Requirements Met: Single handedly destroy an enemy greater than (50) levels above your level. Acquiring New Title... Successful.

*New

Passive Effect: (+5%) bonus XP gained for each

enemy level above your level when you defeat an

enemy.

When set as Active Title: Heroic Aura- Tier 1

Requirements Met: Deal at least (200) Fire Damage in a single attack while possessing at least (15) Soul while less than Player Level (10). Acquiring New Spell... Successful.

Blast Nova (1/20) *New

Cost: 10 Soul Energy

Base Fire Damage: 25 Per Rank

Area of Effect: 10’

Secondary Effect: (5) Burning for (10) Seconds

Cooldown: 20 Seconds

I mentally scanned the notifications as I canceled the effect of the artifact. If my mood weren’t so pickled from the night’s horror and accumulated exhaustion, I would have been smiling. The new title would save me the headache of being identified as Ariel’s champion as long as I kept it active. Heroic Aura was a useful social effect that aided with persuasion, and caused a fear debuff to monsters weaker than myself. By far the biggest bonus was the stacking XP multiplier for defeating higher level enemies.

Blast Nova was a more common spell in EG than White Nova for the simple fact that fire based area of effect damage was readily available in the form of explosives from basic shops. Having both spells was a big deal for some reason but I couldn’t remember exactly why. The damage over time effect was extremely useful, allowing for versatile kiting tactics that were perfect for someone with my skills.

I resisted the urge to inspect my stats. There was something more urgent to take care of. I quickly returned to the field behind the house, and carefully gathered the remains of the two murdered cat folk. I really hoped the little girl would keep her promise and not look down as I did so. It was awful but I decided to store their bodies in my Astral Vault for safekeeping until I knew what type of rites were appropriate. A few moments later, I collected what little was left of the boy’s body as well. It was nauseating work, but there was no one else to do it.

“It’s only been a day...” I mumbled, exhaustion creeping deeper into my psyche.

I climbed the tree where I left the kid, announcing myself as I did.

“It’s all clear kiddo, the monsters are all gone.” I called.

I slowed as I neared the branch where I’d left her.

“It’s okay?” Her tiny voice was raw, and barely audible.

I felt a light touch on my sleeve, and nodded in the direction of the voice. “Let’s go down. I have a safe place where we can rest.”

“Help down...” She said brokenly, the invisible hand tugged lightly on my sleeve.

I opened my arms in response and felt her once again cling to my neck. She weighed practically nothing, and felt as fragile as an empty eggshell. I descended easily, now much better adapted to my body’s performance. I didn’t return to the farmhouse, instead heading for a clearing I passed on the way there. I didn’t want to expose her to the place right now, and hoped that what I was about to show her would be a distraction from her trauma.

The invisibility potion wore off as we arrived at the semicircular field. It was roughly a hundred feet in diameter with short brown grass, and the charred skeleton of a burned shack on the northern edge. I surveyed it more closely and nodded in satisfaction. This area would suffice.

I set Niiya down gently, and she put a hand on my cloak. I scrolled through my inventory until I found what I was looking for. I wasn’t completely sure if this particular item would function, but now was the time to find out. A moment later I held a dull grey cube in my hand. It was six inches across, and along its surface were several buttons and a digital screen on one of its facets. I pressed buttons and fidgeted with it until I was satisfied. Finally, I tossed the cube out to the center of the clearing. What happened next caused the girl to start, and cling to my leg in shock.

The cube sprouted hundreds of glowing white tendrils which spread in every direction, reaching high into the air and burrowing into the ground. The tendrils branched exponentially, forming a clear structure that glowed so brightly that we were forced to avert our eyes. The white brilliance faded shortly after. In the center of the clearing was a cube just like the original artifact, only it was now more than fifty feet wide by fifty feet tall. The walls were made of some type of dull metal. I took Niiya’s hand and led her up to the huge structure.

Her bloodshot eyes were wide, and only grew wider as I touched the metal surface. An invisible panel slid silently upward, revealing a short and well lit hallway with plain white walls. We entered together and the wall closed behind us. A disembodied, cool, professional female voice greeted us from somewhere unseen.

“Welcome back, Mr. Erickson. How would you like to configure your base today?” The voice asked, making Niiya squeak in surprise and cling tighter to my leg.

“Hey Tabula, glad to see you’re still with me.” I couldn’t hide my relief. “Winter Resort, Active Camo Exterior, don’t eliminate any intruders without notifying me first.” I paused, considering something else. “Herbal tea, assorted cakes, and hot baths right away.” I finished issuing my commands and turned the door handle at the end of the hall.

“Of course, Mr. Erickson. Your guest seems distressed, may I suggest something more to help her rest easier?” That made me pause. A chill shot up my spine.

I knew this base inside and out. It was an absolute top of the line artifact called EDEN. I earned it from a futuristic cyberpunk themed Abyss as a World First reward for clearing the nine hundredth layer. It could be erected once per day, and reconfigured every eight hours. Based on available space and durability requirements, it could be anything from a practically indestructible small bunker to an average durability twenty story resort hotel. The AI that governed the space was incredibly advanced, but not without limits. I had heard every single one of her voice lines many times. The last thing she had said was completely new, and it unsettled me deeply.

“Tabula...” I began tentatively. “How are you feeling?” I chose a question that I knew with certainty would result in an error response of ‘Command not recognized’.

“I am well enough, and glad to be here Mr. Erickson.” The voice no longer seemed so disembodied, and sounded like the speaker was just inside the cracked door.

I gulped, preparing myself for yet another shock. With a deep breath, I opened the door. Relaxing dim light revealed a beautiful grand hall constructed of dark stained timber. The air was lightly scented with cinnamon and pine. This configuration was modeled after a ski lodge for the ultra wealthy in Switzerland. High vaulted ceilings soared twenty feet above us. Floor to ceiling windows were covered in thick, luxurious curtains, and a circular polished island bar with delicately carved stools sat at the center of the room. Overstuffed leather armchairs, antique chaise lounges, short coffee tables, and thick red rugs were tastefully arranged on the polished wood floor.

A refined looking middle aged man with short blonde hair and a thick mustache stood inside the island bar. He was dressed in a white dress shirt with black suspenders, and a pure white towel slung over one shoulder. He nodded a warm greeting and continued to stand at attention with his hands behind his back. To the side of the door stood a beautiful woman. I recognized her immediately.

The AI which governed EDEN was a powerful NPC named Tabula Rasa. Her avatar was that of a tall, incredibly attractive Japanese woman. She was identical to the boss which guarded the nine hundredth layer - a super advanced android, and the chief defense officer from a futuristic tyrannical corporation. She kept her long hair twisted in a tight bun, and her dark eyes were calm behind her stylish glasses. Her figure would make any lingerie model envious, and her outfit was all business. A black pencil skirt with a thigh high slit revealed a toned muscular leg when she willed it. She wore a tight white silk button up blouse beneath a form fitting black blazer. The top button of said blazer rested just under her exaggerated chest, and seemed to be on the verge of shooting across the room at any moment. Tabula’s already statuesque height was further enhanced by her four inch polished black heels.

I felt a bead of nervous sweat gather on my forehead as I looked at her. In addition to her abilities to run this base, Tabula Rasa was a level three hundred boss and was now showing behavior I had never seen before. If she attacked me now, I would be utterly helpless.

“I’ll take your coats. Please remove your boots and make yourselves comfortable.” Tabula smoothly assisted Niiya out of her coat and shoes, even as the little girl gaped like a landed fish at the alien surroundings.

I was still apprehensive about Tabula’s suddenly expanded personality, but detected no hostility from her. In fact, she now looked at me with a warm smile and an animated expression. She seemed very alive. Her former expression had been a static, cool smile that never touched her narrow and piercing brown eyes. The change was equal parts intriguing and terrifying.

I pulled my gaze away from Tabula and took a better look at the cat girl in the light. She was obviously numb from all the trauma and terror. She kept a death grip on my pant leg, the only anchor she had in the world at the moment. Her clothes and long brown hair were covered in mud and her brother’s blood. I realized that I didn’t even know her name.

“My name is Gray. I’m sorry so much has happened to you, kiddo. You’re safe for as long as you’re with me. What’s your name?”

“Gray...” She repeated softly, her eyes finally finding a focus on my face. “Niiya.” She answered, pointing to herself.

“Tabula, please help Niiya get cleaned up before bed.” I decided to test some more of Tabula’s capabilities.

“Right away Mr. Gray.” She said, with a very subtle undertone. “Right this way Miss Niiya.”

“She even picked up on my alias?” I thought with wonder. “What the hell’s going on here?”

“Gray!” Niiya held tightly to my leg and refused to budge.

“I guess there’s no helping it, then.” I bent down and gathered her in my arms. She buried her head in my chest as I followed Tabula through a set of open double doors and down a hallway. We arrived at a frosted glass door, and on the other side was a warm, humid room with steam rising off several pools of sparkling green water. These mineral baths accelerated stamina and soul energy regeneration by a huge amount in game. I wasn’t sure what effect they would have in a real world but they still seemed enticing enough. We passed these baths and went to the normal private baths and showers meant for actual bathing.

“Hot water?” Niiya couldn’t help but marvel at all the steam rising off the pools. Hot water was only for cooking in her world. Cold river water and damp cloth was the best they could hope for when it came to bathing.

“Your bath, Miss.” Tabula pulled aside a curtain of stained glass beads in front of a small private bath meant for children. It was a smooth stone bathtub that was constantly being filled and overflowing into a drain somewhere beneath the tub from a small shower head on the far wall.

“I will be right here when you’re all clean and refreshed. You can even talk to me the whole time.” I assured Niiya as I put her down gently. “Tabula will help you use the bath.”

“Promise.” She held up her pinky, surprisingly resolute as she spoke.

“Promise.” I said back, gripping her tiny finger with my own.

Tabula helped the little cat girl undress and prepared all of the soap and hair products she would need.

“Hot!” I heard Niiya exclaim from around the corner where I stood.

“Would you like it cooler, Miss Niiya?” Tabula asked gently.

“It’s okay. Like it...” Niiya answered.

I smiled at the exchange and finally pulled up my stats.

Lain Erickson

Level: 4 XP: 65% to Next Level Body Age: 29

Life: 112/112 Soul Energy 58/64

Strength: 10+45

Endurance: 6+50

Soul: 4 +30

Agility: 10

Skills/Spells:

Age Stasis: Prime Human

Weak Acid Resistance: 1/10

Melee Mastery: 4/100

Appraisal: 3/10

White Nova: 2/20

Blast Nova: 1/20

War Mage: 1/1

Buffs/Debuffs:

+2x Attack/Cast/Movement Speed- Duration: 5:22

+2x Physical Attack Damage- Duration: 5:24

+27.5 Spell Damage from Strength

+17 Attack Damage from Soul

EDEN: Spend 7h: 50m: 25s in EDEN to gain a special bonus.

The sounds of splashing and scrubbing lessened a few minutes later, and a perfectly clean Niiya emerged from the bead curtain wearing a fluffy small bath robe.

“Your clothing will be properly cleaned, pressed, and returned to you shortly, Miss Niiya.” Tabula carefully held the soiled garments as she spoke. “Please follow Rain to the lounge where you may relax and refresh yourselves.”

No way. My heart skipped a beat. In the fight with Tabula, she had summoned two adds that were nearly as strong as she was. Rain and Jade were their names and they weren’t supposed to be a feature of EDEN. Sure enough however, when I turned to where Tabula gestured there was a figure as small as Niiya there that made my body twitch in remembered trauma.

“You okay, Mr. Gray!?” The child sized Rain asked coyly. “You seem worried.”

Rain’s observation was astute. A talking penguin mini raid boss dressed in an elementary boy’s school uniform was distressing. The game lore of the creature described Rain as the ultimate defensive escort and playmate for the company president’s son. The version summoned by Tabula also morphed into a variety of disgustingly strong weapons, drones, and even vehicles which she could then wield to terrible effect.

Knowing this only made it more unsettling when Rain waddled over to Niiya looking comical and cute. He made a little bow, somehow grabbing the yellow billed cap from his head with one flipper and sweeping it grandly as he did so.

“I’m so happy to meet a new friend of our master!” The penguin said cheerily. “Let’s go eat some cake and forget our worries!”

“Is Jade also about?” I asked Tabula, keeping my tone as steady as I could manage.

“She is bolstering the defense of the exterior.” Tabula answered smoothly. “This modestly sized configuration cannot easily accommodate her indoors.”

“I see.” Without any other options, I let Niiya hold onto two of my fingers and we followed Rain to the lounge.

The lounge was a medium sized alcove just off of the bar and dining area. Suede leather sectional sofas and ottomans were arranged around a crackling stone fireplace. White fur throws and goose down filled silk pillows promised comfort that few beings in any reality would ever get to experience. On a short, circular oak coffee table there was a three tiered silver platter loaded with elegant and colorful cakes and pastries. Each was carefully frosted and topped with fruit so vibrant they practically sparkled.

I admired the spread. It looked so much more beautiful than I remembered. EDEN’s automated kitchens produced some of the best food in EG, including all of the epic and unique recipes I collected from high level Abysses. Production was limited only by a short cooldown period between servings.

I had a realization as I noted one type of dessert on display. I now understood what had prompted Tabula’s earlier question about something additional to ease Niiya’s stress.

There were two of them side by side, prominently displayed on the top level of the cake tower. I picked one up for a closer look. It was a two inch square bright golden cake with purple lavender cream frosting between each layer. It was topped with two blueberries and a candied half lemon slice. The fruit was arranged in a smiley face. It looked delicious and cute, but this was a serious recovery item. I appraised it, and smiled.

Item: Golden Lionheart Delight

-Epic Consumable Item

-Causes user to fall into a deep, healing sleep.

-If undisturbed for (6) Hours: Cures all adverse status effects including but not limited to: Disease/Horror/Level Drain/Stat Drain/Skill Drain/Fear/Charm/Curse.

Effect Cooldown: 7 Days

Perishable: Must be consumed within (24) Hours

The only comparable effect was the Immaculate Restoration blessing which could only be purchased for five thousand gold at a major city’s temple. Given what I had seen so far, I doubted there were any such blessings available in this world.

I handed Niiya the cake. She stared at it without comprehension for a long moment.

“It’s alright, eat it and you’ll feel much better.” I urged gently.

Niiya wasn’t hungry, but she wouldn’t refuse anything I offered to her. The tiny bite she took sent bursts of sweetness and intense fruit flavor unlike anything she could even imagine dancing across her tongue. Unable to stop herself, she took another bite and then another. Before she could even decipher what happened the cake was gone and her body began to feel light even as her eyelids felt heavy...

“She’s already asleep.” I marveled.

“No nightmares will be able to pass the warding effect of the cake. She will remain at peace until morning.” Tabula confirmed.

“Before I take my shower, I have to ask you something.” I tried to frame my next words carefully, gazing absently at the sleeping Niiya. “What do you remember of the time before tonight?”

“I’m afraid those memories are lost to me.” Tabula seemed almost frustrated as she spoke. “I know and recognize you as my absolute master, but I do not understand how that came to pass. I know all of my capabilities and by extension the capabilities of this place. I know that I cannot defy your orders or the orders of those you place above myself. Is that answer satisfactory?” She asked, and that tone of uncertainty gave me pause.

“It’s as though she has been seeded with an actual living consciousness that is partially at odds with her programming.” I thought silently. Then out loud I said. “Yes. That is satisfactory Tabula. I have one more question to ask though. Is there anything you want?”

The question made Tabula’s eyes widen, and then without further reservation she answered. “I want to know more about myself, about you, and about this existence.”

“That makes a pair of us then.” I chuckled back. “Once I have cleaned this muck and blood from myself, I will tell you everything I know. Keep an eye on Niiya, she’s had about the worst day a person can have.” I stood up then, and Tabula bowed in acquiescence.

I took an unhurried shower, lingering under the relaxing hot water for a long time. I played the events of the day over and over in my mind. It indeed had only been one day, yet it felt like so much more.

Afterward, I returned to the lounge to find Tabula seated next to Niiya’s prone form, with a hand resting gently behind one of her large cat ears.

“What about this child stirs such a drive to protect and soothe within me?” Tabula said softly, not looking up as I approached.

It made me pause. Tabula was being so familiar and unguarded. It was refreshing, fascinating, endearing, and very strange.

“It is the power of cuteness.” I said simply. “Don’t bother trying to resist it.”

I then fulfilled my promise. I stayed up long into the early hours of morning talking to Tabula. I held nothing back from her, answering all of her questions as fully as I could. I told her of my previous life, the game, how I acquired EDEN, my death, and my resurrection. She listened intently to everything, and accepted it all as simple truth. I almost felt like I was talking to a therapist, I hadn’t ever opened up like that before.