The campfire crackled softly beside them, casting flickering shadows that danced on the trees surrounding their small camp. Nora and Sumi continued their conversation. It flowed slowly, giving them that so-needed respite after this tumultuous day. The night was getting darker with every minute, and the once-vibrant colors of the forest had given way to muted shades of twilight. Still, the surroundings seemed much more intense to Nora. It was as if the saturation setting was tuned up too high. The sky above was a canvas of deep indigo, only bolstering that feeling, with stars beginning to shimmer faintly in the distance.
The fire''s warmth and reddish hue created a cozy, intimate atmosphere. The sounds of the forest had quieted as if the world itself was holding its breath, waiting for something profound to happen. The flickering light created shifting patterns on the ground and nearby tree trunks, the shadows stretching and retreating with every gust of wind.
Feeling the weight of exhaustion finally catching up with her after the intense day, Nora shifted closer to Sumi, seeking warmth and comfort. The ground beneath her was cool, but at least the blanket of moss and grass softened it. Nora''s head rested gently in Sumi''s lap, and the softness of Sumi''s fur-covered thighs offered a sense of peace that Nora hadn''t felt in weeks.
Sumi, smaller in stature but strong and sure, instinctively adjusted her position to cradle Nora more comfortably. She ran her fingers through Nora''s fiery red hair, her golden eyes glowing softly in the firelight. The gentle touch of Sumi''s hand on Nora''s forehead was calming, a rhythmic motion that lulled Nora into a sense of security. Nora could feel the soft rise and fall of Sumi''s breathing, a steady rhythm that somehow complemented the quiet crackle of the fire. Sumi''s scent was unexpectedly pleasant. It wasn''t absolutely foreign but, at the same time, definitely not human. And it only improved Nora''s sense of calm.
Around them, the flickers of fire continued to play tricks in the darkness, stretching tall and thin along the trees before vanishing into nothingness, only to return again with each move of the flames. The light danced on their faces, illuminating Sumi''s soft fur and Nora''s sun-kissed skin in a warm, amber glow. The night air carried a cool breeze, but it wasn''t chilling. It was too early to judge, but this world seemed very mild in many aspects. And the heat from the fire kept both women comfortable, a cocoon of warmth in the darkness of the night.
Their bodies entangled, and their voices dropped to a whisper. Nora and Sumi whispered about their strange connection from the first serendipitous encounter to the present moment. They shared stories of their worlds and the unexplainable events that had brought them closer. But they also talked about simpler things, like their biggest dreams and deepest fears, and building this… relationship… that started developing.
Nora felt Sumi''s tail wrap around her gently, an unconscious act of comfort. She smiled to herself, feeling the soft fur brush against her legs. The sensation was soothing, almost protective. It reminded her of the first moment she felt the soft touch of the foxkin''s fur on her skin. And Nora''s eyelids grew heavier with each passing moment.
As the fire began to burn lower, welcoming deeper shadows, the world around them grew quiet and still. The canopy of trees overhead swayed gently in the night breeze, and the sounds of distant creatures rustling in the underbrush only added to the peacefulness of the moment. In the comforting embrace of the firelight and Sumi''s presence, Nora''s thoughts began to drift, her body relaxing into the warmth and softness of the night.
When she was almost ready to drift to sleep, Nora felt a profound shift deep within her. A sensation that went beyond the physical. It was as if something bigger-than-life had taken root, a connection between her and Sumi that transcended mere companionship. It was a feeling of unity, of being understood on the most basic level.
Simultaneously, Nora felt Sumi''s hips tense under her head. The foxkin woman sensed this change as well. And she gently placed a hand on Nora''s shoulder, her touch tender and grounding.
"Don''t be afraid," said Sumi. "That''s absolutely normal."
"What''s normal…?" asked Nora. But then…
…It wasn''t only a mere feeling. Suddenly, there was a mental projection that influenced Nora''s consciousness directly. In her mind''s eye, it opened like a debug console.
========== System Console ==========
Name: Nora Foxgrove
Title: Chosen One of the Goddess of Love
Level: 1 out of 5 - Apprentice
Total skill slots: 10
Used skill slots: 8
Skills left to choose: 2
========== Skills ==========
Aura Defences: 0.0% (new skill)
Dream Manipulation: 0.0% (new skill)
Emotional Influence: 0.0% (new skill)
Empathic Sensing: 0.0% (new skill)
Energy Sharing: 0.0% (new skill)
Healing: 0.0% (new skill)
Sensory Enhancement: 0.0% (new skill)
Sexual Magic: 0.0% (new skill)
Continue for more info [Y/N]?
Nora''s body jolted with surprise, causing her to quickly start up from her comfortable position in Sumi''s lap. She tried to swat the glowing text with her hand, but it didn''t want to go away. It didn''t even react when her arm passed through the letters.
"What the hell? Sexual magic?" Nora blurted out.
Sumi let out a playful laugh in response. "Can you really be that surprised after how we first met?" she teased.
Then, Sumi momentarily became serious. "But you want to tell me you know the names of your skills?" she asked. "That''s strange. I don''t think I have ever heard about any initiates knowing their skills right away. It is supposed to be no more than a vague feeling. Not that I know much about that stuff…"
When Nora stopped reading the menu, she noticed that Sumi suddenly became very quiet. Her gaze was introspective as if she was exploring something deep within her.
"What is it, Sumi?" she asked. "What do you feel?"
"That''s bizarre, you know," said Sumi. "I had always known magic existed in my world. But I never expected to experience it firsthand. Well, besides some simple rituals made by a village''s herbalist."
"So… magic… right…" said Nora.
"What else did you expect after you were transferred into a world of your dreams?" asked Sumi incredulously. "Yes, we have magic. But again, it''s not that widespread. I don''t think a proper mage ever came to our village. Even if I had some arcane wielders among my ancestors."
She looked at Nora expectantly.
"So, about the names of the skills," Sumi prompted. "This is very unusual. What else can you tell me, Nora?"If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
"It''s like text is appearing in my mind," Nora said. "It says I''m the ''Chosen One of the Goddess of Love,'' whatever that means. Wait, it looks like I can access more information."
Nora moved her finger before her, following the text and opening new menus.
A moment later, she exclaimed: "Yes! I have more!"
Then she read aloud:
========== Special Powers of the Chosen One ==========
Connection with Shrines of Love
Perceive the Stats of the True Mates
Share your Skills with the Keepers
Channel Skill Improvement from the Harem
Perceive the Affection of Mates
========== Quests ==========
Main: Unite the World with Love
Continue for more info [Y/N]?
Sumi leaned in close, her fur tickling Nora''s ear. And with a voice barely above a whisper, she spoke: "You don''t have to shout."
Then she drew back a bit and said, gesturing towards her own head: "It''s all happening within your consciousness," she tapped her temple for emphasis. "You don''t even need to speak aloud."
"Ah, right, that''s reasonable," answered Nora. "But what the hell? True Mates? The Harem?!?"
"To put it bluntly, all of that sounds right up the alley of the Goddess of Love," Sumi said. "But again, I''m not an expert. But even I have some ideas about some of these things."
"Yes?" said Nora. "And those ideas are?"
"You are naughty and impatient!" Sumi said, wagging her finger at Nora. "But this definitely confirms the suspicions I shared with you before. Can you get anything else? For me, it''s just a general feeling of what my powers do and that I have to choose a skill. But nothing specific, as I said."
"Wait, skills, let me see…" said Nora. "There was something about that as well. I need to choose two!"
"Two? That''s very unusual," exclaimed Sumi. "How many do you have in total?"
"Ten," said Nora." Is that strange?"
"Well, as I said, I''m not an expert," answered Sumi. "People with powers aren''t that rare, but it''s not like all the intricacies of their abilities are readily available and disclosed. Especially to us, non-mages. I only know that skills are usually granted to people touched by Higher Powers. And in the beginning, there should only be four skills available. Three are given right away, and one left for the person to choose. Legends say that the higher forces know your path and select the skills that fit you the best. But you are still given an opportunity to forge a personal story for yourself. Hence, the choice."
She took a deep breath, trying to calm her excitement. But in the end, she couldn''t hold it at bay.
"But ten skills?!?" she shouted. "Ten skills is insane! I guess it is because you are the Chosen One."
"Okay," said Nora, "I''m starting to feel overwhelmed again. Let''s do this step by step. I''ll access more info about my skills and will tell you everything I see. And you''ll help me to figure out what''s happening. Deal?"
"Deal!" said Sumi and extended her hand.
Nora shook the foxkin''s palm absentmindedly. Feeling the soft fur under her fingers suddenly grounded her. Anchored Nora in this strange moment. She couldn''t resist tracing Sumi''s soft fur along the foxkin''s arm. She stopped only when she got to her neck and breathed softly.
"I''m feeling overwhelmed again," Nora said. "But I''ll try to focus on smaller things."
She mentally reached out to the list of skills and started browsing, exploring the options.
========== Skill Availability ==========
Camp Building
Craftsmanship
Enhanced Physical Strength
Magic of Love
Nature Attunement
Optimism
Telepathic Communication
You have to choose 2 skills out of 7. Are you ready to choose [Y/N]?
"So," said Nora, "It seems that fair share of the skills they imposed on me are mostly focused on sensual stuff. Wouldn''t it be nice to balance them with something more useful? Here''s what I have offered to me: Camp Building, Craftsmanship, Physical Strength, Magic of Love, Nature Attunement, Optimism, Telepathic Communication."
She looked at Sumi with a pleading expression. Almost as if she wanted the foxkin to make that decision for her.
"What''s your opinion, Sumi?" Nora asked. "Or, at least, any advice?"
Sumi fiddled with her fingers as she spoke. "You are telling me that you are overwhelmed," she said. "But I can''t make this decision for you. At least you can see the names of the skills, thanks to your special powers. For me… I''m having trouble categorizing my skills as well as you do,"
She looked away, biting her lip nervously. "But if you really want my opinion, I feel like one of my skills aligns with your Healing Touch," Sumi said. "It feels like we''re tapping into the same source."
"Is that even possible? "asked Nora incredulously.
"That''s exactly what I''m trying to tell you!" exclaimed Sumi. "I don''t know! I don''t have any experience with any of that magical stuff! Even if my world has magic, I never had any. But maybe I should choose that one skill so we can compare notes and progress together?"
"Sounds smart," said Nora with an encouraging smile.
"As for your choice," Sumi continued, "Craftsmanship and Camp Building seem a bit too narrow. Nature Attunement is definitely something I have as well—it''s a skill that was present in my family more than once among the previous generations. If I were you, I''d take Telepathic Communication. I didn''t even know telepathy was possible at all. Probably, the people who have it prefer not to share they have this power."
"Right," said Nora. "I''ll take it and Enhanced Physical Strength as well. Not that I''m complaining about my physical abilities, but I feel it may become handy if we need to build something."
They both closed their eyes, and each took a deep breath, exploring the new abilities within themselves. After a moment of contemplation, Nora and Sumi nodded in agreement simultaneously. The decision had been made.
========== System Console ==========
Name: Nora Foxgrove
Title: Chosen One of the Goddess of Love
Level: 1 out of 5 - Apprentice
Total skill slots: 10
Used skill slots: 10
Skills left to choose: 0
========== Skills ==========
Aura Defences: 0.0%
Dream Manipulation: 0.0%
Emotional Influence: 0.0%
Empathic Sensing: 0.0%
Energy Sharing: 0.0%
Healing: 0.0%
Sensory Enhancement: 0.0%
Sexual Magic: 0.0%
========== New Skills ==========
Enhanced Physical Strength: 0.0% (new skill)
Telepathic Communication: 0.0% (new skill)
The next 2 skills available after level up to Initiate
"Did you know there will be more skills available after level up?" asked Nora in surprise.
With a deep sigh, Sumi frowned and rubbed her tired eyes. "No, as I said before, it''s not a widely discussed topic." Her words trailed off into a yawn that caused her mouth to stretch wide open.
"And besides," Sumi continued, stifling another yawn, "it''s not like we''re going to reach that point anytime soon." She leaned back against the tree trunk, the weariness evident in her posture and voice.
Nora was still excited about all the changes and new abilities she gained. To her, all of that felt like a fairy tale. Completely unreal. Even if it was getting late, her mind was focused on exploration. But it wasn''t the same for Sumi.
"I know it''s a lot to take in," Sumi said. "But it was an intense day, maybe we should go to sleep?"
"Yeah, you are probably right," said Nora and also yawned. Now, tiredness was overcoming her as well, as soon as she allowed her focus to slip away from the strange events of the recent hours.
With the fire casting its final embers into the cool night air, Nora felt her breathing slow down, matching the rhythmic rise and fall of Sumi''s chest. Her last conscious thought was of the warmth and safety that enveloped her, a sense of belonging that made the strangeness of this new world fade into the background. The shadows danced one final time across the camp before settling into a quiet, peaceful darkness.
Both of them fell asleep under the watchful eye of the stars, two figures in the vast expanse of the forest, yet perfectly content in the moment they shared.