“How do you obtain food on your planet?”
“Usually by purchasing it from a store.”
“Ah, and you pay with the dollars you mentioned before?” Kyralon asks.
“Yes. Though some people are more self-sufficient and choose to raise animals or farm crops to provide themselves with food.”
I answer question after question, and anytime I think he might be ready to slow down, he somehow manages to dig up another. He must have heard some of these answers several times over, especially if he’s been putting up requests for a while—which seems likely. Yet Kyralon still asks, instead of presuming the answer.
“What is the primary source of energy for your civilization?”
“What is the dominant species on your planet?”
“How many intelligent species live on your planet?”
“What are the primary languages spoken on your planet?”
“How do you travel long distances on Earth?”
And on it goes.
Then it’s my turn to ask. “What was that pouch you took that tasty drink and glasses from before?” I ask.
Having anticipated my question, he reaches into his pocket and pulls it free.
“This is my Spatial Cache. This is a smaller model, with a storage area about the size of a big room, and was personally made by the Ruler of Diligence. The ones with the larger storage areas are made by… someone else,” he teases.
In one way, I’m sure he’s just like me, curious. And this fossil of the Absolute has no qualms about using that against me, likely because he knows how he would feel.
“Currently, I know of only three or four beings capable of creating a Spatial Cache—assuming he’s still alive—and it’s likely there are only a few hundred Spatial Caches within the system.”
“What? Doesn’t that number seem low? There are a shitton of planets, and the system has to be tens of thousands of years old.”
“That should help you imagine the value of these items.”
“I have a vial that allows me to store water and other liquids, and in much larger amounts than could fit in a room.”
“Let me guess, it’s an Aqua Arcanum Vial from the old capital of the 4th floor?”
“Yes.”
“There are vials and other items that can store large amounts of liquids or gases, but unlike Spatial Caches, they cannot hold other types of materials. While Caches generally cannot store living things, they can hold almost anything else. Additionally, Caches offer several advantages over items like the Aqua Arcanum Vial, such as being nearly indestructible and that’s just the beginning.”
“Understood.”
“Then, I will continue my inquiry. What is the average lifespan of your people? Are there any major differences between the different groups of people on your planet? How do you resolve conflicts between individuals and groups? What is your planet’s most common natural disaster? How do you prepare for and deal with natural disasters?”
Once again he presses the attack with more questions, and I take a deep breath before answering.
This round takes longer than the previous ones because some questions are tricky, but I finally finish up.
“... but some prefer doing cardio before working out instead of afterward. Those people are maniacs, and they should be avoided at all costs.”
“Understood. That was the hundredth question, so ask yours.”
“Tell me more about Ruby, Lissandra’s disciple.”
“I apologize, but I cannot.”
Even that non-answer mostly confirms what I thought for a while, but just in case, I ask more.
“Tell me about the Ruler of Greed.”
Right away, the mood shifts and the air feels still. Each breath and heartbeat slow, akin to a mountain resting on my chest, weighing me down. Everything else fades away except for those black eyes full of sparkling light.
“Attendee Nathanie, please do not mistake me for the shadow of someone’s true self existing within the tutorial. I’m not a tool to be tricked into giving answers, even without explicitly responding.”
Each of these sentences reverberates through the air. Softly spoken, but akin to a declaration.
“So allow me to ask you. Do you insist on an answer to that question?” He asks me.
“No,” in that moment the word sounds alien, and I barely recognize my own voice.
“Thank you for understanding. I do value curiosity, so I forgive your misstep, but be aware that there will be no more warnings.”
“I understand and I apologize.”
“Noted. Now then, I consider your question wasted, and it’s now my turn again. What are the dominant beliefs and philosophies among your people? How do your people govern themselves? How many governments rule over your planet? What kind of animals are most common on Earth?”
My turn comes once again, and I can finally ask my question. It’s something I’ve had the time to think about, and there are so many things I could ask. About skills, the system, the tutorial, my abilities, and other knowledge.
But there are also questions I’m sure I would regret asking, if only because the answers might send me down a path other than my own. I’m sure Lissandra is stronger than this man, she’s a fossil even older than Kyralon. Hell, that crazy cockroach managed to kill multiple goddamn Rulers. Since I can try to pull information from her, I don’t think I’ll be asking Kyralon about any of it.
“There are a few questions I have, but I’m not sure if you can answer them or would even want to.”
“If your questions are about the tutorial or what comes immediately after, I’d prefer you not ask them. The tutorial exists for a reason, and most such questions will either be answered in time or their answers need to be earned. Others out on Beyond quests might provide answers, but I believe it’s better not to seek them that way.”
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“Got it. In that case. What’s up with your eyes? My handler called you Warden of the Parallax Eyes. That title seems important, prestigious even.”
“My eyes are a trait hereditary in my bloodline. They went through three trait strengthenings and then further... improvements. At any one time, only a single person within the system can possess Parallax Eyes. I won’t tell you what they do or go into more detail. In exchange for not fully answering your question, I can tell you that yes, there are more of these similar, special traits. Unique traits that can turn your bloodline into something truly remarkable.”
I sigh. “Why is it that anytime I actually get answers, I feel like I know less than I did before?”
He laughs briefly. “It’s always like that.”
As he stands up, he gestures for me to do the same. “I’m sure you’re curious about this place, so you can have a moment to explore a bit while I tend to my own tasks. You can go anywhere you want, so long as you don’t open any doors or enter any areas that have been blocked off. We will continue in one hour.”
I do as I’m told and leave the loggia and then the room, heading back into the hallway. Then I stop for a moment. The only way out of the tower seems to be the stairway coiling around its outside. I hesitate just for a moment before shrugging and heading outside, where I start climbing down the stairs.
Once again, all my mana, primordial energies, and abilities vanish beyond my reach, and right then and there I plop down to sit on one of the steps.
With a growing feeling of discomfort, I punish myself by sitting with my legs hanging over the edge of the stairs and my back against the wall.
That’s what cowards get.
Feeling the wind tug at me, I stare into the distance. Watching the huge, continent-sized hunks of rock slowly float around, and gazing upon the shimmering barrier and the never-ending darkness beyond.
I know it’s the ruins of a moon that once had life and cities on it, a sight that either killed an unknown number of beings or left them homeless, yet a part of me still finds it weirdly beautiful.
Slowly recharging my social batteries after answering so many questions, I begin trying to look within myself, observing my mana heart and... well... trying to figure out where my mana and primordial energies went.
It’s either an effect caused by some sort of field the Absolute decided to put here, or some quality of the tower, though there could be something beyond the wall I’m resting my back against.
Something that requires this kind of powerful field.
There is no chance in hell for me to break through it. I’m still far, far from the level of a Champion and I’m even further from being able to face down an Absolute, but that won’t stop me from trying.
And I do just that.
At first, it feels silly, as if my pre-tutorial self tried to use force or telekinesis. Something I’m sure a lot of kids tried. Maybe even most kids, no matter how silly it looked. No, I’m sure nearly all the little boys tried to awaken those powers when they were young. Surely it is to the point of being considered normal.
Not me though! I would never do something so silly. Never.
Anyway, Victoria had better keep her mouth shut.
POV Tess Hansen
Ten humans and lumorans die after being identified as mimics by the Signature Isolation Framework. Only then do they stop using it, as do the other units. The information isn’t being shared freely, but it’s safe to say that at least two or three of those people were not mimics. Just like Nathaniel.
Part of me wonders if he was just that unlucky, or if it was timed that way to get rid of him. Did it have something to do with his eyes? His abilities that could help fix it? Or maybe it was because he was on the list of names for the replacement pilot for Ardenyx—as Sophie recently learned from Leth.
I feel a presence behind me, and soon after, Sophie puts her hand on my shoulder. “Tess, I thought of something. I tried it with Noodle and my bond, and they couldn’t do it. But don’t you think Biscuit would be able to sniff out a mimic, maybe?”
Min-Jae, who is nearby, answers in my stead. “Unfortunately, no. A day ago, I saw Biscuit accepting food from a mercenary without a care in the world, and not long after, it turned out he was a mimic. An actual one, tentacles, dozens of mouths and eyes, and all.”
Sophie groans in frustration. “Well, that hope is gone then. I just found out that they’ve pretty well given up on Ardenyx and are focusing the technicians efforts on Exoria and Praxion, so I was able to leave my bond…”
“Blackie!” Izzy shouts.
“...Blackie nearby. We did some interesting modifications with some help from the twins.”
"Should I be worried?"
"I'm not even sure if it will work." Sophie shrugs.
“How much time do we have before they send us away, Tess?” Maya asks me.
“It should be two hours, but they’ve moved things up. We’ll be leaving the camp in thirty minutes. Until then, we’ll all stay inside the tent.”
“I don’t think we will have to wait that long,” Sophie’s voice turns serious and her mana starts filling the tent to activate her web.
Then I feel it as well, an eruption of immense mana near the center of camp and a dozen or so powerful signatures rising to meet it. Our tent starts collapsing under the weight of the attack, and as we grab our prepared items, we rush out. I keep an eye on everyone, but they stick to our plan. Another attack hits the ground near us, throwing us to the side.
One of the tents in the center disappears, and a suit of war armor steps out. It gleams silver for the most part, with the occasional streak of blue paint. Unlike Ardenyx, it doesn’t have wings; instead, it’s very bulky and extremely armored.
Praxion takes a step and attacks the main tent where Exoria is.
(Stop looking! Run the way we planned!) I send through our link, and I move to take point.
There is a mimic in our path, in its pre-host state. It’s as big as a room, with dozens of swirling tentacles. Before it can even rush us, it implodes in on itself, and another one attacking a different group to our left splats into a pile of flesh under the immense force of gravity. Serabeth hovers over her tent, mana and gravitational forces radiating around her.
Briefly, my eyes meet hers, and I’m sure she can see me, so I nod in gratitude. She is then forced to put her attention elsewhere and disappears from my sight.
Another explosion reverberates through the air. Five or so lumorans start attacking the camp, joined by Praxion and outside forces. I can see it even through the falling debris as we run away.
Lily and Maya clash against a mimic, and Izzy rushes to support them. The twins and Min-Jae deal with another one while Sophie continues to shelter us from their attacks. I keep observing it all, jumping in to help whenever someone finds themselves being pushed back.
Another powerful mimic erupts from the ground, a swirling mass of tentacles, acid-coated mouths, and countless eyes.
[Greater Mimic - lvl ???]
I channel my primordial energy, narrowing it into a concentrated stream, powerful enough to crack one of my javelins. The weapon shoots forward, shattering the air as it pierces through the mimic's grotesque body, only to return and strike again.
Across the camp, the mimic's toxic saliva drips like rain, its tentacles swatting a lumoran guard aside as it rushes toward us with unstoppable force. I fly into the air, drawing more power from my crown, just as one of the main tents collapses. From the wreckage emerges the barely functional Ardenyx, its frame battered and missing limbs, the appendages on its back barely holding together.
There is no pilot. Instead, black smoke swirls ominously around it.
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Sophie groans in pain, collapsing to her knees as blood flows from her ears and eyes. Izzy screams, and Noodle reacts instantly, expanding his form to shield her. Blue flames flicker along his scales as he fends off the onslaught of lesser mimics.
Ardenyx takes to the air briefly before slamming into the Greater Mimic. The two massive figures crash together, rolling through the camp in a chaotic explosion of violence, shredded armor, and severed body parts.
And when I glance back for a moment, the main tent finally disappears. And Exoria stands in its place. A suit of war armor not much taller than Ardenyx or Praxion, but nevertheless I can’t take my eyes off it.
Out of all the suits of war armor we’ve seen, it’s the least human-looking. Its head is nonexistent, the chest and head molded into one. It has long, thick legs and slim arms with huge forearms.
While Praxion and Ardenyx look advanced, Exoria looks more like a prototype than anything else. Its black surface is so scarred, dozens of damaged areas showing silver metal beneath the black color. Some parts don’t fit at all, painted in different colors, or possessed of varying lengths.
Yet, every mimic freezes the moment Exoria moves, and all at once, they all start running away like they didn’t expect Exoria to come into play.
A domain deploys around the camp and then stretches further, much, much further. Even with my eyes, I can’t see where its shimmering edges end. Attacks screaming into view from beyond my sight start colliding against it, attempting to reach our camp, each one a strike bearing what I can only describe as a city-destroying amount of force.
But the Champion Feroy in his armor holds them all back. He doesn’t allow them to reach us, his domain protects what remains of his people along with those who are fleeing.
I take note of the attack origins and adjust our course to avoid them, especially two massive concentrations of mana that are disturbingly similar in power to the lumoran Champion.
The battle between the lumoran Champion and the two mimic Champions is about to begin, and we need to get as far away as possible.