24.8

**ACT YoE 4,171/LT March 4, 2070, at 0917**

The Seattle Wasteland

Eve finished negotiating with Crystal’s two companions. Rabbit would fall under Felix, while Fluff, previously known as Fluffyfeathers, would land beneath Nota. It worked out rather well. Crystal, barring any complications, would fall under the Silver Witch’s purview.

Cho Eun-Kyung and Crystal Moss’s vocal disagreement had finally settled. Approaching them, Eve gave a polite smile and said, “Hello. Is everything handled?”

Crystal sighed and said, “Yes. Cho will handle the financial aspect, and I will handle the physical aspects. Judy Alvarez will handle the propaganda through braindance for Eden.”

Eve sat cross-legged in the air and ignored the slight shock of the other four. “Eden will be what you use to gain financial, legal, and illegal leverage?”

“Exactly…who are you though?” Cho asked cautiously. It was clear Nadja had told her that Crystal’s world had minimal magic. A display as blatant as what Eve was doing ran counter to that information.

“Crystal can explain. I need to focus,” Eve said, dismissing the financial charm specialist. Cho’s heritage was an excellent mix of English and Korean, with the best features of both. It wouldn’t be hard for her to handle cutthroat negotiations.

Eve turned her attention to the Territory she had claimed before pulling Rabbit’s RV over with a flicker of displaced space. Fixing where she wanted to go in her mind’s eye, Eve twisted space in a single breath. Once they had been outside the Wastes adjacent to Seattle, now they were within Noir City proper. More specifically, they were in the parking lot of the Glen’s basketball courts. The vehicles previously occupying their spaces were placed near the exits. It was a trivial and easy trick for a Prime.

“Teleportation? No, Mass Teleportation?” Rabbit asked, floating up behind Eve. Turning, she saw the cute yellow chickling riding the Runic AI orb with superb calm. “My talents are mostly in the use of [Space],” Eve replied, making sure using the word didn’t cause a problem.

“We didn’t shift; the world did? No, the math points elsewhere.” Rabbit mumbled, suddenly heating up before the heat was shunted into Felix’s Dungeon. It was a minor benefit from his future Patron, but Fluff’s eyes widened in shock. “You can eliminate heat?” the chickling asked.

Eve shook her head negatively before she corrected the little bird, “No, just like for Crystal, it is being shunted into another location. The heat itself doesn’t vanish. Energy can be neither created or destroyed, at least, not without massive effort.”

“That’s why she’s never suffered when I use her as an access point. The heat is bled off like water flowing from one place to another.” Fluff said with certainty.

“Correct, specifically into Felix’s Dungeon.” Eve nodded, “It was one of the primary modifications available for my allies in this world. To me and mine, heat isn’t the life-threatening condition it is to other Net-based users. Speaking of which, I suppose it would be time to introduce the others.” Reaching out, she pulled three items from what looked like space. Eve brandished a tome, a blue diamond, and a tiny shrub in a pot.

Fluff and Rabbit didn’t bat an eye, already accustomed to her oddity. Their faces showed trust that Eve wouldn’t pull mundane items from nowhere. The faith was instantly proven as the tome, blue diamond, and shrub in a pot started floating. “She’s not doing that. The energy readings are completely different.” Rabbit told Fluff with a curious tone.

The sapphire blue diamond floated over to Rabbit’s hovering Runic AI Core before flashing a holographic line of code. Instantly realizing how to apply mana, Rabbit started flashing his lines of code. Within seconds, the constant code flow between Felix and Rabbit was a waterfall of ciphering.

“I can read barely any of that,” Fluff said as she floated over to the tome. There was a short twist of realspace, and the book shifted into the form of a busty librarian with glasses if the said librarian was barely a handspan tall. “Feathers!” the tiny faerie form shouted, hugging Fluff in mid-air.

“N-Nota?!” Fluff managed to get out before being crushed like a mini-plushie with bulging eyes.

“Ignore those boys. We are going to have so much fun!” Nota said gleefully as she released the little chickling from her death hug.

Even as Felix and Nota started conversing with their chosen, Kudzu forlornly floated to Eve’s left shoulder. “No one for me? Et tu, Eve?” the shrub said with a sad tone.

Eve rolled her eyes and said, “There’s a short munchkin in town that Crystal knows, Lucky? Luci? Something like that.” The witch sold out her minion’s minion quickly with a sly expression.

“Do they have an interest in alchemy?” Kudzu asked as his shrubbery rustled.

“Certainly. Absolutely. Without any doubt,” Eve said, keeping her poker face solid. After all, who wouldn’t like alchemy when exposed to the miracles that Kudzu could create? No one, that’s who, especially not some munchkin Netrunner who life had dealt a bad hand to before Crystal intervened.

“When can I meet them?” Kudzu asked, looking eager to begin torturing. Oh no, it was training, a new victim, no, wait, they were initiated. Keeping things straight was tough sometimes. Her perfect memory was selectively foggy due to witchiness.

“As soon as Crystal finishes business with her contact,” Eve said with assurance. It had taken a few moments for Cho and Crystal to get used to the sudden transportation, but they were both less wide-eyed and short of breath.

“My contact? You mean Padre?” Crystal asked as she glanced between Eve and the basketball courts. It didn’t take a genius to see they had teleported directly into Valentino territory.

“Correct. I’d love to meet a fellow member of faith.” Eve said with a wide grin. While she still had faith, it was tainted by knowledge. How one could doubt the existence of Higher Powers when someone like her existed was a fantastic feat of self-delusion, in her opinion. True faith was something Eve missed sorely, something that had been sacrificed on the altar of knowledge for power.

Eve had long held no doubt that the God she worshipped was a Higher Power. It explained not only her brother’s survival and existence but her own as well. Ending the weighty thoughts with a shrug, Eve moved along with Crystal and Cho as they headed to the bleachers. Witch’s Dust ensured that no camera or sensor could detect their existence. While the Cloak that Crystal ran could do the same, it only applied to the blood elemental. As such, keeping Cho under wraps fell to Eve.

Like any good and proper witch, Eve immediately outsourced it. “Make one of those rings you did for Nadja for Cho, please. We can’t have her getting murdered by any random gonk in Night City.” Crystal sighed as if she had been asked to work triple overtime before creating a Blood Ward ring. A particular enchantment sent physical damage straight into Crystal’s body. Where it did precisely nothing against the blood elemental. Eve added her twist gently, ensuring the ring would send any mana-based attacks to her Territory.

“Excellent work. It looks like your rings nullify poison and gas-based issues now, as well. It pays to be a Favored of the Law of Blood. Now let’s provide my payment for services rendered and get you to Eternal.” Eve's pretty face cracked a smile at Crystal’s confusion. “You didn’t think there would be a reward for everything you’ve done so far? I’m not talking about your current form; that’s a byproduct of the Law’s choice. No, I’m talking about the real payment. From me, directly for pulling me into existence, allowing me to bypass the world’s rules. As my Pactee, there are benefits beyond this world for such a service.”

Status: Crystal Moss. Eve thought about pulling up the young lady’s full status so far. It hovered in the air between them, written in crimson ink. The Silver Witch took one look, and the power broke thick in the air. Her eyes began to glow with ascendant silver radiance. The witch manipulated the banked experience Crystal had accrued from the storm elementals like a maestro painting creation.

The results were beyond anything Crystal could have done on her own. Words shifted and altered as mana flowed like a waterfall, ascending the blood elemental’s prowess from epic to legendary. Eve wanted to ensure that the next time she was summoned, her plans remained intact.

Level Forty

Name: V (Crystal Moss)

Race: Blood Elemental

Attribute Points: 10
Skill Points: 5

Warlock Level: 20

Fighter Level: 20

Attribute and Skills

Body 40

• Blood Elemental Form (Annihilation) • Regenerative Might - The elemental’s ability to regenerate intensifies with access to more of their element. All previous bonuses remain. (20)

• Bloody Bones (Athletics) • Skeleton of Blood - The elemental gains a skeletal form created from crystallized blood. All previous bonuses remain. (20)

Coolness 40

• Icy Blood (Cold-Blooded) • Bloodborne – The elemental grows emotionally detached from those they do not meet regularly. (20)

• Shadow Blooded (Ninjitsu) • Unseen Menace - The elemental’s physical and mystical detectability diminishes to mortal and immortal senses. (20)

Intelligence 40

• Crimson Insight (Breach) • Bloodbearers - The elemental’s capacity to process information accelerates. (20)

• Crimson Memory (Quickhacking) • Dark Custodians - The elemental’s ability to retain memories strengthens. (20)

Reflexes 40

• Fluid Grace (Assault) • Artful Execution - Death becomes an art form, with the elemental’s physical manifestations as the carving tools. (20)

• Sword Dance (Blades) • Blade Ballet - Death transforms into art, and blades become the maestro's baton. (20)

• Hemalurgy (Handguns) • Essence Drain - Death takes an artistic turn, and life drainage is the epitome. (20)

Technical Ability 40

• Blood Rites (Crafting) • Hematological Rituals - The path to unyielding power, escalating through practice. (10)

• Arcane Engineering (Engineering) • Blood Mana Theory - The road to limitless knowledge, progressing with practice. (10)

Blood Elemental Effects:

Heightened Senses

Divine Shadow Shroud

Eldritch Invocation Slots (7/7):

Shadow Armor
Beast Tongue

Gift of the Depths

Investiture of the Chain Pact-Fluffyfeathers
Misty Visions

Repelling Blast

Many Faces

Weapon: Blood Athame (+3 Bonuses for Sharpening)

Forms (Dark Blood-blade): Dagger, Short Gladius, Rapier, Two-Handed Longsword

Cantrips: Clean, Prestidigitation, On/Off, Eldritch Blast(240 ft, 3 Beams)
1rst Level Spells: Disguise Self (Shadow Touched, Illusion School), Comprehend Languages (Fey Touched, Divination School)

2nd Level Spell: Invisibility (Shadow Touched, Illusion), Misty Step (Fey Touched, Conjuration)

Feats: Spell Sniper (Doubles Cast Range, Cover Penetration), Shadow Touched (Grants Disguise Self, Invisibility), Fey Touched (Grants Comprehend Languages, Misty Step)

Otherworldly Patron Bonuses changed to Eldritch Passives:

6th Level Rune Eyes (Gained)

10th Level One with all Shadows (Gained)

13th Level Otherworld Leap (Gained)

Otherworldly Arcanum Bonuses changed to Eldritch Passives:

11th Devil Sight (Gained)

13th Eldritch Spear (Gained)

15th Chain Master’s Whisper

17th Grave Whispering

“Brace yourself, my dear. You're about to get a massive upgrade,” Eve said as she focused on the framework of mana within Crystal’s soul.

There was no reason to leave someone weak and malleable. Eve had plans for her personal Pactee. Foremost among them was protection and power. Some methods could bend the girl to another’s will, even as a blood elemental.

It was time to close that door forever. Those in my service need serve none but me, Eve thought with narrowed eyes as she split the world’s reward, pushing the boundaries into two separate Classes. A trickle of silver blood escaped from both eyes and her nose, which Witch’s Dust instantly removed.

Maximize Spell, Combat Casting, Warlock: Pact: Great Old One

Empower Spell

Thought Shield

Pact Magic: Knock

Quicken Spell, Warlock: Entropic Ward: Warlock Pact Ability

Thought Shield II

Enlarge Spell, Pact Magic: Phantasmal Killer
Resistance of the Great Old One

Eschew Materials, Thought Shield III

Pact Magic: Dominate Person

Extend Spell, Warlock: Create Thrall: Warlock Pact Ability

Thought Shield IV

Pact Magic: Mass Suggestion

Heighten Spell

Pact Magic: Power Word: Kill

Thought Shield V

Magical Training Human Bonus Feat, Lighting Reflexes, Single Weapon Fighting Fighter Bonus Feat

Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons

Slicing Blow

Knight's Training

Improved Single Weapon Fighting

Weapon Specialization: Slashing

Greater Weapon Focus: Slashing

Improved Critical: Slashing

Tactical Combatant

Greater Weapon Specialization: Slashing, Precision

Greater Single Weapon Fighting

Offhand Versatility

Combat Expertise

Dodge, Mobility

Spring Attack

“Catch her,” Eve said breathlessly as Crystal’s eyes rolled back in her head before she started to fall. Cho managed to get both her arms under the blood elemental’s armpits before they sprawled out onto the pavement. It took everything the financial expert had to keep the shaking woman upright. While it wasn’t readily apparent, Crystal was slightly heavier when unconscious. As an afterthought, the silver witch prevented sound from exiting her Territory. The block of sonics was not a moment too soon as everything from pleasurable moans to ecstatically obscene screams poured from Crystal’s mouth. If they could have heard the blood elemental’s bedeviling cries of jubilation, any onlooker would have suspected a new joy-inducing drug was being tested.

“Is she going to be ok?” Cho asked, looking down with a questioning expression. Eve ignored the scent of arousal to say, “Of course she is. I’m just using a smidgeon of power to bring her into a higher level of existence. It is an enjoyable experience, I assure you. I’m not some pathetic two-bit hack that needs to use pain to offset their expertise.” Eve rolled her eyes with a sniff of derision. Even as the transformation finished the silver witch was examining the shining city, she had only seen through Crystal’s eyes previously.

Oh, I’m going to like it here for a bit. Eve thought that as she flexed her will, she would casually locate the individual called ‘Padre’ on the bleachers nearby. Walking through the security was no more effort than breathing air. It was notable that Cho appeared to have experienced being invisible. The financial expert didn’t even bat an eye as they settled beside Padre. “Good morning. How is the day finding you?” Eve opened the conversation with.

Padre covered his startled appearance well with transcendent speed granted through cyberware. The moment he glanced over and saw Crystal slumped between Eve and Cho, things turned slightly off-beat. The guards surrounding Padre immediately attacked, pulling and shooting their guns without pause, clearly at a signal from the older man.

Eve watched with bored eyes as the bullets flew before she ripped the kinetic energy from them. “That wasn’t nice.” As the guards continued shooting, the witch watched Padre attempt to flee. A small vein pulsed in her forehead before Eve said, “Enough!”

The guards collapsed like their strings had been cut, and Padre was pulled back to sit beside Eve. “We appear to have gotten off on the wrong foot. Explain why you had your men shoot at me before I decide that my Pactee has made an error in judgment I will need to correct.”

Padre’s expression narrowed before he said, “I thought you had taken a friend captive. The fact that you are here meant she must have talked. The girl I know would never talk willingly…”

Eve blinked as she considered how it might have looked and concluded she might have been a tad hasty. Padre had been taking appropriate action based on what he thought, so she dropped the subject and said, “She’s suffering from a massive upgrade in her capabilities. It was a pleasant experience, but her mind attempted to protect itself by shutting down. She will awaken without any issue.”

“I’m afraid that it’s worse than that; you’re all visible,” Padre said. There is no doubt that your images are being raced to databases all over, even as we speak. It won’t take long for the AI to connect her to Phantom's identity.”

Eve blinked and said, “Do you have the capability to have someone look at us? Someone that isn’t you or connected to your network?”

Padre looked confused for a moment before gesturing to the basketball court. A short kid rushed over from the sidelines, standing at attention with respect. “Antonio, help an old man out. I’ve been hearing some noise around me. Do you see anything?” Eve watched with fascination as the young child’s eyes glowed a brilliant blue, flickering around with a questioning gaze.

“He sees nothing. Within my Territory, only what I wish to occur will occur.” Eve said as the boy shook his head negatively, and Padre dismissed him.

“Territory?” Padre asked, making an effort to mimic her speech.

“It is the reality around us locked by my mana,” Eve said with a dismissive wave.

“Pater defendat!” Padre said, his eyes taking on a fearful expression.

“Calm. I’m not a god.” Eve said with a grin, “More like a demon.” She admitted it was fun to screw with the priest, but a solid whack to her shoulder cut the fun short.

“Don’t say shit like that,” Crystal said, having just awoken.

“Ah, I was having fun. Mortals are so amusing.” Eve said in an arrogant tone before being shoved to the side. Crystal took her place with an eye roll before the blood elemental hugged Padre.

“Don’t worry, she’s just a powerful shit-stirrer. Eve is my Patron.” Crystal said with a grin at Padre.

“Does this have something to do with the strange portal in Seattle? The one Arasaka is claiming was an optical illusion from NUSA forces?” Padre asked, more comfortable dealing with a known associate.

Eve tuned the following conversation out, floating leisurely in the air as if on an invisible couch as she watched the basketball game. It mattered little to her if Crystal told the priest her adventures. The shimmering power of faith surrounded the old man in a glow, denoting that even in this material hellhole, he held to the faith.

Should I help? Eve thought. It wouldn’t be good to have someone that Crystal liked dying of something like the common cold, poison, or a fatal dose of lead. A sense of restriction overtook her like heavy weights tightening. Fine, I won’t interfere. He’s not one of mine, so I can’t get away with the same thing I did for Crystal.

One day, she could crush the World’s Will like a bug. However, Eve contented herself with tiny flickers of gravity that day wasn't today, keeping the basketball game even. The young men ran back and forth on the court, growing markedly tired, to the witch’s amusement. Before she could exhaust both teams with her antics, Crystal pulled her back into the discussion with Padre.

“Hey, tell the old man what will happen in the future,” Crystal said, tapping Eve on her back.

Eve sighed, the things she had to do to keep civilization functional so she could get the seals in place.