After Marcus chose Rite of the Arcane new sensations swept over his existence, as if rewriting parts of who he was. The phenomenon persisted for several minutes, leaving Marcus feeling considerably different. Parts of his mind felt clearer and objects in the environment possessed a new level of detail. From the beginning, Marcus had hypothesized how the system would function - specifically attributes. For example, would he be twice as smart with double intelligence? Or perhaps with adequate constitution would he be immune to damage? Of course, he couldn’t say for sure right now, lacking any real evidence, but parts of the solution had already begun to appear. Rite of the Arcane added stats retroactively - which had doubled his intelligence, but Marcus certainly didn’t feel like a super genius. Attributes either had a gradual period of acclimatization or worked to enhance what was already there, perhaps it was parts of both. For now, he’d just have to wait for more data to make any conclusions.

While building a character in many roleplaying games, players would after attempt creating something that was all-powerful to ‘win.’ These individuals were labeled as ‘munchkins’ would leverage any small exploit or use strong combinations of abilities to become much stronger than regular players. Unfortunately, Marcus couldn’t munchkin himself, at least not yet, by sticking all his attribute points, AP, into a specific stat – because taking damage and dying was very much possible.

While primary attributes would unquestionably take priority, for now a strong foundation needed to be built for the future. He’d already chosen to add two points to Constitution to meet the standard, following that same bit of logic, adding four to Agility, before finally distributing the final four evenly between Intelligence and Wisdom. After confirming the choices, he opened his status to see the changes.

Name: Marcus Diamandis Level - 2

Class - None Health: 150/150 Regeneration 1.5/Minute 1.0 x Multiplier Stamina: 150/150 Regeneration 20/Minute 1.0 x Multiplier Mana: 240/240 Regeneration 25/Minute 1.0 x Multiplier Skills Physical Mana Miscellaneous None (U)Mana Manipulation LV.3 ©Field Medicine LV.1 (U)Elemental Manipulation LV.3 Basic Statistics Total Strength 10 Constitution

10 Agility

10 Perception

26 Intelligence

24 Wisdom 25 Charisma

9

Luck

4

Marcus had finally calmed down a bit after taking care of his notifications. He began to search around for anything usable, luckily finding an intact backpack, but other that the pickings were slim to none. He’d been checking the bodies for any sign of survival, after the fiftieth failure Marcus had come to terms that he was well and truly alone.

By now some sign of rescue should have appeared; he had expected to at least see helicopters. Rescue wasn’t like to come anyone if it already hadn’t, meaning he needed to find shelter for the night. Marcus hoped that many of the new ‘native’ creatures would be nocturnal, making travel during the day safer. Lacking the experience of a true forester, any direction picked was random at best. In the end he chose to travel in the direction of a nearby mountain that he could barely see over the treetops. The idea was to use added elevation to spot signs of civilization or at least people, once the sun rose. Marcus guessed the mountain destination was about 6 KM or 3.5 miles away; a lengthy trek to make in the night, but possible.

Setting a moderate pace, he took off after taking one final glace behind; shaking his head ruefully, and in a quivering, quiet voice, “It could’ve been me instead of any of you. I’d offer my condolences, but that would simply be a waste of time. Instead I’ll try to help those I can, and work towards finding peace for each of your unwarranted deaths.”

Lit only by the light of the heavens Marcus’s trek through the woods had been peaceful for the first hour, if not maddening because he seemed to trip on every exposed root on his path. At the very least the source of light, the stars, were out in full force and free of all humanity’s light pollution. He and others like him had never seen the sight before in their lives, and Marcus believed the view to indescribably magnificent.

Even while taking in the sights he had remained on guard, vigilant for additional threats; for good reason. The sounds of forest dwellers were foreign to his ears, but for all intents and purposes a bear was just as deadly to him as more chimeras. Additional calls continuously rang into his ears, many of them alien – perhaps chimeras or something more sinister.

About a kilometer base of the mountain he began to feel the eyes of a predator on his back. The gaze grew heavier as the distance to his destination grew shorter – eventually it was like something was breathing down his neck. Deciding the pickup the pace had apparently been the wrong decision; whatever had been hunting him decided now was the time to strike.

Looking around into trees didn’t reveal any monsters, that is until he looked up. Silhouetted against the moon something hung in the air, only a blotch in the distance. As if never existed the thing just disappeared, and with-it Marcus began to sprint – hoping that shelter could be found ahead.

His physical conditioning hadn’t been optimal before this madness began, but now he could feel increased attributes driving him forward faster than he’d ever ran. While an Olympic athlete he was not, Marcus was now better than most, or at least he’d like to think so. Rounding one last bend he faltered for a moment when he hit an exposed root, and almost paid for the misstep with his. A massive shape shot past his head, nearly silent despite its apparent size. Not even bothering to dodge around trees, the flying predator instead sheared off chunks of whatever trees were on its flight path.

Whatever creature possessed that kind of casual power was well out of his league. Thoughts of trying to fight back just seemed childish now that he’d gotten a taste of its power. Relief flooded his body soon thereafter, an abandoned mine splayed out before him – only a couple hundred meters away. Before the location of the crash had been a mystery, but with the style of mine and type of forest he’d passed through it was now likely he was somewhere in his home state, Colorado. By some stroke of luck, Marcus had made it home. Alas the jubilation was short lived, as he felt his stamina bottom out, making him reluctant to leave the cover of the trees – minimal as it may be. He’d need to take a risk and rest briefly before making the spring across open ground to the mine entrance he could spy even now.

Breathing heavily, Marcus strained to detect signs of another attack, there was little chance the predator had given up so easily - especially considering he was rather defenseless. A slight rustle from the treetops was all he heard to signal the incoming blow. Acting on impulse he pulled greedily from his mana and funneled it all into Scorching Ray – aiming where he’d heard the sounds.

He was warded for his efforts by a deafening roar that was so powerful it possessed a physical presence. The ray had opened a path through the trees, finally giving Marcus an opportunity to see his hunter for the first time…it was terrifying.

Forest Wyvern – Level ???| Type: Drake | Forest Wyverns are apex predators of the forest and mountain regions. These creatures are known for their diving and stinging attacks – more-so the latter. They may lack the breath weapons of their larger cousins but make no mistake – they are extremely dangerous.

Marcus was once again counting his lucky stars that he’d made the decision to not stand his ground and fight. As like a snowballs chance in hell, he would have been torn to shreds. Marcus’s demonstration of magic had brought him slight reprieve and it was thankfully enough to begin his escape. Sprinting across open ground at full tilt, Marcus made good time – reaching the opening laid half a dozen meters away – before his unwelcome associate was heard once again.

Pouring what little he had left into his speed he ate at the remaining meters, diving into the inky blackness immediately. Soaring through the opening, Marcus then heard a resounding BOOM before an avalanche of stone began to fall. Shuffling backwards to avoid being crushed drove him further into the depths; his believed refuge had now become a prison.

Of course, the inside of the mine had no light whatsoever, leaving Marcus to spend the next half hour feeling at the cave with his hands. He’d finding several lamps, but as with else electronic no longer functioned.

Face palming himself, he had forgotten about his greatest resource, mana. Conjuring minute amounts of fire aspected mana into his hand, Marcus first attempted to create a small, constant stream to fuel a small light. Something clearly wasn’t correct when plumes of flame erupted from his hand, causing him to quickly cut off the mana supply. After numerous attempts he’d still failed to create a steady light source. Instead of giving up he tried the same process, but this time with raw mana.

Slowly at first, light began to coalesce in his palm, where the process then sped up. Particles of blue tinged vapor condensed around the light, forming a semi-solid ball giving off moderate amounts of light. Elated, Marcus continued to trickle mana into the ball until the construct stabilized, refusing to grow further or accept mana. He heard a ping once the ball completely formed; excited for a new spell Marcus quickly opened his status.

New ability learned - ©Mage Light – Level 1 | Conjures a small ball of unaspected mana to provide constant light. With increased levels, size, shape and duration of Mage Light can be altered.

After reading through his new spell, Marcus noticed another one begging for his attention. Figuring it must have triggered earlier, opened it, paling at the content. The frame itself looked twisted; Marcus felt raw hostility radiating off it, something he felt shouldn’t be possible.

You have encroached upon the Crystalline Stronghold – your intrusion has not gone unnoticed. **Warning** Dungeon you have entered is advanced, and survival is unlikely. The Grand Hegemony pricks are not responsible for any loss of life or limb due to reckless behavior; we recommend you vacate the area immediately.