There was stunned silence around the Campfire, one that neither would like to break. "I'll be heading off," Porea slowly said, lifting her shaking body with effort. Bud only nodded, heading closer to the Campfire. Porea saw it as odd, until she realised how cold it was. For someone without any extra clothes, this night would be freezing. Still, she left him alone, heading back.
Bud kept glancing at her until she was gone from sight, then looked at his arm.
[The Fire Lighter told the story of The Missing Day. Extra Reward Points are granted for the Story having an increased effect. Reward Points (RP) granted: 0.02.]
That was all it said. As Bud lay on the ground, he felt more words being written, so he checked:
[The Fire Lighter has encountered another story - Cold, Night Air (ER: 0.05). On especially cold days, in the wilds, snow comes fluttering down. This isn't because of the temperature, but because of a creature waking up. Even though no one has seen this monster, it is real. It will kill.
Story Requirements: Survive until the area becomes slightly lukewarm.
Reward: Cold, Night Air unlocks, allowing the Fire Lighter to warn others of this Story. Warm Jumper.
Story Failure: Dying.
Punishment: All memories of the Night will be deleted, and further side stories will be locked until the Night becomes cold again (3650 days left).
Hint: The Big Man has realised and sent a creature that dwells in the cold and refuses to go anywhere lukewarm.]
Obviously, Bud was panicking. It's been less than a day, yet I have another task?! Bud thought, looking around himself. Indeed, he saw white flecks of something coming down, something he didn't know the name of. But it must've been the 'snow' the words spoke of. It tried fluttering onto the Campfire, but it melted far before it even reached it. The snowflakes above moved away, as the Campfire now emitted visible gas to change the movement. Bud was still cold.
When he tried walking away from the Campfire, out of the corner of his eyes, he saw something move. It rushed towards him on four arm-like limbs, snapping its mouth at him. Stumbling back, he saw the monster hesitate to enter the area. It decided against it, but gave Bud enough time to look at it.
Its pale, human body was crawling on the four arm-like limbs. They would be full arms if it weren't for them stretching in four locations. Along with that, it seemed like frost was covering its body. A scar running through its belly was the most eye-catching thing. It shrieked at me as it went into the shadows, too far from the firelight for Bud to see it anymore.
Bud moved back towards the Campfire, sitting down right in front. As warm as it was, it felt like it would burn out quickly, although the Campfire previously told him that was almost impossible. Or had it? Well, either way, he felt he had to do something soon.
"The Big Man," Bud said aloud. Almost instantly, the creature appeared again, just at the edge of the light. "That was who sent you, right?" He seemed to have guessed right as it tensed up. Quickly, he spun the Wheel of Stories, using up one of his free spins. He looked at his arm, quickly seeing what he obtained:
[The Fire Lighter has obtained a Rare Reward - Storyteller's Lantern.
Storyteller's Lantern - A special lantern that can replace a light source. It has been used by some Storyteller's. However, it cannot replace the light forever.
Rank: Rare
Abilities:
Copy Light: The Storyteller's Lantern can copy any light source, making it seem like it blends in when it doesn't. This does include the light source's effects and the heat emitted, with only snippets of its original Will.
Slight Possession: A man who wanted to burn like the Sun, did burn. However, he didn't accomplish his original goal, and thus, his ghost wishes to copy the Sun. If accomplished, drastically improved abilities, plus 5 RP.]
Well, that seems interesting, Bud thought, but not important. He looked back at the creature, seeing something other than anger and killing intent hidden in them; a look of helplessness. Hesitating, he said to it, "Would you like to hear a story?" He thought of upgrading Healing Light, confirming yet again, when more words appeared:
[Healing Light: A proper campfire is one where people feel comfortable and heal from their long journey. Choose from the following properties:
Increase Comfort: The comfort one feels when around the Campfire is greater and the Campfire will try to make them feel comfortable.
Healing: The amount of rest increases, healing injuries faster than normal, but not by much.
(NOTE: All upgrades will have to be gotten eventually.)]
Yet again, Bud looked back, seeing the creature's unwillingness to get closer. He chose Increase Comfort, showing another YES/No box. He mentally chose YES. Instantly, he felt that the Campfire was trying to make him more comfortable, but stopped it. Instead, he made it focus on the creature, feeling the fire get just a little bit colder.
The creature walked forward, interested, which made Bud speak again, "This was a story I was told when growing up, away from most of my family. It starts like this." Bud beckoned for it to come closer. Unwillingly, it moved one limb closer, testing the waters. The air got colder. Much, much colder.
"Once upon a time, in a mountain far away and with a height indescribable to people, lived a man. First, the mountain was a dangerous area, filled with creatures that would kill others whenever they felt like it. With the creatures ranging from giant Lymps, grey creatures with four feet and bodies that covered dozens of meters, all the way to small Pirah's, creatures so unimaginably powerful just whispering their true names would kill all who heard it.
"The mountain would've been a simple mountain, if not for the fact that it was the tallest in all the lands. Every creature fought for land whenever they could, killing those weaker than them and dying to those stronger. But the man's territory? It was always quiet, not a sound out of the normal; no beast walked the lands; no beast cried with joy; no beast would even moved something into it." Bud saw that the creature was somehow entranced in this story, something he would never understand.
"Until, one day, an arrogant, questioning Pirah stepped into the land. The Pirah wasn't young, having many hundreds of years, at least, to strengthen itself. Yet, when it did, all that it was met with was death. With one quick strike from the Heavens', the Pirah lay, its body reduced to ash. The man mourned for he could not arrive in time. With his ribs sticking out, as if his skin was only there to cover bones, he tried grabbing some of the ashes. His attempt was met with a sharp gust bringing the ashes away."
The creature was moving closer, more entranced in the story than how close it was. But, as it made its way closer, it began changing; subtle at first. Its skin was melting the frost; its arms had one less joint; and feet had begun transforming from the back limbs. Bud continued.
"He pleaded to the Gods, 'Just one meal,' but he was always met with silence. His hunger unquenched for another day, he went back to his hut, bare of anything edible." Suddenly, Bud stopped, looking at the creature that seemed more like a human. "Would you like to listen to more?" Unconsciously, as with all its reactions, it nodded, blowing wind that almost sounded like words. "Unfortunately, this story isn't meant to be told all at once; maybe tomorrow?"
Before it could react, Bud continued, "I'd love to see you around again; maybe come around tomorrow." Unwilling, the woman, Bud guessed from its slight human resemblance, still sat there.
From the wind came a mumble of words. One word, really, Bud noticed. "Another," it said. He thought it came from the woman since she mouthed the word.
"Tomorrow. How about you tell me a story?" Bud asked, changing the topic. In her eyes, there was a glint of something; maybe pity, Bud thought to himself.
"Could not comprehend story," the voice whispered, in a way that didn't seem human. "Life spared today." The woman stood up, walking away. As she did so, the snow moved with her, eventually leaving Bud alone. And, around the Campfire, the snow melted.