《The Hrafn》 OW [0] The Flesh Is Weak The pain was unbearable¡ªfire ripping through her veins, her very soul screaming with each pulse. It should have ended, but it didn¡¯t. Silence. A void, cold and deep, enveloped her. She should¡¯ve been dead, but instead... stillness. She felt no terror, only an unexpected calm as the struggle ceased. Then the power hit. Raw. Violent. It tore into her, filling her with something foreign, something unnatural. Her body, no longer hers, jerked to life against her will. She was breathing, her heart beating, but it was wrong. Her eyes snapped open, and everything was a blur, but the pain was gone, replaced by the grotesque sensation of being trapped in a body that wasn¡¯t hers. Strapped to a table, limbs held fast, she tried to scream but no sound came. Her throat, gone. Metal arms hovered above her, sharp and surgical. Flesh peeled away, organs discarded as if they meant nothing. The arms replaced them¡ªcold, alien things, settling into her, into her very being. Then the darkness took her again. When she awoke, it was to a blinding light. Her senses returned, but she wasn¡¯t the same. Everything was sharper, clearer¡ªpainfully clear. Her body... her body was no longer flesh. Metal. Smooth, ivory metal. It pulsed with strange energy, veins of green light visible beneath the surface. She reached up, dread twisting in her gut, but the face staring back at her was not her own. A mask of cold, lifeless metal. She tried to move, to escape, but every inch of her felt foreign. Unfamiliar. The flood of strange words hit her, but they made no sense at first but soon meaning hit her. The knowledge was there, wedged into her mind like an invasive wire. She was being remade, body torn apart to be made from metal and wire. And then a voice, distant but clear. ¡°You are Muninn.¡± The memory was fading now, blurry and distant, like the edges of a dream. She awoke in a bed, the soft linens beneath her unfamiliar. Her fingers twitched, but this time there was no panic. She blinked, slowly, looking around. It wasn¡¯t a dream. Nothing was familiar to what she had known, who she used to be. Sitting up, she felt the seamless response of her new form. Every movement obeyed her thoughts with inhuman precision. She looked down at the body encasing her¡ªa perfect imitation of life, synthetic flesh stretched over cybernetic sinews. She was dead, this thing that she had become was only a copy of her linked by a soul thanks to her maker. There were so many questions and none that were given.She wasn¡¯t flesh and blood anymore. Even the sleep she had just emerged from wasn¡¯t real¡ªmerely a mechanism, a period for her neural pathways to align and integrate with the artificial systems in her body. ¡°I need to return to the Forest Father.¡± She said as she stood. Her nudity was not a problem, she could not feel hot nor cold and no clothing were given. Her mind raced with new words and connections that she would have never used in her previous life before she died. The room she was in was lit not with light crystals but electricity. The walls shimmered faintly under the golden glow, adorned with intricate patterns of gold and mythril. Blues, blacks, and whites melded seamlessly in the decor, speaking of culture and refinement. She acknowledged the beauty but dismissed it as irrelevant. She walked to the door, her mind connecting to the computer? Yes, the computer, that is the word her systems told her it was called. It was connected directly into her neural paths making it like an extension of herself. No mana was needed, no power beside thought. She marveled for a moment at the simplicity of the process then her mind told her it was anything but simple. It wasn¡¯t mana or magic but untold sciences that made even that mundane thing possible. She had not remembered much about the previous day, her mind was still acclimating to this new body. The Forest Father had to take direct manual control of her and guide her to this room. There the body could finish its, uh, updates? She was fairly sure that is what it was called. These new words were frustrating. The door slid open, and she froze. Her breath caught sharply in her throat¡ªa reflex she no longer required but still obeyed. Her systems quietly reminded her to exhale. Slowly, she complied, her eyes widening at the sight beyond. A massive window dominated the hallway, and through it, she saw her world. The planet glowed with a serene beauty, its blue-green surface illuminated by sunlight. Her thoughts stumbled as the systems calculated the distance: 46,573 miles. The number meant little to her. She cast it aside, her focus solely on the radiant orb before her. She stepped forward, reverently, never breaking her gaze. The window¡ªtransmetallite, her mind whispered¡ªwas not glass but a metal alloy designed to endure the harshness of the void. Irrelevant. She pressed her hand against its surface. Had she still been organic the sensation would have been cold but she felt only the dull sensation of pressure against her palm. Her organic self would have wept at such beauty, but now, her mechanical eyes remained dry. Despite everything, joy surged within her. It was not the joy of flesh, of tears and trembling breaths, but something spiritual. She was here, among the stars, in realms where only gods dared tread. Slowly, reverently, she sank to her knees, her body shivering¡ªnot from cold, not from grief, but from the sheer, overwhelming existential beauty. It had sunk in, the fact that she was chosen. That she was given a gift. She was alive. She was reborn. She was free to witness the divine. She was unsure how long she remained there at that window but she knew she had to keep going. She did have a duty of course and she would fulfill it. She had a long lingering look at the world below and then turned away to find her master. It shouldn''t be difficult, she could feel her connection to him and seem to know where he was on an instinctual level. As she walked she could not help but marvel at the fortress she was within. She''s scoffed when the systems in her head informed her she was not in a fortress but in an observation orbital station. In her previous life these words meant nothing to her but now she understood as the information flooded her mind. Instead of dismissing it as irrelevant she decided to listen to this information as it entered her mind. Several concepts were foreign to her such as the concept of something orbiting another¡¯s center of gravity due to mass. Her questions just led her systems to inform her of the orbital plane of her planet. The station wasn¡¯t stationary but circled her world, suspended by forces she barely grasped. The words felt heavy with meaning: axial tilt, gravitational binding energy. The fact that planets were round and not flat, the fact that her world orbited the sun and not the other way around. That the moon was smaller than the sun which had been a hot debate in druid astrology for a long time. She snickered at that, not only at the accidental pun, but also at how primitive her society actually was.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. Her reverie ended as she approached a large, imposing door. She could feel the presence of the Forest Father beyond its threshold. He was the almighty creator of her people. The one that fashioned them from nothing. The being that was of the forest and everything that it embodied. The humans called them the Divine, The dwarves the great ancestors, but the druid called them the True. For a moment, hesitation gripped her. If she still possessed an organic body, she might have been sweating, her breath quickening in a futile attempt to calm her nerves. Panic bubbled up in her chest despite the absence of such physical responses. She steadied herself and connected to the door. It slid open with a quiet hum. Her mind raced. Should I have knocked? Was that disrespectful? She glanced down at her unclothed form, heatless embarrassment flaring. Should I have dressed first? But no clothes had been provided. She realized how unprepared she was and cursed inwardly. What should I even say? Without further thought, she fell to her knees, prostrating herself at the threshold. ¡°Father of all nature. Most high one, I, your hrafn, have returned. I await your judgment and directives.¡± The response was immediate but entirely unexpected. ¡°Ah. I was just about to go get you. I see that you have adjusted to the system as well.¡± Her head snapped up, confusion flashing across her face. The voice was not the deep, omnipotent tone she had expected. Instead, it was warm, almost conversational. Standing in the doorway was a man, his form unadorned, his posture relaxed. The man was tall, over six feet, with dark brown skin that gleamed faintly under the station¡¯s artificial light. His long hair was braided neatly down his back. He looked human, but the systems within her mind quickly corrected that assumption.
Cognitive Data Relay ¡­ Scanning ¡­ Entity Description Name: Huginn Species: Hrafn Serial #: D2 Body Composition: Primary Framework - Constructed from Aeuralite, a lightweight metal known for its self-repairing molecular lattice, which ensures structural integrity even after extreme stress or damage. The Aeuralite core is laced with Mithrilium, a¡­
Muninn blinked as the stream of information continued, detailing the synthetic composition of his body. The specifics felt overwhelming and, frankly, irrelevant. She dismissed the data with a flick of her mental focus. What mattered was clear: this man was like her. Another hrafn. ¡°Well, that was rude,¡± Huginn said with a smirk. ¡°You could¡¯ve just asked for my name.¡± Muninn felt embarrassed and would have blushed red if her body allowed for it. It felt like she¡¯d broken some sacred rule among the hrafn. On top of that, the realization that she wasn¡¯t the only chosen one for the Forest Father stung more than she expected. It was logical, of course¡ªsomeone as powerful as the Forest Father would have multiple agents. But still, her mind raced with questions. Was there a hierarchy? Did Huginn outrank her? She didn¡¯t want to overstep. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Muninn said quietly. ¡°I didn¡¯t know. I¡­ don¡¯t even know how to address you.¡± Huginn waved her apology away. ¡°I¡¯m just teasing, Muninn. Call me by my name. There are no titles or ranks between us.¡± He smiled warmly. ¡°Now come on, get up. We¡¯ve got to make sure you¡¯re functioning properly.¡± Muninn rose to her feet and followed him into the room. Her stomach tightened as the familiar scent hit her¡ªblood. Her blood. Though the room was pristine now, she remembered it vividly. It was the same room she was remade in, the augmentation room and medical ward from what the system in her head was telling her. The sterile environment was unnervingly quiet, save for the faint hum of hidden machinery. ¡°What is this?¡± Muninn muttered, her voice uneasy. ¡°Why do I know things I shouldn¡¯t?¡± Huginn¡¯s expression turned sheepish. ¡°Ah, the information in your head? Yeah¡­ about that. It¡¯s new for me too.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± The question hung in the air. Huginn spread his arms in an exaggerated flourish. ¡°We embody different aspects of the Forest Father. I am Memory, and you are Will. Huginn and Muninn. We¡¯re connected¡ªto Him, and to each other.¡± He tapped the side of his head. ¡°That ¡®system¡¯ you hear when you think? That¡¯s me. Whenever you query something, I¡¯m the one answering.¡± Muninn frowned. ¡°You¡¯re the one feeding me all that useless information?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Huginn admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. ¡°Sorry about that. I¡¯m still getting the hang of it. It¡¯ll improve, I promise.¡± He gestured to a chair. ¡°Now, sit down. Let¡¯s get started.¡± Muninn complied, and Huginn began his examination. He started with her eyes, shining a light to test their responsiveness. Then he had her move her limbs, observing her range of motion. His hands were clinical as he pressed on her abdomen, tracing a line up her sternum to her neck. Suddenly, her synthetic skin split open, revealing the gleaming white metal framework beneath. Muninn flinched, but Huginn¡¯s steady grip reassured her. ¡°Relax,¡± he muttered, carefully inserting small probes into the gaps between her ribs. ¡°Everything looks good so far. I am going to turn on some of the sensation¡¯s you have been missing, temperature, pressure, and bodily responses like taste, tears, and skin responses to the environment or emotions.¡± After a moment of silence, he spoke again. ¡°You won¡¯t be able to see Him, by the way.¡± Muninn blinked, confused. ¡°Who?¡± ¡°The Forest Father,¡± Huginn explained. ¡°He¡¯s in the next room, preparing His new vessel. Your ascension was the first time He left that space in years.¡± Muninn¡¯s eyes drifted to a heavily fortified door at the far end of the room. It was a masterpiece of magic and technology, inscribed with runes that pulsed with divine energy. The symbols seemed to shift and flow across the metal surface, alive in their complexity. ¡°Are there others?¡± she asked hesitantly. ¡°Other hrafn?¡± Huginn shook his head. ¡°No. It¡¯s just us. There were others once, but they¡¯ve long since moved on.¡± Muninn hesitated before asking, ¡°Were you a druid like me? Before this?¡± She tried to keep her mind off the fact that Huginn was still probing her open chest. ¡°There is a war going on down there between us and the wendigo. He saved me from having my head removed by a¡­ demoness? I am actually not sure what she was.¡± Huginn¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Muninn, who you were before doesn¡¯t matter. That person is dead, just as the man I was before is gone.¡± His tone softened slightly. ¡°You are now the Will of the Forest Father. Who you will be is all that matters.¡± With that, he closed her chest. The synthetic skin reattached seamlessly, leaving no trace of the incision. A glimmer of mirth returned to his eyes. ¡°But I have to say, He did a fine job with your new body. Have you seen yourself in a mirror?¡± Before she could answer, a mirror descended from the ceiling. Muninn gasped as she took in her reflection. She barely recognized herself. Her once green skin was now a radiant, sun-kissed white. Her antlers were gone, replaced by long, flowing hair that shifted between black and silver in the light. Her eyes, however, were the most striking change. They no longer held the weary sharpness of someone merely surviving. Now, they gleamed with purpose for the new life she had yet to live. A life she would dedicate heart and soul to her True. OW [1] The Artificer A man stumbled out of the inn, into the cold winter air, his legs barely cooperating as he swayed and staggered into the street. His drunken stupor carried him directly into the path of an oncoming carriage. The driver shouted in alarm, but it was the horse that reacted first, its keen eyes catching the man¡¯s clumsy figure. The beast let out a piercing whinny, its hooves skidding against the cobblestones as it reared up in fright. For a moment, the man''s head was inches from being crushed by the powerful animal. If he¡¯d been sober, terror might have put the fear of the Divines in him, but in his current state, he merely muttered a string of slurred curses. The driver¡¯s angry reprimands went ignored as the man stumbled back to the safety of the sidewalk, muttering under his breath. Still grumbling, he veered into a nearby alley, the shadows swallowing him whole. After relieving himself against a damp wall, he turned and noticed a figure approaching¡ªa woman, walking alone through the darkness. He squinted, trying to focus. What a shame, he thought, that she didn¡¯t know better than to wander these parts at night. Dangerous, really. His bleary gaze caught the faint glint of her jewelry, the fine cut of her clothes. She must have some coin. A lesson wouldn¡¯t hurt, he reasoned, to teach her the dangers of these streets. No point in letting a good opportunity slip by. With a crooked grin, he reached for the knife tucked into his belt, keeping the blade hidden behind his back. The faint metallic scrape went unnoticed in the oppressive quiet of the alley. He staggered forward, attempting to whistle a tune¡ªbecause casual people whistle, right? The sound that emerged was off-key and broken, but in his drunken state, it sounded just fine. Once he was close enough, he lunged, grabbing for the woman¡¯s arm and brandishing the knife in her face. ¡°Alright, lady, don¡¯t make a sound and you¡¯ll be just¡ª¡± A sudden, blinding flash lit up the alley, accompanied by a muffled bang. The man froze, a strange sensation spreading through his arm¡ªthe one that should have been holding the knife. He glanced down, confusion giving way to horror as he realized his arm was gone, severed cleanly just below the elbow. Blood spurted from the stump, painting the cobblestones in thick crimson streaks. Pain hit him like a thunderclap, and he let out a guttural scream, stumbling back and collapsing onto the filthy ground. His severed arm lay a few feet away, the hand still gripping the knife, its blade glinting mockingly in the faint light. His wide, panicked eyes snapped back to the woman. She stood calmly, a strange metal wand in her hand, its end still smoking from the spell she weaved. Without a word, she stepped forward and kicked the severed limb toward him, the grotesque object landing with a sickening thud by his side. She didn¡¯t even pause to look at him, didn¡¯t offer a word of warning or pity. Instead, she slipped the smoking wand back beneath her cloak and continued walking, her steps as measured and calm as when she first appeared. *** Muninn stepped out of the alley, the man¡¯s wails of agony fading into the distance as he stumbled off into some unknown corner of the city. She barely spared him a second thought. He¡¯d live¡ªassuming he could find someone to stitch him up. Either way, her focus lay elsewhere. She had a mission to complete, and no pathetic alley thief was going to distract her from it. The city of Mesha loomed around her, a labyrinth of stone and steel. The air reeked of smoke and filth, a far cry from the fragrant forests she called home. No greenery softened the harsh lines of the buildings, no trees whispered secrets in the wind. Here, nature was crushed beneath the weight of human ambition and decadence. It churned her stomach, but she pushed the disgust aside. She wasn¡¯t here to admire the view. Huginn''s voice came through clearly in her head, ¡°Was that a gunshot, did you just kill someone?¡± ¡°Calm down, he isn¡¯t dead, some human just tried to rob me or something.¡± Muninn said dismissively with a smirk. ¡°Well he will live if he knows someone that will give him a hand.¡± There was a slight pause, then Huginn¡¯s voice returned, tinged with exasperation. ¡°I just played back the memory and that is a terrible joke.¡± ¡°Hey after being stuck with you for a month I have to have some fun down here.¡± Muninn said with a shrug. ¡°You can be too uptight, Huginn. Anyway, relax. I didn¡¯t shoot him for no reason, only because he forced my¡­ hand.¡± ¡°Stop. Lets not do this with the puns right now.¡± Huginn sounded like he was already exasperated. ¡°Just try not to draw too much attention to yourself. We need people to help us so try not to shoot anyone else.¡± ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have to use these dreadful things if I could use my electrokinesis.¡± She said with an eye roll. ¡°But can¡¯t do that because of the properties it gained from that hydra and¡ª¡± ¡°Muninn¡­ We have been over that. For the time being you are not a magic caster.¡± ¡°Yes sir.¡± she said with mock obedience. ¡°No shooting people. Unless they have it coming.¡± ¡°For the love of the Forest Father,¡± Huginn said. ¡°No shooting people unless I approve!¡± ¡°I am joking¡­ look it¡¯s just been a while since I''ve been on solid ground.¡± She said seriously. ¡°I will get it out of my system. Honestly, I know both of us have been stressed. When is the last time you¡¯ve been down here?¡± Huginn was quiet for long enough for Muninn to think he disconnected. She was going to call him again but before she did he responded. ¡°I guess it¡¯s been about two hundred sixty years.¡± Huginn said. ¡°As the Memory, I don¡¯t leave the station unless absolutely necessary. That¡¯s why the Forest Father has two ravens.¡± Muninn pushed open the inn¡¯s heavy door, stepping into a cacophony of sound and scent. A bard perched near the hearth strummed his lute, his voice weaving through the tale of some local hero''s triumph. The mingled aromas of spiced mead, roasted meats, and vegetables with a hint of smoke filled the air, creating a warm, bustling atmosphere. She felt the weight of eyes turn toward her. Most were from men, emboldened by their drinks, exchanging nudges and grins as they eyed her solitary figure. The common feature amongst them was their fiery red hair, a common trait of the humans from this country. They were hyping themselves up to approach, eager to impress. Muninn sighed inwardly. Thanks to Huginn''s constant data feed, she was all too familiar with human mating behavior. Humans were peculiarly horny creatures, their fleeting lifespans driving an almost comical urgency in their carnal desires. For them, seventy years was a stretch. She rolled her eyes at their antics.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. Her new body was undeniably alluring, and she was already starting to see both the benefits and pitfalls of this fact. Several men called out, offering to buy her a drink. She ignored them, pulling down her dark purple scarf as the warmth of the blazing hearth began to seep in. She strolled over to the bar and tapped her gloved fingers against the counter until the barkeep finally turned his attention to her. ¡°What can I get for you, beautiful?¡± he asked, flashing a practiced smile. ¡°Just a room, and whatever that guy¡¯s drinking,¡± she replied, nodding toward a man sitting alone in the shadowy corner of the room. His distant gaze marked him as someone who¡¯d had a rough day¡ªor perhaps a rough life. ¡°If it¡¯s keeping him afloat, it must be strong.¡± The barkeep chuckled. ¡°Sure thing. Room¡¯s thirty-five copper, no haggling. As for the drink, that¡¯s Spider¡¯s Nest bourbon. Strongest we¡¯ve got. But,¡± he added with a sly glance toward a burly man across the room, ¡°it¡¯s on your admirer over there.¡± Muninn followed his gaze and immediately grimaced. The large man was already leering at her, standing with a group of his equally brutish friends. She reached into her satchel and pulled out a silver coin, placing it firmly on the counter. She groaned. ¡°Ugh, no thanks. I¡¯ll pay for myself. And put the man in the corner¡¯s drinks on my tab. What¡¯s his story?¡± The barkeep¡¯s hand darted out to snatch the coin, his movements so quick they left no room for second thoughts. When he opened his hand again, a key appeared seemingly from nowhere. Muninn caught the faint shimmer of magic. The key had come from a storage item¡ªa ring, judging by the glow on the barkeep¡¯s finger.
Cognitive Data Relay¡­ Scanning¡­ Object Description Item: Storage Ring Quality: Poor Magic Potential: Prana Conductive Medium, Mana Conductive Poor Composition: 65% silver, 35% blue-steel core Description: This ring can store up to 3 pounds of material in a small, magically compressed space.
Muninn nodded approvingly. Huginn¡¯s analysis was finally becoming succinct. She¡¯d have to remember to commend him later. Taking the offered key, she returned her attention to the barkeep. ¡°My name¡¯s Johnny,¡± he said, pocketing the silver. ¡°Muninn.¡± She responded as it seemed appropriate. ¡°Huh, foreign name, no wonder I¡¯ve never seen you before.¡± Johnny said as he poured her drink. ¡°The man you¡¯re asking about¡ªhe¡¯s a dwarf. Bit tall for his kind. Name¡¯s Rockmaul but goes by Orin. Rumor has it he got himself kicked out of the Artificer¡¯s Guild. Whatever he did, it must¡¯ve been bad. No one in this town wants to cross the guild, so they¡¯re giving him a wide berth.¡± Muninn raised an eyebrow. ¡°Interesting. Good to know.¡± Johnny left her to tend to other customers, and Muninn didn¡¯t mind. She¡¯d found her mark¡ªa disgraced artificer with no ties, perfect for her mission. If he vanished, no one would ask questions. She swirled her drink, savoring the unexpectedly rich flavor. Human beverages had a reputation for excellence, but she hadn¡¯t expected this level of quality. Her only regret was that she couldn¡¯t experience the buzz. She turned from the bar and made her way toward her soon-to-be business partner. Before she could close the distance, the large man from earlier intercepted her. His buddies leaned in, laughing and nudging each other, clearly egging him on. He was built like a smith, his broad shoulders and rough hands marking him as a laborer. Attractive for a human, perhaps, but utterly irrelevant to Muninn. She had no need for a bricklayer to execute the Forest Father¡¯s will. ¡°Hey, name¡¯s Dev¡ª¡± he began, voice full of unwarranted confidence. Muninn walked right past him without so much as a glance. Behind her, the man''s friends erupted in jeers and laughter as he sulked back to his table. She reached the dwarf¡¯s corner, where he sat alone despite the many empty tankards scattered before him. His gaze locked onto her the moment she approached, his expression shifting from curiosity to guarded suspicion. ¡°This seat taken?¡± Muninn asked, her tone casual. ¡°I don¡¯t own the inn. Sit where you like,¡± he replied, his voice a deep rumble, rough as stone. Muninn slid into the seat across from him, taking a moment to study him more closely. He was stocky, as dwarves often were, with broad, powerful shoulders. His thick, enchanted apron bore the telltale marks of an artificer: scorched edges, metal shavings, and faint magical residue. Tools dangled from his belt, ready for use. His beard was magnificent, longer and thicker than the hair on her head, a clear point of pride. Despite the wear of his profession, he looked young for a dwarf¡ªprobably in his seventies, the prime of his craft.
Cognitive Data Relay¡­ Scanning¡­ Entity Description Name: Rockmaul Species: Dwarf Magical Condition: Spellcraft Mage, Specialty: Artificer Body Condition: Healthy
Muninn¡¯s smirk widened. Perfect. ¡°Looks like both of us came here alone,¡± she remarked, her tone light. ¡°Yeah, looks that way,¡± Rockmaul replied, his voice curt. ¡°Look, lady, I don¡¯t play games. Who sent you? Coalshield? Steelgrip? Jadeleaf? I don¡¯t need any guild spy breathing down my neck. I know the rules. I¡¯m not taking work from you or anyone else. So finish your drink and leave me be." Muninn chuckled. ¡°Artificer Guild enforcer, little me? That¡¯s rich. No, quite the opposite. I¡¯m here to hire you for a job I don¡¯t want the guild knowing about.¡± Rockmaul scoffed, leaning back in his chair. ¡°Not interested. If the guild catches wind, I¡¯m done for. And I¡¯m not building anything dangerous, so take your secret project and get lost.¡± Muninn leaned forward, her voice dropping to a near whisper. ¡°Have you ever heard of an Angel Core?¡± The dwarf rolled his eyes so hard they nearly fell from his head. ¡°Who in the Infernal Planes hasn¡¯t, lady? If you think anyone can make one of those Divine objects you have lost your mind. If that is all you want I can¡¯t help crazy.¡± Muninn didn¡¯t answer immediately. Instead, she raised her hand, and a heavily damaged metallic sphere appeared in her palm. Its surface was charred and fractured, one half entirely melted away to expose a labyrinth of intricate channels and runescript. Even in its ruined state, Rockmaul could see the promised secrets to immense power such a device held. The sphere vanished back into her own personal storage item. Rockmaul nearly choked on his drink. ¡°By the Great Ancestors! Where in the deep mines did you get that?¡± Muninn¡¯s smile turned devilish. ¡°That¡¯s not important. What is important is that you work for me. And your payment? A broken core to do whatever you want with. What do you say?¡± The dwarf stared at her, torn between awe and disbelief. ¡°You¡¯ve got my attention, alright. But this isn¡¯t just any job, is it?¡± Muninn leaned back, crossing her arms. ¡°You have no idea. But before we talk details, I need your answer.¡± ¡°The,¡± Rockmaul glanced around the room, lowering his voice as he leaned in. ¡°The core is good and all but I also need money, I have rent that¡¯s due and I kind of just spent my last few silver on this pigswill humans call alcohol.¡± Muninn chuckled softly. ¡°Consider it an advance, then.¡± She reached into her cloak, retrieving six gold coins and placing them on the table with a soft clink. ¡°We¡¯ll discuss the specifics tomorrow. Meet me here at noon. Deal?¡± The dwarf¡¯s hand hesitated only a moment before reaching out. ¡°Deal. Name¡¯s Rockmaul, but most folks just call me Orin.¡± Muninn grasped his hand, her grip firm. ¡°Charmed, Orin. Call me Muninn.¡± ¡°With what you¡¯re paying me I¡¯ll call you whatever you like, Muninn.¡± Orin said with the first smile she seen on the dwarf. OW [2] Captive After her conversation with Orin, Muninn returned to the bar. Johnny was waiting, his curiosity barely contained as he glanced at her with a knowing smile. She could see it in his eyes¡ªhe was itching for gossip. Instead of indulging him right away, she slid her empty cup toward him, a silent demand for more bourbon. Johnny caught on instantly, a hand on his heart in mock indignation. ¡°Ah, extortion, is it?¡± Muninn simply shrugged and waited for him to make the next move. She could all but see him calculate in his head the price of the alcohol against the price of new gossip. She saw the moment his curiosity won out and he grabbed the bottle with a theatrical flourish. He poured her another glass, the amber liquid catching the warm light of the hearth. ¡°For a lovely lady like you, it¡¯s on the house.¡± He said. ¡°Thanks,¡± Muninn replied, lifting the glass with a sly smile. She took a slow sip, savoring the rich, spiced flavor. ¡°I suppose I could share a little something with my new favorite barkeep. You see, I just had to know if what you said about him was true. Getting kicked out of the Artificers¡¯ Guild? That kind of scandal doesn¡¯t happen every day.¡± Johnny leaned in, ¡°So, it¡¯s true then, not just a rumor? He really got the boot?¡± ¡°Oh, he did,¡± Muninn confirmed with a nod. ¡°And now I¡¯m curious. What happens to someone who keeps working after the guild throws them out?¡± Johnny chuckled, but there was a nervous edge to it. ¡°Thinking of getting involved?¡± He paused when her gaze didn¡¯t waver. His tone turned serious. ¡°Look, it¡¯s not like the Monster Hunters Guild, who¡¯ll rough you up if you cross them. The Artificers¡¯ Guild is worse. They don¡¯t need fists¡ªthey¡¯ve got influence. Blacklists, bans, you name it. No enchanters, runesmiths, or invokers will touch you. Even the banks won¡¯t deal with you. That¡¯s why folks steer clear of anyone they¡¯ve kicked. You¡¯re steering clear too, right?¡± Muninn didn¡¯t answer, instead she took another deliberate sip and kept his gaze with a smirk. ¡°Oh, I¡¯ve seen that look before, didn¡¯t know I was dealing with such a dangerous troublemaker,¡± he muttered, half exasperated, half amused. ¡°Well, don¡¯t say I didn¡¯t warn you.¡± He sounded serious but the grin that spread across his face betrayed his enjoyment of the unfolding drama. Clearly, he was already looking forward to seeing how this would all play out. The thought of coming back to regale him with tales of her success crossed Muninn¡¯s mind¡ªalthough she¡¯d probably have to kill him afterward, which would be a shame. He was her new favorite barkeep, after all. ¡°I have another potential ally, but you are going to need an alibi.¡± Huginn¡¯s voice entered her mind. ¡°An alibi, what is going on?¡± Muninn responded mentally. ¡°The target got herself into a bind with the Monster Hunters Guild.¡± Huginn said. ¡°They are trying to teach her a lesson. I will highlight her location on your map.¡± ¡°Ah yeah, how do I open the map again?¡± Muninn said with some embarrassment. Huginn sighed audibly in her mind, annoyance dripping from every syllable. ¡°How many times must we go over this? You locate the file for the kingdom surface scan. It¡¯s labeled ser.llk/145d/21475. Not exactly spellform micro induction...¡± Muninn blinked, zoning out as Huginn rattled on. Her mind wandered as she imagined herself navigating through endless, meaningless folders and sub-folders, each more obtuse than the last. ¡°...Then simply click on the sub-directory, then align the node with the third quadrant,¡± Huginn continued. ¡°After that, you¡¯ll need to input the access key. I encrypted them so open the data packet from¡ª¡± Muninn snapped back to reality and pinched the bridge of her nose. ¡°Stop. No. This is absurd,¡± she cut him off. ¡°Can¡¯t you just... make it easier? Like, one word, a hand gesture, something that doesn¡¯t require me to memorize the entire filing system and go through several encryptions? There are just two of us, why would we need all of that? You deal with the files, Memory. I just need practicality.¡± There was a pause before Huginn responded, his tone begrudging. ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll simplify it. Next time, just say ¡®activate map.¡¯ Satisfied, Will?¡± Muninn knew he was frustrated but all of that for the map was asinine and he knew it. She was the one on the ground the guy up in space had all the time in the world to go through and sort files. She also liked his new nickname. ¡°Immensely,¡± Muninn replied. ¡°Now, let¡¯s see where our damsel in distress is.¡± ¡°Find an alibi first and make it quick.¡± Huginn said. She looked around the bar and saw the man that tried to approach her. She sighed seeing a perfect willing and living alibi. ¡°Hey, can you alter people''s memories?¡± She asked mentally. ¡°No,¡± Huginn said. ¡°But I can change dreams around to make people believe they were real.¡± ¡°Well, then I see my alibi, I am going to take that man up stairs and knock him out. You give him memories he won¡¯t forget.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t like that plan, I have to render those memories.¡± Huginn said. Muninn ignored him and drained her drink in one swift gulp. Johnny raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. She shot him a wink before sauntering toward her mark. The man that had approached her earlier perked up at her arrival. It was easy to get him to follow her up to her room. A few flirty words she got from her human studies lexicon courtesy of Huginn. A light touch on his arm and chest was all it took to get him eagerly following her. Once inside, she wasted no time. A quick strike to the back of his head, and he was out cold, sprawled on the floor. ¡°I will say this again. I don¡¯t like this plan.¡± Huginn said. ¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± Muninn muttered, shrugging off her cloak. ¡°Just give him a dream he¡¯ll want to brag about. Make it vivid. This guy needs to wake up thinking he¡¯s had the night of his life.¡± ¡°Fine,¡± Huginn sighed. ¡°I¡¯ve uploaded the memory chip to your inventory. Place it on the cervical spine; it¡¯ll keep him unconscious and dreaming until it¡¯s removed. And set this down before you leave.¡± ¡°Cervical spine?¡± Muninn asked. Huginn sighed loudly. ¡°Back of the neck.¡± ¡°Just say that next time,¡± Muninn said, offended. ¡°We just call that the neck where I am from.¡± The chip appeared in her hand a moment later. It looked like a small rectangle with a needle poking out of the center. She kicked the unconscious man over to his side and placed it as instructed. The second item was a little different. It was a cube with no apparent function.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
Cognitive Data Relay¡­ Scanning¡­ Object Description Item: Speaker Quality: Excellent Magic Potential: Magic conductivity: Excellent, Material conductivity: Excellent Composition: Description: A sleek, compact device designed to amplify both sound and magical energy. The speaker produces crystal-clear audio and can project spells with amplified potency.
She raised an eyebrow. ¡°What¡¯s this for?¡± ¡°For authenticity,¡± Huginn replied. ¡°His buddies are currently pressed up against the door, eavesdropping. The speaker will... enhance the illusion.¡± Muninn groaned, her face heating as she placed the cube on the ground. Seconds later, sultry, exaggerated sounds filled the room. She cringed, her cheeks burning. ¡°Seriously?¡± she hissed as she yanked open the window. ¡°Hey, you wanted an alibi,¡± Huginn said smugly. ¡°I know but, I don¡¯t sound like that.¡± Muninn sighed. ¡°I hope.¡± She pulled her hood over her head, then vaulted out the window, leaving the embarrassing performance behind as she disappeared into the night. *** The streets zipped by in a blur, but Olivia wasn¡¯t fazed. She wasn¡¯t like most people¡ªshe was a cursor harpy, a proud member of a race that lived for speed and the thrill of the chase. The city¡¯s cobblestones blurred beneath her as her powerful legs pumped rhythmically, talons scraping the stone with each rapid step. Her wings beat in perfect sync, and with each downstroke, she channeled her ki, the celestial energy she attuned to which was drawn from the moon and stars. That night, the full moon bathed the world in silvery light, invigorating her in ways the sun never could. She felt the cosmic energy surge through her veins, sharpening her senses and fueling her every movement. It was the perfect night to let loose. The streets were quiet, the few people out and about scurrying out of her path as she flew by. With fewer eyes watching, she didn¡¯t have to hold back. Every few strides, her wings gave a powerful beat, and her ki surged, propelling her forward with a burst of speed that rivaled even the fastest magic techniques. Flash Step might grant momentary speed to other material users, but it couldn¡¯t match the precision or control her natural abilities gave her. Two of her pursuers learned that the hard way. As they tried to keep pace, a carriage suddenly appeared, cutting across the street. Olivia reacted instantly, her body dropping into a fluid slide beneath the vehicle. The smooth motion left her unscathed, while the clumsy duo crashed headlong into the side of the carriage with a resounding thud. Olivia smirked as she emerged from the other side, already back on her feet and accelerating. The third and fourth pursuers hesitated, clearly debating whether to continue or cut their losses. They didn¡¯t stand a chance in speed and soon the decision was made for them. With another pulse of ki, Olivia disappeared around a corner, leaving only the sound of her talons striking the pavement like a distant drumbeat. Human settlements had strange, unwritten rules¡ªat least, that¡¯s what her people always said. Olivia hadn¡¯t done anything wrong, but that didn¡¯t stop a group of men from chasing her through town for what felt like hours. Actually, it might have been hours. She was finally starting to feel the burn in her legs, but the thrill of the chase had kept her going. With a powerful beat of her wings, she vaulted effortlessly onto the roof of a nearby building. Sure, she could¡¯ve taken to the skies and flown away ages ago, but where was the fun in that? She landed softly, her wings folding neatly behind her as she surveyed the streets below. A sudden flash of light caught her attention, and before she could react, a gleaming chain shot through the air, wrapping tightly around her legs. Another chain followed just as quickly, binding her wings then her arms before she could reach for her sword. She was sent crashing onto the rooftop with a dull thud. She slid perilously close to the edge, her talons scraping against the tiles for purchase. A fall from this height¡ªa solid three stories¡ªwould hurt, but with her level of cultivation, she¡¯d survive. ¡°Well, well, look who we caught,¡± a mocking voice drawled. A man emerged from behind a chimney, his grin sharp and predatory. ¡°I was starting to think you¡¯d never take off, little birdy.¡± Olivia tilted her head, her expression almost playful. ¡°So you¡¯ve been waiting for me to fly this whole time? Why bother? What do you even want with me?¡± The man cracked his neck, his grin widening. ¡°At first? Just a friendly little message. You¡¯ve been stepping on the Monster Hunters Guild¡¯s toes¡ªkilling monsters without contracts, not paying your dues. That¡¯s a big no-no around here. And me? I¡¯m the Enforcer. I get called in when problems need¡­ fixing.¡± Olivia frowned. ¡°I don¡¯t see the problem. My people hunt monsters; aren¡¯t we on the same side?¡± ¡°The problem, girly, isn¡¯t that you hunt monsters. It¡¯s how you do it¡ªfor free. That¡¯s bad for business. You¡¯re stealing jobs from hard-working folks.¡± He gestured lazily toward the edge of the roof just as four familiar, panting figures clambered over the side. ¡°Like my associates here. You¡¯ve been running them ragged for the past three hours.¡± Olivia offered a sweet, almost innocent smile. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry. I won¡¯t do it again.¡± One of the men whose face was red with exertion and fury stepped forward, fists clenched. ¡°Sorry? Sorry!¡± The red man said with increasing volume. ¡°You cost me weeks of pay. You think a sorry¡¯s gonna fix that? I¡¯m gonna make sure you¡¯re really sorry after I break those fancy legs of yours!¡± ¡°Steve,¡± the Enforcer said smoothly though his aura made everyone freeze. ¡°I was talking. Now,¡± the Enforcer continued, his eyes gleaming with dark amusement, ¡°as I was saying¡ªthese three were just supposed to rough you up a bit, deliver a message. You¡¯d pay back what you owe or work off your debt at the guild. Simple. But¡­¡± He crouched down next to her. ¡°The guild decided you¡¯re too much trouble. They want me to make sure you never hunt another monster again. Tsk, tsk, such a waste,¡± he added, shaking his head in mock regret. ¡°You might¡¯ve made a decent monster hunter.¡± ¡°Wait, we get to kill her?¡± Steve asked, his eyes lighting up with excitement. The Enforcer smirked. ¡°No you get to have some fun with her, but ending her is my job.¡± A new voice cut in. ¡°Wow, that¡¯s pretty messed up. Especially for someone who¡¯s been doing your job for you.¡± All heads snapped toward the source of the voice. Perched casually atop the very chimney the Enforcer had hidden behind was a hooded woman. Her dark clothing blended seamlessly with the night, and though her face was obscured, the confidence in her posture was unmistakable. She hopped down from the chimney, landing with grace. She stood, seemingly unbothered by their glares, brushing some soot from her gloves. ¡°This doesn¡¯t involve you, whoever you are,¡± the Enforcer said, his voice low and menacing. ¡°I suggest you walk away before I decide you don¡¯t get to live.¡± ¡°Hmm,¡± she mused. ¡°A ferrokinetic mage. Rare, but not exactly impressive.¡± She shifted her gaze to the three men and a woman behind the Enforcer. ¡°And you Four? Barely competent lifeforce users. Honestly, this whole setup is kind of¡­ embarrassing¡± The Enforcer¡¯s eyes narrowed, his smirk fading. ¡°You¡¯ve got a sharp tongue, lady. Let¡¯s see how well it works once I¡¯ve ripped it out.¡± The hooded woman ignored the threat entirely. ¡°Here¡¯s the deal: you let her go, and I only break one of your legs each. You crawl back to your guild, tell them she skipped town, and this whole thing stays between us. Fair, don¡¯t you think?¡± The rooftop fell silent for a moment, broken only by the distant sounds of the town below. Then the Enforcer barked out a laugh. ¡°Funny. I like your sense of humor,¡± he said, his grin returning. ¡°But you¡¯ve got it all wrong. Now we¡¯ve got two bodies for the bonfire.¡± His companions chuckled darkly, their confidence bolstered by their leader. The chains began to rattle in his hands, gleaming ominously as his mana coursed into them anew. The hooded woman stood her ground, her posture relaxed, almost bored. ¡°You really should¡¯ve taken the deal. Now, tell me¡ªout of five people, how many does it take to deliver a message to your guild?¡± She let the question hang in the air for a moment before answering herself. ¡°One. The rest of you? You tried your luck fighting a monster on your own. Pity you didn¡¯t make it back. You would have made fine monster hunters.¡± OW [3] Messenger Muninn¡¯s taunt hung in the air for only a moment before the Enforcer roared. He focused his mana into a chantless spell. Chains materialized from his mana and with just a flick of the wrist flew towards her with blinding speed. Ferrokinetic chain¡¯s were made directly from his mana as a construct instead of actual metal which gave him full control of them. The metal surged forward, alive and serpentine, aiming to ensnare her. Muninn sidestepped on the ball of her feet brushing the edge of the rooftop. The chain struck the chimney behind her, shattering bricks into a cascade of dust and rubble partially obscuring her form and giving her time to reposition. The world slowed down as her processing speed accelerated far beyond the mortal ranges. In the stillness of space, she answered a call from Huginn without distraction. ¡°Don¡¯t use your guns, they would be too identifiable.¡± Huginn¡¯s voice entered her mind. ¡°No guns, no electricity, you really like to make a girl work, slave driver.¡± Muninn chided. Huginn sighed, ¡°Is this going to be a problem?¡± ¡°What, for these guys?¡± Muninn said, ¡°No, they need the handicap.¡± The world sped back up as she ended the communication and focused back on the fight at hand. She moved swiftly, flirting with the edge of the roof, her body a blur, closing the gap between herself and the nearest lifeforce user. He swung a short sword, but she ducked under it, driving her palm into his wrist. The impact hit like a warhammer shattering the bone. The weapon clattered to the rooftop, and before he could recover, she hooked her leg behind his knee and yanked. He fell with a grunt, and stilled. She stepped on his neck to make sure he was dead and in the same motion was already moving to the next. The second man lunged with a dagger glowing faintly with his lifeforce. Muninn almost scoffed at the pathetic excuse for power these humans had, weren¡¯t they supposed to be monster hunters? She pivoted, catching his wrist and twisting sharply. He howled, the sound cut short when her elbow drove into his throat. He stumbled back, clutching at his neck, choking on his own breath. A second hit to the throat ended him. ¡°How in the world did you survive this long as a monster hunter,¡± she chided, her voice cold. A flash of movement caught her eye, and her instincts screamed a warning. The third lifeforce user, a woman, materialized from behind using Flash Step, her longsword gleaming in the moonlight. The attack would have been too fast had Muninn been organic, but unluckily for the hunter she turned at the last moment. Muninn caught the blade between her palms. The force of the impact jarred her muscles, or whatever she had instead of muscles. She quickly dismissed the page of text Huginn sent her explaining her body''s composition. She knew he was being an ass on purpose to get back at her for bursting his bubble with the map. She put her mind back on the fight, her grip held firm on the blade. With a sharp twist, she wrenched the weapon free, the metal singing as it left the woman¡¯s grasp. The hunter¡¯s momentum carried her forward, and Muninn spun, using the motion to step clear. Without hesitation, Muninn flipped the weapon into a half-sword grip and slammed the crossguard into the side of the hunter¡¯s head. The satisfying crunch of bone gave her a grim sense of finality as the woman¡¯s body went limp. For a moment, she hung precariously over the edge of the roof before gravity claimed her, sending her tumbling into the darkness of the alley below. Muninn turned to the last hunter, her movements as smooth as silk. He stood frozen, ax in hand, his knuckles white as his gaze flickered between her and the bodies of his fallen comrades. His hesitation was palpable, and she almost pitied him. Almost. The cloud of debris cleared enough for the Enforcer to see several of his men downed. He snarled, his chains weaving through the air toward her again. The ends of the chains changed mid flight into long spear blades. ¡°You think you¡¯re clever?¡± His voice was almost guttural. ¡°You think you can win?¡± Muninn didn¡¯t reply, as she dodged each point by inches. Her focus shifted to the harpy woman still trapped in chains. Olivia struggled, her taloned hands clawing at the metal.The Enforcer yanked his hand, and the chains tightened, forcing a cry of pain from Olivia. Her wings beat furiously, but the bindings didn¡¯t budge. Muninn narrowed her eyes and dashed forward. The Enforcer lashed his chains at her again, but she leapt over them, landing directly in front of him. He barely had time to react before her fist slammed into his jaw with enough force to send him staggering. Unlike the others he was a mage and far more durable than his minions. She turned her head toward Olivia as the Enforcer stumbled back. ¡°Break free,¡± Muninn ordered, her tone clipped. Olivia nodded and closed her eyes, she took in the moonlight which seemed to focus on her. It went so far as to bend mid air to grace her skin and feathers. Ki surged into her sharp talons as she found purchase on the enchanted chains. She took a second deeper breath and the moon ki became visible now as a faint, silver glow. She let out a guttural cry and tore the chains apart, the remnants clattering uselessly to the rooftop. Freed, Olivia spread her wings wide, her piercing gaze locking onto the Enforcer. Her hand grazed her sword hesitantly then shifted to her parrying dagger instead. The blade gleamed faintly with her moonlight ki. The ferrokinetic mage glared at her but hesitated when his attempt to manipulate her weapons failed. Muninn smirked. ¡°Looks like you¡¯re losing your edge, Enforcer.¡± Olivia focused entirely on the fight. She moved to intercept the one remaining lifeforce user who was creeping toward Muninn with a raised ax. She was a blur of speed, like a gail of wind set free. She was so fast that even Muninn could barely follow her movement. Olivia¡¯s dagger flashed in the moonlight as she deflected the blow, then spun gracefully to slice across his arm. He yelped in pain, the weapon dropping from his hands along with a few fingers. ¡°Stand down,¡± Olivia demanded, her voice firm but not cruel. The man ignored her, drawing another blade. She sighed, blocking his next strike before kicking him square in the chest. Her taloned feet raked across his leather armor and managed to draw blood. He toppled backward, sliding toward the edge of the roof. Meanwhile, Muninn engaged the Enforcer again. His chains swirled protectively around him now, like venomous serpents. She weaved through them, dodging each strike with uncanny precision. Even before she became a hrafn this fight would have been painfully easy. A sharp kick to his knee sent him stumbling, and she seized the moment, aiming a palm strike for his sternum. He gasped as the blow landed, his chains faltering for a brief moment.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. Olivia¡¯s battle was all but over; her dagger glowed brighter as she faced the remaining lifeforce user. He hesitated, his missing fingers, sight of her wings and her weapon¡¯s silvery glow caused him to take a step back. She was hopeful he would run. When it looked like he would, she turned ready to assist Muninn when her instincts screamed to turn back. The man had pulled a dagger from his boot and used a Flash Step to reach her in a blink. Unfortunately for him she was faster. She pulled out her sword and with a decisive strike deflected his attack easily. She put the sword to his heart. If she wanted it could easily penetrate thanks to her talons opening up the armor earlier. Instead of delivering a killing blow, she pressed the blade against flesh drawing blood against his ribs. ¡°Leave,¡± she said quietly. ¡°Now.¡± The man glanced at the Enforcer, who was struggling to fend off Muninn¡¯s relentless attacks, then turned and fled, disappearing over the edge of the roof. The Enforcer let out a furious roar, his chains lashing wildly, but it was no use. Muninn ducked under one last swing and drove a knee into his stomach. He crumpled to the ground, coughing blood violently. Muninn knew she ruptured a few organs and internal bleeding would take him out as long as know one helped him. Muninn glanced at Olivia who didn¡¯t say anything. ¡°Did you want to be the one? He¡¯s all yours,¡± Muninn said, her tone devoid of emotion. Olivia sheathed her weapons. ¡°Enough. He¡¯s beaten.¡± Muninn¡¯s eyes narrowed, her tone sharpening. ¡°Are you serious? He was going to torture and kill you. Now you want to... what, let him go? Show him mercy?¡± ¡°Mercy.¡± The Enforcer begged. ¡°No,¡± Muninn said, crouching down to grip his collar. Her voice dropped to an icy whisper. ¡°No, I don¡¯t think so. One survivor, one messenger¡ªas promised.¡± Without hesitation, she dragged him to the roof¡¯s edge. His struggles were weak, his protests drowned out by the ragged sound of his breathing. With one final shove, she sent him plummeting to the cobblestones below. The sickening crunch of his skull splitting against the street echoed through the quiet night. She peered over the edge, watching the twitching body settle into stillness next to the woman that fell earlier.
Cognitive Data Relay¡­ Scanning¡­ Object Description Item: Cadaver Quality: Poor Magic Potential: Magic conductivity: Excellent Composition: Long Pig [Select for full breakdown] Description: The cadaver exhibits multiple fractures, extensive internal organ trauma, a shattered skull, and severe brain damage. Magic conductivity remains excellent.
¡°Ah, excellent. Mages have a nasty habit of surviving falls. Luckily this one was really weak.¡± Muninn said. Muninn walked over to the dead man on the roof and kicked his body. The contact was all she needed for it to disappear into her magic storage. She then found the fingers Olivia severed from the man she let go taking them as well. She knew she would also have to collect the last two bodies. Olivia looked at her warily. ¡°Who are you?¡± Muninn wiped her hands on her pants, turning toward the harpy with a faint smirk. ¡°Just someone passing through.¡± Muninn said, only her smirk was visible under her hood. ¡°If you¡¯re curious, meet me tomorrow at Spider¡¯s Nest Inn. Lunch is on me.¡± Without another word, she walked to the opposite side of the roof and disappeared into the shadows, leaving Olivia alone under the moonlit sky. *** Around that corner,¡± Huginn¡¯s voice echoed in Muninn¡¯s mind, his guidance as precise as ever. She found the last of the Monster Hunter Guild members slumped in an alley, desperately tying off a makeshift bandage around his arm. His curses echoed off the brick walls as he fumbled with the blood-soaked cloth. ¡°Are you okay?¡± Muninn asked, her voice light and disarming. ¡°Mind your business!¡± he snapped without looking up, his tone sharp but panicked. ¡°Guild business.¡± ¡°Oh, I know,¡± she replied, her crooked smile visible even in the dim light. The man froze mid-wrap, the realization hitting him like a blow. He glanced up, his face paling as he recognized her voice. She loomed over him, her silhouette blending with the shadows, and his breath quickened as he realized he had no escape. ¡°I-I don¡¯t want any trouble,¡± he stammered. Muninn sighed dramatically. ¡°Did you just wet yourself? Relax. I¡¯m not going to hurt you¡ªunless you make me. I just need to ensure you remember your part of the deal.¡± She tossed a small vial at his feet. ¡°Drink that. Enough to stop you from bleeding out.¡± The man hesitated, glancing at her before downing the potion. He coughed, his hands trembling as his wounds healed. He would have to go to a really good healer to regrow his fingers though. ¡°You¡¯re going to tell your guild exactly what I say,¡± Muninn continued, kneeling to meet his terrified gaze. ¡°And then you¡¯re going to leave this city. Do that, and you get to live.¡± The man¡¯s voice cracked. ¡°I have a family. I can¡¯t just leave! When the guild finds the¡ª¡± ¡°Bodies?¡± Muninn cut him off with a dark chuckle. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I took care of them. As for your family¡­¡± She pulled a small bag of coins from her belt and dropped it into his lap. ¡°Consider this travel money. But listen closely¡ªdisobey me, and I won¡¯t come after you.¡± She leaned in, her voice a venomous whisper. ¡°But Julie, Bart, and Kyle? They¡¯ll wish you had just done what you were told.¡± His eyes widened, horror flooding his expression as she named his wife and children. Huginn¡¯s voice hummed softly in her mind. Always efficient, she thought, marveling at the raven¡¯s knack for ferreting out information. She refocused on the trembling man, spelling out every step he¡¯d take tomorrow. Shame so many people died on a monster hunt but that¡¯s the life of a monster hunter. ¡°Now, be a good little survivor. Do as I say, and maybe¡ªjust maybe¡ªyou¡¯ll get to see your family again.¡± Muninn rose to her feet, watching as the man clutched the coins like a lifeline. Then, with a final glance, she melted back into the shadows, leaving him alone with his fear. *** Muninn stretched out on the bed in her room at the inn, letting out a contented, entirely irrelevant sigh. The muffled sounds of music and laughter from the floor below filtered through the wooden planks, a faint hum of life she didn¡¯t plan to join. At least the speaker had stopped making those suggestive sounds in her voice. She doesn''t think she would have been able to handle the embarrassment and was more than happy to leave that memory behind. Her gaze drifted to the man sprawled awkwardly on the floor, exactly where she¡¯d left him. His limbs were tangled in a mess of drunken stupor and bad luck, and he was snoring faintly. She sighed again, this time with exasperation, rising from the bed. ¡°If I¡¯m going to sell the illusion,¡± she muttered to herself, ¡°I might as well commit.¡± She stripped him down, removing only enough of his clothes to paint the picture she wanted but leaving enough to maintain a shred of dignity. Then, with an impressive lack of effort for someone of her size, she hoisted him into the bed and arranged him like a trophy. Muninn stepped back, surveying her handiwork. The story he would spin tomorrow was already clear. He¡¯d wake up, aching and confused but undoubtedly smug, ready to tell anyone who¡¯d listen about the mysterious woman who¡¯d given him the night of his life. Her lips curled into a small, mischievous smile as she slid back onto the bed and stretched out again, claiming the comfort she¡¯d earned. ¡°Huginn, is there anything else I need to be awake for?¡± She asked mentally. Huginn responded. ¡°No, I will shut you down for now and wake you in the morning. Sweet dre¡ª¡± OW [4] Early Morning Bank Visit The city loomed like a dark symphony of stone and shadow, its architecture a study in towering spires, intricate ironwork, and gargoyle-lined rooftops. Narrow streets twisted between buildings that seemed to lean inward as if conspiring against the sky. Muninn didn¡¯t know why she thought the daytime in the city would be any better than the night when everything was covered in a layer of darkness. She knew she would not like human cities but this was worse than she imagined. The pale light of morning brought no joy and only added to the horrid feeling of confinement. Frost clinging to wrought-iron railings and ornate lantern posts sparkled like fragmented stars, an illusion of beauty in an otherwise oppressive scene. Muninn pulled her heavy cloak tighter against the biting cold. Her hood cast a deeper shadow over her face, blending her seamlessly into the ever increasing crowd shuffling along the uneven cobblestones and squeezing between carriages. The air was thick with the mingling scents of damp stone, burning coal, and something faintly acrid that clung to her synthetic senses longer than she liked. Smoke curled from countless chimneys and stained the already dull, overcast sky. Merchants began to set up their stalls beneath arched awnings, the creak of wooden carts and the bark of early sales pitches adding to the city¡¯s waking. Muninn didn¡¯t bother to look at the goods but caught a glimpse of bundled fabrics, various trinkets, and bread. Soon it became background noise as she carried on, hurried by her purpose and desire to leave this city as soon as possible. She groaned inwardly at her misfortune of having to be here during winter of all seasons. She was used to the hot year round humidity of her homeland. She was not mentally or emotionally prepared for the oppressive cold. She had hoped for a more immersive experience back planetside, but she was quickly reconsidering her decision. Muninn shivered and sniffled. Her gynoid body, though lifelike in appearance, carried the option of bypassing discomfort. A few swift commands through her internal systems, and the thermal sensors switched off. Relief washed over her as the cold became a distant memory, her breath no longer fogging as it had moments before. She would have to remember to do something about that, people might notice her breath was cold. She let out a long sigh. ¡°Remind me again why are we going about this in such a roundabout way? If we want a fully functional Angel Core, wouldn¡¯t it make more sense for me to just go in and take it myself?¡± ¡°We¡¯ve been over this, Muninn,¡± Huginn replied, his voice calm and measured, the tone of one used to explaining things multiple times. ¡°We can¡¯t afford to draw too much attention¡ªeither to ourselves or to the Forest Father. The Angels may be gone, but they weren¡¯t the only threats in this Plane. ¡°If we act recklessly,¡± Huginn went on, ¡°others will notice the ripples. The divinity of the Forest Father would shine like a beacon, and there are beings here that would see that as a challenge. Six True Immortals still roam this Plane, and of those, the King and Queen of Riots are especially dangerous. If they sense the Forest Father¡¯s presence, they¡¯ll come looking. And the Forest Father is not yet ready for that confrontation.¡± ¡°Six, you never said how many were confirmed before.¡± She frowned beneath her scarf, the logic undeniable but still frustrating. ¡°Yes, of course. You¡¯re right, as always.¡± ¡°I usually am.¡± He said smugly. ¡°Now, let¡¯s focus. We¡¯ve got work to do.¡± ¡°Right, right. So we have a warrior and an artificer. Who''s next?¡± ¡°The target is a healer named Nikandros. It should be easy, he is at a bank right now.¡± Huginn said. ¡°What makes him expendable?¡± She asked. ¡°Well he is a mage healer, but not registered with the healers guild. People call him the Back Alley Healer or Nikandros the Swift as he has had to run from just about every guild enforcer at this point.¡± ¡°Is he any good,¡± Muninn asked. ¡°I know I won¡¯t need a healer but it will be pointless to bring him along if the others die.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know, I haven¡¯t seen his magic in action,¡± Huginn said. ¡°That is your job to make that determination.¡± Muninn rolled her eyes but allowed herself a small smile. At least he fixed the map situation and she didn¡¯t have to go through the mountains of files just to open it. The overlay of her vision showed her the exact location of her next team mate. She pulled up her scarf more out of reflex than necessity and carried on. ¡°Well, let¡¯s find our healer.¡± Muninn said. *** Muninn arrived at her destination and stopped at the entrance to The Gilded Hoarde Truste which was some kind of bank from what she could gather from the outside. The building was a bright red brick as compared to the grey lifeless stone of the adjacent building. It spoke of a regality not present anywhere else that she had seen in the city so far. She also saw her first human made clock at the top of the middle spire of the building. She had never seen one before and had a moment of childlike wonder at how humans managed to build something like that. Then that moment was ruined when information on mechanical clock construction, schematics and even improvements to the design flooded her mind courtesy of Huginn. ¡°Alright I get it.¡± Muninn said out loud. ¡°I am going in already.¡± There wasn¡¯t any response but she knew Huginn was chuckling to himself. He was right though she came here from an orbital station built by the Divines of Man and here she was dumbstruck by a clock. She chuckled to herself at the absolute absurdity of her new life as a Hrafn. She walked up the steps and pushed open the heavy door. The interior of The Gilded Hoarde Truste was every bit as grand as the exterior suggested. A massive crystal chandelier dominated the ceiling, levitating under its own power as each crystal was intricately charged with ambient mana. It casted fractured rainbows of light across polished marble floors. Gold filigree adorned the columns and trim, while plush crimson rugs guided patrons toward the long, gleaming counters. This place was the epitome of wealth, and every detail screamed exclusivity. The few patrons inside glanced up at her arrival, their expressions quickly morphing into thinly veiled disdain. She saw a few of them clutch their coin purses or other valuables as if she were going to walk up and take them. Clearly, she wasn¡¯t dressed to impress. While her ensemble leaned more toward functional she didn¡¯t think it lacked elegance. Apparently she was no different than the ruffians outside.If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. She caught the attention of two young attendants near the counter. A man and a woman exchanged pointed glares, each silently daring the other to step forward. Finally, the man sighed, his shoulders drooping slightly before he straightened, plastering on a smile so fake it was painful to watch. Muninn had to quickly study the room in the corners of her vision. She noticed the unmistakable stares of the security staff. Several human men watched her every move with hawk-like intensity. Their gazes weren¡¯t subtle¡ªthey were making it clear she was unwelcome and under suspicion. Muninn rolled her shoulders, brushing off their silent judgment. With a fluid motion, she unclasped her heavy cloak, letting it vanish into her magical inventory. The act itself drew a few hushed murmurs from onlookers, which wasn¡¯t a surprise. A storage item capable of storing the cloak and scarf while also being small enough to be worn out of sight was expensive in the human kingdom. Now revealed, Muninn was dressed sharply but practically: a crisp white dress shirt tucked neatly into black pants, accented by a fitted vest embroidered with a stunning silver design of the stars. Her gloves matched her attire, sleek and black, with faint lines of stitching tracing elegant patterns. Her movements were smooth, almost predatory, her posture exuding quiet authority and danger. She was a Hrafn after all, she wouldn¡¯t dare falsely represent her master. The holsters beneath her arms visible without the cloak. The ¡°wands,¡± as they might be mistaken for, were in reality her twin pistols. These weapons were of a design unknown to this world. She herself didn¡¯t even know what they were until a couple of weeks ago when she was told she cannot use her electrokinesis unless Huginn approved. To the untrained eye, they were merely oddly shaped magical instruments. Muninn¡¯s presence became sharper without the cloak and there were those that were honestly trying to place her wealth status. Her dress was not that of a pauper but it left her as a figure of mystery. Her dangerous aura was only enhanced by the subdued confidence in her stride. The young man approached Muninn cautiously, his polished shoes clicking softly against the marble floor. His eyes flicked between her, the young woman he had left behind, and the security staff stationed strategically around the room. His apprehension was obvious; he was ready to defer to someone else if things turned unpleasant. Muninn swore she saw a bead of sweat slowly but surely make its way down his forehead when she walked up to him.
Cognitive Data Relay¡­ Scanning¡­ Entity Description Name: Lemmy Jons Species: Human Magical Condition: Poor, Specialty: None Body Condition: Moderate
Lemmy offered a stiff, professional smile. ¡°Good morning, miss. If you¡¯re here looking for work, the guild building is just next door.¡± Muninn tilted her head slightly. She wasn¡¯t sure whether he was genuinely trying to redirect her or simply trying to usher her out. Either way, it was entertaining. She slowly scanned the room, her sharp gaze flicking over each figure she saw. She was searching for her target, but he wasn¡¯t anywhere in sight. Referencing the map Huginn provided he should be close by. Her lips pressed into a thin line of frustration. She would have to play along for a while until she saw him. ¡°No, I¡¯m not here for work,¡± she said after a moment, her voice calm but with an edge of disinterest. ¡°I¡¯d like to¡­ open an account.¡± The young man hesitated, his carefully curated expression faltering for just a second. He glanced back toward the woman behind him. The young woman folded her arms and was watching with a mix of irritation and smugness, she was clearly enjoying not being the one that had to deal with the scary lady. ¡°Ah, I see,¡± Clearing his throat, Lemmy straightened his posture. ¡°Well, while we¡¯d be happy to assist, the bank has a minimum limit of a hundred gold which must be maintained in the account. Perhaps another establishment would better suit your¡ª¡± Before he could finish, Muninn reached into her magical inventory with a fluid motion and withdrew a handful of coins. They gleamed brightly under the chandelier¡¯s light¡ªmithril-plated platinum, a rarity in most economies and a fortune in this one. Any one of the coins she casually showed off were easily worth two hundred gold. Enough for a family to live comfortably for fifty years in this cesspool of a city. She let them clink softly against her gloved palm before holding one of them up for him to see. Lemmy, standing closest, had an unobstructed view of the unmistakable mithril sheen and the intricate craftsmanship that marked them as a fortune beyond most imaginations. Muninn could see the moment his breath caught and he fully grasped what she held. The murmurings in the distance from the other patrons and even the staff, and security told Muninn that most thought it was only silver. The young woman at the counter, emboldened by what she perceived as an affront to their high standards, snapped her fingers at one of the guards stationed nearby. Together, they approached Muninn and the clearly befuddled Lemmy who had not looked away from the coins in her hand. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, miss,¡± the young woman began, her voice dripping with insincere politeness. ¡°But we don¡¯t entertain clients with, ah, questionable business here. I¡¯ll have to ask you to leave.¡± The young woman¡¯s voice seemed to snap the young man out of his stupor. He had exasperation on his face as his formerly cautious demeanor evaporated. He stepped in the young woman and guards path. ¡°Stop,¡± He said sharply. The woman halted, blinking at him in surprise. The guard, too, hesitated, unsure of how to proceed. Lemmy turned to Muninn, his earlier trepidation replaced by a surprising steadiness. ¡°Apologies for the misunderstanding,¡± he said smoothly, bowing slightly. ¡°We¡¯d love to have your business here at The Gilded Hoarde Truste, madam. Allow me to assist you in opening an account immediately.¡± The young woman frowned, confusion and embarrassment flashing across her face. Her gaze darted to the coins again, and realization dawned as she got closer. Her cheeks flushed as she recognized the mithril plating. This wasn¡¯t a handful of silver, it was a fortune. Her earlier smugness crumbled into nervous eagerness. ¡°Madam,¡± she interjected quickly, stepping closer and plastering on a smile. ¡°I must apologize for the earlier confusion. Please, as the manager, allow me to offer you a personal tour of our facilities. I assure you, you¡¯ll find no better place to safeguard your assets.¡± Muninn again looked around at the spot that her target should be. She cross referenced the location with the map in her vision. She ignored the bank account managers as they fought for her business and with each other to be the one to take her account. Muninn¡¯s frustration at locating the target had a breakthrough when she realized the target was in a lower level of the bank. She had to get down there so she finally tuned back into the conversation. ¡°Madam, please,¡± Lemmy said with a slight bow. ¡°If you¡¯d allow me to personally guide you through our offerings, I¡¯m certain we can meet your needs. I¡¯ll ensure you have the utmost discretion and security.¡± Muninn tilted her head as if considering his words. Her sharp gaze locked onto him, studying his sincerity. Finally, she gave a faint nod. ¡°Very well,¡± she said, her tone indifferent but with a hint of amusement. ¡°Show me your security arrangements. I need to know my investments are safe.¡± ¡°Ma¡¯am I must insist that I take your account, Lemmy here is not as experienced,¡± The young woman said. ¡°Lemmy here is the only one I will work with,¡± Muninn said with a small smirk. Muninn didn¡¯t even glance in her direction. Instead, she held out a gold coin and flipped it toward Lemmy, who caught it deftly. The young woman fumed silently as Lemmy, clutching the gold coin like a lifeline, nodded quickly and gestured for Muninn to follow him. He motioned a guard to follow them as they proceeded with the tour with enthusiasm.