265. Looping Branches (with Poll)

265. Looping Branches (with Poll)

C265 - year 263

The year began with a rare congratulations from the system.

[Domain assessment completed. Faith computation completed. Congratulations on reaching Level 250. Thank you for waiting, the system needed to coordinate availability of administrators. We will now start the the special event. ]

Then, I was brought into a strange room, where I met a very familiar old man. I wasnt entirely human anymore, I took the form of a tree, more than a man, even if there was a man at the center of it all.

Matt. The voice sounded exactly the same as it was when I started.

Mozart. I didnt know why, but his name was imprinted in my head.

At that moment, another different old man appeared. Mozart raised his hand, and presented his friend. He was just as old. This is Bach, my superior.

I nodded. It felt weird to nod after so long, but it came as naturally as breathing. It must be important for me to face two of the systems administrators.

We come offering you a pact, as required by the System. Bach said frankly. It is a choice, first and foremost. I want to be clear that this is a choice.

I nodded once more. Go on.

For every soul that reaches level 250, and meeting relevant faith requirements, hero or otherwise, we offer a pact with the System. In this pact, you will no longer gain experience, but instead, your soul will be moved from the [Experience System] to the [World Faith System].

Of course. I once wondered what the gods were.

If you accept, under this system, you will gain various powers, such as the power to summon your own [Heroes], subject to your annual faith point availability. Each world you rule generates a certain faith value, and worlds marked as your Core Worlds generate more value. The Faith points can also be used to open portals, bless your minions and followers, or spy on other worlds. You will also gain a spectral form that allows you to move between worlds where your faith is strong.

But I remembered that conversation with Aiva. There was a catch. Tell me more. What are my duties?

You will defend worlds with your followers. You will summon heroes when there is a demon king.

Define defend worlds. Tell me the details. What happens to me, if I say yes?

Bach nodded. You are required to contribute faith points to the hero summoning pool, which will be used to summon heroes. Each world is measured in distance to you, and the further those worlds are, the higher the faith point consumptions will be.

What if I have no followers at all?

As a god, you die.

How many followers do I need?

Its- arbitrary. The system calculates a sustenance value and if you drop below that, you will weaken over time and then die.

Damn. Even with my protections and clones?

Yes. Some of your abilities will be remade in order to fit under the World Faith System. Bach explained. Some benefits will be lost, but some gained.

I paused. Why do the other gods accept this system?

Because it allows them to be everywhere, instead of just one place. Most of the old gods were from the first living beings, in an era where magic was turbulent, and the myriad worlds were much smaller. Yet, over time, the worlds expanded, and the old gods struggled to protect their people from the incursions of the other gods, and later, the demons. So, together, the [World Faith System] was made, a pact between the [system] and the old [gods], to allow them to continue functioning in an expanding world.

I realized that since this man was willing to give a history lesson, this was the best time to ask. What are the demons? How were they made?

Bach clammed up immediately. I cannot answer that.

But if they were around since the era of the old gods, that meant they were a long time ago. Can they be defeated?

I cannot answer that.

Can you tell me about history. Why is the world expanding?

System momentum. Bach answered. The expansion is driven by subtle repulsive energies of the void. This will continue until the void can expand no more.

Wait. I paused. How did the gods ask the system to create a new [system]. How does that make sense? Can it still be done today?

Bach paused, before nodding. Yes. But it requires significant and majority control of all populated worlds.

Explain.

Bach paused, before explaining. In Earth terms, each planetary Core is a node, and a vote. A right-to-vote. A right-to-petition. Control of the majority Will of the Worlds allows the gods to subconsciously, or consciously, submit changes to the system, and change how things operate. The bigger the changes, the more votes from all the cores will be needed. Most changes, racial creations and so on, will not require significant votes. But creating new systems, creating entirely new rules on how powers work? Forking the system? That needs significant control and influence over multiple worlds.

I dont recall ever- voting?

The cores collect your responses subconsciously.

The Pact required me to offer it as a choice.

***

I was brought back, and the choices appeared immediately.

[World Faith System migration has been rejected. We will now display Level 250 [Subdomain] choices]

[Subdomain : The Dark Void]

[You gain the ability to see worlds that are shrouded by the voids, and also void worlds, and plant your clones on them. Your clones will not be consumed by the void. Your mana potatoes will now be able to store void mana with no loss or decay. Clones on the Void Worlds can harvest void mana. You are also now able to access the Void Layers, which are different ways the void appears, and can share it with your void mages. The special class [Voids of Aeon] will be created, and [void mages] can unlock them. Voids of Aeon can travel in the void layers]

[Void worlds can only be safely explored by those with void magic protection.]

[The Dark Void will link with your fellow Void domainholder, amplifying her abilities and allowing her access to all your new Void abilities]

[Subdomain : Treenopticon]

[You gain the ability to see through your familiar, your beetles, and anyone with an aeonic class. In addition, you can also now see through your flows of mana. You can now communicate telepathically with anyone in the world, wherever they are in that world, regardless of distance, so long as your clone or avatar is present in that world. Your mind reading trees range will now cover the entire world. Each of your Clones will also now function as the enhanced equivalent of a Grand Mind Tree, granting significant automation, and computational power.]

[Mages, domainholder linked through your Treenopticon will able to leverage on your range, granting them ability to cast spells through your network of trees as if they were there personally. They will be able to see and cast spells through your avatar, clones, or trees. Domainholders may not use domain tier abilities through Treenopticon.]

[Subdomain : Unity of the Pantheon]

[You gain the ability to form links with your fellow pantheon members, and express your combined powers as though you are one. The effects of all the levels and base stats of the pantheon members will be combined additively. This power will require a willing mortal host. The hosts endurance depends on his level, and the amount of power used. Domain holders that serve as the host will be significantly empowered by the combined powers, but will need to undergo intensive regeneration after each use]

[At level 275 and level 300, you will be able to select one of the unchosen choices. Choices available at level 300 will be deferred to Level 325 if you elected one of the earlier subdomain choices. Choices are cumulative, and earlier subdomain choices are not removed]

***

Shit. I want all of them. Stella said.

The question is, which first? Which helps us get ourselves across the line faster. Lumoof thought.

Can we first talk about that World Faith System? Kei immediately stepped in to speak about it. There is an entire system out there thats only available to gods?!

Lumoof frowned. I believe turning it down was the right choice. Weve seen the consequences of the old Gods method of work, and its not great.

But- think about it for a moment. Functional immortality!

A power Aeon grants to us.

Not every society of gods has an Aeon. Kei countered. But seriously- are we seriously getting power of friendship with that last one?

Lumoof chuckled. I suppose my prayers did come true.

Youre hacking. Stella smiled. But it would be amusing to raise one of us to be one of them. It also implies that it is possible to alter the system, if we control sufficient worlds.

Lumood nodded. I cannot recall ever seeing the system change, but the fact that it has, it might be something that occurred so slowly over time that no one ever noticed.

I agree. If subtle changes are applied over a long period of time, we wouldnt even feel it. Wed confuse any changes to our abilities to our higher levels, age, or just upgrades to our skills or our class. It was the equivalent of environmental changes. It occurred so slowly that natives would adapt.

The system must have been different, many, many years ago, the core principles unchanged, but the nitty gritty aspects may have changed. Those outside the system, such as the Gods who are on the [World Faith System], may not notice such changes. Technologys effect would bleed in slowly, as the [System] absorbs such changes.

Lumoof sat, and thought about it for a while. Bitu may be the candidate closest to achieving conversion to the World Faith System. He has an entire world that worships them. Even more than Lillies.

I soon shared this knowledge with Zhaanpu, Lillies, Aria and Aispeng, and even the Crystal King. I figured there was no harm.

The Crystal King listened. Lies.

Zhaanpu merely mulled it over. It seems we have been played with. I suppose he meant the fact that the WFS requires the Gods to protect their worlds anyway, so the pact was unnecessary, even if it gave some natives power over the heroes.

Khefri mused. Nice feeling, isnt it?

Zhaanpus golden eyes glared at the scorpionoid heroine. She smirked back at him.

What? The taste of your own medicine is great? Or must it suck be to manipulated?

Zhaanpu stewed.

Spaizzer

The patreons made their choice, but I wonder what SH will pick :)