The Oni Tribe - James hut
James sat beside Elena at the edge of the bed inside the small hut they had been given. The walls were made of stretched animal hides, pulled tight over a weak frame of uneven wooden beams. The wood looked worn and splintered in places, as if it had been hastily pieced together. Some of the beams bowed slightly under the weight of the roof, giving the structure a fragile appearance. The inside of the hut was dimly lit, with a faint scent of leather and earth lingering in the air.
Nearby, Emma and Sophia stood together by their own bed, their lively voices talking about what they had seen. Emma's eyes sparkled with excitement as she spoke. "I can't believe there are people like me here! It's amazing!" But her enthusiasm dimmed slightly as she added "Still… they're not as strong as I imagined. Honestly, it's a bit disappointing."
Sophia smirked, crossing her arms as she leaned against the wooden frame of the hut. "Their warriors, though—they caught my attention. They seem skilled. I want to learn their fighting techniques. Who knows? They might have some moves we've never seen."
James sat quietly, listening to their conversation before turning to Elena. "What do you think about all this?" he asked, his voice low but steady.
Elena's brows furrowed as she thought for a moment. "I don't know," she said softly. "I'm more worried about what happens next. This can't be all there is. It feels like we're just at the start of something bigger."
James nodded, his expression serious. "Exactly. We can't stay here forever. We need a plan, a direction."
The group fell into a brief silence, each of them lost in thought. The soft rustle of the wind brushing against the hut seemed to echo the uncertainty of what lay ahead.
Suddenly, a voice rang out in their minds, clear and powerful, cutting through the silence of the hut. It wasn't a sound they could hear with their ears, but something they all felt, as though the voice had spoken directly to their thoughts.
"Congratulations on being the first to discover the Oni Tribe!"
The group froze.
"Did… did anyone else hear that?" Sophia asked, her voice barely a whisper.
Emma clutched her head. "It was in my head! What is going on?"
The voice continued, its tone still steady but now carrying a hint of finality "You have each earned a reward for your discovery. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed."
The words hung in the air, causing the group to exchange uneasy glances. It was clear that the voice was acknowledging something they had done, but what kind of reward could it mean?
James, noticing the nervous tension spreading across the group, spoke in his usual calm manner, trying to reassure them. "It's fine," he said, his voice low but steady. "It's just the system. We've all heard it before. Let's see what we've got."
His words, though simple, seemed to ease the uncertainty in the room. The group nodded, taking a deep breath as they waited for what would come next, bracing themselves for whatever the voice had planned for them.
They all opened their status windows, the soft glow of the screens lighting up the dim room. James's display showed a glowing present box, drawing his attention. Curious, he clicked on it, and a small red crystal appeared in his hand. the voice announced "Congratulations on acquiring the Awakening Stone." it looked like a red crystal as James held it in his hand.
"I got this." James said, holding the stone up for the others to see.
The others quickly checked their own status windows, and one by one, they found the same item a red crystal which was the Awakening Stone as the voice congratulated them.
Elena picked up hers, studying it carefully "Awakening Stone? What's it for?" she asked, her voice tinged with confusion.
Emma tilted her head slightly, her eyes narrowing with interest. "It looks important. Maybe it's something powerful?" she wondered aloud, her voice a mix of curiosity and excitement.
Sophia, impatient as always, tapped the stone lightly against her palm. "It better be something good." she muttered.
The voice spoke again, its tone clear and almost gentle as it explained the meaning of the Awakening Stone "The Awakening Stone is a key to your potential. It will unlock the path to your true power, revealing the profession most suited to you. Each of you has the potential to choose a path that will shape your future. Use it wisely."
The words felt like a weight lifted from their shoulders, but also a heavy responsibility settled in their hearts. The stone wasn't just a simple reward, it was a choice a stepping stone toward something far greater.
James's gaze shifted to Elena, Emma, and Sophia, each of them now holding the stone in their hands with a mix of wonder and uncertainty. They understood now, this was their moment the start of something new. What profession would they choose? What would they become? The possibilities were endless, and yet, the weight of the decision was heavy.
The group fell silent for a moment, each of them contemplating the mysterious item in their hands, wondering what kind of powerful professions the Awakening Stone might unlock.
The voice spoke once more, its tone even and deliberate as it explained the significance of the red crystal's color "The color of the Awakening Stone represents the likelihood of successfully acquiring your chosen profession. A red stone indicates a 100% success rate a clear and direct path to your future. Purple signifies a moderate chance, between 60% and 80%, indicating some risk or uncertainty in the outcome. Pink means a lower chance, ranging from 30% to 50%, and blue… blue represents the greatest uncertainty, with only a 0% to 10% chance of success."
James, Elena, Emma, and Sophia looked at their stones with growing excitement.
"This is huge." Elena said, her serious expression softening.
The words settled into their minds, each of them processing the revelation in their own way. James looked at his stone, its red glow faint but undeniable in the dim light of the hut.
Elena turned her stone over in her hand, considering the implications of the red color. "So, it's telling us we're meant for something... our profession is certain?" she asked, her voice quiet, as if she was still trying to fully understand.
Emma nodded, her excitement building again. "Yeah, I'm ready for whatever comes next. It's about time we discovered what we're really capable of."
Sophia clenched her fist around the stone. "I want a warrior profession."
The group fell into a brief silence, each contemplating what the red stone meant for their future, knowing that it would guide them toward the paths they were meant to follow.
James gave them a small, reassuring smile, his calm demeanor easing some of the tension in the room "Let's give it a try." he said, his voice steady and confident "There's no point in waiting. We've come this far, so we might as well see what happens next."
His words were simple, but they carried a sense of determination. The group nodded, their nerves still there but now mixed with a sense of resolve, whatever came next, they would face it together.
They all held their stones in their hands, ready to make the next move. The moment of decision had arrived, and they knew they couldn't delay any longer. It was time to take the next step toward discovering their paths.
The system displayed a prompt: Would you like to use the Awakening Stone? Y/N
The group exchanged glances before nodding. One by one, they selected "Yes."
The red crystals in their hands suddenly cracked, the smooth surface breaking apart with a soft, sharp sound. As they shattered, the pieces turned to fine powder, floating in the air around them like dust caught in a gentle breeze. The powder drifted upward, moving toward their heads, as if drawn by some unseen force.
A strange, tingling sensation spread through their bodies, making them feel light and unsteady, as if they were being pulled in multiple directions at once. The world around them began to blur, and the dimly lit hut faded away. The walls, the air, everything melted into blackness, as though they were falling into an endless void.
For a brief moment, there was nothing but darkness, the sensation of weightlessness lingering. It was as if time had stopped, and they were suspended in some strange in-between place, waiting for what would come next.
Dream World
James blinked as his surroundings came into focus. He was standing in a dark, endless space, the same one he had found himself in before. The air felt thick, almost suffocating, and the blackness stretched on in all directions, with no walls, no ground just an empty void.
"This place again…" he muttered to himself, his voice echoing in the emptiness. He recognized it immediately, the unsettling stillness that had made him feel small and insignificant the last time. His heart beat a little faster, but he forced himself to remain calm, knowing he had no choice but to face whatever was coming.
He glanced around, hoping for any sign of change, any clue as to why he was here. But there was nothing. The space was silent, like the whole world had paused, waiting.
A sudden bright light appeared in front of James, cutting through the darkness like a beacon. It was blinding at first, but as his eyes adjusted, he saw two tall, shadowy figures step forward from the light.
They were much taller than Elena, Emma and Sophia. Their shapes were difficult to make out clearly, as if they were made of shadows, their outlines shifting and flickering in the light. Despite their lack of clear features, their presence felt powerful and commanding, as if they held some kind of authority over this strange place.
James couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine, the figures' strange and otherworldly nature making him uneasy. He stood still, waiting to see what they would do next, knowing that whatever was about to happen was beyond anything he could have imagined.
One of the figures spoke in a language James couldn't understand. Their words seemed to echo, growing louder as his vision blurred. He felt his consciousness slipping away.
Suddenly, one of the figures leaned in and kissed him tenderly, their plump lips caressing his with a hint of strawberry sweetness. The warmth grew as she delicately parted his lips with her tongue, exploring his mouth in an intimate embrace, her other hand cradling the back of his head pushing it towards herself to deepen their shared kiss. Finally, she pulled away, licking her plump lips and walked back into the light, leaving him breathless.
James's mind reeled as everything went black.
The Oni Tribe - James hut
When James opened his eyes, he was lying on a bed inside the hut. He sat up quickly, startled to find himself alone. His clothes had been changed, and sunlight streamed through the gaps of the animal hide.
When James opened his eyes, he was lying on the bed inside the hut. His body felt heavy, and for a moment, he just stared at the wooden beams above him, trying to gather his thoughts. He sat up quickly, his heart racing as he realized he was alone. The others weren't there with him.
He looked down and noticed his clothes had been changed. His usual linen clothing was gone and replaced with tribal animal hide clothing. The fabric was rough but sturdy, made from tanned leather and fur, with intricate patterns etched along the edges, as if they held some kind of meaning. The clothes seemed well-fitted for survival in a rugged, wild environment, with a belt and pouches attached for carrying supplies.
Sunlight streamed through the small gaps in the stretched animal hide that made up the walls of the hut. The light was soft and warm, casting long shadows on the floor. Everything felt different somehow, as if time had passed or something had changed while he wasn't aware.
Confused and still shaken by the strange experience, James rubbed his eyes, trying to make sense of what had just happened. Where had the others gone? What was going on? He needed answers.
"It was night when we got here," he murmured, confused.
James stepped outside, squinting as the bright sunlight hit his face. The warmth of the sun was a stark contrast to the cool, dark space he had just left. He shielded his eyes with his hand, trying to adjust to the light.
In the distance, he saw someone running toward him. The figure was large, but what caught his attention was how familiar she looked. It was a curvy Oni, but there was something about her that reminded him of Elena. Her features were similar, though her appearance was a little different and her shaped horns typical of an Oni.
She was waving her arms excitedly as she ran, her pace quick and determined, but James couldn't be sure if it was really her from this distance. His heart skipped a beat as he wondered if it could be someone else or if something strange was happening again.
"James! You're awake!" she called.
James frowned. "Do I… know you?"
Elena stopped and placed her hands on her wide hips, pretending to be offended. "Seriously? It's me, Elena!"
James blinked, noticing the changes. She was slightly taller, her skin now a deep red with intricate tattoo-like markings on her right shoulder. "You've… changed."
Elena smiled. "You noticed."
She called out, "Emma! Sophia! James is awake!"
The two came running, their appearances also altered. Emma's skin had turned a radiant blue, while Sophia's was the same deep red as Elena's. They both had similar tattoos on their right shoulders.
"James!" Emma cheered, pulling him into a hug.
Sophia smirked. "Took you long enough to wake up!"
They began to talk about their professions and experiences. When James mentioned the mysterious kiss, his face turned red.
"Strawberries?" Emma teased, grinning. "Who knew James had such a sweet side!"
Sophia laughed. "He's blushing! Look at him!"
"I am not!" James protested, though his reddened cheeks said otherwise.
Elena chuckled softly. "James, focus. Check your status window. Let's see your profession."
James opened his window and stared. "Priest," he read aloud.
The group cheered "A priest?" Emma said. "That's awesome! You can heal us as we fight monsters, which is very useful!"
Their excitement was interrupted by a voice. "Useful, but also vulnerable."
James turned his head, still trying to make sense of the situation, and saw Alisa approaching from the other side. She was walking toward him with a steady, confident stride, her hands resting on her hips as if she owned the place. A wide smile spread across her face, one that was filled with ease and a hint of mischief.
Alisa's appearance seemed different, too. Her clothing, like his, was made of rough animal hides, but it fit her well, practical and suited for survival in this new world. The sunlight caught her hair, which was a bit wild but framed her face in a way that made her look even more determined. She looked like she had been through something, but her smile told James she was ready for whatever came next.
"Well, looks like you're finally awake," Alisa said, her tone light and teasing. She stood confidently, hands still on her hips, a playful smile on her face. "It's about time you joined us."
James blinked, still trying to wrap his head around everything. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice filled with confusion.
Alisa's grin widened. "When you were unconscious, the Queen invited your group to join our Oni tribe," she explained, her voice full of excitement. "Welcome to the Queen's tribe."
James felt a wave of disbelief wash over him. He looked over at his friends, but they all avoided his gaze, some whistling innocently, clearly embarrassed by the situation.
He sighed heavily and turned back to Alisa, feeling the weight of everything fall on him at once. "Great," he muttered under his breath. "I guess it's decided, then."
Alisa chuckled softly, her smile never fading. "Don't worry. You'll be fine," she said reassuringly. "But you've been out for a week. Any longer, and you might've turned into a zombie."
"A week?" James repeated, his voice filled with shock. He felt his heart race as he tried to process what she had just said. He had been unconscious for that long? He hadn't realized.
Alisa nodded, her expression serious now. "You're lucky. Most people don't take the risk of awakening because of the dangers. But now, you're part of the Queen's tribe." She paused for a moment, letting the weight of her words sink in. "Come on, let's meet her."
James felt a mix of disbelief and curiosity. A week had passed, and now he was a part of a tribe led by the Oni Queen. He glanced at his friends again, wondering what else he was about to discover.
James walked silently beside Alisa and the others, the weight of the unknown heavy on his mind. But as they moved forward, Elena, Emma, and Sophia fell into step beside him, their expressions filled with guilt.
Elena glanced at James, her eyes apologetic. "Hey, James… we should've told you everything sooner," she said softly. "I'm sorry for not filling you in on what was going on."
Emma nodded, her tone sincere. "Yeah, we didn't mean to leave you in the dark. We just... didn't know how to explain it all."
Sophia, usually more distant, gave James a small, guilty smile. "We were all caught up in everything happening so fast."
James turned to look at them, his expression calm and understanding. He shook his head gently. "It's okay," he said, his voice steady. "I get it. None of this was easy for any of us. We're all in this together."
The group shared a quiet moment of understanding, then, as if in unison, Elena, Emma, and Sophia wrapped their arms around him in a quick hug. It was brief, but the warmth of their support was undeniable. With smiles on their faces, they pulled away, their spirits lifted by James's reassurance.
James looked up at Alisa as they walked. "Hey, Alisa," he said, his voice curious. "How come I can understand and speak your language now? I didn't know I could before."
Alisa turned to him with a grin, her eyes twinkling with amusement "Ah, that's the beauty of joining the tribe," she said with a playful tone "Once you're accepted, the tribe's magical traits helps you understand everything. It's like an unspoken bond that ties you to us."
James blinked in surprise "So it's because I joined the tribe?"
"Exactly!" Alisa nodded, clearly pleased with his understanding "Now, you're part of us. The language, the customs, even some of the magic benefits it all becomes part of you. It's the tribe's way of making sure we can communicate without barriers even though the Oni tribe members know the language without the magic benefits."
James smirked slightly, still processing the idea "I guess that's one way to keep everyone on the same page."
Alisa chuckled "You'll get used to it. Welcome to the tribe, James."
James couldn't help but smile back "I suppose I don't have much of a choice now, do I?"
"Not really," Alisa said with a wink, walking ahead. "But don't worry, we'll take good care of you."
The group continued on their path towards the Queen's hut, a little lighter now, knowing that whatever came next, they were not alone in facing it.