“DAMN IT FEELS GOOooOOooOOD TO BE HOME BABY! WOOHOO!”

I truly felt amazing. Ecstatic? Incredible?!

Sure, there have been some terrible losses in the last few hours… but that was a problem for the ‘conscious me’!

Right now, it is garden party time!

I did a jazzy dance up to the table with the envelope on it and spun round before slapping it.

“WAA-POW!”

If I was being honest, I welcomed the unexpected euphoric feeling.

SURE, to an outsider observer, it might seem a bit insane or psychotic, considering the ‘real life’ situation but, surely I can still enjoy my dreams, right?!

…

…

Nothing appeared on the message table.

Bummer.

Humming a ‘better luck next time’ tune, I pondered aloud about “how cool it would be if I could install some speakers or a sound system here and play music from my memories.”

“Sigh..”

DING.

“Hmm? Oh? A request?” My Garden spoke to me using emotions and memories and it was fine.

It was normal.

And it was slightly… feminine?

“Well! Hellooo sexy voice!” I was intoxicated on good feelings and I had lost all filtering and rationale.

Why should I bother anymore! We're all going to end up dead anyways!

There was not a single bit of concern or shred of pain or sadness in my mind.

This was definitely all OKAY. Nothing out of the ordinary at all.

Also, this is sexy! My garden is FEMALE!

Yes, it's a bit weird that I find that exciting, considering it is some kind of separate part of my mind..but still! Mustn’t let Marri find ou-

…

..

Marri.

…

..Lone.

Not even hypothalamus hyper-stimuli could drown out the worry I had for them.

“Fuck..what am I doing..” I ethereally rubbed my face and stared at the ground, gripping my hair, fear and panic rising, constesting with being drowned out by the artificial toxic overpowering feeling of joy storming through my thoughts.

But it didn't feel good anymore; it just made me feel ill. Toxic. Corrupted.

Emotion sickness.

A soft hand caressed my face and I closed my eyes at the warm calming comfort it brought me.

A side effect of intense experience absorption.

The hand lifted my face up and as I slowly opened my eyes I saw an incomprehensibly beautiful young woman with below-the-shoulder length faded neon pink hair, one side of her bangs was brushed over her small ears and it had several braided strands that had digital green and azure blue shimmering lines running up and down.

Her eyes were perfect white with true Black pupils; the iris had glowing gold flecks that glowed with a fiery intensity; she also had neat dark eyebrows, and her nose was simply attractive and cute.

My eyes were drawn towards perfect pale pink lips with vermilion borders that were dangerously enticing, and her small rounded chin completed the perfectly shaped head.

Her frame was petite with tantalising curves, a goddess-like body.

Wow.

She was sucking on a lollipop, which she calmly pulled out before she embraced me in a close hug against her small frame.

Her scent was intense but calming. It was my favourite smell even though I didn’t know what it was, nor had I ever smelt it before.

All the craziness, sickness and fake happiness drained from my mind and I was left with a calm clarity about where I was, who I was and what I needed to do next.

She pulled back and smiled into my eyes.

Perks of being a part of your mind.

Her lips didn’t move, but her voice made me shudder with delight as it purred close to my ears. The kind of voice that would make your knees weak and melt you like butter.

She covered her mouth as she soundlessly giggled and rolling her eyes, she went back to eating the lollipop; turning around, she disappeared in a flash of gold shimmer before reappearing next to the maelstrom.

She curled one finger, beckoning me.

Come.

I walked towards her, glancing at the tall experience-log monolith.

Do not trouble yourself with that, I’ll let you know if it requires your attention.

I trusted her words. Or should I say my words… I mean, this is all part of my mind, right? Just a figment of my imagination.

I have so many questions..

She frowned and blinked out of existence again, leaving behind a fading gold mist of shimmer.

I darted my head around, looking to see where she had gone. Being truthful, I longed to see her again and was worried I had screwed something up somehow.

She was nowhere to be seen.

Nice going idiot..Now look at what you’ve done.

I turned back around, and she was right there, centimetres from my face, with a scowl in her eyes.

She flicked my nose.

“H-HEY OW! That hurt!” I stepped back and sulkily rubbed my nose, side eyeing the gorgeous manifestation.

She lowered her head and pointed a finger at me.

Call me imaginary or a ‘manifestation’ again and I’ll flick something else.

I jerked my head back in concern.

But also I’m intrigued and slightly aro-

Don’t push your luck, Gardener.

She raised an eyebrow and I felt like a naughty school kid being scolded by the super hot-

Oh for goodness..

“Gah! Sorry! sorry! It’s just this is all..I don’t know-..wait who you calling a gardener?!”

She smirked and nonchalantly threw the lollipop into the ether and took a step forward, then stopped and looked up as if something had caught her attention. She gave a slight frown before blinking out in a shimmer of gold, reappearing next to the maelstrom again.

This is really not good.

Come on Godu, we’re running out of time.

You need to make some changes before things go bad.

Her tone was grave and foreboding, yet I still struggled to do much but admire her as I moved to the maelstrom and started to reach out.

I was about to touch it when I felt a pang of apprehension and paused to look into her eyes.

"Will..I..see you again? I really do have so many questions.."

She smiled compassionately and blinked and appeared right next to me, wrapping her arms round my neck and resting her head on my shoulder.

Only if you want to see me again, but you know I won’t have all the answers.

She pulled herself tightly onto me and nudged her head under my chin affectionately, before leaning back and looking up.

Now hurry! Go make some choices!

I’ll try and help, but you don't have much time left before you need to wake up.

She smiled and blinked away again.

I sighed as I felt a completely different kind of love I'd never felt before.

Shit are these feelings… Am I cheating on Marri?

The girl giggled and it gave me goosebumps.

Oh my, she's my wife, too, you know! Is loving yourself cheating? hmm? But now really is not the time-

Hmmm. Not sure Marri would see it that way, but is she ever going to see you in person? Probably not.

Godu..

OK yes, let's get this done.

I palmed the maelstrom and was presented with the usual information with some minor QoL changes.

STRY.KYR - MAGN.10.924

HP [==82/112==]+

MP [==3/111==]++

EP [==2%==]++

DS [==2%==]++

Sword 12

Shield 12

Feather 12

Glyph 11

[3+5] Attribute points available.

[3+5] Skill points available.

Alright then, I’m completely drained but I didn’t take too much damage, which is mostly thanks to my shields.

Attributes, attributes, attributes..what shall I do with you..

I paused for a moment reflecting back on my experiences and where I felt most vulnerable or weak.

With the mutant grubwoofer, there was a clear lack of damage but more crucially speed, which ultimately my shields sorted for me.. And the parent skull wearer, I lacked weapons or range, which meant I had to be quick in and out, so speed was also important there.

Defense has not been an issue thanks to my shields, which means I should give them a boost, they should be majik right?

Lastly, the swarm...there were just too many. I was completely ineffective against numbers, but I don’t think that can be helped until I get some sort of ‘Area Of Effect’ or more ranged attack

Damn I’m really not sure what to do.

Allow me.

Her words flowed and lingered in the air as I saw a ghostly hand appear from my chest to make some changes.

I didn’t care that I had her hand sticking out my chest, I found it quite comforting in fact.

Sword 12

Shield 12

Feather 15

Glyph 16

Well, it was quite the contrast to what I had originally planned, in fact it's practically the opposite.

But it made sense that I should focus on what works so those choices felt perfect.

I smiled and nodded.

I’ll take that as an agreement then.

Her arm faded out as the information dissolved, reshaping into the skill tablet options and their descriptions.

[3+5] Skill points available.

Regen II -> III [3]

III - Greatly Improve damage Regeneration speed.

Evolution option: Combine Regen with another skill to enable [Mass Drain] on Target. Note: Sacrifices passive function and skill.

NAPC II -> III [3]

III - Greatly Improve physical combat. NS can predict target movement, Greatly increasing accuracy. [ADI integration] will allow SMDS cooperation. [Req: ADI]

Shoulder Rush II -> III [3]

III - KE is infused with MJK to guarantee stun. Successful hit will return 90% of energy and MJK cost.

SMDS [Smart Enabled] I -> II [2]

II - Improve speed and Defense.

Note: Smart mode will be replaced with [ADI] due to previous forced evolution.

Wow okay this is starting to get incredibly interesting.

ADI though?..

Advanced Defense Intellect.

THANK YOU! Finally I got some answers!

…Although, why not ‘ExtraSMART’’?

Please hurry, we are running extremely late and things are progressing terribly outside.

Shit. Sorry, okay. Urm…

Her concerned voice had taken on a more severe and panicked tone, and I did not take words like ‘terribly’ lightly.

I fidgeted for a few seconds but threw my hands up and gave in to my first instincts.

*TAP* -2..

*TAP* -3..

….”uhhhhhhHHHHHH that one!”

*TAPTAP* -3..All 8 points done.

Hope it was the right choice...

SMDS [Smart Enabled] I -> II…Processing..

NAPC II -> III…Processing..

NAPC III + REGEN -> …Processing..

I felt my veins being emptied as I fell to my hands and knees.

My hands, elbows, knees, feet and mouth felt like they were being dipped in lava, and I screamed soundlessly from the sheer trauma of the sensation.

After a few more torturous seconds, the pain flooded out and I gasped as the wave of relief and euphoria washed over me.

“Ugh. WOW, that was intense-”

No sooner had I said that, my brain was violated and then I felt the same feeling you get when you stick your tongue on a 9v battery, except all throughout my entire body and skin.

I hissed in pain, but it was nowhere near as bad; it mainly felt weird.

It was a fairly quick jolt. So, feeling a little woozy and massaging my temples, I lifted my head up to look at the maelstrom and saw my rewards for such torture.

And hoh-boy was it bountiful.

SMDS - Scapular Mounted Defense System II [ADI enabled]

Enhances reaction speed and strength of the constructs..

Spawned minor daemon [ADI] for advanced tactical options and integrations.

Regen II -> EVOLVED -> REMOVED

NAPC III [ADI integrated] -> ABSORBED REGEN II

Combat skill set increased.

NS long latency reduced by 50%

Autonomous Target Intent Prediction (ATIP) provides better accuracy based on available sensory input (including Majik interpretation).

Evolved Skill:

OMDC - Overbreak Mass Drain Combat I

Inherits NACP III properties including [ADI integration].

Physical attacks will drain the target of mass and repurpose it to regenerate. Effect strength depends on how much mass is disconnected from the target.

Successful hits will activate a high level Majik scan that will provide haptic feedback when high value areas are attacked.

High value hits will increase subsequent hit damage on the same target temporarily.

I looked down and gaped at my hands in shock and awe, like they were made of diamonds.

HOLY FUCK! I mean, this wasn’t going to make me unstoppable, but this? This changes things.

I looked up and heard screams.

Wha-

GODU! RU-

Light blinded my vision.

There was the book again, with strange symbols and a face hidden under a cloak hood.

I turned around and there was stone everywhere, it was dark, and I fell to my knees, sobbing in front of a large strange orb that warped light.

Then I was in a city, walking through crowds as something blotted out the sun in the sky-

“waKE THE FUCK UP GODU!!!”

*Smack*

My cheek stung and I winced at the bright light that was assaulting my eyes.

There were distant screams and someone was shouting right into my face.

“..ughh ow, wha-what?”

“WE HAVE TO MOVE PLEASE GET UP!” I managed to force my eyelids open and I could see Triya’s face inches away from mine.

For a moment I thought it was her, but after blinking, Triya’s tearful petrified face came into full focus.

“What's going on-UEERKK what the fuck, is that!” I wretched as a horrendous smell assaulted my mind.

It smelt of piss and shit, if the shit had been stewing in gone-off milk and fish during hot weather next to a pile of rotten vegetation. It smelt like death through and through.

I looked up and I could see Tanner sat on the floor, slumped against a wall; his face was blank, his eyes glazed over and lifeless.

“Tanner?” My voice warbled as my peripheral vision registered a truly barbaric sight.

He had a kitchen knife sticking out of his chest and his lower torso was completely gutted with his guts spilling out onto the floor.

Triyas hands pulled my face away from the hellish scene towards hers.

“PLEASE! WE HAVE TO MOVE NOW! STAND UP!” She cried out into my face as I numbly stared into her pleading eyes.

Triay was whimpering and trembling as she dragged me to my feet. I could feel a cold sweat washing over me; my mouth producing excessive amounts of saliva.

Tanners..dead?

I stumbled to my feet and looked back in muted shock before doubling over and retching up stomach bile as the realisation finally sunk in.

Tanner's dead!

Triya dragged me as I was retching and started running with me towards the front door and began unbolting it.

He's been fucking gutted like a fish! I saw his guts hanging out!

“URK. JESUS FUCKING CHRIST TRIYA!? WHAT THE FUCK HAS HAPPENED? WHAT THE FUCK HAS HAPPENED TO TANNER TRIYA!? TRIYA STOP!!!” I was trembling as I grabbed her shoulders and spun her around and there were tears of anger misting up my eyes.

She looked up, a snivelling mess with snot and tears streaking through a dirty face.

Her pleading eyes were reddened, sore and sullen… she looked broken.

The poor poor girl... if she witnessed this...

“I’m sorry! I couldn’t stop them. I'm so sorry! I’m so sorry! I’m so sorry…” she fell to her knees, sputtering out the same over and over, leaving me standing over her, looking confused as she wept.

I gasped as I heard the metallic sound of my shields deploying and I heard a soft series of chimes from Xno.

My eyes scanned around me but I saw nothing, so I let out a frustrated sigh, then crouched down and gently tried to comfort the girl

This is really bad… but I need to stay calm and just focus on getting out of here.

“It’s okay shh, shh. Hey come, let’s get out of here and get somewhere safe okay?”

And then I want fucking answers.

I maintained composure and a somewhat calm voice on the outside, but inside I was ready to obliterate who or whatever did this to Tanner.

Gently lifting her up, she nodded and wiped her face with her sleeves.

“Y-yeh okay…but can you promise me something Godu?” She sniffed and maintained an intense amount of eye contact.

“Uh, sure, depends on what it is?” I replied, wincing in anticipation of having to turn her down.

“...promise me, you’ll take me and my brother with you if you go?” I felt uncomfortable and the question caught me off guard.. So I blurted out an agreement without thinking it through.

“Huh? Uhh sure yeah why not, I’ll take you both with me bu-” She rammed into me and bear-hugged me, leaving me speechless and fidgeting to avoid her pressing into inappropriate places, my hormones were all over the place after all this death and my...garden experience.

“Good. You’re one of the good ones, Godu. Never forget that.” Before I could respond, she moved back, slapped her checks, and rubbed her face.

Xno made some more low chimes and swivelled round briefly to stare behind me before turning back. It dimmed it's lights and floated by the side of the doorway.

I looked back anxiously into the gloom and darkness wondering if the darkness was staring back. There were still distant screams and shouts but it was hard to tell if they were inside or outside.

“OKAY. We’re going to open this door, but DO NOT run straight back to the gates okay? We need to go through via the side woods else we’re going to get ripped apart. Just follow me and Xno okay?” She slid out the first bolt.

My head snapped to her.

“Woa woa! Yes it SOUNDS good but wait a second yeah? Is it safe to go out and where’s everyone else?” I glanced around again and put my hands up, gesturing for her to stop and slow down for a second.

“Don’t… worry about the others…” She turned away, moved to the side, and scooped up a thick plank of wood.

“..and Xno has told me it is the safest we’re going to get, but we need to move like five minutes ago. Don’t worry, just.. trust me for now okay?”

I opened my mouth to protest further but she quickly slid the second bolt and pulled open the door.

A blast of cold, damp air rushed in.

As I looked outside, the first thing I noticed was that: I couldn't see shit.

It was nighttime.

Fuck..

***