Darling of Fate 3: A LitRPG Apocalypse Adventure, page 42
Active:
[Terrifying Resilience (Rank 1)]:
Automatically braid your Pressure, Toughness, and Battle Fury energies together to create a domain of despair. Enemies without extraordinary Willpower will feel disheartened at your unending drive and unbreakable resolve. They will take increased damage from your strikes and mentally break at an increased pace.
[Diamond Skin (Rank 1)]:
Automatically braid your Mass and Toughness Affinities to dramatically increase your resistance to damage. Endurance stat cap doubled while active.
The Diamond Brawler sounded like an incredible choice…that I would never pick. Though I could certainly flex my toughness and tank some hits to make a point, I wasn’t some berserker. And I’d never voluntarily pick a class that reduced my Intelligence; being clear-headed in a fight was the difference between my friends living or dying and I couldn’t trade that for being an indestructible killing machine.
Moving to Battle Lord, I felt a thrill of excitement. Though it seemed to lack the sheer fuck around and find out cachet of Diamond Brawler, it still seemed incredibly powerful in a fight.
Battle Lord (Celestial)
Attributes: Mastery, Agility, Perception
Type: Tactical, Physical
Affinities: Mass, Friction, Tactical Combat (New), Battle Awareness (New), Telekinesis (New)
All battles are the same, whether on the field, in a back alley, or a sanctioned duel—it is only the scale that differs. The Battle Lord hones both his personal skill as well as his tactical acumen. He dictates the tempo and direction of the fight. His craft is the battle, his tools are his weapons.
Passive:
[Know Your Surroundings (Rank 1)):
When in combat, a visual representation of the battlefield appears in your mind. Your Intelligence and Perception are increased (up to your stat cap) to fill in every detail of the field within a 100-foot radius.
[Know Your Foes (Rank 1)]:
When in combat, your physical and magical senses of your foes are System-augmented up to your Perception cap within a 100-foot radius.
[Know Your Tools (Rank 1)]:
Your skill level with all weapons is increased by 10, making you an experienced hand with any weapon, and a qualified expert with weapons you have previous experience using in battle.
Active:
[Mind-Weapon Connection (Rank 1)]:
Augment your Telekinesis Affinity to directly control a weapon with your mind. This weapon can perform limited attacks and defense without input.
[Tactical Timeout (Rank 1)]:
Automatically braid your Tactical Combat and Battle Awareness Affinities to slow your perception of time.
Wow, just…wow. That class sounded almost tailor-made for me, and I read the description and abilities three times over. Knowing everything about my opponents and the surroundings of a fight would be overpowered in almost any situation. But you added on the [Tactical Timeout] ability to give me time to think, plan out my strikes, and even negate ambushes. And that was not even mentioning the [Mind-Weapon Connection] ability that I could use to control my diskslinger or another weapon at range.
Was I a complete idiot if I didn’t take this no matter what? Master of Energy did sound impressive, but I was more of a physical fighter anyway. My palms were sweating as I turned my attention to the last class option.
Master of Energy (Celestial)
Attributes: Intelligence, Perception, Enlightenment
Type: Magical-Physical
Affinities: Mass, Friction, Potential Energy (New), Energy Conversion (New), Electromagnetism (New)
The untapped energy of the universe is yours to command. Absorb, convert, and deploy that energy to lay waste to your enemies.
Passive:
[Battery Pack (Rank 1)]:
Passively and actively capture energy within your Potential Energy core. The limit to this energy storage is proportional to the Tier of your Potential Energy Affinity. The rate of capture is proportional to the Tier of your Energy Conversion Affinity. All friction, heat, gravity, and electromagnetic energy are compatible with your [Battery Pack]. However, the energy released will not necessarily maintain the state in which it was absorbed.
[Energy Sponge (Rank 1)]
There is a connection between your body and [Battery Pack] such that a portion of all damage taken is transferred to your [Battery Pack], reducing injury and filling your reserves. The percentage of transfer is proportional to the Tier of your Energy Conversion Affinity.
[Enhanced Spectrum (Rank 1)]:
Your Perception stat is System-altered to increase your capability to see and feel Electromagnetic waves. Your Endurance is proportionally increased in a localized field to protect your visual complex.
Active:
[The Nuclear Option (Rank 1)]:
Activate to utilize all of your body’s physical energy and your [Battery Pack]’s stored energy into a single strike or movement.
[Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation (Rank 1)]:
Activate to utilize all or partial energy stored in [Battery Pack]. This energy, combined with your automatically braided Friction, Potential Energy, and Electromagnetism Affinities, will superheat the air in a tight beam or wider cone.
I groaned, looking up at the ceiling. That was so fucking cool!
“A laser mage…really?” I muttered. “And I can use the stored energy to insta-kill someone? Come the fuck on!”
Battle Lord was amazing, no question about it. Slowing time, knowing my enemy’s weaknesses, and the telekinetic weapon were all really powerful. But they were mundane in comparison to storing and releasing energy and shooting lasers. When you coupled that with my new Gravity and Heat specialties, it just made too much sense.
A grin stretched across my face.
I’m gonna be a Goddamn laser mage…
Hello, humans of Earth. I’m pleased to see my tough love has been well received. Millions of you did as I encouraged and entered the First Floor, beginning your journey toward power and independence. I know that second wave of demons seemed rash, but you are stronger individually and collectively now.
You’re welcome.
I shook my head, raising a middle finger high to the sky.
“Fuck you, Null!”
The throng of people around me laughed and shouted agreement. A chant rang up among the crowd.
“Fuck you, Null! Fuck you, Null! Fuck you, Null!”
Now that we are only a few minutes away from the opening of the Second Floor, I thought it appropriate to provide some more details. The First Floor was a pressure test to see how you people would hold up when put at odds against your Co-Integrated companions. I’m happy to say that 17% of those that entered the First Floor successfully unlocked the Second Floor! Congratulations!
The chants cut off at that, a somber energy infecting the crowd. I couldn’t blame them—17 percent meant that tens of millions of humans had died in the two weeks since the Tower opened. It felt like a bucket of cold water had been dumped on our heads.
Now, the Second Floor will be quite a bit different. Upon entering, you humans will be intermingled with both the Co’xatl and the Jree. For the first phase of this Floor, cooperation between the three races is encouraged to maximize chances of success. Of course, this is the Tower of Conflict, so opportunities for politicking and backstabbing will abound. Be sure to cut the dead weight and when appropriate, take the reins of power. Survival is never guaranteed and I reserve the right to shake things up should you confuse cooperation with dragging along the unworthy.
Phase One will last for around a week or until I determine the time is right. More information to come as Phase Two approaches.
The Second Floor opens in ten minutes. Good luck, Climbers and try not to die before the Third Floor—that would be embarrassing.
Whispers and muted chatter rippled along the crowd. The Co’xatl under Umndirop stayed mostly to themselves to one side of the main boulevard in the Hold, while the humans stuck to the other side. There wasn’t open animosity between the two groups, but we certainly weren’t singing Koombayah in a circle either.
But in comparison to the Jree standing a ways down the road, we were practically holding hands.
Kneer and his army had strolled up a minute earlier, setting us all on edge. It had become clear, though, that they weren’t itching for a fight, especially outnumbered two to one. But with the timer for the Second Floor counting down, there was some unfinished business to discuss before we moved on.
With my team at my back, including Colten and Ally, who had been instrumental near the beginning of the Tower, I walked toward Kneer. Umndirop saw me making a move and linked up, bringing along six of his people. The group of humans and Co’xatl began shifting into positions, very aware of the possibility of a fight popping off.
Kneer’s entourage immediately stiffened as they saw me approaching, but the Jree Prime regarded me with a casual disgust. The army at his back pressed closer as if to charge, but he waved them down.
I stopped only a few feet from him, looking down with a condescending smirk.
“You have my permission to scan me.”
Shit, if rubbing my breakthrough to Adept in his face was wrong, then I didn’t want to be right.
His eyes narrowed and he paused, almost as if he was debating not casting [Analysis] because I had suggested it. In the end, his curiosity won out and that cold-wash feeling hit my body. He kept a decent poker face, but my Perception was too high not to notice the pounding of his heart in his neck and the slick-sweat sheen on his skin.
“Congratulations on reaching Adept,” he replied with a stilted tone that would have fit much better if he were telling me to go fuck my mother. “Do you intend to break the alliance we made now that your power has eclipsed mine?”
The Jree in earshot shuffled uncomfortably, their teeth bared in anticipation. At my back, I heard the chains of Umndirop’s Mantle tinkling as he shifted.
Rather than answer, I activated my Fate energy and observed the possible futures.
My katana lashed out so fast that Kneer never even saw it coming, cleaving his skull in two. His army cried out as one and charged against the crowd of humans and Co’xatl. Hundreds of them died, only managing to take down a handful of us as I moved among them like a leaf in a storm.
I reset the vision, changing my intentions. A laser shot from my body, slicing through Kneer’s body with a quick, unavoidable cut. The smell of burning flesh seared my nose, even through the vision. The Jree charged once again and I laid down a field of lasers that turned the boulevard into a pile of severed limbs and torsos. The wash of blood and gore nearly made me vomit and I had to clear the vision quickly.
And finally, I reset the vision, letting Kneer and his people enter the Second Floor peacefully. It was absent of the gore, blood, and smell of burning flesh that had accompanied the other two visions. The three races climbed the stairs in peace and the vision cut off as we were all transported somewhere else.
By my count, ten seconds had passed, and the Jree were becoming antsy. Hands slid to weapons, shields were raised into position, and a nervous energy passed among all three groups.
A smile split my face and I shook my head.
“No, Kneer. I’ll stick to our agreement. We can only benefit each other through peace.” I turned to Umndirop, who was at my back. “How about you, Umndirop? Should we unleash the hounds of death and slaughter each other here and now?”
Umndirop regarded Kneer stoically, his tail quietly swishing behind him. Kneer was not one to be intimidated, especially by someone of an equal level, and returned the Co’xatl’s gaze.
“I see no need for bloodshed at this time. The true enemy is that coward running this Tower.” He looked up to the sky in challenge. “Should it ever reveal itself to me, the very Heavens themselves will not stay my blade.”
I shrugged, turning back to Kneer.
“There you have it. Peace it is.” The Jree Prime was still on guard, clearly expecting a double cross at any moment. I turned my back on him, revealing just how unconcerned I was. After a few steps, I paused and snapped my fingers as if something had just occurred to me. “Oh, by the way,” I called over my shoulder. “You been in the Hall of Heroes lately? See any new additions?”
Kneer bared his teeth in a scowl.
“I know the one named Craig is dead.”
I clicked my tongue. “Sure is. And he ain’t coming back. Keep that in mind should thoughts of betrayal cross your little kitty mind.”
We walked back toward the stairs and I had never felt lighter. Craig was dead. I was once again the most powerful Climber in the Tower and the only Adept by a large margin. Kneer was cowed and the politicians of Earth were finally realizing that I wouldn’t be their puppet.
The Second Floor awaited and though not all was right with the world, things were certainly looking up.
I turned to Lacy and the rest of my team who had remained quietly at my side.
“You ready to make this Tower our bitch?”
Chapter 46
Epilogue
On the fringe of Integrated space, on a plane barely considered inhabited, a dead asteroid floats solemnly. Inside that asteroid, more than a million Immortals of a hundred species meditate in a silence rivaled only by the absolute quiet of space.
Afforded their own chambers, less than a thousand Divinities cultivate without movement; not a breath, not a flicker of the eye under closed lid, not even the sound of sweat beading or dead cells sloughing off the skin.
Even stiller, the seven Celestials gathered in a circle slowly pass the mantle of responsibility over cycles lasting millennia. For this five-thousand-year term, Achirus has been the one turning his Manifestations to the Ancestor’s cipher.
The eldest and founder of this small sect knows that Achirus cares little for the task. He has never witnessed the all-encompassing grace and power of the master, never felt the weight of an absolute Truth expressed before his very senses. He thinks her the tip of the spear, as master used to say, the height of power along this Path they all walk.
He doesn’t understand that to the master, she is but a leaf in the tempest, driftwood on the towering waves. Malika al’Kur, known among her enemies as the Final Cut, has witnessed truth and it is her resolve that motivates the others. Even to an undying being, thousands of years spent on a hopeless task feel wasted. But she knows that seeking truth is never pointless, never wasted. And she feels it now, in the eddies of Fate, even before Achirus opens his eyes. She is staring at him in anticipation.
When their gazes meet, an entire conversation unfolds without words. The hope flickers there in his eyes, apologizing a thousand times over for his doubts, his complaints. And without moving a muscle, he feels her acceptance and embraces the absolution without comment.
“Brothers and sisters,” Malika says calmly. Her voice sounds strange to her ear, as she has not heard the sound in more than ten thousand years. “I believe Achirus has something to tell us.”
Eyes drift open, languid and searching. Koint’s eyes remain closed, a revelation on the cusp of his mind, hastily tied off in the hopes of returning to realize it one day. Finally, he, too, opens his eyes.
Once Achirus has the attention of the group, he nods.
“Word has come from the Ancestor.” He barely believes his own proclamation, his eyes full of surprise and hope.
The other Celestials do not murmur or fidget, though the news shocks each of them to their cores. Instead, the stagnant air shifts as their Affinities express on their surroundings. Dormant energies begin to stir and the Immortals and Divinities around them cannot help but notice. They do murmur and gossip amongst themselves quietly—though it may as well be a shout to the senses of the Celestials.
“They awaken!”
“Why? What has happened?”
“Are we under attack?”
“Has anyone broken through?”
“…No.”
The six elders of the Jagged Blade sect do not acknowledge their disciples’ angst, instead turning their attention to the seventh elder who woke them.
“The Ancestor’s message was clear: wait and prepare.”
A frisson of pleasure passes through Malika’s Dominant thread, echoing through her three carefully cultivated, Manifestations.
Her voice calls out through the asteroid the Jagged Blade sect calls home, rippling through the minds of every being present.
“Prepare for planar transfer. The Ancestor calls and we go to answer.”
The Integrated Universe was filled with powerful assassins. For many Affinities, the art of quiet murder was practically the point.
But there were very few capable of punching above their weight—even fewer capable of killing an Aspect. Of the six the Primarch of the Keeper of Secrets was aware of, four, he dismissed out of hand for various reasons.
The Snake is under long-term contract. Archebellus is a vassal of my target. Meridian would take too long. Caladeus of the Golden Fire lacks subtly. Leaving only…
Tenebrous of the Shadow Moon sect and the Bridgemaker.
Of the two, the Primarch much preferred the Shadow. The woman was efficient, subtle, and never betrayed a contract. With her in his employ, chances were good that Time would be shattered and relegated from his Throne. With Fate in his corner, he would Ascend before any of the other Aspects rallied behind their favored choice.
The only problem was, the damn woman was refusing the contract.
“Surely there is something to tempt you. The resources at my disposal—”
Her projection shook its head, liquid beads of shadow congealing into an obscured face with the bare outline of human features. The waves of shadow rippled as she spoke.
“Primarch, forgive me, but I’m well aware of your wealth and influence. There is no price you could pay for me to take this contract.”
His own face remained impassive, like the surface of a placid lake. But deep beneath, fury shook his cores.
