Chapter 23: Problems with the Soul

I stared across the fire at Ryna who was giving me puppy dog eyes.

“Fine you can sleep next to me tonight.”

Several weeks passed since we were teleported to this jungle and in these weeks, I’ve notice Ryna seems to have 3 separate personalities. The mature one which is the one to usually do any combating. The childish one which is the one currently in charge and is like a young girl trapped in her body. Last, is the mistrustful one. The one who wants nothing to do with me for some reason.

‘How much longer until my soul is fixed?’

‘06:04:22:01.’

I let out a sigh and thought about our experiences of the past weeks. After our battle with the birds, we grabbed the ones that were still roughly intact and moved deeper into the jungle until we found a small clearing. There I skinned and cooked the creatures for us. The entire time the mature Ryna gave off a slight air of hostility creating an awkward atmosphere between us. Before the day could get any farther along, I decided that we needed to come to some sort of agreement as someone would need to keep watch while the other slept. It was now that I realized how much comfort was taken care of by the products in my spatial bag.

Wards to prevent any animals from getting nearby. All my cooking gear and equipment and even the clothing on my back. I knew it was my mother’s doing but the comforts that came to me where quickly becoming obvious on how much I relied upon them. My thoughts drifted back to the conversation I had with Ryna once we finally settled.

“We can’t go on like this.”

Ryna squinted her eyes at me before sighing.

“I don’t know what happen, but I only have memories, glimpse really of what happened. What I do remember however is that you were at the center of events towards the end. I…” Ryna clutched her head and screamed before her expression changed and her eyes widen giving her an innocent look.

“BIG BROTHER!”

Since then, it’s been us traveling deeper into the jungle always headed in a downwards slope not too far from a small river we followed. We traveled near but far away that if any sort of beast was to be drinking, we would most likely avoid it and beast were aplenty. Not a day went by when we weren’t attack by tier 3 to tier 4 beast. I could feel my body steadily pushing towards tier 5 and I grew excited at the thought. Tier 5 was when humans could unlock and use their aura allowing them to sense their surroundings outside of their normal 5 senses. That was the beginning benefit. There was more however my education was interrupted before I could learn more.

A groan came from Ryna, and I pulled back as the third mistrustful personality did not like me. I found her in the first few days holding a rock over my head in contemplation on whether to crush my head or not in the times she kept watch. It was good that as I progress farther in the tiers I would need less and less sleep. Right now, I could go around 2-3 days without needing to sleep but with my soul the way it was that wasn’t an option right now. I found myself more irritated and irrational. If not for the presence of the mature Ryna I may have lost myself to battle rage several times.

The groaning turned into a snarl as Ryna turned and faced me.

“Please, we do this every time until someone else takes over. Can we not do this today.” My voice came out harsher than intended but I was tired of having to fight against her every time this version appeared. Plus, as a 4 th tiered battle priest Ryna was very dangerous.

“Aegis Kan,” she snarled.

“Murderer. My family is dead because of you.”

“We don’t know that. We were kicked out of the city before the spell could be completed. Anything could have happened.” I spoke these words in a measured tone and I didn’t know if it was for her or myself.

“That was a divine and now my soul is in three pieces because of you. My Goddess has spoken to me. She says you can help.”

She twirled her staff while walking towards me and my eyes widen at the last words to come out of her mouth.

Fear suddenly gripped my heart. Did she somehow know about the System and its benefits? The only thing I had that could help her was the weapons on my person and the System. My hand tightened around the ax that would no longer leave my grip for long since entering here.

‘System is there a way for a god to divine about you?’

‘Yes and no. The Goddess she spoke of most likely divined a solution to her priestess problem and that solution can point in your direction. No one not even [Beyond] can divine the System. After all the System was designed that way.’

“You’ve been holding out on me Aegis Kan.” She spat my name out like it was a bad taste in her mouth and I hefted my ax and raised my buckler.

The moment I brought my weapons up Ryna charged bringing her staff in a downwards swing towards my head. I brought my buckler up to block an attack that never came as Ryna pulled her staff back the instant my buckler would cover my vision from above. A blow hit my stomach sending me into a nearby shrub.

My anger erupted as I pulled myself from the bush to a smirking Ryna and I called upon the power of my bloodline only to be denied as pain tore its way through my body starting in my chest before spreading outward. Which only further increased my rage. Control.

As that word cross my thoughts everything calmed down and I focused returning in time to move my head out of the path of Ryna’s staff. Dropping my ax, I caught the shaft as it whistles passed and yanked it and Ryna towards me in the same moment. Surprise by my suddenness Ryna had no chance as my buckler smashed into her chest forcing the air out of her lungs and disabling her as she dropped to the ground.

“Enough. I have a way to help you, but you must swear an oath to never tell anyone what it is. Not even your patron.”

Not waiting for a response, I moved back to our dying campfire.

‘3:21:45:59.’

Ryna had tried many times to persuade me during the past few days to change the requirements of my oath, but I was obstinate. I was sympathetic to what happen to Comb and the Rohan Riders but the first thing that was drilled into me by my father was how dangerous this world was and how powerful its inhabitants could be. With the little that I could access I could see how beneficial the System would be. Even the Aspect: The Fighter as an uncommon aspect was strong in the abilities it provided. So, it wasn’t until we made camp that she agreed to my terms and swore the oath. I watched as the magic swirled in the air and bind itself to her and me. This was interesting. My first time seeing an oath in person, and I thought about how I could utilize it in the future.

‘System how do I allow a new user to access you?’

‘If you completed the Mission: Construct System Monolith this process would be revealed to you. As well as several benefits. Place your hands on both sides of subject Ryna’s head.’

Was the System complaining? I knew it was an artificial intelligence but to what extent?

“Ryna I am going to place my hands on both sides of your head.”

The young personality was out currently, and she nodded and smiled at me moving close. I took a deep breath before walking forward myself. I wasn’t going to lie. I was extremely nervous, but this is what I was sent out into the universe for right, to be a harbinger. Unwillingly if I might add.

I place both hands on the side of her head and waited five minutes passed and even the young amiable Ryna was starting to have an uncomfortable look.

‘System?’

That's when the screaming began. I didn’t know if it came from me or Ryna as pain wrought its way through my body seemly going through every single cell. Building up from my lower body until it hit my chest, the neck. Blue light poured from my eyes and mouth and into Ryna’s. It was then that I knew the first scream came from me. As the light pour into Ryna a wailing sound came from her own and black smoke poured from her body.

Congratulations!

You have added the first amongst many to a new System of power. In doing so you have completed a hidden mission

Hidden Mission Details:

Find and convert your first willing participant.

Reward:

1 Perk Upgrade Token.

My vision was filled by a notification as I laid exhausted on the ground and my body twitched a bit. I don’t think I could do that ever again as I felt the wetness between my legs. Ryna was in a much worse state as black sludge came off her body giving off a horrible smell. I calmed my body and slowly sat up crawling forward to help Ryna when I heard giggling.

I turned looking for the source until my mind registered it as Ryna’s voice. The giggling transformed to full blown laughter, and I stared in confusion at the girl.

“I’m whole again.”

The voice came out barely above a whisper and tears glisten in Ryna’s eyes and a sob escaped her lips.

“I’M WHOLE AGAIN,” she yelled.

She turned towards me with a new look in her eyes. Happiness, sadness, worry, fear, surprise, until a jubilate look took over all else. Runic patterns began to appear on her open skin before disappearing and I stared fascinated.

“What’s that smell?”

“You.” I laughed and moved to pull Ryna to her feet as the pain all but faded.

“What aspect did you choose?”

Ryna stared at me for a long moment before speaking.

“Aspect: Genesis.”

I just stared at her in confusion, but a hint of excitement entered my chest. This was something new and I would finally get to see how aspects worked outside of the body. We both stayed silent as we moved to the river to clean ourselves off.

***

Ryna took a long look at Aegis before answering. In truth her emotions where mixed as she remembers everything since her soul was split in 3. It was by the communication of her Goddess through dreams that Ryna’s 3 pieces of soul didn’t deteriorate further. She would devote even more to her Goddess Arva and spread her word.

“What aspect did you choose?”

“Aspect: Genesis.”

‎

Aspect: Soul Genesis

(Mystical)

Effect: Major increase in all stats which include but is not limited to endurance, vitality, speed, magic, and strength. When amongst the fellow followers of the Goddess Arva all stats are boosted by 35%. Gain the skill Unyielding Soul, any attempts to alter, effect, or influence your soul is blocked if your will remains Unyielding. Gain the skill Soul Truth, allowing you to detect all lies and deceit by the sight of the soul

Perks:

Genesis Adjudication (Tier 3): Stare into the souls of your enemies and put them on trial. Enemy soul’s that are found guilty are consumed and used to enhance the user. Enemy soul’s that are found innocent are enhanced and strengthen.

Genesis Law (Tier 3): Allows the formation of a triple set of laws that will bind a targets soul for a maximum of three months. Any laws that are broken will weaken the targets soul. Continuous breaking of the laws will cause the targets soul to be consumed strengthening your own.

Genesis Structure (Passive): Your soul is continuously strengthening and protected. Increase divine mana capacity by 25%.

Genesis Illuminate (Passive): Your soul is a beacon for likeminded individuals drawing them to your side. For each follower drawn to your side get a 2% increase in physical and magical power.

The aspect appeared in front of Ryna as she said those words and she brushed it aside as she had already gone through it, but Ryna had a feeling she would need to sit down with Aegis and have a very needed conversation. She stared at his back as he led the way to the river. He was truly young. Looking to be around 15 years old but as a magi human Ryna knew he was younger. Several thoughts ran through her mind as she studied that back. How could someone so young bring so much trouble? How could someone so young go on such a journey without losing his mind? What were the Kan feeding their children?

Yet those thoughts where the lighter of the ones raging through her mind.

It’s his fault her family is dead.

If only Aegis Kan didn’t exist.

If only the Rohan Riders didn’t go to Comb.

Yet in her very soul , Ryna knew she was lying to herself. She could see the flash of red as she uttered every sentence. This was going to take some time getting used too.