Annita followed Kat through the mansion, trailing slightly behind. It was a quiet walk before they got outside, facing the bracing chill of the winter snowscape. There was a small courtyard with what looked like it used to be a fountain in the middle. It wasn’t much more than a few stones in a circle now, and snow covered everything in a soft, amorphous blanket. To the left there was a thicket of black trees, leaves long since gone to the winter’s cold. The skies were overcast but the steely grey clouds were bright and the snow made things brighter, reflecting the surrounding light. Kat led her to the right side of the fountain, where there was a good amount of clear ground.

“Sorry about tha’ in there,” Kat said suddenly. “We lost a teammate just before gettin’ here. Tae be honest. I’m surprised Bren’s holdin’ it together as well as he is.” She let out a deep sigh, raising her eyes to the grey, clouded skies. “Hells I’m mostly only keepin’ it together for ‘im. Someone’s gotta have their head on their shoulders.”

“I’m so sorry,” Annita said as she drew closer to Kat, placing a hand on her shoulder. “I can’t say I understand, but, yeah.”

“Oh, aye. Not somethin’ you really can until it happens to ye. Ugh, well,” she shook herself and took a step away, causing Annita’s hand to fall to her side. “let’s get to less depressin’ things. First off, ya remember anything about fightin’?”

“Hmm, I think there’s something in this brain, but not much.” It wasn’t really a lie. She remembered her martial arts, but it was vague. “I know how to throw a punch. Maybe how to grapple a little?”

“Well, good enough to start on. Shame it aint anythin’ weapon based. Coulda used me sword and shield for tha’. Fair warnin’, I’ve got twelve levels in me Path. It’s not high, but it’s enough this won’t be fair. Don’t hold back. Any accidents that do happen, Bren can patch us up. Any questions?”

“Rules? Tap out or stop on unconsciousness?” Annita took a couple steps back, bouncing on her paws, feeling her body loosen as she got ready. She shook her arms and one leg at a time, rolling her neck to try to get as much stiffness out as she could.

“Unconscious. Ta get ya the most out of this, it’s gotta be as real as we can get. Ye get to count it down. Remember, no holdin’ back.” 

Kat stretched herself and Annita couldn’t help but take a moment to admire her body. It really was a fantastic body. Muscles rippled under her taugt skin as she moved.

“Ready when you are,” Kat said, seemingly noticing Annita’s gaze and grinning mischievously.

“Then here we go.” Annita took a deep breath. “Three, two, one,” she charged.

Katlin seemed to stand perfectly still, waiting to see what she did. She rushed up and aimed a closed fist at the smaller woman’s stomach. With seeming ease, Kat had caught her fist right before she made contact. Annita jumped back on instinct, paws sliding slightly in the snow. Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on novel_fіre.net

“Good. Actually excellent for someone with no Path to help ‘em. Ya sure you’re unleveled?”

“Yeah. Certain.” Annita shook her hand, flexing the fingers before she moved back in. She leveled a kick at Kat’s ankle, which the fighter deftly moved her foot away from before striking back. An impact that rattled her teeth hit Annita’s shoulder and spun her away from her target.

“No holdin’ back.” Kat reminded her.

“Yeah, gotcha.” Annita growled. Kat was fast, she had to try to be either tricky, or faster. She came in again with another punch, trying to aim at Kat’s head before she ducked and wrapped her arms around the other woman’s waist. Pushing hard, she was surprised to find Kat knocked off her feet. A soft grunt met her ears as they hit the snow. Trying to press her advantage, Annita tried to move and restrict Kat’s arms, but never got a chance. 

Immediately upon landing, Kat went on the offensive, raining a flurry of blows up at Annita. She got her arms up in front of her as fast as she could, but a few strikes hit her chest, almost knocking the wind out of her. Even with her arms blocking she wasn’t faring much better. She could tell each and every blow was going to be a bruise, but it was better than nothing. Realizing this wasn’t going to work out, she rolled off Kat and scrabbled to her hands and… paws? Somehow, it was far more comfortable for her to be in this position than it had been. Perks of the new body, she guessed.

Slowly, Annita circled Kat as the woman, in a show of physical ability, launched herself off her back and to her feet. She settled into a boxer’s stance as she watched Annita’s movements. Suddenly Kat was on her, punching down at her back she’d unexpectedly exposed in the stance she’d taken. A loud thud echoed through Annita’s ears. Pain radiated from the impact as she hit the ground with a grunt, completely prone.

Using her until now forgotten claws on her hands and paws, Annita scrabbled forward desperately, trying to make it more awkward for Kat to hit her. She clawed up the woman’s legs, gripping around her waist again, digging her claws in. She grinned as she got a hiss of pain from Kat and began to squeeze.

“Oh, gonna try it like that, are ye?” Kat laughed as she looked down at Annita. “Let’s make it fair then.”

Suddenly Annita felt herself being lifted, her claws scraping against flesh, before Kat’s arms hooked under hers. She looked up and saw a competitive gleam shining back from the fighter’s eyes as she got in position.

Then Annita felt the arms around her squeeze. It was like a vice, or an anaconda. She struggled and twisted, feeling her body being slowly crushed as she tried to do the same to Kat. Air began to slowly leave her body bit by bit, her vision beginning to fade. Desperate, she opened her mouth and sunk her elongated teeth into Kat’s shoulder. The experienced fighter didn’t even flinch as Annita tasted blood for the first time in this life. It was no use. Slowly, painfully, her world went black.

Annita groaned as she felt feeling return to her body. She wished it’d go away again, but she winced and opened her eyes. A familiar silver window opened up in the corner of her vision.

Level Up!

Path unlocked. Please make your selection from the following choices:

“Hey, how’re ya feelin’ there?” Kat was sitting at her side in the snow. Her shirt was ruined, torn up its back and with a bloody bite mark on her shoulder. Curiously, she wasn’t bleeding anymore.

“Like I got put into a corset by a gorilla.” Annita tried to sit up, but her body just wouldn’t let her. “You weren’t kidding about this not being fair.”

“Aye, Paths are some incredible things, and with a combat one like mine? Well, it’s even less fair. So, did it work? Ya get a Path?” She looked down with those intense blue eyes that sent a shiver through Annita.

“Yeah, think I did. One minute.”

“Take yer time. It’s a big decision.”

Annita turned her attention back to the silver screen floating in her vision.

Strangely, there was a box next to the third option. Focusing on it for a moment, it expanded.

“Well, those sure are some choices,” Annita grumbled.

Kat quirked an eyebrow. “Oh? Bad choices?”

“Kinda? At least one of them definitely. Useless outside of, uh, specific situations.” Annita could feel her cheeks burning as she spoke. The thought of the Path excited her, but it wasn’t going to help her survive. “The next two seem combat focused, with the third being more of a mixed bag? The last one is another strange one. I can see it being useful in some circumstances, but isn’t really something I see myself taking.”

“Well, it’s a real personal decision you’ve got to make. Take some time, but you will need to make it before we leave here. Bren and I want to make some ground before the day is done.” Kat patted her on her shoulder. “And, erm,” a hint of a blush crept up the woman’s long ears, “if ye want a second opinion, I’m all ears.”

“Was… was that a pun?” Annita’s voice was full of incredulity as she looked at her long-eared companion.

“Oh, aye, one of me favorites,” Kat laughed heartily as she flopped back in the snow next to Annita. “But seriously. Yer in a vulnerable state not havin’ yer memory and whatnot. I’m happy to help how’ere I can.”

“Thanks.” Annita turned back to her choices. 

Exhibitionist is right out, no question. I guess I can see Pervert of Orenous being useful in some situations. It’d probably be useful, if I were getting into politics or something like that. Man, bending the minds and hearts of others, dangerous stuff. Yeah, don’t want to touch that. Moving on.

I guess these two are both more about fighting, would probably help get me out of this situation. She rolled onto her side, facing Kat as she thought about her choices silently. Feral Scrapper is probably because of the fight we just went through. It seems interesting. All about my body? More about the wolf parts of me, and getting more out of it? Sounds really interesting now that I think about it. And would that include my cock? Shit, shut up horny brain. No wonder I got the other two options.

This last one, though, Warrior of Orenous. It seems like it’s tailor made for what she wanted me to be doing here. Even comes with a recommendation from the Goddess herself. Yeah, sure, fuck it. Kat said I could get it changed later if I really wanted to.

“All right.” Annita let out a sigh and tapped the air where Warrior of Orenous hovered. A brief flash filled her vision, causing her to blink rapidly.

“Yeah, probably shoulda’ warned ye about the flash. At least it only happens once.” Kat chuckled as she watched Annita try to clear the afterimages burned into her eyes.

“Gee thanks.” Annita responded wryly. 

“Well, now that ye’ve got yer Path chosen, check out yer screen. Shoulda updated with it.”

Doing as directed, Annita mentally pulled up her status screen. “Well, that’s interesting.”

Name: Annita Kronforst

Age: 23

Race: Lupine (Warped)

Path: Warrior of Orenous

Title: Chosen of Orenous

———————————————————————————————

Racial Skills:

Cold Resistance: Reduced damage from cold effects. Comfortable in colder climates.

Keen Hearing: Able to hear sounds from greater distances with greater clarity.

Natural Weapons: Claws and teeth are considered weapons for any skills that would affect weapons.

Endurance Hunter: +2 to Strength, +5 to Dexterity, +5 to Stamina

———————————————————————————————

Unique Passive:

Chosen of Orenous: The Bearer is burdened with a task from the divine. Growth of one’s progression is accelerated by a factor of 1.5 once a Path is chosen. Further benefits will be unlocked upon progression of the Bearer’s Path.

Additionally provides +3 to Faith.

Path Skills

———————————————————————————————

Passive:

Weapon Proficiency: Light weapons and small firearms.

Armor Proficiency: Medium Armor

Health Points: Stat has been unlocked.

Libido: Stat has been unlocked. Increases by 5/hour. Once full, sexual inhibitions will be greatly reduced until release is achieved.

Desire: Stat has been unlocked. Gained through relations with trusting partners.

Stat Increases: +5 to Faith, +10 to Mind, +2 to Endurance, +2 to Resilience

Compatibility: You’re a large lady, in more ways than one. This will help make sure things go smoothly in your conquests.

———————————————————————————————

Active:

Stoke the Flames: Consume 10 desire points to inflame the target, incensing a heightened emotion of your choice for 1 minute.

Smite of Orenous: Enhance an attack to deal additional Holy damage. Adds 20% of current Faith to the attack. Cost: 10 Mind.

“Of course it’s weirder than I thought it would be,” Annita groaned, covering her eyes.

“Hm? Somethin’ wrong with the Path?” Kat’s voice was more curious than concerned as she leaned closer. Annita was suddenly reminded how close they were, and her heart skipped a beat.

“Uh, no, not really? It’s strange. It seems like it’s a mix of fighter and magic user? I’m not really sure what to make of it. And there’re some stats on this screen that are, uh, problematic to say the least.”

“Problematic how? As in dangerous to others or just frustratin’ to use?”

“The latter, definitely. Honestly, it might be easier for me to show you. Wait, can I even do that?” Annita looked up to see Kat blushing furiously, at a loss for words for once. “Did I say something wrong? I know this is supposed to be private, but you’re the only one who’s around that I can really talk about this with. Especially with how some of this, uh, Gods, works.”

Kat took a second to recollect herself, but the blush did not fade, and was starting to incite a blush in Annita as well. “Oh, yeah, definitely. And definitely private, and personal, and, well, sharing means a great deal of trust. Are ye sure?”

“I think I am?” Annita responded slowly. “How do I do it? And uh, don’t hate me?”

“Just put yer hand on me cheek and think about the Screen. And why would I hate… oh, oh!” She stumbled over her words as Annita followed her instruction.

“Orenous? How the bloody, shite suckin’ Hells did you wind up with a class dedicated to ‘er? Not to mention a title to boot? Who the hell are ye, lassie? That shite aint normal. Not even rare. That’s,” Kat looked like she was about to explode, her previous embarrassment completely forgotten. “Feck. It’s not important right now. The rest of it is. Gods, now I know why you asked me not to hate ye.”

“Yeah, sorry. Not like I knew that was coming with this.” Annita rolled back onto her back to stare back up at the sky. “I’m as surprised as you are.”

“Clearly not! Yer way too calm. Wait, amnesiac, right! UGH!” she shouted again with frustration.

“I’ve gotta fill ye in later. Once we’re back in a modicum of safety. We’re gonna talk about yer race too. Yer pretty exceptional ‘n all, but Warped isn’t somethin’ I’ve seen or heard of attached like that. Not with yer sanity. Fer now, ye’ve got weapon proficiency, ye’ve got yer health points, ye’ve got a good boost to yer physical stats, and yer magic ain’t nothin’ to sneeze at neither. Ye’re an all rounder. It’ll help get ye outta ‘ere an’ back to the outpost fer sure. Gods damnit woman. Ye’ve got the looks and a bonkers class to go with it.” Kat flailed in a small tantrum, tossing snow around and over Annita.

“Hey, hey, wasn’t my choice to be given this,” Annita laughed as she tried to block some of the snow. “So, you’re cool with the, well, other parts of the Path?”

“What the fuckin’? Oh, aye, tha’s fine. Er, wait, are ye propositionin’ me?” Kat stopped thrashing, focusing on Annita with an almost offended look.

“No! Nonononono. I would, I mean, I wouldn’t never, but I just, uh. Fuck. I don’t know.” Annita melted into a pile of nerves and anxiety with a whine. She was pretty sure she already liked Kat. The woman’s easy confidence relaxed her, making even fighting her seem pleasant. But she couldn’t help thinking they’d just met about an hour ago. Was this too fast? She couldn’t tell.

“Ah, I’m pullin’ yer leg. Not like I wouldn’t like a tumble with ye, but it’s not been a day we’ve known each other.” Much to Annita’s relief, Kat’s look softened back to normal. It seemed like the woman was of the same mind as her. The brunette with elven features stood and looked around. “All right, it’s been a bit. Bren’s probably worried sick about us. Let’s head back in. Oh, and Annita?”

“Yeah?” Annita asked as she stood to follow Kat back into the mansion.

“Buy me dinner first.” Kat giggled as she strode back into the building, leaving Annita stunned in the snow outside.

“Oh, so this is why you liked who was coming, isn’t it?” she quietly said to the sky. “Goddesses I swear.” With that, she trudged in and went to meet up with Bren, tail wagging softly behind her.

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