The Game: Aether and Mind

I am sorry, but I am unaware of what is currently happening in the location you are referring to as 'Hell.' The position of 'Hell' is also unknown to me. The Game answered, his voice calm and unwavering, a truly magnificent feat considering the massive storm that was currently brewing inside its host who was only inches away from exploding.

'Where, how, what, why when-Argh! Game!' I couldn't take this shit anymore, I am trying to work with it, but even its attempts of helping me was a pain in my boney ass.

Boss, it seems like your senses are close to returning in full, and it is worth mentioning that their power has exceeded my previously done measurement to keep your mind calm. Would you like for me to restart the Passive Skill [GAMER's Mind]?

No...

?

Not yet, we need to have a little talk because this isn't working. Tell me, where, no, I get to that later, first, answer me this. Can you please describe everything that has happened from the moment I was kidnapped to now? I asked the Game, my anger was barely contained in myself, I need control of this situation and do that, I need answers.

I am able to replay the memory if you- It started, but I cut it off.

'No, I want you to put it into your own words, now please do so.' I could care less how stupid it was to have a conversation by talking in your head as if I had gone mad.

As you wish, after entity Narious had used his last energy reserves to summon a being that fit his criteria, you were brought to my chamber. After several minutes it took you to contact me, we made a verbal contract which stated that you would become my host if I were to help you to get strong enough to save Entity Amber. It started and then remained silent.

'Yes, yes, so far so good, we made a deal now please recall the second half in detail.' I told the Gamer- I really needed to give this thing a name...

After the contract has been made, you gave me the specific conditions you wished for the host to have. After that, I transferred your spirit into your new physical form before you made contact with the natives and- I cut it off again.

' And then I was almost euthanized!' I screamed in my head, and I could feel the presence of the Game shrinking slightly. 'You put me in a decaying body, okay, that was perhaps my fault that this is the end result, but the very information that THIS would be my future would've been fucking great in advanced! Also, where were you, I almost died, and you ignored me!' I was not gonna put up with this shite if this was going to continue as this practice would sooner or later end with me getting killed. This thing expects me to go around murder stuff that's been empowered, in other words, made it harder to kill, without giving me the most crucial information needed!

But, I already informed you about our new host. I gave you the information that our new physical form would yet be born, as well as that I wouldn't be available for the first hour to link this body to my system. It was only moments away after you have finished making the final decision. It informed me, but-

'What do you mean, you didn't say a single word to me. All I saw was this huge ocean of colors and one huge ball of this really nasty smoke, what was that and what was the white stuff that went through all the fabric?' I tried to put my memories of this place into words, but it only came out as a crude blabbering.

Interesting, I didn't think this was possible up to this point... The Game murmured, finally I could hear real emotions in it, concern, worry... Fear?

Hey-Hey, talk to me! What are you blabbering about, and why is that so much more important than me almost getting killed!? I could not understand its reasoning, but my fiery temper was even less accepting of its answer than I.

You had experienced the vision once before already, although it was likely, you have forgotten it as it is even troublesome for me to review it. What you have seen was the space between the different realities, although I attempted to shield you from its sight, it seemed like more Aether had aligned itself with your mind than I initially believed. It began its lesson as a teacher again, but for me, this was like teaching a fourth-grader quantum physics.

'We need to have a long lesson about all the Aether and Mind stuff because I do not understand one thing you are talking about.' My head was beginning to hurt from all the advanced stuff, I don't even know what Aether is yet! And what is with this body that-"Game, Can we please go back to the subject that I almost died and the fact that you don't seem to care about that one bit?! Also, how am I so-so... I lack the words..."

Active? Dynamic? Energetic? What you form is experiencing right now is referred to as an Aether Overload, it is responsible for your currently empowered state. To put your concerns to rest, in your state, the poison would've paralyzed you momentary, which would've, in return, given me the authorization to unlock several items left behind by my creator. To be exact, an antidote as well as a summonable creature that would've allowed our escape. He stated, his words cleared my hatred and worries greatly, but instead, a bitter feeling came over me.

'Fine... Fines, okay, I forgive you for the whole situation it wasn't your fault, and I am sorry.' I thought it clearly heard me as its presence came back in full. 'You need to understand that I am completely new to all of this, I have no idea about nearly everything, and now that we are in a new world, most of the stuff I did know is useless. I want you to talk with me in full before we do something, I want to hear your opinion and your advice, I need all of that for this to continue. Also, stop with the whole Master and Boss talk, as I see it we are even if neither us wants to be the boss, okay?'

Aff- very well.

'Thank you.' I sighed as I leaned back, my misformed body had twisted and turned during the conversation without me noticing, but these unfamiliar feeling didn't scratch my human mind, so perhaps it wasn't all my fault. I took a deep breath, closing my eyes, and listened to the noises around me. I heard many voices melting into another, a twitching from atop of my head was annoying me as its impulses got stronger the louder the sounds got. It smelled interesting, it was hard to describe, though the best way to call it would probably be homely.

Opening my eyes, I was greeted by the sight of the ceiling; it was made out of wood as well, what a real luxurious life this horse had, but perhaps I was just a misfortunate guy. My head slowly leaned to the side, and the rest of the place I was in came into view, it was like a rich guy's baby room. The walls were dyed in a light blue tone with various cute animals painted all over it. A large box and a wardrobe came into sight, they too shared the childish features and additions, bright colors and cartoonish details plastered all over them. I turned my attention to my right side and came into view of a rocking chair on top of a fluffy wool carpet, the pattern reminding me somewhat of those simple maps with a road on it. A little shelf came into view, filled with various toys, spare diapers, and even a feeding bottle.

Why was all of this here? This woman didn't know she was going to suddenly win a baby, an ugly one at that, before just recently. It also looked like she was already pregnant, to begin with, not long ago the offspring must've come out of her, so was she suddenly taking me home? I didn't know much about horses, but from my few weeks I worked at this weird pet store, I learned enough to know that animals don't want to divert any attention from their children, so what was my place here? Where was my 'older sibling' right now?

I wondered and pondered, my thoughts, at the very least, this time allowed my mind to calm down, to recollect myself and digest all of this stress, this whole nightmare. Despite the Game's attempts, I felt this burning feeling against the back of my neck, it was panic and sheer horror, pure dread even, and the dam that was holding it back was slowly cracking, it's horrible content it was supposed to hold back trickling into my mind little by little.

Would you like to start the Tutorial?
Yes/No?

A textbox appeared above, blinking into existence with only one low ping ringing in my head once. The object didn't seem to be real, as it phased into the wooden grit of the crib. A tutorial, I knew what it was, I played games before, and to see this phrase was a beautiful sight for sore eyes. Although my Hooves were bound by the soft encasement, I already knew other ways on how to make my choice without making contact with these optical constructs.

'Yes' I answered within my mind, and a new Textbox appeared in front of me, albeit shortly.

Quest added:
[The first few steps... (part 1)]
Objective(s): Listen and do as the GAME says.
Reward(s): ?

This is a short introduction to your new abilities. Please be aware that covering everything would not be beneficial at the moment. It is also worth noting that after the introduction, I will have to restart the skill [GAMER's Mind], which will possibly cause great fear, confusion, and despair. I will not be able to support you in any way during the rebooting process. The Game informed, as mouthy as his explanations were, dry and boring to add on top, I appreciated this new and slow learning experience already.

'I am ready for... I am just ready for this.' I answered, my overconfidence quickly dying away after a new wave of uncontrolled feelings crashed against my mental walls, reminding me of my situation, how dreadful.

Excelent answer, John. Let us begin with the most basic question: What is Aether. But to answer this question, you must first understand its connection with Mind. Aether and Mind are the two purest and oldest elements, they had existed far before the first star ever shone. These two energies complement each other, seek each other out, and even if overtime their forms have significantly changed and evolved, their real purpose has never been lost. Aether is energy, the purest kind, and all worlds are made out of it, all solid or spiritual materials that exist are either made out of it or draws power from it. Mind is purpose, even before life began to spread, it existed in storms that would ravage the clouds of Aether energy, transforming it over time into everything that exists, even the very space between things.

Aether is barely found in its pure form anymore, and neither is Mind, having discovered its 'hosts.' Although those two elements are fond of their living places, they will merge with each other when they are able to but never fuse, although they can search for alternatives, and that is what makes them so dangerous to an unexperienced user. Mind is the dominant force in any living body, and if a new entity, the Aether, enters it, considerable damage is done. The Mind, as you know it, is merely a construct of Mind, just like dirt and stone is for Aether, and the two forces will cause a tremendous turmoil in the vessel. Since most living beings are made mostly from Mind, they are able to give this raw power from purest to impurest variation a purpose, but if Aether becomes dominant, the sanity begins to crumble and shatter eventually.

If the purpose, in other words, control of Aether, becomes lesser than the energy itself, then uncontrollable changes will take place. The Mind will be reduced to its most basic functions, the bare minimum it can spend to keep the vessel alive, while Aether will begin to empower the rest of the form without any control. At this point, anything might happen, from growth to complete change into an insane or animalistic creature. Be aware that this is not always the case, as sometimes the Aether will be in balance with Mind long enough, to build a symbiotic relationship, and start to reinforce the container of Mind to be more efficient and adaptive to the newly acquired Aether.

I nodded, the information flowing into my brain unnaturally efficient to the point that I could most likely repeat every word he just told me on my deathbed. So Aether was the energy, and Mind was a purpose, that seemed like a little bit too easy...

So... Those two things are basically the foundation of everything, with Aether being the energy and Mind the control it had over the former. They will seek each other out, and if more Aether is on someone than there is Mind, they become insane, right? I asked, retelling his whole explanation in short, despite his already incredibly valuable help, I still needed to understand things for myself.

Affirmative

'That sounds easy, I just need to somehow have always more Mind than Aether, and everything will go alright.' I thought with a smile on my horse fancy growing, oh god, that sure will be fun to deal with later... wait! 'Why do I feel like there is a big 'but'?'

But that is not entirely right. If there is more Mind in the physical form of a living creature, there will still be consequences depending on the quantity. If too much Mind is available, then the Mind will overtake the physical boundaries, causing either physical decay from the overuse of power or inducing a state in which the affected one cannot distinguish between fantasy and reality. In other words, schizophrenia.

Those two cases are the simple least harmful side effects of a Mind oversaturation. Every creature that has an imbalance of those primordial forces with Mind being the more dominant, in other words, nearly every single one, the excessive psionic power will slowly leak into the reality you refer to as 'The Nightmare Realm' a fitting title. When these clouds of hostless Mind fall into 'The Nightmare Realm,' the abundant Aether energies will merge from with the psionic energies, creating mindless creatures following the concepts of their last host.

' And that is bad in what way?' I asked, the thought of creating creatures with just a few ideas based upon one's own imagination? It seemed like a child's dream would come true to be able to just create a fantasy world of their own. 'Wait a second, if that stuff would all that great your creator probably wouldn't have made a being able to control those two energies, right?'

You are correct, and your statement of me being a living creature is flattering. No problem? I agree that if this was the case, then the dominants of Mind would be a blessing, but that isn't reality. Most Mental energy that is able not to be shred into its most basic component by the tidal waves of energy are the most potent kinds. Fear, anger, hatred, all those variations, and many more of these harmful forms are the only ones able to pierce the walls between realms and reach The Nightmare Realm, creating physical manifestations of one's worst fears.

'That sounds really bad, and, wow... I guess I understand why you were happy to have finally found a host. These beasts must've probably already flooded the whole world by now.' I thought jokingly with dark humor, a weak little and embarrassing chuckle escaping my lips, sounding like a pathetic attempt at whistling.

...

'Why are you so quiet?' I asked, feeling the weight and uneasiness of the moment, pressing firmly against my mind as worry began to spread.

If too many Nightmares collect in a location or few, especially powerful of their dark kind gather at a weak spot in the fabric, they will no longer be bound to the grasp of The Nightmare Realm. In other words, they gain the ability to travel to other realities should they be close enough. Saturated with the powers of Aether and Mind, they are able to quickly destroy worlds, and if that happens, then... This the end of the first lesson, I am unable to continue any further for now.

'What!?' I screamed in my mind, a weak little cry that Gentle Touch hopefully didn't hear, escaped my lips as my eyes shot wide agape. 'How, I mean, what!? You can't just drop a bomb like that! Monsters that are born from nightmares coming to the real world!? How long until they get, here, will they get here eventually, can I even beat them?!' A tirade of question answered by my fear and concerns began to flood my mind. The emotions I felt when I stared at the black orb, they returned, and now that I could understand them, the once crowned fright of the unknown was kicked off its throne by the horrors of Aether and Mind combined.

*Ping*

I let out a quiet scream as I heard shrill beeping noise, similar to that of a heart monitor that couldn't sense a heartbeat ringing through my mind. It wasn't as painful as when I awoke in the GAME's chamber, but it still stung a little... Now thinking about it, was that Aether and Mind entering my body or the sadistic play of the Game? Maybe that is what the Game meant when it said I would die sooner or later without, I thought he was talking about dehydration.

The world we are currently in has still several years before Nightmares will be able to enter this realm should nothing extraordinary happen. By the time the first monsters appear in this world, you should be more than ready to destroy them. I am sorry, John, but I am not able to tell you any more, the restrictions of my creator demand me not to inform you about this until... somewhere in the future. Now, please calm down and let us move on.

'Calm!?... Yes, yes, just stay calm, John, everything will be alright, you are just trapped in a horse body whose sooner or later about to get murdered by Nightmares, yes everything's beautiful, I'm calm, yes calm, I'M FUCKING CALM!... I see why you wanted to suppress my emotions so badly, I feel lost and like shit... Just let us continue.' I let out a sigh, despite the mental fatigue, it felt good to just let it out. A few moments of silence, and all they did was make me sad. My life, the little puddle I had as a human, was gone now. From this point, until further notice, I would live in a Horse world, living as one of its inhabitants while secretively gathering power... Yes, this was the beginning of a new start, yes, a fresh start in a new world, thousands would take this chance without a moment hesitation, so maybe I should to until I can get back to Amber.

'Let us continue' I answered shortly after a long breath, a deep sigh and a little smile.

Aceptance reached this fast? I must admit, you have reached the first step quicker than my creator anticipated how long it would take for my host to get used to a new life. I congratulate to you. Now please, try to open your Status, you should be able to do so without my help.

And with that, he went silent, and it was quiet... an exciting experience so far. Having spent my life alone, to now have a second voice in your head was addicting. No, that was the wrong word, no longer lonely was more fitting, to have a second opinion or something to talk to... I sound like a crack addict with withdrawal syndromes.

'Status.' I thought, simply, if my ability to learn patterns has not yet diminished, then simply thinking it should do the trick. To my non-surprise, it actually appeared in from of yet another Textbox.

No Name (John Weaver)
Level - 1
Class - None (The Gamer)
Race - Unicorn
HP (Health Points) - 50 [5 per minute]
MP (Mana Points) - 200 [20 per minute]
SP (Stamina Points) - 50 [5 per minute]
STR (Strength) - 5 (5) [10]
END (Endurance) - 5 (5) [10]
DEX (Dexterity) - 10
INT (Intelegence) - 22,5 = 23
WIS (Wisdome) - 10
CHA (Charisma) - 5 (5) [10]
LCK (Luck) - 10

Mp = INT x 10
MP regenration = WIS x2
Stamina/ Health = END x 10
Stamina/Health regeneration = END x 1

Perks:

[Lucky Charm]
You are more likely to find treasures in the artificially created challenge, training, and proving grounds.

[Aether blessing: Intelligence]
Intelligence is doubled

[Former Human]
Although Humans have little ability in Aether, They have the potential to achieve great control and resourcefulness if given a chance
Aether assimilation and modification has been enhanced, allowing for a 25% increase in Aether gain.

[Unicron heritage]
Unicorns are from birth on talented in the arts of controlling both Aether and Mind, even if it put the average horned pony to great risk of being corrupted without having a way to stabilize these two forces.
Intelligence by 25%

Flaws

[Weak]
Your body is weak and feeble from birth on.
Strengh, Endurance has been halved. With Strength and Endurance halved, so is your Health, Health regeneration, Stamina, and Stamina Regeneration. Benevolent creatures are likely to either pity you or chose to help you in times of need.

[Outcast]
You are physically weak and don't fit into the life of a pony. Not only will the effects of [Different] be forced upon you, you will not be able to have any senses of pony, as well as instincts that define your new species. You will remain with human instincts and are unlikely to act like a real pony, other members of your kind will take notice of that and are unlikely to want to befriend you.
The Charisma Stat is halved

Skills

[GAMER's Mind (Passive) - Level Max]
Allows the user to calmly and logically think things through. Allows a peaceful state of mind. Immunity to mass psychological effects and any other psychological effects.

[GAMER's Body (Passive) - Level Max]
Grants a body that allows for the user to live the real world like a game. All wounds even severed body parts, and mutilations will heal in time. Acts of consuming foods and drinks, as well as resting and sleeping, greatly improve healing properties.

...Ouch... To see such a dreadful sight really hurt me to see. Having doubled intelligence, even though I still feel as dumb as before, as well as a twenty-five percent increase alongside a higher chance to find more loot somewhere sounded nice, but those flaws were really a punch to the gut. My most important stats, two out of three of my capacities, were cut in half alongside their regeneration; in other words, practically everything could kill me. What am I even supposed to do with Intelligence? I played games before, but I doubt I can just suddenly learn magic out of a whim, I don't even know how to use the stuff to not get me killed.

If I may interrupt, then I would like to point out that there is no need to hurry. We have a long time to fix your vulnerabilities. Have you noticed the bracketed numbers? Numbers inside the Square brackets are you real Stats, Numbers within the curved brackets are your Stats after they had the flaws and perks added, also called base stats as these serve as a base for any buff or debuff to be calculated into your current Stats. Numbers without anything attached to them are your current Stats, these like the name implies, factor in any currently done activity. Skills, Abilities, and resource regeneration will always draw from your current Stats, while capacities, like Health, are formed by taking your base stats into the calculation. The only times this rule does not count is when a buff or debuff has been cast to specifically effect one of these previously mentioned stats and abilities. Just because you've been made more vulnerable doesn't mean that your health or regenerations lessons, right?

'It makes sense, yes, but I have a question. Why?' I asked with a bit of confusion this very aspect of the situation that I am still far too calm about- was the skill that kept me sane active since the moment I landed in the chamber? I knew I couldn't just stay this fucking calm the whole time after being turned into a giant rodent! 'Why is the whole thing themed like a video game?'

The second these words were formed within the depth of my vastly empty mind, the floating Status blinked once and changed into... Something... I honestly had no clue what that was supposed to be. In the middle was my new body with its limbs sprayed far apart inside some kind of rune circle while various glowing circles surrounded it with numbers inside of them.

That was a sharp realization, and now here's the explanation: When I reviewed your memories, please stop the hidden aggression as this was for a more efficiently working relationship. The system you are seeing was designed so that no matter what being would become my host, the entity would not need to adapt to an Aether and Mind visualization it didn't understand, so where your abilities and skills. This 'video game-like interface' was the one that resonated with your memories the most. What you see here is a dynamic visualization of your forms physical Aether and Mind distribution, as well as how much it was modified and is capable of doing. The Game explained before changing the interface back into a much simpler version.

'That was helpful, so my life has thankfully has not been turned into a videogame, thank goodness, it was just was really simular like one. So with everything said, our new agenda is to collect tons of Aether and survive.' I commented calmly while a feeling of relieve, as it little as it was, eased my nerves slightly.

That assumption is wrong. As previously mentioned, Aether and Mind depend on each other, and know that most of their kind have chosen to transmute into various forms, it is far more complex than to simply kill them and steal their powers. Although I can siphon the Aether energy from a dead or weakened creature, I cannot simply pump it into your form. The Aether will always wish to bind itself to the Mind, and since the Mind is far too complex to simply merge with it, it searches for lower forms of the second primordial element. This lesser form is usually a memory or a mindset that the user has while fighting, killing, and absorbing its power. If you were, for example, using spells as well as a greatsword during a battle, the Aether would flow into your form to further enhances your abilities; in other words, it would raise the strength of your sword art as well as the spells you are using. This is not the case with me on your side.

The primordial energies are unpredictable, and it is my duty to ensure that they stay in line, as well as govern your process. As you have noticed, your class, this section will decide where the acquired Aether will flow into, should it say mage, then your intelligence and wisdom will profit from the newly gained Aether. Aether easily attaches itself to memories, it is how we learn and grow, even a mortal creature does so without realizing it. If you were to train with a sword, memories of you using the sword would form from Mind, and Aether will sooner or later come to attach itself onto this memory. This way, singular abilities can grow in power as well, but this is merely the case for you. Otherwise, it would be much more complicated to explain.

To ease your understanding, think about it this way. The more memories you have of doing something, the more Aether you will have available at all times, thus increasing your efficiency and performance. All of these memories will not only empower the used abilities, but also the overall 'region' of this ability, in other words, your class. All of your class' level's combined make up your overall level, and abilities cannot grow beyond this number.

'... I wish you were my high school teacher, maybe then I would've actually passed it...' I replied in awe because I had finally understood how the crap worked, at least, everything that Game told me so far.

It is good to hear that you are listening, although I am surprised why you didn't ask for me to just simply add the information into your brain, which, although I could've done to some extent, would not have been the right thing to do. Directly beaming knowledge would not create a memory, but this had paid off as by the looks of it please the ambient Aether, though be aware that the more of it you collect, the harder it becomes to reach new heights without damaging your form.

I nodded to its words, again, not every effective given my situation, but the thought was what counted. Suddenly, a Ping sound rang through my head, and I was pleasantly surprised to see a new textbox replace my Status Window.

Through the specific action of listening to the GAME's lecture of the basic understanding of Aether as well as beginning to understand the foundation of the two Primordial Elements, you've gained: One point in both Intelligence and Wisdom.

I... couldn't put the feelings I felt when I read this in words in words. It's just beyond me, but knowing that I had grown in power scratched an urge deep inside of me. It made me feel great and powerful, even if the aftertaste of this experience was only a fraction of the original burst, I could see this becoming habit, perhaps even an addiction if I'm not careful. I closed the message, and just as I was about to watch my new Status, the Game stopped me.

As much as I enjoy seeing you grow familiar with my mechanics and your enthusiasm for gaining power, I believe you first must collect your reward for the quest.

'R-right, sorry, I don't know what got over me, it felt so, so.' I was trying to put it in words, but the feeling was undescribably. 'Yeah, let's just continue.'

You have Completed the Quest [The first few steps... (part 1)]

You received: Observe

[Observe] [Active]
This skill doesn't require any resources
This skill allows you to 'Observe' an Objective, entity, or event and display its information. This skill only works with creatures or objects that are below your overall level or a maximum of ten levels above you, with each level, the knowledge gained will lessen.

This skill, albeit in a different form alongside an item that was consumed upon use, was what I utilized for scrying the information from this planet. Please be aware that it will be significantly inferior at the beginning and is likely to show us just the bare minimum of information, but it will one day become our most important tool. Knowledge is power, and Power is survival.

The Game was right, but this it hadn't to tell me, I was a courier for most of my career, information was in the end what decided if you lived, starved or died. If you carried around something reactive, then you needed information on the best route and way to handle the package if you didn't want to end as a smudge on the wall. It was also essential to know if you were up to the task; your pay decreased if you took too long, in the worst case going in the minus if you were to slow. This situation was no different, perhaps more demanding and challenging, but a significantly superior pay as well, and if I knew how most easily kill something, then the better it was.

I personally never killed anyone, but that was not because I was a pacifist. As a courier, even with those big fish looking over you, never were you safe until the delivery was in a vault. Depending on the worth of the cargo you were carried, you were provided with various 'accessories.' In most cases, it was a bulletproof vest, but once or twice, I was also given a weapon. If rich people give you a Glock powerful enough to pulverize bones, they don't expect you to lose their stuff to a bunch of hooligans. Auctioneers didn't like you murdering citizens, even in self-defense, it didn't sit well with their publicity, but they hated loses a lot more. Luckily, I was always able to avoid this kind of situation.

Most abilities will cost resources, in most cases, it is either mana or stamina, but sometimes materials or even health points have to be sacrificed to use a particular ability. This one is free, to use it, look at something, and give the command.

'Okay... Observe' I thought, not asking or questioning his instruction while looking at a small mirror that was lying on the shelf, myself in its reflection. A textbox appeared, and...

It's just you...

'Oi, don't you sass my boney ass!' I accidentally thought too loud, it's hard to explain, but since the Game was inside of me, it felt like my thoughts have been split into two. Personal thoughts that hopefully stay personal unless I am thinking about something, and those I used to talk with the Game and to use skills. It is scary how much effect this skill has over me, and that thing isn't even fully functioning as now I can still feel the amassment of negative emotions scrapping against my mind, I am scared of 'absorbing' them once the lesson is finished. My inner conflicted was shortly halted when I heard a ping noise.

Observe has leveled up by one.

Please try to use Observe again on the same object.

I let out a weak sigh, knowing full well that my buffer zone was running out, and soon I had to face these horrors I called feelings. 'Observe.'

It's you, No Name (John Weaver).

'At the very least it became less sassy, wait, why did it ready 'No Name' followed by my actual name?'I asked the Game with confusion.

As you can see, Observe has not leveled up, even though you used it in the same way. Experiences and memories of the first time doing something new or challenging are much more powerful and thus allow a larger quantity of Aether to stick onto them. Doing the same act several times would eventually yield results but is, in most occasions, ineffective. To answer your question, although this is your actual name, no being on this world except the two of us are aware of your name, and in the end, it will be entity Gentle Touch who will give you a name tomorrow when she will sign the documents. This was only a speculation, but it is very likely to be this way. Do you wish for me to 'encourage her' to decide a specific name?

'That makes sense... and no, I am probably just going to fuck it up by naming me something that has some dumb deeper meaning or chose something super weird that no one gets like Haiiro.' I thought with a small chuckle, most Japanese employers I worked with categorized their wares in color names in their native language. Haiiro meaning grey in this case. 'Now that I am thinking about it, how do I even understand them?' I just realized it, how was I able to understand an alien language?

I mentioned previously that my creator left behind tools and rewards that I would only be allowed to use during special occasions. The item I used to scry this world came in a bundle that would also translate the language of the body's species. It is a rather useful decision my creator made as otherwise I would've had to search through alien memories and create my own translator, or would be powerless at all other than improve your learning.

'I see... your, ehm, maker sure thought about a lot of stuff in advanced.' I replied, nervously searching for any theme for a Smalltalk, but I couldn't think of anything. 'So, how will this reboot go exactly?'

I will be honest with you, user John, what you will experience won't be a pleasant experience. It said, worrying me hugely as it never said anything less than logical or optimistic before. My creator wished for me to do everything in my power possible to make this situation seem like 'a dream come true,' but I don't want this journey to be beginning on a bed of lies. When you first awoke in my chamber, I was already suppressing your emotions; the pain you felt was the first startup multiplied by the feelings you felt: Loss, fear, anger, and many more, a taste, so to say, for what I would be doing now.

After the following mentally gruesome pain, in which you feel the full weight of losing everything you had, and nearly all you are, bound to a duty higher than anything before and more dangerous than all, while you crumble and beg for relieve... I was supposed to comfort you. I would be telling you that I was reducing the near-endless agony, that you were strong enough to withstand it and that I would be helping you on this journey. Become the one being you could trust most.

...

...Although you've known me only for several hours, and despite the supernatural events we already went through in such a short time frame, I knew you for nearly three months, not before you entered my chamber, but during the conscience transfer. I looked through your memories, and although I feel nothing while reviewing them as I am only able to take notes of them, I realized a... stinging detail... I had never had this much, as you mortals call it, fun before. I am aware that you are my first host, and perhaps my personal experience is only so great because I simply have nothing to compare it to, but that doesn't matter.

...

You may think of me as a construct, which in its self is true, an alien or a so-called celestial being, a tool to achieve your goals, but the journey you take me along is already all I can ask for. For millennia since my awakening, I was forced to watch the corpses around me decay, I knew everything about the facts I had, and everything else stayed the way they were. The moment you reached me, a device build for improvement, stagnating for seemingly an eternity, I finally got to experience what it was to live. Emotions, I wasn't aware I could even have them, from the joy of improvement to fear from being shouted at, gave me such a thrill, to teach and see something new, delight, and now to stray from my path and chose on my own? A relief.

'I... I am not good with such sappy stuff, but, I guess you're welcome?' I was speechless, something I rarely was, and the whole experience was very much so alien to me. I can't explain it, but in a way, I felt the Game's emotions and honesty, not like empathy, but more like if you were standing close to a candle.

That is all I am asking for. Please prepare yourself for the next few moments, you will cry, scream, and beg, but I will be there. Nothing will happen to you, and although I will not be able to respond for a while, please remember that I, too, am forced to live through this experience, and I will be there as well. The Game told me, his voice was still calm and collective, but the little shred of life that it put in its speech was noticeable. And John, I thank you, and I can't wait for the journey to start in the following days.

With this, the Game went silent, and so did I, attempting to stay calm, but eventually failing.

It started off weak, my breathing increased, little by little, my heart began to pump stronger by the moment as if I was riding a rollercoaster, but it worsened from here on. Memories flashed before my eyes, the passed hours, when I saw myself getting swallowed by the anomaly, I was paralyzed by fear, only to break into screaming, high pitched baby noises escaping my mouth as I wiggled under the tight blanket. Then came anger and hate, why me, of all people, to be taken away from my world? Fury lead only to despair as the first tears began to roll down my little eyes. My screams growing with intensity, and my wiggling becoming squirming as my toothless mouth pressed itself shut with painful force, my saliva nearly choking me as an agonizing feeling pressed against my jaw. I lost everything, my sister and the rest of my world, and now I was a monstrosity among animals. My dark thoughts, combined with my aching memories, melted into one nightmarish fever dream as I trashed against my binding. In my rage, I threw away the blanket, and I uncontrollably waved my limbs in every direction with no control over my form. It was so unpleasant, my hooves and neck lost strength only seconds later, but I couldn't stop to drag these powerless tools around more.

'I am no hero, nothing special, please stop this and let me go home! I don't care if people die, I want to quit, I'm selfish, just find anything better, anyone else!' These thoughts dominated my now vacant mind

I don't know how much longer I stayed there, perhaps a minute or two more, as I felt my mind slowly drift apart before Gentle Touch rushed towards the crib. She stared at me with a nervous look occupied by fear as she inspected me for any injury, her forehooves standing on the edge of the wooden toddler prison.

An especially loud howl flooding out of my throat was what snapped her back into reality. She used her magic to lift me out of the crib, I didn't even notice that I was transported away, I had already gone numb, my Mind exhausted, and my muscles ablaze. The next thing I know was that she took me into a firm hug, immobilizing me. I tried to scramble out of her pink grasp, but Gentle Touch didn't let go, it only enraged me more, to be treated like a child, but that was precisely what I was.

She hummed something, perhaps even sang, I didn't understand it without the Game's help, but I believe it was some kind of lullaby. I lost all my strength in a matter of moments as my anger and hatred melted away into sorrow, screams turned to sobs and crying as I buried my face into her fur, this soft fabric smelling like fresh, unpolluted air and real fruits. Gentle's belly was pudgy, warm and comfortable, I recognized this feeling, it was when I was still a child, the sensation of being held by a mother, If it was me or the now leashless body, I did not know, but I embraced this hug. My lips, as embarrassingly and humiliating as it is to confess, moved on their own and began to... suckle from her... teets, I wanted to vomit, so powerful and worse was it never despite all the junk I have eaten in all those years, but I couldn't stop.

Her Lullaby became a low whispering of comfort as she weakened her grip, but now all attempts to escape had already dried out and began to slowly rub my back. I felt so weak, pathetic, I hated her for doing this, but this body of mine welcomed it and greedily swallowed her... sweet mild. I don't know how much longer this nightmare went on, a horror story turning from fright to disgust, but eventually, I fell asleep.