Walking Disasters and Me-Omens and Trust – Ch 48

Walking Disasters and Me-Omens and Trust – Ch 48

I stay wrapped in the warm embrace a bit longer after making sure the status effects have passed just to luxuriate in the gentle presence that she exudes. She is kind enough to never pause her calming massage across my back, shoulders, and finally arms as I pull back to give her my own sweet, loving kiss squarely on her ruby red lips. With a tiny exhale of warm air and the slight upturn of her lips into a smile at the affection, I pull back and rest my forehead on hers.
"Thank you, Akiko. For sharing your story and for your amazing words, like always. I won't say I don't deserve you, but you make it
damn
hard to feel anything other than loved beyond belief when you talk to me like that~." I meet her smile with my own as I rub our heads together playfully before going back to a more comfortable resting position on her shoulder.
With our focus back on Ios, who is still patiently waiting with her own soft, understanding smile standing before us a little ways from the couch. I sheepishly smile to her before saying, "Sorry Ios, you know the rules. Every massive lore dump, revelation, or quest examination session needs at least one Amelia Aims Emotional Crisis (TM). I'm good to keep going now, thanks for waiting hun."
The warm smile never fades from Ios as she laughs lightly at my own self deprecating humor, likely knowing its just me trying to mask the awkwardness with a bit of humor, "Don't worry about it sweetheart, if you start feeling overwhelmed just tell us and we can sit down and talk through whatever is bothering you. Akiko and I are here for you, like she said, and you're very strong for admitting your own fears and weaknesses. Now then! If everyone is ready, we can get to the last bit of the generic quests for real this time~."
The bubbling feeling of security and compassion flits through me like a sunny spring breeze through a meadow, filing me with pleasant, calm energy that finishes off the lingering cold of the negative emotions from before. As Ios blinks out to show Akiko and I more quests, I'm thankful that there only seems to be a few left in the ever growing checklist of assignments I'm now facing:
[Quest Started: Become a Polyglot.
Master at least 4 different languages.
Current languages mastered: 2 (Zerian, Common)
Rewards: 1000 Ability Points, 2000 Shop Points, 50 Skill Points, 200 points into Intelligence.
Gain the Title: [Polyglot]
Rewards will be increased as the number of languages mastered increases.]
[Continued Quest: Become a Spiritual Cultivator!
Reach the 1st Realm of the 2nd Rank of Spiritual Cultivation!
Rewards: 50 Ability Points, 150 Shop Points, 10 Skill Points.
This quest will repeat with greater rewards as you progress through the realms and ranks of cultivation.]
[Continued Quest: Become a Body Cultivator!
Reach the 1st Realm of the 2nd Rank of Body Cultivation!
Rewards: 50 Ability Points, 150 Shop Points, 10 Skill Points.
This quest will repeat with greater rewards as you progress through the realms and ranks of cultivation.]
[Continued Quest: Become a Soul Cultivator!
Reach the 1st Realm of the 2nd Rank of Soul Cultivation!
Rewards: 50 Ability Points, 150 Shop Points, 10 Skill Points.
This quest will repeat with greater rewards as you progress through the realms and ranks of cultivation.]
[Current Main Quest: Heal your Intertwined Soul.
Heal your wounded Intertwined Soul and bring her back to life. Current amount healed: .54%.
Rewards: 10k Ability Points, 15k Shop Points, 1000 Skill Points. Both Souls will receive the ability to share unspent Ability Points, Shop Points, and Skill Points freely between each other after the resurrection is completed....
Up&r@de Ti%l3: [Intertwined Soul] t0 [Perfectly Mirrored Souls] fo4 bo!h so(ls.]
Holy shit, again?! No one says a word after looking over the last quest, although I assume Ios already has known about it for some time now. I swallow the icy cold ball of fear nervously down my throat at another sign of interference from... Well,
myself
in a way, I guess. My mind starts reeling too much to really appreciate all the big numbers involved right now, not to mention the piss poor amount of healing done for Sandy, as I feel my breaths beginning to slightly increase their pace. With a small but growing bubble of anxiety ballooning up in my core, I use
[Inspect]
on the Main Quest trying to find out more information about all of it. The text in front of Akiko and I changes to the more detailed explanation, and even though my eyes are glued to what lies before me and I'm silent as a grave, I can feel a fluffy snow-white tail wrap around me in comfort.
[Current Main Quest: Heal your Intertwined Soul.
Channel Qi into your connection via your title of [Intertwined Soul] to heal the damage done to the soul shell containing Sandra "Sandy" Dufort. Qi will be purified naturally as it enters the connection point, but finding a source of pure Qi to absorb initially will increase the rate of healing. Once the wounded soul has been healed enough to start using the connection on its own to facilitate healing, it will be capable of limited but conscious telepathic speech to any soul bound entities. The length of time the healing soul can converse and the depth of conversation will increase as the amount healed increases. Current amount healed: .54%.
Rewards: 10k Ability Points, 15k Shop Points, 1000 Skill Points. Both Souls will receive the ability to share unspent Ability Points, Shop Points, and Skill Points freely between each other after the resurrection is completed.
Up&r@de Ti%l3: [Intertwined Soul] t0 [Perfectly Mirrored Souls] fo4 bo!h so(ls.]
[Perfectly Mirrored Souls]: You and your eternal, inseparable mate have transcended what it means for either mortal or Immortal understanding of connection and have been reunited after being apart for far too long. You are both separate yet perfect mirrors of the same soul, and as such are entitled to extraordinary blessings and weaknesses. You and your Perfectly Mirrored Soul can communicate telepathically, share emotions, know each others health, and perfectly sense each other's location across time and space regardless of planes of reality. Additionally, you can share Qi freely between the bond, and knowledge of techniques, abilities, skills, and crafting professions with each other to the Mastery level for weapons or the Master level for crafting professions. This transfer of knowledge is now automatic and does not require the giver to actively focus on the transfer and will be comprehended at a minimally reduced rate to normal learning.
If either Perfectly Mirrored Soul were to perish, the slain soul will instantly return to the soulscape of the remaining mate via the connection. The surviving soul will be subsumed into madness and will instantly know the location and entity or organization that caused the fatality while receiving a 1500% increase to all stats, including Charisma and Luck, as well as Health and Stamina pools and recovery rates until that entity or organization and any followers of them have been completely destroyed. Additionally, the surviving soul will increase their Qi accumulation and experience gain percentage by the same amount until retribution has been delivered, and a special quest will be created to empower the agent of death on their warpath.
Once the offender and all of their followers have been righteously smited from reality and removed from the reincarnation cycle, the surviving soul will lose the percentage increase to stats, Qi accumulation, and experience gain, lose the ability to feel any positive emotions, will be unable to focus on any task that is not aiding the resurrection of the soul, and will not receive any further system or admin quests until the Perfectly Mirrored Soul that was slain is revived. If the wounded soul is too damaged to be repaired, you both will pass into the River to be reborn after an indeterminate amount of time after revenge is complete.
In Life, Harmony. In Death, Destruction. Together, In Eternity.
I stare blankly at the wall of text in front of me, so many emotions waging a chaotic war inside my head. Disbelief, hope, fear, awe. All those and more, conflicting and vying for my attention like spoiled children left alone for a minute too long as they shout over each other, not letting my mind rest long enough to even begin forming some kind of coherent response to this most recent addition into my fucked up life. I don't even realize that my nails are digging into whatever I'm gripping in a vice, too absorbed in the maelstrom that is my mental state, until I feel something soft and slightly wet press against my temple.
In a daze, I manage to crane my neck slowly upwards to the stimulus and see the concerned stare of amethyst eyes of Akiko, a slightly frowning countenance set to her face. "I will not ask if you are well this time, my dear. Even I am left without words at... at this." She waves her hand lightly to the projection of text. As she does, Ios materializes again and moves one of her lower hands downward to dismiss the newest object responsible for my broken mind.
Her high-pitched voice comes out in equal amounts of care, like a soft violin trying to play out a soothing but sad melody, "I'm also sorry hun. I knew about this one in advance, but there really wasn't an easy way to tell you about it beforehand. That title change part happened after the first little bit of editing your soul did with the system, along with some other stuff that I think we can put off for now. None of its malicious in anyway, and honestly all of it is going to be a massive help to both you and Sandra, but I know you don't care about that right now."
I nod weakly against Akiko, her hands digging into my scalp to help soothe the roiling storm underneath the surface there. "This is honestly a bit terrifying," I say after a while in a dazed voice, "but yeah, you can't deny the benefits of it I guess. So long as neither of us
fucking die or have our souls broken."
Even the thought of that happening to Sandra after finally bringing her back shakes something deep in my core. Like my very being arrests at the notion of something like that happening. Given what we just looked at, that is actually probably what's happening.
Ios floats a bit closer, bending at the knees so that she's looking up to me on the couch, "We won't let it come to that sweetheart. Ilya and I, Akiko, the girls probably by that point, we'll be sure to train you and Sandy so that no force around can even hold a candle to either of you. You're both going to have long, fulfilling lives here, trust me."
I do my best not to bite my lip again in a rebuttal; however the words still spill out of me softly like a knocked over glass, "You can't promise that, Ios. This world - this universe - is so dangerous. Sure, we may be safe here on Mara to a degree, but who knows what's out there. I do trust you, don't get me wrong, but... that's too big of an ask for me right now."
Instead of the hurt I think she may show at my lack of faith, she instead smiles softly after I get done. She reaches up to the big sunglasses still resting on her nose and lifts them atop her curly blonde head, her emerald green eyes bore into me gently as she says, "You're right honey. I shouldn't have been so flippant about the dangers we may face together. Let me rephrase it, we are all going to do everything in our power to make sure that you and Sandra, as well as ourselves, are as strong as possible, and know when to flee against impossible odds. There are numerous treasures that you can buy from the store or find in your travels that will protect you, some are even strong enough to change your place on the Heavenly Layers or make you invulnerable for a set period of time!
We have options at our hands to eliminate that possibility to you both, and by the time anything seriously threatens us we will be prepared. That, you absolutely can trust me on, okay?" Her illusory hand rests atop my knee as a small smile finally breaks the mask of stunned blankness on my face.
I give her a feeble nod, "That sounds much more realistic, thank you. Again, I do trust you Ios, and you Akiko." I say as I burrow slightly deeper against the crook of her neck with the top of my head. Feeling a bit more centered, I go over the soon to be gotten title in my head one more time. "So... It looks like Sandra is also some reincarnated soul too right? Have we talked about that aspect of this whole wild rodeo before?" Ugh, I hate that when I get stressed some ol' southern comes out of me still...
Ios thinks for a moment, her eyes shifting to the right in contemplation before she responds, "I think we were more focused on you at the time, but it's not surprising news right? I mean, given your connection with her, if you're some massive uber over god and she's soul bonded with you, then stands to reason she would be almost if not just as powerful as you were. And, going by how powerful that bond was even when you both were run of the mill humans on Earth, I'd be more shocked if she wasn't."
"Yeah..." I start to say as I think about the implications of all of this, "I guess you're right. It's just so crazy, right? If we were
both
so strong and all 9th realm powerful and what not, what the fuck even
happened
to us to make us go back to the River? How long have we been floating along? Or how many times have we come back in different ways or forms, only to finally, apparently, now have a real shot at what we used to be?" I start to frown in my ramblings, the weight of those ideas beginning to pile upon me like a leaden anvil. It also takes me a second to realize I've started incorporating my apparent past life into my own self-identity. Which is
fucking
concerning too.
Akiko nudges my head once more before her gentle voice tickles my ears, "I know not, young Amelia, but perhaps in time some of your quandaries will be resolved. That is yet another poor reconciliation, I know, but sometimes that is the way things go when you discuss scales of time like I believe we are. I know at least from all of my studies and researching of various things related to souls for the Sect Leader that there have been no s, sightings, or any other indication that some... Soul Empress was reigning over a territory or concept with a bonded lover. I know our records are not very old, only going back to about 10,000 years and some have been lost to war, but I can comfortably say that at least in that span of time no mention of such a being has ever been recorded or distributed from off world to us."
I roll that around in my noggin for a moment as Ios chimes back up, "As far as we could tell when we were doing preliminary research, Ilya and I also found no mention of something like what is being implied with you and Sandra's situation Aims. We dug a little further than what is available here, but not quite as in depth once we decided on Mara, but like Akiko said, if some powerful being reigning over souls existed here there would be mention of it readily available in some form or fashion. At least, I would imagine. Maybe there's some ruins or lingering spirits in secret realms that might know more, but conventional records don't hint at anything."
She gives an apologetic shrug as she finishes, adding yet more uncertainty to my questions. I sigh out loud, quickly feeling my emotional battery starting to deaden from all of this. I seriously just want one or two solid days like I had with Jun Li, just hanging out with someone cool and fun while not having to worry about me being the second coming of some universal deity. Or worrying about if my sister is going to have to go through these same worries once she's back. Or any of the other countless
fucking
things that just seem to constantly pile up on me.
The sigh turns into a frustrated growl at the stampeding thoughts, frustration and a tinge of resentment starting to overtake the empty feeling of despondency. I make sure not to direct all that angst to Ios, as she is already aware of her and Ilya's place in all of this, but that does mean it doesn't really have a place to go either. As the red wave of emotion starts to crash against my shores, I stand there with my toes in the sand and focus on breathing out everything I can. Deep, solemn breaths help turn the tsunami into a tidal wave, then into angry laps against my feet as I push the emotion through my lungs and out of my body. It stays tinted red, a testament that I'm not quite over the feelings, but enough that I don't need to worry about lashing out to either of my girls.
I open my eyes again, just now realizing that I shut them hard from the bit of strain I feel on the eyelids. I relax my tense body a bit more, the baby tantrum rolling off me like water on a duck now that I'm grounded. I turn once more to Ios as I softly pet the comforting tail slithering up my waist and arm, "Sorry, just had to process some of that for a second. Lot of emotions, you know how it is." I give her a wink with as much fake playful energy as I can muster, but she takes the hint and gives me a genuine smile.
"I'm sure honey, and don't apologize. I know we're constantly throwing a lot at you, me especially. Like Akiko offered earlier, if you need to take a break just let us know." She gives her own wink, but its more comforting than teasing I think.
I do actually debate if maybe taking a break and focusing on something else might be worth it for now. Let my mind settle a bit and work through some of these things and the quests and what not. "Before I decide," I begin to ask, "how many more quests are there? If we have another 10 or something then yeah, I think I'll take a break for now. I could honestly go for some food after we get done here."
Ios stands back up and nods to me softly, "We're fully done with the system generated ones, and I only have a handful. They aren't near as intense as the main quest, so don't worry."
I shrug after I think about it for a second. It sounds like she worked really hard on these and she wants to show it off, so I don't really wanna rain on her parade. "Okay hun, let's see what you cooked up for us then!"
She pumps one of her fists in the air adorably, making me laugh against the soft skin of Akiko before she fades out and graces us with her efforts:
[Admin Quest Started: Integrate into Your New Home!
You're not in Kansas anymore hun! Work hard to make friends here in Akiko's estate, the candidates are Samantha, Gerra, Jun Li, and Akiko~!
Friendship progress: 1/3
Lover progress: 1/4
You'll need to have all members in either group for the quest to complete. Friends will be moved to Lover's when you both enter into a relationship~! Mwah! Hehe!
Rewards: 1000 Ability Points, 500 Shop Points, 100 Skill Points, 20% discount on bedroom toys and items from the Shop~]
[Admin Quest Started: Date Day or Night!
Have a lovely day or night with one of your friends or lovers~! Does not have to include sexy times, but it must be an intimate and purposeful event! Can't game the system too hard~!
Repeatable.
Rewards: Variable depending on satisfaction of all parties.]
[Admin Quest Started: Bedroom Master~!
Train your tounge, fingers, hips, and anything in between like Rocky climbing the stairs so that you can give you and your girls the best time in bed~!
Repeatable, goals will increase as thresholds are met.
Target Orgasms Given: 0 / 10
Target Orgasms Received: 17 / 25
Titles gained so far: [Oroborogasm] [Bound for Pleasure] [All Hail the Fluff!] [Sensitive Chest] [Super Soaker]
Rewards: Variable depending on satisfaction of all parties.
Titles left to gain: Too many to list.]
[Admin Quest Started: Slay 100 Monsters / Creatures.
Your classic RPG quest line~! Gotta respect the basics!
Repeatable, amount will increase as quests are completed.
Rewards: Variable depending on Rank and type of monster or creature slain.
Title gained when completing the first version of the quest: [Beginner Monster Slayer]
Progress: 2 / 100]
[Admin Quest Started: Defeat 10 Cultivators!
Show these chumps who's boss! Rawr! Hehe~ Conditions for "Defeat" include if they surrender or are knocked out but obviously killing works too.
Repeatable, amount will increase as quests are completed.
Rewards: Variable depending on Realm and Rank of cultivators defeated.
Title gained when completing the first version of the quest: [Beginner Duelist]
Progress: 0 / 10]
I feel the aching emptiness fill me once again, but this time its incredulity instead of some deep sadness. As I get done reading the last one, Ios pops back up excitedly bouncing on her toes waiting for my reaction. "So? So? Did you like them? I worked pretty hard on them before Akiko got back from her work out in the Village~!."
I... I just.. I can't even... "What. The.
Fuck
. Dude! Why are half of all your quests so fucking
horny
!!
And in what universe did I cum 17 times already?!?
"
Ios smirks, not knowing just how upset I am, as she says, "That's what you're having an issue with??"
It's like she's
trying
to piss me off, I swear!! "Yes," I growl out lowly, "obviously I'm pretty pissed about the other stuff too, but
I don't know
, I'm just kind of all over the place right now! I literally just got done with a minor existential crisis,
again
!!
Don't be snarky with me right now, it's like you're
trying
to dig your own grave here!" I cross my arms in defiance and vexation as I fix her with a harsh stare.
Ios seems to realize how much of a fucky wucky she's made as her eyes widen and she opens her hands to me, "I don't know what upset you about the quests hun, but it's not like anything would change about how you feel about Akiko or any of the other girls because of them! It's just rewarding you for things you're already going to be doing! You need
every
advantage you can get Aims, and we can't leave something on the table just because it's personal in nature."
I finally ease up on my best attempt at spontaneous eye lasers, my annoyance breaking through my salty attitude, "That is still such a
huge
breach of trust Ios. I really wish you would have talked to me about doing this beforehand. It's so frustrating sometimes with you, you're so caring and thoughtful one moment and then do some crazy shit like this without even warning me the next! And also-" I'm about to go off on her some more but then I feel a hand rest on my cheek.
I turn up to look towards Akiko who has a slightly amused but still understanding set to her features, "Darling, I know this is a rather odd circumstance, but I believe spirit Ios has the right of it."
I glare up at her, the crack of anger now focusing on her stupidly pretty face, "You can't be serious. You're taking
her
side in this?!"
Akiko starts to frown a touch as she replies, "There are no
sides
in this room, Amelia. We are all trying to work together to ensure your safety and success for the future. I understand that you are opposed to some of spirit Ios' quests, but I agree that obtaining every advantage is the correct course of action. How about you tell us what
exactly
it is that you are so against?"
I stare up at her like she's grown a second head. What does she even
mean!
I don't want to feel like my connections and relationships are driven by some
fucking
number in my soul, some object or threshold to meet just to make me stronger!!
"It's the whole principle behind it guys! I don't want to have my feelings for anyone be because I wanted a number to get bigger! Or some fancy title effect or
what the fuck ever!!
I don't want to tarnish what we have," I say as I still somewhat angrily hold her hand to my cheek, "and what we've worked through to the thought that it was all for selfish gain. Does any of that make sense?!"
Akiko's frown leaves just as quick as it came, turning back into a kind smile as she leans down to kiss the tip of my nose, "I thought that was the case~ You are such a good girl Amelia." Oh fuck... "I truly admire your commitment and thoughtfulness every time it appears. I do understand your concerns, and you are right to have them. What can spirit Ios or I do to help ease your fears about this? Personally, I don't think you capable of malicious manipulation like you just described."
Huh. I wasn't thinking of it that way... Just because the system wants to throw up numbers like its the New Year's Eve ball drop doesn't mean I'm a slave to them, right? "
*Sigh*
I don't know Akiko, there may not be anything y'all can do, aside from deactivating the quests, I guess. But..." I do bite my lip this time as I start to come to realize that they're probably right, "but I guess if you don't see a problem with it, considering you're a 'target' or whatever, then maybe we can keep them up for now. I just don't want to turn into some mindless sex maniac who is only chasing higher numbers, treating you guys as a task or milestone to get stronger."
Ios speaks up softly, having backed away a bit from us now, "Amelia, I'm sorry. I didn't think about that aspect of it when I made those quests, I was just wanting to reward you for your hard work and effort branching out. I should have talked to you about those ones first, but I was really excited to help you. For what its worth, the fact that I
never
thought you would act or do something like that is part of the reason why I went ahead and made them. I agree with Akiko, I don't think you're even
close
to being capable of that."
I let the frustration and other confusing emotions simmer for a minute as I parse through their words and try to figure out if there's anything else that is making my knee jerk reaction to this so bad. Ultimately, it seems to keep coming back to trust, and how Ios plays fast and loose with mine sometimes. But she never does it maliciously, it's always just some kind of miscommunication or misunderstanding about something she's done or said. Akiko... I think Akiko is just doing what she thinks is best with her extended knowledge, so I can't really be mad at her.
"Ios, I know you worked hard on this, and I am really grateful for it. But you have
got
to start looping me in on some stuff. You know how bad I am about feeling like my trust is being broken. I know you don't do it to hurt me, or hell even intentionally apparently, but you know more than enough about me that this should have been the
obvious
outcome right?" I try to keep my voice level and unaccusatory as best I can, the familiar flicker of anger rising before being snuffed again at the admittance of broken trust.
Ios nods once before looking down to the ground, "You're right Amelia. I really did just get wrapped up in making the damn things that I didn't stop to think about the possibility that you may be upset by them. I'll make sure to consult with you about anything like this in the future, I promise."
I breathe out a slow breath, trying to get back in control of my feels as Akiko decides to try her hand at being a troll too, "Any indictments for me~?" Her teasing tone cuts through the remaining tension as I glare back up to her and bite the air in front of my face in mock anger. Thankfully, that's enough to draw a deep smirk on her features as we both begin to laugh a little, the release of tension loosening the knots of discontentment through my body.
"Alright, fair enough Ios. Just keep to your promise in the future. I do agree with you guys that I need every advantage and what not, but I'd be much more comfortable with discussing
how
we get those advantages to begin with." I say as I go back to laying my head on Akiko's smooth shoulders.
Ios smiles lightly to me, "Of course hun. Well, don't worry, that was all I had. So! You two going to go get some food?"
Akiko looks to me as I look back up to her, "I think that sounds like a wonderful idea, spirit Ios." She says as she stands up from the couch with me still in her arms. I giggle sheepishly at being carried which gets me a smooch on the forehead as Akiko begins to lead me back out of the room, the slightly chastised image of Ios waving us away before blinking out.

.
!
Omens and Trust – Ch 48