——Volume 2: A New Dawn Over Lost Woods
Okay I've always wanted to say this.
Ehem...
ONCE Upon a time there was a large snowy forest about the size of Europe. This Forest is known as the Lost Wood; Mostly because no one has ever been here. At least no one normal.
You see the Lost Wood takes up one third the space on a continent about the size of Asia Europe and Africa combined. This portion of the continent is cut off from the rest by a large desert.
This doesn't necessarily mean no one lives here and on the contrary there are several groups of people here. The only problem is that we're basically cut off from two thirds of the other groups, surrounded by Nature, Beasts, and unforgiving Weather. Its wide stretches of untamed wilderness are daunting for eve the most seasoned warrior. It's no wonder these woods are called Lost but I wouldn't have it any other way.
These unclaimed lands and expansive wilderness are my home now, and I am charged to protect it for I am its Prince.
Yea a Prince, kinda cool huh. Let's not get ahead of ourselves though. This is me talking from a few years in the future ofcourse so let's look at the excerpt from my birth.
__________________
"Ahhhhh, there's blood everywhere! I'm so confused. Someone please clean me!"
(Baby talk for: Crying the whole time while squirming)
I can't control my neck. There's a lady screaming in a language I can't understand. I hear my mother crying.
"Now listen to the sound of his lungs, he will make a fine heir!" Said a brown haired man with a full beard while grabbing me from the midwife. (I don't understand him now but my log wrote it so I'd translate it later)
"S.L.A.D. Diagnostic" I thought in my head
[Initializing Diagnostic]
[Working sensory organs detected]
[Several life forms detected...]
[Scanning life form in direct field of view]
Name: Bjorn Iron Hammer
Species: Human (Lost Wood Tribes)
Age: 25
Class: Warrior-King
Rank: 11.2
———————
Strength: 4
Constitution: 3.2
Dexterity: 1.5
Intelligence: 1.4
Wisdom: 1.1
————————
Status: Joyful
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
Blessing: Unknown God
Skills: Hammer Master, Axe Throwing, War Tactics, Archery, Light Armor, Political Maneuvering, Hand to hand master, Huntsman, Chug champion, And professional Boaster. Good Father(in progress)
[diagnostic complete]
"Holy crap this guy is a Viking and he's my dad! That means I'm a Viking. Not just that I'm a Viking prince. Do Vikings even have Princes? That's a lot take in. And reading into it, it seems like my dad is also a part time alcoholic, which is expected I guess. He's got some whit to him with the political maneuvering skill." (Trans: Goo goo Gaaa ga)
I wanted to see my mother now to see her stats but my father never me let go. I almost felt as if my entire body fit in his strong hand. He had a light tan on his skin and a rugged look. Full curly braided beard with big Hazel eyes. He was giving me a strange look of obsession. I guess that's to be expected I am his son. Wait am I even a dude. Please for the love of God..
Then my dad passed me to who I'm assuming to be my mother on the bed. She looked to be perspiring with sweat but she had the most beautiful smile I've ever seen. The Goddess was beautiful in an other worldly fashion but my mother.. I can tell my vision was not 100% there yet but even I can tell this woman was gorgeous. She may have just gone through labor but, she was so pretty. Raven colored wavy hair, perfect eye browns, blue eyes like the sky, cheek bones that aren't too pronounced, her cheeks full of life and blush, and I'm assuming she was very thin based on her long neck and collar.
[Initializing Diagnostic]
[Working sensory organs detected]
[Several life forms detected...]
[Scanning life form in direct field of view]
Name: Frigga Frost Hammer
Species: Human (Lost Wood Tribes)
Age: 22
Class: Druid
Rank: 7
———————
Strength: 1.3
Constitution: 1.7 (1.1)
Dexterity: 1.5
Intelligence: 1.9
Wisdom: 1.4
————————
Status: In pain but happy
Alignment: Lawful Good
Blessing: Unknown God
Skills: Alchemy, Teachings of the Life School, Teachings Of the Nature's Servants, Nature's Language, Clairvoyance, Runesmithing. Good Mother (in progress)
[diagnostic complete]
She's a Druid through and through I guess and she knows alchemy. A science I've never even heard of!
"If I have the good genetics of these two Im gonna end up a model" (Translation: Baby noises still)
"He's beautiful hon, I think he knows we are his parents". Said Frigga to my dad while staring at me.
I'm pretty sure my dad turned around and walked out the door to yell something in the other room. And in response the people in the room turned boisterous. He's clearly bragging to his friends. He came back in a few minutes later and spoke to my mom.
"I think he's very intelligent my Queen." He said while he caressing her arm in support while looking at me. "Your name is Loki. Loki Frost Hammer".
"....the fuck"
Okay I may not be able to understand anything they were saying but I understand the word Loki. You guys named me after Loki? You named me after the God of mischief cause I was intelligent. Isn't that a bad omen. Didn't Loki start Ragnarok in mythology? Great start Andre.. wait I mean Loki.
________________Fast forward 1 year
Name: Loki Frost Hammer
Species: Human (Lost Wood Tribes)
Age: 1
Class: Toddler, Part-time Druid
Rating: 3.6
————————
Strength: 0.1
Constitution: 0.5
Dexterity: 0.2
Intelligence: 1.6
Wisdom: 1.2
————————
Status: Concentrated
Current Energy: Mana
Elemental Affinity: Nature Affinity, 4 other unknown affinities
Blessings: Unknown Goddess (S.L.A.D.)
Skills: Earth Sciences, Walking, Nature's Language, Widuz Learner.
[Statistics Complete]
"Not too shabby, I think I got this walking thing down packed." I said in widuz out loud. Widuz being the name of the language I was learning.
I've analyzed how the system quantifies a skill and whats important enough to be considered a skill and I realized the statistics only show a skill when the person finds worth in that skill consciously. Also I picked up a language. I guess my brain is more malleable and since it seems that the language is Latin based it was pretty easy to pick up.
I am currently trekking through a stone hallway, located inside a stone castle, at the focal point of a Stone city, Carved into a mountain. Yea we live inside a mountain. Apparently this mountain city was left over from the time my ancestors were here who were said to be giants so all the halls are huge.
Not only that the mountain is located by the sea so we have access to precious metals plus the oceans bounty what a treat. Not to mention the hug forest spanning for miles. The only reason I know this is because my mother loves to sing stories to me thinking I don't understand her. Surprise!!! I understand most of what she's saying and the maids as well. One of my maid's husband is a fisherman.
Apparently we live on the North Eastern End of the continent. Another Maid said her husband is a guard who travels to other mountain cities and tribes with supplies.
Honestly I shouldn't be surprised about this consider the statistics menu but, there are other tribes. From what I can tell, my mother is a princess from another tribe located deep in the forest. And while my tribe has strong Warriors, Sailors, and Smiths, My mothers tribe is known for their connection to nature. Their medicines are particularly well known.
The third tribe I know about has only been whispered by the maids in fear. They are referred to as desert devils. They are apparently very xenophobic, and don't let anyone leave the desert alive. The only time they come out is to collect resources. I'm assuming they are part of the reason we are cut off from the rest of the continent.
"Prince Loki where are you?" A voice behind me said.
Oh shit I gotta hide, if she finds me I'll never get a chance to see it.
Yes I'm sneaking away from the maids. Not because I'm tired of being treated like a baby, but rather I have important mission to accomplish
[You are just running from the baby food]
"La la la la I can't hear you" I exclaimed.
[Im not speaking to you personally, you know. The only reason you know what I'm saying is due to you constantly paying attention to the log to make sure it doesn't write down anything too personal. Basically your choosing to listen to me]
Ignoring the nosy Goddess, she is correct I am paying attention to the log constantly. I'm attempting to figure out exactly what it writes down and I'm getting pretty good at it. It's also nice to have a secret friend that magically writes in my head, it's very therapeutic.
[I am considered good God but being referred to as a friendly pen pal slash therapist is a little bit belittling don't you think?]
Don't you have Goddess things to do?
[Yes but I'm also a pro multitasker and considering you have my blessing, I can check in on you anytime. Plus it's your first birthday so why can't I check in on my favorite toddler.]
Anyway... my mission today is to see the outside. I've been stuck in this damn Stone cage for one whole year. Yes, It's very cool and impressive but, I want to see outside the castle.
Walking forward to a balcony I reach over the ledge to see my new world.