Chapter 61: The Bank.
The tension in the air was so thick you could have cut it with a knife. The robbers bellowing orders at the terrified staff.
“Get down! I said get down!”
“Stay on the ground and put your hands where I can see them! No one needs to get hurt!”
“Phones! Take out your phones!”
Their voices carried over the hushed silence settling over the bank. Staff and customers alike dropping to their knees. Shivering all...
2024-07-15 13:23:13 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 60: Pizza Party.
‘There’s another one over there.’ I [Messaged]. ‘And there and there and under there.’
Charlie, Monique and Boris didn’t bother answering back.
Instead, the each went to work. Either sinking their whole arms into the snow in order to dig out the trapped survivors or using [Reverse Gravity] to send the heaps of snow upwards so that the people could be rescue...
2024-07-15 13:22:31 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 59: Look Out the Window.
The Warehouse was crowded and filled with noise. People coming and going from one Excursion or another or otherwise engaged in training.
'Or what passes for training around here.' I thought bitterly.
In truth, what they often did could only be considered sparring by the most generous metrics available.
My eyes took them all in one again. Noting the casual, almost relaxed way they carried themselves. 2024-07-15 13:21:47 +0000 UTC View Post
Chapter 58: Dire Warnings.
The interior of the manse was as richly decorated as a royal palace. Gilded columns standing proud from atop polished marble floors. Vast sections of that very same floor held vast rugs with inlaid scenes of hunt and battle. The heroes portrayed therein having a vast selection of weapons and armor as they faced down familiar looking monsters.
It would have seemed a little bit cool, if it weren't for their faces.
Indeed, th...
2024-07-15 13:21:03 +0000 UTC View PostIntermission: Novices.
The lights around the track were almost blinding. Shining in bright hues of red and green and blue. They were placed along the ground on either side of the dirt road. Acting as improvised borders for us and automatically docking points whenever we veered off into them.
‘Not like anyone’s actually done it though. I have to say, it feels a bit silly to have them there.’
Any normal person would have had more than e...
2024-07-15 13:20:22 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 57: A Hero’s Welcome.
As expected, the Excursion didn’t immediately resolve itself once we’d killed the queen. Leaving us plenty of time to march ourselves right back to Paris.
The trip had been blessedly uneventful, as we made our way down the sheer cliffs and slopes to the rolling hills at the foot of the mountains. There was that awkward, preternatural silence hanging over every single stone we passed, but that nothing in the grand scheme...
2024-07-15 13:19:42 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 56: A Giant’s Tears.
“No, we’re not turning back.” Slab repeated. His face still stiff.
“Why the (Gnome) not!? What are we supposed to be doing here anyways!?” Charlie screamed in return. His own face blistering red.
His hands, which had been flying all over the place, went over to the peaks in the distance.
The mountains were still glowing like a projected tapestry. Vibrant reds and greens clashing against each other in th...
2024-07-15 13:18:55 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 55: The Alps are Glowing.
While we didn’t have a GPS to tell us how fast we were going, I was pretty sure we were making good time. Granted this was relatively subjective assessment based on how many smaller insects were being splattered against Buddy’s face membrane as we whizzed past, but I was relatively certain it was accurate.
“You know, I really do love how beautiful and serene this landscape is!”
“What!?”
I shook my ...
2024-07-15 13:18:05 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 54: What used to be Paris.
“Do we have everything we need?”
“Yes Sully. We’re good.”
“Right. Good. Wait. Where did all the water go?”
“I decided to leave it behind.” Charlie answered.
I stared at him.
He shrugged.
“What? The Excursion screen said we’d have a time limit of 15 hours. You have enough bottles in your ring. Besides, we all have bottles on our rings. We won’t run out.”
“We ...
2024-07-15 13:17:22 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 53: Forced Vacation.
My body was still aching after I woke up.
It was a soreness so profound that even the mere act of breathing sent shockwaves through my nerves.
I braced myself and attempted to look down at my own body.
“Hey Buddy, could you please retreat a little from the front?”
‘Sure thing Sully!’
Buddy contracted his mass and the red astronaut suit he had turned himself into drew backwards. Revealin...
2024-07-15 13:16:43 +0000 UTC View PostIntermission: Adepts
The sun was sweltering. Bright rays beating me down with every passing second. They warmed the pale shite grains of sand below me, as well as the deep-blue waves that softly beat against the shore. Making it so that the sea was pleasantly warm once anyone stepped into it.
Add in the refreshing morning winds and the whole scene was the very picture of a heavenly island resort. The kind only the disgustingly wealthy could afford to attend, as their ...
2024-07-15 13:15:55 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 52: Chasing Dreams.
I was back in the mansion’s courtyard.
Looking up to see a blue sun floating on a crimson sky.
The flowers in the hedges were whispering among themselves. Giggling at my confusion.
My feet moved around the premises. Taking in the alien scenery while making my way around.
“Back already?” A voice called out from the nearby gazebo.
A sigh escaped my lips.
“Man, why are you still here? Isn’t ...
2024-07-15 13:15:04 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 51: Working Out.
“Nice! I got two more Enhancer levels! [Enhanced Concentration] got to 5! Now I can finally get [Enhanced Balance]! Just use the free point aaaand its done!”
“I’m so happy for you Kaito.” I said through gritted teeth.
My legs were shaking again. Burning with strain and agonizing pain.
I bit my lip and kept moving through sheer willpower.
Staying in motion in spite ...
2024-07-15 13:14:13 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 50: Nowhere to be Found.
“So, you see, I had no choice! I went through tons of different futures! Tons of them! And he always got away with it! Unless I killed him. In which case, his father always hunted down the girls anyway! Seriously, I don’t know how much money and influence that (Gnome)hole has but its literally too much to handle. I had to do something. I couldn’t just let the girls rot in there and freeing them would’ve put targets on al...
2024-07-15 13:13:24 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 49: The Slasher of Veils.
There was some light shuffling after that. Those around the edges getting to it, while those at the center of the crowd wandered aimlessly for a few seconds while deciding on a task.
I saw them off with a few words of encouragement, before making my way over to a thing that might be generously described as a pickup truck.
It looked like it had been stepped on by a giant. Multiple times.
The rear side had been ...
2024-07-15 13:12:42 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 48: The Cherub of Austin.
I looked at the dancing shadow. Taking care to watch its, eyes, as they moved about. They were two spots where the rest of a shadow should have been, but weren’t.
Wait, no. That didn’t make any sense either. The ember, whatever it was, gave off light. Yet that light was casting a shadow instead of repelling it. As if there was some unseen being between the ember and the floor.
A shiver crept up my spine at that ...
2024-07-15 13:11:45 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 47: I See Dead People.
I was still chuckling when the shimmer took me.
It just felt, so good. To be recognized and appreciated. It was a bliss so profound that it penetrated deep into my soul.
‘First, I save everyone in the Warehouse. Then I change the future and rescue even more people. Now I can heal myself and others on top of that. Oh yeah. Its all coming together.’
Nobody back home would have wanted a mind-controller ...
2024-07-15 13:10:59 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 46: Fighting Fire.
The first thing I registered was the shining sun. Its glorious rays beating down on Buddy. Passing through the transparent film that made up the visor and warming up my face.
The second thing I registered, was that it was getting very warm, very quickly.
I whirled around. Taking in the brickwork. The five floors stacked on top of each other.
The smoke. All that smoke.
Coming from the windows.
Then my fog ...
2024-07-15 13:10:18 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 45: Orphan Maker.
“Look lady! I’m sorry! Okay! I shouldn’t have mind-controlled you! My. Bad. I promise it won’t happen aga….”
“HEEEEEEEEEEEELLP!!!!!! ADMIN!!! AAAADMIIIIIIINNNN!!!!!!”
Her claws raked at the wall. Leaving small gashes in the smooth stone and making a sound akin to nails on chalkboard.
A vile, resonant screeching that cut through the quiet din of the chamber.
It would have been horrifying…...
2024-07-15 13:09:33 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 44: The Apology.
Each new string was like a budding flower. Slowly emerging from the still dark waters of my lake.
Its waters roiled for a few seconds, before settling back down with a grunt.
Then, for the first time in forever, I felt a tangible tug from somewhere else inside of me.
Its was…
As if the very walls of my inner sanctum were constricting and relaxing over an over again.
Like the chambers of a beating heart. 2024-07-15 13:08:47 +0000 UTC View Post
Chapter 43: Periwig.
The council members nodded slowly.
“Very good. Now that those issues have been sorted out, this session is at an end.”
Old man Park’s words had an immediate effect.
Not only on the council, but on all the nearby bystanders.
It was as if they’d all been holding a collective breath that was now coming out.
My fog was filled with their emotions.
Their relief.
It made me feel…
Good.
...
Chapter 42: Formalities.
I gasped for air, once, then twice and thrice.
Desperation forcing my sealed mouth open as new sensations overtook the old ones.
I heaved, forcing oxygen down my throat as sweat ran down my entire body.
My arms got tangled in something and pushing them apart saw me falling down unto the floor.
‘Sully? Sully are you there?’
“Buddy?” I groaned.
‘Yes! Its me! I told them to stop pu...
2024-07-15 13:07:20 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 41: Winding Down.
“How many?”
“Around two hundred?” Monique answered.
“And the best prospects?”
“Subutai, Gina and Stellio. Three Types each. They caused quite a ruckus.”
“Good.” Slab said. “The Council is less likely to notice then. I’ll advocate on your behalf as if you relapsed back to drinking. No one should notice the difference and any who do will chalk it up to the liquor.”
“Speaking of wh...
2024-07-15 13:06:33 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 40: Retribution.
All that booze had taken its toll.
I was currently unable to flow back into my body, not without losing consciousness once more and wasting the vigor I’d instilled into my new friends.
Even now, half-submerged in my own head-lake, the sweet syrupy amber tickled my core. Taking away the fear and the doubt. That, and making the anger burn hotter.
‘Ride the wave.’ I commanded. ‘Do not miss this chance...
2024-07-15 13:05:23 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 39: The Speech.
I smiled up at them.
Half anchored to this physical shell and half submerged in the lake.
I was getting the tingles again. The same ones that surged when Randall shook my hand. Part of [Premonition] and [Precognition] rolled into one. The golden strings supporting the rest. Making me say funny things that I didn’t fully comprehend.
No really. I had no idea what I was saying....
2024-07-15 13:03:59 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 38: Introspection.
Great.
Just (Gnome)ing great.
Everyone I’d saved wanted me dead or gone. Despite me doing everything I could to save them. Despite me literally flying to their recuse with little to no regard for my own safety. Despite all the blood I shed for their sake.
It was as if I were following the same trail as Sarcophagus Solomon. Trapped in a loop where I was destined to lose everyone I gathered to my side.
Was that...
2024-07-15 13:02:59 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 37: Warehouse.
The pit was a large oval hole marking the bottom of a long vertical space.
One that went up and up and up, beyond the range of both my eyes and my psionic senses.
When asked to scout it out, Dolce reported that the ceiling led directly to his home.
By which he meant the abyssal lake that made up the borders of this prison of ours.
I was tempted to demand a ride right there and then, eager to try my luck against its...
2024-07-15 13:02:00 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 36: Deliverance.
The edges of my fog slipped past the outer walls of Happy Shrub.
Drinking in the raw emotions and contemplations of all those inside.
Like a broth absorbing the other ingredients in the soup.
Klin the gnome was feeling lazy.
He’d been up for four hours already, which meant he was due for a nap. Yet, not only was the nap being denied, he had been forced to patrol the outskirts of Happy Shrub once more once his s...
2024-07-15 13:00:57 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 35: The Campfire.
We tried burying what little remained of the recently deceased Mark and Tracy. However, that turned out to be far more difficult than I’d anticipated. The stone was hard and sturdy. Solid, even under the weight of the lobster-moles. Or Slab.
It shattered when struck and enough force could even tear lumps at a time away from the rest of the foundation. Underneath, we found the open air of an adjacent chamber. Silent to my senses due to...
2024-07-15 12:59:46 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 34: The Newbies.
Borislav, for all is other faults, was not a stupid man.
He said little and heard much.
Forming opinions about others in his head and thinking thoroughly before committing to action. It was this pattern of careful observation that had allowed him to get the measure of Dusty and Slab right away.
As such, he knew better than to speak roughly in my general direction.
At least when those two were nearby.
Alas, Charlie was n...
2024-07-15 12:58:34 +0000 UTC View Post