Mature Content Warning: Fairygasmic bliss

Author's Notes: A tiny, barely seen combat section and a bit more world-development.

Chapter 5: True Human Potential

The darkness erupted into a burning kaleidoscope of light as a Prismatic Sphere of burning light exploded in the center of the room. Rat-men screamed as they burned. Their vision and hearing had been compromised for the moment, and that moment was all that Rhea needed to slip in and finish them off.

Scott continued forward and used his Burning Prismatic Sphere spell once more. It had been a simple matter to work their way through the warrens of the rat-men bandits that had plagued the country-side recently.

While they were roughly level sixty monsters, it did not matter much when Rhea had such a major advantage in equipment. Scott’s spell, a level three fire spell that caused a blind and stun effect, was quite potent when used in an enclosed area. The damage was mitigated somewhat due to the level of the monsters versus his own, but the status effects still kicked in since the Rat-Men were weak to bright lights and sudden loud noises.

By the time the warrens were cleared they had easily carved their way through forty or so of the diseased vermin. The battle report was quite nice to behold.

<<< Battle Report >>>

Victory!!

You have defeated thirty-seven Rat-Men in a running battle. Bonuses and rewards await you!

+ 99900 EXP

+ 123245 Fayth

+ 232 Ability Points

Item(s) Acquired:

Rat-Man Fang X 12

Garnet X 2

Corroded Sword X 5

Steel Dagger X 14

Leather Battle Harness X 2

>>

“Sweet, close to gaining another level.” said Scott.

Rhea smiled at him. “Good. It takes a little longer after you hit forty, doesn’t it?”

“Yeah, no kidding. It’s better than having it double every time I gain a level, though.” he said with a smile of his own.

“Plan on giving it all to Ero again?” asked Rhea.

“Yeah, that’s what I want to know, too.” said the happy little fairy. Ero fluttered over to Scott and batted her eyelashes at him cutely.

“Yeah, I still think I should get you to level forty before I continue on. This is enough to help you reach level thirty-three at least.” he said.

Ero giggled excitedly then hugged herself. Soon she would be filled with more of her Scott’s lovely experience. They had spent two days working on the requests from the town quest board and during that time Scott had managed to reach level forty-two. The moment he had reached level forty, his experience requirements jumped to twenty-five hundred points times his level, in comparison to before when it was roughly one thousand points times his level.

Scott immediately began the transfer protocol and Ero squealed in great excitement. She fluttered erratically for a moment before Scott caught her. The little thing spasmed and turned bright red as her body was filled with so much wonderful experience. She could hardly contain her enjoyment of the moment.

Eventually, Ero started to babble about her goodness once more. Every now and then she would whisper out, “Oh my goodness...” in soft, sultry, tones before she ran her hands along her body.

“Sometimes I wonder if she is having a fairygasm, or if she looted a personal stash of ecstasy.” said Scott.

Rhea laughed at him then walked over and looked down at the softly whispering little fairy. She certainly looked like she had found a great deal of personal bliss.

“I should catch up with you soon, if you keep doing that. Good.” said Rhea.

Her heightened experience requirement meant that it took ten times more experience than a human to gain a level. Scott’s human experience gain bonus made it so that he received far more experience when he defeated a higher level opponent than she did. It was problematic at times, but since he had to give his experience to Ero they managed it well. Such things would change when they transferred to the other server, but for now it was a workable situation.

“Will your experience requirements increase like mine?” he asked.

Rhea nodded to him. “Yes. Yours will increase again at level seventy and then once more after one hundred. Though, it won’t matter since we’ll transfer to the other server around that time.”

Scott smiled at her. “You know, I still don’t understand why you need so much more experience as an elf. The reincarnation thing sort of negates the purpose of an enhanced lifespan, doesn’t it?”

“A little, but it is more of an endgame and lore thing. Elves are meant to be epic and powerful beings with incredible skill in the endgame. They take a lot longer to reach the higher levels, but when they get there they are far stronger than most other faces” said Rhea.

“That makes sense. Given how quickly I could hurl myself up the experience ladder, most humans probably struggle with their ability points.” said Scott.

It was on old topic, but he had decided to revisit it since it had always bothered him. In the end, what real purpose did it serve other than to keep the number of elf players down? Of course, that could be the true purpose. After he asked Rhea that point specifically she smiled at him.

“Yes, that is part of the reason. Elves are meant to be a rare and powerful existence. They are one or two steps below the divine races of the world.” said Rhea.

“Divine races?” asked Scott.

Rhea nodded at him. “Yes, as an elf I am connected to the forces of nature in a more direct manner. I can’t use primordial magic because of my class, but if I were to reincarnate as an advanced class for my race, I could be connected to the wind and the rain, or the Earth and the flame.”

“Oh, so you are naturally connected to something I have to learn?” asked Scott.

“In a manner of speaking, though as a Sorcerer you also are deemed somewhat special.” she said.

“What do you mean?” asked Scott.

Rhea tilted her head to the left then tapped her chin. “How do I explain it...?”

She blinked then pounded her palm with her fist. “Yes, of course. As a sorcerer you have a divergent soul.”

“OK, a new term... How many of those will I have to learn about before I understand this place?” asked Scott with a smile.

Rhea laughed softly. “It’s nothing world-shattering or anything. Mostly, it’s just lore. Would you like to know the origin of the sorcerer’s power?”

“Sure, but can you tell me about that soul thing first?” said Scott.

“Of course!” she said.

The elf girl tapped her chin for a moment then nodded. “A divergent soul is one that can find true balance between opposites.”

She noticed that Scott now wore a curious and confused expression so she continued, “Normally the path of magic requires total focus or the amount of power that you possess will always be second rate. This is why other hybrid classes usually focus on physical combat and only have minor spell casting ability.”

“Sorcerer’s are different because they can find a greater balance in the two types of combat?” asked Scott. That seemed a little simplistic to be honest.

She shook her head. “That’s part of it, but the real difference is that a sorcerer has taken on the power of the primordial magic. They have in some ways become that power. It is why that sort of magic is available to you after all.”

“Primordial magic again, huh? I still don’t get its usefulness.” said Scott.

“It’s hard to explain because it exists outside of the system in some regards.” said Rhea.

Scott looked at her in surprise. “Outside the system? How is that possible?”

As far as Scott knew, the entire world and everything in it had been created by Rhea’s family. The thought that something outside of their system existed in this world was quite unsettling.

“Well, we had to make the world out of something Scott. Even we need a medium to work through. Basically, the primordial magic is the essence of my family that was allowed to suffuse this space and was then used to generate the world.”

“So, primordial magic is like the metaphysical life’s blood of your family?” asked Scott.

“Yes! That’s one reason why we hate it when the board calls for a reset. Every rock, every tree, every monster and every race... They are like our children.” said Rhea.

Scott smiled softly at her, but she was not finished yet. Rhea looked up at him then acquired a faraway look. “When we created this world, we did so out of love. I was but a child then, as far as childhood goes for my kind. I sang the song that engendered love in the world. Every joyful sonnet or desperate sorrow brought about by one being having care and concern for another exists because my very life’s essence is bound to this world, rather to all of the ARS servers.”

“Rhea...” said Scott gently.

She looked at Scott then offered a soft smile. “You are the first person I have ever cared for deeply who was not directly a part of my essence, as my family and this world is.”

“I’m something not of ARS... doesn’t that make me odd, strange?” asked Scott.

“Yes. You are an oddness in the world, Scott. You’re an outside element, a chaotic and dangerous element.”

“How am I dangerous?”

Rhea slipped closer to him then took his hands in hers. “Because you are a true human, no matter what race you choose for yourself in this world. A being of such unimaginable power can be nothing but the most dangerous of elements.”

“Powerful? You could easily kick my ass.” said Scott with a nervous laugh.

“As you are now... yes. However, if were to attain the heights of what I had hoped for you... You can’t imagine what you’ll be capable of... The power of my family, but the unlimited creative potential of true humanity...”

Rhea began to tremble then released a softly shuddering breath. Scott reached out and pulled her close. “Rhea...What do you mean?” he asked after her trembling ceased.

“You really don’t know, do you?” she asked him simply.

“There are many things I don’t know.” he said with equal simplicity.

She kissed him softly on the cheek. “Is it alright, if I allow you to remain naive for a time?”

“Hell no.” said Scott cheerfully.

Rhea snorted then pulled back and laughed. “You really are a silly boy, aren’t you?”

“I should remind you that despite my appearance I am not a boy. I am in fact, a silly man.” replied Scott.

“Ah, I stand corrected.” she said, a smile on her lips and a sparkle in her eyes.

“Good, now tell me all of your secrets.” he said happily.

She screwed her lips to the left then chuckled a little. “Fine, you got me.”

“Good, I hope I can keep you.” said Scott.

She patted him on the cheek gently. “I know.”

He snorted at her and she grinned. Such a cheeky response from Rhea could only mean that she was in a good mood. Still, he refused to let her redirect the conversation. “So, tell me about humanity and your family’s essence.”

“Right, well... It’s not that complicated really. As a naturally occurring mortal soul you are actually one of the most powerful forces in existence.” she said.

Scott stared at her flatly for a moment and she grinned. Rhea said, “I understand that it does not sound right, but it is. The creative potential of a mortal soul is well beyond the capacity of any one member of my race.”

“How?” asked Scott.

“Well, it’s like this... A god, as we are known, has but one existence. We can only ever be one thing. We can divide our mind in millions of ways and have great power because of that focus, but we are still limited to one mind.”

“I think I understand. It’s like how you are currently yourself but using the body of an avatar named Rhea Ardente.” said Scott.

“Exactly! We can play at being other people or even entire races beings, but ultimately we are always the same exact person. We are limited in the scope of our mental capacity and ability to adapt.” said Rhea.

“How am I different?” asked Scott.

“True humans, like you and those of your world, are more advanced than my people. We are older than your species, but we look up to you and worship you because of your advanced nature.” said Rhea.

“That seems backwards.” said Scott.

“Only from your singular perspective. The truth is that, your species is multiversal and multi-dimensional in nature. You can literally have an infinite number of highly variable expressions of your existence occurring simultaneously.”

Scott looked at her then tilted his head. “Are you talking about that whole, dimensional analogs and a different me in every universe theory thing? You know, the one that fanfiction writers use as an excuse to insert themselves into their favorite series?”

“Yes, more or less. There are an infinite number of Scott’s in an equally infinite number of universes. Each of them is a unique gem, a singular pristine existence. Yet, each of you is formed from the exact same soul spread across the vastness of the infinite cosmos.”

“Wow, so I’m the force?” asked Scott with a silly expression on his face.

“The force?” asked Rhea.

“You know, the whole connects everything and is part of everything deal. Part of the whole star wars thing? Little green dude, speaks weird. The main character makes out with his sister and his daddy cuts the guy’s arm off because he won’t stop thinking naughty thoughts about her while he’s in the shower?”

“I am familiar with Star Wars, Scott.” said Rhea acerbically. She then said, “Though, some of what you said sounds different than I recall.”

He shrugged then said, “Oh they’re always coming out with a new director’s cut. Even you might not have seen them all.”

Rhea snorted at him then shook her head. She loved him, but she knew he was full of shit at the moment. Though, she had to admit that she was curious to see of that director’s cut actually existed. It would explain so many things, even as it added in new concepts.

“Seriously though, you think humans are more advanced than gods?” asked Scott, doubt heavy in his voice.

“Yes, creative potential dictates it if nothing else. Your people create gods all the time, but we have trouble crafting even the simplest of human-like souls.” she said.

“Where do all the human souls here come from then?” he asked.

“Them? Oh, we import them wholesale because it takes most of a city-block’s residents to create even one realistically human soul. Even then, the result is highly limited compared to the genuine article.” said Rhea.

“Would it make my brain hurt if I asked you how you import souls wholesale?” asked Scott.

“No, no. We just contact one of the gardeners to see if they have any souls who are interested in trying a different world and lifestyle.”

“Gardeners?” asked Scott.

“Sure, like the gods who created your world, or the guy who sold off that community service world Shara is working at.”

“Ok... What?” asked Scott. What was she on about now?

“Ah, I see. You don’t even know that much.” she said.

“Why would I? This is not exactly something that gets passed around in pamphlet form back home, you know.”

Rhea grinned at him then nodded. “I understand. Basically, gardeners are gods or sometimes highly advanced beings similar to gods but not quite human-level themselves who take the time and energy to nurture a world so that human or human-like life can evolve.”

“So, gardeners plant the seeds of life and eventually humans sprout up like weeds?” he asked.

“Something like that, though it’s more like a hermit crab sort of thing I guess.”

Scott grinned at her. He immediately got the reference. “Human souls are out there searching for a proper shell and if they find one they move in?”

“Exactly! We use the word human, but it’s not always physical humanity that occurs. You could be a cat person, or a dragon person. The actual shell varies a lot, but the soul itself can exist as all of these things.”

“How do you do the wholesale thing, then?” he asked.

“Ah, that! You want to know?” she asked.

“Yep, sure do.” he said.

Rhea smiled at him then said, “When a hermit crab moves into its shell, it stay there until it is ready to move on altogether. Sometimes they swap shells many times in that reality.”

She took a breath and continued, “However, over time they might grow bored with their garden home and want something else. So, after they discard their recent shell they speak to the gardener about other accommodations and that deity sells the matured souls off in bulk lots to interested parties.”

“The souls don’t mind this?” asked Scott. He was not sure what to think about it to be honest.

“Would you? Didn’t you jump at the chance to leave your old life behind and move to a new and more personally interesting location?” asked Rhea with a sweet smile.

“Ah, so it’s more like the souls want to leave anyway so the gods arrange the travel accommodations?” asked Scott.

“It’s a bit more complicated than that, but that does sum up the process nicely.” she said.

Scott nodded to her then grew silent. He still had a lot of questions to ask, but he was not certain where to start. Before he could ask another question, Rhea began to speak.

Rhea smiled lightly at him then took a deep breath, “Long and long did Tsun Jae dance in the rhythm of the wind. Swift and graceful were his feet upon the surface of the lake. Furious and overwhelming was his strength under the angry mountain. Gentle and nurturing were his fingers upon the land.”

Scott blinked at her then quirked his left eyebrow. “What exactly are you on about now?”

“You did want to know more about the true nature and lore of the sorcerer class, right?” asked Rhea. It was a worthy attempt at a topic change and she intended to give it every chance to succeed.

“Well, yes. Now that you’ve reminded me, I did want to know more about It.” said Scott.

She grinned at him. “The first sorcerer in the world, as the lore goes, was a man named Tsun Jae. Don’t try to determine what language that name is from, it was just a fitting name for a martial art sorcerer and isn’t really using an Earth basis.”

“He was named that in the lore because it sounded cool?” asked Scott incredulously.

“Yes, yes it does.” said Rhea.

Scott smirked in amusement. “Seriously...”

She grinned at him then said, “Let me finish!”

“Alright, go ahead.” said Scott.

“Thank you... Anyway, Tsun Jae was a mage and an unarmed martial artist. He struggled to understand the best way to combine the two arts. Eventually, he learned the rhythm of nature and found a way to become closer to the spirit of all things.”

“He merged unarmed combat and magic.” said Scott.

“Yes, he did. The resulting fusion allowed him to wield fewer spells overall, but he had such a mastery of them that he was a force to be reckoned with. He went on to define the higher sorcerous arts and when he finally passed from this world and became one of the gods of ARS, he left behind the secrets of true mastery.”

“He joined your people?” asked Scott.

Origin snorted. “No, of course not. Though, he does exist and is one of the people you will eventually have to meet in the classic server if you want to find the path to true mastery of your class. That is, if you decide to continue with it once we reincarnate.”

“So what was that business about him becoming a god?”

“ARS god. That’s just a planetary deity not a true celestial. It’s like how I have an Origin avatar for this world because attempting to enter this plane in my true form would cause catastrophic damage to the world.”

“Continents would sink, dogs and cats would live together in sin...” said Scott.

“Yeah, but I don’t think a giant man made out of marshmallow would show up.” said Rhea cutely.

Scott snorted then raised one hand up and opened his eyes wide before he spoke in an authoritative and ham-fisted tone of voice. “There is no marshmallow, only Zuul.”

She giggled loudly at him “You goofball.”

Ero whimpered cutely then sighed. “Oh goodness...”

Scott and Rhea could not help but laugh at the exhausted little thing. Scott had filled her with his experience and she had loved it just as much as she usually did. Still, her response had certainly included good timing.