Lacing up my new linen shirt with my still slightly shaky hands I examined myself in the mirror. I was returning to a reasonably collected emotional state. Quite certain that wasn't fully over. The likelihood was that I had some form of PTSD. I'd handle that when I could though. At the moment I had questions to ask and at least someone willing to spend time on me to which I could ask them. And of course I'd finally gotten a chance to let out some of the stress I'd been feeling. Turning to the door I glanced once more about the room before heading down. Some things looked almost modern. The mirror and windows were almost perfectly flat. While the tub and sink, or washbasin I guess, were not even plumbed, and seemed to be made of tin. Not to mention the bucket in the corner I didn't want to think about. I know that flat glass was really just a factor of a technique called 'float glass' back on earth. Which didn't actually require any special technology. So it was definitely possible that someone had just come up with it early here. Or, maybe they just did it with magic. I hope this was just a rural town issue and not the norm.

Walking down the stairs my mood brightened even further. Remembering I'd gained some kind of skill, ability, or whatever it was. Not that I knew what it did or how to use it really. I hoped the skill wasn't the "feel like you pissed yourself" superpower. Luck had never really been on my side, but that would just be the worst, especially since I'd given up a chance at a 'system' for it. Shaking my head I headed to the pot in the kitchen. I saw that three of the men and a young woman from our group were sitting at the table with bowls. Two of the men were facing me, one nodded, the other just continued to stare into his bowl with a blank look. I feel for you brother. The young woman turned and it was the one who'd spoken before being taken earlier. She smiled and waved but went back to eating. The other man turned but didn't otherwise respond.

I internally sighed as I walked past them and grabbed my own bowl. We were gonna need to really watch out or we'd all turn into the sad cases of the broken vets who's lives were never quite the same. Returning to the table, with what appeared to be lintel soup, I tasted then started into it mechanically as it was decent, but not amazing fare. The other men didn't seem too interested in talking, but the young woman seemed at least a bit excited. "did you meet a god too!?" She started, and a smile crept onto her lips. Thank goodness for the robustness of youth to protect some of us from the horrors we had escaped.

Frowning a bit I debated the best way to answer. The two men who were barely present already leaned even closer to their bowls as if trying to hide in them. The one that'd at least nodded turned toward us a bit. Looked like he was ready to at least listen if not yet engage. "I don't know if they even wanted to call themselves that, but I'm sure many would use that label. So, yeah I met a god". Her smile grew into something bright enough to ease the mood in the room. Although the two in their bowls didn't seem to notice, the other man's mouth quirked a bit.

"Did they give you a system too?" She was positively beaming now. Her hands were clenching her bowl and spoon tightly as well. Apparently too excited to actually let me answer she continued, "They gave me one and I got to choose a rare class called [Shield Maiden]. Look!" Dropping her spoon she placed her hand face down on the table in front of me. With her other she reached below the table and bought it back now with a knife held tightly in her fist. Now three of the men were looking intently at her as she quickly brought the knife down toward her other hand.

Quicker than I thought possible the hand of the man who'd been essentially catatonic up until now shot out and stopped her just before she nailed herself to the table. With wide eyes she looked up at him. "sorry..." he mumbled glancing around the table then back to his bowl before sheepishly glancing back up at her a few times.

"Oh, It's OK, I know it's weird, but trust me it's fine" She looked to him and after he nodded she proceeded to slam the knife down on her other hand. Strange undulations flowed around her hand as the knife neared it then stopped right above it. "Isn't that awesome!" She beamed now holding up her hand to show no damage at all. All three of us were staring at her hand. "It's not perfect, enough force can overcome it, and it's pretty mana hungry right now, but I can use it on other people, and it will get better as I level, do you know when we can fight stuff?" She babbled excitedly.

We glanced at each other before looking back at her. I'd opened my mouth but it was Nodder that spoke first. "The village elder had said there's supposed to be a meeting once the rest are back. Wouldn't answer anything else I asked. Kept mumbling about 'that man' asking her unending questions before he ran off". I felt a bit guilty having wanted to pester her to death once I'd gotten some food in me. Although I was now curious about who 'that man' was. Even as I was thinking another voice rose to rattle the silence. It was Mr. Catatonic.

"I saw a god too...." he said, again looking down at his bowl. This time his face wasn't blank, but looked lost, in awe, and contained more than a bit of fear. "I'd rather not meet another..." He shivered and his eyes widened slightly before he grew still. He clearly had no interest in continuing that thought.

Nodder, who seemed to be inclined to guide, defend, and encourage directed the conversation to lighter topics. The smallest wash of annoyance passed through me. I would have liked to get more info about what these other gods had said, done, or offered to them. As soon as it passed though it was completely gone. We were all shaken, tired, and likely traumatized enough already. Basic introductions went around followed by minor chitchat. Nodder was actually named Samuel. He was a husband and father. His wife had unfortunately passed, but luckily before all this insanity. His children were currently MIA, hopefully alive and well, but none of us tried to estimate how likely that was. He truly did seem hopeful.

The [Shield Maiden] was named Avery. Her little brother was out there somewhere she knew. They'd been together right before we'd been brought here. Likely he was simply in another town with another group. Hopefully with their mother or father. Unfortunately they'd been out of town visiting friends when things went to shit.

I introduced myself, Elliot, I was a partner and parent to no-one, but I was close to my parents, siblings, and their children. I had also not been near most of them at the start, although 2 of my siblings I'd met up with. Sadly both had met their end at the hands of someone I'll never forget. Just as likely I'd never see them again though. Like the others I kept the details light, not wanting to bring the mood low again.

Mr. Catatonic was Edward. He didn't have any family left. His father died before he was born. His mother not long after. He was raised by his grandmother who'd passed in her sleep in his early 30s.

It was as he was telling us about his job that the village elder brought two others in at the same time. I dismissed myself with the excuse of letting one of them have my seat at the table. Edward did the same. I wasn't antisocial but also didn't feel like talking any more right now. At least not about more dead, lost, or missing family members. walking over to the fireplace I found two comfy looking chairs and commandeered one. It wasn't a La-z-boy but compared to the wooden chairs at the table it was cozy enough. Edward made a soft grumble as he sat in the other chair, but otherwise didn't try to engage me in any way. I closed my eyes and focused inward again. I figured if I couldn't ask questions I may as well look for answers the only other place I could. Slightly faster than before I was able to locate the 'button' in my mind. Which was surprising as it was no longer 'lit up' as before. I think what drew my attention was the second 'nodule' now sitting next to it. curious I reached first out to this new one. It gave the impression of a window, but the glass, if that's what it was made of, was completely opaque. Even pressing against it I got no reaction or further impressions of any kind. Hmm I thought, must be whatever happened when I 'used' my skill the first time.

Turning back to the 'skill node' I felt it out. where before it was a lit up, ready to use, button, now it felt like a grayed out option on a web form. No amount of looking, touching, asking, or any other intent I threw at it caused a change. Easing up I spread my awareness out attempting to feel if there was any other change. Not expecting to find anything I was surprised when I did. The earlier feeling of a draining bladder hadn't exactly came from anywhere in particular. Likewise this new feeling I'd found was just as ever-present. If before I felt like a cup that'd been completely emptied to a bone dry state, now I felt, while not full, like one with enough to get a few good pulls from. I didn't want to assume since I'd forgone the system option but I was optimistic that I'd just found my mana.