Restoration and live metal
-= One year and six months later. Hunter Hospital. 3:54 a.m. =-
What is insanity?
Maybe it's our life?
Or maybe it's that moment when you wake up and feel like there's something inserted into all (yes, all) of your body's holes?
Needless to say, waking up was not... Unpleasant?
I couldn't even scream because of the tube going to my stomach. My eyes were stinging from the bright light, and they were watering profusely.
I was completely shattered.
Some device to my left beeped and I turned my head slowly, gravely, in its direction. It was a screen. It said that to my left lay the 'Doctor's Call Station'. And I should have pressed it.
I decided to follow the advice, found the "Remote" with my eyes and was about to reach for it when... When I noticed that I was missing my hand... Right, I paid with it to save my sister's life...
That's when the stump went into a phantom pain. Oh, well. Not a bad price. If I had a choice between my sister's life or my hand, you know which one I'd choose.
But we should call a doctor. Why did they put the device on my left in the first place, did I end up with racists who like to make fun of fauns...?
I heard the door to my temporary (I hope) apartment open and a nurse burst in. After exclaiming something and clapping her hands loudly, she ran out into the corridor again and started calling for someone.
Five minutes later the office became crowded.
Everyone was discussing something and pointing at me. A grey-haired doctor came up to me, gently lifted my head and began to pull out a tube. It wasn't very pleasant, but fortunately there were no gagging episodes. I wanted to thank him, but all that came out of my mouth was a croak. Someone handed him a glass of water, and he began to gently pour the life-giving moisture into me.
I felt fifty percent better at once. If I could just get those tubes out of my ass and throat... Anyway, it could be better, yeah.
- Mr. Blood, can you hear me? Can you understand me? - The doctor asked cautiously.
- Yes... Yes I can hear and... And understand..." I answered with difficulty.
- How wonderful! Wonderful!" the doctor exclaimed.
Okay. That was a bit creepy... "It's alive! IT'S ALIVE!" - "It's alive! It's alive!
- Mr Blood, don't look at me like that. You weren't the one who put me back together. You were the hardest case of my career. And even though I've been a doctor for thirty years. - my interlocutor lamented.
I nodded wearily. He was right about something.
- Mr Blood, you are an amazing young man. Our analysts said you'd be awake in at least five years. I repeat, a minimum of five years. You woke up in a year and six months. It's a miracle, Mr. Blood. It's possible your aura is involved, but we haven't detected any active manifestations. Unless it's just a normal passive functioning. - the doctor told me. - Hear me out. The Atlas Army has kindly provided us with their "living metal" technology, which means that we will be able to restore your arm. We, with your parents' permission, have already replaced about sixty of your body bones with metal ones.
Now that was unexpected, I get my arm back! But suspiciously... Why would the army of another kingdom provide some kid, and a faun, with their technology? That's what I thought I'd ask:
- Why... Did they... Do they...
- I don't know, Mr. Blood. Perhaps your parents helped you in this... What a pity it can't be used with the common folk. - he began to complain. - This metal is insanely expensive and cannot be used without revealing the aura. What a pity, what a pity.
Then the doctor continued:
- Mr Blood, we are now going to do a little test and check your motor skills...
Next I was groped, hit with a small hammer and pinched. At the end of an hour I was told to lie down again and try to sleep. The doctors sent a message to my parents, but at night patient visits were closed. The main thing is that they took all the tubes out of me, yes...
Akasha, are you here?
Hey, Art! I'm so glad you're awake... So glad... So...
That's all I need, calming down the system. Eh, how hard my life is...
Akasha, I'm fine, I overslept for a year and a half, it's no big deal, I was preparing to die, but there it is... Akasha, I... I saw my past.
Y-yes... What did you see?
I was a king. I was a great ruler and a warrior, but... But I wasn't happy. Akasha, is there anything you want to tell me?
N-no, why should I?
Akasha, why was I cursed? And by whom?
Tz. Still found out...
Akasha.
Yes, yes, I'll tell you now. I don't know who cursed you. But those who did... Those madmen wanted you to suffer. Suffer forever. They put two curses on you. Forbidden curses. Destiny-changing curses.
For each use of the curse, your soul is being disembodied by creation itself...
But why? Why would you do that for me?!
Art, I don't know. But they got their way... The first curse takes everything that's most precious to you. It will suck out your happiness like a leech. The curse of Tragic Destiny. It doesn't kill, it makes your life a nightmare. Turn into horror. And it won't let you die so easily.
Arthur...
The second curse is no less black. The curse of the Tragic Death. *You will not die a simple death. Your death will be very painful. Not physically, but mentally. You cannot defeat your enemy. Either your loved ones will turn against you and stab you in the back.
But then how did I manage to lift these curses?!
You've already learned that the system is not a simple thing. You've overcame yourself, gone beyond the limit. Your spirit has reached a hundred units. Spirit is not just a characteristic, it really indicates the strength of your soul. With this you have begun to break the shackles of the curse. You stood up in spite of everything and managed to defeat the enemy. You were not supposed to defeat him. Art, you defied the odds and won. You ended the cycle and the curses were broken. You are the only one in all of creation who has managed to break a curse of this type! There were only five recorded cases before you, but two curses at once...
But why did you help me?
I didn't help you. You helped yourself...
Akasha, thank you...
:)
OK, I need to look at the logs for the past year and a half.
Akasha, can you pull up the logs from the battle with Beowulf?
Yeah, Art, but first, here, read this, I was asked to give it to you:
Message received!
Artorias, hello! My name is Zeref and I am the Chief System Administrator of Sistema. We've heard about your feat and have decided to reward you! Good luck, Artorias, all guards are watching your progress, don't embarrass yourself!
Attention!
You have been promoted to the rank of "USER+".
List of changes:
The world map!
Identification of enemies and allies on the mini-map!
Ability to accept and reject quests!
+2 open slots for titles!
Ability to delete memories!
Gained access to the Guardian forum!
Ability to choose world and race at next rebirth!
?:O;SH;I?B?K;A?
"O%%B?;"
That's nice. But the fact that they're watching my progress... Heh heh heh, didn't think the Guardians were so friendly.
Hee hee, Art, you haven't seen your forum page yet. I'll show you!
A window opened in front of me:
-= Guardians of Knowledge - Home - News - Artorias Blood. Curse Breaker! - Main Trader =-
Total posts in trd: 758,942,753,984,215.
Apocrypha: Way to go, kid!
Nightshade: Well done...
Mallorn: ...
DARK LORD: Good job! WAY TO GO KID!
Hapsiel: Milaffy, the power of love is strong in you! I'm on fire!!!
They're weird, but okay, I'll just flip through a few more pages.
It feels good, damn it! So, what's this?
Quilegus. Art, I want to have children with you.
-= attached photo =-
Nice-looking girl...
...Arachne. Fi! Although...
*Art, you're a pervert.
Ahem, I'm kidding! Kidding, yeah...
*All right, I'm gonna start throwing in the logs from the battle.
Congratulations! Your spirit has reached the 100 mark! All the curses that affect you have been weakened!
So that's clear, next.
Congratulations! You have gained the skill Aura (active/passive)!
Aura (active/passive):30 mp.min.
Level: 9
The life force of all creatures.
Description:
"In the past, we were born of ashes.
But darkness ruled the world.
We learned to use the light of our souls to fight the darkness.
This power allowed us to transcend limits.
This power allowed us to push back the darkness.
This power allowed us to protect our hearts.
This power has allowed us to go forward..."
Passive enhancement:
Strength +15%.
Vitality +15%.
Speed +15%.
Coordination +15%.
Intelligence +15%.
Wisdom +15%.
Health regeneration +1% per hour.
Extra when activated:
Strength +25%.
Vitality +25%.
Speed +25%.
Coordination +25%.
Intelligence +25%.
Wisdom +25%.
Health regeneration +2% per hour.
Warning: This ability uses mana to work!
Yeah... Now I see why only hunters can fight Grimms. It's pure cheating... +40% to all stats during activation plus health regeneration. Heh heh heh, I was thinking, and I remembered... I wanted to unlock aura on my fifth birthday, didn't I? I did. Ah-ha-ha-ha!
Art, you all right?
А? Oh, yeah. We're good.
All right, um...
Ahem, let's move on.
Congratulations! Your mana is unlocked!
Received the title "You're a magician, Art!"
Description:
Connecting these two energy lines and-and... Congratulations, you're no longer an impo...
+5% to learn everything about energies.
Fireball... Yeah, wait for me, fireball! The dream of all thirty year old mages, here I come... Ehhh, next.
Warning! Ice Anger / Fury ability (passive) updated!
Ice anger / rage / madness (hidden) (passive).
Extra-level.
Anger, Fury and Insanity give you strength.
Malice:
+10% to all physical characteristics while in a state of anger.
Slightly dulls pain.
Fury:
+15% to all physical characteristics while in a state of rage.
Greatly dulls the pain.
Insanity:
+20% to all physical characteristics in a state of madness.
No pain can be felt.
Warning. In a state of icy anger / rage the user is able to make rational decisions without being distracted by negative emotions and pain.
Warning. In a state of icy rage, the algorithm "Kill the enemy. Save an ally" algorithm works.
Be careful and watch your health!
Congratulations! You have gained the skill "Insanity" (passive)!
Extra Level.
You're no fun anymore, you're just lying there headless.
Wait, who said "Chimichanga"?
You're insane. Neutralised depending on your spirit points.
Current effects: rare random changes in emotion.
Warning.
Gained the title 'Insane'!
Description:
Mental health is highly overrated.
+1% chance of developing schizophrenia.
Akasha, how bad is it?
It could be worse. Trust me. There have been situations... Art, you've been ranked user+ and you can delete the memory of that incident. It'll erase the insanity, too.
But we're all crazy. To one degree or another. My advice to you is to leave "ice madness" as your last chance. It already saved your life once.
I trust you, Akasha. And mood swings can be tolerated... Okay, what's next.
Congratulations! The title "Berserker" has been awarded!
Description:
- I'm gonna kick your ass!
- Calm down, you can't even stand up.
- Let's see...
Ability to use Health Points instead of Stamina Points.
Warning! When used, ligaments, muscles, internal hemorrhaging, stroke...
Did I happen to get a Last Chance title there? I feel like I'm about to collect the whole kit... Akasha, can I change the title during the fight?
No.
Oh, that's too bad. Akasha, is there anything else?
Y-yes, but... You're not gonna like this.
Attention! You've been marked for death!
;O?;:SH*;I;B:%"?
Congratulations!
You have won the title: "On a pale horse..."
Description:
?:;O":SH:*?;AND%";B?; "A":*
Attention! This title cannot be removed!
...What does it mean and what's the risk to me?
Art, I don't know. There are many Death Gods, but at most a dozen can mark someone who is a member of our order. The system protects the souls of its guardians. I... I don't know who did this, but... This thing is very strong. Very strong. And it needs you for something.
I sighed impatiently. Why does everyone want something from me. Curses, now this?
Art, you don't understand your value. You're the only soul who's been able to break the curses. I wouldn't be surprised if primeval herself marked you...
Primordial what?
Primal death.
My poor little head... Why me? Why me? Why can't I live this life to my own satisfaction? Save the world, protect the people I care about? Now it's all over my head...
Art, the Order will not abandon you. We don't abandon our own.
Good. I don't have any say in the matter. We'll leave it at that...
That's not all. I wanted you to be the last one to see this.
Congratulations! The quest "Suicide March." is complete!
Attention! You have fulfilled the hidden condition!
Conditions for completion:
Take the enemy as far away from home as possible.
Fight for your life no matter what.
Save your sister.
Kill the monster.
Survive.
Reward:
+18 levels. (+8 for killing the Beowulf monster, +10 for the Suicide March quest)
Title: "Promise".
Description:
Death is no excuse for a man who has promised to return.
*?:;SH"??B*:; "A;:";
Warning. You don't need to wear this title for it to work!
Title: "Against Fate"
Description:
You were not destined to survive. But you rebelled against fate itself and... You won!
Your true name has been removed from the book of fate, now only you have the power to decide your own fate!
Attention! You don't have to wear this title to make it work!
The first title I... I can guess where it came from. I promised my sister I'd come back. But why can't I read what it does? Akasha, what does the second title mean?
It is one of the greatest honours a mortal can receive. Art, imagine there are three roads leading to your goal. If you choose one, you will lose the other two. That is destiny. But now you can turn off the first road and return to any of the other two...
I don't understand...
Nothing, you'll understand in time.
Okay... All that's left is to check the characteristics (horrified) and... And go to bed! Tomorrow my family is coming...
"Characteristics!"
Level: 28
True name: %O#SH%";:":B%"; "A:
Name: Artorias Blood.
Race: Faun.
Age: 6 years 6 months.
Title: Bookworm, Pale Horse.
Health: 100
Stamina: 100
Mana: 400
Unallocated Points: 126
Power: 16 (2)
Vitality: 28 (18)
Speed: 25 (2)
Coordination: 27 (1)
Intelligence: 51 (40)
Wisdom: 54 (44)
Spirit: 115 (100)
Oh the horror...the horror! Just... How long will it take me to get the efficiency back? And the distribution of points? Perfect. JUST FUCKING PERFECT! ARGH.
Attention! Frosty anger activated...
Then again, that's what I was expecting. Eh, I'll sleep on it in the morning. Good night, Akasha.
Good night, Art...
-= Ten hours later =-
- BROTHER!
The door opened abruptly, and a golden hurricane flew into my humble apartment. Alice. My sister immediately tried to smother me in her arms, then drown me in tears...
My father, mother and a man unknown to me came in next. My mother and father immediately came towards me, while the man remained standing by the door.
- Hello my little hero, how are you? - My father asked and stroked my head.
- If... I don't... get... strangled... by... Alice... then... everything... will... well..." I answered softly, intermittently.
It was still hard to talk, but that was manageable. I'll just have to study harder... Meanwhile, my sister immediately jumped away from me and blushed, the tears still flowing. Then Mum came up to me and hugged me gently, blurring her make-up with her tears. What did you think? Women hunters remain women.
- Art, I'm so proud of you *sob*. What you did was *sob*... You were a hero! I'm sorry my dad and I *sob* for not being there for you and... *sob* And we couldn't protect you!
- Calm down... You're not... Not to blame for... What happened..." I said.
- Yes, we are. It's a parent's job to look after their children and protect them. And we... We couldn't. I'm sorry, Art," my dad sat down next to me and looked me in the eye.
- It's okay... It was my... Choice... At the time... there was no other... Way...
Yes, there are only two things to blame for that situation. My curses. Well, and a neighbour who must have spotted the Grimm and decided to run to the hunters' house. Yeah. But curses first!
- Art... What can I do for you? - My mother inquired of me.
- Mirror... Show me my... Face... The doctors... Won't...
There was a tense silence in the room. My mother reached into her bag and took out a small mirror with a trembling hand and put it close to my face.
Yes... Handsome! Gray hair, not white but dirty gray, ears too. Pale skin, sunken cheeks and dark bags under his eyes. At least his eyes were still golden... Ehhh, no scars at least. On the face. I haven't seen the body yet.
- Heh-heh... Forgive me... But no grandchildren... From me... Will... - I joked.
- W-Why not?! - Mother exclaimed.
- I... no one... will... marry... Hee hee...
- A-art, I will marry you! - Alice exclaimed and blushed.
- Hee-hee, then... That I... Do you a favour... You... Hee-hee...
That's a good one! That makes me feel so much better.
Art, you're a fool.
Seeing that Alice is about to cry, I mentally slapped myself and hurried to answer:
- I'm kidding... I'm kidding... Who needs me... Except... You...
- Art! What did I say about joking with a tender maiden's heart?! - She scolded me and smiled. - Now you just have to marry me, okay?!
- Sure... Princess... I'll get up... And take... The carriage..." I assured her. - No, I won't... I won't... Hee-hee...
Everyone smiled sadly. The man at the door came towards us. He had a powerful build and wore a white overcoat which buttoned up to his neck. A black jumper and a red tie peeked out from under his coat. His black boots clicked loudly across the floor and he tucked his classic white jeans into them. A rough face with a smoothly shaved chin and thin eyebrows that hid blue eyes underneath. His black hair was tousled to the left, gray patches could be seen on the sides. Above his right eyebrow was an implanted metal plate.
- Hello, little man. - The man spoke with a bass voice. - My name is James. James Ironwood. I'm the General, and I'm also the director of the Atlas Hunter Academy. I'm going to tell you about the live metal and what we're going to do with you.
- Hello... My name is Artorias... Blood..." I replied.
- Cultured. - James smirked. - Well done! So, Artorias, fifty percent of my body is replaced by metal. See that plate above my right eyebrow? - Ironwood tapped it with his finger and continued:
- It's a neuro-transmitter that controls all the robotic parts of my body. You will be fitted with one and then a neural circuit will be run through your entire body. You'll also have to have brain surgery. Do you agree to these operations?
- First the question... What's so... special... about living... Metal?
- Except that it is insanely expensive? - ironically replied the General. - First, living tissues don't reject it, so you don't start rotting alive. Secondly, only Aura users can use it. Why? This metal only appears in ash mines. Its main feature is that it conducts aura. Conducts it one hundred percent. There'll probably be a revolution in science and technology in a couple of years, and it'll all be because of this metal-" when he paused, he paused.
- Well, I got carried away and almost told you a military secret! - James laughed merrily after a few seconds. - Well, he's a hundred percent aura-perfect, but that's not its last feature... When he communicates with the user's aura, he senses what the user wants and executes it as a command. In return, it feeds off the excess aura and evolves on a molecular level, which means it will grow with your body, you just have to add a new portion of metal to it once a month. The neuro-transmitter serves to boost the signal, which in turn increases the response rate. - The general took a breath and continued:
- If someone were to ask me now if I wanted to get rid of the metal in my body, I would say no. I'm used to it, it's become an extension of me.
- Okay... I agree..." I replied.
- Ha ha, you will not regret it, kid! - James laughed again. - The operation will take place in a month. During this month you will recover, ok?
- Yeah... Whatever you say..." I sighed wearily.
- Oh, you're tired! Well, that's it, I won't torment you with my presence! See you in a month! - James said a warm goodbye.
- Son, we'll come too, then. Don't worry, we'll be there tomorrow! - Dad said.
- Get some rest and get your strength back! - My mother hugged me goodbye.
- I love you, Art. I love you, Art. Feel better! - My sister kissed me on the cheek before she went to her parents.
- I... Me too..." I answered and fell asleep.
-= Three days later =-
- Come on, one step. One more step. Come on, are you a man or a wimp? - my sister was leading me by the hand.
- Alice. Are you sure you should be the one taking me to the bathroom? The nurse was pretty good, you know. At least she didn't humiliate me..." I started to fall over, but my sister snuck up under me.
- Ouch, Alice, I'm sorry, I didn't mean it! - I fell on top of her.
- It's okay. - Alice replied from underneath me.
- Ummm. Can you help me up? - I asked embarrassedly.
- Oh, Art, are you embarrassed to lie on your little sister? Well-hoo-hoo, what a bad brother...
I feel like someone's a bad influence on her...
-= Two weeks later =-
I was doing pull-ups on one arm. Sweat was dripping off me. To think, two weeks of training and Aura turned on before going to bed, that's the secret to a healthy body.
Okay, one more time and-and that's it. Whew. I exhaled and took my shirt off.
- Alice, why are you looking away? - I asked. - Ah, sorry. I wasn't thinking. I forgot I had scars all over my body. He was in the middle of a stump, and it was not a pretty sight.
Alice turned back, all red as a cancer. Showed me her tongue, then turned and ran, shouting:
- "ART, YOU FOOL!
*double hand-face* Art, you fool...
There's that female solidarity thing again... Well, another approach?
-= Before the surgery =-
- Artorias, I see you haven't been wasting your time! - James greeted me.
- I had to practice every spare minute, there was nothing interesting here anyway, except books. And my sister kept me busy. - I answered.
- Studying? That's right! - smiled the General. - Well, here we are. Are you ready?
- Yes.
- Then let's go.
-= Ten hours later =-
Congratulations! Received the title: Adeptus Mechanicus!
Description:
"There is no truth in the flesh, only treachery.
No strength in the flesh, only weakness.
No permanence in the flesh, only decay.
No certainty in the flesh, only death."
Understanding mechanisms +10%.
Attention!
Received quest: "The Revelation of Metal".
Flesh, you've only just set out on the true path. I hope you will make the right choice and not disgrace our God?
Conditions of fulfilment:
To give up mortal flesh altogether.
Progress: 18%.
Reward for success:
Blessing of Omniscience.
Consequences of failure:
You will remain confined to flesh.
Do you wish to accept the quest?
Congratulations! You have obtained a pet symbiote!
Do you want to give it a name?