Anti-Mage

Anton moved over to the wall near the entrance to the Arch room and sat down. If The SYSTEM was going to explain what was going on or give more information he didn’t want to be distracted. Once he’d made himself as comfortable as he could, he waited for the SYSTEM messages to start. He didn’t have to wait long.

SYSTEM Interface 11.0.0.2 Activated.

Cultural Connotations loaded for Earth, Human Culture 21st Century and Variants.

Founders Note: This note is being left to explain why this process was created. Some will look at the destruction of 9 universes, even alternate universes, as a horrendous crime. We need not explain ourselves to you. This process was created to ensure that the uniqueness of our reality continued to exist forever. We discovered, near the end of our Universe, that as Universes Aged, they eventually reverted to their base quantum state. From that quantum state the Universe could become anything else and what it was before would be lost forever. To prevent that loss of life, data, or meaning from all the entities that had existed within than universe this process was created. We, The Founders, created The Nine Pillars. These Pillars were each placed within an Alternate version of the Original Universe A 10th Pillar was placed with the Original or Prime Universe. Once activated the 10th Pillar reconfigures the Universe to an earlier state while utilizing the energy of the other 9 Universes. The Nine Pillars are then relocated into newly created Alternate Universes to await the activation of the 10th Pillar so the cycle can be repeated. In this way, the Data within the Prime Universe is never lost or converted as it is always available. This process was designated as an Entropy Shield as it keeps true entropy at bay.

Annotation Note: Locations, objects, and entities may be described with the Title “Pillar 1-10”. This title designates which Universe the location, object, or entity originated in. In all instances where duplicates were not present, the Pillar 10 Universe version was kept. Everything else was used to fuel the transformation process. As an Example. All 10 alternate Universes contain Earth and 9 planets. The Pillar 10 Universe contained a 10th planet. The Pillar 7 Universe contained a 10th Planet instead of an Asteroid Belt. The Pillar 6 Universe contained a 10th Planet opposite Earth in the same orbit. During the combination process, the Pillar 10 extra planet was left in place. The extra planet in the 7th Universe was uninhabited, it was broken down and utilized for the conversion. The 10th planet in the Pillar 6 Universe was inhabited and added to the current solar system configuration in the Prime Universe.

Entropy Shield initiation, results, and current SYSTEM Status.

Number of times This Entropy Shield Process has been initiated: 9

Entropy Shield Change Log Notes:

Entropy Shield Activated by Pillar 6 Administrator Sahria Feylorian

The Entropy Shield Process Interruption Reason: Command Console Destroyed.

Pillar 10 Control Console Destruction Catalyst: Pillar 10 Tactical Nuclear Device. The Pillar 10 Integration Control Panel was destroyed by the Pillar 10 entity designated Zulu One posthumously.

System Recovery initiated.

Interruption Investigation Notes:

The 10th Pillar Beacon was activated by the 10th Pillar Entity, Anthony Nicholas Thomson.

Pillar 6 Entity Sahria Feylorian detected the Beacon and followed it back to the Pillar 10 Control Console with the intent to subvert it and have the inhabitants of the Pillar 6 Universe take the place of the Pillar 10 Universe.

Pillar 10 Entity Anthony Nicholas Thomson Stopped the process.

Pillar 10 Tactical Nuke detonated.

The Detonation of the Tactical Nuclear Device before the Entropy Shield Process was completed destroyed the control matrix for that process.

Entropy Shield Process Recovery Notes:

ERROR, no Prime Universe Designated

ERROR, Reversion to Original State impossible

ERROR Rectified! Kinslayer Protocol Activated

Kinslayer Protocol: Fight for Dominance.

Kinslayer Protocol Setup: Matter has been rearranged so that all planets containing sentient species that had duplicates among the 10 Universes have been enlarged and combined to include the populations of all versions of that planet. As Earth existed in all 10 Universes All sentient beings from all 10 Earths have been added to a single Earth designated Earth Prime.

Adjustments have been made and cities have been placed in the same relative geographic area.

While some infrastructure stayed connected this could not be done in all cases. Each geographical location has been recreated. There is no set size, as the Earth is a Globe however all geographical placements follow a similar pattern to the original planet.

The Geographic Pattern setup is as follows:

NW (P8) / N (P1) / NE (P2)

W (P7) / M1(P9) // M2 (P10) / E (P3)

SW (P6) / S (P5) / SE (P4)

From the diagram provided, you should be able to determine that individuals from the various Universe within a specific geographic location will start within the same general area in each geographic location. Example: Pillar 10 Universe will always be located in the geographic middle right. While individuals from Pillar Universe 6 will always be located in the geographic bottom Left.

Universal SYSTEM Rules:

1) An Entropy Shield has been placed around the Prime Universe. This Universe is currently cut off and hidden from the rest of the Multiverse. This includes all adjacent dimensions.

2) This is now a SYSTEM-maintained Universe.

3) The ambient magic of this Universe is set to normal or 100%. All magic-based classes are available.

4) No limitations on technological advancement or technology-based classes will be imposed.

5) All SYSTEM Users have been reset to User Level 0. All Classes have been removed.

6) All Users have a chance to unlock abilities unique to themselves. While it is true that most entities are born with one or two innate abilities it is also true that this SYSTEM has been configured to suppress and adjust the abilities of entities to more suit their personality and style once unlocked.

7) User levels will increase as described previously. 1,000 XP per new level cumulatively. 1,000 XP to reach level 1. 3,000 XP to reach Level 2 (1,000 + 2,000) and so on.

8) XP is awarded based on the User or Monster Level at 100 XP per level of defeated creature as modified by level disparity.

9) Users that receive the “You Have Died!” message and have an ability or class that allows respawn or those users Resurrected by other Users with Classes, Abilities, or Spells that allow for Respawn or Resurrection are reduced in level to the bottom of their previous level. For example, to reach level 3 would require 6,000 XP. If a user had 5,999 XP and was killed they would be reduced to Level 1 with only 1,000 XP upon respawn or resurrection. They would lose all XP earned between levels 2 and 3 and then lose level 2 as well. Additionally, any abilities, skills, or spells that have a prerequisite minimum Level for use may not be utilized until the prerequisites for the ability, skill, or spell are met again.

10) All SYSTEM-based support Classes are currently automated

11) SYSTEM-based Shops are available in all Geographic regions that have a population of at least 100,000 Users. Personal Shops and Merchant Classes can access the SYSTEM Shop once classes or abilities are unlocked. SYSTEM-based Shops will always be located in the Regional Geographic Location for Pillar 10.

12) Universal SYSTEM-Based Monetary Conversion rate is as follows: 100 Copper = 1 Silver or 1 Credit // 100 Silver = 1 Gold // 100 Gold = 1 Platinum

There are of course more universal rules to The SYSTEM but as some of your cultures believe, figuring things out for yourself is half the fun.

The following information is specific to inhabitants of the Sol Solar System.

1) The Diameter of Earth is approximately 80,000 miles, 10 times its previous size. Modifications have been made to the internal structure to ensure the gravity remains 1G. The distance between locations is roughly 10 times what it used to be.

2) Water to Land ratio is 71%. Users can expect extreme weather variations outside of system-controlled areas due to the increased moisture levels in the atmospheric cycle.

3) Mana Density has a direct correlation to random Mana Events. Mana Events can include but are not limited to Dungeon Creation, Monster Spawns, Dimensional Rifts, etc… There is no way to predict what will happen. Note: As a rule, SYSTEM User densities of more than 1,000,000 users dramatically increase the likelihood of Mana Events.

4) Dungeons created on Earth will not gain access to the Labyrinth.

5) All Vehicles have been placed near or on the closest port for their type of vessel as a courtesy. Vehicles that were serviceable before the Entropy Shield was activated are still serviceable.

6) All weapons of mass destruction have been rendered inert. Individuals may Acquire classes that can create and utilize similar weapon types and effects.

7) Earth's Population of Sentient Species is currently 93 billion.

8) Users may have doppelgangers or alternate versions of themselves. Quantum Signatures have been adjusted slightly to prevent accidental quantum entanglement or temporal cascade errors from cropping up. You are individual SYSTEM Users from this point on.

9) When these messages end the SYSTEM-mandated stability will end and the natural processes will commence.

The Kinslayer Setup Protocol has been activated successfully.

Cultural Connotations Removed, SYSTEM Interface reverting to default settings.

Welcome to The SYSTEM version 11.0.0.2

Anton read and reread the messages over and over. There was so much to take in and so many more questions he had. Then a thought came to him, and he stood and moved over to the Node. He activated the holographic map and zoomed in on his location. He followed the underground tunnel up and out as he zoomed in and out looking for The Odyssey. It was nowhere to be found. He searched all over and then finally asked, “Where is the ship, The Odyssey?”

He was surprised when the holographic image responded to his verbal question. The map zoomed out and then zoomed in just off the east coast of Rio Grande and showed the Odyssey anchored there with an Aircraft Carrier, its support fleet, and multiple other ships were also anchored there. Just to make sure it was the same ship, Anton zoomed in until he was looking into the decompression chamber where Bethenny should be. Anton gasped as he saw both Bethenny and Boris slumped over the only table in the chamber, each with two bullets in their chests and one through their heads. They were both dead.

Anton could be angry. Shit, he’d been pretty sure they were going to kill him once they’d investigated the facility. No, wondering now, they were most definitely going to kill him. Though he had to admit, Alpha One had done a bang-up job faking it before he died. He’d pack that away and figure out a way to offer some payback to the individuals who had given that order if he ever had the chance. Right now, he had to figure out what to do next.

Anton had read some science fiction books. What was the first thing he needed to do? Gather intelligence. He zoomed the map out and found the submarine that best resembled what he’d seen when he’d docked with and entered Sightseer. It was currently floating on the surface near the Aircraft carrier. He zoomed in and out until he found the captain of that sub talking with his XO in the Captain’s room behind the bridge. Anton had to admit it was weird looking at two small representations of someone talking somewhere a thousand miles away, or was it 10,000 miles away? And being able to listen in on their conversation and change the angle he was seeing if he wanted to. How was this able to do that? Another question for another time. Anton focused on what was being said.

“How many of the boats around us are from our world?” the captain of the sub asked.

“The Carrier is ours, as are the support craft. It looks like we were the only submarine in this area though. We’ve lost all long-range communications. Also, now that we’re on the surface and talking with the other boats, none of us can pick up any satellites anywhere. Even the GPS Satellites are down.

“To be expected if what the text we all just received is to be believed.”

“Do you believe in this SYSTEM?” The XO asked.

“I don’t know what to believe. I do know that we are over 1,000 miles from the location we were holding position at just over 14 hours ago. I also know that Rio Grande is much bigger than I remember and doesn’t appear to match any maps we have on file. Also, you’ve seen the videos from the south end of town from our cameras above deck. 8-foot-tall men are running around killing whatever they can find until they’re mowed down by gunfire. That doesn’t include the biologicals we’re detecting further out to sea.

“What’s the plan?” The XO asked.

“If the world has changed we need to get back to our port in San Francisco. If all distances are roughly 10 times the distance we’re looking at a trip of roughly 78,000 miles. At 25 knots that still going to take us…” the captain paused as he pulled up a calculator on the visual screen he was looking at, “110 days if we don’t pause and run 24 hours a day.”

“What about the Odyssey?”

“Leave it. There’s nothing beyond short-range communication right now. No one will know what the Odyssey was or who killed them. Shoot the way we all arrived in port, there is no longer any proof we were anywhere in the vicinity of the ship. It just appeared next to us when we were all transported here. It’s a shame we lost everyone except the last two of our special teams, but it sounds like they were successful and keeping us from being systematically destroyed,” the X.O. said.

“It seems that way. Get with the America’s captain. If they’re going to head north they’re probably going to have to move all personnel onto that carrier from any boats that don’t have the range as well as all the supplies. Not all of the other boats are nuclear-powered. Have them scuttle whatever isn’t coming, including The Odyssey.”

“You know the Admiral on the carrier isn’t going to like being told what to do?” the XO said.

“But he’ll do what I say because ultimately we have a plan, and he hadn’t made one yet. A real Admiral would have had us underway within hours of the changes we detected after their position was changed instantaneously.” The said in a dismissive tone.

“Yes, Sir.” The XO says quickly as he turns and leaves the cabin.

Anton shifted the view back to Washington DC and to his version of the President of The United States. It had only been a few minutes since he’d been shot. Hopefully, he’d be able to figure out what was going on with them. Of course, just then he heard something behind him and started to turn as he felt an excruciating pain in his back as two messages appeared in his vision.

WARNING!!! BACKSTAB CRITICAL HIT. Damage inflicted 24 (((4+2) x2) x 2)

You Have Died!

Anton fell forward unable to see who had attacked him. His point of view shifted a little as the dagger was withdrawn from his back, but he didn’t feel anything after the initial attack. He just lay where he had fallen, face-down on the ground. He tried to turn his head to look at who attacked him, and his Point of View shifted so that he could see his attacker as his body below him disintegrated.

Anti-Mage body released.

Anti-Mage body will reform in 12 seconds. You may choose a new respawn point within Perception feet.

Anton looked at the man who backstabbed him as he watched Anton’s body disappear, except it wasn’t a man. It was an elf with white hair and dark skin. No way. They have Drow? Anton shifted his Point of View to as far away from the Elf as he could get with his back against a wall just as he respawned.

The assassin-type’s reaction was instantaneous as one of his hands came up with a hand crossbow and fired a dart at Anton’s chest. Unfortunately for Anton, while his stats were now higher, his combat training sucked, and he was struck in the chest.

WARNING!!! You have been attacked by Hand Crossbow Bolt for 3 Damage

WARNING!!! You have been poisoned. Poison Strength Unusual (30). Poison Resistance = 106 ((END-10)/2). Resistance more than twice Poison Strength, No Damage.

Anton pulled the dart from his chest which did another point of damage as he said, “Can we talk,” in English.

Another Elf in robes stepped into the room and asked, “And why would we want to talk to you?”

The rogue-type elf with the hand crossbow watched Anton as if waiting for something but stepped back to stand off to the side of his robed friend.

“Your poison didn’t work,” Anton says addressing the rogue. “As for why you should talk with me, why not, I’m not going anywhere, and you can always try to kill me later.”

“Obviously,” The robed elf answers thoughtfully. “Fine, who are you and how did you get here?” The robed elf asked in English.

“I’m Anton, I was brought here by some military men who were all killed by your female friend in the Pillar room,” Anton explained.

“Do you know what happened to her?” The rogue-type elf asked in English.

“I know she was in the room when the bomb went off,” Anton said which wasn’t technically a lie, in case they could detect that he was lying.

“Is that the Thermonuclear thing the SYSTEM described?” the rogue elf asked.

“Yes, it was the Thermonuclear thing. Wait you don’t know what a thermonuclear thing is? A thermonuclear bomb is a bomb that can destroy a city. Your friend cast a fireball that killed all the military people around me so if you know what a Fireball is, think Fireball, except at least 100 times more powerful.”

“That’s crazy, nothing is that powerful?” The rogue elf states flatly.

The other elf looks at Anton thoughtfully, “You speak of this as if you saw it happen. If you did, why didn’t you die with your friends?”

“First, they weren’t my friends. Second, your friend just backstabbed and killed me, and I respawned. Isn’t it obvious, I didn’t survive, I died a lot,” Anton said.

“So, if we kill you, you’ll just keep coming back?”

“Probably?” Anton said. “hence my statement that you could ‘try’ to kill me, but why keep trying to kill me?”

The robed elf looked thoughtful for a moment before he said, “Very well, we won't ‘try’ to kill you…yet. But we are not leaving you here either. Come with us, I’m sure my elders will have many to hear about this.”

“Where are we going?” Anton asked.

“That’s a surprise. Besides, with the information the SYSTEM just provided, you aren’t going to want to be on this planet for a little while as the various people vie for power.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well go over that later, for now, just follow us,” the robed elf said.

The rogue elf walked over to Anton and motioned him toward the Arch as the robed elf moved over to the node and placed his hand on it. After a moment the Arch shifted from the dull grey to a scene within a forest where two elvish guards in full plate armor came to attention and began to draw their blades until the rogue elf beside Anton called out something in elvish. They kept their hands on their swords but left them sheathed as the robed elf walked forward and Anton and the Rogue elf followed him through the portal arch.

The portal closed behind Anton as the robed elf turned to Anton and said, “I am Paeral Ulahana, Once Arch-Mage of the Elvish Nation. Welcome to the city of Melamar on the planet Minerva.”

“Once Arch Mage?” Anton Asked.

“Like you, the Entropy Shield Process reset all of us to user level 1 as well. Something we’ll discuss later. For now, follow me. We need to talk to the Elders.”