Rubydimension Neptunia (pH_Scale x Lusterlessnova)

[Mini Magi]

Various memories flashed past his mind. An overload of images, emotions, and sounds. Yet it didn't hurt. If anything, there was just the feeling of falling. Deep into an endless black sea with just a platform inside. His decent slowed down, and it was pretty much guaranteed by now that he was going to get pulled towards it. And then the sound of crackling glass filled the air. The platform shed one layer, revealing a mosaic forming a large black L on a blue and white background. "So much to do, so little time... Take your time. Don't be afraid." There was a voice coming from... somewhere? Probably from just everywhere around him, but it was pleasant, calm even. "Now step forward. Can you do that?" 

As he made his way into the center of the circular platform, 3 pedestals rose around the edge. "Power sleeps within you. If you give it form, it will give you strength."  Then things appeared on each of them.
One was surrounded by many red glowing weapons. Both swords and guns. A grip rested on the pedestal itself. "An endless arsenal. The strength to carve your own path."
The other had a red glowing flame that emitted no heat. The closer he got to it, the stronger and lighter he felt. "Power from within. Near infinite potential."
And on the last appeared a staff made of wood. While it didn't look impressive, there was something strong in it. "The secrets of mana. The power to create miracles."
"Choose one and be a master. Choose 2 and be gifted. Choose well."

Edited December 4, 2020 by Lusterless Nova

[pH_Scale]

@Lusterless Nova

Spoiler

"You have a lot of free time now, don't you? Why don't you play any of these? You used to spend entire days on them."

"Eh. Don't feel like it anymore."

"Well, they're just gathering dust in the closet. Do something about them, okay?"

These were the thoughts that swam around Nicholas Gallagher's head as he drove home from work. What kind of question was that? They were the ones that killed his passion for gaming in the first place. But... he knew they meant well. They were right in that he spent days on video games without a care in the world. The first job he got was a harsh lesson that these things weren't free. He finally got a new job that gave him time to indulge in his hobbies but... nothing was the same anymore.

Nick let out a yawn as he turned a curve. What should he do with those gaming consoles? He had it all: a Playstation 3, an XBOX 360 and a Wii. He even had the handheld ones like the Playstation Vita and the Nintendo DS. They all held so much precious memories, so much time playing their games. Nick would love to return to those days when he had so much fun. But... he just didn't want to anymore. Any opportunity he had, he would always find something else to do. Sometimes, he even sought out these distractions.

He could always sell them, get rid of them for good and just let those memories fade away. It would release him from that nagging sensation every time he was reminded of them. But that would be... sad. Incredibly sad. He can't just let go of them like that. They were precious to him, even if he didn't enjoy them anymore. Maybe he should just hide them away somewhere.

Another yawn. Man, that shift was exhausting. Now where was he? Right, the consoles. Nick reminisced his days with them. Playing role-playing games, shooters, turn-based strategies. He can't believe he even finished the bad games. He smiled, the memories he was seeing were very vivid...

------

He was falling. Why? Wasn't he just driving? Oh, dear. The implications worried Nick. But he didn't feel any pain nor did he hear anything bad like the tearing of metal. Was he dead? Was that why he didn't feel any pain? Was this the afterlife?

But his descent then slowed and instead of falling, Nick felt he was being pulled. He then saw a single, large, circular stone platform within the boundless black void he was in. As soon as his feet landed on the platform, the sound of crackling glass was heard and the stone shed a layer to reveal a strange symbol that resembled a cursive 'L' on a mosaic background. There was no time to wonder or ruminate as a voice spoke seemingly within Nick's mind.

8 hours ago, Lusterless Nova said:

So much to do, so little time... Take your time. Don't be afraid. Now step forward. Can you do that?" 

Nick found himself obeying without question. He stood in the center of the platform and three pedestals rose around him at the edges of the platform. He was told that power slept within him. All he had to do was 'give it form' and he would get strength. How would that work? What was going on? Was he dead or not? If he was, was this the afterlife? Nick expected Heaven to be different from traditional interpretations, but he didn't know it would be this different. Maybe this was Hell instead? Nah, it didn't feel like it.

Things appeared around the three pedestals. On one pedestal, guns and swords of all sorts glowed red and beckoned Nick with the power of an endless arsenal. The second one, a red flame that did not emit heat yet it called to Nick with the promise of endless potential. The last one, a single wooden staff that looked unremarkable but Nick could sense strength residing within.

9 hours ago, Lusterless Nova said:

"Choose one and be a master. Choose 2 and be gifted. Choose well."

Was he really going to? Nick had no idea where he was nor what this all meant. Though, there was no reason not to, right? The weapon collection looked pretty cool but the flame one appeared the wisest choice.

But Nick hesitated, his head was full of questions. But he didn't want to ask, he just wanted to choose like what the voice ordered him. One of them, or two? Being a master of one would no doubt be awesome but having two would give him versatility. Nick pondered his decision for a few moments before making up his mind.

Nick approached the pedestal with the flame that gave him strength and made him feel light. He would stay there, choosing it as his sole power. While being versatile was probably the wiser choice, he felt it was right to be a master of this sole power.

[Mini Magi]

The scene paused for a while. "Your path is set." As if noticing he didn't get to any other podium, the red aura of the flame vanished, the weapons shattered, the staff broke, and the ground once again crackled like shattering glass. Once again he fell, and once again the world turned dark.

Another platform came into view, but his descent didn't slow down. But no matter how he landed, it wasn't painful. It was almost like a dream how soft and light everything suddenly felt. No doubt about it. Something in him changed, and it was more than him simply becoming stronger. "You've gained the power to fight. Use this power to protect yourself and others." Lines of light began to form from the edges and gathered all around the platform, forming high walls to shape an easy labyrinth. It barely qualified as such. "But you can do more than fight, can't you?" The power he chose was doing more then making him stronger. As if having a new sense, there was coming a feeling from some walls or what was behind them. 3 in total and in different intensities. Was this feeling their strength?

Finding 1

Spoiler

Behind one of the walls was the purple silhouette of a human with what appeared to be something like short robes. A mage perhaps? He turned to Nick when he was within conversing distance.
"What would you say is most important to you? Being number one? Friendship? Or prized possessions?"

Finding 2

Spoiler

Behind one of the walls was the white silhouette of a human with a long coat and short hair. Even if his features were hidden, one didn't need to see it all to feel danger radiating off him. He turned to Nick when he was within conversing distance.
"What are you afraid of? Getting old. Being different. Or regret?"

Finding 3

Spoiler

Behind one of the walls was the silhouette of a human with short but mildly spiky hair and a ponytail that went over his shoulder to his front. His clothing looked somewhat comfortable and easy to move in. An Adventurer? He turned to Nick when he was within conversing distance.
"If you could, what would you wish for? Wealth? Knowledge? Or influence?"

 

[pH_Scale]

@Lusterless Nova

(Am I doing this right?)

11 hours ago, Lusterless Nova said:

"Your path is set."

Nick found himself falling again after his choice. The weapons and staff that he didn't choose shattered along with the platform, sending him downward once more. Another platform came into view and Nick was freefalling toward it. He expected to slow down like earlier, but then he didn't. Eyes closed, Nick expected a world of hurt. But that didn't come either, he opened his eyes to see he had landed perfectly safely on the new platform. This one having a symbol that resembled the letters 'L' and 'S' connected together at the bottom.

12 hours ago, Lusterless Nova said:

"But you can do more than fight, can't you?"

Lines of light formed on the edges of the platform which soon materialized into walls higher than Nick could see. But that didn't matter, the power he chose gave him more than strength. He had a new sense about him and it told Nick that there was something behind the walls. As he approached each of them, he could feel their unique intensities. What was this he was sensing? And who were these people behind the walls? They spoke as Nick came close to them.

They all had different silhouettes and their words were cryptic, almost riddle-like. He considered carefully what they said and their appearances from what he could make out of. There was one who had robes on, one that had a long coat with short hair and the last one had a bit of spiky hair with a pony but wore a comfortabel attire. Nick had no idea what any of them represented. Or did he? Something in the back of his head suggested what they could be but he brushed that off.

12 hours ago, Lusterless Nova said:

"What would you say is most important to you? Being number one? Friendship? Or prized possessions?"

"Friendship, no doubt." Nick answered the mage. Winning and prizes were nice, but sharing or achieveing them with others was even more nicer.

12 hours ago, Lusterless Nova said:

"What are you afraid of? Getting old. Being different. Or regret?"

"Regret, I suppose." Nick responded to the silhouette that emanated danger. If he was dead, then there was a lot of things he would definitely regret. His thoughts immediately went to his once-beloved game consoles.

12 hours ago, Lusterless Nova said:

"If you could, what would you wish for? Wealth? Knowledge? Or influence?"

"..." Now this was a hard one. With one, he could technically have the others. So what would be most useful first? "Knowledge, I guess?" He told the adventurer-looking fellow.

---

(If I can only choose one, I'll go with the 'afraid' guy.)

[Mini Magi]

(You're doing an absolutely wonderful job!)

Every time he talked to one of the figures, they reacted. The mage chuckled. "Couldn't agree more." Then he tossed a light to the side which traveled to the middle of the room and formed a doorframe. The man with the coat nodded. "If you suppose, you can use your head. I can respect that." He threw a white knife which did the same but formed the door instead. The adventurer replied right away. "Sorry. I asked you something difficult. But where I in your shoes, I would pick the same." He summoned and threw a sword, and the handle appeared at the door. The other two vanished, but the white silhouette stayed and accompanied him to the door. "So... It won't always be easy, but you should be fine. If you do need help though, try asking for it. You'll be surprised how far words can get you." And after saying that, he vanished as well. All that was left now were the multiple walls, and the door, which when opened unleashed a flood of light.

 

Another platform appeared around him as the light dimmed down, and the area was open again. "You've gained the power to fight. Sometimes there will be no other choice." From beyond the platform, a hand reached at the corner. And then a figure pulled itself up, giving Nick just a moment to examine it before more of its kind did the same. Suddenly 4 of them were standing at one point of the platform, and the first charged at Nick like an athlete. The other three followed behind, planning to rush him aggressively. "Behind you!" Whoever talked to him didn't know if he could also sense those, but it wanted to make sure that the 5th wouldn't surprise him.

[pH_Scale]

@Lusterless Nova

The three silhouettes seemed to like Nick's answers, more or less. They all tossed various items that transformed into different parts of a door, disappearing shortly after. The newly-formed door was free to be approached by Nick who gripped the knob and turned it. Beyond the door was a room of white, shining light that flooded out, forcing Nick to cover his eyes from the brightness.

4 hours ago, Lusterless Nova said:

"You've gained the power to fight. Sometimes there will be no other choice."

After a few moments, Nick saw that the light had dimmed down and he was in a new area and a new platform. This one had an 'X' symbol with one of the diagonal lines shaped like an ornate spear. Nick still had no idea what any of these meant but then he saw a hand reach at the platform from below and a strange humanoid figure pulled itself up. His heart sunk in fear, the humanoid seemed featureless besides its dark purple skin and glowing white eyes. Its body crackled with violet electricity. Its appearance was foreboding and intimidating, at least for Nick, and now three more joined the first one.

The four dark beings rushed at Nick and he reflexively took a step back, wanting to run away. But there was nowhere to run to.

4 hours ago, Lusterless Nova said:

"Behind you!"

"What?!" Nick sensed it but panic drowned out all other thoughts. He turned around and there was indeed a fifth one, within arm's reach. Nick was at his wits' end. He had to fight, like he was told earlier, but he didn't know how to fight bare-handed, even if he had a new power! Oh man, he should have chosen the guns and swords, after all!

Does he just throw a punch? Sure, not like he had anything better. Nick put all the strength into this one punch on this purple being near him. Eyes closed, hoping for the best.

[Mini Magi]

Even if his reaction wasn't well coordinated, it did leave a mark. A print of his fist across the face of the figure, and it being launched back. His celebration would be caught short however as the others did the same to him, launching him off the platform after several hits.

Below was another platform, and it was probably the last one. In freefall, he could see that below that one was only darkness. Like before his fall didn't slow down, and he'd land on one side of the giant N shape. "The more you get involved-" Much to his horror, another one of those shapes rose up. Bigger, WAY bigger than those before it. It towered over him, only its torso being within his sight. "the more attention you might get." Its giant fist rose up and came slamming down, aiming right for him.

[pH_Scale]

@Lusterless Nova

The hit was successful and the dark figure was launched back. Okay, good! Now for the--

* THWACK *

* WACK *

Oof! A right hook followed by a left hook to the face sent Nick stumbling towards the platform's edge. They were much closer to him than he thought. He clutched his face in pain from the short combo although, he noticed that it did not hurt that much as he imagined it would. Were these things not as strong as they looked... or was his chosen power giving him enhanced endurance. Well, no time to ruminate on that. They were still coming at Nick.

One of the dark figures did a leg sweep, which Nick deftly avoided by doing a short, quick jump. Whoa, that was a graceful jump and a fast reaction to the attack. Was this also from his newly-acquired power? However, Nick did not react to the punch delivered to his gut that knocked the wind out of him. The dark figure then swung its fist upwards, upercutting Nick off the platform. It hurt more this time, but not exactly the immense pain he expected from being beaten up by some well-built void thingies.

Nick saw he was falling to another platform, this one had an 'N' with a ring hovering around it much like how there were rings around the planet Saturn. He felt nothing when he landed, but he saw there were no more platforms below this. That was worrying but as Nick got up, he beheld another of the shadow beings. This one much, much larger than the others from the previous platform. In fact, it wasn't even in the platform. It rose from the darkness to tower over Nick and the 'N' floor he was standing on.

49 minutes ago, Lusterless Nova said:

"the more attention you might get."

The giant shadowy figure brought its fist up, and then slammed it on Nick. The redhead quickly got out of the way, his mind trying to comprehend what was happening. This was all some sort of nightmare... or a boss fight in a video game.

He had that power, right? What did that entail? Nick was not sure but he had to do something with it. There was nothing else in this platform he could use. His gaze focused on the giant's head. He had to feel it, whatever it was. Nick then pushed his palms forward, hoping for something, anything, to happen.

* WHOOSH *

Nick's eyes widened. From his palms came a ball of energy, or whatever it was, and it launched towards the dark titan. It was  red-orange in color so it could've been a fireball, but no. Nick was sure it wasn't. Regardless, it was something and he began hurling as much of these balls at the giant while evading its massive hands.