“Netherum – Neutral ground tavern existing in a secluded Ever-Darkness dinsion inside the Void. Owned and protected by a group of Furies, it is the best place to stop at if one is looking for a safe place to rest or et with other denizens of the Void. Netherum follows a few simple rules, and anyone caught breaking them is swiftly disposed of.”
–Void’s Geography by Dardon of Tariem
Warning! Powerful external influence detected. Be careful.
Warning! Powerful external influence detected. Be careful.
Warning! Body intrusion detected, forced mutation is imminent. Brace yourself, User!
Warning! Soul intrusion detected, forced mutation is imminent. Brace yourself, User!
Warning! Body intrusion detected, forced mutation is imminent. Brace yourself, User!
Warning! Soul intrusion detected, forced mutation is imminent. Brace yourself, User!
Warning! Your forced mutation will start soon. Detected cause of the mutation: N/A. Estimated power of the mutation: N/A.
Warning! The user’s current form might not be able to handle the imminent mutation. Stop the process at all costs! Death is a possible outco.
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A slew of notifications rained down on his mind, bombarding him with the sa lines of text over and over again. They all said one thing. To stop the process at all costs. It really made him wonder if he had survived only due to his luck and the Traveler’s interference.
You can think about it later. Focus! Leo clenched his eyes shut, forcing his mind to process the ssages and get rid of them as fast as possible. Essence still burned under his skin, yet it didn’t attack or try to escape even as the last warning filtered past his mind.
There were still over a dozen new notifications remaining. Still, after he read the first one, he was glad he didn’t dismiss them. This kind of information could prove vital for what was coming.
You are now capable of surviving in your current environnt. Ether life support deactivated.
Congratulations! You survived your first forced mutation. Beta-tier mutation gained: Heart of the Void. Mutation nu has been partially unlocked. Displaying the summary of your mutation.
Mutation: Heart of the Void (Beta)
With your heart carved out, First Born’s shard took its place and changed the base of your being. Follow the steps of the Void, the path of the Akirians, and beco the true Legacy of the Void.
Effects:
Nikra’s Essence has adapted to your blood. Your body is now capable of withstanding the Void’s harsh conditions. Healing speed slightly improved. Soul effectiveness: 15%. Might effectiveness: 20%.
Great… Shard instead of heart. Beta tier. Isn’t that a bit low for sothing like that, or am I missing sothing?
He sighed, turning to the other man. “You were right, you know. And now, I have even more questions.”
The Traveler quirked an eyebrow. “Oh?”
“It affected my body and soul. Made resistant to the Void. And…” Leo trailed off as his gaze fell to his naked chest.
“And the shard beca your heart.” The man chuckled when his eyes widened. “Don’t be surprised. It is pretty obvious where it went; besides, I was there when it happened. Also, just between the two of us, please don’t worry about telling too much. Details about your existence are for you and only you. If you decide to share so of them, fine. If you don’t, I won’t mind. As for your questions? Go on.”
Leo shook his head lightly. While he didn’t really trust the guy, the Traveler was the only person here who could help him. He just hated how vulnerable he was at the mont.
I doubt I’d have as much luck with any other being from the Void. Call it a hunch.
With a sigh, he looked at mystery man again. “Mutations. How do they work inside the System? Then Akirians. The hell is even that?”
“Good questions.” The Traveler nodded, scratching his chin. “One of my acquaintances calls mutations a cheat code for those who have embraced the Void. That’s partially correct. And I say partially because while only those who choose to evolve into a Void-borne can use natural mutations, others can also gain them. It’s just a bit more complicated. Aside from that, the System will explain everything later. Let’s not waste more ti on that.”
Leo frowned; he really didn’t want to wait. Oh well, beggars can’t be choosers. He is still humoring , so I can’t complain.
“And Akirians?”
The Traveler visibly grimaced. “This is where it gets complicated. You see, Akirians are… well, they are a race that originates from the Void. If I had to describe them shortly, I would say they are an evolved version of Voidlings. They are more powerful, intelligent, and dangerous than most of their predecessors.”
“Then there is the faction they all co from. How they and Voidlings interact with the System, and so much more. Way too much for to cover in one sitting.” He sighed, glancing at the infinite Void. “Full explanation will need to wait for the next ti we et. You still need to go through the rest of your notifications. I know this couldn’t be everything.”
Leo opened his mouth to protest, but he quickly closed it. Technically, he had gotten his answer. The Traveler didn’t need to promise more, yet he still did, so that was sothing.
Right. Let’s see what else I got.
Connection to the Main System core partially established. Standard connection strengthened. Links absorbed: 1 of 9
What the fuck? Core? Links? He scratched his head as his eyes darted to the man sitting in front of him. Another thing to ask.
“Don’t!”
“What?” he muttered as a familiar feminine voice echoed around him.
“Sothing’s wrong?” the Traveler asked, his violet gaze locked onto him. “I know I’m hurrying you up, but just ask if you don’t understand sothing.”
Just what the hell is going on? Leo grumbled. Hello? Voice in my head? Nikra, or whoever you are. You can’t just say “Don’t” and leave. Co on!
Whatever. He shook his head and looked up. “I…”
“Please.”
For fuck’s sake. He scowled, stopping the question that almost left his lips. I am going mad. That must be it.
“All good.” He shrugged, not understanding why he was humoring the random voice in his head. “Just surprised by the numbers.”
I hope you are happy.
“Thank you,” the voice whispered faintly into his ear, the words almost not registering in his mind.
Tell who you are, and we can call it even. Leo shot back, not really expecting an answer. That’s what I thought. Stay silent if you want. I can always question the Traveler later on. Now, System. Next.
Title: Nikra’s Legacy gained. Previous titles assimilated. Displaying new description.
Nikra’s Legacy:
The legacy of the first daughter has been born. Darkness follows your every step and the Void welcos you in its domain. Are you ready to embrace this new path?
Stacked Effects:
New evolutionary path available. Your soul is now partially synchronized with Nikra’s Essence. Soul effectiveness: 10%. Might effectiveness: 10%.
New evolution option available. Please check your Evolution nu for more information.
Dramatic much? He raised an eyebrow. Only 5 more percent to Might, but I won’t say no to another evolution. And synchronization… This might explain the voice if it was indeed Nikra, although I heard it even before that. Shit.
With every new notification, more questions appeared in his mind. As much as he wanted to let them out and hear what the Traveler had to say, sothing held him back, tying his tongue in a knot.
This is all your fault, voice.
Mutation, Heart of the Void, forced a sudden evolution of your Essence. Trait True Affinity: Shadow gained.
True Affinity: Shadow (Rare)
Minor affinity born from the Darkness. What shadows lacks in raw power; they make up for in utility. Only imagination now stands in your way, don’t let it stop you.
Effects:
Grants the ability to channel shadow affinity into your Essence. Natural evolution of affinity available due to its True form.
Warning! You are close to reaching the raw potential of your current race. Consider evolving soon.
A limit. Damn, how much a few hours can change. Although I probably shouldn’t be surprised if Nikra was really so kind of goddess.
Then there was the affinity. While his Essence felt wilder, stronger, and more uncontrollable than before, he didn’t notice any other changes. Channel shadow affinity into your Essence. All right, but how?
Raising his gaze to et the Traveler’s glowing eyes, Leo nodded. “I think that’s everything. Still have to check the new evolution, but it can wait for later. I could use a few answers first.”
“New evolution?” the Traveler repeated before a smirk grew on his face. “That’s good. I doubt it is directly related to Nikra, but your strengthened connection to the Void should grant you a better path. Try to consider it once the ti to evolve cos.”
He sighed, the last notification flashing in front of his eyes. “Yeah, that might happen faster than I expected.”
“Really now?”
“I’m close to the maximum raw potential of my race according to the System. Know anything about that?”
The other man clicked his tongue. “Should’ve thought of that,” he murmured. “To make a long story short, reaching raw potential isn’t as bad as it sounds, but it also isn’t sothing good.”
“Once you hit that point, you won’t be able to level up or improve your attributes. Skills are still fair ga, but anything that has a chance of improving your attributes will be held back by the System. Harsh, but it’s a lot better than exploding from within because your form couldn’t handle the strain.”
Well shit. Leo grimaced at the image his mind supplied. “So, evolve as soon as I can. Got it.”
“Definitely.” The Traveler nodded. “A day or two of delay won’t hurt, but if you have a good option available, then evolve. Even then, sotis it is worth choosing a weaker path instead of wasting too much ti.”
“Now,” he continued, producing a black tal rod out of nowhere, “anything else to ask, or are we done here? They are getting pretty desperate.”
Leo furrowed his brow. “They?”
The man scowled. “Different factions that also felt what happened here. None of them know about you or even Nikra’s shard. They just want to find out what’s happening here. I have a barrier around this dinsion, but even I can’t hold them off forever.”
The Traveler gave him a pointed look. “So… questions.”
Leo didn’t hesitate for a mont. “Affinity. How do I use it?”
“Imagination, young Legacy.” The man grinned. “Use your mind. Think about the elent you possess and let it encompass you. It is now a part of you. If you call, it will answer.”
For so reason, I doubt it is that easy, he grumbled before quickly raising his hands to catch the tal rod and his backpack. “Huh?”
The Traveler nodded at the two items. “Your things and a way back to your planet. Oh, and a quick tip. Work on your soul. It is incredible what you can do when you master your own core. It will make carrying things a lot easier for you.”
He frowned, still looking at the rod. “You’re saying I can throw stuff into my soul? That’s… weird.”
“No more than an entire Universe going to shit.” The man shrugged. “Now, as for the item you are holding. Just put as much Essence as you can into it and stab it into the ground. The rod will follow the trail of your energy and take you back to your last location on Earth. It may be off by a bit, but usually, it is pretty precise.”
Leo again glanced at the rod and sent just so Essence toward it. The black tal sucked it in a second, much faster than he could even feed it.
Okay, that’s quite handy.
Suddenly, the entire dinsion shook, the infinite space exploding in various colors. He cursed as he fell to the ground, the rod almost slipping out of his hands.
“Fuck!” the Traveler growled. “I guess I overestimated my strength. That’s your cue to leave!” His glowing orbs snapped to Leo. “Listen carefully, boy. Many beings out there would like nothing more than to rip that shard out of your chest and use it themselves. If they find out what you are, that’s exactly what will happen.”
He nodded to the rod. “Use it now, and don’t return to the Void until you are ready. Once you are, go to Netherum and find Tom. Tell him you need to et Tarak. He will know what to do. Understood?”
Leo pushed through the fear trying to claim his mind and gave a firm nod. At the sa ti, he pushed a steady stream of Essence into the dark tal.
The Traveler smirked and turned away. “Good. Until then, farewell, my friend. I need to make sure no one will suspect that a shard of an Old One was here. This is gonna be so fun; I can already feel it.”
Without another word, the mysterious man walked away, and imdiately a glow began to build around his form. Leo quickly averted his gaze, and just when the world around shook again, he stabbed the rod into the ground, letting oblivion claim him.
This had better work.
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