And Life continues
THE GAME OF DIVINITY
CHAPTER 10: Life on the Road (Part2)
I was spat out of the dungeon gate in high speed and I found myself face first onto the ground. "Ouch" I groaned as I rolled on my back and spat some grass that had been shoved in my mouth. Staring at the barely morning sky I thought of how good it would be if that stupid chaos god stumbled on top of the Bifrost and fell right into Nidhogg's mouth, but I guess dreams will be dreams.
I had but a moment to reorient myself before I saw Wisteria running to my position with a worried look on her face. I stood up ready to reassure her that everything was alright, when I felt great pain coming from my whole body and I couldn't help but fall to the ground screaming. It was at this moment that I remembered Loki's last little helpful comment and I cursed the bastard to Tartarus right before I passed out, Wisteria's panicking face the last thing I saw before everything went dark.
You have slept in your own bed. Health and mana are back to 100%. All ailments and negative status effects have been cured.
I woke up in my bed back in the grove no longer feeling like a thousand molten needles were piercing my body and I promised to myself that if I never see Loki again it would be too soon.
I would have continued with my internal rant but I noticed 3 different shaped wooden boxes sitting beside my bed. I had a moment to wonder what they could possibly be before realization struck in my head and I remembered that my wishes were supposed to be delivered to the grove." The bastard at least works fast" I muttered to the empty room.
Eager to see the extent of my payday I opened the smallest box first no bigger than the palm of my hand and I Observed.
Ljóskerhringur (Lantern Ring)
+10 INT
+5 LUC
+20% casting speed
Special: Frodo, ORCS! : Whenever there are monsters in 1 mile radius from it the ring will shine a soft light as a warrning.
Info: A ring made of Uru Steel and decorated with a ruby from Alfheim. It was used by Loki in his childhood as a training tool for his seidr. Recently carved with runes of power by the God of Magic himself giving it special is a fenomenal condactor of magic and can't be removed without the wearer's perimission.
Damn, say whatever you want about the bastard but none can deny that he is very talented indeed. My first wish after all was for an item that I can always have on me and for it to warn me about monsters. It seems he delivered more than I even asked. Probably on a LARK or maybe I impressed him with my feats in the dungeon. Naah it was a LARK.
Equiping it immidiately and admiring how it looked on my left hand for a moment, I then opened the biggest box and if I thought that the ring was impressive then this took the cake.
Forverði (Vanguard)
Damage 600
+100 against monsters
+30 when coated with fire magic
Special: Forverði to Me: This weapon has been enchanted with the same spell that was used on Mjolnir, Thor's ultimate weapon. If called by its rightful owner it always flies back to their hand (Alexandra Bellum).
Info: A double headed battle axe forged by a master forger dwarf of Nidavelir. The special enchantment woven on the handle makes it a formidable weapon of war. F orged with the use of Uru Steel the weapon is near indestructible and a fenomenal focus of magic. It cannot kill mortals.
A two bladed great battle axe with a long handle decorated by norse runes and tradiitional knots, it was really a work of art. I know what many will ask, why ask for an axe when you could have asked for a sword. After all you dont even have an axe mastery and your sword one is your most powerfull skill yet. The reason is that swords are not really my style and wont truly complement my stats. As a child of Ares strength will always be my best stat and I needed a weapon to truly make that shine and a sword just isn't it. Swords are more of a dexterity weapon meant to cut fast and with percison. Axes on the other hand are all strength which I have in abundance and they will help with opponents that are very durable, making me capable of crushing their armor or tough skins with an ease that a sword is just not capable of granting me and don't let me start on its special enchantment. At the end of the day if there comes a time that I really need a badass sword then I will find one. The world is full of opportunities after all and the gamer system is designed for shit like that.
Ending my internal monologue I opened my last gift and when I read the description the waterworks couldn't stop.
Stríðsstjarna (Warbound Star)
Damage 150
+30 damage against monsters
+10 damage when coated with fire magic
Range of fire: 800 meters
Special: A Mother's Transcending Love: The weapon never runs out of bullets when wielded by Alexandra Bellum or be used to harm her. It will always appear back to her if lost.
Info: A pistol originally belonging to Capella Bellum and reforged by a master forger dwarf of Nidavelir. By protecting her daughter with her life, a small part of her dying will lingered around the weapon and was imbued through the masterful forging into it, adding extra enchantments. Reforged with the use of Uru Steel the weapon is near indestructible and a fenomenal focus of magic. It cannot kill mortals.
The pistol encased in a leather sheath and it was silver and black, decorated by runes and artistic lines. The most prominent being in the frame of the pistol but I couldn't really focus on that, I was too busy crying.
'My mother loved me so much that even in death she is protecting me' I thought with a tearful sob.
In my previous life me and my parents had an ok relationship I guess but there was always a distance between us. They focused so much on their careers that I barely saw them most days. Yes they brought me gifts and they encouraged me to do better at the things I liked (hence the lessons in 5 languages) but my grandfather was more a parent to me than them. They were more of a favorite distant Aunt and Uncle than my Mom and Dad.
In this life though, my mom was always there for me. She took time from her day to spend together with me telling me stories, giving me advice and just plain caring so much, that when I gained my previous life's memories that accursed night all those months ago I couldn't stop considering her my mother even for a moment. So reading the description of that weapon it really hit home what that bastard robber took from me and if I hated him before now I loathed him with every fiber of my being.
My internal monologue was interrupted this time by the system.
PING*
Rare Quest: Brave The Horned One's Challenge
Clear the 1st floor (CLEAR)
Clear the 2nd floor (CLEAR)
Clear the 3rd floor (CLEAR)
Clear the 4th floor (CLEAR)
Clear the 5th floor (CLEAR)
Optional: Solve the riddles (CLEAR)
Rewards:
1500 xp, 100$, 2 drachmas, piece of uncommon equipment
2000 xp, 200$, 4 drachmas, piece of uncommon equipment
2500 xp, 300$, 6 drachmas, piece of uncommon equipment
3000 xp, 400$, 8 drachmas, piece of uncommon equipment
4000 xp, 800$, 10 drachmas, piece of uncommon equipment
Blessing Orb, Ring, Axe, Pistol .
(QUEST COMPLETE)
+ 13.000 XP
+1800 $
+30 Drachmas
For surviving another year your demigod status gives you +3 to all stats except luck.
And I leveled up once again bringing me to 11 and I immediately distributed the stat points acquiring a new perk.
PING*
Status
Name: Alexandra Bellum
Race: Demigod
Gender: Female
Title: Street Rat
Level: 11 (7000/ 76800) HP: 620 HPReg= 10 % /h
MP: 1251 MPReg= 9mp/min
STR: 100 (Physical strength, how much weight you can carry)
VIT: 38 (Your health points, gives you 7 hp per 5vit * level)
DEX: 53(57) (your speed of movement, accuracy)
INT:23(33) (your ability to absorb and retain information as well as your Mana
6 mp per 5 in * level)
WIS: 25(29) (Mana regeneration +1 per 5 WIS)
CHA: 21 (overall attractiveness and persuasion)
LUC: 12(17) (Drop rate for items, money and games of chance)
Status: 0
[From now on the next level required exp will be previous level + previous level/2. Example 51200+25600=76800]
Perk Acquired: Expanded Force: Everytime you wish it your hits either hand-to-hand or with a weapon you can expand the force of your hits to a 1 meter radius around your striking point without your hits losing power. (meele weapons only)
For conquering your first dungeon the system rewards you with an additional Title.
Bane of Mab: You have bathed in the blood of the Faerie race gaining a fearsome reputation in the lands of Nevernever. Whenever you equip this title you inflict +20% damage to all Faerie type enemies.
Damn, I have become so badass compared to the me that was struggling against a stupid harpy. If I fought her right now, It wouldn't even take me 3 seconds to dust her. And I loved it. The additional perks and titles were also an excellent touch. The strength perk practically gave me a poor man's Tsunade punch, not that I am going to complain. After all useful is useful and with my axe and current strength it's going to be very sweet indeed. The title is gonna come in handy if I encounter a Fae again I suppose though but if I don't then I wouldn't be too broken up about it.
Done with cataloging all I needed to do it is time to get out of this cave and see what I missed in my almost 11 month absence and damn I didn't notice it before but I am seven now.
Shrugging I stood up, strapped my pistol on my lower back (The sheath is meant for the thigh but I am seven) and by axe in the inventory and headed outside to possibly be read the riot act by Wisteria. And I was right.
The words irresponsible, bull headed, and reckless were used in abundance and by the time she was done I felt like my left ear will would never be the same again and my small scowl (not pout) brought a lot of giggling to the rest of the nymph who were very entertained that for once it wasn't them that Wisteria was scolding.
She would have continued to berate me some more but I distracted her with the Blessing Orb that I won in the dungeon. When they saw it they became completely entranced.
"You actually won it" said Wisteria in awe, her eyes not living the Orb for a second.
"Was there any doubt? I am awesome after all. "I said with a smirk making the nymphs around to start cheering.
"Sure you are, sure you are" replied Wisteria in an indulging manner that annoyed me just a little.
"What was that supposed to mean, of course I am" I shot back with a scowl but she didn't say anything else, she just grabbed the orb, smiled at me again and then went to use her nymphy magic to connect it to the grove.
A few hours later everyone was celebrating my successful quest and the new life and health the blessing I brought back started to grant the grove ( you could feel the plants get greener and more colorful by the minute) and I was even gifted a crown of flowers in my honor (to my mortification and Wisteria's amusement).
The celebrations lasted until the night and finally everyone started to retire to their trees. The only one left outside was me and Wisteria. I was about to start talking but I was interrupted.
"You want to leave" said Wisteria in a matter of fact tone that surprised me a little, I thought I would have to convince her to let me go.
"You are not mad?" I asked a little hesitantly
"Oh sweetheart, I knew for the moment you came here that you were not going to stay forever. Your kind has always been too adventurous irrespective of your own fragility and I had no illusion that you would be any different. I just hoped that you would wait a few years before making your own way in the world but it seems it wasn't meant to be." she said with a bittersweet smile and honestly I didn't know what to say so I didn't I just hugged her.
A little while later she let me go and told me to get some rest in order to be ready for tomorrow. So I bid her goodnight and retired to my bed.
The next day I woke up bright and early ready and after saying goodbye to anyone and reassuring a slightly tearful head nymph that I will IM her whenever I can and that I would visit at the first opportunity I was led to the edge of the road and from there I headed east. First stop Saint Louis.
Life on the road isn't as exciting as the books made it out to be. Yes monsters at some point will find you that's unavoidable but you won't have to defend yourselves against hordes of monsters every 15 minutes or so. Percy Jackson was just really unlucky I suppose and her Godly Scent+ perk that all Big Three get from the get go probably didn't help matters either.
When I started walking I was somewhere near St. James and St. Louis was around 154 km (96 miles) east of that. Halfway there the sun had almost disappeared and I decided to sleep for the night, there was no use to try to continue without daylight. I found a tree with big enough branches climbed it and then tied myself to it with a vine rope that I was given by some nymph back on the grove. It was fucking uncomfortable and I already missed my moss bed but safety was more important than comfort so I dealt with it.
The second day was a little more eventful. A quarter of the way to my destination a flock of harpies tried to make a meal out of me and I used my upgraded pistol for the first time. The feeling was sublime, the demented pigeons didn't stand a chance in hell. It felt like I was shooting cannon balls instead of bullets and the kickback almost non-existent not that it would be a problem for me anymore, with my strength at this point I could be firing an actual cannon and I probably wouldn't have many problems with it.
When I reached St. Louis it was already starting to go dark and here is where the problems started. I was seven. I couldn't rent a room until the morning. Hell I couldn't even buy a ticket for the train. My plan was to hitch a ride, hide somewhere and if anyone found me just say that I was going to the bathroom and generally play it up as an ordinary child that I wasn't.
I had to find a place to sleep, I couldn't afford to weaken myself by pulling an all-nighter. If I start skipping sleep time then when an actual threat comes knocking I won't be at my peak and this could cause problems so I had to find a solution. Where could I go that would give me a place for the night to crash but won't ask any questions?
That was when I had an idea. I found an desolate area and made a small fire. After that I took out one of the harpy feathers that I gained from my first kill and sacrificed them to Hermes. I prayed to him and asked him to guide me to the closest empousa lair. Now everyone will ask. Alex you awesome demigoddess you are trying to avoid the monsters. Isn't it a bit counterproductive to head right to them? Normally you would be right but hold on there is reason to my madness. Unlike other monsters who find lairs in caves, sewers and other filthy places empousa actually try to live amongst mortals as normally as they can. The reason. Hunting targets. Most other monsters actively hunt demigods and nature spirits they don't care for mortals, these discount vampires though seduce and feed from all of the above and in order to do that they must integrate themselves some way into society, the Mist can do so much after all and even if they are Hecate's creations, it doesn't mean they can all use it perfectly. As a result they must have homes instead of caves, houses or even dormitories that I can crash of the night after I send them to Tartarus spa and resort of course for a full body make-over. Let it never be said that Alexandra Bellum is a free loader.
And it seems that my sacrifice paid results because after a slight breeze a small tortoise appeared on my shoulder and start to point me in a certain direction with its head.
Thanking Hermes for the help I followed my guide until he led me to a two story house a few blocks away from where I started. The lights were on the first floor and from what I could discern by looking from the window there were three of them inside.
I can't use my gun, the sound is too distinctive and there will be cops here before you can even say handcuffs. How to do this? I could wait until they go to sleep and then try to break in as silently as possible kill them in their sleep and be done with it. Nah I said with a grin that would make a hyena proud.
*Knock**Knock* "Pizza is here" I shouted from outside.
"Coming, coming" I heard and I was surprised, they have actually ordered some pizza. It seems I will eat well tonight.
"You are not the delivery" the slut said with a raised eyebrow and all I did was smile and instantly chucked my axe at her. She only had time to widen her eyes a bit before she became a dust cloud. I quickly summoned it back to my hand and stepped into the house (This summoning spell is so badass by the way). The other two were watching a show on TV and they gaped at me for my audacity to barge into a monster lair alone like that. Of course that didn't stop them for long, they transformed in their red eyed donkey and metal legged form and with a screech attacked me. Unfortunately for them I had fought against tougher opponents and with worse odds and their little untrained attacks didn't faze me. The first died with an axe bisecting her from head to crotch a surprised expression to the face and the other one actually tried to run, an expression of fear in her eyes. She didn't even reach the next room before a blade pierced her back and poked out of her belly turning her to dust.
I didn't even get a throwing weapon skill but then again a sword even a short one isn't a throwing knife so maybe the game didn't count it? Whatever I shrugged and made my self home. After I gorged myself on some pizza I had a relaxing shower (Oh and how I missed this) I went to bed in the guest room (Gods only knows what could be in their beds sheets) and put an alarm for early in the morning. Next step Train station and from there, New York.
Status
Name: Alexandra Bellum
Race: Demigod
Gender: Female
Title: Street Rat
Level: 11 (11200/ 51200)
HP: 620 HPReg= 10 % /h
MP: 1251 MPReg= 9mp/min
STR: 100 (Physical strength, how much weight you can carry)
VIT: 38 (Your health points, gives you 7 hp per 5vit * level)
DEX: 53(57) (your speed of movement, accuracy)
INT:23(33) (your ability to absorb and retain information as well as your Mana
6 mp per 5 in * level)
WIS: 25(29) (Mana regeneration +1 per 5 WIS)
CHA: 21 (overall attractiveness and persuasion)
LUC: 12(17) (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
Gaelic Lv40 : You can speak Gaelic almost flawlessly but you can do better
Italian Lv34 : You can hold a conversation in Italian but you cannot 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).
Expanded Force: Everytime you wish it your hits either hand-to-hand or with a weapon you can expand the force of your hits to a 1 meter radius around your striking point without your hits losing power. (meele weapons only)
TITLES
Street Rat: You are homeless and on the streets. Survival is paramount no matter what you have to do. +10% exp to all unlawful skills (pickpocketing, lockpicking, etc), increased chances for mortals to ignore you.
Bane of Mab: You have bathed in the blood of the Faerie race gaining a fearsome reputation in the lands of Nevernever. Whenever you equip this title you inflict +20% damage to all Faerie type enemies
INVENTORY
X8 sandwich
X2 packets of biscuit
X1 cheese brick
X2 loaf of bread
X3 chocolate bar
X4 bottles of water
X1 bag with clothes
X1 lighter
X2 pistol
X2 full bullet clips
X1 bronze short sword
X1 bronze enchanted sword
X1 peacock feather pendant
X205 Goblin Head
X207 Dirty Loincloth
X206 Crude Wooden Pike
X3 Warhead of Glory
X8 Lower Health Potions
X9 Lower Mana Potions
X1 Huntresses Battle Armor
x1 Forverði
x1 Stríðsstjarna
x1 Ljóskerhringur
CURRENCY: $= 4100, D=31
~ChildeOfWar