****

Part of the old story, make sure to check out the remade Alteration here.

***

Blake slowly opened his eyes and stretched, while enjoying the relaxing feeling of soft sheets.

-''Mhh...''

Moon light came from the window and filled his room with a soft, white glow. He slowly turned his head towards the wall and took a look at the clock. It was two in the morning. He closed his eyes and started to think.

I messed my inner clock up... Looks like I slept through the whole day. Well at least I got everything done that I wanted and have a whole day free for anything I want.

He didn't bother to turn the lights on but just dressed up and went in the direction of the kitchen.

Hm..? Did Rose forget to turn the lights off?

Blake approached the lit kitchen with small and still drowsy steps. He heard voices when he came nearer to it.

Weird, who is up at this time?

He came to the kitchen door with a curious look. Caleb and Teruna were sitting at the dinning table and talking with very serious expressions.

What happened? Why are they still up and what are they talking about?

His eyes narrowed.

Is that wine?

A empty bottle of wine stood between Teruna and Caleb.

I'll just ignore that for the time being...

Blake cleared his throat and greeted them while walking into the room.

-''Hi.''

The two exchanged quickly some last words and looked up to Blake. Caleb was the first to greet him and Teruna followed a second after.

-''Hello. How did you sleep?''

-''Hi.''

Blake ruffled his messy hair.

Now here's a dangerous undertone.

-''I slept well, but don't worry I won't let my day night cycle change.''

Caleb looked satisfied after hearing that.

-''Good. How did the leveling go?''

-''Smoothly. I am ahead of our plan. Why are you still up?''

Teruna looked away and Caleb hesitated for a second.

-''We just talked about this and that. Her world is really fascinating, a true mixture of fairy tales and nightmares.''

Sure...

Blake smirked.

-''Oh really? It must have been a hell of a interesting conversation if it made you stay awake up till now.''

Teruna mumbled something.

-''Well we just continued the talk from yesterday...''

Is that so?

Blake smiled and patted his father on the shoulder.

-''I'll just grab a bite and go.''

Caleb squirmed uncomfortably in his chair.

-''Well she is telling me about a whole new world. It's normal that it can't all fit in one talk, don't misunderstand.''

Did he just smile for a second..? Oh, well it doesn't matter.

Blake took some food out of the fridge and headed out of the kitchen.

-''Yeah, yeah. I'll go explore the other world now that I am ahead of schedule.''

Caleb yawned.

-''It's really late so I'll go sleep now, but we need to have a nice, long chat tomorrow. Make sure you don't do something stupid that could reveal the existence of a hedgehog faction to the enemy.''

Blake replied after swallowing the food he chewed on.

-''Sure, don't worry.''

He walked towards his room.

Hmm... I did say that I would explore today, but grinding would make me stronger...

He reached out with his arm and touched his shoulders at the spots where the squirrels stabbed him. Blake shuddered.

I think that exploring will be just fine for today. Many games reward exploring and plain grinding won't really help me when I look at the big picture...

He reached his room, sat in the comfortable chair and put the goggles on.

***

Everything around him was black until the logos started to appear and disappear. After that the world started to load bit by bit.

It loads much faster than at the start.

Blake quickly found himself in the middle of the big moonlight bathed forest.

Eerie as ever.

Nothing could be heard except the rustle caused by his steps.

I have at least another day until the guys return from the quest I gave them. Now where should I go?

He looked at his surroundings but everything looked the same with it's unnatural stillness.

I think I'll go further south, away from Jedoron. Teruna did mention that the forests away from cities are quite dangerous,but you can't really profit without taking risks. I should first figure out my Lava orbs though...

-''Lava orb!''

A red orb appeared in his hand and he inspected it carefully.

It looks normal... It didn't take any mana to cast and it really is just the show ability it was from the start.

Blake sat down into the grass and started to think hard while staring at the orb.

How did I do that? Maybe it was something about my focus... I really wanted to end those damn sneaky bastards.

He closed his eyes.

Umm I really don't know what to do now. Is anger the key? I somehow doubt it. I'll just try to focus on the orb.

He didn't see the orb now but he felt the familiar warm feeling that it radiated.

If it's magic then imagination and willpower are the key... I think.

He took a deep breath.

I need to visualise the orb. I have it in my right hand and I need to somehow influence it. Now lets try imagining the change that happened yesterday.I must imagine how I want it to be like.

A few moments passes but nothing happened.

Maybe I rushed this too much. I'll go step by step now, imagining very slowly how the orb changes and what I want it to be.

He slowly imagined the orb changing in slow motion. Nothing happened.

Okay, looks like that won't work. What now? It can't be something really complicated if I managed to do it in a few seconds when I wasn't even aware.

He opened his eyes and continued thinking.

What did I do exactly? The orb summon was standard of that much I'm sure. I simply threw it with all my strength when the squirrels started to withdraw. It felt really good to get those abominations... But maybe there is more to it then I think.

Blake passed the orb from one hand to the other.

I did gather my energy for a powerful throw maybe I subconsciously messed with the energy of the Lava orb too. I'll just try to recreate the throw.

He took a deep breath and prepared to throw the orb with all his strength.

Something feels off...

He threw the orb and it again didn't disperse but remained and slowly started to drain his mana.

I should be able to deactivate this by command.

-''Deactivate Lava orb!''

The orb disappeared and left black, scorched earth.

[box border=1 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=3 width=80% bordercolor=#7499c4 bgcolor=#d2e4f2][col colspan=4 valign=top width=100% bordercolor=#7499c4 bgcolor=#d2e4f2][br][/br]+40% towards gaining knowledge of an ability variation[br][/br][/col][/box]

This feeling was really unfamiliar. That must be it! I'll try again.

-''Lava orb!''

A familiar red orb appeared and Blake held it between his palms.

And now I'll have to explore where the unfamiliar feeling came from.

Blake started to tense his muscles up one by one.

Hmm..? Here it is again.

He felt something strange that he couldn't really pinpoint. It was a feeling which he never experience before but he could somehow influence it.

If I try to tense up and concentrate on this...

The feeling the orb gave off suddenly changed and Blake noticed that it started draining his mana.

Hmm so this is it. I wonder if I can deactivate the ability just with my tension.

He stopped tensing the unknown part he felt and relaxed it completely. The orb disappeared.

Hm? Why can I still feel this part even if there is no orb? Could it be..?

He slightly tensed it up and a regular orb appeared in his hand.

It's a part of me...

[box border=1 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=3 width=80% bordercolor=#7499c4 bgcolor=#d2e4f2][col colspan=4 valign=top width=100% bordercolor=#7499c4 bgcolor=#d2e4f2][br][/br]Discovered an ability variation

You explored one of your abilities and discovered a different aspect of it. [br][/br][/col][/box]

[box border=1 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=3 width=80% bordercolor=#7499c4 bgcolor=#d2e4f2][col colspan=4 valign=top width=100% bordercolor=#7499c4 bgcolor=#d2e4f2][br][/br]Level gained[br][/br][/col][/box]

[box border=1 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=3 width=80% bordercolor=#7499c4 bgcolor=#d2e4f2][col colspan=4 valign=top width=100% bordercolor=#7499c4 bgcolor=#d2e4f2][br][/br]Through exploring your own abilities you discovered a Lava orb variation. The orb solidifies and unfolds his offensive potential. The orb disappears after being decasted or it drains all your mana.

Cost/ second: 40 mana[br][/br][/col][/box]

[box border=1 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=3 width=80% bordercolor=#7499c4 bgcolor=#d2e4f2][col colspan=4 valign=top width=100% bordercolor=#7499c4 bgcolor=#d2e4f2][br][/br]Do you wish to name the new ability variation? [br][/br][/col][/box]

-''No.''

Lava orb is just fine, no need for more names.

[box border=1 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=3 width=80% bordercolor=#7499c4 bgcolor=#d2e4f2][col colspan=4 valign=top width=100% bordercolor=#7499c4 bgcolor=#d2e4f2][br][/br]Natural potential stat unlocked

You have discovered a strength or ability that slumbered inside you. Putting points in this stat boost the power of the abilities that you have awoken and rises you strength in the fields where you have most potential. [br][/br][/col][/box]

[box border=1 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=3 width=80% bordercolor=#7499c4 bgcolor=#d2e4f2][col colspan=4 valign=top width=100% bordercolor=#7499c4 bgcolor=#d2e4f2][br][/br]+5 Natural potential for awaking an ability[br][/br][/col][/box]

Hmm quite a lot of interesting things happened now at once.For one this stat sounds really fascinating. It's quite obvious that it is caused by my status of a mixed player/faction leader. Now the question is just what hides behind this ''potential''... Lava orb is probably the most basic hedgehog skill. I gained it as an ability because I'm a Nature seeker but me being the hedgehog faction leader caused it to actually become a part of me.

Blake sighed and laid down into the grass.

I think that this potential thing is referring to all the hedgehog skills that will be accessible in time to me. I assume that I will be able to modify them and do much more with them than what I could expect at first glance. The Lava orb is the best example.

He stretched and enjoyed the soft, white light of the moon.

This also shows how intertwined the usual world rules and the game rules are. Normal player abilities probably just appear like Lava orb originally did, but now that I'm mixed and the ability turned into a part of me. I had to develop it on my own. So I'm probably able to learn most abilities like a normal player but these hedgehog abilities are only gained when I awake the hidden potential in me which means I develop them on my own.

The wind softly blew making the leaves above Blake's head rustle. He observed the moon quietly and relaxed while thinking where he should go next.

*DING*

[box border=1 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=3 width=80% bordercolor=#7499c4 bgcolor=#d2e4f2][col colspan=4 valign=top width=100% bordercolor=#7499c4 bgcolor=#d2e4f2][br][/br]Discovered and appreciated the beauties of a clear night sky

Ability gained: Moon tranquility

You truly appreciated in silence the beauties of the night sky. In the future you will relax more easily when looking at the moon . [br][/br][/col][/box]

Hmm..? Looks like emotions also influence things here.

-''Moon tranquility- info.''

[box border=1 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=3 width=80% bordercolor=#7499c4 bgcolor=#d2e4f2][col colspan=4 valign=top width=100% bordercolor=#7499c4 bgcolor=#d2e4f2][br][/br]Moon tranquility

+20% mana regeneration when gazing at the moon with a peaceful state of mind. [br][/br][/col][/box]

It isn't a spectacular skill, but it will be quite useful for long grinding during the night. This will also make my experimenting quite a lot easier.

Blake got up into a sitting position and extended both of his hands.

And now lets see what more I can do with Lava orb.

He concentrated on the feeling again and tried to affect both of his hands with it. The feeling was very unstable and he had problems with balancing. Two Lava orbs appeared, one in each hand. The problem was that their size changed, one was too small and the other was too big.

Ugh it must be difficult to control because I haven't accustomed to the new part that the game gave me. This is now a part of me after all.

He concentrated harder and tried to make the orbs similarly sized. Several minutes have passed before he managed to get the balance right and make the orbs identical. Beads of sweat started to roll of his forehead.

Oh this is tricky... The moment you feel that it's right I'm already too late and it swings out of balance. The moment before that is the right one.

He slowly moved his hands and looked at the two orbs which shone in a warm red light.

[box border=1 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=3 width=80% bordercolor=#7499c4 bgcolor=#d2e4f2][col colspan=4 valign=top width=100% bordercolor=#7499c4 bgcolor=#d2e4f2][br][/br]+30% towards a new proficiency

+1 Natural potential[br][/br][/col][/box]

Oh? I only made that much progress? It's probably just a matter of practice and time until I really develop a feel for it.

He slowly started to move his hands and every now and then he tried to do some quick moves.

Ugh this is really hard. I can feel that I'm right at the edge where I could lose the balance when I move. I think I'll continue this some other time though... I could see how long I can hold the lava orbs when I turn them into their offensive mode.

He concentrated as hard as he could on the new part of himself and then started to slowly tense it up.

Now.

The lava orbs started shining in a more violent red and his mana started to drain.

Impossible!

The orbs started to rapidly change their sizes and Blake tried desperately to balance it up but the he couldn't being the part under control. The sizes began to change even swifter. Blake closed his eyes and grimaced.

I need to focus! This went out of control... Something is wrong, I can't relax the part!

Blake opened his eyes again and took deep breaths.

It will drain all my mana if I don't stop it. I really don't want to wait for it to restore again. I must relax that part!

Blake tried to counter the tension with which he activated the offensive mode but without success. Only when he violently tried to overpower the previous impulse he sent to the part did it respond.

...I shouldn't have done this.

He didn't feel the usual feeling where the tension slowly disappeared. The tension right wasn't disappearing but seeping out.

His orbs again changed their colour and were now mixed with intensive red parts and bright yellow parts. Both were now growing to a similar size, but they turned more yellow as they did. Blake was frantically trying to get the part under control but he couldn't influence it now. It was simply too charged up.

What is happening? Why did it turn yellow?!

Blake gave up on controlling it and threw it as far as he could away from himself. A second later the orbs turned pure yellow and they barely flew away a few meters during that time. The orbs suddenly widened and popped like bubbles and huge explosions followed that came from within the orbs.

-''AHH!''

Fire rained down everywhere and Blake barely managed to throw himself on the grass and cover his head.

[box border=1 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=3 width=80% bordercolor=#7499c4 bgcolor=#d2e4f2][col colspan=4 valign=top width=100% bordercolor=#7499c4 bgcolor=#d2e4f2][br][/br]Status ailment: Burn. [br][/br][/col][/box]

IT BURNS SO BAD!

Everything around Blake was engulffed in fire and he could just stay on the ground. His back was completely covered in fire and his palms were also covered because of his try to protect his head.

IT HURTS SO MUCH!

The fire around him died down and as soon as he noticed it he started rolling around.

My clothes caught fire but the grass is quite moist! This could save me!

He rolled around and desperately tried to extinguish the fire. The fire slowly died down and left a badly burned Blake which laid unmovingly on the grass and whose clothes were pertly destroyed and still smoking.

[box border=1 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=3 width=80% bordercolor=#7499c4 bgcolor=#d2e4f2][col colspan=4 valign=top width=100% bordercolor=#7499c4 bgcolor=#d2e4f2][br][/br]No longer burning. [br][/br][/col][/box]

Blake had no strength in himself to get annoyed by the obvious message and just laid there trying to recover. His breathing was shallow and he started whispering.

-''Note...''

An empty window appeared, but Blake didn't bother to lift his head. He just continued whispering.

-''Experiment very carefully and only take one step at the time.''

[box border=1 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=3 width=80% bordercolor=#7499c4 bgcolor=#d2e4f2][col colspan=4 valign=top width=100% bordercolor=#7499c4 bgcolor=#d2e4f2][br][/br]Noted. Do you wish to note something else? [br][/br][/col][/box]

-''Yes.''

He quickly glanced at the window to make sure that it noted properly.

-''Adjust pain settings...''

And with these words his head fell into the grass again and he made no effort to move.

[box border=1 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=3 width=80% bordercolor=#7499c4 bgcolor=#d2e4f2][col colspan=4 valign=top width=100% bordercolor=#7499c4 bgcolor=#d2e4f2][br][/br]Noted. [br][/br][/col][/box]

****

Thanks for reading:)

Here's the forum thread where you can see my progress, ETAs (most of the time) and other updates.

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