The androgynous looking man starred at Theo with a slight smile.

  "Welcome to my prison, mortal." they said. "Who are you? Why are you in a lake?" Theo asked. He was shocked to say the least, and [Assimilation] wasn't triggering for some reason.

  They looked around the cavern. After a moment of consideration, the man spoke once more.

  "..I heard you speak of the gods, and I think I have a solution to both of our problems. You wish to know why the 'players' were trapped in this world, and I'd like to know as well. But, rather, I'd also like to be free. So, if you could so kindly navigate to my home and release me, I'd be most helpful to you."

  Theo pondered this- at first he was a bit frightened. Though the gods appearance wasn't intimidating, it was clear he was powerful.

  "What is keeping you here? How can someone like me save you? I just almost got killed by goblins, and it's not like I was really thriving before that either." Theo said, gesturing to the white stone tunnels around.

  "Yes, and you are not the only authentic human to struggle in this world. Not to mention to silicon based lifeforms such as myself. We've both have had a hard time of it, I assure you. You can help, because that's the law of this world. Narrative balance. The gods are restricted by a handful of administrative programs that exist above even us. I can't leave here until someone solves my ruin and frees me. You say the goblins restrict your path, but you have capable allies. And more on the way. Rescue the surviving sailors and make your way into the depths of the jungles."

  "But there's thousands-"

  The god ignored him and continued; "There'll be further challenges ahead besides the goblins. But there's a player among them. They're a relatively capable [Archer]. The captain of this ship seems quite capable as well. There was a Nymarion on board that may be convinced to aid you as well."

  Theo put aside the fact that there was a goblin player somewhere on the island, he was overloaded with information as it was.

  "How am I supposed to fight through a thousand goblins?"

  The god seemed irritated by the question. "They are low level monsters, are they not? None of them are above level 10, that's how you and your compatriots were able to escape despite being overwhelmed. Use this as an opportunity to level. Cut down their hordes like the military commanders in your world might. Have you ever seen the movie; Rambo?"

  At that- Theo gave him a thousand yard stare.

  "You see, in this action film- a man with-", "I've seen Rambo. Well, the remake they made like ten years ago."

  "Then you understand. Goblins are not adept at fighting enemies that strike from the shadows. They prefer to overwhelm and ambush their targets. If you are careful, quiet, and quick- you'll never be apprehended while accomplishing your objectives. For example, to reach the ship, what would Rambo do?"

  Theo pondered it for a moment. "Maybe he'd swim along the beach? But that guy's built like a tri-olympic athlete."

  "Your form is adept at things like swimming, simply use that [Assimilation] skill you like to use so much.", "H-how do you know I'm a changeling?" Theo asked, suddenly feeling dirty, as if this being had been watching him constantly so far.

  "Do not worry, I can only see players for what they truly are. All gods can. I see your stats, your levels, and even what you truly look like. You're not such a bad looking man I might say."

  Theo crossed his arms; "I prefer women, but thanks?", "If you say so." they said dismissively. "You'll need to make the most of your form before it dissolves. Take your friend 'Vaz', and board the black hands ship. Negotiate with the captain and the surviving sailors to abandon the ship and come to my ruins. They will have the sufficient levels to satisfy the conditions to start the quest."

  Theos heart began to beat fast, was this the plan? It seemed so... Well, like a plot from a B-list action movie from the 80s. He'd actually do this? There were so many steps along the way he could fail. Like drowning in the ocean. Or being cut down by angry sailors or goblins. Then the ruins, what kind of traps or puzzles are there?

  "I'd rather go home?" Theo said uneasily. The god threw their hands down towards the water and it splashed up in a tidal wave before crashing back down to the ground. "Don't pretend that I do not know what you fleas are here for! You desire my artifacts, but they are insignificant baubles compared to the blessing I could provide! Fool!"

  Theo had flinched and raised his arms to protect himself.

  The god looked at him confusedly, and sighed; "I apologize mortal, I do not know my own strength. I've been contained to this island for too long. My patience wanes. I know my task seems daunting. But player, 'Theo', if you achieve this task, you will be far more powerful leaving this island than when you first arrived. This, I promise you."

  He had lowered his arms, putting his hands in the deep pockets of the trench coat he wore. "The Nymarion, on the ship- she says that she can't leave the ship."

  "A common sailors contract with sea beasts. Their help would be pivotal, as would the ships surviving sailors.", the figure walked to Theo, he shuddered and stepped back defensively. But the god scoffed and simply held out a hand. A silver bracelet with a sapphire gem sat in it.

  "What's this?" he asked. "This. This is a priceless artifact. I can't leave this island and I'm rather limited, but this much I can provide you. It has the ability to absorb the affect of curses or hexes. It will likely become little more than jewelry after one use, but it will free her."

  Theo took the silver bracelet. The beautiful thing was surprisingly heavy for its size. Like lead.

  "Swim to the boat, don't get eaten by sharks, and free the Nymarion... Sounds easy enough.." Theo said nervously.'

  "Humans." the god rolled their eyes and turned, walking back to the center of the lake.

  "How do I contact you once this is done? Do I just find the ruins after? Why would the sailors listen to me?" he had the feeling the god was about to leave and unloaded questions.

  They turned to face him.

  "Pray to the god Metatekai, and I will hear. No matter the distance. But I feel this may be the last time we see each other until you succeed at the ruins. This appearance drained much of the power I had saved. It's up to you now. I only hope you have as much faith as I do. Goodluck, mort-" they stopped themselves.

  The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  "Goodluck, 'Theodore'." they corrected themselves and gave a smile.

  Theo opened his eyes and he still gripped the stone he was about to throw in his hands. Was that a vision? Then-

  He felt the silver bracelet in his other hand. Weighty.

  [Quest Obtained!]

  [Explore Ruins of Metatekai]

  The joyful voice of the system was different than the voice that spoke when he activated his abilities. He only heard it when he leveled, or obtained quests it seemed. Theo wondered why the voices were different as he examined the bracelet again.

  He supposed he better let the others know. Another insane thing happened. He had expected magic and stuff, but everything else is just as crazy in this world. And there's a goblin player he would have to find. How would he do that?

  ---

  Across the ocean an annoyed agent Craig sat in a stool. It was comical- the massive man on a stool that was puny in comparison to him. He was hunched over the bar.

  "Would you like to try another?" the bartender asked.

  "Yes." he said, downing his drink and sliding over his also comically small shot glass. He was fed up. These gods were difficult to track down, let alone kill.

  "What's got you down?" the large black man asked Craig, as he pulled some glowing blue bottle from below the counter.

  "Work." he grumbled.

  "Ah, isn't it always? I got three rookies I'm training up right now. Never cleaned a thing in their lives. Spoiled brats."

  Craig couldn't put his finger on it, but this guy seemed alright. He was probably a player, he discerned. Based on how he spoke.

  "Rookies. There's no way getting around it. Someone has to show them the ropes, or all the work we do goes to shit after we're gone.", Craig said. Eyeing the glowing blue liquid that filled his glass with interest.

  "Heh, probably go to shit anyways.", this time the bartender poured himself a glass as well. Craig found himself grinning slightly, this bartender does his job well. He toasted him; "To things going to shit." they clinked their classes together.

  Just then heavily armored group bust into the tavern. A small beastkin woman leading them, the visor of her helmet opened.

  "Miku, brush off the mud first at least for Christs sake!", the bartender shouted chastisingly.

  "Sorry James. Is the boss around?", "Outback. He's helping the carpenters get setup. Why are you out of breath?" he asked.

  Craig accepted the bottle that the bartender slid forward as he talked. He was still paying attention, so these were players. Makes sense why so many of the people following this 'Miku' were also adorable beastkin. 'Kids' Craig thought. Kids always annoyed him.

  "There was an accident. We need to round up a few more guys and head back to the dungeon.", "Who died?" James asked. "No one. Not yet at least, I don't have time to explain it twice." they said as they walked briskly across the room and out the back door.

  "Trouble?" Craig asked. "When it rains, it pours." they sighed. "Do you ever get drunk man, what number is that?" he asked, raising his eyebrows.

  Craig chortled. "Old army secret. I'm drunker than I look.", "You served?" James asked. It seemed he knew he was a player as well, the unspoken truth was just ignored.

  "Yeah, long time ago." he said as he got a nostalgic look.

  "Well shit, I wouldn't mind hearing some war stories."

  Craig was going to humor the bartender with a story when another more normal looking man appeared from the back door with the armored Miku in toe.

  "Going to the dungeon Brett, need some help?" James asked, producing a spiked mace from beneath the counter.

  "I guess so. Biggie and some others got separated and they're surrounded. We need to fight through some Skitter Fiends, damned demons." Brett told the bartender and immediately noticed the hulking agent.

  "You wouldn't be open to some mercenary work would you friend?" he asked Craig quickly, as if he needed a fast answer.

  "I suppose I could use a distraction. The dungeon? Pay my tab and I'll get it done.", Brett found himself smiling at the response. "Shit, I'll let you drink us dry if you save my boys. Let's go."

  They left the shabby tavern. Outside there were the sounds of many hammer strikes and saws. People worked to add onto the building as well as some buildings around it. This guild was renovating the area it seemed. Craig admired their initiative. At least half of them were kids, but their leaders seemed capable. For gaming nerds.

  A lizard beastkin and various other mages or warriors followed them. A beastkin with mostly human features wore a disportionately large wizards hat that flopped around as they walked. They had to take two steps for every one the group made, since their legs were so short. It was an odd assortment of characters.

  The city streets cleared for them as they made their way out of the city to the dungeon.

  Craig could use a break. He'd never been inside a dungeon yet, he'd mostly been pursuing different gods across the continent. Slippery bastards. He'd really cut loose.

  The massive building sized doors swung open, revealing an impossibly large space within. A portal, essentially. Green rolling hills and forests. The walls of the massive place stretched miles up, with broken sections that revealed cloudy blue skies above.

  "Where were they?" their leader asked. "This way!" the lizard person said and blinked from existence. They reappeared a hundred yards away. "Come on!" he blinked again and saw the beastkin appear further away. "Damn." he said. James scoffed, putting a mace over his shoulder. "Crazy, right?"

  "Move it! Taylor! Use it!", the small beastkin with white fur flinched and fumbled with their disportionately large staff- "Okay! I got it! HUP!" he flicked the staff forward and a chiming sound appeared. And the group began to shine with a gold color.

  Brett took off running at ridiculous speed, tossing up clumps of dirt and grass as he did.

  They followed. Craig took a step and crashed into a hill. The soil was soft like a pillow as he crashed several feet into it, leaving a crater.

  "Wow that's amazing man! What level are you that haste does that?" the little white mage 'Taylor' said as they ran up to the hole. A fox beastkin, it seemed.

  Craig said nothing as he stepped out of the hole. Not a scratch on him. He snatched up the little fox and leapt into the air. Brett had lead them onwards leaving them behind. He had to make up the distance.

  "Usually people ask for consent before touching- WAI- AAAAAAH!" Taylor screamed as they soared through the 'sky' of the dungeon. Over the group of running adventurers. Who looked up in wonder.

  'SMASH' he landed both feet on the ground.

  "How the hell?" Brett asked. Craig ignored him and followed the teleporting lizard mage. At this pace it wasn't so long until they came across a massive dirt canyon of sorts. It had many winding sandstone cliffs with sediment layers. The environment here seemed to change often.

  And the narrow canyons were teeming with little red creatures. They shook and twitched randomly- with unnatural speed.

  And a circle of adventurers could be seen fighting. Admirably- but their healers were in also fighting off the little demonic bugs that managed to get by. Trying to get to their wounded party members, drawn by the smell of blood.

  He ran into the fray. Barreling through the tiny creatures, the size of german shepards. They had many random chaotic limbs, like centipedes. But also humanoid torsos and heads. And genitals.

  "Azur'Cra!" he called out, and a sigil appeared on his back and two reptile claws reached out of an appearing portal and grabbed the edges of it. A raptor leapt out and barked. Or chirped, but the affect was deafening. A gust of wind flew from it's mouth and several cuts raked across the ground ahead of it. Slicing whatever it's head faces as it looked about, slicing the horde like a lawn mower would grass.

  Then another raptor appeared, and another.

  [Pack Leader], the ability allowed for beasts to understand more complicated commands, and obey them.

  [Beast Bond], the ability allowed for beasts to benefit from their masters stats like constitution or strength. Slightly. And for them to share damage they take.

  [Beast Tamer], gave him the ability to level up the beasts he used.

  And combined with many other skills, it made his raptors into biological weapons that tore through the skitter fiends numbers.

  At this point the rest of the reinforcements collided with the outer layer of the demonic skitter fiends. "Holy hell!" Brett called out. "Do you want to join a guild!?" the guild leader was no slouch himself, he moved about in heavy armor like it was leather. Dancing about with his blade. If a fiend did manage to bit or claw him, they took a portion of whatever damage they delt. Colliding against his armor and dying with numerous punctures, leaking purple blood.

  Craig reached over his back and a great sword apparated. A gift he had pilfered from the corpse of a god. He'd have some fun at last.

  He swung out with the flat end of the sword and a 'bang' sounded. The fight always ended too quickly for Craig.

  The area around him cleared, leaving light brown dirt remaining. There were still a few remaining skitterfiends- but he had contained his ability not to hurt the players. They'd have to fight whatever remained.

  A drop of purple splashed the ground. Then another. Then dozens, until it was pouring purple rain.

  The raptors helped the adventurers clear the rest, and Craig stood there suddenly bored.

  Brett was breathing hoarsely as he approached the survivors. "Anyone dead?" he asked quickly. "No- you got here just in time! Who is this?" the little beastkin who lead the separated group asked. 'Biggie', a ironically small beastkin woman with light blue fur and pale skin.

  "My names Craig." he said, the sword in his grip turned to dust and blew away in the wind..

  "You're a badass craig. Want to join a guild?", Brett asked. And Craig shrugged. "I'll be around when I'm around. Usually how I operate, I got lots of things to do."

  Brett laughed and slapped him on the back. "I'd say! Drinks on me!", James looked at him annoyedly. Brett went over to him "Don't worry James, I got something for you too. You like maces right?"

  Even the wounded were ecstatic. As if he represented some sort of goal for them- to be so powerful.

  Many hoped around Craig like excited pups. Asking him questions, how he fights, and how he'd get so strong. He answered sometimes, but usually he just smirked. This was a new experience for him. Usually people never cheer at the carnage he wrought. In this world or the last.

  He could get used to this.