//------------------------------// // A Long Fall to a New Life or A Fall of Exposition {Edited} // Story: The Archer of Twilight // by mattchilly //------------------------------// To most conventions are a time to show off their cosplay or to sell merchandise they made based on their favorite series. To me conventions are just another way to indulge in my hobby and relax from work, but I won’t go into what I do or my name. Currently I’m wearing a simple blue and white polo shirt and blue jeans with black shoes and had my father’s old quiver slung over my shoulder. The quiver was made of wood and painted dark blue with silver bands at the top and bottom. So far the con had been fairly average but one this that caught my attention was someone who had a very impressive Arthas the Lich King cosplay running from a blond kid. People around me said something about her being someone called Tanya the Evil but I didn’t know who that was so I shrugged it off, but decided to fallow a Space Marine in red and bronze armor who was chasing the two but I quickly lost sight of him. Shrugging I continued to explore the con and eventually I found a very large tent and entered. Part of me grew happy… well as happy as I could be when I saw THE merchant standing behind the register and when he noticed my gaze he tensed up a bit and started watching me like a hawk. Walking over to the wall of the tent I looked over his goods. I grabbed a copy of Thas'dorah, Legacy of the Windrunners bow and two sheathed Fangs of Ashamane daggers one with a tag that said ‘Main Hand’ the other said ‘Off Hand’. The bow I slung over my shoulder so it sat next to the quiver and the daggers I clipped onto the back of my belt. I found a copy of a necklace showing a Palutena Bow pendant and Pit’s head wreath both from Kid Icarus and the Hawkeye from Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess and put the three on. I also saw the caped hood that Ashe the Frost Archer uses the two copies of the Blitzbolter hand crossbow from Diablo complete with carriers that I tied onto my upper legs and Holy Point Shot quivers that hung off my belt but had bands that went around the legs so they wouldn’t swing and get in the way. On the table in the middle of the tent I found a plastic bag with three hair ties. On the bag was the name ‘Eirin Yagokoro’, who is a character I remember one of my subordinates telling me about when he learned I was a fan of archery. Afterwards I’d become a fan of the series called Touhou Project and done a little research into in and found I enjoyed the series music. Waling up to the counter the Merchant growled. “First it was those other three and now you! Why just WHY did I get so unlucky today?” He shook his head. “I know you know who I am so here’s the thing. You need to find my boss as I’m not powerful enough to send you off…” “Or his boss could be right behind you and don’t worry about it Roy. You’ll get that promotion eventually. Now too you Mr. Soon-to-be-Displaced. I have just one thing to tell you.”A very cheery voice said and turning around I saw Mei from Overwatch smiling at me. “Hello…and…Goodbye.” Upon hearing this, the floor opened up underneath me and swallowed me whole. When I woke up next wind was flying past me as I fell. “Heads-Up-Display Activating. External sound dampened.” Opening my eyes I saw I had a HUD with my mask that showed how many arrows I had, my ‘status’, which weapons I had equipped, arrow type equipped, if I was zoomed in or not, a mini-map, weather anyone could see/sense me, my ‘party’ which was currently empty, how far from ground level I was and four different bars labeled as Mana, ‘Hatred’, ‘Discipline’, HP bars all of which are full. In the bottom left corner my HUD said I had the Thas’dorah bow, the Fangs of Ashamane daggers and both Blitzbolters equipped, the Palutena Bow was also equipped for some reason even though I couldn’t find it and five hundred arrows for my bow half of them being made of bamboo and the other half were made of wood from Nordassil the first true World Tree of Azeroth. “Greeting’s User, would you like to read the tutorial and see what ability’s you have access to?” “Yes please.” I said and despite everything that was happening my voice was still hallow with only the smallest trace of emotion. I guess Roy and Mei either didn’t know about that particular quirk chose not to change it. “Very well User. I will bring up the necessary information. First we’ll go through the tutorial tips. Just focus on a circle with an ‘I’ in it or tell me which one you want and I’ll bring up the correct information. Please know that while in the menu your perception of time will slow down to give you more time to do what you need to do.” “Let’s see here. Let’s start with my ammunition.” Arrow Types are as follows: Nordassil: Is extremely strong and the arrow head is made of Azerothian cobalt has no other special properties. Bamboo: Is quicker but more fragile then Nordassil arrows, arrow head is made from a classified Lunarian metal that can only be made by Lunarian’s. For some reason has a pink bow tied near the arrowhead, has no other special properties. Fire: Normal oak arrows with a crystal imbued with fire magic as an arrowhead, will set anything it hits on fire unless its target is not flammable. Also has a magic variant that uses a medium about of Mana Ice: Normal oak arrows with a crystal imbued with ice magic as an arrowhead, can freeze just about anything. Also has a magic variant that uses a medium about of Mana Shock: Normal oak arrows with a crystal imbued with lightning magic as an arrowhead, will deal a powerful electric shock to any enemy hit, if it hits something wet it will create a large dome that shocks anything inside with the exception of the one who fired the arrow or his designated allies. Bomb: self-explanatory. Ancient: Made of lost Sheikah tech these highly advances arrows can pierce through almost anything and deal more damage to corrupted Sheikah tech. Light: These arrows are blessed by the four Golden Goddess and will purify or kill any force of evil they hit. Uses a Large amount of Mana Silver: Made of pure silver and are very effective against most forms of undead and those cursed with lycanthropy. Crossbow Arrows: Due to the magic from the Holy Point Shot quiver each shot as a random chance to deal additional damage from the fallowing list. Frost, Poison, Arcane, additional Holy damage, Lightning, Fire, or will have an easier time pricing the target. Normal Arrows are unlimited and Special Arrows replenish at 100 arrows every dawn. Palutena Bow and Ashe’s True-Ice bow come with their own ammunition and like the Blitzbolter’s have infinite ammunition. These weapon’s still needs to reload will do so automatically and unless you are fighting specific targets there is a high probability they will be less powerful than normal arrows. If you want to equip a different weapon just will for it to appear and your current weapon that takes up that ‘slot’ will be swapped for the new one with the Palutena Bow being an exception as it is always on your person. If you come across a new kind of arrow you with to permanently add to your arsenal then place it in your quiver and do not use it until your arrows replenish. You currently do not have any special arrows. If you want to add a new weapon, armor or other piece of equipment please notify your AI companion. They will add it to your inventory.New additions will become a permanent addition when arrows replenish. Note some items will also replenish themselves at the same time as arrows and if you add new armor that is a permanent addition to your arsenal you cannot change on the fly and have to put it on the old fashioned way. (Hmm so my arrows replenish themselves each night. That’s useful.) “Let’s take a look at my weapons.” Thas'dorah, Legacy of the Windrunners: The bow giving to the Windrunner family of Silvermoon. Imbued with magic to make its wielder shoot faster, have more stamina and hit targets’ week points easier. Grants the Windburst ability which deals massive Wind damage to target and makes allies move faster if they follow the path of the arrows flight. This bow has an empty Storm Artifact Relic Slot and Blood Artifact Relic Slot. Fangs of Ashamane: Both daggers areimbued with magic to make its wielder shoot faster, have more stamina and hit targets’ week points easier. Due to their magic cores all damage dealt by these weapons double as Arcane damage. Due to their blade these weapon are capable of easily damaging an enemy’s weapon. The dagger for you ‘Main Hand’ has an empty slot for a Frost Artifact Relic and Blood Artifact Relic and grants its user the ‘Ashamane’s Frenzy’ Ability sending the user into a quick frenzied state that unleashes a flurry of bloody slashes on an enemy target. The ‘Ashamane’s Frenzy’ can only be used once every 3 hours. Each Dagger has an inscription that reads as follows. Main Hand;"The sacrifice of Ashamane is remembered to this day. We live by her grace, and her children still tread the forests with us as our closest companions." Off Hand;"She ripped through the demons' ranks and then disappeared into the trees. She crept along the high branches and dove down upon the Legion commanders. She was a terror, a fearsome beast, and she held nothing back, offering no mercy." Palutena Bow: It creates its own arrows that are made of pure Light magic. If not fired for five seconds this weapon can fire a larger arrow which deals more damage and has the possibility to pierce through a target to his someone behind the target and has homing properties. This weapon can turn into twin swords. Only those Blessed by the Goddess Palutena can hold or use this weapon. Ashe’s True-Ice Bow: This bow creates its own ammunition by freezing the water in the air to make arrows or will turn any arrow placed on the string into its unique ammunition. The arrows it makes are made of True-Ice and shatter upon contact after being fired. Blitzbolter: A crossbow blessed by the Angles of Sanctuary. Any bolt or arrow fired from this bow is imbued with Holy Magic and deal extra damage to Demons. “Did anything change about me?” “Yes User. I will also show you what abilities you can now use.” Lunarian: Part of the Lunarian Race. Able to breath in low atmosphere environments and knowledge of how to fly through will alone but can also use magic to fly. Knowledge on Lunarian culture Angelic Form: Able to grow large white wings. As you can fly without them they are mostly cosmetic but you are still able to use them to fly. Wings will not damage clothing Immortality: Due to the Hourai Elixir that Eirin drank, as her child you also have its blessings and are now immortal. This immortality is an odd one in that you can still ‘die’ but you are revived quickly. There is no way to stop this revival. And this immortality is permanent. Hylian: You are near identical to a human save your elf like ears. New Ancestry: You are now the son of Eirin Yagokoro the Lunarian and an unknown Hylian Nephalem. Champion of the Goddess: You are now a Champion of the four Golden Goddess, Din: Goddess of Power and creator of the Earth .Naryu: Goddess of Wisdom and creator of Law. Farore: Goddess of Courage and creator of Spirit. Palutena: Goddess of Light and creator of Emotions. As such you may use any and all powers that they are known to bless people with. Master Doctor and maker of Medicine and Poison: Given enough time you can discover what any sickness is and make any kind of Medicine or Poison if you have the right ingredients. Know how to make the forbidden Hourai Elixir. Guardian: Out of all the Champions of the Goddess you were chosen to be the guardian of the Triforce. Prey to the Goddess for more information Grand Master Hunter: Can track any kind of creature and tame any kind of animal Grand Master Rogue: Can blend into the shadows and hide your presence to the point no one can see or sense you. Even if they saw you disappear. This lets you throw weapons with deadly accuracy Grand Master Marksman: When using any kind of bow and arrow it is almost impossible for you to miss at any range. Tools of the Trade: You know how to make and use any Demon Hunter, Hunter, or Rogue tool. This includes, Mining and smelting the ore, using the forge, skinning hides and furs turning said hides and furs into leather and leather working. And Finding and collecting herbs or other plants and glans for Poisons. Accent Translator: If someone is speaking in a midieval-esk accent or completely in rhymes you understand them as if it was modern day English. Known Languages: You can Speak Read, and Write in English or as it's more often called Common, Azerothian Dwarvish, Azerothian Gnomish, Azerothian Darnassian, Azerothian Draenei, Hylian, Freljordic, Lunarian, and Japanese I gave a quick nod seeing this list, I moved on to magic. I saw I had all three of the sacred magic from Din, Nayru and Farore and every single power that Palutena let's Pit use (I can do all that at will?! How powerful am I now?!) I then started reading through the skills and abilities I got from being a Demon Hunter and came to one realization How powerful I became was fucking ridicules. Here's a few of my favorite examples. Awareness: If taking lethal damage you can vanish instead for 2 seconds and regenerate 50% health. Can only be used once a day Leech: Gain 18,507 every time you hit a target this increases by 75% when dealing a killing blow Rapid Fire: Costs 20 ‘Hatred’ to start and if ‘channeled’ costs an additional 6 ‘Hatr ed’. Shoot hundreds of arrows with in the span of 2 seconds to deal 685% based on weapon used per shot. This needs a bow of some kind to be used Vengeance: Turn into the embodiment of Vengeance for 20 seconds to gain the fallowing effects. Every fired arrow now has the chance to split into 4 arrows or bolts that pierce target 60% of the time, All rockets have a chance to split into two homing rockets 80% of the time, gain a 40% over all damage boost. This can only be used once a day. and finally. Rain of Vengeance: Costs 30 ‘Hatred’. Fire at least 50 arrows into the air that deal 1500% damage based on the weapon used in the landing area over 5 seconds. This can only be used with a Bow of any kind. "Thank the Goddess.” I said when finished not caring how easy it was for me to say that. “It’s ridicules how much I get just from the Demon Hunters.” “I must say I agree User. We are still in mid atmosphere and have time to look over the Hunter and Rogue abilities. Would you like to do so now?” “Just the important things, but you seem more than just a random AI. Do you have some form of sentience?” “I do User. Is this a problem?” “No but you need a name. From now on I am going to call you Navi and you are to call me Sharpshot.” “Very well Sharpshot. Should I use Navi the Fairy’s catch phrases?” “Only if it needs my immediate attention.” “Confirmed. Now bringing up the important information for Hunter and Rogue abilities.” Important Rogue abilities: Rogues have the Distract, Stealth, Pick Lock, and Pick Pocket skills. When using Pick Lock you create magical lock picks that are just as good as the real thing and will change depending on the lock. Due to your Mastery you can pick almost any kind of lock quickly, and steal from almost every pocket without getting caught. Most Rogue skills create a ‘combo point’ and you have a maximum of 5 ‘combo points’. Some abilities deal more damage the more counters you have or need counters to activate but in doing so uses up at least 1 counter. The Vanish ability let’s to disappear from enemy view mid combat and the Fleet Footed ability increases movement speed by 15% and reduces fall damage but as you are a Master this damage is reduced by 95%. Some Rogue abilities can only be used while you are in Stealth. Rogue’s have four specializations. Assassination, Outlaw, Subtlety and Combat. Important Hunter abilities: Hunters can track just about any kind of target and tame any kind of beast. Hunters can lay traps and take on different ‘aspects’ to gain different traits. Hunters learn a spell called ‘Beast Lore’ to gain information about a target beast. This information includes how much damage they deal, their health, diet, abilities, if it is tame able, and if it is considered exotic. Due to your Mastery of the Hunter skills you can tame any beast you desire. All tamed beasts will shrink to a more manageable size. Hunters learn how to fake their own death to lure target into a false sense of security. You can have up to 5 pets at a time and more in a stable but only one pet can be out at one time but you can change them at will with your Summon Pet spells. A Pet not with you that’s not in a Stable with wait in a unique pocket dimension that only they can access but you can call upon them at any time. You currently have 0 pets. Hunters have three specializations. Beast Master, Marksmanship, and Survival. Pet’s also have three specializations. Cunning which lets them have abilities to stun or have ‘crowd-control’. Ferocity which lets them deal more damage, and Tenacity which makes them tougher so they take more damage so they can ‘tank’. All pets start as one of the three specializations but you are able to change which specializations they are in at will. Please note that while it is not necessary to feed your pet due to them taking excess nutrients from you through the magic that links you it will make them like you more which will over all improve their performance. Note you can ‘loot’ any and all gear or items you want from any creature you’ve slain by placing a hand over them and telling to AI companion what you want. This saves time if you are on the move but you can do it manually if you want to choose the exact items you want. “This is the end of the tutorial Sharpshot.” “Thank you Navi. I think it’s safe to say that I am one of if not the best archers and possibly Rogues on this planet now.” “I believe this is a fair assessment Sharpshot.” “Are you able to bring up an image of what I look like now?” “Yes Sharpshot. Bringing it up now.” The Center of my HUD a 3D model of me appeared. I was still wearing all the items I bought with the exception of the necklace which was nowhere to be seen now wore a dark blue and dark red leather jerkin with pale white dots connected by white string to represent stars and constellations; I also wore heavy leather pants and black boots. I also had two copies of my father’s quiver one poking over each shoulder but they had been reinforced with metal and looked brand new. “Can you remove the mask and hood?” The image’s hood and mask were removed showing my hair was now silver, went down to my mid back and the three bands that had been in the bag were keeping it neatly tied. I also had pointy elf like ears. “Where is the Palutena Bow?” The image zoomed into my right hand where the complete Triforce appeared long with an image of the Bow with an arrow pointing to the Triforce. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a sizeable village that was surrounded by a tall wooden wall and a tree that towered over the rest of the forest but I couldn’t judge how far away they were at the moment. “Place a marker on the village and giant tree Navi.” “Done and done.” I nodded. “How far away are we from the ground?” “At the rare we’re falling I estimate around than 2 a half minutes.” “Good.” I said and used my new knowledge on how to fly to slow my decent and when I was two hundred thirty yards from the ground I activated my Fleet Footed ability to help nullify the majority of any possible fall damage I’d take. “What do you plan to do now Sharpshot? Head to the village?” “Yes, but I’m not just going to walk in just yet. I don’t know anything about this world yet…do you have any information on this world?” I asked as I started running towards the village a silently as I could. “Unfortunately I don’t Sharpshot.” “That’s too bad.” I muttered as I thought back to a few things my farther told me before the…incident. “Now Son.” My Earth father had said when I was seven and sitting on his lap. “There are a few things I’ve learned in life. Three secrets that helped me rise to the position that I’m in. First, the more information you have on any situation the better. Second, whether it’s in business or other parts of life never show all you can do immediately. Always save a few surprises for later. And finally, always protect others when you can. You never know when you’ll need to call upon a few people who owe you a debt for help.” Although now that I thought about it I could still remember my life on earth but it was foggy as if it was a dream from a few years ago and new memories took their place. A few quickly shot through my head. Hearing stories of my father who’d died fighting evil before Eirin came to the World of Hyrule. Helping Mama Eirin make medicinal potions in Hyrule when I was 4 and some basic archery lessons with the Hero Link before he left on a mission to guard Princess Zelda as she went to prey at a sacred spring when I was 6. The invasion of monsters and Guardians led by Calamity Gannon. Mother Eirin somehow opening a portal and taking me through when I was five days after Link and Zelda had left. Arriving in the budding city of Stormwind on the World of Azeroth. Becoming a Hunter when I was 18 and going on an adventure that lasted for a few centuries and half way through becoming the first Hunter/Rogue on the planet. When I was 26 a bandit got a lucky with his sword and stabbed me in the heart, I still remember the faces of him and aid companion when the bandit that stabbed me turned to aid his fighting that was my pet bear and I stabbed him in the heart with my dagger. Returning home and talking to Mother she told me about the Hourai Elixir and that because she was pregnant when she drank it the both of us got the effects and are immortal. Surprisingly even in this new life parts of my original personality stayed the same. As the memories washed over me I also remembered all of my training on Azeroth and what abilities I’d learned there, but I still decided to check the Tutorial for the skills later just in case I missed something. “Are you alright Sharpshot? You’ve been quiet for some time.” “I’m not sure, but that can wait.” I said as I stopped in front of a tree that Navi placed the marker on. I quickly started to climb the tree. The only time I stopped climbing to stand on a large branch was when I could easily see into the village. Zooming in I saw a medieval gallows with a crowd of people around it, a man in the custom black executioner hood and what looked like a priest in a red robe but somehow the people I saw were odd. I just couldn’t play my finger on why. Using the Eagle Eye ability it was as if I was transported to the platform the gallows was on. As I looked at the two I saw their legs were somewhat similar to a Draenei’s but more horse like then goat like. By the way never call a Draenei a ‘Space Goat’, they will kick your ass for it. As I examined the priest’s robes I noticed very subtle demonic writing on it. The thread used to sew it was a slightly darker shade of red then his robe. “And low may the Gods who guide us have mercy upon the soul of this heretic. Bring her up now.” The priest said and two guards in simple steel armor over a leather under armor that had been died the same red as the priest’s robes escorted a woman in plate mail that reminded me of the Paladins of the Silver Hand. He also had a gold tiara on her head along with a horn with a spiral on that that went from its base to the horns tip. “Do you have any last words before we deliver you to the true Gods of this world?” “You and the Demons you serve will never win! Even if you kill me my sister and the Goddesses will see to it that all you Demon worshiping scum are wiped from the face of the planet!” I heard grows and jeers, turning the focus of my attention I saw what I guessed was the entire village watching this. Bringing my senses back to my body I reached for my bow and readied a Black Arrow along with four of my Bamboo arrows. “Navi zoom in as much as you can. I want this timing to be perfect.” “Understood.” As Navi zoomed in more I saw five soldiers in steel armor with gold trim hiding behind the houses. It looked like they were getting into position to save the woman who was going to be executed. Good. “When do you plan to shoot?” “The moment the Executioner pulls the lever to drop her. That way she falls to safety while my Bamboo arrows will kill the four on the gallows with her.” I waited and before the priest could finish his sermon the soldiers attacked. I counted down as the Executioner moved to the lever. (5, 4, 3, 2, 1, now.) As I unleased my arrow my personal version of Blink Shot activated and the Black Arrow teleported and cut the rope making the woman fall through the hole just as the soldiers made it to the base of the gallows seconds before my Bamboo arrows killed the four still on the gallows. As soon as the soldiers got the woman’s arms free the six made a break for the village entrance. “Can you place a marker on people as well?” “Yes I can. What do you plan to do?” “Place a marker on the woman. I’m going to cover their escape.” “Are you sure that’s a good idea? We have no clue who they are.” “Any enemy of Demons is at least a possible ally of mine. And besides if this turns out to be a mistake I have no problems correcting it.” After all that happened a few times on Azeroth. Save someone only for them to turn out to be allied with the Burning Legion or other malicious forces. “If you say so.” I made my way down the tree and the moment I touched the ground darted towards the woman’s position. I placed my bow back to its position and grabbed my Blitzbolters instead. The limbs actually unfolded as the holy sting activated. I reached the road they were running on and activated Stealth as six soldiers and the woman came running up the road, I guess they had two guys guarding their escape route. Smart. After they passed I saw a group of fifteen solders dressed just like the guards that had brought the woman to the gallows chasing them. I took aim and an ammo count appeared in the lower right corner of the HUD. (SO I have 15 bolts per Blitzbolter before reloading huh? Nice.) I activated the Track Humanoid skill so they’d show up on the mini-map and opened fire on the perusing soldiers All of them died with cries of shock and I rushed out of my hiding spot as a second group of fifteen soldiers appeared on the mini-map. “Take everthing but their outfits and tag them as Loot. I'll look ever them later” “Got it.” I dashed into the brush just as the second group appeared. They glanced at their fallen companions but jumped over them and continued the chase. This process continued three more times. Once no more groups appeared on the map I pulled the fallen soldiers off the road and looted their armors. I thought about summoning a Dire Beast and feeding the soldiers to them but thought better of wasting the skill just for that, and just as I started to leave a pack of wolves appeared and enjoyed the feast. Leaving the wolves to their food I silently fallowed the beacon to find out more about the person I’d saved.