"All these new fangled constructs really chafe my scales, you know that? Back in my day, you want to talk to someone? You took a bowl of water and threw mana at it until it worked. Now I have so called, "Arch-Mages" talking about "Aetheric Conveyances" and the "polarity" of the "Mana-Sphere." Then they have the gall to ask my opinion. Right nonsense, the lot of it. The mere thought of it makes me hungry."

"But Sir, maybe they came up with better ways because they don't have the mana reserves of an immortal dragon?..."

--Vincenzo Canterbury's last words, ArchMage Obituaries Vol XVI. AC 1168

Aethir calmed down, taking a deep breath in.

"Alright, so the reason I asked everyone here is because I need some help. We ratified mortal to deity interactions in the last age, and it requires they be able to speak in their defense."

He glared at me.

"The PROBLEM, is that I can't figure out how to make that happen in a quick and efficient manner."

Lira, the Goddess of Wisdom, chimed in:

"What about a [Soul-Gestalt]? We can communicate directly."

"Nope, he's too young. His soul will collapse."

"[Telepathy Bridge]?"

"Nope, ego collapse."

"[Skill Impart: Speech] with [Polymorph]?"

"I said quick and efficient. He'd still need to figure out how to use his transformed mouth and lung structure."

"What about that dead language? With the tapping... what was it... [Skill: Morse Code]?"

"I'm not breaking open the transmigrator vaults for single copies of skills. We keep those locked for a reason."

Aethir and Lira continued talking, but I quickly tossed them to the back of my mind as Toriana [Scuttle]'d closer.

"They're a bunch of silly-worts sometimes. They get caught up in their skills and systems and such."

I nodded dumbly, awestruck that she was talking to me.

"Sometimes, the old ways are best." She tapped my claw with her own, causing heat to rush through my veins.

"Here, sit down with me and we'll get you talking in no time." She gently lowered herself to the floor, and I mirrored her action, facing her iridescent smile.

"Take my claws, and let your sight drift. Follow the sound of my voice."

I comply, flowing in the rhythm of her words.

"Find your center, look within your mind. Deep beneath your shell, there is a ball of blue light."

My surroundings fade away, sight dimming as I find myself situated within a boundless void. I sail forth, chitinous legs ringing silent in the dark. I journey far, time meaningless; venturing into the depths of my soul. Eventually, the darkness begins to recede, and I could make out a faint glimmer in the distance. As I scurry faster, I heard a gentle voice; echoing from a distant land.

"There? You see it? That's your mana. You need to take a pinch and return, never letting it go."

A tiny shining ball floats in the nothingness. My pincer lightly grasps, and I tug, holding a smidge close to my body. I turn, mind weary and begin my journey home. As I return to consciousness I see that only a moment has passed. My mind struggles, holding mana through will alone.

Toriana blesses me with a radiant smile and says,

"Great job Crabby. Now bring the mana to your eyes and bear your will upon it. With every ounce of your being you have to want to tell me your thoughts."

I follow her instructions, threading mana through unseen channels. I'm shaking, quivering in exhaustion and pain as the power courses through me. An eternity passes, every second bringing me closer to despair until finally... I break through.

**************************************

Congratulations!

Skill Gained: Mana Sense I: (Lvl 1)

Skill Gained: Mana Manipulation I: (Lvl 1)

Skill Gained: Eyes of Intent I: (Lvl 1)

***************************************

Toriana smiles as she hears my first words. She blushes, giggling as she slaps my claws. Her pink shell lightens as I tell her,

"You're very pretty."

***

I rest, content to just recover for a while. Toriana and I are in our own little bubble; ignoring the bickering between the other gods. I focus on my skills page, wanting to find out more about my abilities. I'm happy to notice more detail than ever before, though my feelings plummet when I see the active effects.

Skill: Scuttle I Lvl: 5 Effects: Increase movement speed, relative to skill level Current Bonus: 2% faster movement Cost: 1 Stamina per second Lore: "Time to [Scuttle]!"- Thief Saying Skill: Pinch I Lvl: 1 Effects: Increase effect of STR on claws, relative to skill level Current Bonus: .4% greater claw damage Cost: 1 Stamina per attack Lore: "Don't worry about seeing your grandma. We'll call the healers later." Skill: Natural Camouflage I Lvl: 7 Effects: Shift your color to match surroundings. Speed/Accuracy improves with skill level. Current Bonus: 2.8% faster shift/accuracy Cost: 1 Stamina per second Lore: "Hide like a cuttlefish, blend like a octopus. Their claws can't hit and their face is a sourpuss.”

I'm... I'm so weak! My old skills are almost useless! What about my new ones?

Skill: Mana Sense I Lvl: 1 Effects: Feel the mana around you. Current Bonus: .4% greater clarity Cost: None (Passive) Lore: "Begin your path to power." - Mage Guild Skill: Mana Manipulation I Lvl: 5 Effects: Move mana, relative to skill level. Current Bonus: 2% faster/accurate shaping Cost: None (Passive) Lore: "Wield the might Arcane"- Archmage Vendros

These... these seem to be a bit better? I don't have any point of reference though. The lore part sounds more exciting at least, nothing there about thieves or grandma's. Looking at Natural Camouflage, I'm a little uneasy. I'm not exactly sure what an Octopus is, but the word sends chills up my shell. I move on, paying attention to the skill Toriana wanted me to get.

Skill: Eyes of Intent I Lvl: 1 Effects: Manifest your will Current Bonus: Undefined Cost: Variable Lore: "My sight will end this age." - {REDACTED}

That's both ominous and opaque. And what is {REDACTED}? I've never seen that before. Toriana said this would be useful for talking, so I take a whack at it. It's strange, now that I can sense mana, I can tell that [Eyes of Intent] isn't using any at all. It's like I'm pushing my thoughts physically into the world. Unfortunately, I'm a small crab and the World is very big. I vainly struggle, feeling as though I'm pushing a boulder up a hill. My frustration must have been evident because she tells me,

"Mental imagery is very important with skills like these. It may help to imagine a narrow link, focusing your will on a tiny rope between us."

Her advice helps, and I'm finally able to express myself.

"Um... hi! I'm Sir Crabby!"

She giggles, extending a claw.

"It's nice to formally meet you Sir Crabby."

YES! Going to start a new plan. Standing by and hoping for the best is for chumps. Begin operation: [Get the Goddess on my side].