AA. 17 (Patreon)

“Wildshape Wilson is well on his way to becoming our first Platinum Realm fighter in the Apocalypse Arena,” the talk show host said, addressing his guest and the audience simultaneously. “Do you have any idea what that means? Entering the Platinum Gauntlet alone will net Britain enough resources to stand toe-to-toe with the American, Chinese, and Indian superpowers.

“If he starts climbing the ranks while they're still struggling their way through gold, our little collection of islands will once again rise to where we should be. It's not because we are better or Wildshape Wilson pushes harder than everyone—which he does. It's not because the government uses him to milk all they can from Apocalypse Arena. We are on our way to the top because the people in charge have the good sense to join forces with the likes of Wildshape Wilson and Technomancer to improve the country. They're expanding the ludus program together and investing the gifts from the Nexus right back into the people that—”

“What a load of horse shit,” Andrew grumbled, switching to a channel showing Apocalypse Arena bouts. “I swear these Wilson brothers have the government and media eating out of the palm of their hands. They can open all the facilities they want, but the bastards picket all the profits and enjoy ridiculous tax breaks.”

“They're great at shilling propaganda, though,” Nil commented as he worked the punching bag. Following Andrew's advice, he ceased using three-hit combos. Single or double strikes helped break up the pattern. He rarely went above three, preferring to strike swiftly and reposition. Staying in one position too long would make life easier for opponents like Burning Sands.

“Please tell me you won't join a Wilson Ludus. I don't want you to become some mindless drone or brainwashed minion that does nothing without Wildshaper, Technomancer, or a PR Manager's say so.”

“Never. Besides, I'm too old. They only take in newly ascended Summoned under the age of twenty-one. I suppose they want people they can train before life's baggage and shit can screw them up.”

“I think it's because sixteen-to-twenty-one-year-olds are easier to manipulate. Let's not forget the pre-Ludus schools they recently opened. Imagine sending your kid to that in the hopes they ascend someday.”

“I still can't believe that's a thing,” Nil said. He took a break from his workout. Talking while working the punching bag proved horrid for his Expend control. “The worst of it is the predatory marketing. People were so outraged when the Wilson brothers proposed the idea.”

“Oh, no! They want to turn our babies into child soldiers!” Andrew used a mocking tone. “Arthur Wilson wants to make sixteen-year-olds fight hellscape monsters for a chance to ascend! That bastard! Look at the idiots now. Eating up propaganda and throwing their kids into the grinder for fame and power.”

“We were jealous when the proposal became a thing, though. I remember you getting drunk and crying about being too old for it.”

“Yeah. We were nineteen and stupid. What teenager doesn’t want superpowers?”

“It’s kind of disgusting, to be honest. What kind of parent—”

A screen flickered to solidity in front of Nil's eyes before he could complete the thought.

Emergency Quest!
The Void has breached a high-potential world. Able-bodied Summoned are needed for the relief and rescue efforts. Volunteers needed!
Assignment will be granted based on powers, attribute distribution, and realm.
Danger Level: Iron 9
Reward: 200 Schema Credit, 1 Schema Token, Possible Bonuses

“What’s up with the shocked face?” Andrew asked. “Did your Finesse finally go up?” When Nil didn’t answer straight away, Andrew threw an empty Coke can at Him. It bounced off his shoulder. “What is it?”

“I just got offered a quest,” Nil replied.

“What? How? Has it already been a month since your first?”

Nil shook his head. “Just three weeks. The Schema says it's an emergency quest involving relief and rescue. The Danger Level is almost Bronze Realm.”

“Your performance in the last quest may have something to do with the offer. You took out an Iron-Five threat while still in the Mortal Realm. That must have won you more than just an Iron Ascension token. Are you going to accept it?”

“It pays double of the last and has an ominous mention of possible bonuses,” Nil answered. “I’d be foolish not to accept.”

“Come back alive.”

Unlike his first Summoning, the teleport didn’t take Nil to the Nexus. Instead, he found himself in a burning city late in the evening. Instead of the moon, a giant octopus occupied most of the sky. It had no head. Instead, a giant solitary eye sat where all the tentacles met. At first, Nil thought several light orbs of various sizes covered its body. Then, he realized they were more eyes. In addition to suckers, the moon-sized monster had claws growing out of its seemingly endless appendages, many of which wrapped around a titanic tree bigger than any sequoia.

A piercing headache pulsed through Nil’s cranium. An itchiness at the back of his eyes followed. The images and flashes that accompanied the discomfort reminded him of the Cursed One’s scream. It had tugged at his sanity. Tears gathered as the pain intensified, and he tried shutting his eyelids, but they refused to listen to his instructions. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t look away from the sky octopus or its eye. Then his teeth hurt like he had just sunk them into something impossibly cold.

Just as the psychic pains got too horrid to bear, a tender hand caressed Nil’s cheek. It gently made him turn his head, helping him break eye contact with the monster above. The discomfort eased and rapidly began to fade. Aisha smiled at him. He reached out to the visage, but his hand went through her. The feeling of her hand on his cheek lingered for a second before fading. He knew the soul weapon in his left arm helped him, but it still brought back memories of Aisha’s touch. His chest tightened. On the bright side, it pushed away memories of the sky octopus’ psychic assault.

“Don’t look at it,” a man told him in a thick Nigerian accent. He had the same build as Nil but was almost a foot taller. Nil knew at a glance that he, too, was a Summoned. The man's outfit was different from his but shared the same colors: white and red. Several similarly adorned individuals ran toward or away from the sky octopus. People in regular medieval clothing accompanied them. “I know it's tempting, but avoid the central eyes at all costs. If you see someone staring at it, force them to look away.”

“Okay. Thank you.” Nil’s voice came out unusually high.

“What’s your assignment?”

Nil didn’t have an answer for him.

“Check your quest description. It will have changed.”

The man sprinted away, running in the direction of the distant screams, where the fires were the largest.

All Summoned failed their mission of uprooting the Cult of Oth. Now, they’ve successfully summoned him to this world, and the Void Titan won’t depart until he’s done feasting on the child of Yggdrasil.
There is no fighting him. Avoid eye contact and rescue all trapped by rubble and fire. If no Escorts are available, guide them to the portals along the city’s edge.
Danger Level: Iron 9
Reward: 200 Schema Credit, 1 Schema Token, Possible Bonuses

“Why the hell are you staring into space?” A woman asked, skidding to a halt next to Nil. She wore a white tunic and a red skirt. Her boots, leather chest armor, and cloak carried patterns of the same color. Blades of several shapes and sizes hung from her belt, back, and shoulders. “Defender, Rescuer, or Escort?”

“Rescuer,” Nil answered.

“Then quit looking like a slack-jawed idiot and follow me.” The woman took off jogging in the same direction the last Summoned had. More people dressed like them ran in the opposite direction, either carrying the rescued or with them following close behind. Dirt, gore, and purple slime covered most. Many had open wounds and lay on stretchers carried between two Summoned and, in a few instances, civilians. Occasional earthquakes knocked people to the ground. Nil and the woman leading him paused to assist them.

Thanks to Andrew and his scrap yard, Nil had little trouble keeping Brutal Battery at half capacity. So, when a solid wall just ahead of them started to collapse, and the lagging civilians next to it froze, he jumped into action.

Two Expend-empowered strides helped Nil pick up speed. Then, he leaped, flying across the remaining distance, not hesitating to use the remainder of his energy. While still in the air, he switched to Absorb and reached the trio just in time to get between them and the wall.

Absorb has progressed to Mortal 5!

The wall stopped in its tracks, immediately losing all momentum and velocity. Nil’s imaginary balloon immediately jumped to almost full capacity. Brutal Battery granted him incredible defense and power but did nothing for his natural strength. Only Might affect it. His heart pounded, and his chest hurt as he struggled against the wall’s weight. His joints groaned, and his hold slipped with every passing moment, and the balloon slowly edged toward capacity.

“Move!” He yelled at the frozen civilians. “I can’t hold this.”

The Summoned woman came, and the civilians’ escort came to his rescue. They raced to the wall, moving much faster than humanly possible. The first of the pair grabbed two of them and carried them away without slowing down. The other assisted him with the wall. Another shout snapped the third frozen civilian to attention, and he sprinted out to join the others. Nil used Expend, draining half the balloon as he pushed. The wall tipped in the opposite direction for a moment, just giving him and the other Summoned enough time to get away before it collapsed on the path.

The Escort and civilians left without thanking them, and Nil collapsed on his bottom, trying to catch his breath. He held his head, messaging the sides. It hurt a lot more from the psychic attack than the rest of him. Nil set off again a moment later, and his companion silently followed.

“Are you okay?” The woman asked after five minutes of silent traversal toward the child of Yggdrasil.

Nil nodded. “I'll be fine. I made the mistake of looking into the eye.”

“Oh.” The woman slowed to a halt. “What is your Mind score?”

“Mortal-Three,” Nil answered.

“Shit. Sorry. I thought you were one of those idiots that just waste time on these quests to run out the clock and then claim the reward.” She fished a handful of dried fruit out of her pocket and passed them to Nil. “Eat this. The sugar helps.”

“Thank you.” He felt better as soon as he bit into the chewy offerings, and their juices touched his tongue.

“Most people associate sweetness with pleasant emotions and memories. As a result, they're great for recovery from psychic attacks. What's your name?”

“Nil.”

“Strange name. I'm Sakura. Do you feel better?”

Nil nodded.

“Good. Now let's go find people to save.” They took off jogging again. “Oh, one more thing, Nil.

“Yeah?”

“Don't look up unless you want to die.”