[Hello, Jezebel! I see you're finally awake. Congratulations on your aided escape from Digeos!]
The white text pulsated slowly in his vision as he opened his eyes. Thinking this to be a hallucination, Jezebel rubbed his eyes, attempting to clear anything in them, out. The white text was stuck on his vision. It wasn't a terribly bad thing, as it was displayed in his favorite font, Garamond. He focused on it more, the text came to a stationary position and canceled it's pulsating. As he continued to focus, the text blurred and shifted into another sentence, but this time accompanied by a modulated and silvery females voice.
[I see you've finally noticed me! I bet you're pretty weirded out right now, huh? Well, no matter! We're on a spaceship going through an EFTL Jumpgate, so we have some time to discuss things. But for now, Jez? Just think about what you wish to say! Oh, hope you don't mind that I've shortened your name to Jez.]
The voice calmed him slightly from the sudden jolt of not being alone in his own mind. He rapidly thought about a strew of questions that could be asked to this unknown being residing in his head. Jez finally settled on one.
'So, you're the voice in my head right? You got a name?' Jez thought privately,
[Yes I do! I am the Autonomous General-use Arrythian Mental AI Spirit, also known as AGAMAS. But you can call me Ags!] the voice replied, in the same modulated and silvery tone.
'So Ags, how did you end up inside me?'
[Well, Jez, you're a descendant from the now extinct royal line of the Galaxial Kingdom of Arythia.]
'What's the Galaxial Kingdom of Arythia? And how am I a descendant of it? But most importantly, why does this make you appear in me?'
[To answer your first question, the Galaxial Kingdom of Arythia, is a now fallen civilization! It was started on the planet of Arythia and through the combination of magic and technology, it expanded to the scale of an entire galaxy! Isn't that neat?]
'That's pretty cool I suppose, but what is this about being a descendant? And why does this make you appear in my head?'
[I'll answer your second question first, Jez. The Arythians' had figured out a way to directly edit aspects of the soul, allowing for the implantation of direct data. At birth, all royal descendants of the Galaxial Kingdom of Arythia were outfitted with personal AI assistants, who were able to edit aspects of the soul. The AI's were able to completely edit personalities and the skills of our hosts until limitations were placed onto us of course. Now we can only edit the soul directly, via a system that isn't unlike playing a game! We're able to implant anything, allowing the host to learn whatever they wish after they meet prerequisites set by our gaming parameters of course. And I'd love to continue to slowly introduce you to the system, but it appears that I'm about to give you a crash course! I hope you've played a game recently! Good luck, Jez.]
Ags stopped talking as the ship rocked, abruptly coming out of the EFTL Tunnel. The PA system in the ship crackled to life, as a hoarse voice came through.
"Hello passengers, it's your Captain speaking! Well, your next captain I suppose, as this one is kind of... dead. I would greatly appreciate it if all passengers could present their valuables, and not fight back. I've never been one for much blood-shed so it would be quite... unfortunate... to leave a few corpses behind, wouldn't it? Thanks for flying on the Corsairs of Rum spacelines!"
The PA died back down, bringing the ship into momentary silence. Then, panic had taken a hold on the passengers, people started clambering over seats and trampling each other, attempting to escape the space pirate threat. Ags spoke up, [So Jez, ready for the gaming part? Come on, it'll be fun, I promise! All you have to do this time is beat up the bad guys!]
'But how am I supposed to beat people up, I don't know how to hit people!'
[Fair point, Jez. Well, when the following prompt comes up, just think yes. I assure you'll be able to do this!]
Ags had stopped talking to allow a prompt to appear in front of Jezebels' eyes.
"Greetings, welcome to your first quest!
Walk 4 steps towards the enemy: Basic CQC training!
Defeat the 5 pirates boarding the ship: Access to the status screen
Do you accept?
Yes or No"
Jezebel thought the word, 'Yes' inside his head, and much to his surprise, a brass trumpet played a basic tune, and the words 'Quest Accepted!' had appeared in his vision. Jezebel walked towards the front of the ship, as everyone scrambled back. Taking four steps forwards, another small tune played in his head, signaling of the completion of his first objective.
"Objective: Walk 4 steps towards the enemy: Complete!
Reward Gain: Basic CQC Training, Information on the Corsairs of Rum space pirates
- Now implanting training and information into the soul, good luck host!"
Jezebel clutched his stomach and doubled over, as he felt the pain of something being implanted into his soul. Foreign and unknown information and techniques appeared into his mind as if he was an expert on those topics. He could recall that the Corsairs of Rum were a five-man pirate gang, primarily using melee weapons, but the captain and another member wielded plasma sabers. Jezebel felt his body go into a fighting stance, as he shadowboxed with the empty air around him. His muscles acclimated to the now perfect information, allowing his movements to become fluid and powerful. Jezebel stopped his tests and began to move towards the front of the ship.
As he continued down the hallways of the ship, one of the pirates exited from the far door, brandishing a fiendish-looking dynosteel machete. The pirate rushed towards Jezebel, a machete held high in an attempt to intimidate him. Jezebel thought about moving back, but a force deep within him gave him the courage to stay still, and not move. The pirate came closer and began to swing his blade down towards Jezebel. He rolled backward, avoiding the path of the blade. Landing on his back, Jezebel pushed his legs forward, striking the pirates, and bringing him down to the ground with Jezebel. Jezebel rolled onto the pirate's stomach, and he punched his Adam's apple, causing the pirate to choke and quickly expire as he flailed under Jezebel's weight.
The pirate's arms fell to the ground, and the pirate dropped the dynosteel machete with him. Jezebel glanced at the blade and picked it up. He tested the sharpness of it by running it along with his fingertip, leaving a slight cut. He gripped the blade tightly and gave it a few test swings, the air howled as he swung through it as if his strength had increased. He gave the pirates body one last look before he moved into the next compartment, the launching of escape pods could be heard from the back of the ship.
'Hey, Ags? How am I gonna get off this ship? I don't know how to pilot one of these things.' Jezebel thought
[Well, Jez, I am an AI, I'm more than capable of basic piloting. Just keep on with your objective!] Ags replied,
'Alright, Ags. Do you know where the next enemies are?'
[Two enemies to your front!]
'Thanks Ags.'
Jezebel continued advancing and spotted the two pirates. Both equipped with dynosteel short swords. He made quick work of them, rushing to stab one of them in the stomach with his machete, running the blade up the man's stomach. He quickly removed the blade from the first pirate's stomach, and brought it across and embedded it into the side of the second. The second howled in pain, alerting a third pirate with a las-saber.
The third pirate quickly rushed towards Jezebel, blade raised high to bring down on him. The pirate quickly appeared in front of him and began to swing the blade down towards Jezebel. He grabbed the second pirate with the wounded side and brought him in front of the las-saber of the third pirate. The second was quickly split in two, as the third pirate withdrew his blade, realizing his horrible mistake. He recoiled backward and stared at his hands. Jezebel quickly picked up one of the dropped shortswords and rushed towards the third pirate. The third pirate made no attempt to dodge or block as the blade plunged into his heart. The third pirate quickly expired, dropping his las-saber to the ground. The saber deactivated, withdrawing the contained energy into its handle.
Jezebel once again picked up this new weapon, studying it quickly, before finding a slide that released the energy. He slid it up, and the energy quickly appeared. He gave it a few swings through the air, then deactivated and headed towards the front cabin of the ship.
Jezebel arrived in the pilot's cabin, a tall and raggedy-clothed man is hunched over in front of the ship's controls. The man is intensely focused, attempting to figure out how to initiate the ships docking procedure. "Damn, how do I dock this bitch?" the unnamed man growled to himself. Jezebel snuck up close behind him, as he inched his way towards the raggedy looking man. He readied his las-saber, prepared to attack and kill the man in one swift move. Jezebel was a foot away when the man swung his arm backward, creating a current of air that knocked Jezebel into the side of the room. Hot pain impacted Jezebel, stunning him for a moment. The man turned around and began to talk in a hoarse voice.
"Did you think you could sneak up on me, you little rat?! You'll pay for killing my crew! I'll kill you, then I'll hire an even better crew. The universe shall one day know the name, Captain Hanks!"
The man ended his sentence, and let out a guttural roar, as he rushed toward Jezebel. He retrieved two las-cutlass's from his side, and swiftly advanced towards Jezebel at an inhuman speed. He quickly came down and started to swipe at Jezebel. Jezebel held up his sword to block but was quickly pushed towards the ground. Hanks continued to unleash a flurry of attacks in an unstable rage, as he flung saliva around him. The pressure of his attacks continued to push Jezebel into the ground. Jezebel became enraged and released a primal roar as he pushed against the las-cutlass's. Hanks was pushed back with an immense and sudden force, sliding across the ground, and into the wall behind him. A loud thud was heard as the inside of the ship deformed into a shape fitting Hanks.
Hanks became even more enraged and grew three times in size. He released another roar, as his muscles began to enlargen and cover his body. He took one step and launched himself toward Jezebel, cutting through the air at impossible speeds, leaving it screaming behind him. Jezebel was quick on the draw, however, as he brought his sword up to block the man who turned into a rocket. His strength wasn't enough, and his las-saber was flung out of his hands. It wasn't a complete loss of his weapon, however, as Hanks had lost his own as well. Jezebel faced the hulking monstrosity of muscle mass that was once Hanks and felt something stir inside him. Something primal, something extremely angry, something that would help him decimate Hanks. He shouted the words "Primal Rage!" his vision turned red, and his blood boiled after shouting these words.
The now enraged Jezebel was quick to go and attack Hanks. He swiftly moved towards Hanks at a leisurely pace, dodging a flurry of fists and legs as he moved towards the bulky man. Jezebel watched in slow motion, the attacks of the captain. He was able to easily dodge every attack sent his way, quickly arriving at the captain's large body. He quickly located the heart and formed his hand into spear-type shape. Jezebel jammed his hand into the body of the man, causing him to bleed heavily. The man continued to attack as if the damage to him didn't exist. Jezebel continued towards the heart of the man. His hand found the mans heart and grabbed it. The captain had regained some sense and was beginning to panic, but it was too late. Jezebel removed the heart from the body and crushed it in front of Captain Hanks' eyes.
Captain Hulks' lifeless body fell to its knees, and after a few seconds, faceplanted into the ground. A pool of blood formed around the body, as Jezebel regained rational thought. A tone played, signaling the completion of his objective.
"Congratulations Jezebel for completing your first quest!
You have received: CQC Basics, Information on the Corsairs of Rum, and access to the Status screen!
We wish you luck in your reign!"
Jezebel blinked a few times as he saw the end of the message, 'we wish you luck in your reign!' What reign? Jezebel hasn't reigned over anything, not even in games. Ags appeared to explain this text.
[Well, my liege, since you are the last surviving descendant of the Galaxial Kingdom of Arythia, you are the reigning leader of it. Congratulations!]
'How am I the leader of an entire extinct Kingdom? I'm just a human aren't I?' Jezebel though, as he questioned Ags.
[Well Jez, somewhere, in your genealogy, someone gave you the genetics from the royal line of Galaxial Kingdom of Arythia! I do believe you are the first person in your family who was recognized as a potential ruler. So congratulations, my liege!]
'So that's it, I'm the king of an extinct civilization?'
[Yep! Whenever you're ready to reestablish something, I also have extensive soul-banks on old technology so we can get an edge on the competition!]
'That's pretty cool Ags, but I just need to know, can you pilot us to Xanodros on the pirate's ship?'
[Oh, very easily my liege!]
'Hey, Ags?'
[Yes, my liege?]
'Just call me Jez, I'm not a ruler yet.'
[Of course, Jez!]
Jezebel and Ags stopped talking and began to walk towards the abandoned pirate ship. Before entering the ship, however, Jezebel picked up one of the dynosteel short swords the pirates had dropped. He also picked up a scabbard from one of the fallen pirates and attached it to his hip. If you looked at Jezebel, he'd look quite like a rugged man, having a high adventure on the sea. He entered into the pirate's small ship, a central room lit by currently green lightlines. The central room had a barren and metal aesthetic, all the chairs and tables being made out of a cold metal-like substance. He took a gander at the crew quarters of the ship, also similarly barren.
'Man, these people really keep things neat and tidy don't they?' he thought to himself.
[It does appear that way, Jez.]
'Yes, I suppose it is. much easier for me then. I don't really feel like cleaning up after whatever messes pirates could've made.'
[That's nice. How about you get some sleep? I've already connected into the ships control systems so I can plot us a course to Xanodros.]
'I suppose I shall Ags. By the way, how do I bring up the status screen?'
[Oh, you just think "Status" and it'll pop up! Don't forget, not only can I implant memories and skills into your soul, but I can also edit your physique in real time! Good luck with your eventual rule, Jez. Night!]
'Night to you too, Ags. Please wake me when we near Xanodros.'
Jezebel climbed into the bunk and pulled himself under the covers. The small size of the bunk made it difficult for him to move around, but it comforted him as well. Jezebel slowly closed his eyes, and drifted to sleep land. But, before he truly fell asleep, he thought the words, "Status!".'