Dreams are | - Data Expunged - |

I could go for some licorice right now.

... I think I used to love licorice, don't remember much about my life as I frequently bring up... but I think that's something I used to usually snack on, it was like cigarettes for me.

Maybe I should try smoking...

I heard that it fucks up your lung but... are they really going to implement that into a game?

I bring this up because I'm not having a very good time right now, I need something to kick back the pain... be it candy or drugs, either will do for me. Maybe Alcohol? I've had nothing but very spare amounts of wine and vodka... maybe Ale would be good.

Maybe sleep would be good.

My sleep schedule hasn't been normal since I've started this game, and so I think its time I set a proper one... starting tommorow. Right now I just want to take a nap. If I can't sleep, then I'll buy some licorice from the player market.

Now if that doesn't work, we are going to have to try tobacco. I think my father smoked... I don't recall. Maybe I'm thinking of someone else, after all... in a world that is ending, why not take a smoke?

Alright Cobalt, let's get ourselves some sleep.

...

Alright. I think I know where this is going.

Someone is going to bother me with some task while I'm trying to sleep...

I just know it.

...

They are a little late...

...

..

Wait... am I... finally getting proper rest?

...

..

.

.

- Come Find Me. -

nah.

listen dream lady... I don't concern myself with the non-corporeal.

- You won't regret it. -

I'm already regretting responding to you, but it seemed like I had no choice.

Leave me alone.

- We can make a deal. -

...

what kind of deal?

- Your First Born, in exchange for Asi. -

...

I'm a little intrigued.

How?

- never underestimate an | - Data Expunged - | -

... Fine. Let's work out the details.

- Splendid. -

The black and infinite cosmos of my dream like state was instead replaced with a small garden, the air was filled with a warm and dense aroma of flowers and freshly cut grass. I stood amount a platform of vines and branches, below me stood a small gazebo like building made out of merged trees. What is this being... I haven't seen anything manipulate dreams so far...

Is it fine for you just to read my mind?

- I would prefer you to speak, those who are watching will find it easier. -

Me - " Alright then, let's see what's happening. "

I'm not going to concern myself with who is watching, after all they exist outside of the system... data being moved and removed from the system has only been done by the Neolithids so far, so either these beings are beyond the Neolithids... or even the main system itself.

That's assuming they aren't the system in the first place, but that is just a crazed theory.

Me - " You said you can bring me Asi. Is that true? "

- Yes. She is within my reach, as well as... a few others. -

Me - " What do you mean by that... "

- Nothing, it just might be wiser to take my deal before someone else decides to put their hands in. -

I scratched my head, is this being threatening me? Where are they in the first place, and why me? Why my first born? All of these... questions... I'll have to rely on intuition to solve these.

Me - " So there is more of beings like you. "

- Yes. They might not be as friendly. -

Me - " I don't take threats lightly. Now, how do you plan on bringing me Asi? "

- Simple, Data to Data... Dust to Dust. It's easy to manipulate. -

That doesn't answer my question at all, but it gives me a little insight on these beings.

I stretch just a little bit, even in my dreams my arms are stiff... with a small jump, I hop down of the vine platform and onto the soft green grass. Slowly I make my way into the gazibo.

Me - " Data. I assume you aren't something restricted by the system then huh? "

- That's... a little complicated. -

Me - " Don't worry, I think I got the gist. "

Using my MASSIVE BRAIN I have theorized that whatever this being is... its likely that the System didn't create many beings capable of changing Code after the Neolithids... the only one I can imagine is probably the Dragon God and the weird demon god I summoned.

That leaves only a few answers. Either this group is leftover material entered into the Computer Data before the System, these guys are true blood kings, or these guys are remnants of either the Neolithid Chimera... the normal Neolithid... or ...

That's actually quite the bit of options.

Bloodkings...Neolithid Spawn... Forebearers... gods of some sort... warlock patrons... or, and this is probably the least likely... but they are Moderators or Developers.

There is a chance... after all, memory exists as data in this world... changing the memory of moderators wouldn't be hard, and personality isn't hard either... especially if your... another moderator...

I feel like some puzzle prices were found today. Now I need to find the rest to get the big picture, what is going on in StarDuster?

If I can figure out that, then I can make my way down the line... like, how is memory manipulated? How can I remove that feature? How do I rid this game of the neolithids or things that are worse?

I'm not interested in solving the politics of this world, I'm going to try and fix it... or at least get tortured for eternity trying.

Dipping my toes in this abyss is... dangerous to say the least. But there are too many mysteries around this game to leave me satisfied with just a gander at said abyss.

Me - " Alright. So, what was the deal again? "

- In exchange for ' Asi ' to safely delivered to you, you shall grant unto me your first born child. -

I'm going to outsmart the shit out of this bitch.

Me - " That sounds good to me, do I have to sign anything? "

- There isn't a need for a contract. Verbal agreement would suffice. -

Me - " I'll prefer a contract, thanks. "

- But... then I'd need to... -

Me - " What, you scared? "

- N-No! -

Step 1 to tricking people, make them flustered or emotional.

Without a big ceremony, in an instant flash came the body of a large human women... there wasn't

Me - " Is this your true form? "

- No... this just a... -

Me - " I won't do business of this scale without your actual presence. "

Step one complete.

- FINE MORTAL. -

Oh yeah, its complete.

The large featureless human woman was instead swapped out for a more elvish substitute, covered in vines and branches all over the glowing body.

- THIS IS MY TRUE FORM MORTAL. SEE IF YOUR MIND CAN HANDLE IT. -

pfft... handle it?

I can look at Ruby, if she thinks I can't handle her... then that's a shame.

Me - " Alright. Set up the contract. "

A small magic circle appeared between ourselves, it had an unearthly purple glow and spun rapidly. It was... not a spell I knew. Contract Magic?

Looks like it.

- Put your magic power into the circle, let's get this done with. -

Me - " Right, but just to reiterate. Asi delivered to me safely, and in exchange you get my first born. No silly business like taking her away immediantly after, or harming her in any form... right? "

- Yes... come on, i'm a very busy +%+!72 -

Me - " Then let's get this done "

what a fool.

=®=©{ Contract Sealed }=¥×®[

- Its done. You are free to-

Me - " So when do we start? "

- ... eh? What? -

Me - " You said you wanted my first born right? "

- Yes? What are you... eh? EHHH????-

This is my trap card, just like a genie twists wishes I have twisted her words against her. Immediately she began blushing and acting flustered.

Hehehe. This will be good.

- Nonononononono..

that wasn't part of the deal! -

=€×[®{ Contract can not be broken }=€[[®

I stomped towards her with a tremendous furry, the implication has been sought after... and it seems like the contract upholds via my absolute trick.

Me - " Come on. You are very busy right? "

- nononononono... dont come any closer mortal! -

-"+"+{ Opposing Party cannot fulfil the contract. } ('(9#

{{ Clause nulled, opposition ' Avery Hall ' shall receive ' Asi ', no downside implemented. ' Avery Hall ' will not have to give up ' first born ' due to contract null clause. }}

He he. All according to plan.