Chapter 3: NINJA
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I sat up. No bed, no bathrobe, no hotel. Instead, I was half-naked, wearing nothing but a potato sack on a mound of grass. The earthy smell of wet burlap filled my nostrils, mingling with the musty scent of the ground beneath me. My arm was still asleep, and the entire side of my face felt numb.
By the firelight, I could make out the forest. The night sky sparkled with stars—something you’d never see standing in a city like Vegas.
“Ember Lynn,” a voice called.
Before my mind could register, he sat cross-legged next to me, staring into the fire.
“Dad?”
Tears streamed down my face. He reached out, but I flinched away. Mixed with the burning smell of wood and smoke, I recognized the Old Spice pomade he used every morning. I bawled as I let him hold my hands.
“Ember Lynn. Why did we give you that name?” he asked.
“My hair?”
“No, little one. Your first father named you Lynn, but we called you Ember because no matter how alone or different you would feel, we wanted nothing to put out the fire in your heart.”
He leaned in and touched his forehead to mine—something he’d always do to promise things would be okay, no matter how bad.
“But dad, I’m so…”
He vanished.
I felt something in my hand. It was the black poker chip, and the hallucinations returned. My interface?
Name: Ember [8160]
Faction: -
Level: -
Zii: -
I sprang to my feet, wobbled, and slipped, falling into the crackling blaze. But a clay arm shot around my waist, yanking me out just in time.
Screeching like a trapped animal, I thrashed in Cragmarr’s grip. The Golem restrained me, lifting me off the ground.
“That is enough!”
A figure emerged from the darkness. It was cloaked in black, with tattered pieces writhing like living tendrils—the silhouette of a creature composed of endless, restless limbs. The cloak didn’t reach the ground as the figure floated effortlessly, a faint trail of black smoke puffing out from beneath it.
The firelight cast eerie shadows on the figure’s face, revealing a skeletal visage. It wore a twisted metal mask resembling a cross between a human and an alien animal skull. The eye sockets were dotted with multiple lights, each emitting a glow of slightly different colors.
“I have no time or patience for these petulant displays, number 8160,” it said. “You will comply or forfeit the game.”
“Ember,” Cragmarr pleaded.
“Focus and look at me, human,” it said.
Above its head, more information appeared.
Name: ???
Tier ??? Gamemaster
Faction: Jingozi [Light]
Level: ???
Its bony metal finger poked my chest and pulsed with light. Despite my attempts to twist free, warmth radiated within me. And my Zii, whatever that was, ticked up from 1.
Name: Ember [8160]
Faction: -
Level: -
Zii: 100
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My body felt strange. I couldn’t ignore feeling stronger and healthier for the first time in years, maybe my entire life.
“You have been chosen to battle in the Jingozi tournament,” it said. “If you are victorious, you will be granted permission to return to your world.”
My “world?”
“There are seven factions in Jingozi,” it continued. “Observe.”
Seven wooden shoebox-sized chests appeared. They glowed in different colors, from red to purple, with the last one black. A different symbol marked each lid, some like poker suits. I focused on each one, and a list formed.
1. Ninja [Red Hearts]
2. Golem [Orange Shields]
3. Samurai [Gold Spades]
4. Monk [Green Clovers]
5. Amazon [Blue Diamonds]
6. Emperor [Purple Crowns]
7. Jingozi [Black Skulls]
Cragmarr set me down. Black tendrils from its cloak reached for me as I took a cautionary step back.
Wait a second, am I in a video game somehow?
As I examined each one, the thing started narrating.
1. NINJA [RED]
Represents the strategy, principles, and ideological dedication of the Ninja. Symbolizes the cunning, discipline, and unwavering commitment to their cause. The Ninja are problem-solvers but the most critical of themselves when they fail.
2. GOLEM [ORANGE]
Reflects the servant leadership of the Golem. Symbolizes selflessness, strength, and dedication to supporting others. Golems try to avoid the spotlight at all costs and will enable the dysfunction of other factions.
I snuck a peek at Cragmarr. That seems about right.
3. SAMURAI [GOLD]
Embodies the dedication to knowledge, wisdom, and perfectionist application of the Samurai. Symbolizes the pursuit of excellence, strategic insight, and profound understanding. Samurai tend to be selective in their responsibilities, choosing only to participate when they have confidence they possess the necessary knowledge.
4. MONK [GREEN]
Signifies the social harmony of the Monk, seeking the vision to reconcile all. Symbolizes peace, unity, and the quest for enlightenment and reconciliation. Monks tend to be social chameleons but struggle with conflict at the risk of being disliked.
5. AMAZON [BLUE]
Illustrates the resourcefulness and flexibility of the Amazon, with a dedication to legacy. Symbolizes adaptability, strategic planning, and the importance of preserving heritage. Amazons find ultimate security in their resources and, therefore, struggle when others do not value them for those resources.
6. EMPEROR [PURPLE]
Represents the institutional leadership of the Emperor, focusing on loyalty and freedom to grow. Symbolizes authority, governance, and the balance between tradition and progress. To the Emperor, the ends always justify the means, including control through domination.
“The purple Emperors,” I said. “That’s where I was, right? The guy with the robe and gold chains?”
Cragmarr nodded. I shuddered, remembering the child.
7. JINGOZI [BLACK]
Locked
“Why can’t I pick black?” I asked. “I assume that’s you, the Jingozi.”
“It is forbidden.”
“That’s not a real answer. It’s like saying, ‘Because I said so.’”
Cragmarr sighed behind me.
“We Jingozi are the gamemasters,” it said. “You may only represent our faction by divine decree. There will be no further questions on this matter, human.”
I flipped it my middle finger—no reaction except for a message.
FACTION ASSIGNED: NINJA [RED HEARTS]
Represents the strategy, principles, and ideological dedication of the Ninja. Symbolizes the cunning, discipline, and unwavering commitment to their cause. The Ninja are problem-solvers but the most critical of themselves when they fail.
LEVEL UP
Name: Ember [8160]
Tier 1 Apprentice
Faction: Ninja [Field]
Level: 1
So much for choice, I see.
The Ninja faction box hovered towards me, disappearing as soon I touched it.
YOU HAVE RECEIVED A JINGOZI DECK [NINJA]
Cards: 36 [Battle] / 0 [Spell]
NEW QUEST: JINGOZI TUTORIAL
Complete the Jingozi tutorial.
NEW QUEST: JINGOZI APPRENTICE
Reach level 24 to complete tier 1.
NEW QUEST: JINGOZI TOURNAMENT
Win the Jingozi Tournament for your final reward.
Prerequisite: Level 24
The Jingozi extended its palm. A poker-sized card materialized with a red glow, gliding towards me, leaving a faint trail of red light.
“This is your first spell card,” it said. “Do you accept?”
I hesitated before poking the card. It evaporated into red smoke, which was sucked into the tip of my finger. A scalding pain shot through my hand as if I’d plunged it into boiling water. The agony spread up my arm, searing through my veins until it engulfed my entire body. I cried out, collapsing onto all fours, drenched in sweat. The pain was beyond anything I’d ever imagined.
Through the pounding in my ears, Cragmarr said, “It is too much for her.”
“The vessel is strong,” the Jingozi replied. “I chose it myself.”
“But look at her.”
“Then this girl is a pitiful waste and deserves to perish.”
“You know,” I gasped. “I can hear you, right?”
FEAT ACHIEVED: SPELL CARDS
You can learn and receive one spell per level.
YOU HAVE RECEIVED A SPELL CARD
Access will be granted during the tutorial.
Everything faded to black—again.