Firewood was collected, anything dry was ideal, but the weather hadn’t made it easy recently. But none of that mattered as much anymore. Everyone felt it now, discussion was abound, people were close now, close to choosing their path. The attack yesterday cementing this resolve, they’ve got to take charge, and the Paths gives them a purpose something to strive for.
Near the fire, Jake stood cross-legged with his notebook open, jotting down notes between swigs of bitter pine tea. His pages were more filled now than ever—point values, ability notes, cross-references between power systems. His list of known path-takers was growing.
By midday, three more names had joined it.
Jason – 22 Points
He’d sacrificed his phone, his silver watch, and several deer antlers scavenged from a forest clearing as well as other bits and bobs. He stood at the Obelisk with his hands clenched.
PATH SELECTION AVAILABLE
He pressed his palm against the stone.
Bleach.
The camp held its breath as the unfamiliar path opened.
Bleach Path – Powers and Items
Remaining Points: 2
- Reiatsu (Spiritual Pressure)
- Zanpakutō (Base Form)
- Shikai
– 50 Points (Requires Zanpakutō)
- Flash Step (Shunpo)
- Kido Package: Hadō (Destruction Spells)
- Kido Package: Bakudō (Binding Spells)
- Shinigami Uniform
- Hollowfication (Basic)
- Zanpakutō (Base Form)
“Damn, 20 points for Reiatsu.”
“Awesome tell me more” Jake was in his element, scribbling everything he could down.
Raj – 25 Points
PATH SELECTION AVAILABLE
One Piece.
He followed David’s lead but was 5 away from Haki Awareness,
Li – 24 Points
Quietly, without ceremony, she chose Fairy TailBasic magic potential
“I didn’t expect that one,” he muttered. “She seems so... herbal.”
David
Purchase: Standard Marine Saber – 3 Points
It wasn’t flashy. But it was well-balanced, razor-sharp, and sturdy. He’d sharpened it three times already this morning.
Roger stood nearby, watching. “Looks real,” he said. “Good weight?”
David nodded. “It’ll do. Until I unlock Armament.”
Jake pottered over “Awesome, have you tried sacrificing it back. Based on what we’ve sacrificed so far I’d expect something like that to be worth much more”
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“Matter of fact I did, the Obelisk refused it. But that was expected”
In the eastern patch of trees, Ellie
Wren sat nearby, tending to Vin’s healing wound. “So,” she asked, “does it feel like a superpower?”
“Not really,” Ellie said. “But it’s there, best way I can compare it is like another limb or sense.”
“You getting a hang of it?”
“No where near a spell, id have to buy something, otherwise it would take way too much trial and error, but I can control the energy, just a bit”
“Don’t tell David, he’d be pissed. You spoken to Camila?, she had picked Fairy Tail as well.”
“No, she’s just hard to approach”
Looking over she saw Camila head into the forest with Yusuf and Alex.
“I just need to get strong enough to join them.”
Making their way into the forest. As per usual conversation was kept to a minimum, their plan of action already formed. To get the rest of the bear.
Yusuf had an edge to him now, his purchase on Ten had given him a much greater degree of control then anyone else currently in regards to their respective powers, he walked up front now. Various tracks were noted, but they couldn’t afford to waste more time, it’s already unlikely the bears body is still there, but if there’s a chance, it’d be worth it.
They came upon the cliff. And took in the view, above the canopy of trees, they could see an expansive forest, right up to mountains in the distance.
“Well, who’d have thought, its still there” Yusuf spoke
“Let’s not linger” Camila ever solemn.
They all climbed down and began butchering the animal, it didn’t take them long, there was some degrading, some critters had been feasting but a lot was intact. Yusuf got the body, although they all hefted it up the cliff with some rope they’d swiped. Alex carried both the legs and Camila the arms.
The walk back took an extra hour, slowed by the weight they carried.
Walking into the clearing many looked on, most in shock.
Bringing it to the Obelisk, Alex was given the body, Yusuf an arm and leg and Camila an arm and a leg.
Sacrifice made
- Ram bear (Large beast) (Torso)(Dead – degrading) – 16 points
- 2x Ram bear (Large beast) (Arm) (Dead – degrading) – 8 points
- 2x Ram bear (Large beast) (Leg) (Dead – degrading) – 10 points
- 2x Ram bear (Large beast) (Arm) (Dead – degrading) – 8 points
“That would make it what, a minimum of like 41 points” Alex was shocked, a goblin was only 2 points, this really drove home how lucky they were.
“Thank fuck for gravity” Yusuf laughed.
With this Alex now had 37 points, Yusuf 11 points and Camila 21 points. They had picked up some other sacrifices since as well.
Alex bought Chakra.
But at 17 points there was no point in waiting he bought Chakra control techniques chakra paper
for 3 points, a sneaky hidden away item, it would indicate what he could train in and ideally what releases he should invest in.
“Spending spree huh” Yusuf questioned
“Yeah man, may as well”
“Fuck it then, training comes later”
Yusuf went ahead and bought Ren
“Bought Ren, should give me more of edge should it come to it.”
“You got out Camila?” Alex turned to her.
“No, everything in the Fairy Tail path is pretty expensive, but I’ve got my eye on a few magics that I want”
With that Jake came charging over, seeing them at the Obelisk. As he accosted Alex and Yusuf, Camila subtly excused herself.
As dusk approached, Jake added the names to his note log:
- David – One Piece
- Camila – Fairy Tail
- Miriam – Naruto
- Alex – Naruto
- Yusuf – Hunter x Hunter
- Ellie – Fairy Tail
- Jason – Bleach
- Raj – One Piece
- Li – Fairy Tail
- Camila – Fairy Tail
“That's nine,” he whispered. “Nine out of a hundred. And counting.”
As the sun dipped, Miriam called for a meeting. Everyone gathered near the fire, tense and expectant.
“We’ve had one attack already,” she said. “Vin survived, but barely. We have no idea what else is out there. From now on, no one leaves the camp perimeter alone.”
“We need hunting teams,” Camila added. “And scouts. Two minimum per group.”
“And training,” Yusuf said. “Those of us with powers—we need to start using them.”
David nodded, standing. “If anyone wants to train melee, I’m putting together sessions near the eastern posts. Bring a stick if you don’t have a weapon.”
Camila raised a hand. “Same for tracking and forest survival. Anyone who wants to hunt, meet me in the morning.”
Ellie, shy but resolute, added, “I’m practicing magic every day near the dried streambed. If you picked Fairy Tail, come find me.”
The camp was really starting to shape up.