Everyone was frozen in place, staring at the gigantic lizard in front of them. The gigantic lizard too was staring back at the family with its large black pupils. Lachlan wasn't too afraid as he was too busy looking at the screen, trying to understand some of the information.
The lizard crept forward slightly, to the point where its nose was touching Jack's head. Jack could feel the lizard's breathing, there was also a slight coolness that radiated from its scale. It opened its mouth and its tongue came out quickly, licking Jack across the face.
Chloe almost screamed and fainted, but before she could get up and rush towards her child the lizard was already brushing its head against Jack, similar to a dog or cat rubbing against its owner's legs.
Chloe plopped back onto the floor with relief, she doesn't know what she would have done. Looking towards the lizard's large figure she knew she couldn't fight against it.
"Aww, so you still remember me even after your transformation," Jack said, petting the lizard's head, and then wrapping his arms around it. Its scaly skin felt odd and cold, but as he slid his hand across it he could feel its hardness and the texture was similar to that of stone.
After a few seconds, Jack let go of the lizard's head and stared at the lizard's eyes with slight difficulty, "You want to join me?" he questioned. The lizard nodded and licked jack again, causing his face to be covered in saliva.
A bright light completely engulfed the two for a few seconds before dispersing; Jack was on the ground screaming in pain holding his left arm, on it was a tattoo of what seemed to be the lizard, some spikes protruded from the black tattoo, similar to that of the lizard.
Chloe was the first to get up and rush towards him, seeing him in so much pain she didn't know what to do. She grabbed hold of him and embraced him, in an attempt to comfort him.
"It's alright, everything is going to be alright," She said, her voice shaking with fear. Sarah had been placed in Lachlan's arms and had been awoken from the screaming. Fortunately, she didn't begin crying or anything, but rather showed an interest in the world as she looked around in awe.
Lachlan noticed it as well. The shrubbery had grown tremendously, the trees were massive as they blocked out the sunlight with their crowns of leaves. Looking back he saw the car by a large tree root, luckily not getting crushing or tipped over by it.
Eventually, Jack stopped screaming, his face was a hot mess with his eyes slightly teary. Not to mention the amount of sweat he produced, it just about soaked his forehead and back, but now he was staring at his left arm.
Chloe grabbed onto his arm and looked as well, she gasped when she saw a tattoo of a lizard on there. "Does it hurt, do you feel anything different?" Chloe asked with concern as he pulled Jack's arm around.
"I'm alright mum, I don't feel any different, maybe a bit stronger is how to explain the feeling," Jack explained as he shrugged his shoulder with a lack of a better explanation. His answer only slightly satisfied Chloe and calmed her down.
Wanting to see if anything was wrong with him Lachlan analysed him.
"Analyse"
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Name: Jack Wilson (Human)
Age: 20 (Adolescence)
Soul Contracts: 1/5
Compatibility: Reptiles (High)
STR: 15, AGI: 10, VIT: 11
INT: 13, PER: 10, WIL: 15
Weakness: Overthinker, Lacks Combat Experience
Strengths: Skin Defence (Level 1), Bite Strength (Level 1)
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Lachlan was shocked to see that even the information screen for humans have changed, but more so seeing that Jack seemed to have used up one of the soul contracts and inherited the traits of the lizard. He even grew slightly stronger, not by much but Lachlan wasn't sure how much one stat point can affect Jack's physical strength.
Although, after comparing them it seems he didn't inherit it fully which might be due to his compatibility only being 'high'. Of course, Lachlan wasn't sure what was above high so he could only pin it on that.
However, this meant that humans did have a chance of survival, they probably won't be able to have the same comfortable life they did before, but at least they were able to survive.
Just to make sure of something he quickly analysed the rest of his family, "analyse, analyse, analyse"
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Name: Chloe Wilson (Human)
Age: 40 (Adult)
Soul Contracts: 0/5
Compatibility: Wolfs (Moderate), Dogs (Low)
STR: 14, AGI: 10, VIT: 8
INT: 13, PER: 10, WIL: 15
Weakness: Overall Weak
Strengths: None
--------------------------------------------------------
Name: Adam Wilson (Human)
Age: 19 (Adolescence)
Soul Contracts: 0/5
Compatibility: Arachnids (High), Insects (Low)
STR: 13, AGI: 12, VIT: 10
INT: 15, PER: 11, WIL: 12
Weakness: Overall Weak
Strengths: None
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Name: Sarah Wilson (Human)
Age: 4 (Infant)
Soul Contracts: 0/5
Compatibility: Amphibians
STR: 4, AGI: 4, VIT: 10
INT: 2, PER: 1, WIL: 1
Weakness: Everything
Strengths: None
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Although confused, Lachlan could at least figure out what STR, AGI, and INT do. However, he couldn't determine what VIT, PER, and WIL affect. Thinking of something, Lachlan quickly wanted to try it out, "Analyse, VIT, PER, and WIL"
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VIT: Vitality affects the amount of health a person has as well as that individual's regenerative abilities, reaching a high level of Vitality will result in an ultra-fast regeneration and prolonged life.
To Naturally Decrease: If a person is physically injured.
To Naturally Increase: Unable to increase naturally.
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PER: Perception affects all five senses, should it reach a high enough level it will enable the sixth sense.
To Naturally Decrease: If a person does not train their five senses.
To Naturally Increase: Constantly training the five senses through a series of tests.
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WIL: Willpower affects psychological defence, reaching a high enough level will give complete immunity to psychological attacks (Illusions/Brainwashing/Mind Control) and the individual will always have a clear mind in all circumstances.
To Naturally Decrease: Not experiencing psychological attacks or constantly letting them get through
To Naturally Increase: Constantly experiencing psychological attacks or difficult situations but being able to persevere through them.
--------------------------------------------------------
Chloe was still terrified of what happened to Jack and want to absolutely confirm her worries, while she was still next to Jack she couldn't help but ask again, "Are you sure you're alright? Do you feel any pain anywhere?" Her eyes darting across his body, looking for any injuries.
"I-I already explained to you that I feel alright, but I certainly feel different, I feel stronger and tougher" Jack responded with before standing up. His muscles seemed to have become more visible, not large, but more refined.
After standing up and quickly checking the surroundings he couldn't hide his shocked expression, neither could the rest of the family after looking at the surroundings.
Alice Springs seemed to have distanced itself, not by much, but enough to notice it. The trees and bushes surrounding them have grown extremely large, the tallest tree they could see reaching an estimate of 70 metres.
*Screech*
A massive shadow went past, the family tilted their heads upwards in shock they could see an enormous bird flying overhead. Having a wingspan of 8 metres while being 4 metres long. The sheer wind pressure it gave off as it went past rattled the surrounding trees, even slightly shaking the car. It's dark brown feathers absorbed the light, making it stand out a lot as it flew throughout the sky.
*Screech*
Not long after the first large bird appeared, a second one did. Lachlan, shocked by their abrupt and terrifying appearance froze before snapping out of it when his mum yelled. 'Lachlan! Hurry up and get into the car!"
Lachlan sprinted back towards the car, Sarah held in his arms crying, his legs have never moved faster. He dove into the car and twisted his body to protect Sarah. He was caught by his two brothers. Fortunately, he planned ahead and left the doors open. Although after looking around he couldn't notice any immediate dangers.
Lachlan quickly turned around to look at the two birds, they hovered in the air as they stared at each other. They had a slightly different in size as one's muscles appeared more defined across its body.
Staring at the massive birds Lachlan muttered under his breath, "Analyse, Analyse"
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Name: Roc
Age: Adult
Attribute: Wind/Rock
Grade: Normal
Innate talent: 5th Grade
Level: 1
STR: 39(+2), AGI: 41(+3), VIT: 35
INT: 15, PER: 23, WIL: 21
Weakness: Frail Wing Joints, Sensitive Eyes
Strengths: Flight Speeds (Level 4), Grip Strength (Level 2), Sharpened Eyes
--------------------------------------------------------
Name: Roc
Age: Adult
Attribute: Wind/Rock
Grade: Normal
Innate Talent: 4th Grade
Level: 0
STR: 35, AGI: 35, VIT: 35
INT: 10, PER: 20, WIL: 20
Weakness: Frail Wing Joints, Sensitive Eyes
Strengths: Flight Speeds (Level 4), Grip Strength (Level 2), Sharpened Eyes
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Lachlan was shocked by the stats and still having that childish behaviour within him, he really wanted to tame those Rocs. He could just imagine it, flying through the sky as the wind blew through his hair, he would look majestic.
But he was also terrified to go anywhere near them, although he wasn't certain how the stats worked. It was likely that one of them could probably tear him in half before he even realises it.
*Screech*
*Screech*
The birds seemed to be talking or rather arguing mid-air. Just as Lachlan and the rest of the family got in the car the birds quickly attacked each other, possibly fighting over territory. Their first confrontation was a quick tackle towards one another, but both of them recoiled from the shock.
However, one of the birds noticed it didn't go back as far, nor was it as hurt.
The stronger bird, noticing it has a slight advantage quickly gets a hold of the opponent's wings causing it to screech in pain. It quickly got its other claw to grab anywhere else on the bird. This single attacked caused drops of blood to fall down and stain whatever was beneath it.
After grabbing hold of its wings, the bird using its large beak quickly began to jab it's opponent's neck causing blood to splatter everywhere. This caused the bird even more pain.
Noticing the carnage Chloe quickly took hold of Sarah, trying to hide it all. She did well though, completely blocking all the gore from Sarah's vision. The three boys on the other hand were watching it entirely with a chill going up against their spine. They knew that those beasts are what they're going to have to fight to survive, it wasn't looking good.
The weakened Roc quickly fell to the ground, crushing a house beneath it. Struggling to breathe the Roc lost all hope of winning, but its pride wouldn't let it give up.
Standing up the Roc looked miserable, blood dripping off its feathers onto the ground, the wounds slowly healing. It gasped for air, then stared at its opponent in the eyes. Its bloodshot eyes were filled with bloodlust and determination.