The Ways of Mortals 2

THIRD PERSON POV

It was one thing to see about 6000+ stats in her interface. It was another to feel it. Daena had no control. Her jumps took her too high, her dashes too far. An attempt to push the first attacker away had the male fly off. Her agility too fast that even after a smooth evasion of the water slash sent her way by the Qitsalrmer, she still somehow returned her body to the same point and got the rear end of the same strike.

It was all too much. Daena had no reason to complain though, now she could save her family.

She found herself thinking very clearly. If she couldn't control her body well, then why not use the madness to her benefit?

With the thought, she locked eyes with the first Evershu panicking and attempting to attach the cage to a hook set to the wagon. His panic wasn't enough.

Daena dashed forward ready to stop but finding her reaction slower. Bodies clashed and she watched him crash into the ground his head split open. The crack of a whip made her drop down. The lash to her back told her the whip had aimed for her legs.

She met his gaze, his reptilian-like eyes slit in annoyance, lips set in a grim line. Daena dashed ahead and quickly brought herself right before him. His thoughts to evade such a move was something to be sneered at as her speed had the dust parting and her body appeared right before him in a flash. She felt the same warmth in her arms push out.

Since she now understood what was happening it was easier to use it. Urging it down and out her palms it obeyed needing no further prompt as it rushed to leave. The heat rose.

Her arms glowed brighter as did her eyes. Her right palm folded into a fist and lashed out the moment she appeared before him. The left quickly followed up with another blow.

[- 5 mana]

Puch! The sound of exploding meat.

A certain girl watching from the side looked away and shivered.

Daena heaved even as silence reigned around her. Blood dripped and sizzled off from her arms even as the glow slowly faded. She felt a lag in her chest like a heavy drain. The murder notifications blinked in the corner of her eye.

[You have slain Gris - Lv7 Evershu - Bandit Soldier]

[+70Exp]

[You have slain Frus - Lv5 Evershu - Bandit soldier]

[+50Exp]

[You have slain Hugar - Lv10 Qitsalrmer - Watermage]

[+ 1000Exp]

[You have Leveled up]

.

.

[You have Leveled up]

Daena paid little attention to both the strain in her chest and the notifications as she looked around seeing that the rest had fled once Hugar died. Uncaring to give chase Daena hurried to the cages her arms still heated while dimmer and now scalding in pain.

Placing her palm on the cooper bars she pushed the flame into it. The feeling of drain intensified like an empty water pouch.

"Out of mana" A slight check confirmed for her. She was down to only 2 points of mana. Gritting her teeth rubbed her arms on the copper bars watching as fortunately the melted and dripped like liquid down on her arms and to the floor.

"Out, now." she ordered ripping open the bars. The thought didn't even register that she could have done that instead. The skin on her arms dulled back to white as the flames finally disappeared with the expiration of the flame duration.

"Help the others get out. Be careful" she ordered only for a boy to stop her.

"The keys?" he murmured. Daena scowled before looking around wondering which of the men had it. Eyes going to Hugar she noted the bunch hanging from his pants belt.

"Walking up and ripping it off she handed it to the boy. Gather everyone then hide till I'm back." With that, she turned and dashed off. Her destination, the palace.

" Mum, dad, Trisev. Wait for me, I'm coming".

*****

HELEN'S POV

Half of the wooden palace was already ablaze at this point. Burning with a yellow and red flame that rose with smoke filling the night of the sky. I watched little Daena race through the corpse-littered streets in a fast sprint.

Watched as she tore through the attackers still engaged with what was left of her city's guards. I watch her break men like twigs, shatter spines and pulverize heads. It was quite disturbing to watch. Frankly, it made me ponder if this Fearghal mark wasn't a bit too ridiculous.

'I'm a creator. What's more ridiculous'.

I moved when she disappeared into the palace. Racing with speed through the streets as well before getting into the palace. Followed the trail of corpses both enemy and ally till I got to their throne room.

I watched the events playing outside for just a moment before completely removing my attention. At this point, I was seated on the fancy throne of the Oritais king scanning my template while the fight continued right before me. It was so wondrous how I could follow things in this mode while simply watching.

I noticed something funny when I changed my modes while in my incarnation.

NAME -(Hildelith Fearghal )

TITLES -

FEAT -

RACE - Nothing

BEING - Mortal (Creator 79)

LEVEL - 1

HEALTH - 24/24

STATS

Str - ??

Agi - ??

End - ??

Mind - ??

Int - ??

ENERGIES

Mana - ??

Intent - 10

HIDDEN STAT

Perc - 10

Def - (10) +(30)

Soul - 10

UNALLOCATED STAT POINTS : 0

[GREATER MIRACLES] - [00]

[Restore life]

[Earthbend]

[Sword Cull]

[Insta-Kill] - [LOCKED]

[Steel skin]

[Strong punch]

[Elemental arrows]

[Fireballs]

[Astral Projection] - [LOCKED]

[Earthquake]

[Death mark] - [LOCKED]

[LESSER MIRACLES] - [00]

[?]

[IMBUE STRENGTH] - [00]

[Oracle]

[Priest]

[Followers]

[MESSAGE]

[MARK]

Daena Jorkstorn

[MODES]

[Observe]>

[Interact]<

[Possess]<

Once I toggled my mode to interact the stats slightly changed. Things like miracles became gray and inaccessible with a warning icon beside them. Trying to learn more I realized that I was unable to use miracles whilst physically present in Vaustaris due to my incarnate's ineptitude to handle the backlash.

There was no explanation for that but I shrugged it off. The next thing was gaining stats dependent on the race I became. Though I was yet to check how leveling up worked since I could become all basic, upgraded, and advanced races. There had to be a setting to follow.

Another thing I learned was the other features. Greater miracles were just me aiding whoever I wished with something on the list. Imbue strength seemed to be even better. It worked on faith. Faith of those who desired power. The more faith they had to fill their counter the more strength I could give. Faith was an energy that served a purpose that applied to negating the backlash I couldn't yet handle.

That part was still unclear.

I'd have to work on getting more followers to allow for more of this faith. My head bobbed as I made the thought.

Lesser miracles were an issue. Especially with its description nonexistent and just a question mark in place. Fiddling with it gave me a bit of understanding but not a clear thought of what could be accomplished. Lesser miracles were dependent on the issues of the follower who I wished to perform for. Unlike Greater miracles that were set, lesser miracles could be anything not attack or power related. This made it a none cataloged or defined miracle and more of a generalized version, a jack-of-trades miracle. Depending on the situation I could perform a different miracle to aid as I saw fit but with constraints.

Possess was the best. I could take control of the body of any I chose for a maximum of one hour. Something that could improve as I leveled up. As long of course that one was at least aware of my existence. Faith didn't even matter just knowing I existed and hearing my voice wad all I needed to take one's body.

Ignorance, they say, is bliss.

"I'm loving this goddess thing more and more ". I chortled before noting that the door to the hall I was in opened and in came the family of four all looking down to the ground somberly while Daena tried consoling them.

An action she stopped the moment I toggled my mode to interact.

'Time to play the game' I thought while mentally activating the recording feature.

*****

Daena stumbled through the messed-up city. The trails of bloody corpses and the metallic stench of lifeblood serve to disgust her and also make bet move faster.

She ran fast but kept halting at different points to aid her caged city folk. There were no skills or techniques in her fights, just pure strength, and insurmountable force. She plowed through the enemies, broke the cages, and freed her people.

Yet she barely focused on them. Her body fought yet her mind remained on the palace which she slowly approached. Her mind burned with both fear and hate.

She stepped into the wooden palace her mind not ready to bear what lay within or even accept it. The first group to fall was a laughing bunch that was toying with a group of maidservants. Daena barely spared them a glance before their heads burst apart brains splattering to the ground. The blood of the many she had killed soaked her dress and arms. Something she cared not for at the moment. Maybe later, but not at the moment

A shadow moved through the dark walls of the hall leading to the throne room. If there was anywhere had family would make a stand it would be there. Her ears perked at the low footfalls barely audible behind her. Shocked Daena barely reacted as a sword struck down at her cutting her neck. The feel of it bouncing off her skin was surreal. Her assailant paused flabbergasted both he and his victim frozen.

" What in the Old Gort?" a raspy voice came.

Daena frowned and then looked into the shadows. There was no light and the hall was too dim to see. She could barely make out the figure of the attacker. Daena moved, fist raised to punch out. The attacker shifted just barely avoiding the strike.

"Fast!" His raspy voice was low. A hint of disbelief was discernable in his tone. Another attack came at him, the punches audibly creating whistles in the air.

"What are you?." the assailant was able to avoid her strikes. Daena frowned and then glared at the shape of the male. She halted for a minute before turning and running off. She didn't feel kike she had the time to struggle for long with the shadow.

She could barely sense him following her. More men less skilled than the fighter chasing her crossed her path. They were dispatched. At times the shadow would strike out only for his blade to bounce harmlessly off her skin.

Daena could only mutter appreciative thanks after each attempt. Finally, for some reason, the attacker pulled away watching from the shadows as the girl vanished into the corner.

"The elders should know what this is?" his presence vanished instantly his voice barely a whisper. The space to the side where he once was brightened, the darkness fading to reveal the black-haired girl who stood in robes. Her blue eyes glanced into the darkness at a particular spot as if she could see what stood there.

"Stop or not?" she murmured, shook her head just as quickly then kept following after Daena.

"Can't do anything about sufficient drama" she mused with a lovely smile.