As the darkness fades, the first thing I noticed was the immediate lack of pain, making me immensely relieved at having gotten away before whatever that reaction was could get the better of me. 'What WAS that? Why did it react like that to a simple question?' No matter how much I thought about it, it didn't make any sense. But as soon as I attempted to move, a new problem surfaced.
Trying to move forward was soon followed by squishy sounds as I sloshed around, trampling the soft grass under my… Belly? I didn't have arms, legs, or even a head, no limbs at all! Furthermore, I could distinctly feel every single blade of grass below me as I inched forward in the manner of an overweight worm.
"What am I? Wasn't I supposed to toy with Gods and Devils alike? I can barely move at all!" Whether I even had any organs relevant for producing sound escaped me entirely, however, one being seemed capable of understanding me with ease, soon emerging with an explanation for my current predicament.
[This is the initial stage of the Eyes of the Universe, the larva, or sometimes derogatorily referred to as the blob stage. You are brimming with unrealized potential. Good luck, Host!]
[Use "Status" to bring forth the character sheet.]
'Blob stage!? This wasn't in the description at all!' However, thinking about it further made it make a bit more sense, after all, even humans didn't start out as fully-fledged adults, as such, there was no reason for godly beings to do so. I decided to move on for the moment.
"Status"
Name: Blobby (Formerly Bobby)
Level: 0
Active Title: None
Stats:
Strength: 2
Dexterity: 2
Constitution: 3
Intelligence: 15
Wisdom: 8
Luck: 1
Available skills:
Slot 1: [Ouroboros 1]
Slot 2: [Empty]
Slot 3: [Empty]
…
Slot 10: [Empty]
Unused skills:
None
Racial Traits:
Innate potential
Some of these seem quite low, not as much as I would have expected from a divine infant, but let's focus on whether my one available skill was actually worth it at all.
I focused on the Ouroboros skill, prompting a description to appear:
The primary source of power for all Eyes of the Universe. The true origin of all of their exploits. Upon death, the Eye of the Universe returns to the moment of their birth with all of their knowledge intact, unseen by Gods and Devils alike ever since they have slain the God of Time to keep their secrets. A portion of his domain flows through all of them.
Level 1 feature: [Return]
[Locked]
[Locked]
[Locked]
'This.. This is amazing!' I was flabbergasted, astounded, nay, completely blown away! 'Time travel! Full blown time travel! Actual evidence of completely slaying a G.O.D. and stealing their domain somehow. Which apparently flows through me as well?' The excitement I felt prompted my whole body to jiggle and vibrate, producing even more slushy noises than my earlier attempt at moving did. This was an amazon revelation, quite possibly the best revelation I could have received when looking at this skill. Also, it made me realize why it was called Ouroboros in the first place, although that raised other questions…
'Time travel is quite possibly the most busted skill you can get in these kinds of situations, and it more than makes up for missing out on four others. No wonder this is the Race with the most potential!' I returned my attention to the [Locked] options.
"System, what are those?"
[Insufficient privileges.]
'Figures. What about that racial trait though?' Focusing on that did bring out more information:
[You are filled with limitless potential! Level Up! Evolve! Harness what is rightfully yours and bring glory back to where it truly belongs!]
'That sounds… A bit ominous to be honest. Especially that last bit, it has a similar feeling to that crimson message earlier, yet distinctly different. Some kind of longing?' Its color was a bit darker than the other blue letters as well; however, I chose to ignore it for the time being. Especially considering that my attention was finally drawn out of my own inner world and back into the external, not the first time that has happened for sure but usually it's not as closely related to my continued survival as this one might be.
Finally taking in my surroundings with some weird sense I seem to possess, I realize that I am in a clearing in a very much unusual forest. For one, no trees I know of are quite this red, and have such beautiful violet leaves; a color that the bushes seem to share for whatever reason. Violet bushes that are shaking and rustling as something, or someone is walking right through them. My slushing stills as I take in the newcomer, hoping for some sign of civilized life was obviously fruitless, as what emerges is not a human, but about the most typical fantasy creature that could have appeared.
The grotesque sign prompts me to wiggle again in disgust, it is a green humanoid about three times as tall as I was from my estimate, with long ears ending in sharp points as well as an entirely oversized nose spotting a silver ring in what I presume to be its septum. Its eyes were a dark red just slightly lighter than the text message that sent me to this magical forest and it was really in need of a good tailor, based on the simple loincloth that just barely covered its dangly bits. 'At least it doesn't need a weaponsmith, judging by that dagger in its grasp.' My internal jokes quickly made me realize my predicament, just at the same time as the creature noticed me and was immediately filled with glee.
'Fuck.'
I started trying to worm my way away from it, using all the blobby instruments available to me. I soon realized that meant none, although my efforts did prompt some of my body to protrude slightly outwards away from the monster as I wriggled and slid with all of my efforts. I didn't even know whether it appeared in front or behind me, or whether it matters, as apparently my vision encompasses a full 360° degrees, so long as nothing is in the way.
After what I judge to be a good half a meter of wriggling the creature caught up to me, letting me learn that either it was unable to hear my screams or that it did not care for them in the least.
"STOP! GET AWAY! STAY AWAY YOU BARBARIC EXCUSE FOR A LIVING BEI~"
Sadly, my last words were cut off just as short as my life as a blobby creature as the dagger pierced my center. Or well, my first life was. The first of many.