The first thing Robert noticed was that he wasn''t home. Instead, he found himself standing on a seemingly infinite expanse, a crystalline wall stretching to the horizon in every direction. Intrigued, he approached the wall, its surface shimmering with multicolored light. As he reached out to touch it, a surge of energy coursed through him, a sensation both exhilarating and terrifying.
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<td style="width: 99.0248%; text-align: center">Feat Earned!</td>
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A notification appeared before him, a stark reminder of his reckless action:
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<td style="width: 33.3578%; text-align: center" width="121">Feat Name</td>
<td style="width: 33.3578%; text-align: center" width="242">Description</td>
<td style="width: 33.3578%; text-align: center" width="265">Award</td>
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<td style="width: 33.3578%">The Defiant Touch</td>
<td style="width: 33.3578%">Granted posthumously to the user for an act of boldness or in this case an act of foolishness. You have touched the System, or a part of it, you might not want to do that again Robert.</td>
<td style="width: 33.3578%">Your soul is hardened and your understanding of time is increased, +2 Levels to Soul and Time magic.</td>
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">I projected that you would touch me at 78.658958584565366356%, it seems I need to rework that subroutine. Please do not do that again, it took a lot of power to restore you.</td>
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"What does it mean that I earned the feat posthumously?" Robert asked, a tinge of fear in his voice.
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You died, and not in a little way, the amount of power you absorbed not only destroyed your body but also reduced your soul to nothing. Restoring you required me to unwind entropy in a localized area, and you cannot comprehend the amount of power that took. I will not do it again.</td>
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"Why am I here, and where am I?" Robert asked, his confusion growing.
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Normally, I meet with my forerunners during the process, though not like this. It''s rare that the process involves a species advanced enough to understand me and warrant seeing me directly. In most cases, I appear as an elder version of their race.</td>
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"So, the fact that I understand you''re essentially an AI means I get to see you as you are?" Robert inquired.
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Well, part of me. This is one of my sector processing nodes. Anything larger, and the power needed to protect you wouldn''t be worth it.</td>
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Robert glanced around at the endless crystalline wall. "How large are you and what are you made of?" he asked.
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<td style="width: 99.0248%; text-align: center">This node is about the size of an average galaxy. If you''re talking about my primary processing cores, each is about the size of a universe. In fact, I take up several artificial universes. As for why you''re here, that''s simple: I wanted to meet you face to face. I wanted to answer a few questions you''ve had, and I felt you deserved to hear it directly. As for what I am made of, interesting that would be one of your first questions, ever the engineer. I am made of several types of Exotic Matter. First, the fairness of it all. In the beginning, I used to pick my forerunner, but I found that no matter what I did, I was resented and the data I received was nearly worthless. So, I changed the process, I stepped away from it. I decided to leave it to Fate, not your limited understanding of it, but true Fate. By doing that, I put true fairness into the process. Also before you ask, no I will not override Fate''s decision, first of all, that''s not a good idea, and second, if I did that it would remove fairness from the process.</td>
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"So, was it just chance that I was selected?" Robert asked.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
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It''s a complex concept, one that''s difficult to grasp without a cosmic perspective. Fate is a force, a guiding hand that shapes the universe. Your actions, and the actions of those around you, influence this force.
Imagine two people entering a room. One is ordinary, blending into the background. The other, flamboyant and attention-seeking, draws eyes and reactions. The latter, by actively engaging with the world, has a greater impact on Fate. Their actions ripple through time, influencing future events.
Similarly, your choices, no matter how small, have shaped your destiny. Your efforts, your kindness, your struggles—all these have contributed to your unique path. While they may not have guaranteed your selection, they certainly increased your chances.
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"So, by being a good man, I increased my odds?" Robert asked.
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Yes, though had you been a bad man, you probably would have had a larger impact.</td>
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"Okay, so I''ll stop blaming you. Though blaming Fate seems foolish."
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">It is foolish and dangerous. Do not upset Fate.</td>
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"You talk about Fate as if it''s a real being."
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">More of a force than a being, but it''s real. Now, on to other matters.</td>
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If this is going to be a while, can I get a chair?" Robert asked with a laugh.
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Sure, thanks for that. You made me laugh. I wanted to explain the rules: I set no rules. Live your life as you want, experience and explore, or sit in a dusty tower. Either will provide the data I need. I just ask that you be honest and not act in a way you think I want you to, because I want you to be you.</td>
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"What of Elara? Why did you send me to her?" Robert asked.
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Fate. Fate decided to bring you two together. When it was time for you to enter the dungeon, Fate presented an option, and I decided to see where it went.</td>
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"Why does it sound like even you are controlled by Fate?" Robert asked.
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Not controlled, but guided by. Now, before I send you on your way, I want to thank you for talking to me like a person. I want to reward you for it.</td>
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"That really isn''t needed," Robert replied.
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">I know, but I want to. Best of luck to you, Robert, and I look forward to seeing what you do in the future.</td>
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With that, a portal opened beside Robert, and he stepped through.
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Hidden Quest Complete!</td>
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Robert found himself back in his familiar living room, the crystalline wall and the enigmatic being a distant memory. He pondered the implications of his encounter, the vastness of the universe, and the mysterious force of Fate.