A branching Future

Finally I can retreat to my own room for the night and address the text, which has been floating over my head like a notification I can’t close.

[Please distribute (5) skill points]

“Alright, put the skill points all on Divine Appraisal.”

[Skill points assigned to Divine Appraisal. New subskill unlocked: Type. 40 more points required to level up skill further.]

I wonder what “level up skill further” means. It can’t be the subskills I’m building. Well, more importantly, the three options after Type are now readable. From what I can see, they branch off into very different directions, not directly merging in the near future. So it’s like a specialization, I guess. In most games you choose a specialization like for example ice or fire mage pretty early on, so that makes sense. Let’s see.

[Microscopic] [Giant] [Manipulation]

“Wow. That tells me nothing.”

I flop down on the bed and stare at the options. They have nothing to do with what I’ve done before. In fact, they are too cryptic. I try to tap one to maybe find a tooltip, but nothing is working.

“Is there maybe some guidance on what these options mean?”

To my surprise, I actually get an answer.

[Microscopic: Focus on analysing single entities in more detail. Giant: Focus on analysing bigger numbers of entities at once, with lesser overall detail. Until “Divine Appraisal” has been leveled up sufficiently, these options are mutually exclusive.]

“So I'll pick one or the other for now… And Manipulation?”

[Manipulation: Gain the power to manipulate status values after appraisal. Higher overall skill of Divine Appraisal allows for bigger changes.]

“You what now?”

[Please state your query again.]

“Sorry. I can directly change attributes and health points and so on?”

[Correct. Though effective and high volume manipulation requires a very high skill.]

“Wow.”

I stare at the options. Manipulation sounds like a god level skill… but if it only gets good like 30 levels in or so, the first points may be wasted right now. Mhm…

“I don’t have any more points to choose one option right now anyway. Close the skill tree. I’ll sleep on it.”

The window closes and the system voice is gone. Manipulation, huh? Would that even be… ethical? Manipulate some people’s health points and other skills? Would that influence their life and personality? God level, yes, but… maybe I should stay away from it after all.

——

The next morning, we are all dressed in our finest attire, ready to face the crowd. The festivities to honour my arrival have winded down the night before and the atmosphere is somber as we walk through the crowd. They have formed a long corridor between the Kal mansion and the cathedral hill, citizens and refugees alike watching us in silence as we pass. It feels like a funeral procession, not a parade of heroes. Well, we are not heroes yet. It may be my title, but I have not actually done anything. The knowledge about me lacking combat skills has probably made the rounds by now, as the people around me regard me with commiseration and resignation. While Captain Kal is well regarded in Atol and Karina is the people’s darling, it’s not enough to raise everyone’s spirits enough to continue celebrating. It’s like the city has a collective hangover, realising this might have been their last celebration.

As I walk in silence, steps heavy, contemplating possible doom, a hand slips into mine. I look to my right to see Nono, smiling at me. Not to be outdone, a moment later my left hand is also taken. Karina. I can’t be too happy to have the attention of two pretty women. I am leading the whole group to their possible doom. But it is gratifying to know I have their trust. Yes, even Nono’s, no matter where it takes me. I can’t bring myself to see her as an enemy.

Shilvy is waiting for us at the top of the stairs leading to the cathedral of light. The group joins me, standing slightly behind me as I approach her. She holds in her hand a weapon I’ve never seen before. It is a sword made of pure gold.

“This weapon, stored in the sanctuary of the cathedral, has absorbed the light and magic of our Lady Erya and the prayers of her followers. It is bestowed upon you now with a wish: A wish of the world to be free of the demons that plague us. Take this sword and vanquish the evil lord.”

The sword is much lighter than expected—maybe even lighter than the wooden practice swords I trained with the last few days. It is larger and longer than them, and yet it is easier to carry. An acolyte next to her hands me the sheath, which is made of white leather.

With the sword in hand, I turn around and face the crowd. Thousands of faces look up at me, including my new party. I don’t know if I can change anything… but at least I can give them hope for a little while longer.

“People of Atol. Thank you for this gift! We will set out today to free your lands of the dark influence and unite the heroes from across the continent. I cannot promise you success, but I can promise you the will to achieve it!”

My voice carries, powered by the magic of another acolyte. It floats out into the crowd, where the citizens hang on my every word. I can see the mayor—Karina’s father—with them, equally as hopeful. The cheer that rises is a wish and a demand.

I cannot fail them.

——

The cathedral is once more filled with refugees, who moved back in after the ceremony was over. Shilvy leads me through the crowd to the back of the room after I asked her if I was allowed to address Erya at her throne. Usually, this privilege is reserved for the high priest, but since I am Erya’s hero, I have a special status. I don’t mind the other people being in the room, either. If Erya wants to show herself, she will.

I approach the throne, which is larger than life and stand before it. I don’t kneel. I don’t see why. The roof above the throne is made of glass and light shines down on it. I look up, to the skies, to the brilliant sunshine.

“Erya?” I whisper.

There is no response. Silence falls over the space, as everyone looks to the throne, where a literal goddess could appear. I wonder what they think about when they sleep in this place. Do they try to call upon her in secret? I know only the high priestess is technically allowed to, but if you’re alone in here for so long….

Ever so slowly, the light above the throne grows brighter, into a literal ray of sunshine beaming down. The outline of a large person fades in from the air, gleaming like gold. A moment later, Erya herself has manifested and the cathedral is reflecting her light. People around me fall to the floor, their head on the tiles. Others gasp and point, murmur or laugh out loud. Yet no one approaches. To be honest, if I hadn’t met her before, I would be hesitant too.

“Yuki,” she says and her voice is deeper than before, hollower. Her body is not fully here, more transparent than solid. “Only you can hear me and only I can hear what you say. Pay the others no mind.”

“Alright.”

“What is it you want to ask me?”

“Are you watching over my journey? Can you see what I see?”

Erya shakes her head. “It takes great effort to do so. When we had just met, the connection was stronger, but now I cannot see what you see. You have to specifically address me. Back… back then it would have been no trouble to observe your doings, but all my powers are occupied upholding the frontline around Atol.”

“So you are supporting the soldiers?”

She nods.

“I was wondering how humans could stand against undead and magical demons. So it's through your blessings?”

“The recent events are spreading even the powers of a god thin. It’s not like I don’t want to watch over you—I simply do not have the resources.”

“I understand.”

I look into the room, where the people are watching us with pure awe in the expressions.

“The situation is more dire than you made me believe at first,” I say.

“It is. But I knew you would learn about it in time.”

I explain our plan to her and Erya contemplates our ideas for a moment. Then she nods sagely.

“Whatever you decide will be the correct decision. I never interfere in what my hero wants to do.”

“That doesn’t help me.”

“I know. I’m sorry.”

Her tone is so different now compared to before. She was almost bratty when we first spoke, prone to anger and violence. Now she sounds somber, almost sad.

“Do you have contact with the other gods?”

“They are as occupied as I am. I know they are still with us, but I can’t tell how they or their heroes are faring.”

“Right. Then I suppose I’ll try to make the best of it. Any last advice?”

“Never argue with an undead. Being in their presence will wear you down while they absorb the life energy around you. Undead are best dealt with immediately. They are not people anymore, as much as they might seem like it.”

I remember the two people at the city gate and nod.

“The same is true about demons. They are not to be trusted. They’re so close to taking over the world and they will take any opportunity you give them. Strike first, ask later. I’m needed elsewhere. Call upon me in times of trouble, but know I cannot help with everything.”

Erya looks out over the crowd of her followers and blows a storm of golden glitter into the air before vanishing. The glitter settles over everything. Around us voices of joy and wonder grow louder.

“My cough is gone!”

“My arm is healed!”

There are similar sentiments all around. People are throwing themselves to the ground, facing the throne. I’ve just witnessed a divine miracle. The gratitude for the healing jumps over directly to me, as the hero who has called their Lady Erya into their midst. Voices are praising me for asking their goddess to bless them, for calling this miracle down on them. I want to tell them it wasn't me, but I don’t want to argue. Not now. They have been confirmed in their faith and will carry out a message of hope into a city which has dire need of it.

Shilvy touches my arm to get my attention.

“We should rejoin the others.”

I agree readily. The refugees crowd around me as we leave the cathedral, touching my clothes as if a bit of Lady Erya’s favour could transfer to them though the act. I feel like a rockstar with a very peculiar bodyguard.

The others are still waiting outside. Everyone is packed up to leave and the supplies I was given lie in a bundle at Safrim’s feet.

“Did she answer you?” Poru wants to know.

“She did. I got my answers and a bit of heavenly advice.”

“Incredible. A direct contact with the goddess,” Karina says. “I’m downright jealous.”

Nono smiles behind her in a way I can’t quite place and try hard to ignore.

“I await your return,” Shilvy says and holds a hand over my head. “Go with Lady Erya’s blessing.”

A golden light envelops the whole party and makes me feel warm inside out.