The Misadventures of a Terrestrial Anomaly

Charlie walked over to a wall covered in electric blue crystals. She closed her eyes and listened for what might be running water. Every noise that bounced off the walls was her own breathing, droplets of water, or the turtle’s excitement over finding her eggs.

Two large pillars of crystalline light led towards what she thought was the loudest source of water. She placed the crystal at its base.

Activating Liquid Explosive in fifteen seconds. Please allow enough room or you will be caught in impact.

Fifteen.

Fourteen.

Thirteen.

“Shit!”

As she turned to run, the turtle’s jaw opened. Her tongue wrapped around the woman and pulled her into her mouth. Charlie tried not to scream in terror, as she didn’t feel like the concerned creature wanted to eat her. After a loud, rattling explosion, the mouth opened and let her step out. She flicked the slobber off of her as she stood again.

The large pillars held in the roof and more blue crystals spread across the ceiling. Water flooded into the room from the other side of the wall and the turtle nudged her to climb onto its back. Charlie grabbed onto a larger glowing crystal and held on as the ecstatic mother sloshed in the water.

Once it was up to the turtle’s fins, she used her snout to bump the spherical shield around the eggs into the water. It slid gracefully until the turtle shot into the darkness.

The room on the other side of the wall was much larger, the size of a proper lake. More eerie blue lights were under the water and the turtle happily swam as if it had an entire ocean to itself. The eggs sunk to the bottom of the lake where only a bead of blue bounced off the magical shield. The beast happily purred and swam about.

“See, you’ve got some space now,” Charlie laughed, “You’ll be much happier here. There’s enough room for your babies to grow up too!”

She patted the turtles skin.

“Do you know how I can get out of here?” She placed her hand on it, “I don’t mind staying with you, but like… A girl’s gotta sleep, eat, and I’m not exactly a strong swimmer, my new friend.”

The giant turtle paused and reared its head back. Swirls of the sickly blue light glowed on its shell as the light filled its throat. Charlie’s eyes widened as a large beam of volatile water decimated a nearby wall. The beast cooed and enthusiastically swam in a circle around the water proudly. She extended her neck for Charlie to walk down to the recent exit. She stepped onto the dark shore and turned back to her recent beastly companion.

“I’m happy I could help,” Charlie rubbed the turtle’s snout, “I’m not sure why you’re here, but I’ll see if we can get you somewhere even bigger, okay?”

The beast rumbled. She watched as all the glowing lights darken as the turtle sunk into the water. As the crystal lights brightened again, she saw a stone in the turtle’s mouth. The proud mama spat the glowing egg-shaped stone and nudged it towards Charlie. It was comically large in the woman’s arms.

“For me?” She blinked and knelt at the water’s edge, “Thank you.”

She stepped into the water and grabbed the crystalline trophy. As her fingers touched the cold surface, the turtle chirped.

You have received a divine blessing from this godbeast. This divine blessing grants one new companion. Would you like to accept?

She nodded and the egg burst into a thousand stars of light. It swirled around her until it rested on her right hand. She felt it burn into her skin and looked to see a new glowing tattoo on her pointer finger. The simple silhouette of a sea turtle glittered away as the attunement set in. The opalescent glow was much more reminiscent of the crystal light than she thought any ink could ever be.

You have gained a new attunement: Divine Familiar

Divine Familiar: A god-tier being has gifted you a shard of its power to summon a beast in its form. This familiar has the same level as its summoner. This familiar will remain with its summoner until dismissed or if it, or its summoner, is reduced to zero health points.

Would you like to summon now?

“You gave me a little buddy? I’m honored,” She nodded, “Let’s see how I can summon them…”

To summon the Divine Familiar granted from Godbeast Crystalline Turtle, repeat the following incantation:

“I beckon to those unheard and unable to speak. Godly beast the waters, grant me an avatar to join me on lands to do your bidding.”

The small tattoo on her hand glowed brightly as the words left her lips. Glowing blue bubbles grew from her hands. They floated upwards until a turtle formed. The translucent being swam around her.

A red screen popped up in front of her.

You have gained one level of exhaustion. Stamina, mana, and health regeneration is reduced for ERRROR hours.

“Uh oh.”

Another screen overlapped the previous one.

You have gained one level of exhaustion. Stamina, mana, and health regeneration is reduced for ERRROR hours. Current levels of exhaustion: 2.

“That doesn’t sound –”

“Charlie?” She heard someone call as her vision blurred, “Stay awake! You can’t fall asleep!”

You have gained one level of exhaustion. Stamina, mana, and health regeneration is reduced for ERRROR hours. Current level of exhaustion: 3. Instant death at level 5 of exhaustion.

“How do I even—”

You have gained one level of exhaustion. Stamina, mana, and health regeneration is reduced for ERRROR hours. Current level of exhaustion: 4. Instant death at level 5 of exhaustion.

“Charlie! I’m coming! Stay with me!”

Her eyes flickered closed as she saw the world blur around her. Her life drained away as she fell. The watery woman caught her as she fell into the dark lagoon. Puddles teared up as she held a hand on her face. Cool water filled her mouth and the echoing voices around her swirled in her mind.

You are under the effect of Healing Hands.

One level of exhaustion healed from healing hands.

You have gained one level of exhaustion.

Current level of exhaustion: 4.

One level of exhaustion healed from healing hands.

You have gained one level of exhaustion.

Current level of exhaustion: 4.

The words repeated sentences repeated in her mind as her consciousness faded. Puddles shook her as she kept the healing going. With Charlie’s health draining away, she cursed and pushed more healing water into her.

“Drop the spell you idiot! You’re not strong enough to do it!” The young goddess hissed, “If I knew you’d be this stupid, I wouldn’t have let you come down here!”

Charlie only heard the same repeated message as she drifted away.

One level of exhaustion healed from healing hands.

You have gained one level of exhaustion.

Instant death occurs at five levels of exhaustion.

Current level of exhaustion: 4.

Charlie mumbled something that Puddles couldn’t understand. She shook the dying woman.

“Ocean!” She slapped her hand into the water, “You told me to protect her. I need help. How do I stop this?”

The bubbles coming from Charlie’s hand encapsulated the glowing phantom turtle that danced above her. Puddles swatted away the annoying pest as she tried to revive the fallen woman. Its screech rippled the surface of her watery skin.

“What can you even do? You’re the reason she’s dying! Just… evaporate or whatever!”

It squirted water at her.

“Listen here! I am the god between us! I’ll smite you!”

It cawed as its skin became firmer and the glowing light dimmed. It incorporeal form hardened and one of the bubbles swirled with sparkling water. It purred as the godbeast lifted its head from the water to look at the commotion. Her yellow eyes frowned when it saw Charlie’s pitiful body sprawled out on the shore. A haunting cry echoed in the cavern as the beast raised its head. The harsh light in the crystal embedded in the ceilings and walls shone brighter with the sound.

Puddles stiffened at the monstrous noise but kept her spell going. Then, she heard a voice in the water. The symphonic femininity stretched throughout the water and calmed all frantic creatures.

“Puddles, darling,” The woman said, “I sent them a message too. They understand me. Let them help.”

“Yes, Ocean,” She lowered her flustered face.

The tiny turtle floated down and laid on top of Charlie’s chest. It nestled between her breasts and the bubble of water swirled around it. Puddle moved her hand into the water. She felt it amplify her spell and the woman’s shallow breath eased into a deeper rhythm.

“There you go, my little elemental,” Ocean chuckled, “Your father would be proud.”

“You said she’s just like him, right?” Puddles felt her mana rapidly drain into the spell, “Do you know who summoned her?”

“I discretely reached out to a few other gods to see if anyone knew anything. It will take them much longer to get back to me. I do not want to alert very many others of her arrival or…” She paused, “I will hold our connection until the anomaly has stabilized.”

“Her name is Charlie.”

Puddles grunted as she pushed the spell deeper into Charlie’s chest. The tiny turtle fully materialized with each breath she took. It was an entirely miniature version of the gigantic beast, only without the crystalized growths or algae.

“It doesn’t seem to be working,” Ocean murmured through the water, “Bless her.”

Puddles took a deep breath and morphed her healing spell. She had never done this before but felt the blessing naturally worm its way into Charlie.

Blessing applied: Holy Water (Lesser)

Holy Water: Healing increased in water and by water-based energy. Blessing applied at level of the blesser’s authority.

Holy Water (Lesser—Puddles): The blessed has the authority of a lesser water god. All water elementals and beasts will accept you as one of their own.

Swirls of the eerie light etched into its shell as it cooed at its unconscious summoner. It sunk back into its shell and as the water drifted into its summoner’s skin. Small snores came from the creatures as Charlie’s breath stabilized.

“She is stable,” Puddles released the spell, “Thank you.”

The giant turtle chirped eagerly before it sunk back into the water. A splash of water washed over them. The watery woman pursed her lips as Ocean laughed. Puddles sat down next to Charlie’s unconscious body and put her feet into the dark water. She merged with it and felt a stronger connection to the original water Goddess.

“I do not know why Lake moved this creature into this cave.” The ancient voice sighed, “I am glad that you lived through that attack, Puddles. I almost did not reach you in time. It was miraculous that I did.”

“I appreciate you boosting my strength, Ocean.”

“Of course. If you were my true child, then I would have been able to do so much sooner.”

“I… I know.”

“Can I trust you to watch her as we trusted you to watch your father?”

She nodded, “Where should I bring her?”

“Back to your father’s house.”

Charlie coughed up water and groaned. Puddles placed a hand on her to regulate her temperature as she settled back down again.

“She is too weak to make the journey. I don’t know if I will be strong enough to save her.”

“The godbeast has gifted her a familiar. Would you both not be enough?”

“Ocean, summoning a familiar nearly killed her. I can get no information from or about her. She could be level 1 or 1 million. She doesn’t even know what she can do!” Puddles stomped her feet in the water, “Getting to Awon will be difficult enough. I know once we hit the ocean, you will protect her, but I can’t—”

“I believe in you, just as your father did.”

Puddles would have blushed if she could. Ocean was a pleasant goddess that gave compliments sparingly to her descendants.

“If you think she is in that much danger, I don’t want to try it on my own.”

“You need to believe in yourself more, dear. You’re strong enough. You are a goddess.”

The semblance of tears crept into the corner of her eyes. She placed a hand on the turtle and looked at Charlie again.

“Identify stats,” She waited for the information to come to her.

The myriad of errors made her wince, but the only status she cared to read were there: health, stamina, and mana were all at 1 out of an unknown number.

“Ocean, you told me to let you know if I ever needed help from your children,” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, “I think I will need their help to make sure she lives. She’s feistier than my father was.”

“Lake is Sarorr, River in Filigor, and Delta is in Awon,” Ocean paused, “Which one would you like me to send to help?”

Her icy blue skin melted as she relaxed, “Lake is the nicest one to me.”

“Of course, you were his first creation. He holds you in high regard,” She chuckled, “He is in a sabbatical solitude. He may be harder to reach until you get there. I sent a messenger to him to explain the godbeast, anyway.”

“Then, we’ll meet him in Sarorr. The attunement center in Vlaminer is a good place to see what Charlie can do, right?”

“I agree.”

“What about the Oasis? You gave me this job and I can’t just leave! I don’t want to.”

“This woman, Charlie, will need time to recover before you all travel. The pride can live for a few days without a water deity at the Oasis. Just make sure to produce enough water to hold them over while you’re traveling. Summon some minor elementals to filter water while you’re gone as well.”

She nervously twirled her thumbs, “I just don’t want to disappoint you, Ocean.”

“Puddles, it does not matter that you were not born a god. You are a water deity,” Her voice changed into a motherly tone, “You are still one of my children. You have yet to disappoint me. I doubt you ever will.”

Puddles looked up as a barrage of footsteps echoed down the dark hall. Lantern lights flicked into view as she narrowed her eyes.

“It seems you have some friends coming to help now. Please send word when you leave,” The voice faded into the water, “Lake will reach out to you soon.”

Puddles pulled her feet from the water and stood. She summoned shards of ice to her hands and braced herself for whatever attackers may approach them. She sighed in relief as the majority of the Leonie pride came into view. Navara held her magical weapons high and readied herself to cast a spell.

“Wait!” Puddles yelled, “It’s fine!”

Davon ran to the front of the group, “We got the wererabbits out. Where’s the giant beast? Where’s—”

“Charlie!” He and his mother yelled and ran to her side.

“She’s alive. Barely,” Puddles sighed, “I must speak with you both. We need to get her out of here and get her healed up.”

“What about the giant creature?”

A snort came from the darkened lake behind them. A large fin splashed a wave of water onto the fifty or so Leonie that filled the shore. Once everyone was adequately drenched in the murky water, it sunk back to the unseen depths with a noise that sounded like a wry chuckle.

“She somehow managed to stop it,” She laughed airlessly, “No idea how. I got here when she nearly killed herself summoning that turtle on her chest.”

Navara’s eyes widened, “That’s a –”

“The familiar? I know.”

The tiny turtle on Charlie’s chest chirped and stuck its head out of its shell. It awkwardly glared at Puddles. She flicked a stream of water at it, and it angrily cawed at her. The opalescent blue swirls sparkled as it reprimanded her in a torrent of squeaks.

“Get her up to the temple. She will need to stay there for a few days to regain her strength,” The goddess commanded, “I will need to speak with all the priestesses as well as a handful of guards.”

Davon knelt at the unconscious woman’s side. Bruises covered her arms and face as if she had been in a terrible fight. Her drenched and stained dress barely clung to her skin. Her hazel eyes were barely open and unresponsive. As he reached to touch her, the turtle screeched, and the crystalline light filled its throat.

“He’s a friend!” Puddles threw her hands out to stop the beast, “Let him help.”

The light faded as the creature suspiciously glared at the lion man. A puff of steam came from its nose as it exhaled.

“You can stay on her… Just let me pick her up.”

It slowly sunk back into its shell with an indignant purr. Davon dug his arms under Charlie and gently lifted her. She grumbled as he pulled her against his chest. Her hand gently rubbed in between his pecs as he settled her in his arms.

“Warm,” She started to scratch him, “Good kitty. You deserve scritches.”