Veil of Survival

Chapter [4]:Setting the Stage for Power

“Do you think we gave them too much information?” I asked, my gaze drifting to Vix.

She was momentarily lost in thought, her brow furrowed as she weighed the question. “Not too much, just enough to give them a fighting chance. But if they don’t treat their robots like companions, they’ll struggle. Think about it—every time you talked to Ava, you asked, never commanded. Did you even consider naming her, or did it just happen?”

“I don’t really know,” I admitted, a hint of uncertainty in my voice. “I named her Ava because ‘Robot’ felt too impersonal. It was like trying to connect with a machine rather than a partner.” My eyes flickered to Ava, who hovered silently nearby. “I wonder, if we keep growing, will our robots level up with us?”

“YES,” Ava and Arie responded in perfect unison, their voices harmonizing. “We evolve alongside you. As you advance, we gain new abilities, and more items and insights become available.”

That was reassuring. “Alright, Ava, Arie, we’ve managed to complete our daily tasks and even hunt something beyond the barrier. But I want to stay ahead of the game.”

Vix leaned in, her eyes sharp. “The voice mentioned magic. How do I acquire fire magic? Or mind control? Or anything, really?”

Ava projected a screen in the air, displaying our stats and available options. “You have points and Drakes. Points can be used to acquire new abilities or enhance existing ones. Drakes are your currency, used for purchasing items such as food, water, weapons, or tools from the store accessible through us. The currency hierarchy is as follows: Scales, Talon, Wing, Fang, Eye, and Heart. Scales are worth $1, while Hearts are worth $100,000.”

“And how do we earn Drakes?” Vix asked, scanning the list with a keen eye.

“By selling monster parts—meat, bones, and other drops,” Ava explained. “This world functions like a video game, but don’t let that deceive you. It’s a real planet with real dangers.”

I mulled over Ava’s words. “Is this world really just a game? Or is it something more?”

“This is a real planet,” Ava clarified. “It’s approximately the size of three Jupiters and supports a diverse array of lifeforms.”

“So, what would you recommend as a starting ability?” I asked, eager to strategize. “I want to get ahead.”

“I’m leaning towards fire magic!” Vix piped up enthusiastically.

“I would suggest Fangmaster and Breaker,” Ava advised. “Fangmaster allows you to tame beasts and form everlasting bonds; the stronger the bond, the better. You can communicate with tamed beasts, have them follow your commands without explicit orders, and even share their abilities. Breaker, on the other hand, lets you impose your will on others. The stronger you are, the more effective it becomes.”

Arie chimed in, her tone serious. “And before you venture out, remember to stock up on healing plants. The 'Elathea Leaf' is particularly potent—it can speed up recovery from wounds. Look for it near water sources, as it thrives in damp soil.”

“Good to know,” Vix said, nodding. “Anything else?”

“Yes,” Arie continued. “When evaluating a water source, check for any signs of algae or unusual coloration. If it appears murky or has a strange smell, it’s likely contaminated. Always purify your water if you're unsure.”

I felt a surge of gratitude. “Thanks, Arie. That could save our lives out there.”

I scrolled through the options, my attention snagged by a particular ability: “Shifter.” It intrigued me—transforming into any beast I had tamed could be incredibly useful.

“Oooo,” Vix’s eyes widened as she glimpsed my screen. “Arie suggested I choose Fire Vulture and Wind Lance. Fire Vulture lets me conjure and shape fire at will, while Wind Lance allows me to control and direct the wind, creating piercing objects from any dust I pick up.”

“That’s a solid choice,” I said. “I’d recommend adding Earth Grasp to your list. It lets you manipulate the earth to create objects. The higher your level, the more sophisticated the items you can make. At level 37, you could create gold; at level 45, diamonds. It’s a powerful ability.”

We made our decisions and allocated our points. With our new abilities, we felt more equipped to tackle the challenges ahead.

“The lake will be our practice ground,” I said, looking out at the shimmering water. “We’ll stay near the barrier, honing our skills and hunting the local wildlife.”

Vix gave me a determined nod, her eyes reflecting the resolve we both shared. As we prepared to step out into the wilderness, I felt a mix of excitement and apprehension. This world was uncharted, and every new discovery held the promise of both danger and opportunity.

We set off, and soon we arrived at the edge of the forest, the underbrush thick and alive with the sounds of the wild. As we explored, we suddenly heard rustling nearby.

“Stay alert,” I whispered, straining to see through the foliage.

Just then, a massive creature burst from the underbrush. It stood over six feet tall at the shoulder, with glistening emerald scales that shimmered in the dappled sunlight. Its long, sinuous body resembled a dragon but had a more reptilian twist—powerful hind legs and a thick, tapering tail. Jagged spines ran down its back, and its fierce, golden eyes gleamed with intelligence and wariness. It lunged forward, snapping its jaws just inches from Vix.

“Vix, get back!” I shouted, instinctively stepping in front of her.

“On it!” she replied, her voice steady as she nocked an arrow, the tip igniting with flames.

“Wait!” I called out, realizing the creature’s posture was defensive rather than aggressive. “Let me try something.”

I focused on the beast, feeling the bond from my new Fangmaster ability beginning to stir. As I extended my hand, a wave of calmness washed over me. “Easy now,” I said softly. “I’m not here to hurt you.”

The creature hesitated, its wild eyes locking onto mine. Its sharp teeth gleamed menacingly, but I could see the flicker of curiosity beneath its aggression. “I know you’re scared,” I whispered, trying to project a sense of peace. “We can help each other.”

“Aris, you’re doing it!” Vix exclaimed, eyes wide with awe.

“Shhh!” I hissed, glancing back at her. “I need to focus!”

Vix bit her lip, nodding as she lowered her bow, trying to contain her excitement.

I redirected my attention to the creature, channeling every ounce of energy into the bond. The creature’s tension slowly faded, its aggressive posture relaxing. It let out a low growl, more curious than threatening.

“Yes! Just a little more…” I urged, feeling the connection deepen.

As I reached out, the beast tilted its head, a sign of acceptance. Its scales glimmered, and I marveled at the intricate patterns that danced across its body, reflecting the sunlight like a mosaic. I could sense its heartbeat slowing, mirroring my own.

“Wow, you actually did it!” Vix whispered, her voice barely above a breath. “We have a new ally!”

Feeling a surge of emotion, I leaned closer, meeting the creature’s gaze. “You’re beautiful,” I murmured. “I think I’ll call you Zephyr.”

At that moment, a warm light enveloped my left hand, and a symbol began to glow. It took the shape of a stylized dragon, intertwining with vines that seemed to pulse in sync with Zephyr's heartbeat. The moment felt transcendent, solidifying our bond in a way that went beyond mere words.

Zephyr suddenly caught my eye, and with a graceful leap, he darted into the underbrush. I watched, heart pounding with excitement, as he returned moments later, a unique, luminescent plant held delicately in his mouth.

“What’s that?” I asked, intrigued.

“Zephyr!” Vix exclaimed. “What did you find?”

He dropped the plant at our feet, its petals shimmering like stars against the forest floor.

“That’s a Luminescent Bloom!” Arie identified. “It’s an excellent healing plant. Stock up on it for future needs.”

As Zephyr nudged it closer, I felt a surge of connection with the creature. With a soft growl, Zephyr pointed with his snout toward Vix's arm, revealing a small cut that had gone unnoticed. It was a shallow wound, but a trickle of blood had dried against her skin.

“I didn’t even feel that!” Vix exclaimed, surprised. “How did I miss it?”

“Sometimes injuries can go unnoticed until they’re pointed out,” I said, feeling a swell of gratitude toward Zephyr. “Good eye, buddy.”

Arie spoke up again, her tone urgent. “Apply the Luminescent Bloom. It will prevent any potential infection and speed up your recovery. It is also good for many poisons or toxins; only certain creatures are able to locate this plant.”

Vix nodded, quickly taking the plant from Zephyr. As she crushed it in her hands, a bright, shimmering liquid oozed out. She applied it to her wound, and the cool sensation was instantly soothing.

“That feels amazing,” Vix said, a smile spreading across her face. “I didn’t realize how much I needed this!”

“You’re incredible, Zephyr,” I said, unable to help the smile spreading across my face.

Suddenly, as if sensing my words, Zephyr nuzzled against my hand, and a warm glow enveloped my left palm.

The creature stared at me with trust and understanding, and I knew in that moment that we were no longer just allies. We were a team.

With our new abilities and our bond with Zephyr, we set out into the wilderness, ready to face whatever challenges awaited us. Together, we were ready to forge our destiny in this wild, untamed land.