Forbidden Love

Falna and status

When we reached the foot of the Tower of Babel, my heart was pounding, a whirlwind of excitement and nerves swirling inside me.Ottarl guided me to the 30th floor of the Babel Tower, where I found the chamber of the goddess Freya. Ottarl told me to go in on my own since I'm the one who's getting a falna.

 Deliberately and respectfully, I approached the door, raising my knuckles to tap gently, signalling my arrival. With a soft, reassuring sound, the knock echoed through the quiet room, inviting entry. I was nervous as I entered the chamber of the goddess Freya. I had heard stories of her beauty and power and didn't know what to expect. But as soon as I stepped inside, I felt a sense of calm wash over me.

 The room was dimly lit, with soft candlelight flickering on the walls. In the centre was a large, decorated throne, and the goddess Freya sat upon it. She was breathtaking, with long, silver hair and piercing emerald eyes.She looked at me and smiled. "Welcome, child."Her beauty surpassed the memory of our first encounter at the adventurers' graveyard under the cloak of night, a thought that quietly echoed in my mind. This thought lingered until the goddess Freya spoke, her voice breaking the silence.

 "What is your name?" she asked.

 "M-my name is Bell Cranel, goddess," I stammered, suddenly feeling very small.

 "And how old are you, Bell Cranel?" she asked, her voice gentle and melodic."I am 14 years old, goddess," I replied. 

 Freya nodded, seemingly pleased with my answers. She stood from her throne and approached me; her movements were graceful. She instructed a servant to fetch her a needle."You must remove your clothing," Freya said, her voice commanding yet alluring. I felt my face flush with embarrassment at her request.

 Nervously, I began to undress, my hands trembling slightly. Freya watched me intently, her gaze unwavering.Once I had removed my shirt, Freya stepped closer. Suddenly, she pricked her finger with the needle, drawing a small bead of blood. She traced a symbol on my skin with that same finger, creating a falna.As soon as her blood mingled with my back, I felt a powerful warmth spreading in me like a flame through every nerve ending.

 I could barely breathe as the sensation gripped me. The heat swept through my body like flash fire as it evaporated the coolness of the chamber. The symbol she painted was alive, warm, and glowing to her blood-like life sign.  Freya's emerald eyes were fixed on mine, and at that moment, the world outside faded away. Her presence enveloped me.

 "Focus, Bell," she urged, her voice smooth and melodic, a soothing balm against the whirlwind of emotions inside me. "Feel the bond we are creating. This falna will shape your path as an adventurer."As she finished tracing the symbol, she pressed her finger firmly against my skin, the warmth of her blood melding with my flesh. The pain was sharp yet fleeting, quickly replaced by a rush of energy that surged through me like an electric current. It was exhilarating and terrifying all at once, a promise of the strength I would soon possess."Your journey begins now," she said, her tone a mix of encouragement and authority.

 I could see a glimmer of approval in her eyes, a recognition of my potential. Freya stepped back, allowing me to regain my composure. The symbol on my skin felt warm, almost alive, and I could sense the magic thrumming beneath the surface. I looked up at her, awed by her beauty and the weight of what had just occurred.

   Freya ordered the servant to bring a piece of paper and a pen, her voice ringing clear in the dim chamber. The servant hurried away, leaving me with the goddess, my heart pounding as anticipation filled the air.The servant hurriedly presented the piece of paper and pen to Freya, her movements efficient and respectful. Freya took the pen with a graceful flourish and began to write, her focused expression revealing the weight of what she was crafting.

 Once she finished, she handed the parchment to me with a knowing smile.I took the paper, my heart racing as I glanced down. A huge smile broke across my face as I read the words that represented my very own status:

 Bell Cranel

 Level One

 Strength: I-1 

Defense: I-1 

Utility: I-0 

 Agility: I-10 

Magic: I-0 

 Magic 
()

 Skills
()

This was my falna, my status, a tangible reflection of my potential and the beginning of my journey. My excitement bubbled over, and I couldn't help but exclaim happily, "This is amazing! My very own status!" Realizing what this meant filled me with a sense of purpose and anticipation for the adventures ahead.

Out of nowhere, the goddess Freya began to explain how the status system worked, her voice smooth and melodic, drawing my full attention.

"There are five basic abilities that define an adventurer's capabilities: strength, defense, utility, agility, and magic," she said, her emerald eyes glimmering with wisdom. "Each of these abilities is ranked on a scale from S to I, with S being the highest and I the lowest."

She paused for a moment, allowing the significance of her words to sink in. "Strength measures your physical power, defense indicates your resilience against attacks, utility reflects your versatility in various situations, agility represents your speed and reflexes, and magic assesses your proficiency in magical abilities. Each rank within these abilities signifies a level of potential, a foundation upon which you will build your skills as an adventurer."

Freya continued, "Each ability is classified into one of ten ranks: S, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, and I. As you might guess, S is the pinnacle of strength, while I represents the weakest form of that ability. But there's more to it than just letters. The number next to the rank indicates your exact ability level. For example, levels ranging from 0 to 99 fall within the I range, while 100 to 199 is classified as H, and so forth. The absolute maximum is 999."

She leaned closer, her tone becoming more serious. "It's important to understand that as you grow stronger, earning points in these abilities becomes increasingly challenging. This is a natural part of the process, and many adventurers find themselves working harder for each point as they progress."

Freya's gaze softened as she elaborated, "Level is perhaps the most critical statistic in your status. Each level signifies a significant leap in your capabilities. When you level up, every one of your basic abilities receives a substantial boost. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that a person evolves when they ascend in level. The difference between Level One and Level Two is monumental; it's akin to awakening new potentials within yourself."

I listened intently, absorbing every word as the weight of her explanation settled in. The journey ahead was not just about battling monsters and gaining experience—it was a path of transformation that promised to reveal strengths I had yet to discover.

"You can go back now," Freya said, her voice gentle but firm as she dismissed me. Her emerald eyes sparkled with encouragement, and I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness at the thought of what lay ahead.

"Follow Ottarl," she instructed, gesturing gracefully toward the doorway. "He will guide you back and help you prepare. Your training begins tomorrow."

I nodded, a smile breaking across my face as I turned to follow Ottarl, who stood waiting just outside the chamber. As I walked away, I glanced back at Freya one last time, her serene expression instilling a sense of confidence in me. This was just the beginning of my journey, and I could already feel the thrill of adventure coursing through my veins.