Text appeared in my mind as time slowed.
[Target: Wooden Stick]
[Use: Attacking tree]
[Transformation: Iron Sword]
My eyes widened as I felt my body move on its own, and the stick started to glow. I watched as it transformed into the shape of a sword, and then the glow left and it was iron. The blade bit into the tree deep as time sped up, it then slowed right back down.
[Target: Iron Sword]
[Use: Cutting down tree]
[Transformation: Chainsaw]
The sword transformed again into a chainsaw and started to cut through the tree, almost pulling out of my hand. I was able to stop it, but my heart raced in my chest at what had just happened.
I knew then that I wasn't human anymore, and much as Numera said, but this was crazy! I was going to have to learn quickly how to use this body, or I was going to end up dead. Still, this was interesting, but I still didn't really understand how it worked.
I had walked over to hit the tree, but my body took that as an attack and transformed the stick into a sword. Then it got stuck in the tree and changed to a chainsaw that had no gas tank, and it just worked.
After pulling the chainsaw free, I looked it over. I was no expert on small motors, but this thing clearly lacked a power source. I didn't complain, but it really didn't make any sense.
I was about to walk away when I heard a branch snap, and I turned around.
"Whatever you are, I am taking you to the Magistrate," The same woman said as I turned around with the chainsaw still in my hand.
She had a hand up, and she was writing something in the air with a glowing finger.
"Hey! Do you think we can talk about this?" I asked, but the woman didn't stop what she was doing.
"Anyone with a body like yours has broken all laws and will be melted down like all other illegal technology! By The Winds of Wistaria, I summon the magic to smite my foe with your powers!" The woman cried, and I was blasted off my feet and into the air.
I flew higher and higher, spinning through the air, but I was able to regain control by focusing on my body. As I fell back down, I caught a branch but slipped and crashed to the ground.
My body was uninjured, but I couldn't see the woman. I had lost the chainsaw, but I grabbed a few fist-sized rocks as I got up. If this body worked the way I thought it did, I just needed to know what I wanted the thing to do or change into.
I closed my eyes and thought of a bow, and when I opened them again, the rocks had transformed into a bow and quiver. I heard and then saw the woman running away, so I pulled an arrow back and let it fly.
The arrow cut through the air and stuck in a tree right by the woman's feet, causing her to stop and turn around. This thing was not as easy to use as others made it look.
"What are you?!" She cried as she backed away towards the edge of the forest.
"Your worst nightmare," I replied, but I didn't give any more explanation as I shot another arrow. This time it flew much faster and hit the ground right by the woman's feet. She yelped and then ran off, screaming for help.
[Target: Bow]
[Use: Shooting human]
[Transformation: Crossbow]
The bow transformed into a crossbow with a bolt ready to be fired. I was amazed at what was happening with my body, but I focused on the woman that was trying to get away. This time, I focused on her and targeted the back of her calf.
I fired the shot, and the bolt hit right where I wanted it. The woman screamed and fell to the ground, unable to move any further.
I was about to go over, but then a voice warned me.
"You are in more danger than you think. You need to get out of here now and take the woman with you. You can use her to learn about the world," Numera's voice said in my head, and I looked around, not sure what she meant. I didn't have time to worry about it as the sound of people coming got closer and closer.
I ran over to the screaming woman and then punched her in the face to knock her out. I scooped her up, and tossed her over my shoulder, then started to run away from the noise.
"Can you hear me?" I asked, as I ran into the night.
"Yes, My champion. You have done well so far, but you are going to need to remove that bolt from her leg after you put some distance between your pursuers. I can only talk briefly, but you seem to understand how your body works. Right now, you are asking it to do simple tasks, but it is much more capable than you would think. We are going to lose touch for another 12 hours, so you need to find a deep cave to hide in for a few days. Good luck, and kill the woman after you get what you need out of her. She is a devoted Child of Wisteria and will capture you and send you off to be melted. You are immortal, but you are not immune to death," Numera instructed, but her voice faded away as she did.
I kept running as fast as I could and eventually made it to a cave deep in the forest. I placed the woman down, careful not to touch the bolt that was still stuck in her calf.
I checked around for any signs of pursuers, but I heard nothing. I focused on the bolt and thought about pulling it out, and as soon as I did, the bolt flew out of her leg. I quickly grabbed the bolt, put it on the ground, and then started to patch up the wound with some of the women's robes I had ripped.
Once I knew she would survive the night, I searched through her robes, looking for clues. But the only thing I could find was the topaz pendant with an image of a seven-pointed star.
I looked at the symbol and then at the woman before shaking my head. I needed to get this woman tied up before she woke up and caused me more problems.