Chapter 68: Moh-Maya

Chapter 68: Moh-Maya

[Ability:

Shroud, Level 8

Passive Shroud:

Makes the wielder invulnerable to all detection/scrying/location cards. Displays a False [Player Statistics] screen to anyone with an [Identification] type card. Allows the wielder to change any one statistic in the [Player Statistics] screen. Visit no(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience

Informs the wielder if any detection/scrying/location cards have been used against them.

Active Shroud, Maya:

Maya, the Infinite Web of Illusions, gives the wielder an ability to peer into the target's memories, giving the wielder the impression that they have truly become their target in shape, recollection and emotionthereby achieving the state of deceiving oneself to deceive the world. Successfully experiencing Maya and finding ones true self allows access to the realm of Yul, the subconscious mind given physical form. Currently, Maya can only be cast on targets within twenty five levels of [The Fools] current level.

The wielder can copy one memory from Yul upon success. Failure, however, condemns the wielder to a state of Zhan- when the targets psyche overwhelms the wielder, they lose themselves and begin to believe that they are the target themselves. Zhan may last for years or decades, without the wielders awareness.

Sub-skill 1: Home-bound

Imbue a thought-concept with your will, allowing it to guide you to Yul whilst experiencing Maya in the targets mind. Moderately reduces the chances of falling into a state of Zhan.

Created thought-concept can allow the wielder to escape the state of Maya once in every forty-eight hours without falling into a state of Zhan.

Presently only one thought-concept can be created.]

Sub-skill 2: Moh-Maya

The Attachment to Illusion Subskill affects the odds of successfully copying a memory from the target after entering the realm of Yul.

A rectangular shape slowly began to unfold in his minds eye until a thin sheet of plastic cut out in the dimensions of a credit card lay suspended in the void. Then Tom focused and details began to scrawl themselves on the vertically suspended card.

The red and white of Anytime Aisles typography was contained in a tilted elliptical shape, dominating the top quarter of the card. Second and third was taken up by a grainy image of his own self, from head to shoulders, dressed in a cheap red t-shirt highlighted by white accents circling along the edges of sleeves and along the collar. A pitiful attempt at a smile was reflected in his mugshot, his listless eyes staring blankly into the distance aptly conveying an indifference that Tom was all too familiar with.

Finally, the last quarter, dominated by his first name lettered in clear, bold text.

THOMAS, it said, for the convenience of the customers that he used to deal with on a daily basis.

A red card holder phased into existence moments after, followed by a white lanyard that completed the identity card.

[Would you like to assign this mental construct as your thought-concept?]

Tom would have hesitated, deliberated on the matter a little longer if he wasnt absolutely sure of his decision.

This was the right decision.

Then, Tom closed his eyes.

When he opened them again, his gaze falling on the districts main drag, Tom saw numbers hovering above the dungeoneers that were engaged in merriment down below.

His second, newly unlocked sub-skill, [Moh-Maya] would hopefully give him a chance at the Lunar Silver Stars that he so coveted. Even a dull bronze star or Shimmering Bronze Star as [The Fool] had termed it, had saved him months of effort by allowing him to learn the Aldorian language.

It might seem simple in hindsight, but without even having the ability to communicate in the local language, Tom would have needed to avoid contact with other people until he learned it or risk getting outed as a complete foreigner who carried no identification with himself.

If even a single bronze could contribute to his survival, what could a Lunar Silver do for him?

Tom was excited to find out.