Staring back at his brother, Nameless needn’t parse through their [Telepathy] to feel the wariness he knew to be there. Shade stood a distance away from him, but his body was tense, his dark fur doing little to obscure his hesitant posture.
“He could learn some from my own successful deceptions…” He mused passingly, looking back towards where his reflection shimmering in the dim light, his own threads of [Telepathy] spinning together.
[Better enough…] Nameless answered, eyes tracing over every feature changed once again, a portion of his attention keeping watch of their union, [Though I seem to be quite… changed after all that has occurred.]
At the statement, he could feel their connection shiver with Shade’s curiosity and questions, the twinned strings rippling and flashing to the mind.
[The World has seen fit to bestow upon me a Trait.] He continued, the lie coming easy even without [Deception].
Nameless didn’t need the clarity of [Wisdom] to realize that admitting to having received not one, but two Traits, might yet further his brother’s apprehensions and misgivings towards him. Shade’s stance – and what thoughts and emotions flickered through, crudely hidden – doing much to tell him that, for all he had done to answer what questions were asked of him, his brother’s feelings towards him were as shaky as his limbs had been – while caught fully in the throes of his illness.
A small hiss made audible the sharp tang of surprise swirling down their connection from Shade, his words laced with a… reverence that drowned out his apprehension and anxiety, [New. Trait? World-Touched?]
Nameless turned away from the puddle – his visage lingering in his sight – to find Shade had closed some of the distance between them, his brother’s eyes searching him with a near palpable sheen of intrigue, [Touched? In some ways perhaps…]
Feeling Shade’s shocked admiration through their [Telepathy], he was greeted by the stark reminder that his acquisition of Traits thus far, was likely much in excess to what his siblings had managed to obtain themselves, “It is likely that they were similarly born with one, maybe two, Traits unique to themselves… but what are the chances they could have cultivated three additional ones within the Proving as myself?”
Traits were integral to the progression of all Monsters, and as Mythicals, it could almost be considered Nameless and his siblings’ birth right to amass them faster than the… lesser beings. However, that did not mean that they were easy to gain by any means…
And made it especially obvious that his having gained as many as he had was… unusual to admit.
[In others… not so much.] He resumed, bringing to Shade’s mind the many scars that now blemished his hide with a practiced telepathic touch, [These being the consequence of my receiving said blessing.]
He watched as Shade’s eyes widened with realization, the imagery and significance he attached to the wounds taking his brother a back, [Wounds. Will. Not. Heal?]
Shaking his head, Nameless padded back towards the river once more, sparing a moment to make sure that the waters remained clear of threats, [Not these ones, no.]
[Like. Mother’s. But. Not. Magic. Made.] The passing comparison between himself and Mother made Nameless stumble slightly. A quick flicker of [Proprioception] smoothed out the motion, Nameless sending a surreptitious glance towards Shade, eyes and mind searching for whether his brother had caught upon his slip.
He found Shade oblivious to his lapse, following him at a short distance, his brother’s attention on their surroundings rather than Nameless himself. [I… suppose so. Though I guess I should consider myself fortunate, that these wounds remain because of a Trait, rather than them being made by Magic.]
With [Constitution] all of his wounds would have inevitably healed, even if they were to remain as scars for a time. However – as could be remembered from the aged wounds that blemished their mother’s hide – there was one manner of wound that would persist, despite their shared [Constitution]…
Those made through Magic.
Whether by Spells or some manner of Magic-Touched anatomy, the most reliably dangerous manner of injury remained through the use of that which suffused their very being, “In the state I was, if those Jaguars were replaced by any creature capable of using Magic… I doubt I would have survived the conflict.”
Shade’s [Telepathy] carried the warmth of agreement to Nameless, the aversion to hostile magics a shared sentiment, [Good. Not. Magic. But. What. Trait. Do?]
The question was an innocent one, no feeling or scent of ulterior motivations brushing across his senses. Yet, Nameless still hesitated. His prior delirium had made him… loose with details, but he had still held fast to a great deal of his most important secrets.
Especially where his Traits were concerned.
Even then – with what he had divulged – his brother’s suspicions yet loomed between them, no amount of his explanations seeming to fully assuage Shade of the fear of Nameless’s possible Abnormality, “Telling Shade is not the problem…”
While Shade could still very well turn on him, that Nameless sensed curiosity waring down the sharper edges of his brother’s fear, made him more comfortable in believing that any conflict between them would be far off; Shade’s acceptance of his… peculiarities a tentative, yet very real one.
“But, that all I have said is likely to be learned by Mother is.” In his delirium, Nameless had lacked the foresight and strength necessary to act in any other manner but honestly. However, with that honesty, came his brother’s growing awareness of his capabilities… a knowledge that Shade was ill capable of hiding to their mother.
Nameless did not regret speaking truthfully – even if it was only because he lacked the clarity of mind to focus on lying – his survival, as well as avoiding conflict with his sibling, of far greater importance at the time. Only now, greeted by yet another pointed question, did he have to contemplate what the future likely held for him, once that knowledge became known to Mother…
A creature that he could see as nothing but the greatest threat to his life.
“While possible, I do not believe Shade will become a threat. His… apprehension reasonable given all we know of Abnormals.” His thoughts had moved quickly, much like the waters before him had when enraged by a storm, “On the other paw, his curiosity surrounding me is one.”
As much as he may desire to do so, Nameless could not avoid the question… however, mind now devoid of much of the haze that had clouded his thoughts, he could see an opportunity.
[It does much.] With [Deception] obscuring his intentions, he conjured to mind an… alternative vision of the Trait he had mentioned –
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Battle Scarred:
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You are marked by battle, of enemies without and within; your hide scarred, flesh scoured, and mind honed by the conflicts your form has undergone… and yet, you have persevered.
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Slightly increased hide toughness.
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Your Soul and Mentality gain a slight increase to their overall resilience, ease of function under strain, and ability to utilize Skills.
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The heavy presence of scarring slightly reduces overall mobility and ease of movement.
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Your Stamina is slightly hindered with increased times to recovery and rates of exhaustion
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– For as quickly he had put it together – feeling his brother’s attention swarm around the feigned Trait with haste – he believed it entirely suitable for his desires.
With the scars crossing his body in mind, he used [Scarred Hide] as the root of the lie. Then, he took from [Harrowed], laying some of its details into the idea, in just the same way as he wove strings of [Telepathy] together – strengthening the clarity…
Before, with a hint of inspiration, deciding to include a small hint of [Soul Resilience].
It was a precarious construct, hastily designed with but one goal in mind; to answer for his changes as much as possible without giving away the greatest aspect of all, that [Scarred Hide] was an [Upgradeable] Trait.
Under the expectation that his mother would learn of it, he had to obscure his having gained a Trait capable of growing in potency with him, “If she already considers me a threat to whatever her plans for Fang are… then learning of [Scarred hide] – let alone [Soul Resilience] or [Mana Conduits] – would certainly see me dead by her claws…”
The passing thought caused his focus to waver, his fangs grinding against one another while he frantically reasserted control over the telepathic impression, “Good thing Shade cannot see my face.”
A grimace creased and warped his features, his mind and soul straining to keep even a hint of his duplicity from being revealed to Shade. [Telepathy] and [Deception] were pushed to their utmost limits, his every thought and impression being as carefully crafted as he was capable, displaying nothing beyond what he desired Shade to see.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
A more experienced mind would have likely seen right through his manipulations; his knowledge, proficiencies, and experience woefully inadequate for such a complex ruse. However – guiding memories and emotions into place – with the layering of greater and greater detail over the false Trait, Nameless could feel Shade’s belief in what was presented grow… even if, so too, did the strain on him grow as well.
[Powerful. But. Burdensome.] While he struggled to keep the vison whole and stable, his brother’s attention rolled over the telepathic imagery like a wave over a shore. Shade’s intrigue was clear and, while there were sharp pulses of fear and apprehension, a particular susurrus of emotion stood out to Nameless even through his yet occupied mind…
Admiration.
It felt like an early morning’s heat, a gentle touch that banished the cold that had managed to burrow below his fur to the hide underneath. There was a shift of thought with Shade’s burgeoning admiration, the longer he evaluated the “Trait” – and the circumstances Nameless attached to its occurrence – the more it wriggled up to the surface of his mind to stand beside his loudest emotions.
It wound around his brother’s curiosity, hesitance, and fear, melding into each to create an utterly unique flavor of the mind that Nameless had yet to experience before.
[For all I experienced to receive it, I believe the Trait… suitable both for what it gives and what it hinders.] Splitting a portion of his focus away from retaining the false Trait, Nameless formed a second telepathic connection. He bit back a groan, the strain of his Skills, mind, and soul sharply increasing, but it was of the utmost necessity for him to continue the farce; communicating to Shade in such a way that he wouldn’t realize the difficulties Nameless’s lie was causing him.
Sweat rolled down his face, jaw clenched tight enough that his scarred cheek began to twitch uncontrollably, [Especially given that most of those experiences were at the paw of my own foolishness.]
Nameless allowed the memories of his conflicts prior to the Jaguars to cascade down the second connection, baiting Shade to give them his attention and save himself from the mental drain of retaining the vision of the “Battle Scarred” Trait.
[What. Mean?] The statement prodded at his brother’s curiosity in just the intended way to elicit a response, the sense of his brother’s focus slipping from one braid of [Telepathy] to the next.
[Well…] Nameless nearly sighed in relief as he dispersed the false Trait, grabbing hold of the telepathic threads to weave the scattering fetters into a singular connection, [You did not believe the Jaguars to be the only reason I was in such dire straits when you found me?]
[Deception] falling to the back of his mind, Nameless turned – face placid – the burden of his lie alleviated near instantaneously. His eyes meeting his brother’s, he knew exactly where Shade was through their connection, finding a none too subtle awkwardness leaping across his eyes and [Telepathy] both.
He chuffed at the sight, the exhalation causing his left cheek to twitch sharply, [I had gotten… reckless, the fight with the Jaguars was the last of moons worth of conflict.]
His brother’s eyes widened with the blooming of Nameless’s memories, the myriad battles he had undergone swimming down their union in a flood of sensation. Every sound, scent, and touch was remembered, the confused and agitated storm of his emotions roiling between them with as much clarity as when he had been actively experiencing them…
With none such greater a clear sensation than pain.
He needn’t have looked at his brother to see Shade was enraptured by his experiences, his brother’s curiosity wrapping tightly around each memory as a Vine Python would prey, [While the clarity of these memories will one day fade, the World has seen fit to carve their lessons into my hide so they may never completely disappear.]
[World-Touched.] Again, that title rose from Shade’s mind with a whisper, laced heavy with reverence and admiration only now more… pointed.
Shade’s attention moved down the braid of [Telepathy], passing the memories in a glittering light of focus, [World-Touched. Given. Great. Gift.] His words came with the rich colours of conviction, a resoluteness that could consider the Trait he had inspected as anything but a boon placed upon him, a direct recognition from the World itself.
“Thank you, Shade.” A current of guilt swirled deeply within him, the burden of manipulating his brother as heavy as that created by his crafted Trait, “But if you knew the truth, I do not believe you would consider me “World-Touched” at all… and neither would Mother, if she were to learn the same.”
If Shade believed the Trait were real, it would be to all those who touched his memories of this moment. Any mistakes or oddities would appear as naught but quirks of the passage of time, the details blurring in clarity with the distance of days, doing exactly what Nameless hoped… throwing doubt onto his brother’s thinking.
At a careful glance into his thoughts, the consideration that he was Abnormal still lingered on his brother’s mind, but now it waged for space against this newest admiration of his being World-Touched, “I forget how young you – as well as myself – truly are…”
“And I am sorry that I must use your inexperience for my own means, brother.” There was far too great a risk that Shade’s current opinions of him would motivate Mother to… dispose of him, the belief that he was Abnormal – whether true or false – impetus enough to remove what he was all too aware she already considered a threat.
Which meant he would have to confuse his brother’s opinions of him as much as possible in the time they shared outside of their mother’s attentions.
[Why do you still fear me, brother?] The suddenness of Nameless’s question startled Shade, his focus recoiling down their [Telepathy] with a confused flare of emotions.
The question lingered between them in much the same way as Shade’s considering him Abnormal did, a heavy mental silence falling across their connection, the telepathic threads completely inert. Nameless did not move to pursue an answer, allowing the question – and silent tension – to conjure a natural response from his brother, aware that trying to hasten a reply would only work against his intentions.
He kept both visual and mental watch over Shade, dipping a singular mental claw into his mind to feel the currents that swum beneath the surface. Confusion, trepidation, fear, and anxiety made Shade’s mind appear to his own as a violent tempest of dizzying hues, the tension within reflected without in the coiling of his brother’s muscles and defensive posture.
Heart beats passed, his full attentions on Shade, the only sounds filling Nameless’s ears the soft patter of rain and the distant wildlife of the jungle, “There it is…”
A slight twitch – eyes meeting his own – and a flash of that curiosity that had suffused so many of their recent interactions, gave way to a shimmer of Shade’s [Telepathy] pressing through their connection to meet Nameless’s mind.
[Much. Different. Voice. Words. Mind. Clear. Old. Abnormal.] With the utterance, Nameless felt the full depth of his brother’s emotions, seeing through Shade’s eyes the myriad idiosyncrasies he had witnessed from him that gave birth to his brother’s belief…
But also, where there was a chance of fostering doubt.
Burying the sickness he felt in taking advantage of Shade, Nameless pressed forward, [Do you feel the same about our sister?]
Conjured to mind was a vision of Quiet, of her voice and mind especially. He himself had wondered at what manner of Trait allowed for her to communicate so clearly, but his own curiosity was of little consequence when her ability allowed an ideal path forward. Memories of their sister’s intelligence filled their [Telepathy], the sensation of her interactions different, but only vaguely dissimilar to those of Nameless’s own.
He continued to fill the space between their minds with Quiet’s voice, [Deception] rising to hone his motions while he began to subtly adjust some of his memories and presentations, “Carefully.”
It was not his goal to convince Shade to completely disregard his opinion – the sudden absence of suspicion likely as concerning as Shade’s current judgment – but to begin to weather it down as a river does stone…
Until such a time as the belief collapsed under its own weight.
With their connection filled with comparisons between himself and Quiet, Nameless watched as a surge of uncertainty began to colour Shade’s thoughts, making the maelstrom of his thoughts all the more volatile.
[N-No. Sister. Different. But. Not…] Nameless could sense his brother trying to stabilize his thoughts, the tangy scent of conflict fluttering across their union while Shade audibly growled, [Your. Change. Sudden. Mind. Too. Fast. Too. Clear. Too… Heavy. Not. Same.]
There was a stubbornness to his brother’s thoughts, his mind too clever not to put together such a conclusion given all of that he had witnessed of Nameless… but also too clever not to begin seeing fault in his conclusion when confronted with a reasonable alternative, “Just one more push…”
[I do not believe myself capable of convincing you that I am not an Abnormal…] Nameless pulled heavily upon [Deception] to create a false memory, entwinning it with the surrounding memories of Quiet’s capabilities to obscure its being faked, [However, I believe it possible a combination of these may well have made for my sudden change – ]
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Your Soul and Mentality gain a slight increase to their overall resilience, ease of function under strain, and ability to utilize Skills.
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– The strain far less than when he had to bring about the full “Trait,” he first returned to “Battle Scarred,” conjuring up the singular relevant line, immensely glad he had decided to use a portion of [Soul Resilience] in its creation –
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[Telepathy] : (Untrained - Natural) - Level 98
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You are capable of communicating through a melding of Soul and Mind; utilizing words, impressions, emotions and more to interact with others through a mental connection.
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- Further capabilities locked without access to requisite Affinity -
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– Its content a slightly altered impression of his [Telepathy] skill, the second conjuration rose from his mind to hover beside the “Battle Scarred” text. The strain upon him grew once more, keeping the altered visions and myriad memories within the braid of [Telepathy] requiring his utmost focus… however one last detail was required –
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Growth: [1<sup>st</sup> Stage] - Level 99
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– The easiest to bring about from the crags of his mind, seeing his current true level brought a small smile to his lips, completely unbidden. In all his focus on the appearance of the two Traits and – shortly after – the appearance of Shade, his successful rising to the height of the 1st Stage fell to the shadows.
But now, scintillating amongst the entwinned strings of [Telepathy], his progression could not be ignored.
In comparison to the lines of his “new Trait” and the manipulated [Telepathy], his Growth was seemingly out of place. Yet, Nameless would not dismiss it for the integral context its Level provided…
Experience.
He was unaware of Shade’s own Level, however he was confident in considering it to be less than his own. Which, when combined with everything else that he displayed, did what any amount of his words likely could not.
“Provide him the scent, but leave him to follow the trail on his own.” Amongst all the teachings he and his siblings shared, one was always considered paramount…
“The strong are the only ones worthy of survival.”
Nameless was a paw away from stepping into the Second Stage, possibly being even the first of their siblings to do so, “So? Are my capabilities because of my being Abnormal, or just by virtue of my being stronger?”
He could taste Shade’s conflicted thoughts, the cloying sour sensation making his stomach curl in upon itself at the reminder that his deceptions were the cause… when the sound of Quiet’s voice steadied him –
“We will see each other again. Survive and thrive brothers, return to us all victorious.”
“Do not dare die, dear brother…”
– Nameless took a slow breath, allowing his sister’s words to flow through him and calm the discourse that threatened to tear him apart, “I will make sure of it dear sister, even if I must twist my words and very soul to convince him… I will make sure that we both will live to see you again.”
“That we both return victorious…” His mind slowly calming, Nameless focused on his brother – Shade’s mind still a roiling torrent of opposing thought – and… watched, allowing his brother the time to think.
And using it for himself as well…