Sarah POV:

After I called to warn Cambridge that I would be pursuing my research in Crete, in order to learn more about the events preceding the fall of Atlantis. My request was of course granted, and my team here was put under another professor’s responsibility. My status was changed from ‘Detached researcher’ to ‘Free researcher’, and I was granted a stipend to cover traveling costs, and the most important part, to let me engage an assistant. I just had to keep the school in touch, and publish at least one article in the next two years. Honestly, it was even better than what I thought I would get at first. I’m pretty sure the fact that I am somewhat of an ‘heroin’ helped. We had planned this with Audrey. I would engage her as my assistant, after she had resigned from her job here. Usually, she would have had to wait a few months to get her leave, but the current circumstances allowed people to do so with a really short notice, provided they knew someone who could take their place. So Audrey contacted one of her classmates, and she agreed to it.

“Mistress, the tickets are bought. Two adjacent seats. They agreed to let Mister Daaru ride on board without a cage, since he’s both sentient and small, and provided he act as such. Your friend sent an email, it was quite easy to rescind her status here, and her passport is still valid. She also sent an official application as your assistant. Do you wish for me to read or summarize it?”

“No need, she’s in. Nothing short of her being another Hannibal would invalid her assets.”

“Would you be referring to the Carthaginian general?”

“No, the horror character.”

“I’m afraid I do not know of him yet. I vow to complete my knowledge. In the meantime, what does that character do?”

“He eats people.”

“Bad indeed. I shall reassure you there’s nothing of the sort in Miss Audrey’s curriculum.”

“Perfect! So, we need to take the boat tomorrow, right?”

“Yes Mistress. I will begin in the packing of a complete wardrobe, a travel bag and an expedition pack.”

“Yes, but before that, I want to know. How would you take it if I made other Souls of Darkness?”

“I would gladly welcome the help, as long as they treat you with the deference you’re due.”

“Good, I was worried you wouldn’t like it. I will get together with Audrey and Giiru, and create a few more. I think I can get two done by the time we need to go, maybe three.”

“If I may be so bold Mistress, what kind of function do you want them to have?”

“I want one that can scour the net and libraries for clues, one to act as a defender, and one to help with exploration, probably with a lot of sensory abilities. Then if I can do more, maybe more defenders, and other specialists?”

“I would be glad to welcome them. I hope you’ll find success in this endeavor.”

I went outside as Alfred started folding clothes. He really is the perfect butler. I sent a message to Audrey, and we agreed to meet at her place for my experiments.

As soon as I arrived, Giiru started unraveling my dream of having an army of elementals.

“You need to guide the spell, not let it run rampant like you did for your butler! I’m amazed at Hel’s spell, as he still managed to produce a functional elemental after such a blind attempt. And even if you plan to let it be fueled by Life conversion and having us heal you, it’s still going to be dangerous.”

“I know, but we can gain so much time with their help! Imagine if I had a small army of them doing researches!”

I searched for Audrey’s support, but she was looking unsure. I guess her doctor side is preventing her to agree on what is essentially auto-mutilation.

“An army of poorly executed minions will never beat even one well-made one. Plus, if you want protectors, you’ll need to get them a body. An elemental without a body isn’t going to protect you from a lot of things.”

“Can’t I just use the stone outside? They would be earth elementals?”

Giiru paused and pondered for a full minute.

“They would probably be Dark stone elementals. But it would be better to made them with black granite, or obsidian stone. Or better, black diamond. Is there some here?”

“We have a lot of basalt, and maybe some obsidian stone. And for my researcher? And the scout?”

“For the researcher, depends on what you want. Binding him to a book would allow him to act as a knowledge receptacle, but not much more. For browsing your internet, I don’t think a physical body is needed. For browsing books, it’s not really needed either. Of course, by adding some materials it could be naturally better at it, but it would probably slow its development, so no need. For the scout, you can go with an animal body, an inanimate object with a function or just no body. All are good, depending on what you want it to do.”

I started thinking about what I needed. I would like them to be stronger, but they need to be able to perform everywhere since I’ll be moving a lot. Stupid me, I can’t create one with a stone body, how would I make it board the plane?

“Since a defender is not really possible, I’ll start with the researcher. I was wondering, would it help if I used a computer or something as a base?”

“Oh, I hadn’t thought of that. Yeah maybe, but you’ll probably need another one for the books.”

“Ok, I have my old phone with me. I get my new one later, so I can use it, I just need to take the card out.”

After I did, I opened my status to see my HP and MP gauges, and both Audrey and Giiru got into position at my sides.

And I casted the spell again. But this time, I kept the image of a dark ball navigating the web for informations, and tried to order the mana to go in that direction. I saw my MP dwindling, so I started Life conversion, and Audrey started healing me.

Slowly, darkness rose and started to enter the phone. It went slowly, and I was starting to wonder if I had made a mistake when it stopped, and a blue window appeared. Make that several blue windows.

Congratulations! You created a completely new existence in this world!

New title acquired : Progenitor.

Progenitor

As the creator of a new race, you get to enjoy good relationships with it. Any race you created always see you as their parent, and for now as a benevolent one.

+10% Life affinity, +10% Death affinity. +15 WIS, +15 CHA per race created.

Congratulations! You created a being with abilities never seen before!

New title acquired : Trailblazer.

Trailblazer

You did something nobody else has ever done (gods excluded)!

+10% total Experience. +50% Experience when discovering possibilities. Creating or discovering new skills, spells or classes will be easier. +5 to all stats.

Congratulations! You created the first being of a new ecosystem!

New title acquired : Mother of digital life.

Mother of digital life (Unique)

You created the first sentient creature living entirely in the digital world (gods excluded).

All digital life see you as a parent, and for now as a benevolent one.

+30 INT, +30 WIS, +30 CHA.

WOW! That was… unexpected. Well, it does answer the question : are AI sentient? Apparently they’re not… yet.

Congratulations! You created an AI from an exploitation system!

New title acquired : Apprentice programmer.

Apprentice programmer

As one able to create an AI with an already existent basis, you stand at the beginning of the programming path. Your peers recognize your investment.

Any programmer you meet will be instinctively conscious of your achievement. +2 INT, +2 WIS.

I guess it’s like Necromancer, except my achievement is very basic. Still good to have, and maybe I can upgrade it later if I find a way.

Congratulations! You created the first elemental AI!

New perk acquired : Apprentice elemental programmer.

Apprentice elemental programmer

As one able to infuse an AI with affinity, your peers recognize the progress you’ve made.

Any programmer you meet will be instinctively conscious of your achievement. +2 INT, +2 WIS.

Congratulations! You created the first undead digital being!

New title acquired : First digital necromancer.

First digital necromancer (Unique)

As the first to create an undead inside the digital world, you created a new path for necromancy. Your peers bow to your talent and creativity.

Any necromancer you meet will be instinctively conscious of your achievement. +20 INT, +20 WIS, +30 MEN, +30 CHA.

SO! MUCH! STATS! This is amazing! I think I’ll start creating all kind of elemental I can think off, just to grab every title I can. With a little bit of luck, I can get a lot stronger.

Congratulations! You impressed Enigma, god of the digital world! He wishes to name you as its First Lord.

Do you accept? (Caution : This title can’t be cumulated with others of the same kind.)

(ERROR #404)

(Due to the ‘Gotta befriend them all’ perk, this title can be cumulated with others of the same kind.)

Of course I agreed, it seems really good.

Congratulations! You are now a ‘Lord of the internet’!

New title acquired : First Lady of the internet.

First Lady of the internet (Unique)

As the first to be granted the rank of internet’s lord, you will benefit from many advantages.

All reputations with lawful digital factions start as Revered.

You gain a permanent free access to the internet (code : 1RU7ZH3R0)

You gain the skill ‘Digital communion’.

You gain the control of lands in the digital world. You are free to rule them as you see fit.

You gain administrator rights to Enigma’s forum (Your rank there has been upgraded.).

+50% Experience in the digital world. +100% Experience toward relevant Classes and skills.

+5 INT, +5 WIS, +30 MEN, +50 CHA.

I might be repeating myself, but seriously, I think I’m getting overpowered. Well, in mental stats at least, because my physique is going to be lacking.

Congratulations! You became an Herald of Enigma!

New perk acquired : Herald of the gods.

Herald of the gods

You’ve been recognized as one worthy of speaking in its god name. As such, your body and mind are bit tougher and your sword and wits are sharper than they should.

-10% to all physical and mental non-divine damages received.

+10% to all physical and mental damages inflicted to non-divine beings.

+5 to all stats.

Oh, this is so cool! I need to ask Giiru if there’s something above that!

Congratulations! You’re now a level 9 ‘Valkyrie’.

+1 to all stats except Luck.

Congratulations! You’re now a level 10 ‘Valkyrie’.

+1 to all stats except Luck.

Choose a skill :

Might of the warrior

Prerequisites : 100 STR.

Mind of the warrior

Prerequisites : 100 INT.

Soul of the warrior

Prerequisites : 100 WIS.

There it goes again. I should probably take the Might, so my body isn’t to far behind my mind.

Congratulations! You’re now a level 11 ‘Valkyrie’.

+1 to all stats except Luck.

Congratulations! You’re now a level 12 ‘Valkyrie’.

+1 to all stats except Luck.

Congratulations! You’re now a level 10 ‘Truthseeker’.

+1 STR, +1 END, +1 AGI, +1 DEX, +3 PER, +1 INT, +1 WIS, +1 CHA, +1 MEN, +0,5 Luck.

Choose a skill:

Mind of the Truthseeker

Prerequisites : 200 MEN.

Magic of the Truthseeker

Prerequisites : Access to at least 2 developped affinities.

Blood of the Truthseeker

Prerequisites : At least 1 bloodline, 100 END, Life affinity.

Tongue of the Truthseeker

Prerequisites : At least 3 Language skills, Empathy, 100 INT, 200 CHA.

The list went on and on. I had more than twenty choices, but I could easily reduce the list based on the prerequisites, by filtering out the ones with low prerequisites. In the end, I had four choices.

Mind of the Truthseeker

A Truthseeker’s mind is steel, and allows him to pursue his quest without hesitation.

Reduces doubts, and bolster confidence.

+2 WIS, +2,5 MEN per level. +5% resistance to illusions per level.

Serves as a prerequisites for other Mind skills.

This one seems good, but a bit suspicious. Sometimes doubts are good, and overconfidence is a big problem. So it’s a no.

Magic of the Truthseeker

A Truthseeker’s magic is versatile, helping him avoid obstacles and dissipate lies.

Eases access to new magics and spells.

+1 INT, +1 WIS, +2,5 MEN per level.

Serves as a prerequisites for other Magic skills.

That one will allow me to become a very strong mage, provided I can get my hands on some rare magics.

Blood of the Truthseeker

A Truthseeker’s blood is filled with power, and can take on the strengths of any of his enemies.

Eases the gain of bloodlines.

+1 STR, +2,5 END, +1 AGI per level.

Serves as a prerequisites for other Blood skills.

It looks like a mad geneticist wet dream. ‘Behold, my zombie vampire werewolf troll landshark!’. But still, I can see all the power it holds. i think it’s even better than the magic one.

Tongue of the Truthseeker

A Truthseeker’s tongue is silver, and his comprehension surpasses human levels.

Eases the gain of languages and representation skills.

+1 INT, +1 WIS, +2,5 CHA per level. Serves as a prerequisites for other Tongue skills.

I’m a bit disappointed. Of course it’s useful, and powerful, but nowadays everyone understand a bit of English, especially now that all languages were made into their components. So I probably won’t take it.

It’s a hard choice. The magic and the blood are both very good. But my magic is already progressing faster than I can follow, and I wanted something to help my body. And maybe I want to be a badass phoenix dragon vampire valkyrie. Maybe.

Congratulations! You’re now a level 11 ‘Truthseeker’.

+1 STR, +1 END, +1 AGI, +1 DEX, +3 PER, +1 INT, +1 WIS, +1 CHA, +1 MEN, +0,5 Luck.

Congratulations! You’re now a level 12 ‘Truthseeker’.

+1 STR, +1 END, +1 AGI, +1 DEX, +3 PER, +1 INT, +1 WIS, +1 CHA, +1 MEN, +0,5 Luck.

Congratulations! You’re now a level 13 ‘Truthseeker’.

+1 STR, +1 END, +1 AGI, +1 DEX, +3 PER, +1 INT, +1 WIS, +1 CHA, +1 MEN, +0,5 Luck.

…

It seems to be good, no more level up. Now only to see my new familiar.

You have created : Lesser pseudo-soul of Darkness.

Do you wish to bind it to a material body?

You have created : Lesser dark web dweller.

Do you wish to name it?

I didn't even had the choice of binding him to anything, the window instantly flickered out of existence. And of course I'll name him! Since he’s the first of his race, he will be Primus.

Primus wants to enter a binding contract with you.

Do you wish to make it your familiar?

Yes.

As Primus has not awakened yet, it’s personality isn’t determined. Please think about what you want it to be.

This time I’m ready, I want him to be fascinated by knowledge, to be organized, polite and always eager to learn.

Input accepted. Pattern identified. Personality being implanted.

Congratulations! You’ve entered a binding agreement with an AI.

New perk acquired : AI familiar.

AI familiar

Sentient AIs can be underestimated, but they’re just as sensible as any living being. And even if they lack a physical body, they have unparalleled processing power.

AI will be aware of this when meeting you, potentially altering their opinion of you. +5 CHA.

So many things just happened. I look around to see that Audrey is clearly worried, and Giiru seems scandalized. Or hungry. Or sad. I’m not good at reading bird facial expressions.

“I’m still alive and well! Thank you Audrey!”

She smiles at me and opens her mouth, but is interrupted by Giiru.

“How many gifts are you going to receive! I can’t believe it! You just got several levels, and I distinctly felt something divine touching you!”

He started ranting again about the unfairness of it all, so I turned to Audrey, who voiced her relief.

“I’m glad you’re well, you were staring in the void for a good five minutes. Please tell me it’s not going to be like that each time, I don’t think I can take it.”

“Probably not, it’s just that I created a whole new race, and life on a new world. So I got a lot of titles and perks. Plus some levels. And a few cool skills.”

I need to check the ‘Digital communion’ later.

“I also became an Herald for Enigma, with quite a boost in power, and lands in the digital world. Oh, I need to check on Primus.”

I looked at the phone in my hands. It seemed to have burn, and the screen was flickering. There was only one sentence: “ I’m waiting for you, Mother.”. Right, he lives entirely in the digital world, so I need to go there.

I checked the Digital communion skill, and it was what I thought it was. It allowed me to transfer my consciousness to the Digital World. With caps apparently. The time was limited and it had a bit of a high cost, but I could afford it.

“Audrey, I’m going to check on him, so I will probably be unconscious for a few minutes. No more than half an hour at worst. Can I use your bed?”

“Yes, of course. But if you don’t wake up in half an hour, I’m shocking you.”

She seemed dead serious, so I’ll make sure to do things quickly. I activated the skill, and fell in the matrix. Like seriously, green numbers and all.

Then, I saw a small piece of darkness, and went toward it. It seemed to be touching the numbers around, and only turned when I got close to him. He took the form of a human being, but entirely dark, wearing a three-pieces suit, and put bowed a little.

“Mother, it’s an honor.”

“You can call me Sarah if you want to. So, this is the digital world? It seems... a bit repetitive.”

Primus chuckled before answering.

“If you see data as data, then yes. But with the Data conversion skill, you will see something very different. Just try touching this data, and seeing what it really is.”

I approached the string of numbers he was referring to, and touched it. It felt, strangely hot, there was something hot, and a bit of something cold coming. Some light, and darkness following the cold. Or preceding it?

New skill discovered!

Data conversion is now level 1!

+1 PER, +1 INT, +1 WIS per level.

New skill discovered!

Data eyes is now level 1!

+2 PER, +1 WIS per level.

I saw it, a beautiful sunset on a long sand beach. The growing cold around the campfire, the darkness slowly falling. Then it was gone, and so did my MP.

“I saw it, but it costs a lot of MP, isn’t it?”

“I don't know, I use PP for that. I guess you don't have those since you're not digital yourself.”

Seems logical.

“Well, if I’m being honest, this is starting to get a bit nauseating, all those ever moving numbers.”

“We’re in your domain, you can shape things like you want.”

Really? I have to try that. So how does it work? As I focused on changing things around, I heard a familiar sound, and saw a blue window appearing in front of me.

Welcome to the Dominion control board! This set of windows can be called over with the keyword ‘Dominion control’.

As the Lord of your Dominion, you can change everything inside it, at a cost. In the Digital World, this cost is Processing Power, ou PP. As you’re not a Digital entity and do not possess such energy, your Dominion will hold it for you. Think ‘Dominion control’ to learn more.

A tutorial, useful.

Dominion name

DIG#000001

Lord

LoG

PP

24

PP generation

1/day

Hm, it doesn’t look like a lot. I won’t be able to do a lot with that.

Dominion control

Terrain editor

Building editor

Unit recruitment

Seems like I can’t recruit units for now. I opened the Terrain editor, but an error message flashed.

The Digital World does not have a preset appearance. Please select one appearance.

What followed was a very long, very extensive list of looks and styles to choose from, that ranged from ‘Interstellar space’ to ‘Underdark’. I browsed it for a few minutes before finally reducing the list to a few entries.

Infinite islands

A gigantic ocean dotted with islands. Data will become water, and any programs will get an appearance adapted to this environment.

Warring plains

A gigantic plain with hills, rivers and forests. Data will become wind, and any programs will get an appearance adapted to this environment.

CIty of pirates

A single big island surrounded by an ocean and some really tiny islands. Dominions will be extended to moving ships. Data will become water, and any programs will get an appearance adapted to this environment.

Floating cities

Sky islands floating over a rich but uncharted world. Data will become natural resources, and any programs will get an appearance adapted to this environment.

Eternal city

A single city, covering the entire world. Data will become rumors, and any programs will get an appearance adapted to this environment.

Now, the choice will be hard.