Marcus woke up to the sounds of the jungle and for a few short moments he allowed himself to believe it had been a dream.

Good morning to you too.

It was not a dream. Hello Xeen.

Marcus went through his morning routine, including bathing in the nearby river. Xeen promised to give him some privacy and Marcus was thankful for that.

Some fruit and nuts made up Marcus' breakfast and he addressed some things he had thought about. How are you talking to me, Xeen? You do not have a body anymore.

I am not talking to you at all. I'm interacting with your Astral Body and implant my words into your mind. This sounds more intrusive than it actually is. Your physical body and Astral Body are constantly communicating and I'm just adding some extra information. I make it sound simple but a lesser mind might not have been able to do it.

Marcus had an instant follow up question for Xeen. What is an Astral Body, you used that term several times already.

The moment you touch the Arbiter, monolith...Tsk!… it connects you to the Astral Plane and generates your Astral Body. Think of it like a shadow of your real self in the Astral Plane. It is the source of your power, for example the crests that you use enhance your Astral Body and define your capabilities. Abilities that directly affect an Astral Body are the most bothersome too, as there are few ways to counter them.

Marcus listened and found that this explained a lot of things.

Now that you are awake I would like to try something. Tell me if that hurts.

Marcus was about to shout stop but nothing happened. He waited a bit longer and still nothing.

Very good. I was not sure if this had any negative consequences for you.

What?! A moment went by without an answer. What, Xeen!

I can now see, what you see. I have to say, I'm rather brilliant.

You have access to my eyes?

No, I have access to the mental image your brain creates based on the visual information your eyes provide. And it is not really seeing, more an assortment of information. But thanks to my considerable intellect I can decipher it in real time.

Marcus had some not so nice thoughts about Xeen.

Actually yes, but few were brave enough to say this to my face. Besides, my achievements should allow me to be "full of myself".

Marcus contemplated if Xeen being able to see now was a good thing and a train of thoughts went through his head. Xeen...what other parts of my body could you gain access to, Marcus asked.

There was another short silence and Xeen answered. What you really want to know is, if I could eventually take your body over.

Yes, that was what Marcus was afraid off. And now that the topic was on the table he wanted to hear an answer.

Technically, I can not rule out, that it would be possible. But I will not do it, not even to save your life.

Marcus thought about the answer for some time. It was more honest and straight forward than he had expected and… Xeen, even if you could save my life you would not control my body? You would die too as far as I understand it.

No matter the circumstance, if I ever took control of your body you would never be able to trust me again. Our relationship would be poisoned forever. So no, even if we both die I will not control your body.

That was strangely comforting for Marcus. He got up, stretched and went through his morning training program. Xeen stayed silent and Marcus relaxed as he went through his motions.

As he trained question bubbled up in his mind. What class do you have, Xeen?

It is in the name.

Sorcerer? That was not very helpful. Marcus stopped his training and grabbed a stick and started to draw his class symbol on the ground. This is my class, we call it Fighter or Titan.

Ah, so you are still using the Eshfa symbols. Good to know their legacy is still alive. I was already aware of your "class" thanks to your thoughts. It is a primitive one. PRIMITIVE! Marcus was not happy about that classification.

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Did I use the wrong word? Basic, physical, focused? It is one of the three groups of frameworks or classes, as you call it. There is primitive, artistic and complex. Primitive is fundamental and often demands a precise control of the body. It is strict in its application and powerful in its mastery. Artistic asks for intuition and imagination, it defies logic and welcomes personality. Complex is based on calculation and comprehension, a clear mind is necessary to accomplish anything with it. It creates and follows rules, and punishes mistakes more than any other type. Marcus listened to Xeen's explanation and let it sink in.

There was once again so much information packed in his answers, Marcus thought. Eshfa… Azaa had said this name before.

About my class, you might know its Eshfa symbol. Xeen explained it and Marcus followed the instruction, drawing the symbol on the ground.

Artificer! Marcus was surprised, but he was sure it was the symbol for the Artificer class. It is considered the most powerful class because they can enchant equipment.

HA! If that is what you think, than your world is truly in dire need of help. "Enchanting" is one of the foundations of my class, but it is by far not the only one. A Sorcerer's true mastery lies in the access and manipulation of the Astral Plane. Enchanting is only one aspect of it.

Xeen's words blew Marcus' mind. Artificers are even more powerful than we thought?

I will have a look at the work of your Artificers once we are back on Earth. Although, I can already tell it will be a most harrowing experience for me.

Marcus finished his training and made preparations to gather some food.

Marcus, could you look at the ruins?

Xeen's request came out of nowhere, but Marcus saw no reason not to take a look. He went through the jungle and up a cliff, he knew it would give him a good view. Once on top, he pushed some small trees away and watched the ruins for some time.

We have to go back there. I need to verify something.

Maybe Marcus was imagine this but he felt like Xeen was hurting.

I am, and thank you for your empathy. You are kind.

Marcus continued to look at the ruins until Xeen told him it was enough. Marcus returned home and checked his resources. He had enough reserves to make a trip to the ruins. By now he was very skilled with the Burst move and would not take long to get there.

I will be able to guide you once we are inside.

Not too long ago, Marcus was certain he would never go back there. But much has changed in a short amount of time. He packed his things and moved with great speed to the ruins. As he moved up the cliffs Xeen asked another question.

How old are you Marcus?

He was surprised by the question but thought, most likely 23 years, I have lost track of time.

You have developed considerable skills for your age. Although your potential is somewhat wasted on a primitive class. An artistic class or even a complex class would have been better for you.

I don't know, Marcus thought while he moved up the cliff in large leaps. I feel very much in tune with my class.

That is important too. In the end the potential of a framework is insignificant compared to the skill of the user. If Ooru'Mtar suits you than I'm certain you will make it shine. It is fundamentally a framework with tremendous potential, although it takes time to grow into power.

Ooru what? Marcus tried to concentrate on not falling down several hundred meter and also follow the conversation.

Ooru'Mtar, "The Guise of Ooru". A mythical hero who shattered the world eating beast. We named our frameworks after legendary individuals.

If that is true, Marcus continued this train of thought, why is your class Sorcerer and not whatever'Mtar?

I used a term from your thoughts, that seemed to fit the spirit of my framework. Although, I definitely never had a pointy hat and a wooden staff. If you wish to know, Quel'Suuk is the traditional name of my framework. Which can be translated into "The Brilliance of Quel", the one who gained godhood through insight into the true nature of all things. I can retell the story for you, if you want?

Thank you, but no. I already have too much new information in my head.

An hour later Marcus was back at the ruins and Xeen guided him inside. They walked through countless hallways and rooms and soon Marcus had lost all sense of direction. Once again Marcus got a strange feeling. Are you holding up Xeen?

It is worse than I had expected. I wish you could have seen this place when… it does not matter anymore.

Marcus understood, but he was curious about something. Do you know who did this?

Of course! My enemy, that horrible fiend, a blight on all people in the universe. I only hope he is no longer alive. It must have been...far too long. Xeen went silent and only spoke when Marcus needed directions. He finally entered a small room with a strange hole in the floor. Marcus went down and found another room, it was empty too. Was this a secret room?

Yes, I have several where I store some of my more dangerous or powerful creations and artifacts. We need to check them all. Maybe he overlooked one.

After six hours, the hope to find something of worth came to an end, when Marcus checked the last hidden chamber. That enemy of yours was very thorough, Marcus thought. Yes, he was extremely afraid of me. I need some time to think Marcus. An hour went by and then another.

Xeen? You still thinking? Marcus asked.

Yes, I need to think about various options and paths to take. Still… it is for the best if we leave the planet without any further actions.

What was the alternative? I have hidden a very powerful tool on this planet and I'm confident my enemy has not found it. But retrieving it would cause some "noise" and if my enemy is still watching this world, then he might become aware of you and me. Right now the fact that nobody besides you knows that I still exist is our greatest advantage. It has to stay that way for as long as possible. Let's go back to the shelter. Marcus left the ruins behind and went down the cliffs as the sun set.

We need to prepare for our departure of this world. The journey to Earth might take a long time. You will have to survive with what the worlds on our path offer you, Marcus.

I know, but It is worth risking it. I would rather die trying to get home, than to spent the rest of my life on this world. Marcus was determined to go through with leaving though. And so, on the next day he gathered his most important survival tools, as much food and drink he was confident on carrying through the wilderness, and left for the closest portal.

He moved fast and with the help of Xeen he arrived at the portal's location a day later. Seeing a portal after all this time was a powerful sensation for Marcus. He looked through the opening and saw an arid wasteland with little vegetation. "Here goes nothing," Marcus said and stepped through the portal.

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