“Can you believe that guy?” Percy asked. “Just because he’s at Yellow, he thinks he gets to boss us around!”

  He was munching on a reheated Honey Roll from his spatial storage. His host, Jenio, was an Orange sapient from a barren world who looked a bit like a humanoid dog. He had four arms like the people of Huehue, though his lower pair was only about half as long as the upper one.

  Percy had gone through several bodies before he found a good fit for the Vault. Jenio had just lost his whole tribe – and nearly his own life – to a pack of vicious beasts when Percy possessed him. After healing and helping him get revenge for his family, Percy had pitched the artificial world to his unfortunate host. Having lost everything tying him to his planet of origin and not wishing to brave its dangerous wilds by himself, Jenio hadn’t seen any reason to decline.

  “Tell me about it!” another Percy exclaimed after swallowing a mouthful of his own Honey Roll. “Why does he get to have fun spending all of our hard-earned credits while we’re the ones having to actually read all these books?”

  The Orange clone wasn’t as familiar with the Red host, Dremmy’s, situation, but he guessed that it shouldn’t be too different from Jenio’s. Dremmy was a burly humanoid covered in fur like Noland, though his was longer and more colourful. Apparently, that had made him quite popular with the ladies back home, though his story clearly didn’t have a happy ending, otherwise he wouldn’t be here.

  “That looks really tasty,” the actual Noland said, unable to keep himself from drooling as he watched two of Percy’s hosts enjoy the sweet snacks.

  The others weren’t faring much better, tossing the clones looks of unconcealed envy. They were all currently in Gabe’s room, which clearly wasn’t meant for six people.

  Unfortunately, the Vault didn’t really have any spaces available for large groups. The residents of the artificial world were understandably antisocial, in no small part due to its harsh rules on mortals sharing resources or procreating with anyone but their divine parents. If it hadn’t been for Percy, these people would have never hit it off either. Then again, most of them wouldn’t have even been here – or alive, for that matter.

  “Cube, am I allowed to give my friends Honey Rolls? It’s just regular food, and you’ve already granted us permission to share sizian meat since we’re all eligible for free portions. User ID: WANDERER,” Percy said.

  He didn’t even have to press his hand against the wall, since he was pretty much already squished against it.

  “Evaluating request…”

  “Evaluation complete. Sharing resources of any kind is against the rules and will be severely penalized,” the system’s cold voice replied.

  “I’m sorry man.” Percy shrugged. “This place seems to lack common sense. Maybe Metatron would make another exception for us if we pushed it, but I believe Yellow me has been quite annoying lately, so I’d rather not risk pissing him off. I promise to bring you lots of Honey Rolls and other goodies the next time I possess you. Same goes for everyone else.”

  Noland sighed, as did most of the others. Even Tlaloc who had been a slave for most of his life and the people originating from barren worlds had still eaten a variety of foods before, so they were understandably sick of sizian meat. Its hard texture and bitter flavour certainly didn’t make it any easier to consume day in and day out.

  The only one who didn’t seem as bothered was Gabe. The jellyfish-person had spent his whole life in the Vault, so he’d never tried anything else. Percy wasn’t sure whether to be happy for his friend or pity him. Of course, this was bound to change soon, when he employed the guy’s help to clear the Green challenges. Naturally, he was going to handsomely reward him for his assistance.

  “Do you want to move outside?” Tlaloc – who had been forced to sit on the bed because there was nowhere to stand – suddenly suggested. “This is ridiculous – especially if another Percy is planning to join us. The lack of privacy isn’t ideal, but it’s not like we can hide anything from Metatron anyway, and the mortals’ opinions don’t really matter.”

  After a round of cramped nodding, the group left the building, finding a semi-isolated spot outside to sit in a wide circle. It wasn’t until a few minutes later that a seventh person joined them – a child belonging to the short race of green-skinned people that everyone had seen in the Vault.

  Those who had met the boy in the past few weeks naturally recognized him as Cassiel – Yellow’s host. The clone who was clearly in control of the child’s body almost walked by the group, failing to notice them. He was immersed in yet another new book that he must have purchased recently. Thankfully, the others stopped him before he went knocking on the residential cube for them.

  “What’s that one about?” Red asked. “More runecrafting?”

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  Yellow shook his borrowed head. “Alchemic principle, actually. Turns out that the Vault has one that we didn’t know about.” Glancing at the others, he added, “I’d greet you guys – it really is a pleasure to see you all again – but I’m guessing that the other mes have done that already.”

  “How bizarre…” Gabe muttered. “So, you can be in three places at once now?”

  “More like five to seven, depending on how you count them,” Orange explained with a shrug. “I’ve already come up with a few ways to abuse my bloodline in the Vault, so let me know if any of you needs a boost in the challenges or has any objects that you wish to – you know what – to one another,” he added, making a swapping gesture with his hands. He didn’t want to be too explicit, to avoid triggering a warning from the cube.

  “I’m good for now,” Leo said. “I’m sure that you can help me climb even higher, but clearing challenges is one of the best pastimes in the Vault. I’m still decades away from Green, so I’d rather work on them by myself so that they last longer. I’m also not lacking in credits, since I don’t have to spend them on sizian meat or accommodation.”

  The others nodded along.

  “Alright,” Orange replied. “Let us know if you change your minds at any point in the next few months though. It’ll be a while before we return to the Vault, so this might be your only chance to get some extra credits before advancing.”

  “Actually, I’d still like to possess Tlaloc and Gabe in the near future if that’s okay with them,” Yellow interjected.

  “How come?” his fellow Huehuan asked.

  “Well, you’re the only one who doesn’t have the Moirais’ Decree yet. I don’t expect to get very far in the Blue challenges with a pure affinity and a weaker second core – no offense – but I’d rather not leave you hanging.”

  “I thought you didn’t want to give Metatron too many freebies,” Tlaloc said.

  “I don’t, but this is different. I’m doing it for your sake, not his,” Yellow explained.

  “What about me?” Gabe asked.

  “Well…” Yellow awkwardly scratched the back of his host’s head. “I admit that’s for personal gain. You’re the strongest for your grade, and you’re also the best one at magiscript besides me, so you’re probably my best shot at getting to the Green bonus rewards. Hell, we’ve already claimed two of those when we were much weaker, and I’m sure that you’ve climbed even higher since then. Ah, but I promise I’ll make it worth your time.”

  The jellyfish-person shrugged. “I don’t mind. It’ll be like the good old times. I didn’t know that you could possess us again though. I thought that your bloodline was random.”

  Yellow shook his head. “It is, unless I know where I’m going and can make the necessary preparations. I didn’t bring it up during my previous trips since I was still limited to a single clone and couldn’t locate the Vault without Metatron’s Decree. I can’t even open a portal without a body, but that means that I’ve lost the chance to possess one of you by the time I’ve stepped foot here. Thankfully, none of that is much of a problem anymore.”

  Yellow had left a few things out, but Orange obviously knew what his partner meant. While Ludwick’s Compass was also of limited use when it came to the artificial world, they didn’t need it – they had a third method to get here.

  As long as there was a clone already stationed in the Vault, Percy’s main body could use the cord to direct the others to him. It might take some trial and error – not unlike the time he had visited Felmara – but it was bound to work sooner or later. With a clone here, he could even ensure that he injured and healed his friends in a controlled manner.

  The only catch was that he would need a couple of empowered connections to supply the presiding clone with unlimited phantom mana and the other with directions, but both of those were doable now that he no longer had to suppress his blessing. As soon as one of his clones returned to Remior, he could have the main body coordinate with the others to widen their cords.

  After working out the logistics of the operation, the group moved to other topics.

  Three Percys and seven hosts – past, present and future ones – spent the rest of the day catching up. It was an opportunity for him to not only learn what his friends had been up to, but also to introduce his new hosts into the group, hoping that they would feel more welcome in the artificial world.

  The Vault was generally a cruel and cold place, but Percy was determined to make it a little warmer for those he cared about – at least until he came up with a more permanent solution.

  The group bonded over tales about their challenges, though everyone who had come from a lesser spring – Percy included – still avoided mentioning their home worlds much. They didn’t want to give Metatron more clues than necessary, even though the titan hadn’t given them the impression that he cared.

  Not that Felmara or Huehue were in great shape right now – one was currently being ruled by a sadistic despot, while the other had been conquered by him – but everyone hoped to eventually settle those injustices and reclaim their homes, somehow.

  Once everyone had had their fill of socializing, the clones returned to the challenge cubes, waiting in the queues once more. It could easily be a couple of months until they got in, but they could spend that time going through the books.

  As soon as they entered, they were going to put what they had learned into practice, pushing for an additional wave of the magiscript challenges. Whether they successfully cleared it or not, it would help them internalize their newfound knowledge and hone their skills.

  Next, they would return to Remior, bringing everything back to the main body and consolidating their gains. For each of them, less than a year would have passed since they parted ways but, for the collective, they would have accumulated half a decade’s worth of magiscript experience. Adding all the other things that they had purchased from the Vault, the originals would have plenty of new toys to play with.

  Finally, a new batch of clones would be sent to the Vault to possess Tlaloc and Gabe.

  Clearing Green and Blue challenges was the easiest way to digest everything that his five selves would have learned independently, while also earning the seal-crafting knowledge that they needed from the reward pool.

  Overall, it had already been about six months since they arrived in the Vault, and it would easily be another half a year until they were done with everything, but this was certainly going to be one of the most productive periods in Percy’s life.

  ‘After that, I’ll check what Metatron wanted to talk to me about, focus on my projects on Remior, and start sending clones to random places again…’

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