Dark Matter Ascension

Jace woke up to the gentle, Starlit Sea once more. As soon as he opened his eyes, the gorgeous shark-woman next to him sat up. "Morning sleepy." She leaned down and gave him her approximation of a kiss.

"Morning," Jace replied as he sat up. "Last night was-"

"Amazing!" she said with a giggle. "That was fantastic! I’d love to do that more."

Jace chuckled and nodded, "Anytime I’m in town."

She frowned slightly, "Ah, right. You have Aspirant stuff to do."

"I’ve got your information now, though. I can always message you and keep in touch."

"I’d like that!" she got out of the bed and stretched, "Mind if I use your hygiene station?"

"Go ahead," Jace replied as he sank back into the bed. As she left, Ollie appeared with a pop. "How was poker night?" Jace asked.

Ollie smirked as he swam all around the room, "I got another 100 Stardust, bringing our total up to 2200. How was your night? Wait – do not tell me. You invited someone into your bed."

Jace chuckled and nodded, "Yeah. Shhiv is really-"

"I would have expected you to choose Quinn," Ollie replied. "I figured humans would stick together. Most species stick to their own kind."

Jace shrugged, "Shhiv is…authentic. Quinn wanted something last night. And not in the way Shhiv wanted something."

Ollie nodded, "Well, you have enough Stardust for 2 levels."

Right, it costs 1,000 Stardust per level, now. "And the Epic (Skill Evolution), correct?"

"Yup!"

"I want to use that Skill Evolution on Dark Matter Dart. And let’s get another two Ranks into Cosmic Infusion. It should bring me up to Rank 9, right?"

"Yup!" Ollie flew over Jace and Stardust shot from his palm into Jace’s torso. He felt the incredible warmth – different than before, though. It wasn’t a dull, pleasant heat. This was…more aggressive heat. Not uncomfortable, just more intense.

<<<<<>>>>>

Name: Jace Seren (Aspirant, Tier 2)

Power [Class Level.]: Dark Matter [Swordmage 28.]

Skills: Skill Name (Rank) [Evolutions.]: Universal Translation, Environmental Adaptation, Dark Matter Blade (Rank 5) [Rending], Dark Matter Shield (Rank 3) [Reflecting.], Swordmage Stance (Rank 3), Dark Matter Dart [Exploding.] (Rank 4), Dark Matter Cloak (Rank 3), Dark Energy Mine (Rank 3), Cosmic Infusion (Rank 9), Starfire Stride (1/day), Arbiter’s Anathema (1/day)

Stardust: 200

Equipment: Swordmage blade, (Medium) Devastation Armor, Wirecannon Arm, Anathema Arm, Dragonclaw Devastation Legs, (Heavy) Venture Pack, survival meals (x46), enhanced canteen, optimized medical kit, flint bar, flashlight

Boons: None

<<<<<>>>>>

Cosmic Infusion (Rank 8): As Rank 7, increases the user’s sensory traits by a large amount.

Cosmic Infusion (Rank 9): As Rank 8, increases the user’s cognitive traits by a large amount.

<<<<<>>>>>

[Using Boon: Epic (Skill Evolution).]

[Applying to Skill.]

[Skill Name: Dark Matter Dart.]

[Evolution Name: Exploding.]

[Effect: The Darts explode upon impact, dealing their damage in a small radius (5 ft.).]

<<<<<>>>>>

The Starlit Sea mockup in his room seemed more vibrant than ever. He could still smell Shhiv’s scent on the sheets even from inches away; a sweet, peppermint-esque smell. He could hear her slight humming from the other room where before he could not. The sheets felt even softer as he could make out the tiny threads by touch alone. And his tongue could still taste the alcohol from the night before.

"You have almost capped out Cosmic Infusion at (Rank 10)," Ollie stated as he swam in circles before coming to a stop as Shhiv entered the room.

"Who are you talking to?" Shhiv asked as she joined Jace back on the bed.

"Ollie."

"Ah, too bad I cannot see your close companion. Do you need to go right now?"

Ollie frowned and sighed, "Yup. Unfortunately for you right now, we do. An event is coming up on the world Xera wants us to visit next. And if we are not there, we cannot participate."

Jace looked to Shhiv and gave her a kiss before pulling away. "Sorry. We have to head out. Something with a time limit." He looked back to Ollie, "Missy said she could see Greg’s Wayfinder. Could you do the same for Shhiv?"

"I could," he replied.

"Will you?"

"Sure." He clapped his paws together.

Shhiv squealed with delight, "Oh my gosh! A Wayfinder! And he’s sooo cute!"

Ollie wiggled his whiskers and flew around the room before wrapping around Jace’s neck; hovering just above his skin or partly phasing through him. "Thank you for the compliment."

Shhiv sighed, "Well, let’s get you dressed." She rummaged around on the floor, tossed his clothes at him, and pulled her own dress on from the night before – which had several rips along the side from their night of passion. "Ugh. Walking home in this is going to be so embarrassing."

"I’ll walk you home. Let me hit that hygiene station first," Jace replied. He popped into the restroom, quickly used the odd machine, threw on his equipment, grabbed his bag, and led Shhiv out. He pictured her apartment, and after a minute of walking, they arrived outside her door. Walking her up and into the building, she turned at the door and gave him another brief kiss.

"I take it you’re into me then?" she asked, eyes vibrant except for that black slit of a pupil that stayed trained on Jace the whole time.

Jace nodded, "Yeah. Last night wa-"

"Perfect! It was perfect. I’ll send you a message every other day – don’t want to be clingy. More often, if you want – but you’re going to be busy, I’m sure." Her expression became slightly less enthusiastic. "Be safe…please."

"Of course," Jace replied with a grin. "I want to come back and spend more time with you. I’ll take you up on that offer to go swimming."

She grinned and nodded, "Okay. Well…bye for now." She gently shut the door, and Jace left the building feeling fulfilled and ready for what lay ahead.

Ollie floated out in front of him, "The world we are heading to is Nihilethelea."

"That’s a mouthful," Jace mused as he clasped his hands behind his head and walked towards The Cosmic Corridor.

"Yeah. It is named after a powerful archmage who managed to become their first Ascendant. It is part of the Planetary Independence Pact. The Archmage Ascendant – most call him Double-A in shorthand – runs the place."

Jace felt the world warp around him and was standing amongst the roving crowd in The Cosmic Corridor proper. "Why this place in particular?"

"Every ten years he uses his magical powers to create what he calls ’dungeons’. Complexes, like the one you cleared back on Velenar Prime. Basically, he is forcing localized Cosmogenic Merging in isolated locales or upon specific creatures. You will have many locations you can clear out with rewards coming from The Cosmic System itself. Which means we won’t have to tap into her repository."

He smirked as he flew around Jace’s neck and hid inside his cloak from prying eyes. "And, whoever collects the most dungeon cores – the ’points’ he places at the end of them – will get a special, Legendary Boon from the man himself. One that can be reality-bending."

"It’s a race. We want to clear as many Complexes as possible before they are all gone."

"Yup!"

Jace frowned, "And I bet we will find plenty of other Aspirants and maybe even some Ascendants taking on these challenges?"

"Nope! Just Aspirants of Tier 2. Double-A enforces that rule. It is his world, after all. Even other Ascendants can only enter if he allows it. He is sort of like an administrator for a local section of The Cosmic System. A benefit of becoming an Ascendant strong enough to take control of a home world. If, for example, the Star Council takes over Earth, then they would be able to impose similar rules."

"I should get a means to move quickly," Jace commented. "If we have to go from Complex to Complex across a whole world…How long do we have?"

"The competition starts in two hours. Everyone starts in the capital city where he has isolated a single portal. We will get System messages about how many Complexes are left to beat. The competition ends when every Complex is cleared – or ’dungeon defeated’ as he will put it. But you cannot purchase a hypercycle like that woman brought to Velenar Prime. You will have to rely on world-appropriate types of transport."

"Why was she able to bring a hypercycle there, anyhow?"

"Because it was a magi tech world. Those can support both magic and technology. Versus where we are going, which is magic-only. Speed will be very important! Which is why you have some Stardust left over. We can rent a Nichken." Ollie chuckled, "They are enormous dogs, with six legs, floppy ears, and cute, adorable tails."

Jace felt giddy with excitement. He was all about speed, and riding a giant dog sounded like an amazing experience. Plus, the idea of being in a race of some type just spoke to him and his courier background. Hell, with Dark Matter Cloak, I can probably sneak to the end of these Complexes and snag these dungeon cores.

Jace stopped off by The Star Market to pick up his new device. Quinn was not there, but a Civilian-marked alien with red skin and black horns atop their head was leaning on the counter. "Hi there. How can I help you?"

"Just picking up something I paid for," Jace replied. "A prosthetic repair tool. Under the name Flicker, most likely."

The man nodded and dipped into a back room before returning with a toolbox with latches on the sides. "One Omnitech prosthetic repair module. Already paid for. Automatically repairs magic, magitech, or technological prosthetics. Just be warned – it only has three ’charges’ before you need to restock the supplies inside. We can do that for you when it runs out."

Jace put it into his backpack, nodded in thanks, and went back to The Cosmic Corridor. Okay, focus on this world you want to visit. Magic world with the upcoming event…

He came to a stop in front of a shimmering, pastel-blue portal. Here we go. A world full of magic... The fact that worlds had actual magic was filling him with a buzz he couldn’t describe. He had never even contemplated magic’s existence before this whole Cosmogenic Merging. Hell, he had a magitech arm and legs, and a fully magic arm. This whole universe is wild.

But…he took a deep breath and calmed himself. Remember, it’s all to hit Tier 10. To get Chroma back. Don’t get overconfident. One slip could lead to it all ending.

Walking through the portal, Jace felt an immense pressure squeezing him from all sides – like he was being smushed in a vice grip – before the world cleared in front of his vision.

‎

‎He was standing in an enormous town square. There was a cheer as he walked past the vestibule of an archway in the center of the enormous, stone space. Looking back, he was shocked to see the portal was much, much smaller – only 20 feet in height and about the same in width. A hand clasped his shoulder, and he wheeled around once more.

A portly man with red cheeks and a squash nose grinned at him, "Heyyyy-o. You’re…one of them…whatchacallit…Aspirants." Jace could smell the rank alcohol on his disgusting breath and saw the dull-brown Civilian mark on his hand.

"Yes," Jace muttered as he removed the man’s hand and slipped into the crowd. People were coming and going to and from the portal, there was festivity in the air as music played throughout the area. Men, women, and all manner of species were in the throes of celebration. Banners were strung amongst the buildings at the edges of the large space, which stated the title of the event.

The Dungeon Run.

Scanning the crowd, Jace saw dozens of Cosmic Power symbols scattered amongst them. Some, however, were in clusters. Dark Matter Cloak (Rank 1) , Jace thought as the Skill activated. He vanished from sight and made his way through the crowds towards the outskirts of the center plaza. Their Wayfinders were all mingling in the air above them, as well – touching appendages as bright, blue bursts of starlight flared.

"Ollie, why are Aspirants grouped up?" he whispered.

"They are forming a temporary alliance. Grouping up to have a better chance of clearing Complexes."

It was at that moment Jace noticed that everyone’s ears were different. They were elongated – quite a lot, sticking out either above their hair or out to the sides. Feeling up to his head, he traced the outline of elongated ears that poked up and back. Right. Environmental Adaptation, he thought. This must be some type of requirement to survive here. "Why do I have long ears?"

"This is a high-magic world. The dominant species is called the Nethal. The ears function as extrasensory organs that enable you to ’see’ magic. Look over there." Ollie pointed, and Jace followed the small paw. A group of musicians was on a small stage, dancing and playing music on various instruments. Cascading through the air, Jace could see ribbons or streamers of glimmering, magical light. "The extrasensory organs inside the larger ears affect your senses."

Jace nodded as Ollie continued, "Just keep a low profile until the competition starts. We cannot leave the city until the event begins."

Jace walked down the streets that were in a state of revelry. The paved stone below was kept clean by brooms that floated by and swept away garbage and debris as if they had a mind of their own. Into gutters, where some type of slimy substance would engulf the offending refuse and seemingly melt it down to nothing. Magic trash disposal gutters. Cool! Jace kept looking around, and in every direction on this boulevard, he could see all manner of objects flying about and performing tasks.

But he didn’t see people. Except for the Aspirants and a few Civilians he had spotted – this place was a ghost town.

"Head towards the stables," Ollie advised as he pulled up a map of the town that floated just in front of the two. Jace followed the colored path on the map, dipping around various partygoers who were heading to that central town square. The sound of festivities faded into the background as the silence of an abandoned city asserted itself. Even Jace’s enhanced senses could not pick up much sound outside of the skittering of rodents, unseen in their hovels.

On the outskirts of the city were dozens of large, multi-story houses that appeared to be some type of tenement. They were poorly kept and falling into disrepair. "Ollie, how many Civilians chose to stay here?" The place was quite obviously where the downtrodden and poor lived.

"Almost none," The otter replied. "This world’s offerings pale compared to those of The Eternal City. The only reason people are here is for the start of the competition. Double-A became an Ascendant after almost everyone had relocated to The Eternal City. That is why you see objects going around and performing tasks on their own in the more visited parts of the city. This world is like his own, personal playground."

They emerged from the urban sprawl and onto a more well-kempt boulevard. There was an enormous, sealed gate, and a series of stables with plenty of stalls. Aspirants were lined up in front of a counter, waiting for a single attendant – a very overworked looking individual who was hastily trying to process the massive number of rentals. The attendant was marked as a Civilian. "I don’t think we’ll get one of these mounts in time," Jace muttered. "What’s the terrain like outside?"

"The city is in a forested region. The high, exterior walls prevent sight – but there are trees that ascend 50 feet in height."

Jace smirked and glanced down at the Wirecannon Arm, "I can just grapple up high, activate the retraction, and then use Dark Energy Mine to launch myself across the world since I get 30 seconds of no gravity. If something is higher than what I’m standing on…I can just do that instead." He smirked, "Plus, I won’t have to worry about dealing with other Aspirants – they can’t fly." He looked at Ollie, "Can they?"

Ollie shrugged, "Perhaps. Double-A normally does not allow flight on Nihilethelea. But Cosmic Powers are incredibly versatile."

Jace went past the crowd and stood before the enormous gates. They were set into solid, grey stone walls covered with lichen. They’re old, he thought. Really freaking old. The wooden doors showed signs of decay under the fresh coat of paint that had been slapped on at some point in the past few days. Cracks that had appeared, the paint having seeped into them. The place would have been considered a dreg heap by any standards of living. It was a ramshackle and crappy construction that had been painted over to look new.

As he thought back on the walk through the city, he could recall other small indicators that something was ’off’. A bit of scuffed masonry here, a cracked windowpane there, mismatched paint tones, and the like. The city is made to look like it is well kept – but outside of the city center and the ’richer’ areas…this place is a dump.

A loud voice came from behind him – in the direction of the town square. Loud enough to cover the whole city. "Welcome, Aspirants ranked at Tier 2, to Nihilethelea! I am The Ascendant Archmage. You are about to participate in The Dungeon Run! The rules are simple. Your task is to clear as many of the five-hundred dungeons that have been established as you can within the ten-day time limit!" His voice was not just loud, but full of vibrance, confidence, and a bit of a chortle that lent credence to the assumption that he was out of shape.

"Complexes," Ollie whispered. "Remember, they are just Complexes to us."

The voice continued, drowning out the whispered advice of his Wayfinder. "As you clear a dungeon, you will acquire the dungeon core from the pedestal at the end. Whoever brings me the most dungeon cores will win a Legendary Boon. This is in addition to the prizes that The Cosmic System will give you for clearing the dungeon! This decade, we have a total of seven-thousand participants!"

Jace was staggered. 7,000 people? All of them Aspirants at my same Tier? The situation just became much more dire. Any one of these people could try to kill me for the dungeon cores I’m going to get my hands on.

"Oh, and if you beat the record of last decade’s winner, who brought me 22 dungeon cores…I will award you a secret prize. Remember, any means of transport is allowed except for flight."

That brought Jace some relief. Okay. If the winner the last time only got 22 out of a possible 500, then Ascendants are less bloodthirsty than I thought they might b-

"And don’t forget! Killing other Aspirants for their dungeon core is allowed, but only outside of the city limits! You could steal them, as well…but where’s the fun in that?" There was a mad cackling. "You have five minutes. Prepare yourselves! When the sky turns pure gold – you may leave the city!" The voice faded, and Jace saw the Aspirants near the stables beginning to squabble among themselves to try and get a mount.

Then, weapons came out. Cosmic Power symbols flared, and screaming permeated the once-party-fueled atmosphere.

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