Anti-Mage

Bethenny Speckler, Boris Kavinsky, and Anton all passed through the pressurized connection tube into the pressurized decompression cabin. The tube had three airlocks that allowed up to three craft to dock and offload passengers into the decompression chamber. There was also an internal lagoon in the ship so those that hadn’t gone to depth could come and go without passing through the airlock system. Unlike the sparse decompression chambers of old, this one had an area for sleeping, cooking, and even a bathroom with a full shower they could use while their bodies expelled the gases that had saturated their tissues in a controlled and safe manner. Also, their chamber was connected to the outside via Wi-Fi so they could even talk to the outside world. What Anton hated the most was that because they’d gone down to 1,000 feet below sea level they had at least eight days in the decompression chamber before they could exit through the outer airlock. Of course, with the way Captain James looked at them through the observation window as they entered the decompression cabin, He might try to stay in the chamber longer.

A little while later after Anton had come to the point in his story where the Pillar activated Captain James asked, “What do you mean the pillar shot a beam through you?”

“I mean, a beam shot through my body, and went through a portal that opened into space toward a nebula off in the distance. The next thing I know I was reading a message that said I had died,” Anton said with a hint of exacerbation in his voice. Anton really wished he could just show them the message. Suddenly, a window popped into existence in front of him which read.

WARNING, YOU HAVE DIED!

The words appeared backward to Anton, but he could read them easily enough.

“What is that? How are you doing that?” Captain James said.

“Yeah, how are you doing that? Also, what does it mean by you died?” Bethenny asked.

“I don’t know,” Anton said honestly. “I just wished that you could all see the message about me dying and it appeared. As for the dying part, I think I died.”

Beth’s expression changed from interest to exasperation to disbelief before her eyes glazed over and another message window opened up in mid-air with three sentences visible.

System-Wide Message The 10th Pillar has been activated.

System variations will be harmonized into a single cohesive System.

System Synchronization Begins Now!

“I’ve seen those messages before,” Captain James said, they’re identical to the ones I received.”

“Me too,” Boris affirmed in his Russian-accented voice.

“So, we can share our messages with each other, that’s pretty neat,” Bethenny said. “Why?”

“No idea,” Anton said.

“A better question is what is this SYSTEM and what does it mean that it’s being Synchronized?” Captain James asked.

“Again, no idea,” Beth said as someone came up to Captain James and whispered in her ear before leaving the room again.

The three waited patiently until Captain James turned to them and said, “Well, you three are going to be in there for a bit. I’ve gotta go answer some hail we’ve been receiving for the last hour while you made your way to the surface. It seems that there was an energy surge that the United States picked up and they’ve diverted one of their warships in this direction to meet up with us and talk with you,” Captain James said as she turned the intercom off and left the observation room on the other side of the six-inch thick plexiglass.

“That doesn’t sound good,” Beth said.

“There’s nothing the three of us can do about it so Anton, you go change. Beth, why don’t you see what we have to eat, and I’ll see if there’s anything on the tele for us to watch until the captain comes back. How much you want to bet it won’t be for a while,” Boris said.

Beth stood and made her way over to the small kitchen and started going through the cupboards while Anton stood and went into the small room with his bunk and his bag on top of it. While Anton was changing, he heard Bethenny rummaging through the cupboards as she pulled out and opened some cans and dumped the contents into a pot.

Anton put on some underwear, a pair of jeans, and a nice T-shirt with Deadpool on it. It just felt appropriate if he’d really died. Anton put on his socks and tennis shoes. Finally, he pulled on a dark gray hoodie that had been given to him when he boarded the ship in San Francisco. Once he had all of his clothes on the message icon blinked in the corner of his vision. Anton focused on it and a new message populated into his vision.

You have equipped a complete Wardrobe that you own. Would you like to make this your default clothing set?

Anton wondered what a default clothing set was and a new message appeared.

Default Clothing Set: Because of the Synergistic nature of your ability Anti-mage and Immortal you have been allotted one default set of normal clothing. The clothing must belong to you before being equipped. Clothing designated as your default set will automatically be repaired if you are damaged, killed, or destroyed. If you are vaporized or disintegrated you will respawn with your default clothing set regardless of what you were wearing previously.

Only one set of normal clothing may be designated as your default set of clothing.

Would you like to designate your currently equipped clothing as your default set of clothing?

Yes or No?

Anton chose “Yes.”

If you wish to change your Default Clothing in the future you will need to do so. No further prompts will be given.

Anton read the message, noted it for later, and closed the window. He walked out of the bunk area and over to the kitchen as Bethenny looked on in horror as he picked up a knife and put a hole in his hoodie. Anton put the knife back in its holder and lifted the sleeve while he and Bethenny both looked at the sleeve, “Why?” Bethenny asked.

“Just checking something, now watch?” Anton said.

Nothing happened for the first 10 seconds then the hole seemed to stitch itself back together until it was fully restored after 14 seconds.

“What?” Bethenny asked as she watched the hole repair itself which shocked her into silence. After a moment she tried again, “What just happened?”

“I received another message, it said I now have a set of default clothing because of my abilities,” Anton explained.

“What do you mean you have abilities,” Bethenny asked.

Boris looked over and then asked, “What Bethenny said, also, are you still getting messages in your vision?”

“Yes, aren’t you two?” Anton asked.

“No,” Bethenny said.

“No,” Boris agreed. “I haven’t received a new message since the synchronization message.”

“Me either,” Bethenny agreed.

They all looked over as the intercom was clicked on, “Or any of us out here on the ship,” a technician named Samuel said before he clicked the intercom back off.

Anton chided himself. Of course, someone was watching them through the observation window. The three of them had just forgotten about it. Those who went down below and had to depressurize upon return became used to someone watching over them for days on end. The only privacy they had was in the shower, though there was a camera in the shower that could be turned on if someone stayed in the bathroom for too long without responding. However, it was never turned on without a verbal warning being given and the feed was also fed to a monitor in the bathroom so if it was turned on the person inside would know. Anton had never understood why that was necessary, but it did let you know if someone was checking on you while you were in the bathroom.

Anton looked thoughtful for a moment before he said, “That’s weird. So, the only things you’ve been able to do are view those three simple sentences and also make those sentences viewable to others,” Anton said.

“Yep, nothing else has happened,” Bethenny agreed as she stirred their meal in the pot.

Anton had just started to smell the chicken noodle soup she was cooking. After the long trip down and back the chicken noodle soup smelled really good.

Boris looked over to Bethenny, “How much longer before dinner is ready,” Boris asked.

“Since all I did was open three cans of soup, put it in a pot, and start warming it up while stirring, it should be ready in a moment or two,” Bethenny said.

A minute later, Bethenny removed the soup from the heated burner and turned the stove off as she put three bowls and spoons on the counter, picked one of each up, and served herself before walking to the dining table and sitting down as she said, “Soups done.”

Anton and Boris each filled a bowl and came over to sit with her while they watched the news on the television. While the weird messages in people’s vision were mentioned once in a while the news ultimately turned to the political environment. The Royal Family in the United Kingdom was doing what the Royal Family always did, making headlines. American Politicians were keeping Americans distracted and the rest of the world was just trucking on while the Stock Markets soared.

They all watched the news while they ate their soup. Just as they were finishing their meal the icon in Anton’s message indicator activated in his vision which was immediately followed by text that he could not control.

SYSTEM Nodes 1 – 9 have been successfully contacted.

SYSTEM Synchronization Complete.

SYSTEM Integration Complete.

SYSTEM Version 1.2.4.1 Reiteration 10 is now active.

SYSTEM Interfaced 1.2.4.1 is now active in all sentient species.

Change Notes concerning your race, HUMAN, are as follows:

Upon Gestation, humans by age 5 will have 5 attribute points in all Primary Attributes gaining one per year on their birthday.

From Ages 5 to 11 5 attributes will be earned per year.

If distributed evenly all attributes could be 10 at age 16 which is the average human baseline

At Age 16 humans are considered adults and the only way to naturally increase attributes is through level and class progression.

Secondary Attribute Notes:

Health or Hit points have been standardized into one category, Hit Points.

Hit Points are equal to (Weight divided by 50(Rounded Up)) multiplied by (Constitution divided by 10) or (Weight/50) x (Con/10).

Stamina is equal to 10 per point of Endurance.

Mana is equal to 10 per point of Wisdom.

Hit Point, Stamina, and Mana Regeneration rates are as follows:

Hit Point Regeneration Rate, or “Healing Rate” per day is (Weight divided by 50 (Rounded up)) multiplied by ((Constitution divided by 2) divided by 10). Or (Weight/50(RU)) x ((Con/2)/10).

Stamina Regeneration Rate per hour is (Stamina) multiplied by ((Endurance divided by 2) divided by 10). Or (Stamina) x ((End/2)/10).

Mana Regeneration Rate per hour is (Mana) multiplied by ((Wisdom divided by 2) divided by 10). Or (Wisdom) x ((End/2)/10).`

For a full breakdown of your attributes and formula for secondary Attributes see your Personal Information.

If you require further information concerning anything in your Personal Information think “Help” and the item you wish to know more about.

For more information concerning the SYSTEM interface think “Help SYSTEM Interface”. Information concerning notification and message notifications as well as other important information can be learned here.

Anton finished reading the notes and glanced over at Beth and Boris who both had glazed eyes as they seemed to be looking at something Anton couldn’t see. Anton sat patiently and waited. When their gaze hadn’t focused after another minute Anton thought Personal Information

Name: Anthony Nicholas Thomson

Identity:

Race: Human

Age: 27

Weight: 225

Birthday: September 13th, 2013 (Friday the 13th)

Animae: Normal

Primary Abilities:

Anti-Mage – Cannot use Magic (No access to Mana)

Immortal - Cannot be killed. Synergistic with Anti-Mage. When damaged surrounding materials including air, will replenish hit points by ascending percentage. 1% after 1 second 55% after 10 seconds, 100% after 14 seconds,

Titles:

Character Level 0

Attributes

Strength 9

Agility 10

Dexterity 10

Endurance 11

Constitution 14

Perception 10

Intelligence 8

Wisdom 8

Willpower 8

Charisma 8

Luck 10

??? 0

Primary Stats

Carrying Capacity: 101.3 lbs. (45.9 kgs)

Hit Points: 10

HP Regeneration: 4 per day (NOTE: Immortal, fully healed after 14 seconds)

Stamina: 110

Stamina Regeneration: 1 per second

Mana: None

Mana Regeneration: N/A

Movement

Normal Running Speed: 8 mph (12 FPS)

Standing high Jump: 16 Inches.

Note. Falling Damage is not mitigated by maximum jumping Distance.

Flying Speed: N/A

Base Attack

Unarmed Attack: 1-4 -1

Critical Damage Maximum Damage x2

Skills

Total Skills: 0

Total Unused Skill XP: 0

Anton closed the Personal Information sheet now that he could see how some of the SYSTEM messages made sense. It looked like the lack of skills and levels didn’t matter right this second. As he was thinking about his Personal Information he saw Bethenny and Boris looking at him. Anton smiled and asked, “Did you two look at your Personal information?”

“Yep”, Bethenny said.

“Yeah,” Boris said next.

“Do either of you have levels or skills yet?”

“Nope, both those were empty,” Beth said.

“Same here,” Boris said.

“Huh, Anton said. This looks a lot like a role-playing or computer game. Why wouldn’t the SYSTEM give us credit for skills we already have?” Anton mused out loud.

“What are you talking about?” Beth asked.

“I was just thinking how this notification system and the Personal Information looked a lot like rules for games I’ve played in the past and Character Sheets for those games,” Anton said.

“I know right, but what does it all mean?” Beth asked.

“It doesn’t matter what it means, I’m more interested in why this is happening now when it wasn’t happening before?” Boris said.

“Both are good Questions,” Anton said. “I do have a different question for both of you. Did either of you look at your Personal Information?”

“I did,” Beth said.

“Me also,” Boris said.

“Do either of you have abilities listed?”

“Abilities?” Beth asked as her eyes glazed over, and she looked at something.” Actually, yes, I have one ability. It was listed as Bookworm and says I can read 50% faster than normal.”

“You didn’t have a second ability listed?” Anton asked.

“Nope.”

“How about you Boris, did you have any abilities?” Anton asked.

“I have two. One was called Natural Pilot which says that with just a moment of study, I can drive or fly just about anything. My second one is related to my time in the Russian Army. It seems that I have something called Marksman that increases my chance to hit when aiming by 25% and also increases by critical hit multiplier from x2 to x3, whatever that is., Boris said.

“What are your abilities?” Beth asked Anton.

“Well, I have something called Anti-Mage which makes it impossible for me to use magic.” Beth gave him a look, “I’m just telling you what it says. I also have another ability that enhances my longevity.”

“You have an ability that will allow you to live longer?” Beth asked.

“Yeah, and it must work because the SYSTEM has already said I died once,” Anton said.

“Yeah, you showed that to us,” Boris agreed.

“So, you think everyone got those abilities?” Beth asked.

“I don’t know but we can watch the news and find out,” Anton said as he picked up the remote and switched the channel to one of the headline new channels.

For the next hour, the three of them watched the news as expert after expert came on and tried to explain what was happening.

Anton had started to doze off as the world went crazy trying to figure out what the SYSTEM was and how it was doing what it was doing. Every crackpot on the globe from every country was claiming they caused it. Others, some from the countries making the claims that they knew what was going on, were making pleas to the international community for help.

Anton thought about how the world had stabilized since the fall of Russia as a single country. There were still small terrorist groups but not too much was heard about them. The last major attack had been against Vatican City back in 2010. That had been three years before he was born. Other than that attack, the last 30 years had been pretty uneventful. No major wars, no terrorist attacks. Nothing.

The Dark Web had rumors that shadow organizations were taking out anyone who thought to cause a ruckus, but realistically all the countries got along. Members of all the religions on the planet had seemed to become more tolerant since the failure of that attack when it was learned a nuclear device had been procured and disaster had only been averted at the last second. Just before he’d dozed off he’d thought how shocked those conspiracy nuts would feel if they knew what he’d found down here near the Antarctic continent.

Anton was woken by Bethenny shaking him, “Anton wake up, we have visitors!” Bethenny said in a slightly frantic voice.

As Anton opened his eyes he noticed three military men entering through the airlock. While they didn’t have weapons pointed at anyone, each had a submachine gun on a strap and a pistol strapped to the front of their combat vest. Additionally, each wore a tactical face mask that covered their features and seemed to be attached to hoses coming out of a backpack.

“Please stay where you are,” The first man through the airlock said.

“Why are you entering the decompression chamber?” Bethenny asked from beside Anton where she was also sitting on the couch. “If you stay in here for any length of time you’ll need to decompress, just like us and we do not have enough supplies for six people. Whatever questions you have, you could have asked them from the observation room.”

“We’re not here for questions. First, my call sign is Alpha One. The person on my Right is Bravo Two and the person on my left is Charlie Three.

“Very well Alpha One,” Anton said to cut Bethenny off, “What can we do for you?”

Captain James has shared all the information and data you have collected with the U.S. Government. Charlie Three will be staying topside with Miss Speckler and Mr. Kavinsky while Bravo Two, You, and myself head back down to the structure you investigated earlier.”

“You want to see the Pillar?” Anton asked.

“We want to see what set off an energy spike that we detected from our vessel which was over 200 miles away. Also, it is our understanding that you didn’t explore the entire structure. We’re going to go down and take a look.

“I want to go too!” Bethenny said.

“That is impossible. Our vehicle only holds three,” Alpha One said.

“That’s fine,” Anton said as he stood. “Let’s go, I have to restart my decompression cycle when I get back. The sooner we go, the sooner I can get back.”

Charlee Three went back into the airlock and picked up a duffle bag which he brought in and set down in front of Anton. As he reached for the zipper, Alpha One distracted him for a moment as he said, “Inside the bag is a set of gear like what we’re wearing, minus the weapons. Well, except for the knife. The knife comes standard in case you need to cut something off. Other than the knife though, it’s just the gear we’re wearing.”

As Alpha One stopped talking Anton felt a slight pressure on his neck and heard a hissing sound.

“What was that?” Anton asked as he reached and rubbed his neck.

“We’re the United States Military, we have all the cool toys. Put on your gear and I’ll let you know what the hypo had in it on the way down,” Alpha One said as Anton was starting to get a bad feeling.