That was awful. I think the worst part was just standing around. The memories just get more fragmented. The first few months I felt the bugs but nothing after that. I shudder, bugs inside me. Best to not think about it. I see a new soul etch notification. But I can't tell what's different. I sigh, [Soul Eater] grew too.
You have gained [Soul Eater] Intermediate
Intermediate - your soul constructs will devour souls for you
More reason to never create undead. It's weird, [Soul Core] always says zero exp. [Soul Eater] doesn't even bother. I leave my room and find Mags.
“Greetings Mags.”
“Morning Sara.”
She doesn't bother with etiquette but I hope to still gain levels. I sat down at the table.
“Thats rather impressive, are you training some new skill?”
I turn and face her.
“I don't understand what you mean?”
“Come now, Sara, you are walking around with your eyes closed. Clearly, you are using your ears to navigate.”
I start to panic, what does she mean my eyes are closed. I can see everything around me. It's all in grey, just like the dream, am I Hanki? Shit, skeletons don't have eyes but they can see, in the end it was all they could do. I dare not touch my eyes but I must know. I start to shake.
“Mags, do I still have eyes?”
She is next to me instantly, I feel my eyelid peeled back.
“They are still there, Sara. Tell me what is going on.”
I'm quivering, my voice is unsteady.
“Skeletons don't have eyes, but they can see. I think I am seeing in the same way.”
Mags takes a moment to consider.
“Try to give control of your sight to your other mind.”
I do so, I blink and my eyes open. I am looking through my eyes again, there is color again. Tears form.
“Don't get excited, could you turn on one of your sights with your other mind.”
I do so.
“Okay, that looks bizarre.”
“What?”
“The direction your arcane sight is looking in is not lined up with your pupil. Could you follow my hand with your other mind, don't move your head.”
I do so, she walks behind me and my sight still follows her, it's blurry when it's not through the glasses. Everything I see is grey through those eyes. She makes it full circle. I start to shudder.
“You were able to follow me the entire rotation weren't you.”
I nod. Still shuddering.
“I think your mundane vision should keep your mana sights dear. It looks too weird otherwise. Your other attention can keep watch with your ears and skeleton eyes and your soul sense. I can't tell where your second vision is pointing and I think that will be to your advantage. Alright dear.”
She scritches my ears. My shuddering doesn't stop for a while. I croak out a question.
“Did anything else change?”
She takes another look through her eyes, “Not that I can see. Anything else to report?”
“[Soul Eater] grew, it said soul constructs would devour souls for me.”
She smiles at me, "At least it wasn't something you couldn't control.”
I return the smile, small favors.
-----
“Sara, why are you refusing to drink.”
“We are going into the dungeon today and you promised to not burden my soul. Only on training days.”
I accept my cup from mother and drink it down.
All stats increased by forty temporarily.
You have gained [Blood Drinker] Intermediate 2
Gain 8 exp
Phenolp looks annoyed but leaves it be. We head out and I start pulling the cart. Xerc looks at my side.
“You know your sword is bent.”
“I haven't had the chance to fix it. Hoping maybe hitting a tough neck the other way will realign it.”
He laughs at that. We trundle along. I keep a nose out for territory markers but no one has moved into her territory yet. I have my aura out. Phenolp suggested we could use the training. I keep the density a bit above where it was last time. It just keeps stretching further. I keep wobbling the top part, ‘cause boredom.
You have gained [Pariah Aura Manipulation] Competent 1
Competent - the density of your aura no longer need be uniform
Gain 4 exp
Ooh, that's actually really great. My tail swishes. Phenolp asks what's up as I make the area around us smaller. Most of the aura in me while just a bit encompasses my friends.
“My [Pariah Aura Manipulation] tiered up, I'll be able to adjust the density better now.”
“Thats good, that means we can keep training our resists in the training room.”
I give her a big smile. Xerc still thinks he can handle my aura now. I'm not so cruel as to disabuse him of the notion. Yet.
-----
We are standing at the rusty gate again. The horned rabbits ran away, but still alive.
“So now we hunt skeletons then. Have you gone down the stairs yet?”
“Naw, no point until we get better gear. Not to mention the cart can't get down there.”
“And I don't particularly want to get stuck in a random maze looking for a lever. It's not like the bones down there are worth any more than these.”
“What about about the flesh creatures down there, Phenolp?”
“Flesh creatures?”
“I could smell blood and flesh when I got to the stairs.”
“Um Cat, that was likely a failed adventurer party.”
Oh.
“More reason to stay top side, amiright?” Xerc gives a reassuring smile.
I nod vigorously. Xerc and Alicia push open the gate. I pull the cart through.
-----
I take a deep breath after we are in.
“That way.”
My party looks at me, they shrug and start heading in that direction.
“Guess that's how you managed the first time, Cat. We can hardly see. ”
“Really?”
“It's really dark here, Sara. The fog not helping.”
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We reached the patrol I smelled.
“I'll get lefty.”
“Sure Cat, the one on the right is mine, you got center Xerc?”
“Naturally.”
I run and smash the left leg of lefty with my bent sword, he toppled over. My tail finishes him off.
Gain 5 exp from Skeleton Guard
I frown and look at my new ring.
Received 1 exp from 25% share ring
Received 1 exp from 25% share ring
“You are wearing your ring, Sara?”
I wave my hand while pointing to the quarter exp ring.
“I think my skill is too greedy to share exp I kill. How bout I hang back and handle healing and scouting.”
They nod at that. I help get the bones onto the cart.
“Three coming in on our left.”
I just been pointing out patrols and collecting the bones. I take care of any injuries.
Received 1 exp from 25% share ring
Received 1 exp from 25% share ring
Received 1 exp from 25% share ring
I smile. We make quick work of the patrols. All ten of them. The cart is not heavy but it's starting to get unwieldy. We decided to go get the captain next. It's not long till we get to the captain and his guard.
“Bah, I always hate dealing with this guy.”
He is pretty fast. Having four friends feels like cheating. I'm tempted to command him but with my new [Soul Eater] tier I prefer not to take the exp from my friends.
“So how do you usually handle this?
“I take the captain while Xerc takes two guards and Alicia takes the other two. How did you manage it by yourself?”
“Um well…I uh, compelled them.”
“The undead are uncompellable, Sara.”
In the smallest of voices, “They can be with [Necromancy Magic].”
Phenolp is the only one who hears, she is stunned.
“Whats that, Cat I couldn't hear?”
“Probrably better for you to demonstrate it.”
I give an annoyed look at Phenolp.
“Thought we weren't risking the exp.”
Xerc is there to bail me out.
“Ya, wouldn't want to risk our exp with me doing it.”
“No, I think it's for the best that we find out if your ability will take the exp or not.”
I give another annoyed look and just sigh. I am only commanding existing undead, not making more or using them to fight others.
“Undead, come and present your necks.”
You have gained [Necromancy Magic] Basic 2
Gain 5 exp
My mental and soul core dropped by ten percent. The skill made it easier. Not sure that is a good thing. I quickly refill the soul core.
All five skeleton march forward and present their necks. Both Alicia and Xerc are stunned. Phenolp cuts the captain head off. She proceeds to take out three of the guards.
Received 5 exp from 25% share ring
Received 1 exp from 25% share ring
Received 1 exp from 25% share ring
Received 1 exp from 25% share ring
“Let's wait to see how long until the last one breaks free.”
“Cat, when you get the ability to command undead.”
My ears flatten against my head. Alicia hugs me, “It's okay Cat, you're just making it safer to fight them.”
I take solace in her words.
“Doesn't seem very sporting.”
“I agree Xerc, but as they are trying to kill us, I don't care.” I was a bit curt there.
We wait a good twenty minutes and the skeleton is still kneeling. This is way beyond a regular compel. Phenolp is looking him over.
“So is it a compel or do you just have command of it now?”
I shrug.
“Stand on one foot, mister skeleton.”
Nothing. I shrug. Phenolp dispatches the last one.
Received 1 exp from 25% share ring
We load up the cart and start to head back. It doesn't take long to leave the graveyard. My nose leads us back to the gate.
“Sara, do you want to see what happens when you make the temporary buff permanent?”
“Eh.”
“Your skill, there are plenty of horned rabbits, you could just eat one.”
I look at Phenolp aghast. I don't want to kill a rabbit just to test my skill.
“You're drooling, Cat.”
Damn it. They are soulless, with no memories. Just a nibble wouldn't hurt, would it. It always starts that way and then the chip bag is empty. It would be just the next step till I'm some blood crazed vampire.
“I think I'll p—”
A rock hits one of the rabbits. Phenolp tries to act innocent.
“Oops, it's bleeding Sara.”
It is coming this way, and it's bleeding. System, it just wants to be served up. One couldn't hurt.
I tackle the rabbit and I clamp down onto its neck. Instincts from a tiger. Its blood flows, at first the taste is bland but it builds, O, it builds, the more I drink the better. It's dead. The feeling of bliss leaves me. I look up seeing more. I need more. My body warms and it desires the bliss.
Gain 3 exp from Horned Rabbit
You have gained [Blood Drinker] Intermediate 3
Gain 8 exp
My body keeps warming, [Blood Drinker] wants to etch me. It's not even tiered and it wants to change me further. I stop myself, I deny my hunger. I must. My thoughts were awful. If it continues, there will be no going back. I must calm down. Please calm down. I don't want to become that. I'm crying, I feel a hug.
“It's okay Cat, shhhhhh it's okay.”
“I'm sorry Sara, I didn't know it would affect you so.” Phenolp voice trembles.
Xerc and Phenolp went ahead with the cart. Alicia stayed behind consoling me. My eyes were focused on my notification.
You have gained [Soul Etching] Apprentice 5
Gain 20 exp
-----
The food in the hall had no flavor. I could smell it fine. I even think I could taste it. But in the end it wasn't the same. My friends were talking about how great the dungeon run was and how we should go again in two days. Phenolp kept glancing at me with concern. I just focus on how the meat tasted of nothing. I went to the estate after that.
“Sara, you're looking pale.”
I turned to the woman who forcefully claimed me. The priestess. She who had healed me and took care of me for two months. I try to slink away. She grabs me before I can.
“Sara, talk to me.”
I look up at her, I have tears in my eyes.
“I think I broke myself.”
I promptly puke on myself and her. The rabbit blood with the bar's mystery meats.
-----
“So you ate a rabbit and now you're afraid you soul etched more of this fictional creature into yourself.”
I nod, she took me into the bath after I made a mess of both our robes. The tub was only big enough for two. We are both in the tub. It was awkward.
“Do you know what changed?”
“I don't. The food at the guild had no flavor. I fear I may have forced myself to only enjoy blood.”
“Does your status screen still show chimera?”
She scans me with her green quarter moons.
“It does.”
“You told me that the creature these skills resemble was undead right so I don't think you've gone too far then. Your kidneys are different. You still love bread, right?”
Different kidneys?
“System, I hope so.”
“I think you're just depressing yourself over this. Which is robbing you of flavor. I…”
She pushes life magic into me. I wasn't injured.
“Whats wrong?”
She bites her lips.
Temporary buff has ended
“I just tried to get you to generate new blood. You're not. Your bone marrow is inert.”
“I'm sorry.” My eyes begin to fill with tears again.
“You told me [Blood Drinker] could replace your blood.”
“I can't, if I keep doing this, it won't end. I'll kill someone at some point.”
“The human body replaces blood over a month, Sara. If you need to drink blood to live, that's fine. Your diet becomes more limited. It's not the end of the world. You ate a rabbit, remember. You've been eating rabbit since you've been in Yetna Adventurer Guild Food Hall. Come sit up, I need to give you your sustenance, you need to accept what you are. Come bite my arm and take what you need.”
She's not. She couldn't. She presents her arm.
“Why?”
She blinks at my question.
“Why do you do this?”
“You are my daughter.”
“But why did you even want me as a daughter?”
She gives a sad smile, “Sara, I've had eighty soul days so far. I tiered up to two when I was seventeen. Three when I was twenty five. By then I was afraid to have children…afraid to bury them. I became barren before I could give myself the courage to try. But here you are poised to outlive me. What more could I ask for. That you are so very absurd and hilarious is all the better.”
I look at her, scanning her face for any lie. It's all true. She truly wishes for me to be her daughter.
“I…You think if I accept this that it will be for the better?”
She nods, “I truly do, come allow your mother to provide.”
Seeing my hesitation, she gives me a patient smile. She cuts her forearm with life magic. Before I can ask her how, she presses the wound to my lips. I can't help myself, I let the blood flow into me.
You have gained [Blood Drinker] Intermediate 4
Gain 8 exp
You have gained [Blood Drinker] Intermediate 5
Gain 8 exp
When my body starts to go limp from the bliss I am feeling, she cups my head and keeps my head attached to the wound.
You have gained [Blood Drinker] Intermediate 6
Gain 8 exp
You have gained [Blood Drinker] Intermediate 7
Gain 8 exp
You have gained [Blood Drinker] Intermediate 8
Gain 8 exp
You have gained [Blood Drinker] Intermediate 9
Gain 8 exp
Noooooooo, why. Why is she doing this? See is watching me with her green quarter moon eyes. She told me to accept it. My tears begin to fall. I do.
All stats increased by six hundred temporarily.
You have gained [Soul Etching] Apprentice 6
Gain 20 exp
The skill [Blood Drinker] becomes [Vampire]
Vampire - blood is your only sustenance
Basic - your curse resist levels when others do
Gain 5 exp
“How do you feel?”
“Like a creature of the night.”
She barks a laugh, “Only ten year olds.”
“Why did you push me forward?”
She gives me a sad smile, “The system is a reflection of our soul, it's not giving you what you don't want. Your rejection of it was magnifying both your distress and the changes. Sara I know you fear being a monster, but right now you're not. You're just a silly girl with an oversized soul with an etching tool for that soul. So what did the new tier up do?”
“The skill changed, it's named after the creature. It says blood is my only sustenance. My curse resist will level when others do.”
“That's good, isn't it?”
“I guess, I mean drinking my own blood for resists was lame.”
She boops me on the nose.
“Your color has picked up. Not so pale.”
“I should be purple for how much I drank.”
“No more thinking you're a monster, it's bad for the soul.”
I can only bark a laugh at that. I then hug her. I cry into her.
“Daughter, would you be willing to accept my mana?”
When I hesitate, she looks sad. I shake my head, and pull the memories of my prior infusions back into my soul.
I smiled at her, “I needed my memories to be complete. I am ready to be Sara Maxwell Magdeline now.”
She hugs me tighter. When I feel her magic welling up, I accept it. I accept her.
“Thank you, mother.”
An old geas on my soul feels frayed, it no longer truly named me. All I could do before was mar it. The act had given me [Soul Etching]. The skill is stronger now, I am stronger now.
You have gained [Soul Etching] Apprentice 7
Gain 20 exp
