THE GAME OF DIVINITY
CHAPTER 7: Of Serpents, Fangs and Snakes
In hindsight I should have been more careful when jumping inside the astral gates. I let my guard down thinking that it will leave me somewhere safe. After all, all previous gates did that. Right? What's the worst that could happen?
Famous last words *SPLAAAASH*
The fucking gate left me in a flowing underwater corridor. It was really difficult to reorient myself, I was fighting against the current of the river trying to find which is up and which is down all the while panicking about my lack of oxygen. Thankfully I noticed some lights from above me and swiftly swam to them. It didn't help much.
What I found was a ceiling half a head away from the water (I could barely keep my mouth out of the water), both sides and top were completely smooth with arrow shaped lights leading to one direction with only one handlebar to hold myself every a dozen meters or so. It seems I will have to swim my way through this, and I didn't like it.
Flashback to my previous life, I was around 9 and my grandfather wanted to go fishing on his boat with me for some man-to-man bonding time (read: me taking care of the equipment and minding the fishing poles and him drinking beers while talking my ears off about the good old days), when we were caught by a sudden storm, rocking our boat uncontrollably and almost capsizing us twice. Thankfully we managed to escape unscathed, but not before doing our best blender impersonations for 6 hours straight. Since then I had a crippling fear of water and it took me 2 months after this incident to be able to bath without having near panic attacks.
Of course it is not so bad now. Fifteen years and a little bit of death made a surprising good work in curing me of my aquaphobia and gamers mind helped as well. But that didn't mean I enjoyed being inside water for more than I had to. I didn't have another option though, so I put on my big girl pants and started swimming towards where the arrows were pointing, resting whenever I felt tired holding the handlebars on the ceiling.
After 30 minutes of this, the corridor connected to a small lake with a very small island, more of a riff really in the middle, no bigger than a big van.
+3 VIT. For doing a new rigorous exercise.
At the edge of the lake stood stalagmites and from the ceiling hang countless stalactites, the whole place was surprisingly illuminated, though I couldn't see where the light was coming from.
After catching my breath, I noticed a small very old school rowing boat and an oar decorated with Celtic knots. That was when I noticed that there was a second river leading away from here. I didn't need to be a genius to figure out what I had to do.
I put the boat halfway in the water, got on and then pushed with the oar heading for the next challenge. It was thankfully a very easy ride and the water was calm, but there was a suspicious absence of monsters and that set my hackles on edge. I could only wonder what kind of beast I would have to face as a boss fight if there are no other beings inside this floor.
I finally reached a tiny pier that led to a staircase that looked like it could never end. It reminded me of the 999 steps monument in Nauplio Greece or the Mayan Temples in Mexico.
After an exhausting climb of too many steps (I understand now why Po declared them his mortal enemy), I reached an open Gate that led to a balcony circling a lake big enough to fill two (American) football stadiums. The water reached the very top of the balcony and there were no railings. It was cut in half by a big bridge that connected a small island at the very middle of it were the reward chest and astral gate stood .The very moment I stepped on the bridge the left side of the water started to rise and considering the volume of water that was rising. I don't think it is Our Friend Nemo.
When I saw the Boss Monster I can wholeheartedly and without shame say that if it wasn't for gamers mind I would have shat myself right then and there. Why?
Because the Boss monster wasn't a monster at all. It was something far, far worse.
Status
Name: Mairenn " The Star Of The Sea", 4 th Boss
Race: Dragon
Gender: Female
Level: ?
HP: ?
MP: ?
STR: ?
VIT: ?
DEX: ?
INT: ?
WIS: ?
CHA: ?
LUC: ?
Info: Mairenn is a Celtic Sea-Dragon, one of the last two left in the world. Manannan mac Lir, the Celt Lord of the Seas didn't want her kind to go extinct and so he saved her and her mate in hopes of preserving her race. She is in charge of protecting this bridge from all intruders. She doesn't appreciate the little hatchling interrupting her beauty sleep.
A Dragon. A mother-fucking Dragon. What the hell was Cernunnos smoking when he came up with this. Green dungeon my tiny butt.
Dragons are the top predators of the world. They are the beings that used to inspire fear and awe in the hearts of mankind in every fucking civilization, their very name a synonym of power. The strongest amongst them made even Gods tremble in terror. Hera doesn't have Ladon guard the Apples of Immortality to prevent a few foolhardy mortals from stealing them after all. Ladon is guarding the Apples from the immortals, Gods and Titans both (It says a lot when the only one known in the myths who was capable of stealing Apples is Atlas, the strongest Titan after Kronos), and the less said about Jormungandr or Apophis the better. After all the mortal enemies of both are the 2 strongest Gods of their respective pantheons.
And now that stupid Deer God wants me to go up against this?
I felt the palms of my hands sweating, my breathing was becoming ragged, my legs were trembling so bad I was sure that if I tried to run I would fall. What to do, what to do? What could I possibly do against this juggernaut? My Flames of War could possibly hurt it a bit, but with only around 900 mana total it will dislodge a scale if I am lucky and then I will become dinner.
The dragon snorted and I took a step back in fear . It was at this moment that it did something I didn't expect. She lied her head on top of the bridge and just sat there staring at me but not making a hostile move and I understood.
She is the guardian of the bridge. Like Ladon that guards the Tree of Immortality she doesn't care what anyone does as long as you don't try to infringe on the territory under her protection. I had just stepped on the bridge when she rose from the water, and when I stepped back she just sat there not making a move towards me ( Aside from their power and fierce territorial tendencies, dragons are infamous for their laziness as well).
Ok, ok get yourself together girl. It seems this challenge is more Harry Potter than Siegfried. I only ( Sarcasm) have to get past the Dragon and into the gate not kill it. The question is how?
I don't have any way to distract her and I don't think a few paltry explosions are gonna fool her. She is not some wyrm after all, she is probably smarter than most humans and some immortals as well (I am looking at you, you stupid Deer Botherer).
I was racking my brain trying to find a solution to my latest problem, absentmindedly hoping I didn't become bald from all that hair pulling (not noticing the amused look the dragon was sending me) hoping to remember some myth that would be useful in the current shit fest.
Siegfried, no thanks. Perseus, no winged shoes for me. Beowulf well I don't have a sidekick and it didn't end all that well for the guy anyway. Bard the Bowman, my ideas are getting more stupid by the second (at this point the she-dragon was slightly shaking in suppressed laughter).
I was searching my inventory hoping to maybe find something to help me when I saw the description of the goblin heads.
Goblin Head
Info: The head of a goblin. It's a head what do you want it to do, sing?
And it came to me. Music, I have to use music like Orpheus did on the dragon of Colchis during the Argonaut expedition.
The most obvious fault of this idea is that I don't have an instrument to play with, not that I know how in the first place. That unfortunately leaves me with one solution and I was really uncomfortable with it. In my previous life I was painfully average. Average looks, average smarts, almost non- existent social life (hence dying a virgin). The only redeeming qualities I had, according to my parents at least, were my aptitude for foreign languages ( I know like 5 plus Greek being my mother tongue funnily enough) and my very good singing voice that have followed me in this life as well according to mother (I like to sing when I shower). If it wasn't for the extreme stage fright I may have been able to lose my V-card by the time I started high school according to my best mate (chicks dig musicians apparently).
Of course when the only audience is a big honking Dragon (and an antlered God but fuck him) then needs must. The question here is what to sing. I am pretty sure that the Dragon won't fall to sleep with Iron Man. I contemplated Into The Fire by Ed Sheeran but that's a sure way to be set on fire. That left me with the last song I know by heart.
( Wolven Storm By Karliene, you should check it out. It was an awesome song )
The moment I started singing I could see the Dragon widening her eyes in surprise.
These scars long have yearned for your tender caress To bind our fortunes, damn what the stars own. Rend my heart open, then your love profess. A winding, weaving fate to which we both atone.
You flee my dream come the morning. Your scent - berries tart, lilac sweet To dream of raven locks entwisted, stormy Of violet eyes, glistening as you weep.
At this point she started swaying slightly with the tune. Apparently I still got it.
The wolf I will follow into the storm To find your heart, its passion displaced By ire ever growing hardening into stone Amidst the cold to hold you in a heated embrace
You flee my dream come the morning Your scent - berries tart, lilac sweet To dream of raven locks entwisted, stormy Of violet eyes, glistening as you weep
I could see her eyes drooping hard. Just a little more I thought to myself. Almost there.
I know not if fate would have us live as one Or if by love's blind chance we've been bound The wish I whispered, when it all began Did it forge a love you might never have found?
You flee my dream come the morning Your scent - berries tart, lilac sweet To dream of raven locks entwisted, stormy Of violet eyes, glistening as you weep
Finally as I finished, I saw her to start snoring and I had to use all my willpower to not start cheering in glee. I am safe. I am clear.
The way she was sleeping, her head half covering the bridge, mouth wide open, I thought of chucking a bucket load of Warfyre Napalm goblin heads inside it. The internal damage will finish her. Dragon or not try to survive having your insides burned to the crisp by conceptual divine flames. It was so tempting too. I could only imagine the sheer amount of experience and drops killing such a being could give me.
But then I remembered the info on her status page. She is the last of her kind aside of her mate. If I kill her then her kind will go extinct. Could I do this? Could I commit what is practically genocide for some exp and drops?
The answer was no, I couldn't. So without a need for prompting I walked around the Dragons head and reached the chest and the astral Gate.
PING*
For managing to find victory against impossible odds and 'defeating' the Boss without killing her you are granted 1/40 th of the total exp meant for killing her and two gifts from the system for exceeding expectations .
+50.000 xp
Level Up x3
Status
Name: Alexandra Bellum
Race: Demigod
Gender: Female
Title: Street Rat
Level: 10 (10700 / 51200)
HP: 520 HPReg= 10 % /h
MP: 1040 MPReg= 8mp/min
STR: 85 (Physical strength, how much weight you can carry)
VIT: 33 (Your health points, gives you 7 hp per 5vit * level)
DEX: 35(39) (your speed of movement, accuracy)
INT:20 (your ability to absorb and retain information as well as your Mana
6 mp per 5 in * level)
WIS: 21(25) (Mana regeneration +1 per 5 WIS)
CHA: 13 (overall attractiveness and persuasion)
LUC: 12 (Drop rate for items, money and games of chance)
Status: 15
Gained Perk: Tongue Of the Past : This perk gives the user the ability to freely use the language skills she possessed in her past life in their level equivalent they were before her death.
Modern Greek Lv50 : You can speak Greek like a native
English Lv 50 : You can speak English like a native
Gaelic Lv40 : You can speak Gaelic almost flawlessly but you don't have the ease a native has.
Italian Lv34 : You can hold a conversation in Italian but you can do better
French Lv20: You can understand most of what you hear in French but some parts might still escape you.
German Lv13: You are not skilled enough to speak in German, you may understand some words in a conversation if you are lucky.
Gained Perk: Voice Of The Eldar: With this perk your voice will have an elven otherworldly quality, all beasts will be pacified by it and you will make those who hear it be awed by your singing. +5 CHA
I didn't know if I should be elated for leveling up thrice or horrified that only one fortieth of the full exp that Dragon was worth gave me 50.000 exp. I gulped. How fucking strong is that thing to be worth 2 million exp? Sweet Freya, one wrong move and this could have gone so terribly wrong.
I wanted to hyperventilate a little to that thought but I wasn't sure how long the Dragon wa going to sleep so I went to chest making sure to open it as slowly as possible. I wouldn't push it past the Deer God to make the hinges brittle and noisy just to fuck with me. Inside were only 2 potions and the next part of the set. Apparently putting a 70 foot long dragon to sleep wasn't impressive enough for the whole reward. I mentally gave him the middle finger and inspected the goods.
X1 Lower Health Potion
Restores your Health by 200
X1 Lower Mana Potion
Restores your Mana by 150
Huntresses Trousers
+15% movement speed
?
Info: Uncommon grade trousers made by Cernunnos himself. Alone they give the wearer a great boost in their movement speed, but if you complete the Huntresses Outfit Set, hidden enchantments will awaken. 4/5
With the trousers on and the potions in the inventory I was ready for the hopefully last life and death challenge. But first I have to distribute my stat points. I am so close to finishing this nightmare, I am not halfassing it now.
I was in a dilemma. Should I put them evenly in vit, dex and int to raise my overall stats or chuck them all in dex and gain a potentionally game changer perk like Str?
I didn't think about it too much, dexterity it is. The other stats will rise so little that in the grand scheme of things it would be negligible. With 15 more points in dexterity, even if the perk is moderately useful the increase in speed alone will be great.
Name: Alexandra Bellum
Race: Demigod
Gender: Female
Title: Street Rat
Level: 10 (10700 / 51200)
HP: 520 HPReg= 10 % /h
MP: 1040 MPReg= 8mp/min
STR: 85 (Physical strength, how much weight you can carry)
VIT: 33 (Your health points, gives you 7 hp per 5vit * level)
DEX: 50(54) (your speed of movement, accuracy)
INT:20 (your ability to absorb and retain information as well as your Mana
6 mp per 5 in * level)
WIS: 21(25) (Mana regeneration +1 per 5 WIS)
CHA: 18 (overall attractiveness and persuasion)
LUC: 12 (Drop rate for items, money and games of chance)
Status: 0
PING*
Congratulations your Dexterity reached 50 you gain a new Perk!
Clairvoyance (D): Clairvoyance is the ability to flawlessly perceive and observe the world around you, objects, people, locations, with one's mind, with no mistakes and 100% accuracy. Your gift is only Grade-D though so you can only do it in only half a mile radius (800 meters).
The moment I finished reading about my new perk, I felt a moment of vertigo. When I opened my eyes it was like I saw the world for the first time. Everything was clearer, crisper. The best analogy I could give was that I was seeing all my life the world through an analog 90s Tv and suddenly I changed to digital 2040 HD. It was a fucking trip. Yes, how terrible. I can only be omnipresent in a half a mile radius (I couldn't keep the snark at bay when I saw the 'only' word in the description). I am pretty sure if I was in the Naruto world the Hyuuga Clan would be frothing from their mouths because of my new ability.
PING*
Astral Gate detected. Please Wait. Scanning.
Gate to Fifth Floor. Do you want to enter? YES/NO
And with that happy thought I stepped through the Gate and to the fifth floor making sure I didn't let my guard down for a moment. After all, fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.
The moment I stepped through I was attacked by a humanoid creature with it's claws ready to carve my face open. I ducked it's swipe and I swung my sword at it's legs cutting them off above the knees. It fell to the ground but it only hissed at me, not registering the pain nor caring about getting crippled.
It looked almost like a man, had yellow eyes with a red sclera and it's skin was pale as chalk with blue veins everywhere. It had two big fangs and was completely bald. When I looked at it's eyes, there was no sentience there, only the hunger and intelligence of a beast who had gone hungry for too long. Even without legs it used it's hands to try and reach me again, the intent clear so I kicked it to gain some breathing room and used Observe to learn what I had to deal with.
Ghoul
Race: Undead
Gender: Male
Level 10
MP: 0
STR: 90
VIT: 30
DEX: 10
INT: 1
WIS: 0
LUC: 0
Info: Ghouls are humans that failed to transition into vampires, becoming husks of their former selves. Unlike actual vampires they feed in flesh instead of blood. They are vulnerable to fire, silver and decapitation but not sunlight, making excellent cannon fodder for their sires to protect them in day time.
'Ok, note to self' I thought ' Invest in some silver weaponry, bullets too', absentmindedly chopping the ghouls head killing it.
+300 XP
Now that the poor bastard was put to rest I am free to assess my surroundings. And boy if you thought we were done with clichés then you were so painfully wrong. I was in a corridor taken out from the middle ages. Big long halls made completely from grey stone, iron braziers holding torches to light the place, tapestries here and there in red and gold and ceiling high enough to fit a Jotun twice over. Taking all that in and considering the information from the now fully dead ghoul it is easy to conclude that the fifth boss is some type of vampire boss and this is their swanky castle. Inwardly sighing in relief for upping my dexterity (because vampire speed duh!) I began trekking through the castle searching for the throne room. Why a throne room? Because I am dealing with a Vampire Lord here (you can feel the capitals in the title) and any self respecting Castelvania fan will tell you that the Vampire Lord (the capitals again, hehe) is always waiting for you in his throne room, sitting in his chair in a lazy stance, you know the one, Head leaning on one hand, legs crossed and a golden goblet (always gold) filled with (you guessed it) blood. I was half nervous for what kind of strength this boss will have and half vibrating in fangirling excitement trying to find the right quote to shout at the Vampire Lord ™ when I reach the throne room.
Five hours, 99 ghouls and three throne rooms later and no Vampire in sight.
+29700 xp
Level10 (40700/51200)
Sword Mastery(Lv25-Lv26): +36% dmg and 18% attack speed when wielding a sword.
I raged internally. Where the fuck is he? Doesn't he know it is rude to leave guests unattended in your own home?
I was walking down another corridor passing a door not thick enough to muffle the moans from within, fuming to myself about stupidly big castles and moronic absent Vampire bosses aban-. Wait a second. Moans?
And it was at this moment that realization hit me. I have been running around this fucking castle for 5 hours straight raising hell everywhere and the asshole has been ignoring me for a fucking BOOTY CALL.
My eyes literally caught fire and I kicked the door from it's hinges ready to give the bastard a piece of my mind but then I froze. The sight before me shattered any hopes and dreams about an epic showdown that will go down in history between me and a Dracula look alike.
Dearg Due "5 th Boss"
Race: Fae - Vampire
Gender: Female
Level 35
Health: 3500
MP: 1200
STR: 70
VIT: 150
DEX: 80
INT: 50
WIS: 25
CHA: 200
LUC: 25 ( She is currently getting very lucky)
Info: The Dearg Due stands in the shadows of the better-known Abhartach. She is one of several Irish monsters whose characteristics resemble that of a vampire. Her name translates to "red bloodsucker" and, she's a (usually) cunning vampire who seduces men and drains them of their blood. Her old 'friend' had brought her here for a job because she owed him a favor. Something about a Halfling and a challenge but she is currently in too much bliss to care about that.
Because right in front of me was what could only be described as a gothic porn star. Blonde haired and fair skinned with perfect hourglass figure clad in a Victorian era dress and two heaving breasts that could probably suffocate me if I was caught between them. Two alluring red eyes that were currently half lidded with a faraway look in them as another female was kneeling between her spread legs, the wet sounds showing clearly what exactly she was doing there.
Stinking Goblins, Famorians, Ghosts, Headless pushover horsemen, a motherfucking Dragon of all things and after all that, the best thing that Cernunnos could do is THIS? I felt cheated, I felt angry and I felt a little frustrated as well for not being old enough to truly appreciate the sight before me. I didn't know if I should laugh or cry. Should I leave them to their thing?
I didn't know what to do, my face was so red from both anger and embarrassment that I might as well have been a lobster, so I went with the standard Ares approved reaction when confusion blinds your way forward. I pulled my mother's until this moment unused spare pistol, coated it in Warfyre and I emptied it on the two sluts in front of me (because there is no such thing as overkill).I reduced both them and the whole room into cinders.
Critical Hits! Because of the use of steel bullets ( cold iron) you did triple damage (Fae)
Critical Hits! Because of the use of fire magic (Warfyre) you did triple damage ( Vampire)
+3000xp
+1500 xp
Level10 (45200 / 51200)
I huffed, turned around and left. I went to the first throne room I found hoping to find some kind of clue there on how to leave this place and surprise surprise the reward chest was there.
X2 Lower Health Potion
X2 Lower Mana Potion
Huntresses Armored Vest
+ 5% Health Points
?
Info: Uncommon grade armored vest made by Cernunnos himself. Alone gives the wearer a great boost in their total health, but if you complete the Huntresses Outfit Set, hidden enchantments will awaken. 5/5
Congratulations you have completed the Huntresses Outfit. New features are now unlocked.
Huntresses Battle Armor
+ 5% Health Points
+15% movement speed
-75% resistance to cutting damage (neck)
-100% to all sounds
+10% accuracy with ranged weapons
Special Bonus: - 10% physical damage taken (2% per piece)
+5 to all stats when inside a forest
The outfit also grows with the wearer
Info: Uncommon grade Battle Armor made by Cernunnos. Created as a gift for a prospective Huntress of Artemis, it's full capabilities giving the user an incredible advantage when hunting.
So awesome. Togehter with the perk from strength I now have a whole -30% to all physical damage and the best thing is that I can keep wearing it until I find a truly better armor. I won't have to throw it away at my first growth spurt.
The Outfit is all black with silver accents. It's formfitting but not tight enough to be constricting or obscene (not that I have anything to show off anyway) and casual enough to not look strange around mortals. I practically look like a female EMIYA with this outfit. And I freaking love it *squeee*
I would have continued to fingirl for some more time, but the trembling of the room put a stop to that. I saw the throne move to the side and where it stood was now a staircase leading down.
Time to finish this. I was so done with this shit. So I put my best mean face on and walked down the stairs to hopefully the last shenanigan.
When I reached the bottom I found myself in a large cave like room that was illuminated everywhere by colorful crystals randomly sprouting on every surface.
At the opposite side of the entrance was a huge Gate nearly as big as the Rashomon Orochimaru summoned, though with no decorations aside from an obscenely huge emerald the size of a dog in a perfectly round shape on the top right side of it. On each side of the gate stood one basin filled with very fine sand and in front of those were inscriptions written. Obviously the riddles that were written in the quest, and if I was a betting woman then I need to answer them for the gate to unlock. No use in dallying here so let's start.
I walked up to the first basin a read the inscription.
At night they come without being fetched, and by day they are lost without being stolen. What are they?
I thought for a bit. 'They' are obviously not an item, the second verse attests to that so the answer is something that comes naturally in the night. It is not the moon because then the riddle would have said (IT) or (SHE) instead of (THEY). Shadows could be the answer, but shadows exist both in day and night so it is not that either. I was still pondering the riddle when my eye caught the ceiling with its many twinkling crystals and then it came to me. Twinkling. STARS.
I grinned in excitement and quickly wrote stars in the basin, but nothing happened. I was disappointed. I was sure it was stars, it fit perfectly. So why doesn't it work?
I was ready to tear my hair out in frustration but then. I had an idea. The challenge was made by an Irish God. I quickly erased the previous answer and wrote another. REALTAI . Which means stars in Gaelic.
It seems my hunch was right, because the moment I finished the emerald on the gate started shining and the top half of the Gate turned into a mural of the evening sky. It was admittedly quite beautiful.
After admiring it for a second I went to the second basin and the last riddle.
It can run but never walk, has a mouth but never talks, has a head but never weeps, has a bed but never sleeps? What is it?
Now this one I knew. I don't remember from where but I knew the answer so I wrote it down immediately in Gaelic, not even bothering with English. ABHAINN. Which means river.
One light show later and the mural was complete. The evening sky with the emerald representing the full moon on top and in the bottom a great valley with a river crossing in the middle, fauna and flora abound around it. An exquisite depiction of nature most likely made by a God. I didn't have too much time to admire because an intricate Celtic knot appeared on the moon making it shine and then move to the center of the gate. There was a humming sound before the jewel started rotating fast, light bursting from both the Gate and every crystal in the room creating a truly wondrous site. A few seconds later and where before was a beautiful painting, now was a great vortex in the hues of the rainbow, the closest thing one could call it would be kaleidoscopic. For a second I thought Zeltrech would jump through the vortex a grin on his face and shout "You've been punk'd" but thankfully a certain magical sound reassured me.
PING*
Greater Astral Gate detected. Please Wait. Scanning.
Gate to Finish Line. Do you want to enter? YES/NO
"Oh Sweet Freya YES, I am so done with this". I said stepping through.
I appeared in a forest that eerily resembled the mural from the Gate. I didn't have time to look around though because a voice from behind me startled me.
"So" he said drawing out the word, "You actually managed to survive after all, I am impressed".
I turned around and saw a God for the first time.
Cernunnos "Lord of The Wild"
Affiliation: Tuatha De Danann
Level: ?
Info: Cernunnos is the God of Beasts, Wild Places and Death of the Celtic Pantheon. You are not strong enough to know more.
He was sitting on a big stone cross legged. He was barefooted and bare-chested wearing only very old style pants decorated with celtic knots made from some kind of animal leather. He had a bow and quiver strapped on his back and his face from the nose up was covered by a stag's skull, his long blond hair in a braid falling down his back.
I went to reply but immediately I paused. Something wasn't right. I could see a slight haze like static around him, It wasn't great enough to be noticed by the naked eye but my Clairvoyance skill came through. Also, this is the first time that a status page was shown with slanted letters. It could have been because of the uniqueness of observing a God but I was pretty sure at this point that someone was trying to screw me over, so I quickly pulled out my mother's pistol and shot the fucker on the balls.
The change was almost instant. The bastard fell on his knees in a fetal position moaning in pain. The blonde braided hair became black and free flowing, the animal leather pants changed into a royal emerald garb with gold accents and very fine boots appeared on his feet. The most telling change was on his head, because the 12 pointer stag skull changed to a gold helmet with two horns rising from the front and curving slightly to the back.
Sonovabitch, I knew this guy. And all the bullshit I had to go through made so much more sense now. Because this guy was certainly not Cernunnos, or even Celt for that matter.
Loki Laufeyson "Silvertongue"
Affiliation: Himself, Aesir
Level: ?
Info: Loki is the God of Fire, Magic, Chaos and Mischief of the Norse Pantheon. You are not strong enough to know more.
*Groan* " I deserved that one, I admit" HE started " I have to say your quickdraw is quite impressive for a mortal and your little scrying spell is absolutely spiffing" he followed with a grin that wouldn't look strange on a poisonous viper and with smugness so potent that it was distorting reality. The stone changing to a golden throne as he sat cross-legged on it.
"What are YOU doing here, this is a Celtic dungeon" I shouted, my surprise suppressing my common sense for a second before I gathered myself and pretended of having ignored the mention of observe.
He carried on as if I hadn't spoken at all, grin firmly fixed in place.
"You see this is a funny story really" he began " I was hanging around with some friends from Ireland, you know sitting around, getting a drink, having a good time when suddenly ol' Cer groaned and said that he had to go oversee Artemis latest stubborn attempt in winning the dungeon" absentmindedly summoning a horned goblet with some ale and continued, "so like the helpful and considerate guy I am" I snorted internally at that " I offered to oversee the thing in his place. As you can imagine he was quite miffed with the goddess for bothering him with her little attempts every other month or so, so he was more than happy to give me this opportunity" and his grin widened just a tad at that making me shudder just a bit. "Imagine then my utter surprise that instead of three Hunters I was expecting, a little demigoddess not even past her first decade stepped through the first gate" he said with a tone that showed how amused he was at of this" Unfortunately I couldn't change the challenges I had already prepared, doing something like that in an active challenge is an incredible faux pas in inter-divine etiquette, considered impossibly rude and there are laws accepted from all pantheons that the moment a challenger steps in there will be no further interference as well. We wouldn't want to make people call me a cheater after all, would we?" his face filled with regret so genuine looking, a hand on his heart that if I didn't know how much of an asshole he really was I would have fallen for it hook-line and sinker, " So I watched, and you can't imagine my astonishment when you passed challenge after challenge showing ingenuity and creativity every step of the way, passing each test with flying colors considering your age" he finished .
"Tests?" I asked in confusion. "Why yes, you didn't think the challenges were random, do you?" he said with a condescending look that sent my hackles on edge but he ignored me, "Every floor tested a different aspect of yourself". " The first was skill in battle and you get a B- there" and then I interrupted him ignoring his grading " But weren't supposed to be three hunters in the challenge? How would the first boss even be able to measure their skill if they fought him together?"his grin became wide enough to cover his whole face at my question, " there was an enchantment on the gate of the boss that when you stepped through and the moment the sidekick goblins were dead there is an 1-on-1 field created on the arena that prevents interference from third parties and" he continued before I could interrupt "If you tried to attack the general before all other goblins were dead, well" he said, drawing out the last word " let's just say you really wouldn't enjoy the result" he finished and started snickering. I paled a little at that, knowing that if I had pulled the same shit as I did on the officer on the left side of the floor I would probably be enjoying my time now as a small pink critter or something."Anyway moving on with the explanation" he clapped his hands once, goblet magically disappearing" The second test was resourcefulness, it was meant to test the challenger in defeating an opponent that was too strong and robust to fell just by chucking arrows at him or bullets in your case and I got to say you got an A there" sending me the same impressed look that a mother shows their child the first time they shit in the toilet instead of themselves, "Third was prevailing against the unexpected, both the ghosts and the horseman were types of opponents that you don't see in the Greek world and you did adequate I suppose an B- there" and he carried on . " Fourth, ah fourth now that was my personal favorite A+, meant to test your perseverance against impossible odds" he said with the first genuine smile I saw him give me in all the time I was standing here "I was sure you would fail you know" I stopped him at that " Well it was a Dragon I thought I would die too you know, I just got lucky" he chuckled " Oh you wouldn't have died, Mairenn is too much of a sweetheart to do that to a child, she is quite fond of them really, it's why I choose her against the hunters after all, wouldn't do to make enemies with dear Arty-poo without reason" he said turning my world upside down and completely disregarding the fact that if Artemis ever heard him calling her that, she would probably charge Asgard by herself to disembowel him " She would have smacked you around a bit if you attacked her or tried to enter her territory and then she would have sent you through the gate and back to the grove, pride wounded and with a few bruises but not much else. Imagine then my utter astonishment and surprise when you did something so spectacular that even I God of Mischief would tip my hat to" and he laughed at my gobsmacked face taking enjoyment in my gaping ."I mean, singing her to sleep! How ballsy. Using such an obscure solution that was done only once in the past by a mortal and that by one blessed by a god of music. Truly marvelous". That was when I spoke again interrupting his speech once more.
"OK, I got all that, everything you say makes sense" he nodded with the assurance of someone used to everyone telling him that he is always right " What about the fifth floor, what in the nine worlds could that bimbo vampire slut be a test for?" I said in exasperation. It was also the first time that I saw the smugness leave his face and replace it with sheepishness" It wasn't my fault you know" I rose an eyebrow at that " I had asked an Abhartach originaly to do it, but the cur stood me up the last moment, something about excavating mortals and hidden catacombs, he didn't explain properly and I was left without a boss monster literally 20 minutes before you passed the 4th floor" He said a little bit of rage sipping in his voice that made me know that particular vampire is gonna die very horrifically or even worse, he is gonna be pleading to die very soon. " So I had to improvise. The area was already configured so I was limited to that particular theme and you can't exactly find vampires ready to fight for you on the drop of a hat, it was either her or that other guy that likes to dress into a pink magical girl. We both shuddered at that. "Anyway, I give you an A+ on that for exterminating all the ghouls and killing her right when she was about to climax too, it was so deliciously evil of you, I haven't laughed so hard since the Woodstock Incident with the Greeks back in 69'.
I didn't know what to say to that so I choose to remain silent. "Now that we are done with your little challenge, I have to give you your first reward made by Cernnunos himself, it's quite potent too"
What he handed me was an orb made of the same crystal that I saw in the gate room as big as my fist and shining with an inner light.
Blessing Orb Of The Horned One
Info: A blessing orb made by Cernnunos himself. It's power enriches the earth making all flora more vibrant and healthy and prevents all monsters and non-clear sighted mortals from finding the area under its perview .
That is meant for the grove, it is going to be a big help to Wisteria if she doesn't have to fear about incidents like the Harpy Diva happening again.
"And now for your personal rewards, your three wishes, ask and ye shall receive!
"Is it even legal for a Pagan God to be quoting the Bible?" I asked genuinely curious.
"Meh" he said waving his hand as if to smack away a fly "The guy is not that perfect you know, he just has a very efficient PR department, usually by burning on the stake everything and everyone that disagrees with him, so I don't really care what he thinks" I nodded at that, it was true after all and I never really bought into the whole God of love and compassion thing even in my previous life. It is really hard to follow the 'turn the other cheek thing' he was preaching when in his previous book he drowned the whole humanity minus one family for being "of corrupt and evil hearts".
"But enough about him, its wish time, so wish away" Smugness once again in full force.
I didn't want to ask about a blessing because I don't know what influence a god will have over me through it and he can also take it away so nope. I thought about asking for three different weapons of great quality but then I had an idea. When I was finished he regarded me with a raised eyebrow and then shrugged.
"Ok brat, you wishes are reasonable and you will receive your rewards the moment you are returned to the grove" and with that little tibit he waved his hand and an astral gate appeared from nowhere.
"Oh, and before I forget, I have to tell you that time in Divine Realms flow differently than in the mortal world, though you don't have to worry, I have configured the gate to age you to your proper age instantly when you reach the mortal realm, Happy Summer Solstice brat" He said with a shiteating grin dumbfounding me because it was August when I started this challenge. Before I could react he snapped his fingers and the gate swallowed me whole. And as I was falling through the gate there was only I thing I could say to myself.
Fuck my E- Rank Luck
Status
Name: Alexandra Bellum
Race: Demigod
Gender: Female
Title: Street Rat
Level: 10 (45200 / 51200)
HP: 620 HPReg= 10 % /h
MP: 1040 MPReg= 8mp/min
STR: 85 (Physical strength, how much weight you can carry)
VIT: 35 (Your health points, gives you 7 hp per 5vit * level)
DEX: 50(54) (your speed of movement, accuracy)
INT:20 (your ability to absorb and retain information as well as your Mana
6 mp per 5 in * level)
WIS: 21(25) (Mana regeneration +1 per 5 WIS)
CHA: 18 (overall attractiveness and persuasion)
LUC: 12 (Drop rate for items, money and games of chance)
Status: 0
Skills:
Ancient Greek Mastery (lvMAX): Your ability to comprehend Ancient Greek, It needs a certain amount of practice to come into your skill, unfortunately any other language will be hard to learn even the one you grow up in, say welcome to dyslexia
Modern Greek Lv50 : You can speak Greek like a native
English Lv50: You can speak English like a native
Gaelic Lv40 : You can speak Gaelic almost flawlessly but you can do better
Italian Lv34 : You can hold a conversation in Italian but you can not use complicated words still
French Lv20: You can understand most of what you hear in French but some parts might still escape you.
German Lv13: You are not skilled enough to speak in German, you may understand some words in a conversation if you are lucky.
Mist Control (Locked) : Your ability to use the Mist, you need a practitioner to unlock your skill or being a child of Hecate which is naturally unlocked
Warfyre(Lv13): 260 dmg/sec cost: 18 mp/sec
Warfyre Imbuement (Lv11): Coat your weapons with the Flames of War and enhance their destructive capabilities. +31 dmg cost 3mp/sec.
Warlord's Fang(Lv3): A long raged slash used by focusing your mana into a fine blade around your weapon, aim and swing. Legend says that true Master's of this skill could cut armies in twain with a single slash of their blades. + 90 dmg/per slash, cost: 26 mp. WARNING: When combining it with Warfyre this skills pulls out the whole destructive powers of the flame. Cost: 38mp
Warfyre Napalm(Lv4): Overcharge an item with the Flame Of War causing it to become unstable and turning it to a bomb. Blast radius: 2,3 meters Damage: 180, 25% chance of setting enemies on fire cost :100
Observe(Lv11): Gain basic information about the target . the higher the level of the skill, the more information you gain, targets 31 levels higher than yours can hide from the skill. You can now see stats.
Mist Resistance(lv3): Because of your divine blood you have a natural resistance to the mist . Monsters of your level and bellow can't fool you with the mist .
Sword Mastery(Lv26): Your ability to use a sword without chopping your own hand. +36% dmg and 18% attack speed when wielding a sword.
Spear Mastery(Lv20): Your ability to use a spear in battle without poking your eye out. +30% dmg with and +15% attack speed when wielding spears.
*Riding skill(lv1): Your ability to ride a mount either a vehicle or living creature (bycycle)
Backstab MAX : When you stab an enemy from behind there is a 40% chance of doing triple damage and 12% chance of cripple hit.
Perks
Battle Reflexes: When in battle and life threatening situations you will not freeze, your mind and body will work faster .Makes you a natural combatant.
Godly Scent: Your godly blood makes you emit a natural aura that can be identified by all of the supernatural. It grows with age and power levels. Say hello to monsters everywhere that want to make you a chew toy.
Weapon Of War: When you hold a weapon in your hands you instinctively know how to use it (lv10) but to retain the knowledge of it if you change weapon you must level it to level 20 . All weapons can be used by you .
Rage Booster: Rage gives you strength, either your own or of others. In a 10 meters radius everyone that feels rage gives +1 STR including yourself.
Mortal Combat: +10 to all physical stats when in battle to the death
*Flames of War: You have the ability to use the Flames of War. This type of fire magic is incapable of anything but destruction .These flames are impossible to be used in forging cooking or even to give warmth in a cold night. The only thing they bring is death.
*Supreme Commander: When you lead in battle all allies gain +10 to all physical stats in a 400 meter radius
*Attractive Perk(Minor): Your godly blood makes you more naturally attractive than a average mortal (In case of becoming a child of Aphrodite the perk is upgraded to Major.)+2 CHA
Muscle Density Refinement: The holder of this perk has every muscle in his body altered to be thrice as dense and as result more efficient. Your muscles will not easily bulk up but they will lose none of their strength. Sorry no S chwarzenegger body for you. -20% to all physical damage received, +1 strength to Ares heritage modifier (+8 strength per level), +2 CHA.
Tongue Of the Past : This perk gives the user the ability to freely use the language skills she possessed in her past life in their level equivalent they were before her death.
Voice Of The Eldar: With this perk your voice will have an elven otherworldly quality, all beasts will be pacified by it and you will make those who hear it be awed by your singing. +5 CHA
Clairvoyance (D): Clairvoyance is the ability to flawlessly perceive and observe the world around you, objects, people, locations, events, with one's mind, with no mistakes and 100% accuracy. Your gift is only Grade-D though so you can only do it in only half a mile radius (800 meters).
~ Childe Of War