Chapter 5: Hard Knocks.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
I was small again. Only six years old and scared.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
All the grownups were scared too. They screamed so loudly. It hurt my ears.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
I was crying. I had tried to be brave, but I was so tired and sad and angry. Mom and Dad were trying to move away from the doors.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Everyone else was too. Some were pushing and shoving. Mr. G...
2024-07-15 12:27:17 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 4: Still me.
The man was still passed out as I paced about the cave. Trying to piece together the rules of this System.
Looking back, it all seemed self-explanatory.
The listed abilities had plus signs next to them, implying that the points could be used to make them stronger. The few shots I’d fired were deadly, but there was the glaring issue of the barrier that kept me from firing them in succession.
Maybe that would go away if I ...
2024-07-15 12:26:16 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 3: Cavern Blues.
“Stop that, Sully. Get your anger under control. First thing’s first. Make sure the dude on the floor isn’t about to die on you.”
That seemed like the most reasonable course of action.
I moved over to him. Bending over the unconscious man and taking in his features. He looked to be about 20 years old. Maybe younger. With a toned, tanned body and a face that screamed up-and-coming-actor.
I leaned in closer, but didn’t smel...
2024-07-15 12:25:18 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 2: Under Solid Earth.
I gaped at the screen.
Keeping my eyes locked to it as time seemed to slow and other senses became blurred.
My throat felt as dry as a desert.
My veins as hot as any volcano.
My heart was a thunderstorm of activity.
Repeated rounds of explosive power going off inside my chest. My hearing failed, as all the surrounding sounds of dripping water and buzzing insect wings disappeared into a continuous hum.<...
2024-07-15 12:24:25 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 1: A Dream of a Perfect World.
The sheets were warm and comfortable. Their fluffy mass doing a fantastic job of holding in the heat from my body in just the perfect way to make me want to snuggle, without making me sweat.
I buried my head deeper into the pillow as I began to stir. Relishing the sensation and not wanting it to end prematurely.
My mind kept buzzing though. Coming alive with a distant echo that reverberated within my skull. At first, I thou...
2024-07-15 12:23:32 +0000 UTC View PostPrologue: A Nice Afternoon.
An orchestra of jubilation echoed throughout the dormitory, carrying relief and expectation in equal measure. It was a chaotic mix of masculine and feminine voices celebrating their accomplishments. Savoring the sweet nectar of freedom after weeks of preparation for the final exams. Some would be coming back for another year, but most were finished with their studies.
Outside, the spring breeze billowed with a comforting warmth. The few tre...
2024-07-15 12:22:33 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 49: Chasing Dreams.
I was back in the mansion’s courtyard.
Looking up to see a blue sun floating on a crimson sky.
The flowers in the hedges were whispering among themselves. Giggling at my confusion.
My feet moved around the premises. Taking in the alien scenery while making my way around.
“Back already?” A voice called out from the nearby gazebo.
A sigh escaped my lips.
“Man, why are you still here? Isn’t it enough th...
2024-05-24 05:02:19 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 48: Working Out.
“Nice! I got two more Enhancer levels! [Enhanced Concentration] got to 5! Now I can finally get [Enhanced Balance]! Just use the free point aaaand its done!”
“I’m so happy for you Kaito.” I said through gritted teeth.
My legs were shaking again. Burning with strain and agonizing pain.
I bit my lip and kept moving through sheer willpower.
Staying in motion in spite ...
2024-05-24 04:32:40 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 47: Nowhere to be Found.
“So, you see, I had no choice! I went through tons of different futures! Tons of them! And he always got away with it! Unless I killed him. In which case, his father always hunted down the girls anyway! Seriously, I don’t know how much money and influence that (Gnome)hole has but its literally too much to handle. I had to do something. I couldn’t just let the girls rot in there and freeing them would’ve put targets on al...
2024-05-24 02:35:55 +0000 UTC View PostHey guys, just letting you know that I've ben doing A LOT of editing to make the earlier chapters make more sense.
In particular, chapter 37: Retribution and chapter 38: Winding down. Those and chapters 10, 11 and 12. I've added close to 3000 words to make these coming chapters make more sense, because it was way too vague the first time.
I would also like to thank each and every one of you for your support and assure you that way more chapters will be coming soon. One more tod...
2024-05-23 20:20:04 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 46: The Slasher of Veils.
There was some light shuffling after that. Those around the edges getting to it, while those at the center of the crowd wandered aimlessly for a few seconds while deciding on a task.
I saw them off with a few words of encouragement, before making my way over to a thing that might be generously described as a pickup truck.
It looked like it had been stepped on by a giant. Multiple times.
The rear side had been ...
2024-05-20 18:17:22 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 45: The Cherub of Austin.
I looked at the dancing shadow. Taking care to watch its, eyes, as they moved about. They were two spots where the rest of a shadow should have been, but weren’t.
Wait, no. That didn’t make any sense either. The ember, whatever it was, gave off light. Yet that light was casting a shadow instead of repelling it. As if there was some unseen being between the ember and the floor.
A shiver crept up my spine at that ...
2024-05-19 20:56:41 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 44: I See Dead People.
I was still chuckling when the shimmer took me.
It just felt, so good. To be recognized and appreciated. It was a bliss so profound that it penetrated deep into my soul.
‘First, I save everyone in the Warehouse. Then I change the future and rescue even more people. Now I can heal myself and others on top of that. Oh yeah. Its all coming together.’
Nobody back home would have wanted a mind-controller ...
2024-05-19 03:09:10 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 43: Fighting Fire.
The first thing I registered was the shining sun. Its glorious rays beating down on Buddy. Passing through the transparent film that made up the visor and warming up my face.
The second thing I registered, was that it was getting very warm, very quickly.
I whirled around. Taking in the brickwork. The five floors stacked on top of each other.
The smoke. All that smoke.
Coming from the windows.
Then my fog ...
2024-05-17 05:55:36 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 42: Orphan Maker.
“Look lady! I’m sorry! Okay! I shouldn’t have mind-controlled you! My. Bad. I promise it won’t happen aga….”
“HEEEEEEEEEEEELLP!!!!!! ADMIN!!! AAAADMIIIIIIINNNN!!!!!!”
Her claws raked at the wall. Leaving small gashes in the smooth stone and making a sound akin to nails on chalkboard.
A vile, resonant screeching that cut through the quiet din of the chamber.
It would have been horrifying….
Chapter 41: The Apology.
Each new string was like a budding flower. Slowly emerging from the still dark waters of my lake.
Its waters roiled for a few seconds, before settling back down with a grunt.
Then, for the first time in forever, I felt a tangible tug from somewhere else inside of me.
Its was…
As if the very walls of my inner sanctum were constricting and relaxing over an over again.
Like the chambers of a beating heart. 2024-05-13 02:07:05 +0000 UTC View Post
Chapter 40: Periwig.
The council members nodded slowly.
“Very good. Now that those issues have been sorted out, this session is at an end.”
Old man Park’s words had an immediate effect.
Not only on the council, but on all the nearby bystanders.
It was as if they’d all been holding a collective breath that was now coming out.
My fog was filled with their emotions.
Their relief.
It made me feel…
Good.
...
Chapter 39: Formalities.
I gasped for air, once, then twice and thrice.
Desperation forcing my sealed mouth open as new sensations overtook the old ones.
I heaved, forcing oxygen down my throat as sweat ran down my entire body.
My arms got tangled in something and pushing them apart saw me falling down unto the floor.
‘Sully? Sully are you there?’
“Buddy?” I groaned.
‘Yes! Its me! I told them to stop pu...
2024-05-13 02:06:00 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 38: Winding Down.
“How many?”
“Around two hundred?” Monique answered.
“And the best prospects?”
“Subutai, Gina and Stellio. Three Types each. They caused quite a ruckus.”
“Good.” Slab said. “The Council is less likely to notice then. I’ll advocate on your behalf as if you relapsed back to drinking. No one should notice the difference and any who do will chalk it up to the liquor.”
“Speaking of which, ar...
2024-05-10 12:58:33 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 37: Retribution.
All that booze had taken its toll.
I was currently unable to flow back into my body, not without losing consciousness once more and wasting the vigor I’d instilled into my new friends.
Even now, half-submerged in my own head-lake, the sweet syrupy amber tickled my core. Taking away the fear and the doubt. That, and making the anger burn hotter.
‘Ride the wave.’ I commanded. ‘Do not miss this chance...
2024-05-07 01:15:15 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 36: The Speech.
I smiled up at them.
Half anchored to this physical shell and half submerged in the lake.
I was getting the tingles again. The same ones that surged when Randall shook my hand. Part of [Premonition] and [Precognition] rolled into one. The golden strings supporting the rest. Making me say funny things that I didn’t fully comprehend.
No really. I had no idea what I was saying....
2024-05-07 01:13:01 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 35: Introspection.
Great.
Just (Gnome)ing great.
Everyone I’d saved wanted me dead or gone. Despite me doing everything I could to save them. Despite me literally flying to their recuse with little to no regard for my own safety. Despite all the blood I shed for their sake.
It was as if I were following the same trail as Sarcophagus Solomon. Trapped in a loop where I was destined to lose everyone I gathered to my side.
Was that...
2024-05-05 23:06:22 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 34: Warehouse.
The pit was a large oval hole marking the bottom of a long vertical space.
One that went up and up and up, beyond the range of both my eyes and my psionic senses.
When asked to scout it out, Dolce reported that the ceiling led directly to his home.
By which he meant the abyssal lake that made up the borders of this prison of ours.
I was tempted to demand a ride right there and then, eager to try my luck against its...
2024-05-05 23:05:17 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 33: Deliverance.
The edges of my fog slipped past the outer walls of Happy Shrub.
Drinking in the raw emotions and contemplations of all those inside.
Like a broth absorbing the other ingredients in the soup.
Klin the gnome was feeling lazy.
He’d been up for four hours already, which meant he was due for a nap. Yet, not only was the nap being denied, he had been forced to patrol the outskirts of Happy Shrub once more once his s...
2024-05-04 18:26:16 +0000 UTC View PostTelepath ability pool Minus Starting: Message / Sense Thoughts / Mental Bolt
Available Abilities:
[Static Illusion] / [Fever] / [Sleep] / [Electronic Interface] / [Floral Interface] / [Fungal Interface] / [Team Tactics] / [Team Spirit] / [Team Resilience] / [Team Momentum] / [Team Doctrine] / [Mental Map] / [Fear] / [Courage] / [Anxiety] / [Confusion] / [Hobble] / [Phobia] / [Puppet Animal] / [Puppet Plant] / [Puppet Fungus] / [Puppet...
2024-04-30 00:50:34 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 32: The Campfire.
We tried burying what little remained of the recently deceased Mark and Tracy. However, that turned out to be far more difficult than I’d anticipated. The stone was hard and sturdy. Solid, even under the weight of the lobster-moles. Or Slab.
It shattered when struck and enough force could even tear lumps at a time away from the rest of the foundation. Underneath, we found the open air of an adjacent chamber. Silent to my senses...
2024-04-30 00:49:07 +0000 UTC View Post
Borislav, for all is other faults, was not a stupid man.
He said little and heard much.
Forming opinions about others in his head and thinking thoroughly before committing to action. It was this pattern of careful observation that had allowed him to get the measure of Dusty and Slab right away.
As such, he knew better than to speak roughly in my general direction.
At least when those two were nearby.
Alas, Charlie was not so well informed.
Ever...
2024-04-30 00:48:15 +0000 UTC View Post“You better start explaining yourself right now, kid. This isn’t my idea of a joke.”
“I assure you I’m not joking Mrs. Fletcher. I can see the future and I know where your kids are. I even know how to get back to our worlds in time to save them.”
Which was a slightly liberal interpretation of the truth, all things considered. Why, other, less informed individuals might even accuse me of lying. Thankfully, Monique hadn’t told anyone in here about Jimmy or Ben. Me know...
2024-04-30 00:47:30 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 29: Looking for Group.
30 minutes.
I spent 30 minutes in that spot, fighting myself. Losing against my nightmares. Pushing them downwards with every ounce of willpower I had left. Trying and trying to forget about the pain. The helplessness.
Level Gained: +500 Maximum Psy. +12 Ability Points.
Ability Gained: [Inspiration] 1 has been added to the Status.
Ability Evolving: [In...
2024-04-30 00:46:30 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 28: Dusty and Slab.
A deluge of teeth and tongues shot towards us. Towards both of me.
“YoU! wIlL! nOt! DO! tHiSS! TO! ME!” It roared from a dozen different salivating gashes.
Sarcophagus Solomon exercised the slightest vestige of willpower. In doing so, he sealed the transforming abomination. Suppressing the entirety of its Psy and pushing further, deeper, from all sides. Applying pressure in these immaterial halls until all he wa...
2024-04-30 00:45:48 +0000 UTC View Post