casually replied. I nearly socked him in the mouth then and there, and he must've seen that one face as he retreated with his hands up.
"Easy pal, that doesn't mean you can't get yourself prepared for the next time you two square off." Jimmy added in a far less joking manner. Curiosity quickly overtook my anger, wondering if this guy was a friend of Korbin's before the tournament or something.
"I'm listening." I said, crossing my arms. Jimmy brandished a pair of crossbows from seemingly the air, gesturing them at me.
"These are my go-to. Pack a mean punch, meant to keep the martially inclined at a comfortable distance while I move. Normally that would include yourself, and that Korbin fellow, right?" Jimmy asked. I nodded, following the logic of using distance to beat melee specialists.
"Wrong. You see, that boy's not some warrior or a rogue like us. That fiery skin of his is the handiwork of a mage, and a gifted damn one at that." Jimmy added, smacking his fist into his hand the moment his crossbows disappeared. I noticed four small sharp blades protruding from the thick black gloves covering his hands, making me question how he got away with another weapon set from No-Face.
"What does Korbin being a mage have to do with anything?" I asked, giving his words some thought.
"Everything! How well would you think a ranged rogue like myself does against some mage? How about one that knows how to fight up close?" Jimmy replied with a breathy chuckle.
"I'm not sure…in theory, they'd be just as good if not better from a decent range too, and I'm sure ammunition wouldn't be as big of an issue." I replied, recalling the sheer quantity of ice shards the weakest mage I've fought all tournament summoned so easily.
"Not bad. That, and their 'ammo' could also feed a defensive ability, such as surrounding your skin in magical flame." Jimmy said with a grin.
"But I still don't see what that has to do with knowing how to beat Korbin. Besides, he brought a sword, not some staff or wand." I said, growing increasingly annoyed at the intrusion.
"Most everybody here has been too slow to keep up with either of you, barring that beautiful blonde in there. But you…you're by far the quickest." Jimmy smilingly added. I felt my head twitch curiously, as he narrowed down my highest stat off eyeball alone.
"Apparently not quick enough to beat a 'mage' in hand to hand combat." I countered, unwilling to be put on some pedestal.
"Quick enough to close the distance in a blink, unlike any of his prior foes. But like I said, he's a mage. Meaning agility is our bag." Jimmy replied leaning in wearing a more devious grin. I paused, realizing his argument actually did make sense. I just need to continue leaning into my quickness, and Korbin won't be able to get a cast off. Rubbing my chin, I realized I never replied to Jimmy, shooting my head back up toward him.
"So your sugg-" my words trailed off, glancing around the viewing area for the hooded man. Somehow, he managed to slip away in the time it took for me to process his words.
Great. 'Be fast', I could've guessed that.
Struggling to compose my frustrations once more, my impending mental spiral was interrupted by a notification dinging in my head.
Strange, I doubt I just unlocked a new 'man child tantrum state' skill.
With intrigue fully at the wheel, I opened the message to find an invite for a meeting with a God named Perunious. Accompanying his name was a series of rather dramatic titles, 'God of The Storm and Lightning' or 'Sovereign of the Sea'. The final 'God of Wrath' title stood out the most, as it was clearly boldened and written in a bigger font.
Well shit, that sounds pretty cool.
Without another thought, I focused my mind on accepting the invitation. In a blink, I found myself standing over an endless ocean, with storm clouds cracking and thundering at all times overhead. A thin blue translucent platform separated me from the raging waters below. The whirring air felt as cool and clean as it had at the water arena. Only instead of a moving constellation, above streaked roaring bolts of lightning that vibrated the air. The passive hum was strong enough to make my insides flutter.
Myy stomach…it doesn't hurt?
"Welcome to my domain, Tom."
A deep, thundering voice bellowed across the vast ocean. Searching for the source, a large figure sat upon a deep grey throne high over the water, crackling with lightning. Each burst of lightning pulsated throughout its structure, igniting the grey seat periodically like a blue crystal.
"Hello! I take it you must be uh…Perunious?" I said with a grin, double checking the name by my internal invitation. Typically I'd either be hunched over in pain ignoring a potential patron by now, at the least making fun of them to get me out of their 'domains' sooner. Not here though, this place is entirely too soothing. Even if I still suffered the splitting stomach pain, I may have gritted my teeth if it meant I got to come here more often.
The towering blue figure chuckled, slapping his massive statically charged hand on his exposed stomach laughing thunderously. He was clearly in incredible shape, his glowing blue calf muscles looked larger than my torso, and he only wore boots, gauntlets, back and shoulder plating. That, and a crown made completely of lightning that danced in perpetuity, much like his exposed skin blue had.
"Thank you, but my wife is to thank for the beauty of this plane. I merely adopted hers after our Unification Ceremony as a gift. How lovely that day was, wasn't it dear?" Perunious said, peering over his shoulder. The outline of a shorter woman slowly approached before halting behind him.
"Yes, indeed it was my love." She said, placing a blue, watery hand on his shoulder. She appeared to be a mass of water that took human shape, even adopting vivid detail in her water skin. To the point I might've been able to make out tiny pores across her nose if I was foolish enough to stare at this guy's wife. Her eyes glowing a bright blue like my own, and her facial structure, albeit completely made of water, was perfectly symmetrical by all respects. Noticing her questioning eyes on me, I shifted my side-eye gaze back to her husband nervously.
"It's a pleasure to meet you both. Is it fair to assume you're uh.. Pe-ru-nious, then?" I asked the glowing man, watching as lightning shot up from his shoulders jaggedly cutting through to the dark clouds overhead. The God grinned.
"Indeed, I am. As I'm sure you know by now, I am the God of both Storm and Sea. Of course the second's supremacy was achieved thanks largely in part to, once more my wonderful partner here. Why don't you introduce yourself, my love?" Perunious said, speaking over his shoulder once more. His Wife glanced between us hesitantly.
"It's rude not to." Perunious continued in a slightly more commanding tone, turning to face his wife. After an eye roll, she stepped forward.
"My name is Anutir, Goddess of the Sea's, and all its sentient creatures. It is a pleasure to meet you, mortal." She replied, flashing a smile.
Alright, weird dynamics here but, not my place.
"Hi. I'm Tom, nice to meet you." I said with a smile and a short bow. Her flowing watery brow rose curiously, cracking a smile before walking back behind Perunious' chair, disappearing into seemingly nothing.
"I intend on watching every finalist fight of this planets tournament. Your people have been particularly impressive this integration cycle, so I will keep this brief. You carry great potential." Perunious said, his crackling eyes glistening with dark blue lightning. A rush of confusion filled my mind at the compliments timing.
"But, I just lost though. Why bring me here now?" I asked, not hiding my own doubt in my tone. Maybe after the first 60 fights I could understand his intrigue. However I just had my arm and neck snapped by my own trainer in front of the 'multiverse' right before I got here. So, why now?
"I've been watching for some time now, Tom. Trust your instincts to judge your value on your victory, however the battles you've fought are all far from over. The only thing one risks when perishing in a Placement Tournament is their reputation." Perunious quickly explained, his thunderous voice vibrating my chest as he spoke. Pondering, I finally nodded to show an understanding I didn't posses.
"After seeing you fight, it's obvious to me you're already very in touch with your own natural affinities. You never left the water arena once, which so happened to be my wife's arena."Perunious continued. That made sense, considering how beautiful I found both places.
"I saw what concepts were at play when you discovered that Lightning Strike. Many other Gods have taken notice too, whether in person or through projections replaying your most notable moments." He explained, lifting a palm revealing a pyramid-shaped translucent crystal. A projection beamed up above, displaying moments from my many fights throughout the placement tournament.
Woah…I have a highlight reel?!
"You harnessed lightning to increase your speed and subsequent force of your strike. You used my affinity quite expertly in doing so for your level and class. I've yet to find another at your skill level competing in any other planets Placement Tournament in your galaxy's integration. And with how you've crushed your opponents, especially those deserving of your wrath…" Perunious continued, pointing his free hand up toward the projection as my fight against that sadistic fuck who boasted about basically tortu-…
…wow, I really did that to him?
"In terms of prospects, I wouldn't want anyone else." Perunious finished standing up from his throne, making his way over to me at a steady walk and snapping me from the brutal execution I performed playing against an endless storm overhead. Seeing him stand, I got a much better look at just how massive this God really was.
Perunious' electric figure had to be over 9 feet tall, towering like some mythological God described in ancient scripture and statues. Bright, jagged blue and white energy whipped and crackled all around his flashing body. A subtle dark grey aura constant exuded like a cloud around the god, flickering with a subtle static flash if I stared hard enough. He truly looked like a massive sentient storm bent in humanoid form, and his voice thundered as he approached me.
"I've brought you here to propose an offer to you. Become my Chosen, and I will grant you with not only the title and class options that comes with such a privilege, but power, freedom, and a path to much, much more." Perunious said, reaching his massive arm out and touching my shoulder. Instantly, my vision warped from the beautiful oceanic world crashing endlessly to the vast nothingness of space.
Looking down, a massive green and white planet nearly consumed by clouds sat below. Massive chunks of its crust was floating a good distance from where the majority of the planet remained. The strobing blue clouds made it difficult to see much of the broken planet, encircling around what remained. Feeling a giant hand on my shoulder caused me to quickly twist my head to the side, revealing Perunious beside me.
"Beautiful, isn't it? Though this is not what is important here. Merely another casualty of impudence. No, what is important to you is there." He boomed, pointing behind him revealing what looked like the moon, only covered in massive structures and giant clear domes.
"This is my Flodhest, one of many. Here, we host the greatest warriors, where they train under the strongest of my faction between conquests. Each with the same goal in mind; power through conquest." His voiced thundered as he proudly displayed his creation. Before I could speak, stars became a tunnel of streaming light as space warped inward around me as my body sucked back suddenly, only to find myself stood over his soothing oceanic oasis yet again.
"As my Chosen, you will need quick and easy means of progressing yourself, as a great many will not only look to you as a being of supreme strength and stature across the multiverse, but a target for a great many others who seek to upset the balance of our faction. I will provide your planet a Flodhest, and begin its terraforming after your tutorial. But only if you agree to become my Chosen."
Fighting my hardest to dial back my overwhelming excitement at all that had been offered to me, I forced myself to slow my thoughts and consider this proposal seriously.
"You said the Flodhest would be given to me after the tutorial, right? Is there anything I could get for the tutorial instead?" Practically speaking, priority number one should be making it out of the tutorial, as I hadn't a clue what was to follow anyway.
"Your upper-grade Chosen brothers and sisters will keep a close eye on you to ensure you don't die. Who you choose to align yourself with during the tutorial are on their own however. I will not waste the resources on possible future enemies."
Honestly, that makes sense.
"Of course, your status will be public knowledge among Chosen's of other Gods in your people's Tutorial, and I assure you their Patrons will know better than to anger me. Make no mistake, if you die in combat to someone in your grade, I will feel nothing for you. Clearly, that would mean I was wrong about you from the beginning, but something tells me you got the makings of a real monster." He proclaimed, his brow furrowed as he squeezing his fist closed at the end of his highly implication-packed compliment.
"You really got a lot of pull in the multiverse like that?" I said, a smile creeping on my face. The Gods static eyebrow rose, causing a thin streak of blue lightning to crackle while an air of seriousness filled his incredibly baritone voice.
"I am one of the Aboriginals, Tom. The fifth to ever achieve Godhood, and the first to kill another. My faction has stood as the strongest and most feared in the multiverse for several integrations. Countless civilizations have been built and buried in my wake. But most of all, I don't take kindly to being fucked with." Perunious said, his eyes flaring a bright blue light while leaning down closer to me. The sheer pressure that came from him felt strong enough to make my brain pop if I hadn't sank down to a knee.
"The faction, especially my Chosen, are all extensions of me. Now, do you understand?" He finished, standing up straight, allowing me to do the same. Regardless of the tiny headache, I fought to keep a grin from creasing my cheeks as he spoke.
This is it. This has to be the fit for me. There's no way I could possibly get a better offer, and if I let this pass now, he may pick whoever actually wins this competition. Of course, fear of missing out can't be the single only reason I picked this God, and luckily it wouldn't be. Perunious is clearly crazy powerful. Not to mention he speaks very confidently of my eventual growth in strength, indicating helping me brings him something in return. Rubbing my chin, a single thought served as the final push to accept his offer.
What if Korbin won the tournament?
"I humbly accept you as my Patron, Perunious." I said with a smirk and a bow, earning another chuckle out of him.
"Excellent. Now, come here."
I walked the few steps away that he stood, where he raised his hand, gesturing for a handshake. A real handshake. Being sure to look my new boss in the eye as I shook his hand, I felt a rush of energy firing into my body through it like a million jets were blasting underwater, only it was my blood, bones and organs. Oddly, the pressure didn't hurt, but instead felt like it supercharged every cell in my body for a moment.
You have been offered to become the Chosen (H) of: Perunious, Wrath God of Storm and Sea. Do you wish to accept?
Fucking duh.
My vision momentarily clouded prior to a wave of relief washing over me as fast as the energy that channeled through my body. It felt like every fiber of muscle expanded when a notification rang that immediately soothed a subtle growth pain.
*NEW TITLE UNLOCKED!*
->[Chosen of the Wrathful God] - One of the multiverse's most ancient and mightiest forces of nature has struck far more than interest in you, naming you his Champion of your grade across the multiverse. Let all who oppose you feel the rumbling of his presence wherever you strike. (+10%)potential boost to all stats through killing enemies with higher stats in a category. Rewarded the difference maximum (+10%). Earn additional bonus experience points for enemies stronger than you.
Holy shit. This is so broken.
Based on the description, so long as I beat enemies who have a higher stat score in any category, I'll get the difference in my own stats up to +10%.Hypothetically, say I slay a beast with 2 more points in agility than me today, I'd get all two added to my own stat sheet. Clearly, this deity had his priorities on birthing powerful warriors with such a reward system. Weirdly, I felt honored.
"Now that that's settled my newest champion, come. Let us view your competition for the tutorial to come." Perunious proclaimed. With a snap of his fingers, the world zoomed out into a massive fisheye effect, this time refocusing in a giant room which I only assumed to be his. The roof illuminated into giant jagged streaks of blue and white wriggling energy constantly strobing high above. Blue marble covered in artwork depicting an incredibly strong storm ravaging the sea decorated the floors. Flickering pillars made from what I could only assume was pure lightning radiated down the walkway, leading toward the exit of this insanely large chamber.
Perunious lay sat in a large tub, his water bubbling with steam and static reminding me of a downed power line in a puddle. He motioned lazily toward a leather chair beside him with an ottoman in front of it.
"Please, join me. The next match is about to begin."
This guy's living like a fucking King.
Feeling thoroughly impressed at his lavish display, I obliged and sat beside my powerful new Patron. In front of us, a giant projection of the arena I had just died at was displayed onto an equally massive wall. This time, however, there was a visible timer, and it had just hit '2' when I sat down.
Fuck it, time to do some scouting.