Skydancer awoke with a jolt, his breath coming in ragged gasps as the familiar surroundings of his university dorm room came into focus. The walls, adorned with polaroids of Melbourne's best street art—real burners—seemed so mundane, so utterly disconnected from the chaos he had just experienced. The faint hum of city life buzzed outside his window, a distant reminder of the world he once knew.
He blinked, disoriented, his heart still pounding from the vivid memories. The rush of adrenaline, the fear, the determination—it all felt so real. Too real. But here he was, back in his tiny, cluttered room, as if nothing had happened.
"Bloody hell... Was that all real?" he muttered, running a hand through his tousled hair, his fingers trembling slightly. The memories of the jungle, the Monster Tide, and Kanu's sacrifice played over and over in his mind like a broken record. Had it been a dream? A hallucination brought on by too much stress and not enough sleep? Or was it something more? Something that defied logic and reason?
[Mornin', Sky. Confused? I don't blame ya. But let me assure you—it wasn't just a dream. Everything you experienced was as real]
Skydancer sat up, his mind racing. "So, I was actually there? For thirty days? How the hell does that work? "
[Here's the kicker—only your mind and soul were sent to Loto Village. Your body stayed put right here on Earth . The system created an avatar— a sort of clone of your body for you from the atoms of that world, so you could muck about without the world's will trying to squash ya.]
Skydancer rubbed his temples, trying to wrap his head around it. "So, I was off in another world, living in some makeshift body?"
[Exactly. That's how you got to train and grow stronger without copping a backlash from the world's will. It's a bit of a loophole, you could say. You see, every world has its own will, a sort of governing force that keeps things in balance. If you'd gone there in your true body, you'd have been hit with all sorts of restrictions. Your powers, your abilities—they'd all be suppressed, and the world itself would work against you, trying to push you out or limit what you could do.]
Skydancer frowned, trying to absorb the information. "So, by creating an zvatar for me, you bypassed all that? I could train and grow without the world's will interfering?"
[Spot on. Your mind and soul adapt to the new body, and as you train and grow stronger, the experiences and skills you gain are imprinted on your soul. When you return to your true body, those gains can be transferred over. It's as if you really lived through it all, but without the usual consequences of cross-world travel.]
Sky's thoughts spun with the implications. "So every time I go to a different world, I'm essentially living a whole new life there, but my real body stays here?"
[And because your mind and soul are linked to both bodies, the transition feels seamless. One moment you're in Loto VIllage, fighting off monsters, and the next you're back here in Earth, with all that experience still buzzing in your head.]
Skydancer leaned back against the wall, trying to process it all. "And what happens to that body when I'm done? Does it just disappear?"
[Not quite. Once your mission in a world is complete, your avatar doesn't just vanish—it's stored by the system in that world, waiting for the day you go there with your true body to reclaim it. Until then, you can access that avatar whenever you want to explore that world. It's like having a save point—you can pick up right where you left off, with all the memories, skills, and growth intact.]
Skydancer's mind wandered as he tried to grasp the concept. "So, I could technically have a different life in every world… even a family in each one. Talk about having 'hoes in different area codes'—but, like, literally…" He chuckled to himself, the absurdity of the thought making him grin.
[Well, well, aren't you ambitious, mr Skydancer? Planning on starting a whole interdimensional harem, are we?]
Skydancer's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as Nexi's cheeky comment brought him back to reality. "Hey! It was just a random thought, alright? Who has time for castle full of beauties, anyway?"
[Sure, sure. Keep telling yourself that, daydreamer.]
Skydancer didn't notice the hint of jealousy in Nexi's voice as he tried to piece all this information together. The idea of living multiple lives in different worlds was as thrilling as it was overwhelming. But as he sorted through the implications, the reality of his situation began to sink in.
"Alright, so I'm hopping between worlds, growing stronger, and storing avatars for future use… But what's the endgame here? Why am I doing all this?"
[Good question, Sky. But that's something you'll have to figure out along the way. The system's got its reasons, but the journey's yours to navigate.]
Sky ran a hand through his hair, still trying to make sense of the bizarre system. "And what about the village? Did we manage to save them?"
Nexi's voice was reassuring but left a hint of mystery. [You did what needed to be done, mate. The village is safe for now, but there's more for you to uncover next time you return to Loto Village. The world's timeline will pick up right where you left off, so no need to worry about missing anything. For now, take a breather. You've done well, and there's more to come.]
Skydancer exhaled slowly, the weight of his experiences settling on him like the lingering echo of a distant storm. The idea of living in two worlds, growing stronger in each, was both thrilling and daunting.
[Now, it's time for your mission settlement. Let's take a gander at what you've earned.]
A notification flashed before his eyes, pulling him back into focus:
[System Notification: Mission Complete - Settlement phase initiated]
[Mission Review Initiating in 3...2..1.]
As the notification played, Skydancer blinked, his heart pounding as the vivid scenes of Loto Village played out in his mind. The once vibrant village, full of life and laughter, was now a ruin, torn apart by the monstrous horde. The villagers, his friends, had been forced to flee, their lives uprooted in an instant. The sight of the Sea Dragons' boat, packed with everyone he'd come to know, brought a mixture of relief and sorrow. They'd escaped, but at what cost?
The vision shifted to Kanu, lying at the bottom of the ravine with a sword embedded in his chest. The image of him crawling towards that strange, glowing fruit burned into Skydancer's mind. Kanu devoured the fruit with the desperation of a starving beast before slipping into a deep coma. Time accelerated, the days and nights blending together until Kanu finally awoke, fully healed and radiating with newfound power. What kind of force could mend such a grievous wound? The weight of his friend's struggle and fight for survival pressed heavily on Skydancer's heart.
He stared at the blinking notification, feeling the weight of what he had witnessed. The reality of his journey, the consequences of his actions, were sinking in deeper than ever. The adventure had been real—too real. Skydancer let out a shaky breath, the full magnitude of what had happened settling over him like a heavy cloak.
"I couldn't save the actual village," he thought bitterly. "But I saved what mattered. I saved my friends. And Kanu… he survived. Somehow, he made it through. But what now? What comes next?"
As he focused back on the blinking notification, Skydancer's surroundings began to shift. The familiar confines of his university room faded away, replaced by the grand, ancient treasure vault that seemed to stretch infinitely in every direction. Towering columns of dark stone lined the vault, etched with intricate runes that pulsed faintly with a mysterious energy. The floor beneath him was now polished marble, shot through with veins of gold that glowed with a warm, inviting light.
Massive, ornate pots, each overflowing with treasures, were stacked in neat rows around him. Glimmering jewels, ancient weapons, and artifacts of immense power filled the room, their presence almost overwhelming. The air was thick with the scent of old magic and incense, humming with the promise of unimaginable wealth and strength.
[Welcome to the Vault, Sky. This is where your rewards are granted—where your victories and failures are tallied.]
As Nexi spoke, a series of holographic screens appeared before him, listing his mission stats like a video game scorecard.
[Mission Score: Initial Assessment.]
A score of 1000 points flashed on the screen, but before Sky could even react, the system began to deduct points, each failure marked by the resounding chime of judgment.
[Village Status—Destroyed: -200 points]
Some of the larger treasure pots crumbled into dust, the mysteries they held disintegrating before his eyes.
[Monster Leader Status—Alive: -200 points]
Another pot cracked and shattered, the ancient weapon within turning to dust, its power slipping away from Skydancer's grasp. "Wait, I was supposed to kill the Monster Leader?" he muttered, incredulous. "When did that become a standard expectation?"
[Captain Status—Alive: -200 points]
The next pot, filled with rare scrolls and mystical artifacts, vanished into thin air, leaving nothing but emptiness behind. Sky gaped in disbelief. "Take down the Captain? That guy was practically a walking arsenal with a superiority complex! What do they expect me to be, some kind of action hero?"
[Sea Dragons VS Loto Divers Result—Game Lost: -100 points]
Yet another pot, brimming with sparkling gems, disintegrated, the wealth it promised disappearing like a mirage. Sky threw his hands up in exasperation. "Oh, sure, and I was supposed to win the Blitzball game against a team of pros. What's next, fighting off an entire army with a toothpick?"
But then, the tone changed. A few pots began to glow brighter, their treasures shimmering as they solidified.
[Became a Valued Member of the Loto Divers: +50 points]
One pot began to glow warmly, its contents stabilizing. Inside, a vibrant, swirling energy pulsed with the promise of newfound strength and camaraderie.
[Guided Kavi to the Beginning of His Blitzball Journey: +100 points]
Another pot gleamed with a radiant light, the energy within almost singing with potential. Sky couldn't help but smile. "Kavi's got a bright future ahead of him," he thought, feeling a swell of pride.
[Guided Kanu to the Mysterious Fruit: +200 points]
The final pot shone the brightest, holding within it a powerful essence. Sky knew this was significant. "Kanu's journey isn't over yet," he whispered to himself.
When the dust finally settled, nine pots remained, each glowing faintly in the dim vault, holding the remnants of his efforts.
The system's final assessment flashed on the screen.
[Mission Score: 650, Grade: C]
It wasn't perfect, but it was a solid result—a testament to his resilience despite the overwhelming odds.
[That's the score, mate. The challenges were tough, and you didn't win every battle, but not all is lost. You've still got nine pots left—each one holding a reward linked to your journey, your growth, and the victories you did secure.]
Standing in the center of the vault, Sky felt the weight of the system's judgment. The treasures he had lost haunted him, but the nine remaining pots pulsed with a promise of power and potential, waiting to reveal their secrets.
He shook his head, still baffled by the absurdly high expectations. "Killing a Monster Leader… I can't believe that was actually on the to-do list," he muttered, a wry grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.
Skydancer let out a mix of relief and frustration. Nine pots remained, glowing faintly in the dim vault. But before he could dwell on his losses, three of the pots began to pulse with energy, each radiating a different color—two in a serene blue and one in a deep, vibrant purple.
Sky raised an eyebrow, incredulous. "What in the loot box hell is going on now?"
With a sudden burst of light, the three pots shattered simultaneously. The first blue light spiraled into the air, forming a well-worn Blitzball—Wakka's old ball, emanating a sense of history and mastery. The second blue light condensed into a scroll—a beginner's manual for training Spirit Energy, glowing with promise and potential.
But it was the purple light that truly caught his attention. It hovered in the air, swirling with intensity, before materializing into a smaller version of the fruit Kanu had eaten. Its aura was potent, filled with the promise of strength and resilience.
Sky stared at the items, a mix of awe and disbelief washing over him. "Okay, so apparently, this is how we do rewards now. Loot boxes with extra flair. Guess I can't complain."
Nexi chimed in with a cheeky tone,[Congrats, Sky. You've unlocked some solid rewards—those blue ones are good, but that purple? That's where the real power lies. But here's the deal. Out of the six remaining pots, you can only pick three. Choose wisely—these will shape your next steps.]
Skydancer sighed, eyeing the glowing pots with a mix of anticipation and irritation. "Of course, the system's gotta be stingy. Can't just let me have it all, huh?"
He stepped closer, reading the descriptions that floated above each pot:
[Blitzball Basics Training Manual (grey)
This manual gives you the fundamentals of Blitzball—great for training others and brushing up on tactics. It'll sharpen your reflexes and help dominate the court or battlefield.]
[Basic Spirit Energy Mastery (green)
Your avatar achieved basic Spirit Energy mastery. With this, your true body can immediately achieve the same. This'll boost your combat skills and survival instincts, giving you that extra edge when the chips are down.]
[Dukaboo Summoning Whistle (blue)
Summon a Dukaboo whenever you need a fast, loyal mount. It'll help you cover rough ground quick-smart, and you know Blinky's always got your back.]
[Old Blitzball Coin (purple)
This old, rusted coin has decided victory and defeat in countless Blitzball games and championships. It might be useful in divination—flip it to get a sense of what's coming, whether it's victory or defeat.]
[Flame Shot Talisman (green)
This talisman grants you a single-use Flame Shot. It's a powerful move, whether you're facing a tough opponent or need to make a statement.]
[Blue Angels Blitzball (blue)
A powerful Blitzball that can be used in both sports and combat. It channels Spirit Energy for dead-on strikes, making it a weapon and a game-changer]
Sky glanced between the pots, feeling the weight of his decision. Each choice seemed to hold the potential to alter his path significantly.
He sat back, his mind spinning as he considered his options. "Alright, let's start with Basic Spirit Energy Mastery. If I've got that in the bag, I can operate at a veteran level. No-brainier decision."
[Solid choice, Sky. That'll give you a real edge here on Earth.]
Sky nodded, moving on to the next option. The Blitzball Coin intrigued him, especially with his heightened danger sense. "I'll take the Blitzball Coin. Something about it feels right, like it's tied to this new spidey sense I've got."
[Good instincts, mate. That coin might just save your skin when you least expect it.]
The final choice was tougher. He could easily rule out the Blitzball Basics Training Manual and the Dukaboo Summon. As much as he'd grown fond of the Dukaboo he named Blinky, he wasn't sure how practical it would be on Earth—he could just drive a car instead. Besides, Wakka's wisdom and training were still fresh in his mind, so he didn't really need the manual. That left the Blue Angel Blitzball and the Flame Shot talisman.
The Blue Angel's Blitzball was a powerful weapon, but Sky wasn't sure he had the skills to wield it yet, and he already had Wakka's old Blitzball. On the other hand, the Flame Shot talisman, though a one-time use item, might provide a crucial lifeline in a future crisis. Its green hue indicated it was less valuable, but it could still pack a punch when needed.
After a moment of contemplation, he made his decision. "I'll take the Flame Shot talisman. I've got a feeling I'll need it soon."
With his choices made, Sky felt a wave of energy surge through him, sealing the deal.
[System Notification: Mission Settlement Complete]