Rachel’s downcast eyes lifted to the dark sky as the world melted away, the cracked red stone of the arena solidifying under her feet. Carried back into the stadium of higher beings, her sober gaze fixated on the two thrones hovering overhead, Izanami’s previous words to Dionysus ringing in her mind, yet only oppressive silence met her sharp ears.
The Japanese goddess of the dead leaned against her armrest, legs crossed as her inviting, Infernal vision lingered on her, and a chilling finger slid down Rachel’s spine to her tail, making her shiver. No cheers or screams could be heard as her final trial came to an end; instead, the entire cast had changed, and she felt the charged atmosphere like a howling blizzard.
Izanami’s presence now pressed against her chest with the realization at whose table she now sat. This wasn’t the court of a mad god, drunk on power; no, that ship had been swallowed by the wolf that now proudly floated above.
Run, run, little lamb, but the beasts are in the pen…
“What?” Nia asked, devilish taint leaving to return the frightened rabbit kid.
Rachel slowly spun in a circle, pulling her eyes away from the Fallen Creation Deity to her new audience, filled with entities far stronger than those she’d entertained before. Glorious and terrible figures that put Dionysus to shame now filled the stands, yet the calculating and ominously still atmosphere was on the Assistant Arbiter.
The parents are home, she answered. Izanami has opened the gates to allow all the 6th and 7th-dimensional entities to join the show. We’re playing a game far above our weight class, Nia.
“What do we do?!”
Listen and learn… she replied, looking at their audience; Dionysus was a rather obscure name to her, but not these gorgeous Greek gods and goddesses seated together in their section. Rachel caught sight of Thalia, Irida, and Aleka beside a well-dressed black-haired man and woman, and she didn’t need to guess who they were. Look closely where we step; this is what Cerridwen wanted.
Her outfit hugged her tighter as the girl’s spiritual arms watched more and more powerful deities make their appearance. “Didn’t she say you were in charge, though? T-They can’t hurt us, right?”
Cerridwen drew Izanami’s attention for a reason. We’ll see why soon enough, I’m sure. She’s peeling back the layers for us to see the larger picture, but for what purpose?
After several seconds of uncomfortable silence, Izanami’s silky voice spoke to where the Infernal dogs sat they’d just played with. “Lord Hades, Lady Persephone, thank you for lending me your adorably young hounds; they were quite entertaining and cute.”
The cold-blooded man gave a graceful nod as his wife leaned in to whisper something in his ear, exciting the hounds next to the goddess. On the opposite side of Hades, his two magnificent younger brothers, and their wives, whispered in response to the dark-haired beauty beside Hades, causing Persephone to give a weary wave and sigh.
Hades’ tone held an arctic chill that was soft yet heard as if right next to her. “Olympus accepts your invitation to the banquet, Lady Izanami. We look forward to your company.”
Izanami’s flame-lit eyes held delight while drifting to Eostre. “Wonderful. Now that that has been settled, can’t we all agree that the finale of our little tournament has come far too swiftly? Eostre, shouldn’t we give our contestants time to interact with their Greater Seeds and give our guests time to mingle?”
Hands held tightly against her belly, Eostre forced a smile. “Maybe… it hasn’t gone by fast enough.”
A gentle chuckle shook Izanami’s chest as quite a few other higher entities joined in the mirth at the tulpa’s answer. “Isn’t that just like me, though, Eostre… the Goddess of Disappointment?”
She swept her hand outward, opening up the coliseum to the polluted wasteland of Yomi. “Welcome to my castle, where everything is worthless.”
Izanami’s thumb and middle finger snapped, the sound lingering as the seats elongated, and a banquet of lavish food-filled tables of divine items appeared around the shifting environment.
“Please, help yourself to whatever you want… just get out while your soul is still clean. Hmm-hmm-hmm. No need to be so squeamish,” she added at the discomfort that swept the throng at the offer. “On my glorious name, position as a host, and Assistant Arbiter of this game, it is safe to consume… after the Seed purified my polluted goods. Enjoy yourselves! Benzaiten, dear…”
Rachel looked at a beautiful, traditionally dressed Japanese woman resting beside many others who leered at their oldest ancestor. There was hate and disgust in the Japanese pantheon’s faces as Izanami brought them into focus, the other pantheons appraising the spare gathering.
“If you could be so kind as to provide us your song of luck?”
“I would not be so kind,” she coldly returned.
Izanami’s head lowered with a sad chuckle. “I thought not… Not even after heavens and hells have collided together… I cannot give up control. No one can destroy my spirit, so shut me up and roll a rock in front of my tomb. Don’t be tricked by my pleadings, and don’t get caught in my wrath… I’m the ruiner of my own kingdom, is it? I partook of the fruit of corruption of my own free will… And I did,” her gaze fixated on a beyond gorgeous, black-winged angel on the front row, smiling at the Assistant Arbiter.
Only silence met the Fallen Creation Deity’s words, showing the level of distrust and caution those of this higher weight bracket gave the fallen goddess of the old realm. No one so much as touched the food, Rachel noticed, and she felt a spark of pity touched her at the compressing judgment cast upon Izanami by the section of Japanese deities.
The death goddess’ tone was sweet, but Rachel could feel the undercurrent in her voice as she looked upon all those of her lineage who had at least come to listen to what she had to say.
“After everything I’ve done to myself… I can’t take the weight of this crown. So, save your silver and gold offerings… It’s worthless. I invite you—and I keep a seat always open at my table—yet still, you greet me with silence.”
Izanami’s bottom lip drew in as she slowly accepted their judgment, and Rachel saw the venom in Yseress’ glare from the VIP box with Conner.
“Even if I go, there is no way out inside of these broken halls… chains on my door—there’s no leaving—a rock holding it in place… So I’ll put on a show, but you best leave before becoming tainted by my sorrow, children… I’ll be here… up on this throne with my demons. So… go, heh, tell your father what his greatest disappointment said, and reassure him I am still safely shackled to my filth.”
The Japanese pantheon turned their back and left, causing an eerie vibe to overcast the stadium. Not even the devils or demons mocked their exit under the Hell Lady’s pained sight. After a short while, a depressed puff of air left Izanami’s lips.
“At least I have some joy in the Nine Hells after this maelstrom disaster…”
Eostre cleared her throat and got to her feet, now holding Moongmor in her arms for support. “Right, well, eh-hehe, while our competitors prepare for their final match, we will mingle and talk… I’m sure you all have much to discuss with the lesser deities who have answered your call. I hope you, umm, remember this opportunity that was provided to you.”
The woman vanished in an array of lights to appear beside Rachel with a strained smile, waving away the stadium to a snowy, ocean-side cityscape for them to speak alone as the new audience began to whisper to one another.
“Rachel,” Eostre greeted. The woman set down Moongmor to hop ahead and turn back to look at them. Conner was transported beside them, showing a confused frown as snowflakes fell, likely reflecting how Eostre felt right now. “That was… very sad and uncomfortable.”
“I feel really sad, too,” Nia sniffed, materializing out of twinkling light. She gave the surprised tulpa a hug before pulling back. “I’m happy you’re okay, though. I was really scared when that creep’s vines were crawling all over you.”
A quake shook Eostre’s frame. “Yes, well, one of the less pleasant moments of my life… for certain. However, it is in the past. I am thankful that you were not destroyed, too, Nia. Now, if only we could do something about your age.”
“Yes, please!” Nia cried, forcing herself to be brave and stand between Rachel and Conner. “I don’t like being a kid; it’s weird and confusing. You keep your distance, bud!”
Conner rubbed his shoulders with a short shiver and backed away with a chuckle. “I’m not going to try anything shady, kid—eh, Nia, I mean,” he added at her leer. “Actually… Do you want to play with Delphinus? He’s been a little restless.”
Nia gasped at the prospect as the mystical dolphin constellation sparkled into existence. “Umm… n-no! I’m not tempted t-to fly on a magical dolphin!”
Rachel laughed at the pressure in the girl’s voice; she was probably hating and loving this conflicting kid personality. “Go on, Nia, Conner isn’t going to try anything. Have fun with Delphinus.”
The girl jumped over Conner to land on the dolphin’s back without a second thought. “Okay! Thank you, Cap! Let’s fly, Delphinus! We’re fighting lava dragons to save the world and rescue my handsome prince!” she proclaimed, probably going to recreate the epic battle the Legend had with the lizard.
“Go get ‘em,” Rachel mused, watching the pair fly into the silent, snowy night to explore and play heroine and steed.
Starting on a casual walk, she strolled down the seaside boulevard with the tulpa and Legend. Eostre glanced at her, hands held at her front. All three of them fell into the hushed atmosphere, no doubt pondering all the insanity that had come from this Legend’s Quest.
A chilled wind swept in from the foggy sea, ruffling Rachel’s skirt and pulling her braid toward the city as the mist gradually covered them. So many things had led to her traversing this bizarre, divinely created street with an enemy she’d kill and a woman who might as well be a goddess compared to her.
There wasn’t a chance in hell that she could have expected all of this to happen. To Rachel, it felt like an eternity since she’d stepped through that golden rift, leaving Scarlet to take her first step on her own, and she found herself a little anxious to see how things turned out because Relica was still a threat.
Still, Rachel couldn’t help reflecting on her life with this break that had been granted to them. Ever since that car accident that had taken her cousin’s life, she’d run, trying not to lose the fire burning in her chest to push for something invisible, just beyond reach. She didn’t even know what she was running from, but she was running from something.
The Oscillation had shown her an out-of-place thread, and she’d plucked at it, over and over. At first, it was to regain control. Control was important to her. She had to be in control. Yet, the further she’d punched her way through these walls, the more she realized that she hadn’t been in control since losing her cousin.
She looked out across the veiled ocean, seeing the hazed lapping waves as they crashed against the concrete walls of the port. Yet, Cerridwen’s message when under the Black Moon resonated within her, telling her that she was the one in control.
Despite all these gods and goddesses hovering in the background, they were powerless in the face of The Oscillation. They needed them. And from what she’d seen of Izanami, the higher realms were a complete mess, with dozens upon dozens of pantheons and powerful entities thrown into a singular plane to battle it out.
Be it mortal, lesser deities, or creation deities, all of them were reeling with the chaos that they’d been plunged into. It spoke of a higher power than these entities that contended on the universe scale.
It told Rachel that if they were going to get through this, then they had to work together. An incredulous chuckle shook Rachel’s chest, drawing Eostre and Conner’s sober gaze; she’d never been one for teamwork.
“What is on your mind?” Eostre asked, somberly turning her sight to the ocean. “Is it the uncertainty we have stepped into?”
Grabbing her fingers behind her back, Rachel shook her head and breathed out a long sigh. “It’s everything.”
Scarlet had somewhat changed her displeasure at working as a team, and in such a short time. The vamp girl had shown her what it was like to have someone who relied on her, which had sparked something new within Rachel she hadn’t expected.
“I’m guessing Izanami is using this opportunity to bait deities in by giving them an intermediate stage to talk to their followers below the 6th dimension.”
The corner of Eostre’s mouth lifted a little. “It’s chaos, which is why I’m here with you. In the guise of a banquet, Izanami is allowing them to bicker and point fingers…”
“What is it?” Conner softly asked as Eostre’s fingers lifted to play with a small silver necklace she wore. “You seem nervous or scared, but don’t you have all the power of my Seed now?”
“Haha. Power… Temporarily, indeed. But I am nothing more than a proxy for Izanami, and all the better for it with how potent and phenomenal she is at wielding it. Although, it is… very confounding since I can sense Izanami’s goals and intentions… and they are not what I envisioned. It is strange to have so much insight into someone so powerful… And to feel their tormented misery.”
She cleared her throat and wiped at the corner of her eyes before growling in annoyance. “And despite all of this, Cerridwen is absent… Gone. It’s infuriating. I cannot reach her—even with this Seed’s power—and that does scare me.”
Rachel held a hand against her breast, looking inward at the revelation. “If she were gone, or dead, I should say, then wouldn’t my blessing from her be, as well?”
“Yes,” Eostre confirmed. “It is that which makes it even more frightening… How is she escaping my call when I should be far stronger than her with this Seed? And even Izanami cannot reach her. I don’t know her intentions or plots, unlike my assistant in this clown show. In any case, Izanami believes she has entered the Blood Sea again, whatever that means, but I’m even more frightened than I was before obtaining this insight and power.”
Ears tilting forward as they stopped at a railing, Rachel leaned against it to stare at the waves rushing against the dock. “That doesn’t bode well… Hmm. Hey, Conner, you didn’t communicate with Dionysus directly, did you?”
The man shook his head, back against the bars while looking up at the swirling cyclone his dolphin and Nia created, pulling the mist into the sky with a flurry of snowflakes.
“No. As a Priestess of Hecate, Relica gets visions and can communicate with higher powers. I honestly didn’t know much about Dionysus until I met him in person…”
He forced a laugh, his typically strong voice fractured with a hollow doubt. “I know we haven’t known each other long, Rachel, but after these battles… all the things you’ve exposed, I’m questioning my whole life now… It takes a special kind of girl to do that, huh?”
Rachel shot him an incredulous smirk. “Sure. Hmm… It’s interesting that you pointed out Relica as a priestess to communicate with the divine. Eostre… Izanami pointed me in this direction. Why did she do that? How can I talk to you in visions?”
Eostre hugged herself, looking toward the road. “It’s in your soul; I don’t know how else to say it. It’s like trying to explain to an animal how humans communicate, and I’m the animal,” she clarified as Rachel pushed her lips to the side, not amused at the analogy. “There are those very few with the gift to link to the divine and those who cannot.”
Arms tightening against the railing, she swallowed before asking her next question. “And… my mother?”
“Yes, she also has the gift, and quite strongly,” the tulpa said without reserve. “I was forbidden to speak to her by Cerridwen, though, and I felt her frustration at being, umm, ignored. Apologize for me, won’t you?” Eostre asked with a strained smile.
“I will…” The atmosphere stilled as Rachel reordered everything she’d thought about her life, yet again. After a few painful seconds, a hand gripping her heart, she asked a question that fought to stay inside her throat. “Eostre… Does my mother… have a Seed in her?”
Conner looked at the tulpa with her, seemingly going through his own internal emotional struggle after everything they’d gone through. The flowery woman’s brow furrowed while meeting Rachel’s uncomfortable gaze.
“I… believe she does. Has she not told you? It is quite dense and bizarre, making me believe it is one of the Greater Seeds.”
“No… she hasn’t told me,” Rachel whispered, fingers bending the metal of the railing as she breathed and looked away. “Thank you for telling me, Esotre. Can Conner and I have some time to talk before leveling and starting the final battle?”
The woman’s sad eyes rested on the damage done to the railing. “Of course. Izanami wants to show Nia off since some of the Chinese deities are asking about her. Is that alright? Izanami seems to believe it will benefit you.”
Rachel searched her soul, parsing through the strings of misfortune; the pull and weight of each thread were far more solidified after her Grade increase. It was somewhat vague as to how beneficial it would be, and some of them had barbs that could prick her. Yet, for the first time, something new jumped out: a golden line that could come from this direction; dark threads spun around it, threatening and opening up grave misfortune, but the payoff could be massive.
“I think that… would be good. I’ll let her know.”
Pushing away from the twisted rails, she looked up at the playing bunny and dolphin. Nia, Izanami wants to show off how amazing you are. Want to get showered with praise?
“Oh, my goodness, yes!” the girl chirped. “Wait, only if I can get a new set of super cute clothes! I can make deals with devils, too; I’m no kid that will do stuff for free!”
Attagirl, Rachel snickered.
“What are you grinning about?” Eostre questioned.
“Nia’s got a contract she wants the Hell Lady to sign if her services are going to be rendered. Good luck negotiating with a stubborn child.” Pushing away from the rails, she tilted her head to Conner. “Let’s talk a bit before I kill you.”
I’m expecting a killer deal, Sgt. Bun.
“You got it, Lt. Hops!” Nia internally saluted.
The Legend laughed as she sauntered off, joining her down the boulevard. They listened to the waves in silence for a time, the sparse snow falling around them and leaving the tulpa to negotiate with the five-year-old, fashion-obsessed little girl.
Rachel had learned a lot about The System and these Seeds through this competition. She’d learned a lot about herself and hidden things. She still couldn’t believe her mother had covered up the fact she had a Seed, that she could speak to higher beings in general.
Her mom had never pushed her belief onto her or their family, but this was something different. Had she been scared to look crazy? No, that couldn’t be the excuse after Rachel had literally changed and told her everything. Had Scarlet’s blood—Veronica—been squeamish about entering her mother’s room because of Eostre or her mother?
She came into this Legend’s Quest expecting to fight, kick some ass, and then leave. But not this; so many emotions were now compounding in her heart. Still, a fire burned within her to push forward. She didn’t want to stop; in fact, she wanted to push harder because of it.
At first, Rachel looked for answers to her change. Then, it changed to discovering parts of her she’d kept buried, fighting goblins to the death in a shattered world that sought help from Legends. Scarlet came next, and they entered a seemingly hopeless battle against alien toads that could turn into sand and easily rip her apart, only for Scarlet to show her power.
The little, terrified, shattered teenage girl had been possessed by someone she’d known all her life. Veronica then went on to claim total victory against impossible odds, further traumatizing Scarlet in the process. Poisoned and losing strength, Rachel had been forced to rely on others, especially Scarlet, as she weakened, pulling her toward an unlikely group of associates that had been surprisingly helpful… She’d almost died several times, and would have without their help.
Nearly collapsing due to organ failure, fighting through an unknown toxin, and pushing her ravaged body to the limit, she’d looked for answers, all while connecting with influential people in the government. She’d brought their attention to the higher field at play with the deities, which they then sought to put her to the test, sending her here when they faced Relica’s unusual powers.
Astra, Selvaria, Maria, Fiona, and Scarlet had come into her life when Rachel would have never associated with any of them before The Oscillation. The Scarlet Hand was made aware of the fact she was still alive. And now she had to confront the uncomfortable idea that they had something to do with her cousin’s murder.
Her parents, who were her entire life, and all she wanted to do was make them proud, had shown up; her mother came to her on her knees, asking her to stop… and she couldn’t. Now, to uncover the truth that her mother not only had a Seed but was in communication with higher powers, just like her? How was she supposed to take that? Why wouldn’t she tell her?
It was more than the bloodlust of battle and conflict that she felt before. From this competition, she learned she was running both from something and to something. She might not have been human, to begin with. There was so much more uncertainty now.
All the compounding issues pressing in around her made a laugh bubble out of Rachel’s lungs, pulling Conner’s smile.
“All of this is kind of funny,” he whispered, hands in his shorts pockets. “Real talk… I think this is where I die.”
“You think so?” Rachel asked, finding her hands behind her back and looking up at the tall, handsome man. “You don’t look scared.”
Pushing his lips out, Conner grunted and shook his head before sliding his fingers through his hair. “I’m not a good man, Rachel… Far from it, actually…”
He worked around his jaw and sighed. “All I ever wanted to do was gain the glory I was born to achieve… I knew I was destined for greatness, but something hit me in the chest when I got all the power I ever wanted. I became a Legend!” he stated with pride, holding up a tight fist.
Conner’s laughter turned bitter and caustic. “The Legend of Antaeus! A powerful figure who was known far and wide—infamous for his deadly wrestling skills… Perfect for me, since in the underground Greek wrestling world, I am exactly that, fully financially supported by the Scarlet Hand…”
Tongue pressing against his bottom lip, he popped it with a frustrated hiss. “Imagine that… like they were building me into this murdering showman of a wrestler for that very purpose. But do you know the funny thing about Antaeus, this powerful, divinely gifted, and legendary fighter? Do you know what he’s most famous for?”
Rachel shook her head. “What’s funny about the legend?”
“Hah…” Conner drew in his lips and took a second to respond. “For being—for being a stepping stone for Hercules. Antaeus is only built up to be the fodder to highlight Hercules’ wit and strength… He dies, as villains do. And I think… I’m your stepping stone.” He laughed and nudged her, throwing Rachel off balance with ease and showing his incredible strength. “Do you know what’s even more hilarious?”
“What?” Rachel grunted, trying to shove back to test his sturdy Feats, only to find her momentum drained. “Damn, that Feat is annoying.”
Voice dropping octaves with a reflective grin, Conner shook his head. “If only… No, what’s funny is that I think… I’m okay with being your first big stepping stone.”
Rachel came to a stop, eyebrows pulling together as the man turned to study her. “You… want to die by me?”
“Pfft! When did I say want in there?” he snorted. Conner showed an appraising eye again while scanning her, but it wasn’t as licentious as before. “I was grateful for what the Scarlet Hand did for me. I’m one of those rare people that don’t give a damn about taking a life… But perhaps I do regret not living a better life to stand here facing you. What Level are you?”
Rachel smirked and shook her head; she wasn’t going to be baited into revealing that, but the Legend surprised her again.
“Eostre, can you show Rachel my Level? I’m Nine. I know for a fact you’ve fought far stronger creatures than I have. Dionysus wanted to kill you, so it makes sense if you overcame them, you’d have a lot more EXP, even if there is a cap our spirits can absorb. You did two Challenge Rating 3 battles… I didn’t do one.”
True to his word, Eostre opened up a window, showing his level: he was Level 9.
“Huh… Do you really want me to tell you?” Rachel asked, feeling almost obligated to return the act.
Again surprised at the Legend’s almost serene cadence, Conner shook his head. “I can guess you’re probably at the same level as Relica now. She pushed her spirit as hard as it would expand before coming here. I just wanted to say… I’m looking forward to our fight. Good luck, Rachel. Now, I need to plot how to murder you.”
He lifted his hand and parted ways toward the city. “Oh, and if you do kill me… Just like Hercules, cement my legacy by becoming the greatest Mythickin in history. That’s enough for me…”
Head tilting to the side, the wind pulled Rachel’s braid over her shoulder as she watched him go; Conner turned out to be more complex than she’d initially thought. He went from Relica and Dionysus’ party boy lackey to flipping against them to join her, and now she had gained a modicum of respect for the Legend, and he respected her.
What a competition this has been… Are you done, Nia?
“Nope! I’m getting ALL the goodies! I’ll be home in a minute. I got you a skort! You know, a skirt with shorts underneath? Sneaky-sneaky clothing!”
Hallelujah. Keep it up, Soldier.
Smiling, Rachel moved to the docks to sit on the end of a pier to meditate.
“Negotiation-Mode, Boss! I got some really cute accessories, too. You’ll love them. Bunny hairclips, friendship bracelets, scrunchies—the works! Not magical, though… Izanami’s being stingy.”
Booooo.
“Yeah, booooo!”
Settling in, Rachel closed her eyes and entered her inner world to level up. A half-smile lifted her lips upon seeing a big, cozy room with a fireplace and clothing designs drawn on paper tacked to the walls. In the bed across from her was a bandaged, divine woman, tucked into bed and resting.
Nia, you can do medical work? How did you treat Nike? she asked, walking to the bed to inspect the bunny’s work. It looks… good. I’m surprised.
“Aww, thanks, Cap! I was—what do you mean you’re surprised?!” she snarled, and Rachel could see the steam puffing out of her ears.
“I took a medical Feat in that Halloween spooky moon scary fight to help her. Humph. It helped me restore myself, too, because I’m smart, and I knew that if Nike was inside me, then my restoring power would extend to her. Am I smart or what, Cap?! It totally worked.”
Carefully inspecting her, Rachel was gentle in rolling her up to inspect her back, where tiny nubs were starting to grow, slathered in some kind of salve.
No, that is smart… Her wings are growing back?
“H-Hey! Don’t bother her, meanie! Let her rest… She’s really hurt. I think she needs to rest a lot to wake up.”
Okay, Doctor Bun, Rachel whispered, tucking the ravaged Personification of Victory back into bed. I’m sorry, I’m sorry.
Her left eye creased upon seeing Nia’s outfit upgrade selection open up while moving to an armchair beside the bed. It seemed they could both make selections, but it hadn’t been that way before. Rachel had to wonder if allowing Nia to make her own choices would promote further growth or if doing it together would be best.
Nia, did you use one Feat, one Syncro, and three Style points? I thought you were going to wait for me to go through the Syncro one when you were an adult.
“Oh, uh, yeah… I kind of… did use it to link closer to your, umm, spirit, as a Soul Item, umm… It just helps me… not be as scared. Sorry! I know I should have asked, but it’s how you can see my stuff now. I just… I’m really scared, and I wanted t-to not… I thought you might abandon me! I wanted to know how to make you happy…”
Nia… Rachel sighed, looking over some of the things the girl had chosen for herself; she should have expected something like this from a five-year-old’s temperament. She may still have some of that dog in her as a soldier, but her age reversion had nerfed her mental and emotional state by quite a bit.
“Are you mad at me… I-I’ll get you b-better clothes—the black kind that you like!”
It’s okay, Nia, she soothed. You’re doing great. I’m not going to abandon you.
“I’m… not defective goods?” she sniffed. “I’m a little bunny outfit now, though… I’m not cool anymore…”
You’re alright just the way you are, Nia. I can like the cool older Nia and the cute bunny girl Nia at the same time. So soldier up, and let’s get this win. ‘Kay?
“Okay! And… thank you for not getting mad at me. I want to be useful…”
Rachel’s brow furrowed as she pressed on the Soul-Link Synchronization Feat, leaning against the side of her chair and bringing her knuckle up to her mouth.
Nia, did you know that if you get closer to my spirit, then you can also share in my Feats, and I can share in yours? At the next tier, I can use one of a few selective Feats.
“Is that… good?” Nia slowly asked.
It’s huge… It increases the maximum number of Equippable Feats that I can have. You already share in my Lunar Pools because that’s what you were designed for, but if you can now share in my Feats, then… you could become a real partner.
“I want that!” Nia squealed. “I want to be a good partner! I’m a good soldier! I’ll be the bestest, Cap! Please!”
Rachel didn’t even have to think twice, upgrading Nia’s link to her soul rather than putting it into the kinetic hammer she’d eaten. A strained smile came on as the potential Feat she could share with the bunny came up on the list.
Less is More… Great. Well, it is great, I suppose, she sighed. Now, my open skin will be protected, so a bullet to the face will probably hurt like hell, but I’ll probably live… with some damage, and its strength is based on my [Lunar Coat] Feat. Hmm.
“What does it do for me, Cap?!” Nia excitedly butted in. “Do I get super durability?!”
Linked… to a degree, Rachel whispered. It really is broken since it can resonate between us. Your clothing is enhanced, and my open skin is enhanced, but since you are the origin of the Feat, it is weaker for my open skin at the moment, until our souls are closer. It’s a start, though.
Having used Nia’s Feat and Synchro Points, she moved to the three available Style Points.
Hmm… I see you used three Style Points, two of which to increase your Lunar Pool limit from two to four, which is how we have so much Lunar Energy now… Good job.
Nia internally cheered at her praise, showing off to the Chinese deities like she was in a kid’s pageant. There were a few places she could go in tweaking Nia’s support Style, from Attack, Defense, and Utility.
If they grew closer together, then Nia could take more from her own Attack and Defensive Feats, assisting her more in fights. They had to level together to compliment each other in their own ways, which certainly made her aware of the advantages of a Soul Item, allowing them to advance in ways that could cover each other’s weaknesses.
The problem was that it now took two Style Points to gain a fifth Lunar Pool, but that was worth it since she was building up a huge stockpile of energy that could be used for later. The last one seemed fairly obvious; she sank it into the girl’s Solar Defense to shield the energy.
Done with Nia’s upgrades, she was about to close out of the window to do her own when something else caught her eye; Nia’s inventory slots were not only subject to permanent additions. She could designate a few for general storage, which was certainly convenient, but until the need arose, it would be best to leave them open for designation.
Opening her own sheet, Rachel studied her options; she’d gained a Feat Slot, meaning she could now have four Feats equipped; she also got a new Feat, which meant there would still be one left out, and a passive caught her eye, likely gained after branching out from [Lunar Spike].
Lunar Amplification I - Amplify Lunar Light, adding 1% to any Lunar Pool. Warning: Pool must have at least double the amount to be amplified.
Mind working as she scanned down the list, she saw a way forward that revolved around [Lunar Spike]. The percentage would go up as the Tiers and Grades went up. How much, though?
One of her biggest problems was losing sight of a moon, but what if she could mitigate that by using a spike of energy to fuel her during those downtimes or when she had no moon? Could she activate it from Nia’s shielded Pools even during daylight? Sure, it would drain extremely fast, yet it could be life-saving.
Selecting it, a low rumble shook in her throat as a new option opened up in the Feat Extensions, showing that there was an order one should choose these Feats if one wanted to see all the options. Out of the randomized selection of extensions, two caught her attention.
Lunar Spike I: Flashburn - Decrease Spike Cost by 5% and double the burn speed.
Lunar Amplification I: Blinding Light - Increase amplification by 5% if the Pool is above 50%.
It only took her a second to decide Blinding Light was the way to go; it would increase her raw Stats by quite a bit with [Divine Lunar Surge] and give more of a cushion to [Lunar Cap]. Flash Burn would have been nice for [Lunar Spike], but that was more for niche situations and would drop its use to, at least currently, fifteen seconds.
Now, Feat Refinement was a big one. Multiplying her EXP with [Primal Force X] was still under refinement. Her focus centered on [Bringer of Misfortune], which has proved itself in taking out a lesser god. If the Scarlet Hand feared her for her misfortune, then she’d refine that, but she choked when the time it would take popped up.
Bringer of Misfortune II - Refinement Time - 30 Days.
How does that work? she snarled to Nia. [Primal Force X] is a week, and this is thirty days?!
“Don’t ask me,” Nia mumbled. “I extorted a Chinese god for a new dress! Yes! I’m on fire!”
Or they want to see you in more their style of clothes, Rachel mused. Either way, we win.
“Winning!”
Nearly done, Rachel swapped to her Stat Menu, puffing out a long sigh. It was hard to know where to put a single point. She could increase her Endurance further to go longer, but if she ended the fight sooner, then what was the problem? She sunk the point into Speed, increasing it to two.
At the end of her road before meeting Conner in the arena, Rachel studied the newest, and probably most interesting addition: she’d gained a limit break.
Attack Feat Branch: Curse: Karma I - Retribution - Activate to show the target a small portion of the weight of their Karma, afflicting them with Karma’s Balance and tormenting or uplifting their souls as the scales swing.
Getting to her feet, Rachel laughed at how vague it was, which was just like this System at times. She stood over Nike, taking in all the torture Dionysus had put the silver-haired woman through. If only she’d been able to exact her karma.
“Well, I guess we’ll see how it works soon enough… if I can fill up the Karma Bar on it. Interesting…”
Nia interrupted her, pulling Rachel out of her inner world.
“I think they’re ready for the next battle, Rachel. Are we ready? Oh, and you got me a new Lunar Pool! Thank you.”
I got us a new pool… And as ready as I’ll ever be. Let’s finish this Legend’s Quest.
The misty pier hazed, and she was standing in the middle of the stadium, Conner across from her, with dice hovering between them. Izanami and Eostre floated down, Nia hopping out of the air to land beside her with a proud grin, wearing a colorful, traditional Chinese hanfu.
“How do I look?!”
“Pretty. I don’t think it would be good battlewear, though,” Rachel laughed.
“Yup! Yup!” Nia changed into her military outfit again, complete with Chinese hair accessories, and saluted her. “Ready for combat, Ma’am!”
Izanami giggled, rising to her feet and regaining her poised composure after her family left early. “Cute. Now… Shall we begin the death battle?”
Rachel’s downcast eyes lifted to the dark sky as the world melted away, the cracked red stone of the arena solidifying under her feet. Carried back into the stadium of higher beings, her sober gaze fixated on the two thrones hovering overhead, Izanami’s previous words to Dionysus ringing in her mind, yet only oppressive silence met her sharp ears.
The Japanese goddess of the dead leaned against her armrest, legs crossed as her inviting, Infernal vision lingered on her, and a chilling finger slid down Rachel’s spine to her tail, making her shiver. No cheers or screams could be heard as her final trial came to an end; instead, the entire cast had changed, and she felt the charged atmosphere like a howling blizzard.
Izanami’s presence now pressed against her chest with the realization at whose table she now sat. This wasn’t the court of a mad god, drunk on power; no, that ship had been swallowed by the wolf that now proudly floated above.
Run, run, little lamb, but the beasts are in the pen…
“What?” Nia asked, devilish taint leaving to return the frightened rabbit kid.
Rachel slowly spun in a circle, pulling her eyes away from the Fallen Creation Deity to her new audience, filled with entities far stronger than those she’d entertained before. Glorious and terrible figures that put Dionysus to shame now filled the stands, yet the calculating and ominously still atmosphere was on the Assistant Arbiter.
The parents are home, she answered. Izanami has opened the gates to allow all the 6th and 7th-dimensional entities to join the show. We’re playing a game far above our weight class, Nia.
“What do we do?!”
Listen and learn… she replied, looking at their audience; Dionysus was a rather obscure name to her, but not these gorgeous Greek gods and goddesses seated together in their section. Rachel caught sight of Thalia, Irida, and Aleka beside a well-dressed black-haired man and woman, and she didn’t need to guess who they were. Look closely where we step; this is what Cerridwen wanted.
Her outfit hugged her tighter as the girl’s spiritual arms watched more and more powerful deities make their appearance. “Didn’t she say you were in charge, though? T-They can’t hurt us, right?”
Cerridwen drew Izanami’s attention for a reason. We’ll see why soon enough, I’m sure. She’s peeling back the layers for us to see the larger picture, but for what purpose?
After several seconds of uncomfortable silence, Izanami’s silky voice spoke to where the Infernal dogs sat they’d just played with. “Lord Hades, Lady Persephone, thank you for lending me your adorably young hounds; they were quite entertaining and cute.”
The cold-blooded man gave a graceful nod as his wife leaned in to whisper something in his ear, exciting the hounds next to the goddess. On the opposite side of Hades, his two magnificent younger brothers, and their wives, whispered in response to the dark-haired beauty beside Hades, causing Persephone to give a weary wave and sigh.
Hades’ tone held an arctic chill that was soft yet heard as if right next to her. “Olympus accepts your invitation to the banquet, Lady Izanami. We look forward to your company.”
Izanami’s flame-lit eyes held delight while drifting to Eostre. “Wonderful. Now that that has been settled, can’t we all agree that the finale of our little tournament has come far too swiftly? Eostre, shouldn’t we give our contestants time to interact with their Greater Seeds and give our guests time to mingle?”
Hands held tightly against her belly, Eostre forced a smile. “Maybe… it hasn’t gone by fast enough.”
A gentle chuckle shook Izanami’s chest as quite a few other higher entities joined in the mirth at the tulpa’s answer. “Isn’t that just like me, though, Eostre… the Goddess of Disappointment?”
She swept her hand outward, opening up the coliseum to the polluted wasteland of Yomi. “Welcome to my castle, where everything is worthless.”
Izanami’s thumb and middle finger snapped, the sound lingering as the seats elongated, and a banquet of lavish food-filled tables of divine items appeared around the shifting environment.
“Please, help yourself to whatever you want… just get out while your soul is still clean. Hmm-hmm-hmm. No need to be so squeamish,” she added at the discomfort that swept the throng at the offer. “On my glorious name, position as a host, and Assistant Arbiter of this game, it is safe to consume… after the Seed purified my polluted goods. Enjoy yourselves! Benzaiten, dear…”
Rachel looked at a beautiful, traditionally dressed Japanese woman resting beside many others who leered at their oldest ancestor. There was hate and disgust in the Japanese pantheon’s faces as Izanami brought them into focus, the other pantheons appraising the spare gathering.
“If you could be so kind as to provide us your song of luck?”
“I would not be so kind,” she coldly returned.
Izanami’s head lowered with a sad chuckle. “I thought not… Not even after heavens and hells have collided together… I cannot give up control. No one can destroy my spirit, so shut me up and roll a rock in front of my tomb. Don’t be tricked by my pleadings, and don’t get caught in my wrath… I’m the ruiner of my own kingdom, is it? I partook of the fruit of corruption of my own free will… And I did,” her gaze fixated on a beyond gorgeous, black-winged angel on the front row, smiling at the Assistant Arbiter.
Only silence met the Fallen Creation Deity’s words, showing the level of distrust and caution those of this higher weight bracket gave the fallen goddess of the old realm. No one so much as touched the food, Rachel noticed, and she felt a spark of pity touched her at the compressing judgment cast upon Izanami by the section of Japanese deities.
The death goddess’ tone was sweet, but Rachel could feel the undercurrent in her voice as she looked upon all those of her lineage who had at least come to listen to what she had to say.
“After everything I’ve done to myself… I can’t take the weight of this crown. So, save your silver and gold offerings… It’s worthless. I invite you—and I keep a seat always open at my table—yet still, you greet me with silence.”
Izanami’s bottom lip drew in as she slowly accepted their judgment, and Rachel saw the venom in Yseress’ glare from the VIP box with Conner.
“Even if I go, there is no way out inside of these broken halls… chains on my door—there’s no leaving—a rock holding it in place… So I’ll put on a show, but you best leave before becoming tainted by my sorrow, children… I’ll be here… up on this throne with my demons. So… go, heh, tell your father what his greatest disappointment said, and reassure him I am still safely shackled to my filth.”
The Japanese pantheon turned their back and left, causing an eerie vibe to overcast the stadium. Not even the devils or demons mocked their exit under the Hell Lady’s pained sight. After a short while, a depressed puff of air left Izanami’s lips.
“At least I have some joy in the Nine Hells after this maelstrom disaster…”
Eostre cleared her throat and got to her feet, now holding Moongmor in her arms for support. “Right, well, eh-hehe, while our competitors prepare for their final match, we will mingle and talk… I’m sure you all have much to discuss with the lesser deities who have answered your call. I hope you, umm, remember this opportunity that was provided to you.”
The woman vanished in an array of lights to appear beside Rachel with a strained smile, waving away the stadium to a snowy, ocean-side cityscape for them to speak alone as the new audience began to whisper to one another.
“Rachel,” Eostre greeted. The woman set down Moongmor to hop ahead and turn back to look at them. Conner was transported beside them, showing a confused frown as snowflakes fell, likely reflecting how Eostre felt right now. “That was… very sad and uncomfortable.”
“I feel really sad, too,” Nia sniffed, materializing out of twinkling light. She gave the surprised tulpa a hug before pulling back. “I’m happy you’re okay, though. I was really scared when that creep’s vines were crawling all over you.”
A quake shook Eostre’s frame. “Yes, well, one of the less pleasant moments of my life… for certain. However, it is in the past. I am thankful that you were not destroyed, too, Nia. Now, if only we could do something about your age.”
“Yes, please!” Nia cried, forcing herself to be brave and stand between Rachel and Conner. “I don’t like being a kid; it’s weird and confusing. You keep your distance, bud!”
Conner rubbed his shoulders with a short shiver and backed away with a chuckle. “I’m not going to try anything shady, kid—eh, Nia, I mean,” he added at her leer. “Actually… Do you want to play with Delphinus? He’s been a little restless.”
Nia gasped at the prospect as the mystical dolphin constellation sparkled into existence. “Umm… n-no! I’m not tempted t-to fly on a magical dolphin!”
Rachel laughed at the pressure in the girl’s voice; she was probably hating and loving this conflicting kid personality. “Go on, Nia, Conner isn’t going to try anything. Have fun with Delphinus.”
The girl jumped over Conner to land on the dolphin’s back without a second thought. “Okay! Thank you, Cap! Let’s fly, Delphinus! We’re fighting lava dragons to save the world and rescue my handsome prince!” she proclaimed, probably going to recreate the epic battle the Legend had with the lizard.
“Go get ‘em,” Rachel mused, watching the pair fly into the silent, snowy night to explore and play heroine and steed.
Starting on a casual walk, she strolled down the seaside boulevard with the tulpa and Legend. Eostre glanced at her, hands held at her front. All three of them fell into the hushed atmosphere, no doubt pondering all the insanity that had come from this Legend’s Quest.
A chilled wind swept in from the foggy sea, ruffling Rachel’s skirt and pulling her braid toward the city as the mist gradually covered them. So many things had led to her traversing this bizarre, divinely created street with an enemy she’d kill and a woman who might as well be a goddess compared to her.
There wasn’t a chance in hell that she could have expected all of this to happen. To Rachel, it felt like an eternity since she’d stepped through that golden rift, leaving Scarlet to take her first step on her own, and she found herself a little anxious to see how things turned out because Relica was still a threat.
Still, Rachel couldn’t help reflecting on her life with this break that had been granted to them. Ever since that car accident that had taken her cousin’s life, she’d run, trying not to lose the fire burning in her chest to push for something invisible, just beyond reach. She didn’t even know what she was running from, but she was running from something.
The Oscillation had shown her an out-of-place thread, and she’d plucked at it, over and over. At first, it was to regain control. Control was important to her. She had to be in control. Yet, the further she’d punched her way through these walls, the more she realized that she hadn’t been in control since losing her cousin.
She looked out across the veiled ocean, seeing the hazed lapping waves as they crashed against the concrete walls of the port. Yet, Cerridwen’s message when under the Black Moon resonated within her, telling her that she was the one in control.
Despite all these gods and goddesses hovering in the background, they were powerless in the face of The Oscillation. They needed them. And from what she’d seen of Izanami, the higher realms were a complete mess, with dozens upon dozens of pantheons and powerful entities thrown into a singular plane to battle it out.
Be it mortal, lesser deities, or creation deities, all of them were reeling with the chaos that they’d been plunged into. It spoke of a higher power than these entities that contended on the universe scale.
It told Rachel that if they were going to get through this, then they had to work together. An incredulous chuckle shook Rachel’s chest, drawing Eostre and Conner’s sober gaze; she’d never been one for teamwork.
“What is on your mind?” Eostre asked, somberly turning her sight to the ocean. “Is it the uncertainty we have stepped into?”
Grabbing her fingers behind her back, Rachel shook her head and breathed out a long sigh. “It’s everything.”
Scarlet had somewhat changed her displeasure at working as a team, and in such a short time. The vamp girl had shown her what it was like to have someone who relied on her, which had sparked something new within Rachel she hadn’t expected.
“I’m guessing Izanami is using this opportunity to bait deities in by giving them an intermediate stage to talk to their followers below the 6th dimension.”
The corner of Eostre’s mouth lifted a little. “It’s chaos, which is why I’m here with you. In the guise of a banquet, Izanami is allowing them to bicker and point fingers…”
“What is it?” Conner softly asked as Eostre’s fingers lifted to play with a small silver necklace she wore. “You seem nervous or scared, but don’t you have all the power of my Seed now?”
“Haha. Power… Temporarily, indeed. But I am nothing more than a proxy for Izanami, and all the better for it with how potent and phenomenal she is at wielding it. Although, it is… very confounding since I can sense Izanami’s goals and intentions… and they are not what I envisioned. It is strange to have so much insight into someone so powerful… And to feel their tormented misery.”
She cleared her throat and wiped at the corner of her eyes before growling in annoyance. “And despite all of this, Cerridwen is absent… Gone. It’s infuriating. I cannot reach her—even with this Seed’s power—and that does scare me.”
Rachel held a hand against her breast, looking inward at the revelation. “If she were gone, or dead, I should say, then wouldn’t my blessing from her be, as well?”
“Yes,” Eostre confirmed. “It is that which makes it even more frightening… How is she escaping my call when I should be far stronger than her with this Seed? And even Izanami cannot reach her. I don’t know her intentions or plots, unlike my assistant in this clown show. In any case, Izanami believes she has entered the Blood Sea again, whatever that means, but I’m even more frightened than I was before obtaining this insight and power.”
Ears tilting forward as they stopped at a railing, Rachel leaned against it to stare at the waves rushing against the dock. “That doesn’t bode well… Hmm. Hey, Conner, you didn’t communicate with Dionysus directly, did you?”
The man shook his head, back against the bars while looking up at the swirling cyclone his dolphin and Nia created, pulling the mist into the sky with a flurry of snowflakes.
“No. As a Priestess of Hecate, Relica gets visions and can communicate with higher powers. I honestly didn’t know much about Dionysus until I met him in person…”
He forced a laugh, his typically strong voice fractured with a hollow doubt. “I know we haven’t known each other long, Rachel, but after these battles… all the things you’ve exposed, I’m questioning my whole life now… It takes a special kind of girl to do that, huh?”
Rachel shot him an incredulous smirk. “Sure. Hmm… It’s interesting that you pointed out Relica as a priestess to communicate with the divine. Eostre… Izanami pointed me in this direction. Why did she do that? How can I talk to you in visions?”
Eostre hugged herself, looking toward the road. “It’s in your soul; I don’t know how else to say it. It’s like trying to explain to an animal how humans communicate, and I’m the animal,” she clarified as Rachel pushed her lips to the side, not amused at the analogy. “There are those very few with the gift to link to the divine and those who cannot.”
Arms tightening against the railing, she swallowed before asking her next question. “And… my mother?”
“Yes, she also has the gift, and quite strongly,” the tulpa said without reserve. “I was forbidden to speak to her by Cerridwen, though, and I felt her frustration at being, umm, ignored. Apologize for me, won’t you?” Eostre asked with a strained smile.
“I will…” The atmosphere stilled as Rachel reordered everything she’d thought about her life, yet again. After a few painful seconds, a hand gripping her heart, she asked a question that fought to stay inside her throat. “Eostre… Does my mother… have a Seed in her?”
Conner looked at the tulpa with her, seemingly going through his own internal emotional struggle after everything they’d gone through. The flowery woman’s brow furrowed while meeting Rachel’s uncomfortable gaze.
“I… believe she does. Has she not told you? It is quite dense and bizarre, making me believe it is one of the Greater Seeds.”
“No… she hasn’t told me,” Rachel whispered, fingers bending the metal of the railing as she breathed and looked away. “Thank you for telling me, Esotre. Can Conner and I have some time to talk before leveling and starting the final battle?”
The woman’s sad eyes rested on the damage done to the railing. “Of course. Izanami wants to show Nia off since some of the Chinese deities are asking about her. Is that alright? Izanami seems to believe it will benefit you.”
Rachel searched her soul, parsing through the strings of misfortune; the pull and weight of each thread were far more solidified after her Grade increase. It was somewhat vague as to how beneficial it would be, and some of them had barbs that could prick her. Yet, for the first time, something new jumped out: a golden line that could come from this direction; dark threads spun around it, threatening and opening up grave misfortune, but the payoff could be massive.
“I think that… would be good. I’ll let her know.”
Pushing away from the twisted rails, she looked up at the playing bunny and dolphin. Nia, Izanami wants to show off how amazing you are. Want to get showered with praise?
“Oh, my goodness, yes!” the girl chirped. “Wait, only if I can get a new set of super cute clothes! I can make deals with devils, too; I’m no kid that will do stuff for free!”
Attagirl, Rachel snickered.
“What are you grinning about?” Eostre questioned.
“Nia’s got a contract she wants the Hell Lady to sign if her services are going to be rendered. Good luck negotiating with a stubborn child.” Pushing away from the rails, she tilted her head to Conner. “Let’s talk a bit before I kill you.”
I’m expecting a killer deal, Sgt. Bun.
“You got it, Lt. Hops!” Nia internally saluted.
The Legend laughed as she sauntered off, joining her down the boulevard. They listened to the waves in silence for a time, the sparse snow falling around them and leaving the tulpa to negotiate with the five-year-old, fashion-obsessed little girl.
Rachel had learned a lot about The System and these Seeds through this competition. She’d learned a lot about herself and hidden things. She still couldn’t believe her mother had covered up the fact she had a Seed, that she could speak to higher beings in general.
Her mom had never pushed her belief onto her or their family, but this was something different. Had she been scared to look crazy? No, that couldn’t be the excuse after Rachel had literally changed and told her everything. Had Scarlet’s blood—Veronica—been squeamish about entering her mother’s room because of Eostre or her mother?
She came into this Legend’s Quest expecting to fight, kick some ass, and then leave. But not this; so many emotions were now compounding in her heart. Still, a fire burned within her to push forward. She didn’t want to stop; in fact, she wanted to push harder because of it.
At first, Rachel looked for answers to her change. Then, it changed to discovering parts of her she’d kept buried, fighting goblins to the death in a shattered world that sought help from Legends. Scarlet came next, and they entered a seemingly hopeless battle against alien toads that could turn into sand and easily rip her apart, only for Scarlet to show her power.
The little, terrified, shattered teenage girl had been possessed by someone she’d known all her life. Veronica then went on to claim total victory against impossible odds, further traumatizing Scarlet in the process. Poisoned and losing strength, Rachel had been forced to rely on others, especially Scarlet, as she weakened, pulling her toward an unlikely group of associates that had been surprisingly helpful… She’d almost died several times, and would have without their help.
Nearly collapsing due to organ failure, fighting through an unknown toxin, and pushing her ravaged body to the limit, she’d looked for answers, all while connecting with influential people in the government. She’d brought their attention to the higher field at play with the deities, which they then sought to put her to the test, sending her here when they faced Relica’s unusual powers.
Astra, Selvaria, Maria, Fiona, and Scarlet had come into her life when Rachel would have never associated with any of them before The Oscillation. The Scarlet Hand was made aware of the fact she was still alive. And now she had to confront the uncomfortable idea that they had something to do with her cousin’s murder.
Her parents, who were her entire life, and all she wanted to do was make them proud, had shown up; her mother came to her on her knees, asking her to stop… and she couldn’t. Now, to uncover the truth that her mother not only had a Seed but was in communication with higher powers, just like her? How was she supposed to take that? Why wouldn’t she tell her?
It was more than the bloodlust of battle and conflict that she felt before. From this competition, she learned she was running both from something and to something. She might not have been human, to begin with. There was so much more uncertainty now.
All the compounding issues pressing in around her made a laugh bubble out of Rachel’s lungs, pulling Conner’s smile.
“All of this is kind of funny,” he whispered, hands in his shorts pockets. “Real talk… I think this is where I die.”
“You think so?” Rachel asked, finding her hands behind her back and looking up at the tall, handsome man. “You don’t look scared.”
Pushing his lips out, Conner grunted and shook his head before sliding his fingers through his hair. “I’m not a good man, Rachel… Far from it, actually…”
He worked around his jaw and sighed. “All I ever wanted to do was gain the glory I was born to achieve… I knew I was destined for greatness, but something hit me in the chest when I got all the power I ever wanted. I became a Legend!” he stated with pride, holding up a tight fist.
Conner’s laughter turned bitter and caustic. “The Legend of Antaeus! A powerful figure who was known far and wide—infamous for his deadly wrestling skills… Perfect for me, since in the underground Greek wrestling world, I am exactly that, fully financially supported by the Scarlet Hand…”
Tongue pressing against his bottom lip, he popped it with a frustrated hiss. “Imagine that… like they were building me into this murdering showman of a wrestler for that very purpose. But do you know the funny thing about Antaeus, this powerful, divinely gifted, and legendary fighter? Do you know what he’s most famous for?”
Rachel shook her head. “What’s funny about the legend?”
“Hah…” Conner drew in his lips and took a second to respond. “For being—for being a stepping stone for Hercules. Antaeus is only built up to be the fodder to highlight Hercules’ wit and strength… He dies, as villains do. And I think… I’m your stepping stone.” He laughed and nudged her, throwing Rachel off balance with ease and showing his incredible strength. “Do you know what’s even more hilarious?”
“What?” Rachel grunted, trying to shove back to test his sturdy Feats, only to find her momentum drained. “Damn, that Feat is annoying.”
Voice dropping octaves with a reflective grin, Conner shook his head. “If only… No, what’s funny is that I think… I’m okay with being your first big stepping stone.”
Rachel came to a stop, eyebrows pulling together as the man turned to study her. “You… want to die by me?”
“Pfft! When did I say want in there?” he snorted. Conner showed an appraising eye again while scanning her, but it wasn’t as licentious as before. “I was grateful for what the Scarlet Hand did for me. I’m one of those rare people that don’t give a damn about taking a life… But perhaps I do regret not living a better life to stand here facing you. What Level are you?”
Rachel smirked and shook her head; she wasn’t going to be baited into revealing that, but the Legend surprised her again.
“Eostre, can you show Rachel my Level? I’m Nine. I know for a fact you’ve fought far stronger creatures than I have. Dionysus wanted to kill you, so it makes sense if you overcame them, you’d have a lot more EXP, even if there is a cap our spirits can absorb. You did two Challenge Rating 3 battles… I didn’t do one.”
True to his word, Eostre opened up a window, showing his level: he was Level 9.
“Huh… Do you really want me to tell you?” Rachel asked, feeling almost obligated to return the act.
Again surprised at the Legend’s almost serene cadence, Conner shook his head. “I can guess you’re probably at the same level as Relica now. She pushed her spirit as hard as it would expand before coming here. I just wanted to say… I’m looking forward to our fight. Good luck, Rachel. Now, I need to plot how to murder you.”
He lifted his hand and parted ways toward the city. “Oh, and if you do kill me… Just like Hercules, cement my legacy by becoming the greatest Mythickin in history. That’s enough for me…”
Head tilting to the side, the wind pulled Rachel’s braid over her shoulder as she watched him go; Conner turned out to be more complex than she’d initially thought. He went from Relica and Dionysus’ party boy lackey to flipping against them to join her, and now she had gained a modicum of respect for the Legend, and he respected her.
What a competition this has been… Are you done, Nia?
“Nope! I’m getting ALL the goodies! I’ll be home in a minute. I got you a skort! You know, a skirt with shorts underneath? Sneaky-sneaky clothing!”
Hallelujah. Keep it up, Soldier.
Smiling, Rachel moved to the docks to sit on the end of a pier to meditate.
“Negotiation-Mode, Boss! I got some really cute accessories, too. You’ll love them. Bunny hairclips, friendship bracelets, scrunchies—the works! Not magical, though… Izanami’s being stingy.”
Booooo.
“Yeah, booooo!”
Settling in, Rachel closed her eyes and entered her inner world to level up. A half-smile lifted her lips upon seeing a big, cozy room with a fireplace and clothing designs drawn on paper tacked to the walls. In the bed across from her was a bandaged, divine woman, tucked into bed and resting.
Nia, you can do medical work? How did you treat Nike? she asked, walking to the bed to inspect the bunny’s work. It looks… good. I’m surprised.
“Aww, thanks, Cap! I was—what do you mean you’re surprised?!” she snarled, and Rachel could see the steam puffing out of her ears.
“I took a medical Feat in that Halloween spooky moon scary fight to help her. Humph. It helped me restore myself, too, because I’m smart, and I knew that if Nike was inside me, then my restoring power would extend to her. Am I smart or what, Cap?! It totally worked.”
Carefully inspecting her, Rachel was gentle in rolling her up to inspect her back, where tiny nubs were starting to grow, slathered in some kind of salve.
No, that is smart… Her wings are growing back?
“H-Hey! Don’t bother her, meanie! Let her rest… She’s really hurt. I think she needs to rest a lot to wake up.”
Okay, Doctor Bun, Rachel whispered, tucking the ravaged Personification of Victory back into bed. I’m sorry, I’m sorry.
Her left eye creased upon seeing Nia’s outfit upgrade selection open up while moving to an armchair beside the bed. It seemed they could both make selections, but it hadn’t been that way before. Rachel had to wonder if allowing Nia to make her own choices would promote further growth or if doing it together would be best.
Nia, did you use one Feat, one Syncro, and three Style points? I thought you were going to wait for me to go through the Syncro one when you were an adult.
“Oh, uh, yeah… I kind of… did use it to link closer to your, umm, spirit, as a Soul Item, umm… It just helps me… not be as scared. Sorry! I know I should have asked, but it’s how you can see my stuff now. I just… I’m really scared, and I wanted t-to not… I thought you might abandon me! I wanted to know how to make you happy…”
Nia… Rachel sighed, looking over some of the things the girl had chosen for herself; she should have expected something like this from a five-year-old’s temperament. She may still have some of that dog in her as a soldier, but her age reversion had nerfed her mental and emotional state by quite a bit.
“Are you mad at me… I-I’ll get you b-better clothes—the black kind that you like!”
It’s okay, Nia, she soothed. You’re doing great. I’m not going to abandon you.
“I’m… not defective goods?” she sniffed. “I’m a little bunny outfit now, though… I’m not cool anymore…”
You’re alright just the way you are, Nia. I can like the cool older Nia and the cute bunny girl Nia at the same time. So soldier up, and let’s get this win. ‘Kay?
“Okay! And… thank you for not getting mad at me. I want to be useful…”
Rachel’s brow furrowed as she pressed on the Soul-Link Synchronization Feat, leaning against the side of her chair and bringing her knuckle up to her mouth.
Nia, did you know that if you get closer to my spirit, then you can also share in my Feats, and I can share in yours? At the next tier, I can use one of a few selective Feats.
“Is that… good?” Nia slowly asked.
It’s huge… It increases the maximum number of Equippable Feats that I can have. You already share in my Lunar Pools because that’s what you were designed for, but if you can now share in my Feats, then… you could become a real partner.
“I want that!” Nia squealed. “I want to be a good partner! I’m a good soldier! I’ll be the bestest, Cap! Please!”
Rachel didn’t even have to think twice, upgrading Nia’s link to her soul rather than putting it into the kinetic hammer she’d eaten. A strained smile came on as the potential Feat she could share with the bunny came up on the list.
Less is More… Great. Well, it is great, I suppose, she sighed. Now, my open skin will be protected, so a bullet to the face will probably hurt like hell, but I’ll probably live… with some damage, and its strength is based on my [Lunar Coat] Feat. Hmm.
“What does it do for me, Cap?!” Nia excitedly butted in. “Do I get super durability?!”
Linked… to a degree, Rachel whispered. It really is broken since it can resonate between us. Your clothing is enhanced, and my open skin is enhanced, but since you are the origin of the Feat, it is weaker for my open skin at the moment, until our souls are closer. It’s a start, though.
Having used Nia’s Feat and Synchro Points, she moved to the three available Style Points.
Hmm… I see you used three Style Points, two of which to increase your Lunar Pool limit from two to four, which is how we have so much Lunar Energy now… Good job.
Nia internally cheered at her praise, showing off to the Chinese deities like she was in a kid’s pageant. There were a few places she could go in tweaking Nia’s support Style, from Attack, Defense, and Utility.
If they grew closer together, then Nia could take more from her own Attack and Defensive Feats, assisting her more in fights. They had to level together to compliment each other in their own ways, which certainly made her aware of the advantages of a Soul Item, allowing them to advance in ways that could cover each other’s weaknesses.
The problem was that it now took two Style Points to gain a fifth Lunar Pool, but that was worth it since she was building up a huge stockpile of energy that could be used for later. The last one seemed fairly obvious; she sank it into the girl’s Solar Defense to shield the energy.
Done with Nia’s upgrades, she was about to close out of the window to do her own when something else caught her eye; Nia’s inventory slots were not only subject to permanent additions. She could designate a few for general storage, which was certainly convenient, but until the need arose, it would be best to leave them open for designation.
Opening her own sheet, Rachel studied her options; she’d gained a Feat Slot, meaning she could now have four Feats equipped; she also got a new Feat, which meant there would still be one left out, and a passive caught her eye, likely gained after branching out from [Lunar Spike].
Lunar Amplification I - Amplify Lunar Light, adding 1% to any Lunar Pool. Warning: Pool must have at least double the amount to be amplified.
Mind working as she scanned down the list, she saw a way forward that revolved around [Lunar Spike]. The percentage would go up as the Tiers and Grades went up. How much, though?
One of her biggest problems was losing sight of a moon, but what if she could mitigate that by using a spike of energy to fuel her during those downtimes or when she had no moon? Could she activate it from Nia’s shielded Pools even during daylight? Sure, it would drain extremely fast, yet it could be life-saving.
Selecting it, a low rumble shook in her throat as a new option opened up in the Feat Extensions, showing that there was an order one should choose these Feats if one wanted to see all the options. Out of the randomized selection of extensions, two caught her attention.
Lunar Spike I: Flashburn - Decrease Spike Cost by 5% and double the burn speed.
Lunar Amplification I: Blinding Light - Increase amplification by 5% if the Pool is above 50%.
It only took her a second to decide Blinding Light was the way to go; it would increase her raw Stats by quite a bit with [Divine Lunar Surge] and give more of a cushion to [Lunar Cap]. Flash Burn would have been nice for [Lunar Spike], but that was more for niche situations and would drop its use to, at least currently, fifteen seconds.
Now, Feat Refinement was a big one. Multiplying her EXP with [Primal Force X] was still under refinement. Her focus centered on [Bringer of Misfortune], which has proved itself in taking out a lesser god. If the Scarlet Hand feared her for her misfortune, then she’d refine that, but she choked when the time it would take popped up.
Bringer of Misfortune II - Refinement Time - 30 Days.
How does that work? she snarled to Nia. [Primal Force X] is a week, and this is thirty days?!
“Don’t ask me,” Nia mumbled. “I extorted a Chinese god for a new dress! Yes! I’m on fire!”
Or they want to see you in more their style of clothes, Rachel mused. Either way, we win.
“Winning!”
Nearly done, Rachel swapped to her Stat Menu, puffing out a long sigh. It was hard to know where to put a single point. She could increase her Endurance further to go longer, but if she ended the fight sooner, then what was the problem? She sunk the point into Speed, increasing it to two.
At the end of her road before meeting Conner in the arena, Rachel studied the newest, and probably most interesting addition: she’d gained a limit break.
Attack Feat Branch: Curse: Karma I - Retribution - Activate to show the target a small portion of the weight of their Karma, afflicting them with Karma’s Balance and tormenting or uplifting their souls as the scales swing.
Getting to her feet, Rachel laughed at how vague it was, which was just like this System at times. She stood over Nike, taking in all the torture Dionysus had put the silver-haired woman through. If only she’d been able to exact her karma.
“Well, I guess we’ll see how it works soon enough… if I can fill up the Karma Bar on it. Interesting…”
Nia interrupted her, pulling Rachel out of her inner world.
“I think they’re ready for the next battle, Rachel. Are we ready? Oh, and you got me a new Lunar Pool! Thank you.”
I got us a new pool… And as ready as I’ll ever be. Let’s finish this Legend’s Quest.
The misty pier hazed, and she was standing in the middle of the stadium, Conner across from her, with dice hovering between them. Izanami and Eostre floated down, Nia hopping out of the air to land beside her with a proud grin, wearing a colorful, traditional Chinese hanfu.
“How do I look?!”
“Pretty. I don’t think it would be good battlewear, though,” Rachel laughed.
“Yup! Yup!” Nia changed into her military outfit again, complete with Chinese hair accessories, and saluted her. “Ready for combat, Ma’am!”
Izanami giggled, rising to her feet and regaining her poised composure after her family left early. “Cute. Now… Shall we begin the death battle?”
