From their Pantheon, Aether spoke to Water, “Your hero seems troubled. We need our heroes to have the backbone to defeat the dungeons and determine the cause for their increasing power.”

  Water sighed, “It turns out she’s from that planet with that really weird God – you know, the one that has been around since the beginning.”

  Air jumped in, “You mean that guy who found out the advanced sapience module wasn’t usable on reptiles and instead of doing a hard reset he just threw an asteroid at it?”

  “Yeah, that one” Water said, glumly. “He’s well known for being obsessed with the classics. The only interesting thing he’s ever done is install my capybara template.”

  “Of course he installed it.” Fire rolled her eyes. “Have you seen the type of creatures he designs? That platypus template made ‘Top 10 Weirdest Templates of the Millennium’ back when it came out.”

  “His chicken was pretty good though.” Air commented.

  Earth, ever wanting to add to a conversation, jumped in, “Didn’t he just install the humanoid template with all default settings? Who does that!”

  “You literally did the same thing,” Fire scoffed.

  “I at least adjusted the height setting to 80%,” Earth replied hotly.

  “Ah,” Aether attempted to get the conversation back on topic, “He’s the one that refuses to update modules. There are an abnormal amount of glitches in his world. He didn’t install the standardized sentience upgrade module that we added a few hundred years ago. I have been most pleased with the enhanced neutrality of our races since that upgrade.”

  “You mean the boring update you strongarmed us into installing? Things were much more interesting with the code diversity.” Fire muttered.

  “Exactly” Water replied, “If we’re lucky, she’ll add some spice back into things! It will just take her a little more time to adjust. She has one of those variations that gets overwhelmed easily with a lot of change, but I’ve heard once they learn the rules they are quite talented and become very powerful by manipulating them.”

  “Let us hope that is the case,” Aether turned his gaze back to his own hero.

  --------

  Zola practiced forms in their room, wearing the armor provided by Weaponsmaster Vok and feeling the weight of the scimitar as it slid through the air. They knew this day would come, though had not expected it as early as it happened. The strongest of their planet were either whisked away in ritual summoning or carried through godly magic portals to worlds in need. What they had not expected was being transported into a new body and designated as one variation of two possible gendered forms. Zola’s own race were genderless, nearly identical humanoids with limbs and body unlimited by a hard skeleton like the Kineta body they now inhabited. Education on Makraea, their home world, had generally assumed that the warriors would be transported in a way that maintained their natural, malleable form. Transitioning into another body was rare, though not unheard of. Conforming to another body was briefly discussed in education but, while they trusted their skill and training, altering years of a flexible fighting style into a rigid form would result in some vulnerabilities during that adaptation.

  Zola brought up their stats and examined them.

  Their stats remained the same as they were on Makraea with three exceptions. The Power Overwhelming boon allowed them to progress past the level cap of this world. Gods implementing a level cap on their peoples’ power was… curious. Their own gods’ creed encouraged the growth of personal power above all else, especially for those with great aptitude. This was another oddity missing from their sheet. On their planet, one of the core stats was Aptitude, an unchanging number that granted insight into the personal well of power and potential within each person.

  Aptitude was a powerful modifier impacting all aspects of magic abilities and spells, amplifying their power multiplicatively. Zola knew their aptitude was 2.8, significantly higher than the 1 which was the average for a population. If the gods of Etalen were targeting the highest potential power, it made sense for Zola to be selected. Zola knew that their power was untouched by many on their own world. This was one reason they had been selected for special training from the time they were spawned. While the Makraean gods valued power above all else, the gods of this planet seemed the very opposite. Zola could only assume that this is why the Aptitude stat was missing from this world’s implementation of the status screen. They had been warned in training that other gods could choose to manifest power and magic on their worlds in different ways – some blocking the status screen altogether. But on this planet, power was limited and eschewed by many. All the more reason for a powerful mercenary like Zola to do their job well and bring honor to Makraea.

  The last addition to their sheet was the Tome of Knowledge hovering behind them. Zola was not one for frivolous conversation and, thankfully, neither was the Tome. It answered questions when asked, but otherwise did not interrupt Zola’s meditations or thoughts with attempts to get to know them. Zola preferred it that way. They had, thus far, only discussed its benefits in combat. The Tome offered powerful buffs and debuffs that would enhance Zola’s already potent abilities, in addition to the basic ranged attack of magical weapons such as other tomes and wands. They would have no difficulties fulfilling their duty to bring the rampant dungeons of this world back in line. A knock on the door indicated the end of Zola’s preparations. It was time to start their quest.

  --------

  Panu was not upset by the circumstances that surrounded him on Etalen. He loved nothing more than a little chaos in his life. A magical summoning here, a gift from the gods there… the adoration of his soon to be many fans as he solved the world’s problems. He might even put some effort into leveling up for once, instead of just battling whatever showed up for some fun and sport. The races of this world were spectacular. From the gorgeous shimmering crystalline skin of the Kineta to the sexy wings of the Kaseta to the nebula of colors of the Mizeta, he was pleased with the eye candy available. He was scorching hot in this new body - the jet-black skin and golden hair that shimmered in the reflected light of his fire spells as it tumbled artfully into his eyes. He could get behind these pointed ears… though he did miss his spiral horns peeking out of his hair. If he had to trade his horns for this adventure, however, he’d make that deal in a heartbeat.

  He would miss the food and drink of Theledes. It was a lot more… entertaining. So far, all he’d found here was boring wine, and he’d had to ask for it specifically! None of the spectacular variety of drinks, magical herbs, and decadence his world was known for. He was definitely not in danger of waking up with no memory of the previous night on this quaint little planet… instead he’d have to make sure he found a way to make some nights he could remember.

  “Hey Magma,” Panu talked aloud to the Volcanic Robe he was wearing, despite knowing he could just speak to it telepathically. “What’s that defensive buff you give me again?”

  The robe replied in Panu’s mind *At level 1, I provide a flat boost of 10 vitality, as well as immunity to snares. Additionally, this fabric is reinforced with magic that causes it to deflect physical attacks as if it were steel.*

  Panu pulled up his character sheet.

  Vitality was his dump stat – his philosophy towards magic was all about speed and firepower. He knew he needed a bare minimum of vitality to not just die in one hit, but this robe would allow him to ignore Vitality for another 10 levels at least. That was a great deal! If Magma’s buffs continued to be this strong, he may never have to put points in Vitality again. All that potency would make him unstoppable. And, of course, that would win him all the girls… and the boys… Panu grinned.

  --------

  Morigan slumped uncomfortably in the armchair in the tiny room she was forced to accept if she wanted to get any sleep at all last night. The mattress was too hard and the sheets were only barely acceptable, combining for a fitful, disrupted sleep. She was so exhausted from lack of sleep she didn’t even have the energy to cry anymore. She was a Princess! How could anyone, gods or not, just STEAL someone from their home? And even worse, thrust them into a horrible, huge, ugly body. She glared at the tip of the giant, bony, multi jointed wings extending from her back and wrapping to the ground on the side of the chair, wanting to cry again but too filled with rage. Her glorious gossamer wings of iridescent pink and purple flecked with gold that shimmered and sparkled in the burning bright light of her home replaced with these oversized, leathery, clunky appendages. Her lithe, dainty body used to flit through the clouds and dance on the wind; now, she would have to thrust her body forward laboriously. Thinking of never dancing on the wind again, she found the strength to cry again.

  *Princess*, the voice of Storm, her magical scepter, spoke in her head, “your escort will soon arrive to take you to the dungeon. Perhaps you should prepare yourself.”

  Morigan sniffed, her nose having already clogged as tears dripped on her lap from her chin, “I don’t want to go to their stuffy dungeon, I want to go home!” She wailed again for good measure, feeling slightly better for the fuss she was making.

  *Princess,* Storm pushed incessantly into her mind, *what has happened cannot change. The gods used their power to bring you here – they cannot turn around and use it to send you back immediately. Perhaps instead of spending your time being upset, you should instead demonstrate to them why you are a Princess and thus deserving of better treatment.*

  “I didn’t ask to come here! Why should I care what happens to this place?” Morigan tried to stand up in anger, but her long wings caught under her own foot, causing her to collapse back into the chair, “And I can’t even MOVE in this wretched body!”

  *Princess, you are more adaptable than you realize. Air does not allow a rock to stand in its way - it glides and spins, darting through challenges and adapting to obstacles. You can adapt to the body as Air adapts to its space. You must embrace the carefree nature of air and follow where it blows you, embarking on this journey as an adventure, not a challenge.*

  Morigan didn’t respond. Storm’s words sounded like a speech her father would give. He was always encouraging her to embrace her freedom and adventure… she didn’t like the idea, but the words were enough to give her pause. She wasn’t much like her father, the King, who was constantly traveling and doing rather than watching others do. He was a high-level Air mage in his own right, nearing level 41 when she was ripped away, and the most powerful in the world on Kiliria. Her sister, Brigid, somehow managed to be her father’s favorite, despite her useless water magic, just because she liked to go adventuring and exploring. She was tired of being compared to beautiful, brilliant Brigid, but no matter what she did at home, comparisons happened. Not being under Brigid’s shadow was momentarily exhilarating enough to make her consider listening to her father’s advice – now delivered from her beautiful scepter Storm – on this planet. She pulled up her character sheet and considered her options.

  She had never been particularly attentive when it came to her magical studies, but her cultivated training had given her a high starting point compared to the levels on this planet. But practicing was so tiresome! She could use her spells well enough, though she would grudgingly admit – only to herself – that her finesse was lacking and her manipulation abilities more of a blunt object than a sharpened blade. She hated to admit it, but she’d likely be dependent on that fire mage and any other support staff they offered.

  Thinking of that made her angry all over again. She refused to be seen as lesser, and yet here they had thrust her into a position of being in danger and having to admit she was not as skilled as she should be. She was royalty! A Princess! They should bow down to her and take her commands! But how could she take advantage of her status so that they didn’t notice her ability?

  ---------

  Philip happily munched an apple while bounding out to the stable to see Epona, a second apple tucked into the pocket of his pants. They had let him have a really fancy pitchfork to fight with. It was way better than the tools back on Storrgarth! And he didn’t even have to work the hay bales with it! And they gave him real armor! He never got armor on the farm and he always liked playing soldier before he was sent away. But as he grew, his parents said he had to work on the farm, and not play soldier. He didn’t like that, but he did like animals. And now he had both! He had shiny armor and a big not-horse. And she talked!

  Philip ran the last few steps into the stables, excitedly taking the apple from his pocket and holding it up in front of his pretty not-horse.

  “Epona! I brought you an apple!”

  Epona whiffed in response and took a bite from the apple. *I do enjoy the fruit of the world. You had a good time in the armory, I take it?*

  “Yeah!” Philip grinned and excitedly told her the whole story. “I’m so excited to go use the pitchfork! They said we can go with Anika later. She needs help. She doesn’t know magic! How weird is that?”

  *She was not lucky enough to come from a world as entrenched in magic as your own. She will need help to learn and level. You are a good choice to protect and help her as she may eventually protect you with her water magic.*

  “Oh yeah! I’ll help her and her pet! Water magic is great! I can go hit the monsters, and I won’t get hurt with healing”

  *You must still be careful. Water magic can heal you after you get hurt – it will not always keep you from getting hurt. And Lily is a magical gift, as I am – she is not a pet*

  “Oh right. So she is like you a… uh… ” Philip looked at his character sheet to remember what Epona was.

  “Uh.. an anima-bonded guardian. Right.” Philip nodded, seeming to understand… but slowly stopped. “Uh… what does anima-bonded guardian mean again?”

  Epona lowered her head and made a noise that sounded suspiciously like a sigh. *An Anima-bonded guardian is a companion that is bonded to another through magic, connecting their souls and allowing them to share thoughts and sometimes granting special powers or abilities. We were created and imbued with knowledge by the gods of the planet and have enhanced abilities compared to a normal Anima-bonded companion. Some ritual magics allow an anima-bond to be formed, but without the divine boon of enhanced magic. As we level, I will grant you new abilities, and the ability to use my own magic, Air magic.*

  “Uh…. Right.” Philip nodded slowly. “So you talk in my head and Lily can talk in Anika’s head. And we share a soul. And magic. Right!”

  *Not… quite. But… sufficient for now. Now retrieve my gear so that we can go meet with Anika for the dungeon. Someone will likely come by soon to fetch you.”