Ahhhhh. I stretched. Sickening feeling of my nasty rebirth? Gone. Nice.

So, as usual. Good morning, Whispy.

[Good morning, Alira Reborn.]

Oh? Feisty, i like it! So, this time, how about taking a quest from the guild with a little less risk of me dying early?

[Okay.]

Luckily, my gear reconstructed with me. Kind of like the soulbound equipment in the legends i was told as a child. That was the least the Void could do for me, i told myself.

Also a nice side effect from dying seemed to be being cleaned up completely. I went a long time without a bath. In the Void that was not a problem, as i didn't sweat and there was no dirt nor dust. In the real world, i had started to smell. My girly parts, too. Since tonight, it was like i had never been anything else but pure. No stench. No specks of dirt on me or my clothes. No fishy aura.

Still way off from evening out the hellish torture i had to endure, but at least.. something, i guess.

I headed down the stairs, my 'new' light armor on, dagger in the belt. Bread with cheese, again. Lovely. Ah the coffee. Still barely satisfying. To celebrate my next success, i will definitely pay Anne a visit! Her coffee tasted like black heaven.

[So, i take it from your thoughts you have calmed down?] Whispy asked, cautiously.

Yes, yes i am fine now. Sorry i lashed out at you, but it was a bit too much yesterday.

[Good. By the way, do you have any skills at all? Except Appraise, i mean.]

Uh.. Not that i know of, why?

[Because usually taking a class gives you a skill. You are a thief, are you not? I did not ask before because thieves usually do not have combat abilities. Maybe on a higher levels some assassination moves, but that's about it. After the fiasco yesterday i think we need to move it up a bit and utilize everything you got.]

Yeah, makes total sense. How do i know what kind of skills i got?

[Just think: My skills]

Sure, i thought, while munching on another slice of bread. My skills..

Skills of Alira Wesz Skills of class: Thief (lower) Mana Cost: Lesser Illusion - Level 0 (Use this skill once to unlock it): Unless people concentrate specifically on you, the chance they detect you is reduced. (Reduces the chance to be detected by 10% per level. Trained individuals always have a high chance to recognize you.) 10 + 2/sec Generic skills: Appraisal - Level 6: Display information about various items and entities (Every level increases the information you can see. Max. Lvl. that can be identified: Level 29 [Character-Level +20]) 20 Unique skills: Blessing of §'#&, the True One - Level ???: A being more powerful than the gods has blessed you. (This skill is unique. There is no information available on this skill.) Passive

Hm. The only new thing here is 'Lesser Illusion'. That sounds awesome, but weak. I mean, come on, 'Lesser'? Can't expect too much right. Maybe i should try it, just to obtain it.

No description on the blessing? Somehow that does not surprise me. More powerful than the gods, huh? Way to go, Mister §'#&.

I grinned. Who exactly was that thing that blessed me?

[Haha, that is a question for another day. Seriously though, Illusion magic? Not too bad, but in order to unlock your affinities, you need to be in danger. No danger if you can't be seen, unfortunately.]

I thought so, i sighed. Damn. Well, to the guild now. I burped and stood up. While walking, i talked with my other self.

Whispy, i have a question.

[What is it?]

Why can't i join a team, or become the apprentice of someone? I mean, i could learn to survive and fight right?

[..]

Whispy?

[..Yeah ..sorry. .. ..As you know i have been imbued with a set of knowledge to act as your guide. It is.. eh.. like a to-do list. And the first point kinda says 'Make her die, a lot'.] he sounded like i caught him red-handed.

Woot? You are a fucking psycho, Fluffy.

[Hey, no need to get rude. I only act based on what i was born to do.]

Wait, does that mean that dying does not actually unlock affinities?

[..]

FLUFFY??

[Well, it doesn't harm the cause, at least.]

I hope you get your share of divine justice some day, you little scum. For a few minutes, we stomped down the streets in silence.

[..Will you let me make it up to you? Please?]

I was still mad, so: No! I can't trust myself (well, the thing that is also me), shit. Fucking sweet, really.

[You CAN trust me. I am sorry for.. hm.. deceiving you a bit. I could tell you something about the one who blessed you in exchange. Will that help soothe your anger?]

Maybe.

I was at an impasse. Whispy would be forever with me, as far is i could tell. So i had to arrange myself with my fluffy self eventually. That he shares my thoughts doesn't help. Damn.

Okay, Whispy. But it better be interesting.

[Oh, i can assure you.]

What are you waiting for, then? Go on!

[There are four like him, in all the universes. They are old, very old. They left reality millennia ago, because they got bored playing around in the petri-dish.]

That sounded ominous. Very interesting, though. Tell me more?

[I am not sure if i already said too much. Not even O'Ra (Goddess of Light) knows that there are only four like him. She just knows that the things living in the Void are ancient, and strong. No one dares intrude upon their domain.]

Yeah, when i first met her, she said something about no authority or something.

[Yes, exactly. Oh, one more thing i can tell you. Being blessed by one of them has not happened since the dawn of time, back when they still had fun playing around. 'Unique skill' is an understatement. But you will see that for yourself soon enough. Not even to mention me, i was created by another of them.]

Aha. Thanks, i guess. I am still mad though. No more deceiving, little Fluffy, you understand? Or i will really try to get rid of you. Even if it takes forever. Be sure of that.

..No pledge this time? Selective, are we, Mister Blessing.

[I get it, Alira. I can't tell you what the future will be like, but everything i do is in your interest. Even if you can not see it yet.]

You sure build up expectations, Whispy. Always saying 'You will see later.' Or 'If you become strong, you will know eventually.' Or 'Another day..'.

[I know, but that is how things need to be.]

If you say so.

We had arrived at the guild hall again. Wow, time flies when you are listening to yourself telling tales of the fabulous four.

[Hehe.] Whispy chuckled. [Please don't get mad again when we go inside.]

Why? Is there more?

[Hm.. i needed to convince you to go die, yes? Would you have gone if you knew there was zero chance for you to achieve anything?]

Hm. I had no illusions about that i would die the other day. But somewhere deep inside, i felt like i would somehow come out on top. A heroine of past times, or something.

[Yeah, i know. You think like that subconsciously a lot. So.. to convince you, i may have edited your field of view a bit..]

Wait, what now?

[The quest, with the Wargs? I may have overdrawn the required rank you saw.]

What exactly does that mean?

[Hm the rank might have been A .. not E. Also, Wargs could have been Level 36 in reality, not Level 16.] Whispy responded, meekly.

Haha, you are kidding me, right? I went on a mission four ranks above me?

[Well, not officially. The guild would never let you do that.]

Yeah, funny. Does that mean that i am not actually so pathetic?

[Oh Alira. Always salvaging the situation, are we. But, i guess, .. No. Not THAT pathetic.]

Cool. Now i am even more proud that i didn't scream and run like a little bitch.

"Welcome to the guild, what can i do for you today, Miss.. eh.. Alira, was it? Came to trade some more coins?" Sparkling eyes, hoping for old treasure, locked onto mine, expectantly.

"Oh, it's Fer, isn't it. Nice to see you. Actually, i would like to join a team. To learn fighting and stuff."

[Alira, you can't jus..] Shut up, Fluffy. I am gonna get stronger, alright? But we are doing this my way, for a change. If your creators have a problem with that, they know where to find me.

[Jeez, fine.] He pouted. HE, my deceiving friend, pouted. Ahh fuck it. Better listen in on what Fer has to say.

"The guild offers standardized training for new adventurers. I was wondering the other day why you didn't enscribe. It is a commonly known practice to forge bonds and create teams while growing stronger."

Well, i was gone for centuries. Back in my days, commoners rarely became adventurers, that was for the middle and upper class only. The times are better now, i laughed silently.

"Sign me up!" I hope this mitigates the risk of me shedding my mortal coil in the future.