Hiro's heart raced as he fell into the darkness, his mind racing with a mixture of fear and determination. He couldn't see anything, but he could feel the rush of air around him as he descended deeper into the unknown.
"Nova, activate my shoe thrusters!" Hiro shouted, his voice echoing in the abyss.
[Activating thrusters.] Nova's response was swift, and Hiro felt a momentary burst of hope as his thrusters ignited, slowing his descent just enough to prevent a catastrophic crash landing.
But that hope was short-lived. Just as Hiro started to regain control, Nova's voice chimed in again. [Error in activating thrusters. Seems someone forgot to recharge their boots.]
"Isn't that supposed to be your job?" Hiro asked in exasperation as he continued to plummet.
[I'm sorry, host, but you are the one with the hands and legs here, not me. You'll have to find another way to land safely.] Nova replied, her tone unapologetic.
Hiro continued to plummet through the dark tunnel, his heart racing. In a desperate move, he spread his legs wide, using them to press against the tunnel walls. The friction from his boots slowed his descent until the ground appeared closer.
With a final push against the tunnel walls, he managed to jump down on his feet, rolling on the floor to break his fall. It was a bit rough, but he was able to break the fall.
Cautiously picking himself up from the floor, Hiro took a moment to collect his thoughts. He was now in a dimly lit underground chamber filled with strange markings and symbols. The pulsating energy source in the center of the chamber emitted an eerie glow, casting eerie shadows on the walls.
[Task Completed: Sublevel located.] The screen in Hiro's eyes lit up, displaying his dashboard.
[Character: Hiro Banks]
[Status: Active]
[Bond Level: 18.5%]
[Location: Erebos Outpost, Siren]
[Level: 2]
[XP: 105/250]
[Health Level: 78%]
[Completed Tasks: 2]
[Pending Tasks: 0]
[Current Objective: Take over Siren and become Lord]
[Objective Progress: 7%]
[Unlocked Abilities: 0]
[Skills: Melee master, Sharpshooter, Tactical Strategist]
[Reward: +55 XP, New Skill Unlocked: Augmented Reality]
Nova's voice chimed in, explaining Hiro's new skill:
[Augmented Reality (AR)]: This skill, Hiro, is your gateway to a world of enhanced perception and tactical advantage. With AR, you can overlay additional information and visual enhancements onto your natural perception. It allows you to see hidden clues, analyze your surroundings more effectively, and even strategize in real-time by projecting tactical data directly into your field of vision.]
"Let's see what this can do. Activate night vision and Augmented Reality."
[Activating… Night Vision and Augmented Reality successfully activated.]
With these enhanced abilities, he could see footprints on the ground leading him through the winding tunnels of the underground complex. He followed the footprints, guided by the faint glow they emitted.
The footprints eventually led him to a vast cave. In this cavernous space, a unique kind of black rock pulsed with a mesmerizing blue light, casting an ethereal glow that illuminated the entire area.
"What is this place?" Hiro asked Nova, his voice filled with wonder.
[It's a mine, and these are Arkstones, the planet's energy source,] Nova replied.
Hiro's AR skill displayed energy readings of the Arkstones, and they were off the charts.
"Arkstones? Is that what they're called?" Hiro inquired.
[Yes, and they are incredibly powerful. You could use them to level up significantly,] Nova explained.
Hiro looked around the cave, realizing that the Arkstones were not only embedded into the ground but also etched into the walls. It was a breathtaking sight.
"Why do you think the Arcadians left this place if these stones are so powerful?" Hiro wondered aloud.
[I was reviewing their data records as soon as we got here. There was an accident; they were experimenting with the stones, and things went sideways, only a handful survived and they deserted this place.] Nova revealed.
Hiro took a few steps deeper into the cave, and that's when he noticed it—a single Arkstone lying on the floor, detached from the walls or the ground. It emitted a subtle, inviting glow.
Unable to contain his curiosity, Hiro carefully picked up the Arkstone, handling it with great reverence. He removed his gloves to get a better feel of the strange rock and held it in his hands.
As he cradled the Arkstone, it emitted a subtle, soothing glow, pulsing gently with an ethereal blue light.
The moment Hiro made contact with the Arkstone, he felt a profound connection to its energy. It was as if the very essence of the planet coursed through the stone and into him, filling him with an electrifying sensation that left him in awe.
"What was that?" Hiro asked, his eyes fixed on the now inert Arkstone in his hand. It had stopped emitting its ethereal light, returning to its unassuming black appearance.
[That was electrifying, Hiro,] Nova replied with a hint of excitement in her voice.
Suddenly, the screen in Hiro's eyes transformed with new information.
[Level Up]
[Level 3 --> Level 10]
[Health Points increased to 250]
[New!: Energy Level Added]
[New Weapons Unlocked: Double Plasma Blaster, Nanite Disruptor, Quantum Blade]
[New Abilities Unlocked: Mind Machine Interface, Psionic Domination]
[Mind-Machine Interface]: "You can control machines and devices using the power of your mind. It allows you to interface with technology through brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), giving you unparalleled control over electronic systems and machinery. Cooldown Time: 30 minutes."
[Psionic Domination]: "Psionic Domination grants you the ability to control the minds of others. You can influence and even dominate the thoughts and actions of individuals, making it a formidable skill for diplomacy or self-defense. Cooldown Time: 6 hours."
"Diplomacy or self-defense? That's too basic even for an advanced AI like you, Nova," Hiro said, a wicked grin playing on his lips.
Nova responded with a hint of curiosity, [What do you intend to do with this new skill?]
Hiro's grin widened as he contemplated the possibilities. "Nova, with these abilities, I could take over Siren, get them all to bow to me, get in between Kaida's legs," he added with a mischievous grin, "the possibilities are endless."
Hiro stared at the inert Arkstones in his hand and the cave filled with rest, pulsing with energy. This is exactly what he needs to become Lord of Siren.