HELEN'S POV
Waking up in my incarnate was a good reminder to never leave my body just sitting anywhere.
The world had changed a lot since my time here. The forest had grown even denser and the trees had spread out. One such tree had grown around me wrapping its roots in an embrace around and through my waists and chest. I wasn't there after all but if one didnt know it would feel like the roots were trying to wrap me in a cocoon.
I walked out of the tangle of roots and looked around to see a large stretch of forest. The forests of Torheim were huge no doubt but this one had tall trees written on it. Tora was such a narcissistic girl, naming my divine realm after herself. Well, she ruled it now, I guess.
Though the trees of Torheim were large it was something that should have been normal for a divine realm. Here on Vaustaris it just had me enamored with the sheer length and height of them. Watching their trunks ascend like ladders.
I gawked about as I randomly picked a direction and headed off. At first, I walked, then I ran fast the wind blowing around me as before, and finally, I just jogged.
"Big, too big. Too much forest."
By the time I got out, it was dark and the night sky was already littered with stars. A journey that I had done in my incarnate observe form had lasted so many hours. As a mortal, I wondered how long it would last though. A twinkle caught my eye in the sky. A red star.
"Memory throne". I smiled at the sight before seating down to rest. I found myself on a beach of pale silver sands. The dark sea churned with the roar of white waves that rolled up and down.
It was very comforting to feel fatigued after not being able to feel it as a god. Lying down there and staring up at the heavens I began having various thoughts.
What it felt like to be mortal in a fantasy world and how silent it was out here. Where the nearest civilization was and what the current age was. I remembered that I could only open another solar system if one or two worlds reached the iron age.
" Whatever. Let's just enjoy this. Luckily Cole is yet to disturb me for the deal. I feel like my training period is coming to an end. I'm sure he'll try to get me to find one of those treasures once the Gods start entering the Tartarean rifts." I mumbled.
Still, I knew that once it was time I would keep my end of the deal. Cole had taught me a lot of things, well not much or important but I was certain the other creator players didn't know about any of the knowledge I had.
I was sure to repay the deal. If nothing else I had signed.
The breeze from the sea felt good. It was lulling me into a sweet sleep. I was almost there. I never knew one could sleep in this game too. Was that even possible or would I log out while my incarnate dozed?
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to know since like a buzzing fly a chorus of cries reached my ears.
Another problem. I didnt bother to ask silly questions. I knew what the buzzing was. Prayers. Cries for help. This was the part about being a god I both dreaded and was excited for.
Getting disturbed and also getting to act it out. Each time I wondered why I never received prayers back in the realms I had gotten zero answers from the system. The one time I had gotten an answer it was one word.
Fuel.
It took me a long time to figure out what the system had been meant. But when it finally gave a subtle explanation that helped me understand I figured it out.
What were gods? Some thought of gods as omnipresent beings, or higher entities. Whichever it was, the game had set different types. There were the creator players. We made stuff. We were the absolutes of our universes.
Then there were the administrator gods. The ones in charge. They made sure there was an order. Like the Leaders of pantheons. Though I felt it was less a pantheon and more a kingdom. Maybe there would be pantheons among the lesser gods.
Then came the gods. Gods as in just gods. There were three types. Well according to my universe, there was. It seems the system classified gods depending on the creator's actions and decisions.
Divines were the gods birthed on Torheim. Golden beings.
Daemons were the gods birthed on Ghaldum. Unlike the divine with golden blood and a holier-than-thou personality, the Daemons bled blue blood with specks of gold and according to the system's description had no qualms about dirtying their palms.
It sounded like an evil faction. But I ignored it.
Finally was the third group which was still locked. Yet I didn't miss the fact that this three were the same options I had seen with the divine beasts back then.
It cemented my thoughts that the system moved based on our decisions. I wonder how the gods would have been set if u had say, four realms. Or maybe just two or one. It was. question for thought. Hopefully, I get to see Dester's realm and check out my thoughts.
Anyway, the prayers. The realms soaked up the prayers offered up and used their energies to form several divines based on the prayers. It made me remember how the cores only started forming after I made Vaustaris, but it seemed it only began to get actual energy and also a concept of divinity when the races were placed.
The buzz was back bringing me out of my thoughts. The voices, lots of them echoed in my head. Like tons of speakers over the radio, all clamoring to be heard.
I wondered why I was receiving all the prayers Especially when there was various being made to names I didn't even know.
[Only the divine can receive prayers]
The words were clear in my head. As usual, it came with more information. something I appreciated about the system. If there were two gods on Vaustaris then we both would hear all the prayers. But there were rules and regulations to be set and surprisingly that I could set or remove.
The voices didn't let me concentrate though. I almost silenced it all but one stood out to me. Maybe because it was closer or female. Maybe because I felt a tug at the voice, almost like it was fading.
Grasping for the voice I received a prompt.
[Would you like to hear Daena Jorkstorn's Prayer]
[Y/N]
Affirming I was relieved to note the others calling out for me were either silenced or dulled. Then the prayer became louder and filled my head.
"Is this some kind of sacrifice or something" I pondered. Someone offering to do anything meant desperation and desperation meant.
"Oh." The next part of her prayer got to me and I shut my thoughts up.
When I thought of answering the prayer a whole new option for actions as a goddess opened to me.
[MIRACLES]
[IMBUE STRENGTH]
[MESSAGE]
[MARK]
"I love options" smiling with curiosity I poked at them to understand their context.
[MIRACLES]
A god's presence is important, something that should be known. Using little bits of power called down from beyond the mortal realm. Miracles are watered-down versions of one's insights and some skills.
[IMBUE]
A temporary burst of strength, power, wisdom, or energy is needed by sprinkling a bit of divine power into something. This can leave side effects like a connection to said god.
[MESSAGE]
Sometimes the connection to mortal can be verbal and not physical. Speak through dreams, or as a voice in the wind. Really the choice is yours.
[MARK] -[GOD TOUCHED]
A feature that is open due to your Fearghal name. A God touched only exists after consistent interaction with a god's divinity. As a creator with the Fearghal name those who call on you can be marked with your symbol. The prize, their souls to remain in your halls and do battle, for all eternity.
(A watered-down feature of this is used by the gods but they have no claim to the souls upon death without permission).
While thinking of what option would be beneficial a whiplash hit me. I felt my senses dragged across the ocean. Then It halted above a ghastly scene. I found myself hovering over a chaotic burning city with white-skin beings clashing and killing each other. Wooden houses burned and plumes of smoke rose from the burning city into the atmosphere.
The City was located atop a cliff overlooking the dark roaring sea. Above me, dark clouds gathered. A thin line of gold connected me to a corpse.
The moment my eyes found it all thoughts of surprise all emotions that I was feeling before left me, leaving sadness.
My gaze drifted from the corpse to the golden shape dragging and coaxing the soul away from the corpse to the sky. The same kind of golden burning shapes that was taking away all the souls of the dead. Several strings connected with the shapes.
'The strings of the star river'. I already knew from just a gaze. Somehow I didn't like it. It was almost like these poor NPCs were getting kidnapped instead of ferried to the river to be prepared for their next lives.
Even as I thought about making the star river act better my arms shut out and snagged the shape holding the corpse's soul.
A faint tickle like a baby's touch reached my mind curiously before a coo echoed in my head.
"Mother". It honestly felt weird to be referred to as mother by the strings of the river. I suddenly had a suspicion that the star river had sentience. If it was so then I had better pay a visit. I didn't need or want another Molliwag.
'You're doing well Star' I mentally praised while rolling my will with a bit of struggle over it. Best to keep it happy. It giggled in my head as It basked in my praise and touch.
.'What do you think of all this?' I asked while extending another palm. I watched the string turn to a little fae and land on my palm snuggling in. It was lean, with golden transparent wings and a large head with round cute eyes. It was donned in a red material like a gown or robe. Gender less.
'Bad, bad. Keep killing. Keep working. Always sending. Not just here. Everywhere.' Fae's words had me realizing more than ever how these NPCs had their thoughts and mindsets.
'I'm sorry Star. Let me do you one thing good. This one has called for me. I'll help her. Go get the others. ' Star just nodded looking sleepy. I chuckled before mentally promising it a treat soon for it's hard work and apologizing for not coming to see it soon.
I watched the Fae giggle even more as it shot off headed for another soul. All the strings seemed more energetic now.
Turning to the soul I grasped it and felt a connection to it's mind.
" Anything" I repeated.
At first, there was no response, then like a tape on repeat, she began shouting back the word.
What to do was still a question. Heal and send her back? It wasn't what she exactly wanted. Her request was clear.
Looking around I doubted a simple miracle would suffice to stop this. I didn't know how long imbue would last. Which left mark, as message was out of the options.
"Then say my name. The price has been set". I pushed the thought of what I was, who I was into her soul. Then quickly I cast her down into her body and swiftly found the first option, miracles.
My mind went to the various miracles available. It was all a watered-down version of my avatar skills and insights. Each miracle was made to represent a skill or insight I had. It was kinda cool but aggravating to not be able to use it unless asked for.
[GREATER MIRACLES]
[Restore life]
[Earthbend]
[Sword Cull]
[Insta-Kill] - [LOCKED]
[Steel skin]
[Strong punch]
[Elemental arrows]
[Fireballs]
[Astral Projection] - [LOCKED]
[Earthquake]
[Death mark] - [LOCKED]
[LESSER MIRACLES]
(?)
Quickly I picked restore life and watched as the golden tether linking me to her body lit up. Honestly, this part was still confusing as I felt like there was only a trickle of something leaving me. I felt her mental confusion as I sent my name into her head while her body mended. Watched as golden waves escaped from her body like mist and faded as it was sucked into the earth.
Then her eyes tore open as she muttered it. My name.
It felt like a tiny hand latched unto me. A need and desire in its grip. Unrelenting.
[Would you like to Mark Daena Jorkstorn as Fearghal]
[Y/N]
'Yes' My decision was instant.
Her scream came, it was heart-wrenching and I found myself mentally wincing as I watched her body shake and writhe from the pain.
[Soul Daena Jorkstorn claimed ]
[Permanent connection to Soul - Daena Jorkstorn made]
[Soul permanently severed from the Star ring]
[Souls killed by Daena Jorkstorn will be judged and if found wanting can be removed from the reincarnation cycle ]
[Souls slain by Fearghal can be used as eternal batteries for cores]
[The stronger the soul, the longer lasting]
[Soul Daena Jorkstorn will receive a perk straight from her matron]
[Available perks]
(Earthmancer)
(Pyrae)
(Stainless)
[Create Perk]
I blinked a lot after reading it all before I stared at the girl who couldn't be more than fifteen. I sighed. I itched to create a perk but, this was something that she needed. It would be bad to create something that would fail her in this event. Sighing I decided to leave the experimenting to my next Fearghal.
The three options in available perks filled my mind. The first was straightforward. An overpowered earth mage The second was harsher. Control of fire with huge reactions from any action given. Saintess would do the most but would do nothing in hindsight of helping her survive.
"Well she did say anything". I scratched my head awkwardly as I made a decision. The best perk available for her situation was one that allowed her to oppress her oppressors.
"Fitting for the setting indeed".