Mirina's laughter echoed through the ancient trees of the Forest of Unending Night. Her jet-black eyes sparkled with mirth as she wiped tears from the corners of her eyes, the sound of her amusement echoing like a haunting melody. After a moment, she composed herself, her demeanor transforming into one of formality as she cleared her throat. On the other hand, Gideon stood stoically, his eyes twitching with irritation, unable to fathom what had just transpired.
"It is indeed true that your initial form can grant you significant advantages in this competition," Mirina began, her voice carrying an air of authority that demanded attention. "But let me make one thing clear, Gideon. It's not the only factor that will determine your success. As I mentioned earlier, your key to victory lies in leveling up, evolving into a more formidable version of yourself."
With graceful steps, Mirina approached Gideon, her slender fingers gently plucking a piece of parchment from his grasp. Her gaze fixated on the writing, and a sweet smile played upon her lips.
"The world of Eteria is vast, my dear avatar," she continued, her voice softening like a caress. "All participants will be strategically placed far from one another. Even if you were to deliberately seek out your rivals, it would take you years to reach them. I don't want you wasting your time in futile pursuits. My desire is for you to concentrate on becoming more powerful than any of your competitors. When the time comes, and they emerge, you'll have the strength to crush them all."
Gideon nodded in understanding, his gaze unwavering. He silently observed as Mirina turned away, her raven-black hair cascading like a waterfall in the moonlight-filtered breeze of the dark forest that surrounded them.
"Ten chosen avatars," Mirina began again, her eyes now shrouded in an enigmatic aura. "Each carrying the divine will of the god who selected them. Each possessing untapped potential, the ability to ascend the ladder of power, to reach the pinnacle of godhood." She pivoted to face Gideon, her outstretched hand rising slowly as if invoking some arcane power. "As the avatar of the goddess of darkness, I shall bestow upon you my blessing."
In the blink of an eye, the once-enveloping darkness of the forest transformed into an impenetrable dome of shadows. Within this eerie cocoon, Gideon and Mirina stood facing each other, their eyes locked in a shared purpose. Sinister shadows began to congeal around Gideon, their malevolence palpable.
"Accept my blessing, Gideon," Mirina whispered, her voice carrying an undertone of darkness. "Prove to the other gods that darkness is the most formidable force in existence. Become my harbinger."
Gideon made no resistance as the encroaching shadows seized him. His eyes closed, allowing the screams that echoed from all directions to wash over him. He found himself encased within a cocoon of shadow, pulsating with a sinister aura.
Moments passed, and the cocoon erupted in a flurry of shadows. The dark dome that had enclosed them dissipated, leaving Gideon kneeling on the soft grass. He blinked and found himself back in the heart of the Forest of Unending Night. When he lifted his head, Mirina gazed down at him, a sly smirk curling upon her lips.
The transformation was undeniable. Gideon's once-ordinary appearance had undergone a dramatic change. His irises now bore an abyssal darkness, absorbing all light that dared to touch them. His skin had taken on an eerie pallor, and the veins beneath it pulsed with the essence of the void. A wicked grin played upon his lips, a testament to the newfound power surging through his being.
Gideon felt an inexplicable thrill coursing through him as the ethereal voice reverberated within the recesses of his mind. It was a voice laden with the weight of divine authority, and it heralded a momentous change.
*Divine Blessing: Night Form, has been acquired.*
In that fleeting instant, the very fabric of Gideon's being shifted, aligning with the clandestine forces of the night. His heart raced as he read the words on his mental canvas, trying to fathom the enormity of what had just transpired.
*At night time, you will take on a superior form, gaining times five of each of your stats. Your body will also transform along with improved senses.*
The promise of power beyond his wildest dreams stirred something primal within Gideon. His dormant potential awakened, setting his veins ablaze with newfound vitality.
*During the Night Form, all of your attacks and skills will be converted to the Dark Magic attribute and will ignore the magic and dark attribute defenses and resistances of the targets.*
Dark magic, the very essence of shadows and secrets, now coursed through his being. It was as if he had been granted the keys to the hidden abyss, where the mysteries of the night unfurled before him.
*All the skill you have will have Day Form and Night Form, the day form being the normal ones, and the Night Form being the enhanced versions.*
The dichotomy of day and night, light and darkness, now danced in his mind. Gideon stood up from his kneeling position, his grin morphing into something more sinister, more insidious. "Not bad," he said, his voice dripping with newfound confidence and allure.
Mirina, the enigmatic figure who had overseen this transformation, nodded in approval. Her eyes bore into Gideon's with unwavering intensity. "The procedure is done. In order to use your acquired blessing, you will be transported to Eteria now," she informed him, her hand caressing his cheek with an intimacy that sent shivers down his spine. "Be cautious when facing other participants; like you, they also possess powerful Blessings. Defeating them will allow you to inherit their Blessings. If your goal is to become a deity and join us, consider eliminating them without hesitation."
A sinister smile curled on Gideon's lips as he stared back at Mirina. "You know me very well. I'm sure you already know that I won't even hesitate," he replied, his fingers gently grazing her hand as he moved it away from his face. He had intended to remove it entirely, but the sensation of her soft touch momentarily arrested his movements.
Mirina's smile deepened, a peculiar mixture of affection and detachment in her eyes. "I'll be watching you, my dear avatar. Remember, I'm here to listen. While the rules may prevent me from replying, I'll always be listening."
Gideon nodded in acknowledgment, his voice lost to the process of reincarnation that was already in motion. His physical form began to fade, dissipating like a wisp of smoke into the unknown. In that fading moment, Mirina's gaze remained fixed upon him, her smile unwavering. As Gideon vanished from her sight, he closed his eyes, surrendering himself to the enigmatic forces of rebirth.
The sensation was disorienting, like being caught in a maelstrom of colors and sensations. The last vestiges of his old existence ebbed away, and when he opened his eyes again, he found himself in a world drastically different from anything he had ever known.
The first thing that struck him was the suffocating darkness. He was enclosed within walls of compacted soil, deep beneath the earth's surface. It was a claustrophobic embrace that spoke of the foreboding challenges ahead. Gideon surveyed his surroundings, but aside from the oppressive darkness, there was nothing to be seen.
*Welcome to the competition of the gods, avatar of the goddess of darkness.*
The voice, now more ethereal than ever, echoed within Gideon's consciousness, like a haunting refrain. It sent a shiver down his spine, reminding him of the gravity of his newfound purpose.
Then, as if summoned by the unseen forces at play, a floating, almost transparent box materialized before him. It hovered, suspended in the air, beckoning him to approach. It was his status board, a window into the mechanics of this divine competition.
•••••
NAME: GIDEON BRANGWEN
LEVEL: 1/10
SPECIES: EXTREMELY WEAK HEDGEHOG
*STATS*
VITALITY: 5
STRENGTH: 7
MAGIC: 8
SPEED: 6
STAMINA: 5
SKILL POINTS: 20
*SKILLS*
ACTIVE SKILLS: Dig, Claw Attack, Roll.
PASSIVE SKILLS: Appraisal, General Language Comprehension, Spike Armor.
DIVINE BLESSINGS: Night Form.
•••••
Gideon couldn't help but mutter to himself, a hint of incredulity coloring his words. "Another life, another challenge. Let the competition of the gods begin."