The Manaverse

North of Slatewell Safe Zone

Granite City

After the Crusaders straightened themselves out after being dumped in a pile by the Dog Monster Lair closing, they gathered around one another. The weight of the moment made it hard for them to talk. Instead, they stood silently and looked at Jut. With a mental sigh, he moved out from the others and spoke first.

"It's been a vicious few weeks since the world we knew ended and even less time since we lost even more. Our departed teammates fought for us and died to protect their homes. They deserved a better ceremony than what was on offer at the Graveyard. Seeing this place, it feels like the perfect spot to give them over to their final rest. We'll go team by team. Feel free to say a few words. Pray. Cry. Yell. Or not. Do what you need to. That's why we're here after all." Jut said, holding out Jonny's Urn Orb. "If anyone one wishes to go first, please feel free to jump in." He gestured to the group then to view.

Joy was the first. She wasted no time stepping forward, holding two Urn Orbs. There was a third glass ball in her grip that was empty. Jut could only assume it was to represent her missing teammate. Despite knowing Kit was alive, Jut felt a hollow spot in his chest seeing the empty orb.

"I miss you bitches everyday." Joy spoke to the orbs, holding them close to her chest. "I know you would all be telling me to stop fretting and to get my ass into gear... and I will do just that. You better watch over me from wherever the Hell you ended up. I promise to show the world what it means to be a Vixen."

With trembling hands, Joy held the orbs close for a moment longer, her breath hitching as she whispered her final goodbye. Then, with a swift motion, she shattered the three Orbs together. The ash within floated gently down and blew away on a breeze that hadn't been there a moment before. Joy stepped back, tears flowing gently down her cheeks. Isabelle leaned into her and Joy shook, turning into the healer for comfort.

Jut nodded and gestured to Diggy next. His friend looked like he was going to say something but was stuck. "You're up, Digs. If you want."

Diggy nodded. He looked into the three Urn Orbs in his hands. "You guys were the best. Without you, I wouldn't have made it to the Safe Zone. Together, Joey and I will ensure the Fists are remembered." The Minotaur repeated Joy's action when it was clear he couldn't say more. His three orbs shattered and the ash within was swept away. Diggy stepped back once his teammates' ashes had fully dispersed. Jut was waiting with a shoulder punch and a nudge for his emotion choked friend.

Jut handed Jonny's orb to Brick. He nodded. "I'll just say that I will keep Jonny's desire to supply fighters with weapons alive and that they made the best team and teachers a guy could want. But, you should be the one to spread their ashes. You were their squad mate from before the Initialization. It's only right that you do this."

Brick nodded, his expression solid. He looked at the three orbs in his hand and only spoke after a long few moments.

"Larry rarely spoke. There's very few full sentences I've ever heard him say aloud to be honest. However, one thing he said after our last assignment before we were stationed here will always stick with me. 'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.'” Brick went silent for a brief moment.“'The soldier's heart, the soldier's spirit, the soldier's soul, are everything.' It was his favorite quote. I could never get him to tell me who said it first though." He cut off with a sharp chuckle.

Brick looked up at the group and continued. "All of them. All of our fallen comrades were true warriors. We are worse off without them. Farewell soldiers." He smashed the three orbs together. "And if I say any more then that, the guys would be so pissed." He turned and walked back to the group, his usual joyous smile present and accounted for, even if his eyes made him look shattered.

Then everyone was silent for a long few minutes as they watched the sun creep closer to the horizon. The red light washed against the grey buildings, splashing them in a cherry hue. The faint rustling of leaves on the cool breeze was the only sound, a stark contrast to the quiet mourning that filled the air. It helped lighten the mood. Then the breeze that appeared out of nowhere died as if it had never been.

To Jut, he could swear he felt a few presences flee into the fading light. As if the fallen had waited for this moment before leaving. Whatever the feeling was, his imagination or something otherworldly, it was official. The initialization was over, and a small piece of him went with it. He was just glad he had finally gotten to say good bye properly. He doubted he'd have survived without them and he would never forget their support, guidance and friendship.

If only this place was more of a memorial to them. Jut thought to himself, promising he would return.

The System must have agreed because a window opened in Jut's vision with golden text.

This area has been consecrated in the Ashes of True Earth Warriors. It over looks one of the first Settlements formed upon your world's integration into the System, there are no other Land Marks within the maximum range, and the ambient Manaether is appropriate. It meets the requirements to be considered a Land Mark. Do you wish to name this location?

Name:

It was clear the whole team got the same notification, everyone's eyes going far off and their expressions changing.

"Was this some kind of intervention, or did we just stumble upon this whole Land Mark thing?" Brick asked. He was the first to say anything after the notification had appeared.

Diggy shrugged. "The requirements are a bit specific, but it was all circumstantial enough to be either. I say we don't question it."

Jut didn't voice his suspicions that Ophelia had a hand in the System's offer as he had no way to prove it. It wasn't something specifically directed at him either. So instead, he considered possible names.

"It's a wonderful gesture." Isabelle said, looking over the city once more. "It might just give some of the people mourning a place to grieve away from the crowded Safe Zone."

Joy looked pumped, her smile wide. "It has to be named after one of our teams. You know, the ones we lost."

Brick nodded. "I agree, but the name will have have either the Iron Fists or the Vixens as insperation. Our team didn't have a real name."

"That's true. Not to mention, the Radiant Crusaders already have Radiance and we cleared the dungeon first. Our name is already out there. As this was a ceremony for our lost teammates, it fits better thay way." Jut agreed.

"So, something like the Iron Vixens?" Diggy suggested.

Isabelle shook her head. "Sounds like an all female football team. Then again, Vixen's Fist sounds like a special attack from an anime. That doesn't quite fit either."

"How about...." Brick crossed his arms and looked deep in thought for a moment. "The Iron Lookout?" He shrugged. "It kind of fits."

Diggy grunted his disagreement. "The guys...wouldn't like to leave the Vixen's name out of it. I can send Joey a message and check, but I'm pretty sure he would agree. Choose something like The Vixen's Lookout if you have to leave out a team name. I really like the idea of them watching over us from here though." Diggy trailed off. Jut was worried about his friend as he wasn't usually the quiet, solemn type. He planned to get the Minotaur a drink on their next day off.

The team all agreed with either a nod or word.

Jut had thought about different names the entire time as the others bounced names back and forth. It was after Diggy's comment when he had an idea that fit everything the group seemed to desire. He went over it a few times until it seemed like the group was out of ideas.

"How about Vixens' Vigil?" He suggested. "It keeps the Vixens names in it and adds the vibe of them watching over the Safe Zone."

Joy threw her fists in the air again with a small cheer. "I love it and the girls would too."

Isabelle nodded. "Yeah, it's kind of catchy and fits well. I vote yes."

Brick shrugged. "I think it's a good choice. I've got nothing better."

Diggy gave a thumbs up. "That's a name the guys would support, I am sure."

With everyone's approval, Jut entered the name and it gave everyone on the team the chance to approve the choice. After they did, a new window appeared.

Congratulations, this cliff side has been named Vixen's Vigil. All who have their ashes spread here will be added to the Monument Wall. As a Monument, Lairs, Dens and Dungeons will not form nearby this location. Monsters will actively avoid this location.

A small rumbling sounded from the cave they had just cleared. When the team looked back, they saw it was no longer a cave, but a flat, rocky alcove. True to the notification's words, the names of each teammate who had ashes spread there was listed in a flowing, golden script.

"Can we just hang out here a bit, boss? I'm not ready to be back behind those walls yet." Joy asked Jut, struggling to keep her composure as she looked over the wall.

Jut shrugged. "I say no one goes back alone, but if you want to stay, stay. I'm down to chill right here for a bit."

Looking at the open space, Jut had an idea. With Joy's Omni-Tool, they made a place to sit. Four large logs were dragged into a loose square and a small pit had been dug.

In mutual agreement, the Crusaders sat in silence for the longest time. Each told a story about their deceased teammates. Isabelle added her own stories about them coming in to be treated. She seemed to remember each of them. It made the mood heavy and light all at once. It was exactly what the team needed after all that had happened.

Between his own tales, Jut pulled out the envelope and opened it. It felt like a life time since he found it, despite it being that afternoon. If Dan was alive, Jut was going to beat his ass for putting that little girl at risk like that. Even if he didn't have a choice at the time.

Within the envelope was a chip. It looked similar to a Mana Chip. But when Jut examined it closer, it made his eyes widen and he wanted to be able to make his own as soon as possible.

Item: Lore Stone

Type: Node

Rank: Normal

Durability: 58%

Rarity: Rare

Quality: True Name: Kyle Jaxon.

Description: A Normal Ranked Being with the Skill [Lore Stone] has stored a piece of their Lore within a Mana Chip. It will disappear over time.

Effect: Kyle Jaxon may consume this Lore Stone and receive chosen Lore from the creator. The less durability this Stone has, the lower the integrity of the Lore will be.

Creator: Dan Carry

Jut silently absorbed the chip and viewed the Lore. As his coworker had been named Daniel, he assumed the man chose his common nick name as his new name. Jut tried not to dwell on how risky that had to be. Then again, knowing his true name allowed Dan to make it so only Jut could absorb the Lore. He still cursed the man for the risk, even if it was a cool Skill result. The Lore had been converted into text that Alex displayed for him.

Kyle,

With the world the way it is, I had no idea who to turn to. When I heard about your team's award at the ceremony, I knew I had to talk to you. Without your appearance at the store that first day of the integration, we would have all died. So, if anyone would know what to do, I knew it has to be you. If you receive this chip from anyone but me, it means my suspicions are right and I'm being watched.

The wave ... caused by Fred. While the ... was psychotic, he had been .... .... keen to follow his orders ever since he was allowed .. kill Monsters freely. While I wouldn't .... put it past him to do this ......... thing on his ..., he had been the one with ... radio. It seems too convenient... Especially .... .. ... orders for an operation ...... Complete the Quest.

................

The bottom of the communication was so garbled and distorted that it just ended. Even before it did, words were missing. It had to be from the durability being so low. Did her get just over half of the message or was that the gist? He cursed himself for not looking into Dan more thoroughly sooner. Then again, it's not like he hadn't asked around. The guy wasn't exactly easy to find. Maybe that, too, had been on purpose.

Jut's heart sank and fear twisted his guts as he put a few more of the pieces together. So. It was the Safe Zone leadership after all. But why...?

Human motivations confuse me. They aren't usually logical. But since the doors had been sabotaged by that Gordon guy, I would surmise the bunker wasn't the target.

No. Just everyone else. Hmm... Where they targeting those above ground? It made no sense to Jut, but the name of their operation gave him a inkling he did not like.

Jut pulled up his quest to see the next to step.

Quest: Find Out What Happened

Objective: Discover why the Monsters awaiting redistribution attacked the Slatewell Safe Zone.

Rank: Divine

Rarity: Unique

Difficulty: Very Hard

Description: You have asked the Goddess, Ophelia, why your Safe Zone was attacked. It is up to you to claim your answers, with a little guidance.

Objectives: Speak to Randel Ashton. (Complete)Speak to Daniel Carry (Failed)

Speak to Clara Sheffer (Complete)

Absorb Daniel Carry's Lore (Complete)

Learn More About Operation: Complete the Quest 0/1

Reward: 1 General Skill Upgrade Token - Stone Rank.

The only ideas I have are bad ones. I will need time to process this and speak to Wendy.

That seems like the optimal choice. Finish your notifications from the Lair then?

Sure.

I'll include Quest updates too.

Okay, thanks. Jut affirmed mentally. Might as well knock them out. The first wave of notifications was about the Monsters that had died in the Lair.

Dog - Monster x 56 has died.

You gain Skill Experience

You gain Experience.

Dog - Monster, level 0 x 40 has died.

You gain Skill Experience

You gain Experience.

Dog - Boss Monster, level 2 has died.

You gain Skill Experience

Magical Strikes has reached Level 2

You gain Experience

+1 Wisdom

Windy Steps has reached Level 1

You gain experience.

+1 Agility

Jut knew the skill level ups would have been between individual Monster death notifications, but he preferred the streamlined messages. It was after he dismissed Windy Steps' notification that he received a notification that had been a long time coming.

You have reached Stone Rank, Level 1

+1 Attribute Point

Jut felt a warmth in his chest that rushed through his body. A bright, golden light spilled forth from his being, blinding him. Then it dimmed and was over.

"Did you just level up?" Diggy asked, jumping to his feet and looking at Jut excitedly. The rest of the Crusaders were looking at him too. "Anything special happen?"

"Nope. Just got my A.P. I still have more notifications though." Jut shook his head.

Diggy sat back down. "Oh, lame. Oh well. Maybe we should all see if we leveled too."

"I'll keep watch, just in case." Joy offered. "We're still where Monsters can get us, even if they actively avoid this place."

Jut nodded. "I'm about done. So I'll switch with you after. I'll make it quick." He went right back to it so he could finish.

Jut placed his Attribute Point into his Mind stat, the little plus symbols disappearing as he confirmed the choice. He ticked his Wisdom and Intelligence Stats up one each with the two free Characteristic points that resulted from him being a Drakkin. He was planning on keeping his Body and Mind Stats as balanced as he could. He would re-evaluate that choice after he Ascended to Copper Rank and looking back on his time at Stone Rank.

The increase of stats gave him the same tingly rush of sensation as before, only he could feel a difference. The feeling was centered around his chest and head instead of flowing to his extremities like it did when he increased Body. He also knew through Alex's confirmation that his Mana total and how fast he could naturally restore the resource had gone up. The blue bar in his vision did appear to deepen and lengthen a bit too.

The next window had Jut blink in surprise. Yet, it was less shocking after he read the added information.

Having reached Stone Rank, Level 1, please choose a Skill:

Power Strike

Magical Strike

Magic Bolt

Simple Crafting

Basic Gathering

Note: You have a Skill equipped in all of your main and secondary Path Skill Slots. Being a Progenitor, you may fuse your selected Skill with a Skill you have equipped instead of replacing one of your currently equipped Skills. This ability to fuse Skills is usually not available until Copper Rank. Basic System Granted Skills cannot be added to your General Skill Pool. Basic System Granted Skills are only given at Stone Rank.

If Jut was understanding what was unsaid, those who were not born before the initialization, or those who did not have access to many Skill Orbs, would still have a way to get Skills. With three slots in his primary path, he suspected he would be offered at least two to four more Skills by the System as he leveled up. Unfortunately, he did not get any more Lore on the subject to clarify.

With Smithing, Harvest, Gusty Strike and Magical Strikes, he did not really need any of the options presented. There was not a way to pass on the choices either. At least, not at first. So he selected the copy of a skill he had already, Magical Strike, just to see what would happen. It caused a new window to appear that presented him with another choice.

You already know the Skill: Magical Strike and have Magical Strikes, a Skill of the same Base Type, at Stone Rank which is equipped. Would you like to sacrifice the Magical Strike Skill you just learned and the one in your General Skill Pool to increase Magical Strikes' Experience? Or would you like to forego learning Magical Strike? Or you may fuze Magical Strike with another Combat Skill you have equipped.

Sacrifice

Forego

Fuse

Replace

Jut was tempted to fuse Magical Strike with Windy Steps to see the outcome, but he didn't want to risk losing or altering the Haste buff. The same concept applied to Consequence. So, he chose to Sacrifice his extra Skills. Why not reduce the experience he needed to level up his equipped Skill?

There was no side effects or visual ques to the process. He didn't feel anything when his Skills were sacrificed either. It was just over. Once the process had finished, Jut could no longer concentrate to active Magical Strike and it was gone from his pool. Magical Strikes did not reach level three, not even close. It felt like a such a waste.

Jut was glad to know the System would still provide for others down the road, even if it was only a little bit. The balanced choices of Magical, Physical and Ranged damage made sense too.

The others reported similar situations when one by one they all leveled up. The same bright, golden light spilled forth from their bodies. Even while reading, it made Jut cover his eyes. If there were Monsters nearby, the display would have caught their attention, he was sure. He hoped the site being a monument would truly help with that.

Brick and Isabelle both sacrificed their newly learned Skills for experience points. Diggy fused his Power Strike into the Power Strike he already had, making it Power Strikes and turning the equipped Skill into a toggle. It worked just like Jut's Magical Strikes except it was all physical damage. The down side was he lost all of the Experience he had in the original Skill and it went back to level zero. Lastly, Joy turned her special attack into Magical Strikes, similar to Jut's, which shifted some of her damage to the magical end of the spectrum.

The last of Jut's notifications were the promised Quest updates.

Quest: Control Monster Spawns.

Objective: Clear out and/or destroy Lairs, Dens, and Dungeons.

Rank: All

Rarity: Worldwide

Difficulty: Required.

Description: Monsters kill Ascendant Beings and Ascendant Beings kill Monsters. It's the natural cycle of the Manaverse. To survive, Ascendant Beings must stem the tide and control the frequency of Monster Spawns. Do so by destroying Monster Lairs, Monster Dens, and Dungeons.

Radiant Crusaders Objectives: [Monster Lair]s Destroyed: 1/25

[Monster Den]s Destroyed: 0/10

[Dungeon]s Destroyed or Subjugated: 0/4

Reward: Better survival odds.

Quest: Upgrade Your Skills

Objective: Upgrade Your Equipped Skills to Stone Rank.

Rank: Stone

Rarity: Abundant

Difficulty: Hard.

Description: Upgrade your equipped skills to Stone Rank before you ascend to Copper Rank. 4/5

Check Point Objectives: Collect 3 Mana Stones 2/3.

Perform the Ritual of Conversion on 3 Mana Stones 2/3.

Collect 3 Equipped Skill Upgrade Tokens 2/3.

Reward: 1 Mana Gem.

Quest: Gather Manaether

Objective Obtain 3 Sparks of Ascension - Stone Rank

Rank: Stone

Rarity: Abundant

Difficulty: Easy

Description: Gather 3 Sparks of Ascension Stone Rank. 0/3.

Reward: 50 Mana Chips

Jut took over watch for Joy after dismissing the last of his notifications. The weight of his unfinished quests pressed down on him like a physical burden. Each objective was a reminder of those he’d lost, their sacrifices demanding that he continue pushing forward, no matter how overwhelming the path ahead seemed. So, he contemplated what to do next. At least, on a grander scale when he wasn't clearing Dungeons, Lairs or Dens.

He had to get his properties picked out in the barren zone, he had only one more Skill to upgrade, and he needed to get Gunther back to the Penthouse so he could ascend. He wanted to explore the area more and see all the changes to his city up close. He needed to work on his Weapon Smithing and he had to follow up with Wendy. Just counting over the immediate needs before him made him queasy. The implications of Dan's Lore made his stomach twist into knots. What did it all mean? He didn't have the time or will power to contemplate on it all just then.

Soon, everyone was ready to return. The mood was more somber, but also a lot lighter. Their adventure had seemed to help them all, even if it was just a little. They all made the trek back to the Safe Zone and to their respective Penthouses, the team parting ways at the elevator. The Team all agreed to visit the orphanage in the morning and Jut sent a message to Magatha. The Matron replied with an approving message but threatened him to not make her come and get them. The image of a scolding Magatha was almost as scary as a Boss Monster.

Brick and Jut both let out deep sighs when they finally sank into their couch, each claiming their usual spot on either end.

"And we do it all over again tomorrow, don't we?" Brick asked flatly.

"Yup. I think we should run the dungeon with another team in a few days, too." Jut said.

"Oh. Nice. I'm down. Seeing a ten person run will be fun." Brick said lazily. He was already propped up, the internal foot rest extended.

Gunther sat next to Jut while Nox laid on the couch between the men. The Rottweiler looked up at Jut and whined softly.

"Okay, okay. Let's go to the bathroom. I know you've waited long enough." Jut said with a chuckle. He didn't blame the dog for wanting to Ascend. He didn't even question whether Gunther understood either, because the Rottweiler ran over to the bathroom door on the first floor, barked, and spun in place once. Jut opened the door and closed it behind Gunther. He would check out the room later. If it took as long for Gunther to Ascend as it did for him, he was in for a decent wait.

Jut pulled up his full Status as he sat back down. Brick was already crashed out in his own spot and he guessed he wasn't far behind. They had fought a lot that day and he was exhausted. His stamina was even refusing to refill completely.

Name: Jut Zoak

True Name: Kyle Jaxon

Title: None Equipped

Rank: Stone

Level: 1

Race: Drakkin

Racial Abilities: Dragon's Eyes

Guide: Artificial - Stone Rank

Guide's Name: Alex

Attributes:

Body: 1

Mind: 1

Available Attribute Points: 0

Characteristics:

Body:

Strength: 14 (1)

Constitution: 12 (2)

Agility: 13 (1)

Mind:

Intelligence: 13

Wisdom: 14 (1)

Willpower: 11

Available Characteristic Points: 0

Equipped Skills: 5/5

General Skill Pool: 11/XXX

Combat Path Equipped Skills: Magical Strikes, Level 2

Windy Steps, Level 1

Consequence, Level 0

Non-Combat Path Equipped Skills: Smithing

Harvest, Level 0

General Skill Pool:

Magical Restoration

Aura

Scaled Skin

Healing Strike

Gusty Strike

Swords

Polearms

Maces

Wands

Firm Footing

Walking

Mounted Riding

Barter

Affinities: Fire Magic

Soul Magic - Monster