《Taken : New Beginnings》Chapter 8 - Return
Advertisement
As the blinding light fades from around me, I collapse to my knees in relief. I had survived! I bask in the feeling of freedom for a few seconds, before I notice the strangely familiar sensation of cold water seeping through my trousers. Standing quickly up once more, I discover that I'm back in the toilets once more, however they are in a dilapidated state, similar to but not quite as extreme as in the dungeon. Having taken in my suroundings, a blue window once more appears;
Congratulations! You have cleared the Flooded Toilet Dungeon within the required timeframe. For now, you have been returned to an alternate version of Earth, along with all others who have finished their challenges. Until time runs out, you can explore this new Earth, continuing to level and gain loot, or hole up and gain some much needed relaxation for a few hours. Time also trevels at a third of the time here than in the dungeon, so you should have some time to complete some final actions before you leave. Once time runs out, everything non-mechanical in nature (I.e. clothing but not technology) will be teleported with you. Use the time wisely.
The window confirms what I aleady suspected, that I was in an alternate Earth, similar to the dungeon. As we can still level, this version is obviously still full of mobs, however for a change we can go wherever we please. Deciding that the stress I have gone through already is enough, I walk over to the once-again-untouched mop and bucket, grabbing the cleaning fluid due to it's use in the past.
Walking out of the room, I scour the trolley for anything useful, finding little, except from a couple of aerosol air fresheners. I take them as the store could have items which could work with these, such as lighters. Before I leave, I take the opportunity to walk around the store I once worked at, looking for anything useful. I find a few normally useful items, such as knives, however they have little use to me now - especially with the daggers I gained from the Rat King. I also see some things like food, which I avoid as a long time appears to have passed in this alternate Earth. While scouring the shelves, I encounter a few large rats, which identify names as Giant Rats, however they all run away and don't attack.
Advertisement
Before leaving, I grab myself a change of clothes from the clothing section, just changing in the store, as well as an extra set which goes into my inventory. I also grab a new pair of shoes, along with a pair of relatively durable-looking boots. Lastly, I take a large backpack, which looks like it could store some items. My inventory is not limitless, and so I should also be prepared to carry items in and of themselves. In the backpack, I chuck a few essentials which I find, such as a box of matches, both so the backpack is less awkward to wear, and in case I need to start a fire. With it, some standard locks, for whatever reason I might want them. Anyway, I figure that they are not modern enough to be discarded when I move on to Terrae. On the way out, I also loot the tills, as I have no idea whether there is any value to normal money or not. I get a few hundred pounds from it, all fitting into the inbuilt inventory system.
Walking the streets home, I also encounter a few mobs, mostly of low level. Most run away, however one group does fight me. While walking down the street, a group of zombies spotted me from the other end of an alley. There was only four of them, and they only gave 50 XP each, and were easy to take out with the whip. If I had to get into arm's reach of them though, I'm not sure things would've gone so cleanly. I got two pieces of rotten meat and one thigh bone as loot, which I disgustedly stored in my inventory. The XP had little impact on my level though, bringing me up to 7050/19200.
Continuing on, it takes me 15 mins to walk to my house. At times, I see activity of sorts in the distance - whether it be mob groups or other prople I am unsure - after all I'm slightly shortsighted. alking up onto the driveway and up to the door, I pull on the handle to see if it is unlocked. Surprisingly it is - obviously my parents were in when this alternate world was created. Looking around the house, I am surprised to see that it's in relatively good condition, unlike anything else I've seen so far. Saddened by how my normal life was torn apart with but one sudden change, I depressedly consider how I might not even see my family ever again. A solitary tear slips down my cheek, as I walk upstairs to what was once my room. Not bothering to change, I set my alarm for a few hours so I still have tome to make final preparations, before lying down on the bed to get a few final hours sleep in. After all, I don't know when I'll get to sleep next.
Advertisement
Advertisement
- In Serial10 Chapters
THE ENCOUNTER
One day in 2022, a mysterious Alien Entity arrives in Melbourne, Australia. What is their purpose of coming here? How will our world react to their arrival? The story follows the footsteps of Jack Geralt – a Royal Australian Regiment veteran who, along with his friends, is recalled into active duty in response to this event. P.S #1: Because this is my first time I write and post my novel here, I will wait for your reviews before posting more chapters. Whether you like it or not, I still hope you enjoy reading my novel. P.S #2: I am sure you noticed that the Cover Art is not mine. I simply chose from my collection of favorite Concept Arts. If whoever designed this art sees this, I thank you very much. Since I am doing everything myself and have to alternate between my work and writing, this is the best I could do. P.S#3: If there are any inconsistencies with what you know (for example, location’s names, recent world events and properties), please remember: This Story takes place in a fictional and alternate reality.
8 103 - In Serial15 Chapters
Dip$h!+s in Space
An eccentric comedy novel (that thinks it's a TV show) about space, and the Dipsh!+s that end up stranded in it. This hyper-self-aware comedy of stupid proportions, centers around Captain William T Lawg (no relation) and his adventures as a guy who managed to afford a refitted soft-top ice-cream truck, in space. Explore the universe with his trusty crew of valiant randos. Marley, the tech-bro, stoner spacebunny, who just wants to get away from his home world and the bullies it harbors. Duffy, the plump and sassy female mechanic, who has had every job in existence totaling far more years than possible. Roy, the frigging fabulous, flamboyant android, and former spy…or possibly current spy. (dun dun, daaaa!) And lastly, but certainly leastly, that other chick the captain keeps trying to bang. Ride with the crew of the notorious Tast-E-Chill, to a world of wonder that a lot of other space travelers have already been before, but probably not Lawg, so it's still exciting. This satirical joke on itself and every sci-fi trope ever to exist, will be sure to either thrill you or disappoint you, because COMEDY…IS…SUBJECTIVE! With a crew of 3-10 and an IQ of also probably 3-10, The captain putters along to uncharted lands, where history, loot, drama, innuendos of the sexual verity, and various Technicolor hoes shall surely be waiting, usually with some form of trap. Each season brings new and interesting crewmen, like: Menace: the adorable genderless frog-child-thing with the heart of gold and the dialogue vocabulary of a slightly trained parrot. Greg: the 8 foot tall, ancient, thermonuclear, semi-retired alien overlord who just wants to prove he still has a purpose…and also to rule the galaxy. Izzy: a 3rd generation, age-reversed reboot, accidental clone of her own mother/sister/older self, who happens to be Greg's daughter-in-law…and much, much more. Prepare yourself for shallow adventure, moderately-to high offensive dialogue, and overwhelmingly childish scenarios. Tag along as the crew battles, fierce enemies, lack of food and survival tape, and occasionally their own incompetence. Teen Romance, current politics, subtlety, dignity, this sucker has none of those, and it darn well knows it. Raise the sails and grab the rails as a bunch of dipsh!+s find themselves...IN SPACE. (Roll dramatic tapering credits, to royalty free trumpet music)
8 126 - In Serial23 Chapters
Relic Heirs
Bridget wasn't supposed to be chosen. The middle child between two prodigies, her entire family is shocked when her father's legendary relic whispers the first piece of its name to her, marking Briddy as the heir. Against her parent's wishes, she steps into the harsh glare of the limelight, landing herself a spot in the same magical university that banned her siblings from its grounds, despite being local legends at the school. Now, Bridget has to juggle a family that has no faith in her, the shadows of her siblings that still loom over her school, and an acrimonious rival, all while trying to find her self-worth in a magical relic she can barely summon. Luckily for her, she isn't alone. How do you stand tall on your own feet when you sit On the Shoulders of Giants?
8 160 - In Serial126 Chapters
Luster
Growing up with her recently deceased mother’s addiction and her own struggles with gender identity, June Fujiwara was not a nice person. Gaining powers from nearly being murdered didn’t change that, and neither did becoming a mercenary to fund her transition. It took horrific manipulation, the resulting trauma, and the family that helped her through it all. Luster is a derivative work based on Worm by Wildbow (John C. McCrae) that begins prior to Worm and although it doesn't show straight away, the story is very AU.
8 79 - In Serial29 Chapters
I became the strongest magical tome. But I am still a teacher! Book 1
I am not human anymore. I am not even alive for that matter. But I haven't lost my love for teaching. The smiling face of a student always brought me joy. Giving and reciving knowlege alway's excites me! So I will not become discuraged! Even though I am a book now and my student is a dungeon monster!
8 219 - In Serial63 Chapters
Immutable
The world went to hell in a handbasket. Overnight, something called the Allworld downloaded itself into the universe and everything but the kitchen sink appeared to end the planet. Governments fell and chaos reigned. People were left to fend for themselves. Of course, that's not, like, a bad thing. Pollution is at an all time low which means no more global warming. And all that corrupt bureaucracy is gone now too. Which means all those evil people refusing to do something about our dying planet are gone. Plus, people got superpowers. Which is, you know, pretty sweet. Of course, they can't be normal superpowers, everything but the kitchen sink was thrown in after all. Caleb is immutable, unable to physically change in a world completely changed; Alex was granted a system that talks to her in cat puns, but also gives her power over all cats; Nathan met a god of impulse, who gave him powers because he felt like it; and June is given a power to make things lazy, something opposite to her personality. The four of them meet by chance while hunting monsters. They met by chance but must learn to work together when an empire from space lands on Earth with the intent to subjugate the surviving humans.
8 192

