Chapter 6: FISH


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    I followed Cragmarr through the dense forest, our footsteps muffled by the thick layer of fallen leaves. It was a scorching morning, even in the shade. I attempted to break the ice, but the mood remained somber.


    Cragmarr explained a [Field] Ninja as the starter class of the Ninja faction. Upon reaching tier 2, I could specialize as an Assassin or Mystic. A class called the Shadow Elven was also reserved for, well… elves.


    Despite its fantasy elements, I wondered why our worlds were so similar. From what I gleaned, countless other dimensions were nothing like Earth. The Jingozi chose dimensions that shared traits, such as humanoid forms and environments, ensuring all selected players could participate. They created arenas where participants competed equally by bridging the potential differences.


    The scale of it all couldn’t be denied. If what Cragmarr said was even half true, the Jingozi had crafted a cosmos-spanning competition transcending the barriers of species, biology, and reality. A few days ago, I was a disillusioned poker player who stressed about parasocial relationships on social media. Today, I was a Ninja trying to survive some twisted interdimensional card game.


    * * *


    We emerged into a clearing with a serene pond. The water was crystal clear, reflecting the soft hues of the sky and the surrounding greenery. The air sat still, the pond’s surface like glass, undisturbed except for the occasional six-legged frog hopping between lily pads.


    “That’s a lot of spicy frog legs,” I mumbled, thinking about the buffets at the poker tournaments in Macau. My growling stomach tugged me back to reality. Cragmarr didn’t hear me or my hunger.


    “Wait,” he instructed. “Stand back.”


    I took a few steps back, watching as the Golem waded into the water until he was ankle-deep. He dipped a clay hand into the pond and hummed, a deep, melodic sound you’d hear in a monastery. Our surroundings resonated as ripples emanated from where he stood. The water frothed and rose, a shape emerging—another Golem made of water, mud, and seaweed.


    The water Golem surged toward Cragmarr, its swampy arms reaching out to attack. Cragmarr flicked his wrist to load a Jingozi card and threw it at his feet while jumping to propel himself backward. He dodged and rolled onto the shore. The water Golem’s attack missed with a giant splash, tossing several fish and crabs onto the ground. And after a moment, it retreated.


    “Quickly,” Cragmarr urged, “before other creatures steal the meal.”


    I gathered the fish and crabs into my inventory while Cragmarr stood guard. Once we had enough, we found a suitable spot to make a fire. He knelt, snapped his fingers, and produced an orange-glowing Zii coin, which he placed in the kindling I’d gathered. After a few hand gestures, the Zii coin burst into sparks, lighting the twigs and dry grass on fire.


    “That’s a cool trick,” I said.


    "Try it," he said. "Focus your Zii and snap your fingers."


    It took a few tries, like lighting an old Zippo lighter, but eventually, I got it. A Zii coin made of shimmering crystal with a heart symbol materialized in my fingers, glowing red to reflect my faction.


    "Close your palm to reabsorb it," Cragmarr continued. "Other living beings can absorb it, even inanimate objects made of organic material. Each coin is imprinted to your Zii frequency, like a human fingerprint. But be careful not to deplete your Zii pool."


    "Other than light fires, what can I do with these?"


    “You will learn. For now, let us cook.”


    Cragmarr cleaned the fish and prepared the crabs. Not bad for a creature that never eats. He skewered the fish on sticks, set them over the fire, and placed the crabs on a flat stone within the flames. The aroma filled the air, making my mouth water.


    “They smell delicious,” I said, my stomach growling in anticipation. “What was all that about in the pond? Friend of yours?”


    “Earth-based Golems can provoke water Golems. It is a natural reaction. We use this to our advantage when necessary.”


    “And that move you pulled?”


    “Yes. Use your cards with a higher defense score for different effects such as running and dodging, even non-lethal attacks.”


    As the meal cooked, we sat by the fire, listening to its crackle. Cragmarr explained there were five types of Golems: fire, earth, metal, water, and wood, which existed in harmony long before any other factions existed. When the Jingozi arrived, their faction fractured into subclasses: Primals, Blights, Hybrids, and Demi-Golems like him, who were transformed by magic to be more human-like.


    “Why do you help the Jingozi?” I asked.


    Cragmarr turned the fish and checked the crabs.


    “I do not do it for them. I serve all humankind… I serve you.”


    I sat silent.


    “Here,” he said, handing me a fish skewer and a crab leg. “Better than those rations.”


    I peeled back the fish skin and took a bite, savoring the delicious, smoky flavor.


    “Wow.”


    The fish and crabs didn’t appear different from the Earth ones, yet they tasted different because of whatever Zii was. Everything here seemed so… amplified, as if Earth was a muted version of this world.


    “Thank you, Cragmarr,” I mumbled with my mouth around a crab claw.


    Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    “What happened to Crag?”


    Unsure if he was serious or not, I punched him in the shoulder and pretended I had broken my hand again.


    * * *


    Cragmarr collected more wood, and after stoking the fire, he stood before me.


    “Ember, there is something you must understand about Zii,” he began. “Zii is the spiritual force flowing through all of time and creation—this essence of life is the thread connecting all beings across the dimensions. It is everywhere and nowhere, everything and nothing. Zii cannot be seen or touched in its raw form, yet it is the source of all power and harmony.”


    “Got it,” I said.


    “Zii is the breath of the universe, the pulse of creation,” he continued. “It moves through us, bonds us, and gives us the strength to overcome any challenge. To harness Zii is to become one with the cosmos, to tap into an infinite well of energy and potential.”


    He gestured for me to stand beside him.


    “To master Zii, you must learn the discipline of Zii-Kata. This ancient martial art is a fusion of meditation, forms, and patterns practiced by our ancestors. But when used by a Jingozi apprentice, it will help you recover spent Zii, recharge your cards, and learn new spells.”


    He took a deep breath and moved into a stance, his movements fluid and deliberate.


    “Watch closely,” he instructed. “Zii-Kata begins with meditation. Clear your mind and focus on the flow of Zii with every deep breath within you. Feel its presence, its flow.”


    I mimicked him, closing my eyes after a deep breath. Whatever it was I was supposed to be sensing, it was like trying to grasp smoke.


    “Now, follow my movements,” Cragmarr said.


    He performed a series of intricate forms. I mirrored him, moving clumsily at first, but I felt something shift. The more I focused, the more I sensed a pulse of something within, syncing with my movements.


    Cragmarr’s voice was soothing as he guided me through the patterns.


    “Zii-Kata is not just about physical forms. It is a dance of the spirit, a way to align yourself with this dimension. As you move, let go of your thoughts. Embrace the flow of Zii, and let it take you.”


    With each repetition, every movement became more natural, more harmonious.


    “Good,” Cragmarr said. “You are beginning to understand. Other trainers will teach you more forms of Zii-Kata. But most importantly, you will learn to become one with the fire within.”


    “Thank you, Cragmarr. That was crazy.”


    “Remember, Ember,” he said. “Zii is not just power or currency for a game. It is a way of life, a path to harmony and understanding. Embrace it, and it will guide you through all trials.”


    FEAT ACHIEVED: ZII-KATA


    Learn and practice your first Zii-Kata pattern. Whenever you practice Zii-Kata, you recover 1 Zii and 1 Card per minute. Zii-Kata is also used to learn spells at 1 hour per spell level.


    “Woah,” I said. “What was that?”


    “Your first feat achievement. The first of many.”


    * * *


    I learned that only members of a faction chosen by the Jingozi could PVP, meaning all conflict occurring outside a Jingozi match was considered PVE. PVE was, therefore, more consequential to every faction except the Jingozi. Factions participated in PVP only for the progression and rewards, while survival came down to PVE.


    “If PVE is where the stakes are real,” I said. “Why are we practicing so much PVP?


    “It is part of your tutorial and allows you to learn how to PVE without consequences. In PVP, when you fail, you do not die. Until you reach level 24, PVE is the priority.”


    “How do I level up?”


    “By performing feats and completing quests or missions,” Cragmarr replied. “They will become available as you undergo your trials.”


    “What do you mean trials?”


    “Once you gain a level,” he said, “you must practice Zii-Kata to receive your next spell card from the Jingozi. But they must deem you worthy.”


    “That’s just too convenient, isn’t it?” I muttered. “Is there anything they don’t control?”


    “Using your Jingozi abilities, in or out of a match, always costs Zii. Unlike after a match, where you regain all your Zii and cards, the only way to recover resources from PVE is through Zii-Kata.”


    I’d have to see for myself what he was saying.


    “Last lesson for today,” Cragmarr said as he motioned me into the water. “Through experience, you will learn how much power is required during PVE. Like this.”


    Cragmarr loaded his hand and showed it to me. He played a [3/2] card with 1 Zii to shoot his hand into the water and catch a fish. He tossed it over his shoulder and repeated another catch with a [6/5] card, which he infused with 2 Zii to make it a [12/10].


    “While you PVE, your Zii acts as a power multiplier. Your level determines the maximum Zii you may infuse.”


    He held up a fish.


    “Fish are weak,” he continued. “It makes no difference if you use a stronger battle card. Unless you have no other options, avoid wasting resources.”


    Cragmarr moved onto the shore.


    “Now, you try.”


    At first, drawing my hand, infusing a card, and then striking the target felt awkward. But after a good dozen reps, I had it down to one fluid motion.


    Fish [12]: Will not spoil while kept in your inventory.


    Each catch put a fish into my inventory, which appeared to be a magical storage locker that kept perishables from spoiling. Cragmarr didn’t have the same ability and relied on a utility belt with pouches. Much like the gift—whatever mine was—he surmised it was another way humans adapted when brought to this world.


    I spent another dozen cards fishing—it was actually pretty fun.


    “Teach a Ninja to fish, and you’ll feed her for life,” I grinned.


    It’s a good thing I like sushi.


    * * *


    After an hour of Zii-Kata, I curled up by the fire, wrapped in my Ninja scarf. Cragmarr assumed his usual sentinel position.


    He whispered, “Ember, if you die in this world, you die in your world.”


    “What?” I said, sitting up. “Are you saying I’m still there?”


    “In a sense, you are. Time works differently between our dimensions. Upon your return, no matter how long you stay in this world, a mere fraction of time will have passed in yours.”


    I suddenly remembered what happened before I arrived. I was in bed, having a heart attack, and woke up thinking I was in a dream. But it wasn''t. If I ever get home, how much time will I have lost?


    “Wait. If my body is still there, but my mind is here, whose body is this?” I asked. “And why do I look the same?”


    “I do not know. From what I could discern before the rescue, your vessel is a would-be assassin captured by the Emperor faction. The Jingozi chose your host, and now we all, including you, see her as you.”


    “The Jingozi are pure evil.”


    Cragmarr turned so I could see his face by the firelight.


    “Train and learn all your spells to grow stronger,” he said, “But another way you can die is if three present gamemasters decree a Jingozi duel to the death. Many perish this way. Be careful with the Jingozi. They are unpredictable and without remorse. Their religion is mysterious, and their true motivations remain unclear.”


    “Doesn’t get much more twisted than that, I guess.”


    “I am sorry, Em. This is the only way,” he said. “You will endure much pain and sorrow. Tomorrow, I will give you the final tutorial. Then you embark on your trials.”


    Closing my eyes, I couldn’t stop wondering about the woman stuck as my vessel. Sure, because of me, she survived and escaped imprisonment, but I was violating her.


    I don’t know who you are, but I’ll make this right… I promise.