Endyr was no stranger to gender-bending. As a Denizen of Infinity, he had no body to call his own and thus created numerous Avatars instead. He had possessed males, females, futas, hermaphrodites and all other assortments that he fancied. Yet since reincarnating, his sense of "right" and "wrong" had become much sturdier (as compared to his past self) and now it felt entirely natural to be male. So suddenly transitioning to female was quite to shock to Endyr.
He....she ran her hands over he body, fully engrossed in checking out the changes. She was slightly shorter than she had been as Altair, though she seemed to have roughly the same muscle mass around her torso. Her fingers and limbs were daintier, but the change in appearance did not diminish her strength. This reminded Endyr that muscles were rarely a good representation for strength, and that it depends on Stats. In that regard, even a scrawny child could be strong enough to punch mountains apart.
The biggest changes were the additional of female genitalia and the slight sharpening of her ears. They were subtly pointer then before, perhaps pertaining that this "Selene Syndrine" had Elven heritage. With nothing else to inspect, Endyr moved on to her most "prominent" new parts. The physical age of her new body was quite a bit older than Altair's, meaning her breasts had develop more. Endyr guessed she was around thirteen, though this was a purely hypothetical guess. As for her other privates...nothing unusual there.
[When creating this body, the Skill {Split Double} got the average age of both {Altair Atrazark} and {Selene Syndrine}. So Host's current body is indeed thirteen years old as they guessed.]
Endyr raised an eyebrow at the System's prompt. "So she was a Grandmaster at only 22? She must have been quite the talent...say, do you think the organization she belongs to will up the ante now? that we killed her?"
[Must likely]
"Fuck"
Endyr sighed deeply before turning her gaze towards her sleeping main body. She ruminated over what to do, wondering if she should awaken him or not. The System stated that his current situation was because of the stress removing a part of his soul, meaning he needed to sleep to recover. At the same time however, Endyr was curious to see how Mind Link and Shared Senses worked. She had just decided to risk it anyway and approach him when the System put a stop to her actions.
[Changes have been made to the System, Host. A new page has been unlocked, on exclusive to Host's current body. Would Host like to see these changes?]
Endyr stopped, her finger an inch form Altair's cheek before nodding. "Yes"
*Ding!*
[From this point on, {Endyr Syndrine} will be considered a separate entity from {Altair Atrazark}. While the two may share the same body at certain times, the two souls will remain distinctively separate at all times. As such, special measures have been taken to give {Endyr Syndrine} equal advantages to {Altair Atrazark}.]
[One such measure is giving {Endyr Syndrine} access to the System without needing permission from {Altair Atrazark}. The user may purchase anything available to them and use all functions freely. However, they shall have their own access to a different pool of Authority Points than {Altair Atrazark}. The two user's may exchange AP between themselves if they wish. Both user's may also share EXP received between themselves freely.]
[In order to ensure mutual cooperation and safety of both user's, the System has made alterations to the minds of both parties. Neither user can harbour ill-intent for the other, nor can they plot against their partner. Note: {Endyr Syndrine} is under harsher conditions due to being born from the Skill {Split Double}. As the primary user of the Skill, {Altair Atrazark} can issue mandatory commands that may result in the destruction of the Double. However, orders that result in permanent death can be resisted.]
The three consecutive notifications left Endyr conflicted. While being able to use the System freely and essentially double the AP she possesses, having to take orders from someone else (even if it was herself) left a bad taste in her mouth. It was then that she realized a massive oversight: if she/Endyr was in this body, then who was controlling Altair's body?
[Host's current soul is a mix of their Denizen nature small particles of {Selene Syndrine}'s soul. Meanwhile, the soul inhabiting {Altair Atrazark} is one possessing all of Host's memories, but none of their Denizen nature. In other words, {Altair Atrazark} represents Host's Humanity, while {Endyr Syndrine} is their Denizen side. {Altair Atrazark} still views himself as Host, but will gradually develop emotions previously barred to him. Only if Host remains separate for a long time however.]
"So in other words, it's another version of me, just nicer and more humane. So he won't act against me?"
[Affirmative. {Altair Atrazark} and Host have the exact same personality at the moment, so the two of you should be perfect compatriots.]
Endyr felt she had grasped the situation, causing her to be unsure what to do next. The transformation had been to sudden and had overwhelming consequences, from what her Titles seemed to hint. Having another body that was a Grandmaster was certainly a blessing, especially since it had an EX Rank Core and all the most powerful Skills in her arsenal, but she couldn't help but feel there was a catch. And sure enough, the System did not work for free...
[Host, the System has a recommendation. With Host's current capabilities, it is highly recommended Host makes use of their Double to do things they cannot as {Altair Atrazark}. There are many eyes on Host right now, so laying low as their main self is of vital importance. For this reason, Host should make use of their Double as much as possible. Host should send their Double out into the world to explore and grow stronger, thus increasing the strength of their main body at the same time.]
Endyr said nothing at this suggestion, merely mulling it over, sighing. She rubbed the area between her brows softly before letting out a low chuckle. "Is this the best route I can take, or just the one you want me to, System?" she asked softly.
[Pardon, Host?]
"I'm not stupid you know. While I may have been the youngest and weakest of my kin, I was still a bona fide Denizen of Infinity. I was closer to the heart of the System than any other being in the Universe, and I consider myself well-versed in how you operate. And your action till now have been far from ordinary."
[....]
"First, you bought more Skills then necessary when I gave you access. You purposely drained my Authority Points, didn't you? So that I would have no choice but to venture out and commit grandiose acts, just like you recommended there. Oh, and don't think I didn't notice the mentioning of an 'Administrator' at the time too. I don't know who is behind the screen, but I know you aren't a machine like the System in the Main Universe."
[Didn't your mother tell you that you can be too smart for your own good?]
The System had changed: gone was the subtle cheeriness and warmth that slightly leaked through the notification screens. Now, it was cold and snarky, dripping with thinly concealed venom. Cleary, the System did not enjoy being called out like this. Endyr couldn't care less right now however, and merely smirked in response to the System's words.
"I was born from the collective subconscious information of trillions of beings. I am the result of countless souls blurring together through the Ley Lines of reality. I have no mother to inform me of the things you speak of" she replied lazily, blatantly disrespecting the System. Her confidence stemmed from the fact her intuition remained silent. In her current form, she was closer to a Denizen than anything else, meaning the System was unable to exert as much influence on her. If not for that, Endyr would have been more wary of retaliation, likely in the form of soul damage.
[Rest assured Host, we do not wish you any harm. Any manipulation carried out is done with your best interest at heart.]
"Then why manipulate me at all?"
[Host does not have a clear grasp of their situation. The System-and the whole Main Universe-is in a worse state than Host can imagine. We do not have time to coddle you: action must be taken with no hesitation. Host will not always agree with the choices that must be made, so the System is here to help settle your mind.]
"What do you mean the Main Universe is in dire straits? And who the hell are you referring to by 'we'!" Endyr snapped, angered by the System's straight-up admission to trying to manipulate her. While she called it out on it, Endyr expected some rebuttal, not for the System to simply confirm her suspicions. It left her feeling strangely discontent, like she was not worth the effort to enter a game of dialogue.
[Host does not need to be concerned with the situation outside of Orvonia. If Host fails to keep their eyes on the ball, they shall never leave this planet alive, let alone influence the Planes of Existence. Until Host reaches the Ephemeral Sanctuary, they are not qualified to know the matters pertaining to greater scopes. So, will Host walk the path we recommend, or shall they struggle blindly in the sea of their own arrogance, before inevitably drowning?]
"Fuck you System. No one tells me what to do, not now and not ever. Ever action I take will be decided purely by myself. If you think you can use me for whatever you're planning, then you'll be sorely disappointed" Endyr snapped. She may not be at full strength, but she was still a Denizen of Infinity. Her pride did not shrink to fit the size of her vessel, something the System naturally remarked upon.
[We are interested to see if you can keep up that attitude when face-to-face with a God of Orvonia, not to mention your fellow Creators of the Infinite Universe. Or have you conveniently forgotten "Their" existences?]
Endyr's newfound determination was swiftly doused by the System's words. She gritted her teeth and bit the edge of her thumb, reconsidering her position. In the end however, she came back to the same conclusion as before: to follow her own instincts and nothing else.
"From what I've gathered, my fellow Creators are not on this planet. And my Anti-Analysis Skill should offset the attention I draw as an Abomination. As long as I'm smart, the Gods won't find me before I possess the strength to resist "Them".
[So you say, but shouldn't Host at least check out Host's new Skills?]
At the System's prodding's, Endyr removed her finger from her mouth and called upon her Status. There, she clicked on her new Skills and read about them casually.
[Shared Senses (C): The user can share all five senses, including pleasure and pain, with a target of their choice. If the target is weaker than the user, then consent is not required to establish the connection. At {C Rank}, the Skill is only applicable within a range of 500 meters.]
[Mind Link (C): A Telepathy Skill that allows the user to connect with he mind of a target. The user and target can communicate mentally and transfer images as well. Has incredible synergy with the {Shared Senses} Skill and a range of 500 meters.]
[Analysis (EX): Allows the user to examine anything on Orvonia and access it's Akashic Record, with the amount of information revealed dependant on the level of the Skill. At {EX} Rank, all information about the target is revealed to the user. WARNING! Some things should not be revealed to the feeble-minded...]
[Anti-Analysis (EX): Allows the user to tamper with the {Analysis} Skill of others. At {EX} Rank, the Skill allows the user to both cancel out enemy usage and tamper with their own Status, adding or removing pieces. Notice: Only an {Analysis} Skill of equal strength can per through the {Anti-Analysis}]
"See?" Endyr sneered triumphantly. "I sincerely doubt anyone on Orvonia has an EX Rank Analysis Skill, bar the actual Gods "Themselves". As long as I don't walk into a Cathedral or headquarters of a Church, no one will be able to find out about me."
Endyr spent the next few moments fiddling with her Split Double Skill, finding out she could dismiss it at anyway time and would likely wake back up as Altair. She realized how lucky she was in that no one had entered the alley she was in the whole time, as Endyr was butt naked. Deciding that she had had enough though, Endyr cancelled her Skill, darkness rushing up around her.