Chapter 125 – Doppelganger

'Status'

[Name: Ikarus | Species: Phoenix | Level: 306]

[Health 45,986*/50,000*]

[Stamina 15,596*/20,000*]

[Magicker 70,000*/70,000*]

[You currently have 43000 unassigned points]

'Huh... looks my health still isn't full, I guess even the healing isn't that quick. My stamina also hasn't fully recovered as well but I did sleep like shit I suppose'

Waking up the right at the start of the next morning, I've made my way into the woods since it seems like a good place to buy and test out some new abilities. Should probably increase my stats as well, those arrows in particular did knock me down to about half HP, I suppose.

Right now, as the sun rises, the town is dead quiet due to the celebrations last night. It appears that many have slept in because of celebrating too heavy, even the dragon Mute is out cold sleeping in the middle of the town square right now. Me and Petra left after the meal so most of what went down, we got to avoid. I kinda had to as well, our cutesy stuff is best left hidden despite the town now trying to encourage it... although nothing additional happened last night other than sleeping. I'm aching way too much for a bit of fun time right now

Even the restless Petra is still sleeping and so I didn't dare wake her. My reason for getting up this early other than just wanting to sort my stats out is also down to my hip and wing, I'm still in a little bit of pain so sleep wasn't great. Another reason is that we'll need to decide what to do next in retaliation towards the monastery and this seems the perfect time before important discussions need to be made.

'Aesa, split twenty thousand in half and put it into stamina and health please'

I'm neglecting magicka this time around because if that last fight was anything to go off, it would've been useless to increase it. Eh... maybe not useless but it definitely seemed like abilities are better to rely on even if you exclude the daily cooldown. Also, I've been neglecting stamina for a while and sleeping like shit has given me the encouragement to invest in it.

[<Confirmed, invested points have been doubled and this is what -Ikarus's- stats now look like>]

[Name: Ikarus | Species: Phoenix | Level: 306]

[Health 65,987*/70,000*]

[Stamina 35,596*/40,000*]

[Magicka 70,000*/70,000*]

[You currently have 23000 unassigned points]

'Thanks... no point delaying the inevitable then, Aesa?'

[<Does -Ikarus- wish to confirm -sacrificial lamb- purchase?>]

'Yup'

[<Confirmed... -Ikarus- has unlocked ability -magma walker-. Unfortunately, Aesa thinks might dislike this>]

'Why's that then Aesa?'

[<Ability 24 -magma walker- allows -Ikarus- to create a small lake of magma every hours. Despite phoenix resistances allowing walk over it, may be slightly underwhelming compared other abilities>]

'Well that sucks... actually, I kinda want to give this a try one second. Aesa, activate it please'

[<Confirmed >]

Once Aesa confirms it, the ground beneath me within the woods turns into a steaming lake of lava spreading to a sizable distance away from me. It's only a small lake and it doesn't seem to have the same gasses an actual bed of flowing magma would have but it's not that bad. Despite Aesa downplaying it a little, it's a relatively decent size and I could see this being pretty useful depending on the situation. Any species that can't withstand fire would get trapped and continuously burn while inside this. This actually could be really deadly against nearly anyone and might of even worked against that mecha guy I just fought yesterday.

'Huh... I think you're being a little harsh on this Aesa but let's continue on though'

Also, I wonder if this ability could help out the blacksmiths around here as well? I'm not sure how they make their forges but having that lava could be useful, right? I'm not sure if I can scale it down though, will have to give this some more testing to see down the line.

[<Does -Ikarus- wish to confir-... Aesa is now getting tired repeating the confirmation message as well so will forceably skip it... processing... ability -plot protection- has been unlocked>]

'Huh... thought you said the confirmation message couldn't be skipped but oh well. What's plot protection do then?'

[<-Plot 5 protection- allows -Ikarus- to neglect any form of damage for up minutes. Same daily cooldown time applies>]

'Okay... so basically you're saying this ability would technically make me actually immortal? Not just the ageing side of things, like for those five minutes I'd be completely untouchable by anyone?'

That honestly sounds a little overpowered if I'm being honest. Sure, at this point complaining or being sceptical could be getting a little boring but I'm not really sure what to make of this just yet.

[<Heh, it seems both Aesa and -Ikarus- are starting to become numb obvious abilities that could be considered 'overpowered'. This one appears exactly as describes, HP will remain locked for the duration cannot reduced by any means>]

'Looks like my dream of swimming in a volcano might actually be possible then...'

It really says a lot we've got so much cool shit hidden away, having just unlocked a proper immortality ability is basically nothing now. Hey, it's not like I'm complaining, I'm definitely enjoying basically being a walking nightmare to deal with at this point but it's just this sort of thing is a little difficult to be excited on. Hmm... my stats might be even higher than father's as well...

'...Next one then please Aesa'

No point testing it out, right? All I'd be doing is making a slight cut and seeing if my HP drains and besides, it's not exactly like Aesa would lie to me what the ability does.

[<Confirmed... processing... ability -burning hellfire- has been unlocked>]

'Hellfire? My nuke one is called atomic hellfire... is this one supposed to be in the same family or something?'

[<It appears so... information is a little lacking to the others but ability -burning hellfire- have very similar properties -atomic hellfire-. The main differences seem be only uses fire and lacks explosive effect>]

'At least on the brightside, I'll be able to use this around us phoenixes, right? It's just fire after all'

[<-Ikarus- assumes correct, this ability appears to be that way. Obviously testing of one will need reserved for another time due being dangerous>]

Sometimes being heavily fire focused can be a little boring I guess. Like usual, not complaining but having abilities designed to destroy the entire world can make me feel like I'm neglecting my true purpose or something. There will be a day this will be needed I reckon, whether it's to burn down a forest or for murder is an irrelevant thought.

'Yeah yeah... let's just hope the last one is a little more unique, Aesa?'

[<Confirmed... processing once again... hmm, this ability may please -Ikar-...>]

Suddenly out of nowhere still on this lava lake that's nearly hardened over, something scares the living shit out of me!

"What are you doing out here Ikarus?"

Petra in all her wisdom and beauty decides to try and destroy my heart by sneaking up on me! Fuck, my heart's still pounding even now, you'd think I would've heard her footsteps approaching but that sexy voice coming out of nowhere really gave me a right shock.

"Jesus Christ woman! You trying to give me a heart attack or something? You're not stalking me again, are you?"

"Heh, did I ever agree to stop Ikarus? I've got to keep up with your clinginess as well, right?"

"Haw haw... very funny..."

We're both clearly referring to the third time we bumped into each other way back when I accused her of stalking me, that might as well be ancient history at this point and I'm surprised even she remembers that. It also says a lot about me that I'd be into Petra stalking me and I'm sure she'd be the exact same... the more I think about it, we really aren't mentally stable people. Imagine the conversation if both of us were to be completely honest with each other... I wonder if that teasing she does is actually her being honest. I think I may need to be careful around her...

"Heh... seriously though, what are you up to? I'm guessing you did something to the floor then?"

"Yeah, just ability buying right now. Aesa, what was the fourth one again?"

When we walk back, I'll tell Petra about the other few but she did put me off track a little.

[<Before target -Petra- rudely interrupted us, Aesa was about to announce -Ikarus- has unlocked ability -doppelganger->]

Is that Aesa sulking or something? She's not jealous of Petra all of sudden, right? This gives me an idea...

"Hey! Don't be grumpy at Petra for scaring us like that Aesa! You love her just as much as I do, right?"

"Oh, is Aesa annoyed with me? Sorry about that then"

[<Sometimes -user- makes Aesa want to forcibly bang head against wall>]

"Sorry sorry! She's fine with you Petra but let's go back on track, what's doppelganger do Aesa?"

Despite me apologizing, something about winding Aesa up a little always makes me smile. There is something great about teasing though but unfortunately, I'll never be at the same level of Petra,

[<Hmm... this ability may be better shown rather than described otherwise -Ikarus- will fail to see any use in this, please activate it when ready>]

'Okay... activate doppelganger then-... what the fuck is happening!?'

All of a sudden, it looks and feels like my body is splitting in two. It looks strange enough from where I am but I guarantee Petra would be getting a stupidly weird sight from where she is. It doesn't look gory or anything like that, it's almost as if I'm shedding skin or something similar, I think? Thankfully, it's not a long experience but uncomfortable though.

Anyways... once this process is over, me and Petra find ourselves looking over a naked body on the fully hardened magma ground and that body just so happens to be an exact replica of mine... oh, doppelganger! I forgot what that means but it's basically a double or look alike! That's what this ability does then, how do I control the clone though?

"Heh, you understand trying to love two Ikarus's might be pushing it a little? I can try loving you both equally but only one is the true Ikarus after all... and which one of you is the evil one anyways?"

Sometimes even she makes me facepalm, I know she's joking and all but still! And look at her lying to herself, the thought of having two or me would be making her excited and I know it!

"For God's sake Petra... you really are something. How am I supposed to control it though?"

"You don't"

Then giving me another heart attack, the naked clone Ikarus on the floor speaks! How the hell did that happen? It hasn't done something stupid like splitting up my personality in two, right? I'm going to be right pissed at Aesa if it has, I've read about that sort of thing before when someone gains a second type of ability and I'm going to purge this fake Ikarus if that's true! There can only be one...

"Heh, can you stand clone Ikarus?"

"Is that what we're calling it then Petra? Clone Ikarus?"

I mean, we could call it Ikarus number two, fake Ikarus or anything else but it matters little I guess.

"Apologies target -Petra- but phoenix-human hybrid body needs some time getting used to"

Hang on, there's only one person who talks like that!? That's sounds so weird in my own voice though.

"Aesa! You understand how creepy that is using my second body like that, right?"

"'Creepiness' plays no part in Aesa's thinking..."

Aesa's using the clone finally manages to shift herself into a sitting position but looks like she's struggling a little with the human body. Well, technically it's not human because it's still got the folded-up wings and feathers but you know what I mean.

"How does this even work Aesa? Something like this was never possible with my voice way back when"

"-Ikarus- is an anomaly even with other G.A.P system users so something like this is an impossibility for most. The shortest answer Aesa can give is that ability -doppelganger- allows control of a separate body loosely connected to the original. The unfortunate problem is that this body provides no combat potential but can be activated anytime with no cooldown timer"

Despite Aesa sounding a little negative about this ability, this actually seems pretty cool. Of course, it would be nicer if it actually could fight or do something but I guess it could just be considered an NPC version of me then. By the sounds of it, that body can't function automatically though.

"So... does that mean I can control that in sync with my normal body then?"

"Negative -Ikarus-, only one conscience can be controlled at any time and would cause complete mental shutdown if -Ikarus- attempted to control multiple at once. This is why Aesa pointed out -Ikarus- may find this ability useless since there would be no reason to control the weaker body"

Once again, Aesa is right. It's almost as if this cloning ability is a gimmick that was purposely designed to be useless if that body is basically nothing... Despite me and Aesa clearly looking a little annoyed with the new unlocked ability, Petra seems to find this rather amusing.

"Heh, you say it's controllable Aesa? Does that mean I'd be able to use it too?"

"Affirmative, does target -Petra- want to try clone body?"

Hang on, Petra's not doing that!

"Erm... can we not do that please? Aesa is one thing but having Petra inside me is something completely different... I know how that sounds!"

"Why does -user- have to make everything dirty minded?"

"Heh... Ikarus..."

Damn it... I know what I said is actually true because of the stuff we've don-... sighhh, let's just move on from Petra's smiling and Aesa's glare. Out of all the bodies she could get, it just had to be this obnoxious mirror, didn't it? The idea of Petra being in my clone body is something I really don't want to see though, just imagine if we did something like kissing or anything further and it would be like doing it with myself! That's all kind of narcissistic behaviour I don't need and knowing Petra, she'd obviously start to tease with it as well...

"What are we going to do with you though? Don't get me wrong, I'm all for giving you freedom but this feels a little weird"

As bad as it sounds, AI freedom here is something I'm kinda afraid on. Literally everything with my system goes through Aesa so having her gone would be a trainwreck waiting to happen. I know it's possible to run the system without the voice but I don't have a clue how to do that!

By now, I've helped 'Aesa' up, I'm actually surprised Petra hasn't mentioned anything about the nudity but I guess her teasing is reserved only for me... even if Aesa is in my body and all.

"Don't be absurd -Ikarus-, Aesa only took up form to show -Ikarus- how ability works, Aesa can still communicate..."

[<...even like this and can still help -user-...>]

"...Since ability has now been explained, Aesa will discard form shortly"

Despite me looking a little reassured about keeping Aesa around albeit feeling a little weird from Aesa speaking inside and outside my head, Petra actually seems to be the one more concerned for her right now.

"You really don't want to experience living in an actual body for a little while Aesa? You've only got a limited amount of time and you're happy to stay cooped up?"

Ah right, systems aren't immortal so I can see why Petra would worry about something like this, at least the voices anyways. I'm more than willing to discard my selfishness for system if it makes her a little happier but I really can't see this working how Petra might be intending since Aesa is still an AI at heart. I guess in some ways, Aesa could even be compared to an advanced tutorial NPC.

[<Don't compare Aesa to tutorial NPC -user->]

'Ah, sorry! Having you in front of me and still inside my head is kinda confusing'

You know what's better than one moaning robotic wife? Two! Let's try to focus on the actual conversation though.

"Such a thing holds no appeal to Aesa but if -Petra- views it as important... then Aesa could stay like this for a while. This isn't an easy experience though"

"Ah, great then! What do you fancy doing Aesa? Food? Drink? Anything else?"

You know, Petra did say once that Aesa reminds her of her own lost voice so I can see why she's happy over such a thing. I guess we can make a day for Aesa even though I'm pretty sure she's just doing this for Petra at this point. We've still got some time to spare since it's still pretty early despite us being here for a little while already and I can already tell most people aren't going to be working how they should be today. Late night drinking always does that and the entire settlement did celebrate such a thing, we do have to decide how to follow up the monastery attack soon though.

"Again, suggestions are unnecessary. Any memory, emotion, sense or feeling -Ikarus- has always shared. Instinctive activities like breathing and walking are not considered natural or memories to Aesa so focus is on staying alive for now"

Wait, I guess she weren't kidding when she said we share everything. Wouldn't Aesa be more a part of me than I first realized if that's the case then? It can't be, right? I've been arguing nonstop with myself for God knows how long then!

"We can decide what to do soon... can we at least do something about her hair? And get some clothes on... give me a hand Petra"

I wasn't exaggerating when I said we look identical, even the hair style is the exact same and it's making me feel a little worried that Petra wouldn't be able to tell the difference. I know deep down she would but I'd rather us not look that identical if possible.

"Heh, sure Ikarus"

I'm already holding Aesa up but she really isn't adapting to human-phoenix life all that well just yet, she's pretty adaptable so I reckon she'll get used to it but it doesn't look easy for her right now. I guess even an AI can't completely adapt to everything, to think breathing is that difficult.

'I guess if anyone asks, I could just say I have a twin. Considering everything weird the town has experienced recently and been fine with, this will be like nothing to them...'