I shielded my eyes against the overbearing light. The sheer brightness pressed down on my shoulders like a pair of boots, making my forehead kiss the stone. Viessa was several feet away, prostrating herself before the fake goddess.
Now you decide to show up?
Light dominated my vision. I could hardly make out Justice's figure. She hovered in the air, seething. Anger burned holes through the back of my cloak. I dared not look up, fearing I'd go blind.
"I leave you alone for 15 days and you initiate the Oblivion Protocol?"
"I completed the three quests the Divine Framework presented to me," I said through clenched teeth, wondering if Viessa was receiving the same air fryer treatment.
"You haven't even accepted the tutorial!"
"Tutorial?" I growled. "What fucking tutorial? I've been begging for a tutorial!"
"I couldn't have made it any clearer the last time we spoke. I told you to follow the instructions."
"What instructions? Cleanse the realm of corruption?!" I choked out, the light's pressure mounting on my spine as I turned my cheek against the ground. "I did exactly what the system asked of me."
"The instructions were in reference to the tutorial and its prompts."
A primal rage brought my veins flaring to the surface. "I never got a fucking prompt."
"Silence! Watch your tongue before I seize it." Her voice shook the entire chamber, making loose pebbles spill from the ceiling. "You must have ignored the notifications."
I obeyed, biting down on my tongue in a desperate effort to staunch the string of curses I felt mounting on its tip. Finally, the lights dimmed to a normal brightness. Justice looked like she was chewing glass as she processed my words.
She dropped out of the air, and the invisible pressure weighing me down vanished. Exhaustion etched lines across her brow. Dirt, blood, and dents covered her majestic armor set, and hopelessness bloomed in her eyes, replacing her anger.
What kind of monster can dent a god attendant's armor?
Justice towered over me and held her armored hands out and over my head, eyes closed. Pins and needles played a ballad down my spine. Then she recoiled.
"No... How can this be? Oblivion Protocol Quest Module Version 4.52..." she muttered.
Because you're incompetent.
My insult torpedoed her woe. "Have you forgotten I can read your mind?"
Nope.
"You dare to speak to a goddess like that?"
"Save it. I spoke to Nimrod. This isn't your world, it's Galdir's. And it doesn't sound like he's ever coming back. You're as much of a goddess as Colonel Sanders is a high ranking military official."
"That fool Nimrod has violated several divine laws by divulging sacred information."
I grinned, stifling a laugh like my life depended on it. Viessa turned in my direction, shaking her head.
"You think the end of the world is funny?" Justice curled her lips in disgust and unsheathed her sword.
"It's hilarious that you thought you had a chance at winning when everybody else at the table is cheating. "
"You shall atone with your life."
"Finally," I said, relief evident in my breath.
Go on. Strike me down. Admit to another failure.
"Please don't kill him! He's trying his best," Viessa said, eyes still locked on the ground. "I've prayed every night to Galdir for as long as I can remember. And since Cyprus told me of your existence I've addressed a second set of prayers to you."
Justice held the sword with an unmotivated grip as her pupils flicked toward the elf. "I'm not an all-seeing force."
"That's painfully obvious," I said.
Viessa shot me a death stare before continuing. "Thank you for gracing us mere mortals with your presence, enlightened one. We've done everything in our power to fulfill our divine purpose based on the knowledge provided. As mortals, who are we to question the objectives put forth by the sacred system?"
From the way Justice squinted at me, grinding her teeth I could tell she wanted to pass the buck, but her neglect was so egregious not even her god-sized ego could absolve it.
"I planned on seeing you much sooner. Galdir’s most revered worlds have been ending, one after another. Control usurped by the Fallen. Some of his finest works–desecrated, then destroyed. Somehow the banished realms learned of Galdir's absence." Justice took an uncomfortable pause, like what she had just shared threatened her very existence.
No consequence occurred. No judge from the heavens arrived, and no fine was issued for Justice sharing this so-called "sacred knowledge.”
"Which one of the Fallen put you up to this?" Justice asked.
Hatred overrode the concerns of my heart-exploding like the pale liar had warned once before. "Chaos."
His name invoked neither my end nor Justice's recognition. "He's tiny, his skin's bleach white, and his face has illegible calligraphic style tattoos scrawled all over."
If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.
She continued drawing a blank.
"You've never heard of him?"
"Chaos is a common name, countless go by it in the underworlds. Your description provokes no familiarity."
"Well, from what I can tell, he's a serial liar who hates Galdir. Which must greatly narrow down the list considering how benevolent and wonderful he was before he abandoned his creations."
"Weigh your words."
Viessa waved her hands trying to shut me down, but I was absolutely sick of it. "I paid pounds of flesh and blood, filled graveyards, and made the coffin makers rich. And it was all for the benefit of that transdimensional meddling shit because you couldn't pick-up the phone! His entire plan relied on your absence."
Her sword wavered, then slid back into its sheath. "I came as soon as I received the Oblivion Protocol notification, at the cost of Hyrathia, a developed world who had achieved global peace and reached the peak of magic's advancement--a utopia in every sense. They're experiencing hell as we speak."
I brushed the annihilation of an entire planet off, recognizing the burden wasn’t mine to bear. Guilt would only act as an anchor, at a time when it was crucial for me to move freely.
"Chaos modified your Divine Framework's questing module. It takes a specialized skill-set to accomplish such a complex task."
"What’s the Oblivion Protocol?”
"It's an apocalypse program. There may be a meaning in his choice. If he went with the Total Annihilation package or Galdir's own Flash Reset, we wouldn't be speaking. The Oblivion Protocol is a gradual end. In the first phase Gadika's connection to the Abyss and the Void will intensify."
"Explain it like I’m the dummy that caused the end of the world.”
"In the beginning, dungeons will appear at an increased frequency, rising in difficulty. Then evil will infiltrate humanity's worst, offering them unparalleled powers in exchange for their souls. The betrayal of your own species will accelerate the second phase. An acolyte of the Fallen will arise and leave their mark. If they are not defeated, the barrier between the underworlds and Gadika will fall, and the world will be consumed until only suffering remains."
Viessa raised her head, pulling down her face guard. "Please grant us your blessings and assistance."
I wasn't as hopeful or naive. The confidence and swagger Justice brought to our previous encounter was lost, buried under failures and the weight of countless corpses.
Justice grimaced, closed her eyes then shook her head. “I can offer my blessings elf, but I cannot sacrifice the universe for one planet.”
I pushed myself off the ground and met Justice face to face. "Keep the blessings unless they’re AR-15s loaded with god killing bullets. How much time do we have?"
"The first phase has already begun. The speed of its progression is dictated by the realm’s balance."
“Yeah, do you have a thermometer or pressure gauge to measure this vague balance?”
“Yes. However it’s no tool, but a room privy only to godkinds.”
The goddess placed her hand on my shoulder, and for a moment I thought she'd recognize the interloper. Instead, a warmth radiated up the back of my neck and across the top of my head.
[Dynamic Quest Module Installed: Corruption Cleanser Final Version 3.37C]
"You're the first and only to be blessed with Galdir's unstable Divine Framework update. It’s also the only framework capable of building a unique class based on your soul.”
I’m on a beta framework?! Shadow Weaver is a reflection of my soul?
Ignoring my thoughts, she continued. “It took centuries of optimization until I finished this particular questing module. It analyzes data in real-time and optimizes quests for maximum results."
"I’m supposed to trust the same framework that had me kick-start the apocalypse?"
"I assure you, your Divine Framework is healthy. Have faith, complete the tutorial, and accept the system's guidance. It will not lead you astray. You are still the catalyst. Also, complete your Karma’s Gaze’s mastery. It will be of great assistance."
Nothing she had said made me feel a lick better. Even worse, a terrifying elephant lurked in the room. Each time I considered bringing it up, I felt the darkness squeeze my heart tight between its fangs. A silent warning. My instinct heeded them, knowing if I spoke on it any further, I'd die.
Despite being a mind reader, Justice picked up on none of this inner turmoil. Which begged the question, what the fuck could elude a god adjacent being and tear the limb from another?
"I can't linger any longer. The universe is unraveling, again. Good luck."
"Wait, is that it?" Viessa asked.
The goddess vanished.
[Begin Tutorial?]
Y/N
Yes, Christ…
[Tutorial Activated]
The Basics Part 1/5 - Access your status by viewing a stable reflection of yourself. Tip: Water doesn’t work!
I retrieved a pocket glass from my satchel, viewed my status, and bold text confirmed the quest's completion.
Quest Cleared - The Basics Part 1/5
+100 XP
+25 Karma
The Basics Part 2/5 - Reach level two and earn an ability point. Ability points can unlock useful new skills.
Quest Cleared - The Basics Part 2/5
+100 XP
+25 Karma
The third and fourth quest also auto-completed, requiring me to reach +500 karma rating and to earn my first mastery point. For being a tutorial it was light on the details, revealing nothing new about either mechanic. Together they granted 200 XP and 50 Karma.
The Basics Part 5/5 - Companion and allies invite scripts unlocked. Invite a target to become a companion or an ally. Companions gain detailed framework extension benefits, and increased XP gains. Allies gain increased XP.
Quest Cleared - The Basics Part 5/5
+250 XP
+75 Karma
CCFV3.37C - Analyzing realm data.
I scrolled down to the bottom of my status, noticing a brand new invite box beside the companion menu. I focused on it, but it remained greyed out.
"Viessa, come over here."
The elf snapped out of her trance and walked across the chamber. "She never heard my prayers... I'm the one who leaned on you to proceed with this cursed quest. I bear just as much weight in this catastrophe as you do."
"Which is no weight at all. I really liked what you said about us being mortal pawns who didn’t know better. Can you really blame a toddler for spilling juice? It’s the parent’s fucking fault for not putting it in a sippy cup.”
"I only said that so she wouldn't smite you."
"Don't fall for her cosmic guilt trip. Notice how quick she dipped? I think she’s taking after the big guy who used to live upstairs.”
I turned the glass and with both of our reflections in the mirror the invite option lit up. I honed in on the text and Viessa dropped her hands at her side, craning her neck up.
"David Cyprus has invited you to become a companion," she read out loud and reached her hand out toward what I assumed was text only visible to her. "How do I accept it?"
"Concentrate."
+Companion Viessa
"Incredible."
She stood awestruck, gazing up at the ceiling tracing the text as it floated down through the floor.
"I'm reading through the tutorial... I have ability and mastery points available," she muttered in disbelief.
"It's giving you ability points and a tutorial?"
"I think I already had them. It says they're unspent."
Is that what it meant by framework extension?
The elf leaned over and grabbed the pocket glass.
"One of the elder's own spells, Warden Barrier is available to learn. That spell has been passed down through his noble bloodline. If I apply a point, I'll be able to cast it?"
"Yeah, it's that simple. But don't spend any of your points, yet." I snatched the pocket glass back. "Take a night to sleep on it.”
Viessa stood on her tiptoes, peering over my shoulder at the glass. "You have another companion? Who's Fayador?"
