Masenia: A Corrupted Wish, Progression, GameLit Story (Patreon)

<<<<Author's Note: Don't worry, this is my new Writathon story that I intend to get to 55,555 words and stop...honest, maybe. Anyways, I will still wait a day or so before I begin posting these to Royal Road, so enjoy and let me know what you think.>>>>


Prelude.

Cassandra was the first, a person granted the ability to know the future, but to never be able to change the destiny of the world. However, Cassandra was just a legend, a fable to tell children about the futility of trying to change the path that the Gods have created, or was she?

Meet Maria, when the world was the throws of chaos Maria was there, as one of the fateful seven, one of the last survivors of humanity, one of the last few who fought against the perils of the universe and lost.

However, the gods were not without their mercy, they offered the final survivors of humanity one final wish that they could cast to set the world right. Their wish, "to go back in time, so we can fix the coming problems."

"Is that all?" Arbitos, the god of dealings asked.

The seven paused, wondering if this was some type of trap. The gods were never this benevolent, were never this understanding, so they were all hesitant.

"Yes." The first six heroes said, in unison.

With that Maria watched as her fellow heroes began blinking out of existence one by one, no doubt being granted the very wish they had just asked.

Only after they were gone, did she see the malicious smile of the gods, of the beings who wished for humanity to fall, but were forced to grant this one last act of contrition. Seeing their cold calculating faces that reeked of malevolent intent, Maria paused, realizing that something was wrong. Then thinking about what was asked, she realized there was a lot implied, but never actually stated.

"And what of you star child, do you wish to go back as well?" Arbitos asked.

"I do, but with my current power and strength." Maria said, as a slight twinge of fear filled her, knowing the other six would likely have to start from the beginning.

"Sadly, we cannot grant such an accommodation. We can only grant you the maximum starting score for your attributes, along with the increased growth skill. Will that be sufficient?" Arbitos said, a slightly apologetic tone to his voice.

Maria paused, there was something wrong with this, but she could not place her finger on what. She was tired, oh so tired. She had fought with humanity for over a century, only to lose, or come so close that the best they were offered was this, a draw, a do-over as it were. Realizing the game had been stacked from the beginning, she paused trying to work out the angles, trying to see the deception. She knew that some people came to the field with gifts and blessings. To be granted the exceptional growth would be more than a boon, along with starting off with the maximum for a human, everything seemed to be acceptable, almost too acceptable. The only problem was, for the life of her, Maria could not see the twist, she could not see the problem with what she was wishing, but it was right there, staring at her in the face.

"Time is ticking." Malvos said impatiently.

With that, Maria unable to think of anything else, shook her head and finally, "I accept this concession."

"Then by the deals of the universe, this is over." Arbitos answered.

Chime.

Maria could feel something coming to life within her, something bonding to her soul. It was as if only part of her infinite power could be contained in this tiny concession, she had somehow finagled her way out of the gods. Still, it was enough, it had to be, from this tiny start, she would be able to grow her power base and be set to face the problems that were certain to come again.

Cackling.

They were laughing, mocking her, as her time to barter was over, and she was stuck dealing with everything. Maria moved to open her mouth, but found that she could no longer talk, as she felt the excess power she had accumulated, the knowledge of the corrupted system that was soon to come, the malevolence of the gods slowly burning away, until only the core and her one incredible merit remained. Then with a flash of light what remained of her soul blinked out of existence, only to be sent back in time.

Only then, once the last of humanity’s saviors were gone did the gods truly begin to converse amongst themselves.

"Foolish mortals, they always assume they will remember everything, without even asking for it." Malvos said, the most malevolent of the gods present said.

***

Gasp!

Maria woke up from her dream, sweat coating her body causing her night gown to cling tightly to her.

Panting.

“It was a dream, just a bad dream.” Maria said to herself, before she managed to calm down her racing heart. There had been so much going on, the entire thing seemed important, but for the life of her, she could not remember any of it. Sighing, she realized such was the nature of dreams, but for the life of her, she desperately wished she could recall what that blasted dream was about. Then again, given how much she sweated and how much residual fear she still felt coursing through her body, she figured that maybe not knowing was a good thing at this point.