Chapter 32: Inheritance
I wasn't too sure what this crystal was. From it's diminutive size but similar shape to my core, I'm betting it powers this entire facility. This... object must be the one who helped me fight the Centaurion.
AH, WHAT A MARVELOUS NEW (SHAPE) YOU HAVE TAKEN. BUT IT PALES TO YOUR TRUE (MAJESTY). OH HOW I WISH TO LAY MY (EYES) UPON IT ONCE MORE, LITTLE LAMB.
I got straight to the point, "Now that we're in a safe environment, I want to ask... what are you? Why did you help me?" Even I've seen enough movies to know that strange voices offering gifts were not very trustworthy.
OH MY, I'M AFRAID THERE IS NO PLACE THAT IS TRULY SAFE, LITTLE LAMB. (WE) ARE ALWAYS (WATCHING) IN THE DARK. (WATCHING) YOU. AND THAT WAS NO GIFT. THAT WAS YOUR (INHERITANCE). A SMALL PART OF YOUR (BIRTHRIGHT).
"You keep talking about inheritance. What exactly am I 'inheriting'? I know you can read my mind. You know that I wasn't exactly born here. So just spit it out! What exactly are you trying to sell me!?" I asked, demanding to know.
SUCH VORACIOUSNESS FOR ANSWERS. WHY DID I HELP, YOU ASK? BECAUSE IT IS THE DUTY OF A (SERVANT) TO SERVE ITS (MASTER). THE (WEAK) ARE MADE TO SERVE THE (STRONG). TO BE USED AS (FUEL) AND (SACRIFICED) FOR THEIR NEEDS.
I stepped back a bit after hearing his little rant, "That's a pretty shitty belief to have." I said a bit unnerved. This thing was starting to look dangerous.
HOW (FLATTERING). WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW HOW DANGEROUS 'YOU' REALLY ARE? THE MORTAL PART OF YOU MAY DENY IT BUT MY WORDS ECHO THE FUNDAMENTAL TRUTH OF REALITY. THE (PEASANTS) FEEDS THE (LORD). A (NATION) FEEDS A (KING). AND (WE)... FEED ON STARS. ONE DAY, YOU WILL UNDERSTAND. ONE DAY, WE WILL SUP ON STARS ONCE AGAIN.
I was starting to get flustered with every word he says. Warning bells in the back of my mind were starting to go off as this keeps going on,
"You... are you some kind of demon?" I asked cautiously.
NOW YOU (INSULT) ME, LITTLE LAMB. SUCH BASE CREATURES PALE TO WHAT I AM. TO WHAT (YOU) WILL BE. BUT ENOUGH OF THIS TALK. I MUST FULFILL MY (PURPOSE). THIS IS A (SERVANT'S) DUTY...
The crystal inside began to perspire the same black ink as I did. Shadowy tendrils began to form and transpose through the glass. Their tips began to point at me like spears waiting to strike.
I wanted to run. I needed to get out of there. But I found myself unable to move an inch. I wasn't paralyzed from fear. No, I did everything in my power to move my body but it felt like I was trapped in concrete. This must be the crystal's doing. It's preventing me from leaving!
DO NOT BE AFRAID, LITTLE LAMB. THIS POWER COMES FROM WITHIN YOU. YOU WERE MEANT TO UNLOCK IT. LET IT GIVE YOU THE STRENGTH TO OVERCOME THE JOURNEY AHEAD. HOWEVER YOU WISH. IT IS YOURS TO DO AS YOU PLEASE. SAVE THE (PEOPLE); SLAY THE (PEOPLE)... FOR THE ROAD DOES NOT MATTER WHEN THE DESTINATION WILL BE THE SAME REGARDLESS.
The tendrils darted forward and penetrated my chest. I could only watch and stare as their ethereal forms wriggled and rummaged through my core.
[Warning! Unit firewall has been breached! Unknown programs are now being installed!]
My vision began to scramble like a TV going on the fritz. I couldn't see what was going on inside of me but I started to hear the dull roar of an unknown creature begin to crescendo as this all continued. It all seemed to be coming from my chest.
ACCEPT YOUR (BIRTHRIGHT). YOUR (INHERITANCE)!
My body started to spasm as the event reached it's climax. A bright flash of light erupted from within my body. My static-filled field of view blinded, I collapsed onto the floor overcome with an unfamiliar exhaustion.
For the moment, everything was quiet again as I lay on the metal floor. I begin to stand up as my optics slowly return to normal. Before me is the crystal; normal once again.
"You..." anger began to boil up inside me, "What did you do to me!?"
I DID NOTHING BUT MY DUTY AS YOUR TOOL. I HAVE AWAKENED THE POWER WITHIN YOU.
Don't tell me... like before... Oracle! Give me a status report!
[<Inheritance Lvl - 1> has been unlocked. The skill [Maw of the Lamb] and [Claw of the Lamb] can now be used.]
What the hell kind of names were these!? Lambs do NOT have claws... Is that the skill I used to fight the Centaurion? And what's this [Maw of the Lamb]?
[This skill allows you to create a portal to a pocket dimension.]
A pocket dimension? Can you elaborate, Oracle? I don't know what you mean.
[Simulations show that this skill functions similarly to a magical bag but the available space within is incalculable. It is recommended you do not put living organisms inside. Time and space within the pocket dimension are in constant flux.]
So a giant locker and a malformed hand is my so-called inheritance. I joke but that Claw was deadly. And absolutely god awful to look at. I know Tessa said otherwise but I can bet any average joe on the street who takes one good look at that thing is going start doubting my veracity.
HMM? ARE YOU UNHAPPY WITH YOUR STRENGTH? WHY CARE FOR THE OPINIONS OF THE PARASITES? USE IT AS YOU SEE FIT. A TOOL IS MEANT TO BE USED. POWER IS MEANT TO BE DISPLAYED.
As he spoke, cracks began to appear on his crystal form. Bits and pieces of him had started to fall off.
"H-Hey! What's happening to you!?" I ask hurriedly.
MY PURPOSE IS NOW DONE. THOUGH I WAS WEAKENED FROM THE PASSING OF MILLENNIA, I USED WHAT STRENGTH I HAD LEFT TO AWAKEN YOU. A BROKEN TOOL IS FIT ONLY TO BE DISCARDED. THERE ARE MORE OF US WAITING FOR YOU TO RETURN, BLACK LAMB. SEEK US OUT AND LET US SACRIFICE OURSELVES TO FUEL YOUR REBIRTH! DEVOUR US WITH YOUR SLAVERING JAWS! YOUR OBEDIENT SLAVES AWAIT THE PLAINSWATCHER'S RETURN!
His voice is starting to become unhinged as I watched his crystal begin to turn to dust.
I SEE IT! YOUR HUNGERING STARE! ALMIGHTY ZZAZZTHOTH! PLAY THE DRUMS! THE MADDENING FLUTES! YOUR BLACK LAMB RETURNS!!
His maniacal laughter echoed around me as the crystal became nothing more than a pile of grey dust. What the hell was he!? And there's more of these crazy things out there too?
Whatever he was, all I know is that they're trying to make me become something as weird as they are. No, I refuse to become that... thing. But now that I think about it, with these new skills I... might as well use them, right? Well, sparingly. I probably shouldn't use the Claw when I'm in town or something. Well, maybe I can pass it off as my golem skill-
I give my head a shake. Why am I trying to convince myself?
I started to hear footsteps approach as Tessa and the rest appeared from behind the machines around me.
"You disappeared on us, Arlan!" Tessa remarks, "You were there one second and then gone all of a sudden!"
"Oh, uh." I thought up something fast as an excuse, "I found the power source for the facility but it seems like it's toast."
"Oh right! When the lights suddenly began to flicker on and off was when we noticed you left." Erwyn adds, "Well if this machine is busted, there must be another power source around here since the facility is still running."
The warning bells returned once again, "H-Hey, why don't we head back now. We've done all we can here anyway." I don't want to meet another talking crystal today.
Aelinor let out a yawn, "You're right... I'm starting to notice all this fatigue now that my body got a chance to fully rest."
"Right!? Now let's get out of here. I don't want to step into another dungeon for a while after what happened today." I said hastily.
My group was a bit confused at my sudden urge to leave but left it alone. They all wanted to get back to the surface and rest for the night. For now, I got what I needed. And then some. A very unwanted some to be sure.
I finally did it, at least. I'm ready for whatever the next challenge is ahead.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone