Bab 12: Change...
Attention! You have been ingested by poison ?*;!?:%:!*;:
The rebuilding of the body has begun!
End of rebuilding in..: 3... 2... 1...
Congratulations! Your race has been changed to Faunus/Illithyri (25%)
Attention! ?(;"?;!*;:!*?:;
Waking up was hard...
I was lying on the mattress, the entire mattress was covered in blood. Diana was sitting next to me, whispering something under her nose.
- W-water..." I wheezed.
The priestess handed me water. After I had drunk the water, I decided to ask the main question:
- What happened to me?
- The Queen has blessed you, Brother. You are her son now. Not many mortals have been given this honor.
I did not immediately understand what she meant and decided to check my characteristics, preparing for the worst... "Characteristics!"
Level: 37
True name: %O#SH%";:" :B%"; "A:
Name: Artorias Blood, Kel'Gos
Race: Faun / Illithiri (25%)
Age: 6 years 9 months
Title: Book Serpent, the King is dead, long live the King! Junior Priest of the Spider Queen, On a pale horse.
Health: 150
Stamina: 150
Mana: 550
Unallocated Points: 42
Strength: 54 (54)
Vitality: 54 (54)
Speed: 55 (55)
Coordination: 55 (55)
Intelligence: 55 (55)
Wisdom: 55 (55)
Spirit: 115 (110)
What... What happened? Race change, health and stamina, and... Why am I at maximum efficiency? No, that's good, but... Race change. One-fourth... Illytiri...
- W-what does that mean? Diana, can you give me a mirror? - I asked the miko.
She stepped back for a few minutes and brought me a mirror. What I saw there, I was completely shocked... I was a different person...
My skin was pale grey, my hair had grown to my shoulders and changed its colour from dirty grey to snow-white. My ears were fluffier and also snow-white. My eyes... The right one remained golden, but the left one... Scarlet with an elongated pupil. I opened my mouth and saw the slightly grown incisors. I was lying naked on the bed, so I immediately decided to check my body without being embarrassed by the girl. All my skin had turned greyish and new scars had appeared - scars from the priestess' threads. All the scars stood out strongly in a pale colour on the grey skin. The spider tattoo had disappeared from my right arm and moved to the left side of my chest, changing slightly - instead of a dark red spider in a circle of symbols a female face with the body of a spider was looking at me, the symbols were gone and the colour had changed to scarlet. Next I turned my attention to Levi, who was holding the mirror - the colour of the metal had changed to red.
Levi, are you all right?
Pet Window:
Status: incomprehension
You've changed your colour to red, has anything else changed?
Pet Window:
Status: Excitement, denial
*Sigh* Okay... Akasha, are you there?
...
Akasha? AKASHA?!
"Settings!"
Settings:
1. Saved progress.
2. audio/video.
3. World map
4. Initial training.
5. Forum.
6. Link to the Akashi Library - not in place.
What? But why didn't she leave a message for me? The Forum!
-= Guardians of Knowledge - Home - News - Attention! Gathering of all Middle and High Gods members of the Order! - Main Trader =-
Attention. In connection with the destruction of 18,726 multi-universes and 6,924 Gods there will be a Gathering of Pantheons! The gathering will take place in the main World-X-000. All High and Middle Gods must show up!
Total messages in the thread: 984,726,095,512,952,245,852,528.
Mint: Any word on ours?! I haven't been able to get in touch with L-Joy for 7 days now!
Argaress of Lithor: We have 1,652 missing! We can't even find them from the soul cast, but their names are still on the Yggdrasil of souls... So they must be alive!
Venus: Blessed Mother, what could have destroyed the worlds? And so quickly?! They disappeared in a day!
Torias Gdur: We do not know! Perhaps an Ancient has awakened, or perhaps...
Shorn: What is possible?
Torias Gdur: Perhaps the Super Soul has been created again...
Grenz Iriz: Fool, you speak of Legends!
Elsa Oran: Universe wouldn't allow the creation of a Super Soul...
...
Destruction of worlds? So Akasha's gone... I guess she was in a hurry and didn't have time to leave a message, hopefully everything will be ok...
Now, I need to call my family and tell them I'm fine, but... I can't show up like this in front of them, it would be extremely difficult to explain. What am I gonna tell them? That I almost died, then was taken as a priestess by the Goddess of Chaos and Spiders, and then changed my race? Eh-heh-heh-heh...
- Brother, are you alright? - The priestess asked, putting her hand on my shoulder.
- No... No, I'm not all right... Why did you call me brother? - I wondered.
- You have Illytiri blood in you now, as I do. And because you are a Junior Priestess and I am a High Priestess, I am your Big Sister. From now on I am also your Master. - The Big Sister calmly explained to me.
- That's fine. What about your speech? What happened to your priestess and child and so on? - I still didn't understand.
- The queen was watching us, and as a priestess I can't speak informally in front of her. - Just as calmly she explained.
- Diana, can you bring me my clothes and the scroll?
- No. From this day forward, you must call me "Master" or "sister." Now ask the question again. - With her eyes closed, the priestess continued.
- *Sigh* Master, can you bring me the clothes and the scroll? - After calming myself down and counting to three I asked the question.
- No. You have to address the master as "you". Ask your question again. - mocked me miko.
Attention! "Ice Anger has been activated...
- Master, could you bring me my clothes and the scroll? - I spoke in a cold voice.
- Yes, brother. I will get it for you. - The priestess went out into the corridor and shut the door behind her.
No, she was right. I should treat the master with respect. She will train me for five years, and in return, I must show her the world. And it will be... enlightening, I haven't seen it myself...
Five years... Llos said I could choose my own training place, I wouldn't be able to be home for the next year *sigh*. So why not go out into the world? Or would you rather not? Ehhh, let's leave that question for later...
The door swung open again, and Diana brought her clothes in with the scroll.
- Thank you, Master. - I thanked the priestess and got up from the bed.
- You're welcome, brother. - said Diana, staring at my body.
- Um, Master, why are you looking at my body so closely? - I asked cautiously.
- For further training. - replied the miko succinctly.
Yeah, of course. I remember what it was like before the fight. But I'll pretend I do. No, I'm sure it's nice... It would be if I didn't know she was turned on by my scars. In the meantime...
- All right, master. But... Aren't you embarrassed by my scarred body and my prosthesis..." I began to wind my tune in a sad tone.
- No, brother... It's... It's normal... Scars, they adorn... Yes, they adorn men..." answered Diana thoughtfully.
So strong and so naive. Ahem.
- Oh-oh, so I'm handsome? - I wonder if clamped ears have any effect on her?
- Yeah... You're very handsome..." she underlined the word "very".
Ahem, no, the road with pressed ears is dangerous, better not to take any chances... yet.
- Thank you, Master. - I dressed quickly and picked up the scroll. - Master, can you leave me alone for a few minutes? I need to let my family know that I won't be around anytime soon.
- Of course, brother. Come on downstairs, I've prepared some food. After breakfast, we'll start our first workout.
Diane went out into the hallway and shut the door behind her. Right, we need to get Alice... There's going to be a lot of shouting.
-= Five minutes later =-
- Art, I'd strangle you if you were around. Do you have any idea how worried my parents and I were?! First we couldn't reach you, then we lost your signal. And then, all of a sudden, it rings! - Alice was in her fifth minute of indignation.
- Yes, yes, sorry, sister, but I was doing the test and then I blacked out. Just woke up now.
- All right, Art, I'll believe you. But I'm hearing something you're not telling me. What else?
- Ahem. I won't be able to make an appearance anytime soon, I've got... Stage one training, yeah...
- Well... How much. It will. Long. Yours. Training?
Ooh, this is bad. I can almost feel her anger.
- Five years.
* the sound of breaking glass *
- ART, HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?! WHAT FIVE YEARS?! WHAT ARE YOU...
- I'll be there in a year. These are the conditions, there's no other way. - I interrupted my sister.
- R-r-r-rd, turn on the video link on the scroll, look me in the eye and say that again.
- I can't, I've damaged the camera.
- *long sigh* Art, how serious is it? What happened to you? Why can't you talk to me with the camera on? I know you're lying.
- It's... It's okay, I'm just tired and... I'm really tired, you know...
- Okay... Okay, Art. I'll tell your parents and then... And then I'll talk to Adam about your teacher. Bye, now.
Alice hung up on me. Ehh, she's very angry. Poor Adam, I'm sorry I set you up... But I don't want to lie to her any more. I could tell her the truth about Llos, but... I don't want to drag her into this. Yeah, she'll believe it, and so will her parents. But the less you know, the more you sleep. Do they want this information? No, they don't. Maybe one day I'll tell them, but right now I don't see the point. I've been a son to them all my life, probably a damn clever son, yes. Why further damage their sanity? Heh heh... Yeah...
I went downstairs to the ground floor. In the centre of the wooden red room stood a low round table of the same scarlet, and on it were a multitude of plates, exuding steam and a delicious smell.
On the floor in front of the table, a miko was sitting with her eyes covered.
Here I am looking at her and thinking: how can such a beautiful girl be so dangerous? Although-I... The most beautiful flower is the most dangerous. And crazy...
Walking to the table, I remembered that I never used Explore on her. Llos had blocked it last time. I decided to correct that unfortunate misunderstanding.
"Explore!"
LOCKED.
- Brother, hadn't you been taught that it was uncivilized to take such a keen interest in a girl? - Opening her eyes, the priestess inquired.
- B-but how did you know and block that skill?! - I exclaimed in indignation.
- Brother, you are too young..." she complained. - You have a lot to learn, this will be your first lesson. Don't use Mindreading on other beings whose powers are unknown to you. They will easily notice it and block it. Or not block it, but try to trick you on purpose.
- What reading? - I slowly began to understand.
A soul reading... Yes, that makes sense. The system gives me information that's not supposed to be there, so I'm just reading a 'soul'...
- Soul reading. - replied the priestess. - A fairly common skill, in time I will teach you to determine your opponent's strength just by looking at him. In the meantime brother, I forbid you to use this skill on living creatures. On non-living beings, be my guest.
Oh yeah... So my parents knew I was using the skill on them... Oh stupid... Well, it's too late to change now...
- I understand master, sorry. - I tilted my head a little.
- That's alright, brother. If you want to get to know me better, just ask.
- Um, okay. Master, please tell me about yourself. - I asked.
- No. You're asking wrong. Brother, when you want to know something about me, you should address me as 'sister' and in 'you'.
ARGH, this is so annoying! *(sighs)
- Sister, tell me about yourself. - I asked again.
- Alright brother, start eating, I've already eaten. - Diana waved at the table. - I don't remember where I came from or how I got here. The last Priestess said she brought me to this place. She taught me everything I know. Then I took an oath to serve the Queen. One day the Queen appeared before me and ordered me to destroy the former Priestess. Destroy the traitor. I carried out the order brilliantly. I've been a High Priestess ever since. I like the colour red and baking bread. My breasts are size two and I wear...
- Pa-pa-pa-pa-pa, Sister, stop, I don't need to know such details!
- All right, Brother.
Ehhh, she's gonna be tough...
-= Half an hour later. The training room. =-
- Brother, do you still have questions?
I was wondering...
- Actually, yes. Sister, what does the blood of Illytiri give me besides changing my appearance?
- Brother, Illytiri blood prolongs your life by a couple hundred years, the more blood you have, the longer you will live. Purebred Illytiri are immortal. Apart from that, it stops aging after the age of eighteen. Immortality is a useless thing in this world. Hunters are able to stop their aging with Aura.
- That's not all, is it?
- Yes, Brother. The blood of Illytiri allows you to bring your body to the maximum physical and magical capacity of a human much faster. Notice I didn't say "faun." No, it doesn't mean you're strong. It's easy to reach an ordinary person's physical maximum, but once you've surpassed it, it's harder to get stronger. Though of course there are special ways, I'll teach you. - Diana assured me. - And you won't need magic in this world. This universe has its own rules, instead of the usual system of magic there is the Aura and the incarnation of the soul into the physical world. They are equal in power, but they work on completely different principles. Force of Will and Force of Spirit.
Yeah, what's in it for me? I wanted to fire a fireball... I guess I couldn't... I couldn't find my spirit. Oh, grief, grief...
- Wait, how am I supposed to use... soul reading? - I asked a question that bothered me.
- Reading is a universal skill, you can use it with any energy. It's the most useful skill in the domestic realm.
I spent a year learning a domestic skill.
- Brother, do you have any more questions?
- No.
- Alright, let's start the first training session. - Diana walked to the middle of the hall and beckoned me with her hand. - First, tell me the way you used the threads in the test.
I told her what Levi was capable of and how I got her.
- How interesting... So you're a Hero, Brother? With a soul so black..." the priestess commented thoughtfully on my story.
- I'm not a hero, but at least for the sake of mine I will be a hero, at least a demon. - I said with an air of piousness.
Miko laughed evocatively. It was the first time I'd ever seen her smile. Ehhh, it suits her better to smile than to be so cold.
- For her own sake, eh? - she said sadly. - All right, brother. Well, for starters, until you make the threads an extension of your hands and fingers, you won't be using Aura. Then we'll move on to using Auric Threads. Is that clear?
- Um, Master, why can't I use Aura? I did the right thing, didn't I?
- Yes, Brother. You were doing it right... And wrong. The fact that you controlled the threads with Aura is right, but the fact that you started with it is wrong. Aura is a crutch for a novice Weaver, for starters you learn how to use threads with your muscles and fine motor skills. - The miko pulled up her right sleeve, showing me a bracelet of coiled iron thread. - Watch carefully.
She did not move her hand or fingers, and the threads themselves began to unwind gradually from her bracelet.
- B-but how? You didn't move your hands and fingers, did you! - I was very surprised by her demonstration.
- I did, brother, you just didn't notice. That's okay, you'll learn to do it too. - Diana assured me. - It'll be hard at first, but after that, it'll go faster.
- You're so sure of that, sister...
- I learned once, too. And the Queen doesn't take forlorn. You have potential, and I will unleash it. - the priestess promised me. - Let's continue, brother. First, take this thread and wrap it around your index finger. Yes, that's it. Now repeat the movement after me: a little up and down, yeah, that's it...
And so the days flew by...
-= One year later =-
- Diana, here you go. It's a jelly doughnut. Just don't get it all over you, okay?
- Thanks. (chuckles) All right, bro.
- How's that?
- It's really good. Thanks for showing me the city.
- You're welcome, even without the treaty I'd show you the world, you know...
On the edge of hearing, I heard the girl scream and laugh. Concentrating on the direction I could hear: "Uncle's going to have fun with you, animal...", "Hey, get in line!", "Ha-ha, dibs on me next...".
- Diana, I'm going to go check and wait for me here, okay? - the priestess nodded.
Jumping onto the roof of the nearest house, then running across the rooftops towards the voices.
Eight thug-like men dressed in leather jackets, bandanas and tinted glasses. They were intimidating their victim, huddled up against a wall, a faun child. About seven or eight* years old by the looks of it, her black cat ears barely standing out against her black hair and she was dressed in a white dress.
We jumped in front of the girl so that we were standing between her and the scum. They didn't react immediately, but they didn't even tense up.
- Oh, look! Another beastie! Fred, it's gonna be a party on your street today, too! Heh-heh.
- Hey, beastie, come to rescue your bitch?
- Look at his skin! Maybe it's rabies. We'll kill him later, just in case, ha-ha-ha!
I, ignoring them, turned to the girl, leaned into her black ear and whispered:
- Go on, run away from here, there won't be anything to see here. Run to the left alleyway, there will be a girl with white hair waiting there, tell her you're from Kel'Gos, she'll help.
She looked at me in surprise, sobbed and nodded, then ran off.
Why wasn't anyone blocking her path? Because I wouldn't let them.
- Joe, why the fuck didn't you stop that bitch? Fucked up one toy!
- I-I couldn't move!
- Don't give me that shit, you idiot!
- Whatever, dude. We're gonna get you and I'm gonna play!
Rubbish. Just common thugs and paedophiles. I hate scum like that. They'll die a long, painful death...
Attention! Ice Fury activated...
A slight movement of the fingers and they are immobilised. Uh-oh, there's panic on their faces...
- What the fuck is going on here?! I can't fucking move!
- I...
- Silence. - I said coldly. - You wanted to play with a toy? Play with a living thing? Well, now you're in my web and we're going to have a long... Play...
-= Half an hour later =-
I walked out to Diana who was gently stroking the girl's back.
- Nurse, how is she?
- A fracture. It's nothing serious, I've already put the arm in place and secured the bone with sutures. - Diana said calmly.
- Well...
I went over to the girl and sat down next to her.
- Hi there. What's your name?
- Blake... Belladonna Blake..." Fawn answered, still sobbing.
- What a beautiful name, it suits you so well. Don't worry, those people will never bother you again. - I assured the girl, to which she raised her yellow wet eyes and looked into mine.
Heh, effect achieved - complete surprise. Yeah, well, I'm a weird-looking guy now: medium-length white hair combed back with two of the same beastly ears, plus pale grey skin and eyes of different colours. I'd be surprised too.
- My name is... Kel'Gos. You need medical attention, you need to tell your parents.
- I- I don't have parents...
- I'm sorry, I didn't know.
- That's all right... Say, you're from White Fang too, aren't you, and you've come to rescue me? - Blake stuttered, but she wasn't sobbing anymore.
- I...
"White Fang... Right! Adam was in it! And he wasn't the last faun...
- Yeah... You're in the organization, too?
- Yeah, it's a good thing you got here in time. I was just about to...
- Don't cry, it's okay now. Let me... Let me take you back to the base, okay? You don't mind, do you?
- N-no, I don't mind. Thank you! (LAUGHS) - Sniffled and smiled at Blake.
- Sister, do you mind if we walk her out?
- I don't mind, brother.
- Well, let's go...
== sync, corrected by elderman Sixth Lane =-
- Are you sure you heard the screams from here? - asked the policeman* to the man.
- Y-yes, terrible screams! As if they were being killed or... Or something worse. - The man assured him.
- Well, please wait here while my partner and I go and have a look.
The two men cautiously made their way down the alley. As soon as they turned behind a house, a frightening picture opened up to them and a strong smell of blood hit their noses.
"*Ahhh*," vomited one policeman.
- Holy Ghosts, what... What kind of monster could do such a thing! - shouted another.
The picture was terrible: eight mutilated bodies, all skinless and in varying degrees of integrity. There was blood all over the ground and lumps of meat, arms and legs...
- Call Special Branch. Whoever did this... He must be caught...
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone