Chapter 51: Take a Seat

Welcome, Sovereign, To the Temple of Joppa.

The message appeared before Trint, but a voice also spoke the message aloud for all present.

Do you wish to exercise your authority and claim the surrounding lands?

“What would that do?” Trint asked the System voice.

Exercising Sovereign Authority will give you command of the temple and the surrounding Spirit. This will give you Subsystem control to prevent your citizens from being sent unwillingly to the System and direct 10% of their Exp to you while in the Subsystem. You can reinitiate the System access for forced population of instances, and if that option is selected, you will gain 20% of the Exp they earn during Instances.

“Why is there so much Spirit in the Subsystem, and yet no one here seems to be able to access it?” Trint asked.

The System requires Spirit for the transfer of Subsystem entities to instances. The ambient Spirit has been blocked to maintain at least a minimum threshold, for instance, population transfers. If you exercise your authority and claim the territory, you will have access to assign Spirit resources not exceeding the system minimum threshold.

“What is the current Spirit used by the citizens here, and what is the threshold minimum?”

The current Subsystem population is allowed Spirit access set at 0%. The amount reserved for the Subsystem threshold is approximately 8%.

“What other privileges would I get if I exercised authority now?”

Subsystem transport may be established from Temple locations, and access is controlled by the acting Sovereign. Currently, one acting Sovereign in Subsystem: Trinten Atlas Henderson. Additional Privileges based on Class/Subclasses: Creator- Sovereign may allocate subsystem resources to generate infrastructure. Keeper - subsystem citizens of Sovereign’s territories may be prevented from automatic system instance population. System access, for instance, population, may be toggled or adjusted. System access outside of instances is not allowed at the current level of authority. Governor - this subclass allows access to government subsystem controls for the Sovereign’s territory. This allows for the dissolution or formation of military and governmental organizations. Appointment of Subsystem acknowledged leadership, classes, and professions.

“Are there any disadvantages to exercising authority now?” Trint was afraid there was a catch.

Trint’s question was greeted by silence.

“Let’s give this a try. I wish to exercise my authority as Sovereign and claim this territory!” Trint shouted.

Immediately Trint felt a new connection to the entire territory. Similar to his Spirit perception but on a grand scale. The land of this territory made up the size of Earth’s China, and he had only seen a small portion so far. Joppa was near the region’s center, with countless cities within the territory’s boundaries. Joppa was both the city name and the territory name.

The System displayed a Map for Trint of his territory. Trint mentally pinched the view to zoom out. He did this until he saw they were on a planet much like the earth’s size. Exploring the map, Trint found some other temples on the planet. He was curious, so he zoomed out further and asked the System.

“Are there other planets in the Subsystem with life, and do they have temples or a sovereign?

There are temples, but no other sovereigns exist in the Subsystem. There are multiple inhabited planetary bodies with sentient life, and each planet has one or more temples.

Do you wish to rename your territory?

“No, keep it named Joppa; I like it.” Trint decided.

You now have access to the Territory Subsystem controls and may interact with the territory from the control screen.

Recommended Changes based on Class and Subclasses: Create a new governmental/leadership structure for Joppa territory utilizing Governor Subclass Initiate Leadership Bond with Territory population utilizing Keeper Subclass Create city infrastructure using Creator Class

“Are there any recommendations for infrastructure?” Trint asked the System.

Infrastructure Improvement Recommendations: Water and Waste Management Systems Academy and Education centers Hospital and clinics Centralized Police Force Entertainment Restructured Tax system

The list went on with more recommendations.

“Can I access these controls outside this room? Also, how do I access the transportation?”

Territory controls have been added to your system controls. Transportation access through the main throne room. Use your Temple map to locate this and other locations.

“Can I delegate some of these leadership functions to others under me?”

You may delegate or assign territory controls to others. System-enforced contracts will be enforced to prevent mismanagement or disloyalty.

Trint and the guards followed the updated map function in Trint’s menu and made their way to the primary worship hall. As they entered the vast hall, a few priests and guards pointed to Trint’s party and started yelling.

“There he is, guards! Guards, grab him.”

Trint’s four guards stood facing out with him in the middle. Each now bearing a sword and ready to take on the growing contingent of guards loyal to the priests.

“What did you do?” The chief priest yelled, pushing through the guards and his fellow priests. “How dare you challenge our authority. We have served this temple for generations, and you can’t come along and….”

“Stop!” Trint commanded. Somehow his voice carried a new authority. ‘I think they need to see me as someone with authority,’ he thought to Pneuma. ‘What about this?’

Trint had felt a deep connection to his territory since claiming it. His mind was beginning to grasp the nature of his relationship to the System and his new role here. He was not just a manager of a landmass; and it was a part of him. Everything within his borders was his to command.

Looking back, Trint understood that many of his actions had been impulsive and foolish, and Pneuma was patient and forgiving. If a switch had flipped with his system promise in the hands of Baruch, then finally, the lights were coming on.

Trint felt one with the entire territory, and the temple was an extension of his Spirit. Trint had grown creative in his battle forms, now was time for a more political statement.

Trint allowed the ground below him and his guards to rise 4 feet. Now on a bit higher stage, he began to stroll forward. As he did, the guards kept their distance on each side of him, and most shocking to the onlookers was that the raised platform roiled and moved as if it were sliding across the temple floor. Trint moved towards the area formerly used for worshipers and their services. The rows of benches and worshippers were now scattering and watching as the Sovereign arrived.

As Trint progressed with his guards, he raised the platform by another 4 feet but extended this step wider as if it were a step on a four-sided pyramid. Then he repeated it again and again. Until there were 4 steps to the top, Trint’s feet were 16 feet from the ground floor.

Next, Trint turned to face the crowd, and the priests were now silent. Trint addressed the crowd.

“You all have been awaiting a savior, a sovereign, a breaker of chains, and a pardon to the System’s sentence of slavery. I am your freedom.”

“You see me know as a man of the System, a Stem’r. But I tell you, I was once a man. I once had a family, and I once was powerless to protect them. I am here now to gain the power to protect you and find my family. The man that I was is dead to me. I am now and will forever be a Sovereign.”

At the end of his proclamation, his Mind and Spirit connected to his deeper identity. An image of a kingly figure, draped in a robe, covered in gold and glittering armor. Yet never forgetting his humble beginnings in the shadows of Pneuma. He maintained the image of the glittering king balanced in shadow. But a king’s head absent a crown is naked. Trint wanted to communicate power and command respect. With his Spirit, he created a glowing golden crown. The crown rose off his head and floated above it. It was like the crown hovered, but the connection was liquid as if the crown dripped gold that pooled on his head and then flowed back up to the crown in a perpetual cycle.

Trint had no need to breathe beneath his armor of shadow and gold Spirit, and the armor was more regal and powerful than he had ever created. The Subsystem was rich in Spirit, and now he held that power in his grasp.

Before he did anything else, he formed a black and golden throne a step behind him and bathed the surface of his stepped pyramid in gold. As his intentions and convictions firmed his resolve, he took a seat and began his rule as Sovereign of Joppa. For now, he ruled a territory. How long would it take to rule the planet, and would ruling the Subsystem help him get to his family?

The priest looked up along with the crowd gathered in the pyramid. They all were in shock and whispered their fears and hope. There was now an influx of onlookers that flooded in from the streets. Apparently, the entire pyramid was glowing. City guards were among the throngs pressing in to see the disturbance.

Trint was smiling. He finally felt like he had made another step toward his family and gained more power to get to them.

‘Pneuma, I’m ready to learn. Forgive my ignorance and arrogance. I realize now that I am but a speck of dust in the System. Help me rule well.’

’ Trint, you have done as expected for an earthling of middling intelligence,’ Pneuma laughed. ‘I’m teasing, of course. You are forgiven. Now, I can offer any assistance you might need. I recommend executing some of the territory options and making the most of this territory before moving on to another. May I have your permission to access the controls for the territory?’

Trint directed the System controls to accept inputs from Pneuma. That worked as requested, and Pneuma went to work reviewing their options and split his attention to observe their surroundings and talk to Trint.

‘The recommendations from the System make logical sense. Even with our specific expansion strategy, I see the benefit of exploring the functions here before moving to Atlas Citadel or another connected Temple.’

‘Agreed. Do you think talking to the local authority first is in our best interest?’

‘That is probably wise, though if you want, we could force everyone out of here, seal off the temple, and just work with the system controls. It depends how much theater you want to partake in.’

‘Theater?’

‘Yes, how much do you want to flex your power in front of the former leaders and their forces? We can do this publicly or just have the System demote them while promoting any of those who will form a contract promising loyalty and service.’

‘I hate to be so human, and I still feel we owe them something. I will grant them freedom, but that will cost them if things repeat as they have with Iliana, Jester, and Cajan.’

At the mention of his latest traveling companions, Trint stretched out his Spirit towards the Inn they were supposed to be in. To Trint’s surprise, he found them in their room, sitting on their bed, across from a human-shaped Pneuma, explaining their current situation and making them an offer.

“Jester, as the second and third members of the Subsystem to pledge yourselves loyal to Sovereign Trint, we wish to offer you a new class. This can be in addition to your Spirit Smith Class. Would you like to be the Joppa Temple Overseer? You would manage affairs at the temple.”

“As you were a shepherd of your flock, you will have a staff to help you manage the many who use the temple. There will be many changes, but we wish to offer you and your son a safe place to live, work and grow. You will no longer need to go to the System instances and be allowed to gain Exp from your classes.”

‘Wow, that’s a great idea,’ Trint thought. ‘We will need a lot of help if we plan to rule and organize millions of people or someday billions or more. Find a way to get those two to the temple.’

Trint was sitting silently on his throne. But he decided that the time for secrecy over Pneuma was passed.

“Pneuma, please form a body and join me near the throne,” Trint voice boomed over the sound of the growing crowd. Another throne formed next to Trint’s, as did four chairs for the guards. They all took the cue and sat. As the second throne finished forming into another gold and black grand chair, a pure black form grew to the size of a titan.

Less regal and noble but more intimidating. Out of the pitch, black of his form rose bones, and silvery fibers ran along bulging muscles. Where trint was the golden image of power, Pneuma was the Silver and Void Knight. To cap off the look, he formed a giant sword of Spirit and hardened it to shine silver. The edge was sharper than any crafted blade in the Subsystem.

The crowd was silent as their new Sovereign, and his advisor sat upon their thrones.