.
..
...
....
Warm.
This existence was warm.
...
Rather, this existence was lukewarm.
Not hot nor cold.
It had no temperature.
This existence didn't have any sort of feel.
This existence was like nothing in particular.
Not the lack of anything, but rather the literal similarity to nothingness.
This existence was as if you were submerged in water, with no current.
This existence didn't mimic anything uɐɯnɥ at all.
This existence didn't seem to have any arms or legs, a neck to move around, or a nose and lungs to breathe. This would feel exponentially uncomfortable, but nothing permitted this existence to feel in the first place.
If anything, this existence was the absence of feeling.
Not warm, nor cold. Not pain, nor tranquility. Not happiness, nor sorrow. Not ǝɟᴉl, nor death. Not floating, nor sinking.
This existence was simply an existence.
An existence that contained no substance, no senses, no ǝɟᴉl in particular, no nothing, not anything.
But.
This existence had awareness.
This existence was aware of what was around it.
Infinite darkness as far as the eye could see, if it even had eyes, to begin with.
So much darkness, that when one looked into it, it felt like they were susceptible to fall, and keep falling deeper and deeper until they looked away, only to be met with more darkness, and more falling, with nothing to save them from the deafening void around them.
Shifting its sight in many directions, This existence kept searching, looking for something to save it from its nothingness. It felt no fear, it felt no loneliness, no loss, but it was aware. It was aware that it shouldn't be like this. It was aware that it needed to find something, needed something to escape from the abyssal void.
...
Going into the void wouldn't reward it whatsoever if there was nothing there. This existence didn't even know if it could move itself to plunge deeper into the void even if it wanted to. This existence, upon coming to this realization, used its conscience to ask itself, "If I truly am submerged in an infinite void, could it be that I'm already as deep as possible? is there a way out? How did I get here? I was..."
This existence was aware, yet-
No.
This existence was 'awake,' but it wasn't aware.
It didn't know why it was here, and it didn't know what 'here' was. As this existence kept moving and moving and turning and turning, if it was actually doing any of this, then it felt like it would finally be able to find something worthwhile, something it needed, to cease the endless emptiness.
It was during these moments of desperation, in the middle of the search for something to end whatever emptiness and unawareness was plaguing This existence, that-
"...."
This existence found...
Something.
Something so bright and vibrant that it didn't know what it was looking at. This existence saw what was before it, and stopped looking around. It came to find it in front of itself so quickly, that it wouldn't be surprising if it quite literally appeared from nothingness as if its search was for naught, and it could've just stood still and waited obediently for this thing to appear.
Or...things?
...
This existence saw before itself an assortment of text, and symbols, all in blindingly bright white, all compiled into a ginormous rectangular template.
The text read as...
SKILL POINTS
x50
_______________________________________________________________________
ATTACK: ------------|------------
DEFENSE: ------------|------------
AGILITY: ------------|------------
LUCK: ------------|------------
DEXTERITY:------------|------------
CHARISMA:------------|------------
_______________________________________________________________________
"..."
This existence saw the text and knew what it meant, even if it was only vague.
This existence was able to remember, remember from its 'previous' existence; An existence with a different form, and a different environment. This existence recognized that its previous existence indulged in a pastime that allowed the current existence to realize what the symbols before it meant, and what it would entail, but that still didn't mean that this existence was able to use this knowledge to the best of its ability. This existence knew what they meant, but not what it...
"..."
This existence thought harder at what these words meant and began to compose a kind of mental composition of what they could refer to, and what they might affect.
The first words that This existence saw, reading up to down, was 'SKILL POINTS.' This existence recognized that this was something that meant that whatever is chosen will affect the future existence of 'something.' What this 'something' was, This existence was not aware of.
Below that, the symbols 'x50' were displayed. without any knowledge, this would probably confuse anyone who'd come across the regal display of white, but This existence wasn't incompetent. Those symbols meant that it only had 50 skill points to use. What to use them on, would become apparent as it looked further down, to the rest of the symbols that remained.
"Attack, Defense, Agility, Luck, Dexterity, Charisma..."
This existence stated these words within its mind as it read them accordingly. This existence did not say these words aloud, as this existence didn't have the lips, the teeth, the tongue, the saliva the throat, the vocal cords, to say anything at all. It simply acknowledged these words as something of importance. as to how important they were...
"'Attack' usually deals with damage, or rather the amount of damage that can be inflicted during one instance. More damage usually results in an enemy dying quicker, no matter in what instance of the word it's used in. I couldn't imagine that it's currently being used as its verb meaning since the rest of the words are adjectives also... So Attack probably just means how much carnage can be inflicted."
...
"'Defence' is something used to describe the sturdiness of something; How much 'Damage' it can take before perishing. The more defense you have, the more damage, and the more attacks you can persist through, and keep going... So Defence probably just means how much carnage can be taken in upon before completely breaking."
...
"'Agility' means speed and precision. The more agile you are, the faster you are at evading, the faster you are at getting close, the faster you are at getting away. More agility pretty much makes you reliable. Reliable at entering, Reliable at not getting hit, and Reliable at being someone who can leave when it's necessary."
...
"'Luck' results in the world around you being changed for the better. The more luck you have, the more things tend to go your way. Luck is probably a good aspect to have in everything you do. Better put, I'd rather have more luck than less luck, since everything in ǝɟᴉl isn't guaranteed. I feel like there's something about luck that I'm forgetting, but I think I have the basics down, at least... So Luck probably just means how many things in your ǝɟᴉl go well for you in the end."
...
"'Dexterity'... I think dexterity means how good you are at something. I don't remember using the word 'dexterity' a lot in my daily ǝɟᴉl, so I can only use my vague understanding. Dexterity means how precise and thorough you are. The more dexterity you have, the more clear and efficient your actions are."
...
"'Charisma' makes people put their trust in you. The more charisma you have, the more you'd be able to have good relationships with the people around you. Charisma makes your ǝɟᴉl easier if you so happen to be someone who needs it in the first place. Charisma can get you into high places without your own power, then. Okay."
...
...
With all of these concepts cemented into its conscience, this existence was now more or less caught up on 'what' was in front of itself.
What remained for This existence to figure out was 'why' it was there in the first place, and 'how' it was meant to do something with it.
"..."
This existence didn't know what it was meant to do with the realizations that it's accumulated during these moments. It knew that it was probably supposed to do something, otherwise the page wouldn't have appeared in front of it. it also knew that the page was most likely meant for itself, as it didn't see anything, nor anyone else to shift the responsibility upon.
This existence didn't want to do something it would regret in the future, so before it did anything too careless, it halted itself and thought.
"..."
It thought about the specifics of each attribute and what they meant. It thought about which attributes it would want most if these attributes were meant for itself, which they very well might be.
It thought about 'Attack.' It didn't really have any adverse feelings towards 'Attack.' in its previous existence, it remembered that it wasn't exactly some kind of pacifist, nor was it some kind of violent thrill-seeker. it felt like 'Attack' wouldn't be its first priority.
"..."
It thought about 'Defense' also. 'Defense' seemed like it would be hard to go without. with defense, it didn't matter how hard you got hit, or any other kind of damage that would come to you. Defense was vital in all aspects of ǝɟᴉl, more or less, so it would be ignorant to pass it off as something that didn't need chan-
"...!"
This existence, in the middle of its thoughts, found itself focused on the words that were stationed in front of its being.
Out of the corner of its eye (its vision, rather), it saw something slowly and periodically shift upon the bright white lettering. if it had been looking away, it would not have been able to catch it.
After observation, it abruptly stopped, and the wording before This existence's eyes accepted its new form.
And that form was...
SKILL POINTS
x25
_______________________________________________________________________
ATTACK: ------------|------------
DEFENSE: ------------------|------
AGILITY: ------------|------------
LUCK: ------------|------------
DEXTERITY:------------|------------
CHARISMA:------------|------------
_______________________________________________________________________
This existence caught on to the meaning of this, pretty quickly.
It was able to change the values on the chart before it by simply thinking of changing them.
"..."
With that in mind, This existence chose to think harder about what exactly to do about the choice presented to it.
"..."
Then This existence had an epiphany.
What did this all mean anyway?
Who was this for?
What was it for?
Was it for 'it?'
Was it for something else?
Was it for...?
...
...
What?
"....."
This existence stood (if you could call it that,) and pondered what it should be doing here. It knew what it 'could' do, but what does it 'need' to do. Is it supposed to adjust these statistics to fit something that it desires, or is it supposed to adjust them to be something that would be the most useful...? Why 'it' in the first place? Why was this existence...
Why did This existence...
Exist?
...
...
It stared and stared and stared and stared at the chart, displaying the 25 points, and the above-average defense, and wondered why it was there, and why 'it' should be the one to figure out what to do.
But then
It stared for hours, and couldn't bring itself to make any changes.
But then
It stared longer, and wanted to make changes, but was afraid of the implications these changes would bring.
But then...
It stared for even longer, maybe even weeks, and made changes, but never decided on anything.
...
...
SKILL POINTS
x350
_______________________________________________________________________
ATTACK: |------------------------
DEFENSE: |------------------------
AGILITY: |------------------------
LUCK: |------------------------
DEXTERITY:|------------------------
CHARISMA:|------------------------
_______________________________________________________________________
"..."
No.
SKILL POINTS
x0
_______________________________________________________________________
ATTACK: ------------------|------
DEFENSE: ------------------|------
AGILITY: ------------|------------
LUCK: ------------|------------
DEXTERITY:------------|------------
CHARISMA:------------|------------
_______________________________________________________________________
...
No.
SKILL POINTS
x0
_______________________________________________________________________
ATTACK: ------------|------------
DEFENSE: ------------------------|
AGILITY: ------------------------|
LUCK: |------------------------
DEXTERITY:------------|------------
CHARISMA:------------|------------
_______________________________________________________________________
...
No.
SKILL POINTS
x50
_______________________________________________________________________
ATTACK: ------------|------------
DEFENSE: ------------|------------
AGILITY: ------------|------------
LUCK: ------------|------------
DEXTERITY:------------|------------
CHARISMA:------------|------------
_______________________________________________________________________
...
.....
...
...
....
.....
This existence constructed and deconstructed these conceptual balances as easily as they appeared in its mind, but to find one it was satisfied with wasn't something it could do. That was because it didn't know 'what' to be satisfied with.
This existence wouldn't have a hard time coming up with a certain combination for a certain situation, but this existence doesn't have an inkling of a thought of what its choice could elude to.
...
This existence couldn't find itself to make a decision that might cause something important to be affected. This existence wasn't the smartest thing in the world, but it had the semblance of priority in its mind.
That being said, This existence tortured itself as it kept coming up with solutions to an issue that it didn't even know of.
If This existence knew its choice was for itself, it would have a good answer. If it was for an entire planet, it would have a good answer. If it was for an object, it would have an answer.
But
It doesn't know.
It doesn't know why it was 'here' in the first place. It doesn't know what it has to choose. It doesn't know how exactly its choice will affect whatever it does. It doesn't know when it needs to make its decision.
...
This existence was appallingly unaware.
It was stuck in a constant pendulum of obscurity, and it didn't have any apparent way to escape.
This existence felt miserable.
"..."
After basking in its miserableness for another period of time, this existence came across a thought.
The thought proclaimed that it should give up.
"..."
"It wouldn't be my fault if the decision ended up causing a negative," is what This existence thought.
At this point, This existence felt that whatever this occurrence was, it was most likely more of a coincidence than anything else. With that mindset, This existence chose to cast away its sense of obligation.
This existence would simply do what it wanted.
There's no way the decision could be considered selfish if it was unaware, after all.
"..."
At least, that's what 'it' believed.
...
This existence thought about itself, and what it's managed to become in whatever time interval it's been confined to this void existence.
Once again, it found itself to be neither happy nor sad.
Not warm, nor cold.
Not in pain, nor tranquil.
Not ƃuᴉʌᴉl, nor dying.
Not floating, nor sinking.
But it did feel tired.
The time it's spent here, no matter what it's been designated to do, has been lengthy, and empty.
If anything, it felt kind of unrewarded.
If it wasn't getting a reward, it didn't see why it should worry so much.
"..."
It decided to decide for itself, and to do that...
"..."
This existence thought about what exactly it would choose for itself. At this point, it didn't matter. It wasn't this existence's problem.
Not anymore.
"..."
This existence reflected on its previous memories, once again, but this time, for a less selfless reason.
This existence was never weak, in the sense of both strength, and endurance. It never had any issues with having to be stronger than something or having to deal with something that he couldn't handle because of any handicap. It didn't see any long-term practical usage in 'Attack' or 'Defense.' If it absolutely needed to get stronger in either one of these regards, there was training that existed for them, so it decided to pass up on meddling with those two.
The same logic could be applied for 'Agility.' It never had any adverse disability regarding its speed, so it didn't feel like a boost in his proficiency in this skill would be beneficial enough to sacrifice its options for.
Dexterity is something that This existence was aware was important, but once again, it didn't find its own skill to be inefficient in the first place, so it would result in another pass.
That leaves the two most interpretive attributes, 'Luck' and 'Charisma.' Charisma seems to be something you couldn't go wrong with, as if you have regular physical abilities, you might as well have an affinity to deal with problems. Charisma seems really useful when you think about it, but then there's luck as well. On the topic of helpfulness, luck also has infinite possibilities. inferring that luck affects every aspect of life, it'd be extremely shortsighted to disregard it as an option.
"..."
Although it didn't have a definite answer, even after thinking about the choices before itself and using itself as a stencil, it still had a pretty good idea of which option it would rather have.
...
This existence was so exhausted, that it took no further heed to the decision it was bound to make.
Any more hesitation and it would've driven This existence to insanity.
With that stated...
"..."
"....."
"....."
SKILL POINTS
x0
_______________________________________________________________________
ATTACK: ------------|------------
DEFENSE: ------------|------------
AGILITY: ------------|------------
LUCK: ------------------------|
DEXTERITY:------------|------------
CHARISMA:------------|------------
_______________________________________________________________________
...This existence stared at its result with glazed "eyes" as it began to think about it more and more.
This existence found the decision it has made to be satisfactory, and even if it wanted to change its decision, it didn't care anymore. It just wanted to escape the perpetual chore that was wading in the darkness, doing nothing but discussing with itself whether the choice it wants to make is right or wrong.
This existence was over it.
SKILL POINTS
x0
_______________________________________________________________________
ATTACK: ------------|------------ |
DEFENSE: ------------|------------ |
AGILITY: ------------|------------ |
LUCK: ------------------------| |
DEXTERITY:------------|------------ |
CHARISMA:------------|------------ |
_______________________________________________________________________
CONFIRM?|
_______________________________________________________________________
"..."
...
"yes."
...
"𝓘𝓝𝓣𝓔𝓡𝓔𝓢𝓣𝓘𝓝𝓖"
A soft voice echoed off of the darkness, giving This existence a jolt in its conscience. As it felt like the voice should be soft, it was so loud, that it couldn't be perceived as so. It looked around, away from the white board, which at this time, seemed to be fading away.
"...HNGH...!"
As it searched its surroundings for the producer of the voice, This existence was pelted with an infinite amount of emotion. It felt like something has punched This existence in its nonexistent diaphragm, and the pain, which was replaced by shock, resonated through its being. Whatever "This existence" was before, was incomplete, like a blank canvas, instead of real conscience. This was its 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭 being. Upon getting hit with these feelings, that's the conclusion that its mind came to.
...Or rather, "his" mind.
..."Jordan" was able to watch the result of his choice unfold before his own eyes.
As he stared deeply at the fading white text, it seemed to him that his eyes were almost dissolving.
The voice was nowhere to be found, and neither was whatever made it.
The borders of his vision slowly dissipated into obscurity.
Not nothingness, like it was before.
He closed his eyes and sighed deeply, as if the wind has been knocked out of him, but without the pain. His vision continued to deteriorate. until he couldn't comprehend anything before his eyes.
After that abrupt change, he felt a harsh cold.
...Cold.
...
The feeling prompted him to open his eyes and produce a yelp of discomfort.
"..."
...Yet he wasn't able to.
His eyelids felt glued shut.
He was only able to whinge in discomfort as he felt the cold distribute itself through his body, starting at his head.
He tried to scream, and get away from the cold.
...To no avail.
Jordan couldn't even change his face to voice the anguish he felt.
He couldn't move his body, and actually felt himself curling together, crumpling like a paper towel.
Jordan was deep in discomfort, and it seemed as if nothing could change that.
What Jordan failed to realize was that the voided world he was previously submerged in was transforming into something new.
And that Jordan's previous existence was transforming from emptiness into something...
Something Human.
...