“So what, I am three times as powerful?” Daemon asked, still not quite understanding what all of this meant. The casual way Adinoz seemed to treat this vexed him. The Ascended hadn’t meant for Daemon to end up here, but if anyone was responsible, it was him. After which he promptly sold Daemon to Ankhoner, saving his own skin in the process.

“Not exactly,” Adinoz answered, looking at Daemon as if he was trying to figure out if what the now no longer Untouched was thinking. Probably just reading my mind again. “Remember, the Index is about potential. Although some species and universes are stronger than others, potential is much more important than how powerful a species is before their universe Advances. The creatures sent by the Shades are strong, stronger than what any species could handle. This is why Aether is used to enhance them. But not every species is capable of the same things. Think of it as a large tree. It doesn’t matter how thick the trunk is, if there are no branches it will most likely eventually die. The same is true for species. Aether can enhance and improve, but only what is already there.”

“So what is wrong with humans, that their potential is so low?” Daemon asked, honestly a bit offended by the Index. Sure humans had many bad qualities, but they also had many good ones. Surely, other species were the same.

“Although I think the Index is too rigid in his parameters,” Adinoz explained. “The main reasons are population and build. Humans have always hunted by outrunning or outsmarting their prey, not by being physically stronger or faster. So they have the body and build to back that up. Only when their inventions became more advanced did they become the real dominant species. In the Rift, inventions will only take you so far. You need to be able to rely on your body and its strengths. You need to be able to kill quickly.”

Giving Daemon time to think, he conjured a small, inconspicuous book out of thin air and waited. When finally Daemon wanted to ask more questions, Adinoz cut him off.

“I know you’re angry at me, for not being careful enough with Advancing your universe,” He said, handing the book over to Daemon. “Giving you to Ankhoner, whatever plans he has for you. Although I might be ancient and powerful, I am not without faults. But know this, even though it wasn’t your decision, I owe you for saving me from the Council. The book is a hope that you will not hate me for what happened. There is something Ankhoner hasn’t told you. Something he forbade me to tell you. For a Rift to function, existing structures from its previous universe need to be destroyed. People need to start as a blank slate, having no advantage over any other. No pre-existing bonds or societal structures. This means altering their memories of their previous universe. Countries and governments, certain beliefs or convictions, all of them wiped from their memories or altered. The same is true for memories of the ones you are closest to. The most drastic measure takes is altering the most core concept of their individuality. Their names. I sadly can't replicate or influence this. So this book is not only an apology to you but also a chance to rectify it.”

Before Daemon could react or ask any more questions, Adinoz stood up abruptly, done with all explanations. Turning his back to Daemon, he didn’t show him the sad smile on his face. He finally had someone to talk to and here he was, sending him on his way in the clutches of Ankhoner. He could only hope Ankhoner would quickly forget about Daemon, but he wasn’t very optimistic.

“I wish you good luck Daemon from Earth,” He said, opening a portal to a random place in the Rift. “May your days be fruitful and your paths bountiful.” With those words, he displaced Daemon through the portal, sending him to a new world.

The first thing Daemon noticed was the smell. He found himself in a forest, surrounded by trees. Sunshine shone on his face, grass poking into his back. But the smell, he couldn’t describe it. It was the smell of home, freshly cut grass, and freshly baked cookies all at the same time. He couldn’t get enough of it. He breathed in deeply and slowly, closing his eyes. He just wanted to enjoy the moment for a little while. He deserved it, after what he had been through. Some quiet would do him good, maybe sleep for a little while.

“Wake up, you idiot,” A voice suddenly said. Daemon shot up, looking around him. He was still in the forest, but he could no longer see the sun. Luckily not one, but two large, bright moons were in the sky.

“Hello, anybody there?” He shouted, hearing only the slight rustle of the leaves in the wind. I must have imagined it. He did spot the small book Adinoz had given him. Picking it up, he unbound the leather strings holding it closed, and opened it. Browsing through the book, he found it empty. Adinoz had seemed sincere when he offered him the book. Thinking about it, he guessed Ankhoner was responsible. When I was unconscious on the couch, Ankhoner must have told Adinoz to give me hope for actually finding my family while actually giving me an empty book. It doesn’t matter. What he told me about me having more potential must have been true. He seemed to be genuinely laughing at what Ankhoner did. I will find a way.

“Of course he was telling the truth,” Said the voice again, this time Daemon was sure he was not imagining it. “Why would he lie?” Looking around again he couldn’t find the source of the voice. “For the Ascended’s sake, I have an idiot. How could Ankhoner be so cruel? Just will me to be visible and you can see me.”

Although Daemon was sure he had been trying to see the voice all along, he mentally willed for it to appear before him. What appeared before him, was not what he expected. Instead of some sort of demon or ghost, akin to Ankhoner’s appearance, a small replica of the gargoyle’s he had seen in the temple appeared. It was as big as Daemon’s fist, hovering in front of him. Since his wings were way too small to fly, it had to be using some kind of magic. Daemon wanted to say something, but the gargoyle put his finger on his lips and shushed him.

“Yeah yeah, you have questions,” It said in Daemon’s head, flying to Daemons and sitting on his left shoulder. But right now we have bigger problems. Don’t move an inch and listen. Right behind you is an [Abyss Screamer]. Whatever you do, don’t make a sound. Don’t move. They are blind and should leave you alone when the sun rises.”

Not knowing whether the creature was telling the truth, Daemon decided he couldn’t risk it. He was in an unfamiliar, hostile environment. And the first thing he did was take a nap. I really am an idiot. Silently chastising himself, he tried to distract himself by making a list of things to do in his mind. Short term goals first. I need to find out if this gargoyle is dependable or not. Having a source of information will be invaluable. Next, I need to find people. Finding my family and friends would be the end goal, but the odds of that happening are slim at best. Finally, I need to take a good look at the book Adinoz gave me.

With his plan laid out, all Daemon could do was wait. It turns out that sitting completely still with a monster behind you was not very fun. So without something to occupy his mind, it started to wander as time crept on. The [Abyss Screamer] behind him terrified him. Apart from the instinctual fear of the unknown, he knew any monster here must be way too strong for him to fight. Adinoz had said Aether would be used to enhance him to enable them to fight. Ankhoner already had done so. But Daemon didn’t even feel strong enough to take on a wild animal from Earth. Let alone whatever monstrosities awaited him here. So he waited, silently and without moving.

When he finally felt the sun hit his back, he tried talking to the gargoyle again. It didn’t answer at first. When it finally did, it appeared in front of him, rolling in the air laughing.

“You should have seen your face,” It said while laughing. “I’ve never seen someone have so many ways to look scared. And when I did those sounds behind you, brilliant” Clicking his fingers, a small bat appeared next to him. It screeched softly, trying its hardest to get away from the gargoyle’s magical hold. “Behold the terrifying [Abyss Screamer]!”

“The name is Adelax,” He said, holding out his tiny hand. “In case you were wondering. I’m sorry for the little prank, I just couldn’t help myself. I am sent here by Ankhoner, mostly to make sure you don’t die too quickly. And of course for hilarious pranks like these.” It chuckled again before setting the [Abyss Screamer] free.

“Hi Adelax, my name is Daemon,” Daemon grumbled, taking the offered hand delicately between two fingers. “I would say it’s a pleasure, but so far it hasn’t been one. So you are now my personal guide or something?”

“No, no, no, you really are an idiot,” Adelax said, shaking his head. “I can only answer some questions, and only if you ask the right questions. My knowledge comes directly from Ankhoner. He decides what I can and cannot answer. We can talk while you walk, we have a long way to go.” With those words he flew up in the air, waiting at the edge of the clearing they were in.

Daemon stood up, picking up his only possession, and followed the gargoyle. It took him a while to catch up, sometimes losing him between the trees. When he finally did catch up, they had come to a large, swirling river. The sun stood high in the sky, meaning he had been walking for about half a day and he was getting increasingly thirsty. Adelax was sitting on a rock, enjoying the sun.

“Where are we going?” Daemon asked, kneeling to drink from a calmer section of the river. The water tasted fresh and cold. He was tired and the hospital gown was torn in multiple spots from traversing the forest. So he sat down next to the gargoyle, stretching his aching legs, and waited for a response.

“Since you are new to this, I’ll help you along here,” Adelax eventually said. “Don’t expect it to be so easy every time. I am helping you to get to the closest settlement. Before we get there, you need to know a few things. First of all, you can keep track of how strong you are. Just think ‘Status’.”

Doing as he was told, Daemon almost fell from his rock when his status appeared before his eyes.

Name: Daemon

Species: Humanoid-Daemon (lvl 1)

Class: -

Status

Health: 46/50

Stamina: 16/60

Mana: -

Vitality: 5

Endurance: 6

Strength: 4

Agility: 4

Intelligence: 6

Wisdom: 5

Skills

N/A

Titles

[Ascended Owed]

[Ascended Owned]

Immediately Daemon noticed his 50 health corresponded with the 5 vitality and the 60 stamina with the 6 endurance. What did bother him was the lack of mana. It was obvious from his talk with Adinoz that using mana was one path to growing stronger. And to see one closed already didn’t fill him with optimism. Before he could focus on the rest, Adelax started speaking again.

“As you can see,” Adelax said. “This shows you all you need. It will increase by being granted Aether by the Ascended. For now, increasing Aether can only be done by defeating creatures sent by the Shades. You will learn all of this fast enough”

Pointing towards the north, he continued. “Around a day’s walk that way lies the city of Silverhill. At least some of your people are there. On the way, you will encounter plenty of monsters. The roads are never safe, let alone the wilds. Ankhoner will be watching.”

With those words, the gargoyle disappeared. Not appearing or answering any questions Daemon had. Looking up, Daemon saw that since the sun was still right above him, he would need to walk until night had long since fallen. Assuming his stamina could keep up, which it probably couldn’t. And taking anything he learned about monsters on Earth, they were most active at night.

So with no time to lose, he started walking north along the river. While walking, he thought about what he had learned about this new place. When he first arrived, his enhanced senses had been overwhelmed. Especially the intoxicating scent in the forest. But however hard he tried to get that smell back, after his nap he didn’t smell it anymore. At first, Daemon thought it had to do with habituation. But even after smelling a particularly strong-smelling fruit, he found hanging in a tree, the scent didn’t return.

Apart from the weird scent and the two moons in the sky, he didn’t find anything different from Earth. That is until now. Exiting a small grove next to the river, he suddenly found himself in front of a [Flamecreeper]. Along with a sudden ping in his head and a message appearing the same way as the Status had appeared earlier that day.

*New skill learned* Identify (lvl 1)