Chapter 4: NINJA
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Today, they invoked our ancient tongues, chanting rites that awakened dormant powers in our land. Some call this a miracle, yet I fear it is a stirring of shadows best left at rest. The Jingozi wear their faith like their masks, but whose gods do they truly serve?
***
I woke up to no bed, no bathrobe, no Vegas hotel. Instead, I was half-naked, wearing nothing but a potato sack on a mound of moss and leaves. The earthy smell of wet burlap filled my nostrils, mingling with the musty scent of the ground beneath me. My arm was still asleep, and the entire side of my face felt numb.
A massive bonfire burned behind me. And by its firelight, I could make out the forest. The night sky sparkled with stars—something you’d never see standing in a city like Vegas.
“Ember Lynn,” a voice called.
Before my mind could register, he sat cross-legged next to me, staring into the fire.
“Dad?”
Tears streamed down my face. He reached out, but I flinched away. Mixed with the burning smell of wood and smoke, I recognized the Old Spice pomade he used every morning. I bawled as I let him hold my hands.
“Ember Lynn. Why did we give you that name?” he asked.
“My hair?”
“No, little one. Your first father named you Lynn, but we called you Ember because no matter how alone or different you would feel, we wanted nothing to put out the fire in your heart.”
He leaned in and touched his forehead to mine—something he’d always do to promise things would be okay, no matter how bad.
“But dad, I’m so…”
He vanished, leaving me staring at my interface.
Name: Ember
Tier: -
Faction: -
Zii: -
Cards: -
Deck: -
I sprang to my feet, wobbled, and slipped, falling into the crackling blaze. But two clay arms shot around my waist, yanking me out just in time.
Screeching like a trapped animal, I thrashed in Cragmarr’s grip. The Golem restrained me with his four limbs, lifting me off the ground.
“That is enough!”
A figure emerged from the darkness. It was cloaked in black, with tattered pieces writhing like living tendrils—the silhouette of a creature composed of endless, restless limbs. The cloak didn’t reach the ground as the figure floated effortlessly, a faint trail of black smoke puffing out from beneath it.
The firelight cast eerie shadows on the figure’s face, revealing a skeletal visage. It wore a twisted metal mask resembling a cross between a human and an alien animal skull with curly goat horns. The eye sockets were dotted with multiple lights, each emitting a glow of slightly different colors.
“I have no time or patience for these petulant displays,” it said. “You will comply or forfeit.”
“Ember,” Cragmarr pleaded.
“Focus and look at me, human,” it said.
Above its head, more information appeared.
Name: ??? [Prophecy Dealer]
Tier: VII [Obsidian] Rank ???
Faction: Jingozi [Light]
Its bony metal finger poked my chest and pulsed with light. Despite my attempts to twist free, warmth radiated within me. And my Zii, whatever that was, ticked up from 1.
UPDATE: ZII ACTIVATED
The mystical life force that flows through all players, Zii is both power and potential, fueling your abilities in battle and serving as the ultimate currency in the Jingozi tournament. Master it. Wager it. Win with it.
STATUS:
Name: Ember
Tier: -
Faction: -
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Zii: 100/100
Cards: -
Deck: -
My body felt strange. I couldn’t ignore feeling stronger and healthier for the first time in years, maybe my entire life.
“You have been chosen to represent a faction in the Jingozi tournament,” it said. “If you win, you will be elevated to the highest titles of honor and authority and may return to your world if you choose.”
My world?
“There are seven factions in this dimension,” it continued. “Observe and choose.”
Seven boxes appeared. They glowed in different colors, from red to purple, with the last one black. Each was wrapped in fabric marked with a distinct symbol, some like poker suits. I focused on each one, and a list formed in my vision.
<ul>
<li>
Ninja [Red Hearts]
</li>
<li>
Golem [Orange Shields]
</li>
<li>
Samurai [Gold Spades]
</li>
<li>
Monk [Green Clovers]
</li>
<li>
Amazon [Blue Diamonds]
</li>
<li>
Emperor [Purple Crowns]
</li>
<li>
Jingozi [Black Skulls]
</li>
</ul>
Cragmarr set me down. Black tendrils from the skull-faced alien''s cloak reached for me as I took a cautionary step back.
As I examined each one, the thing started narrating.
1. NINJA [RED HEART]
Represents the strategy, principles, and ideological dedication of the Ninja. Symbolizes the cunning, discipline, and unwavering commitment to their cause. Ninjas are problem-solvers but are most critical of themselves when they fail.
2. GOLEM [ORANGE SHIELD]
Reflects the servant leadership of the Golem. Symbolizes selflessness, strength, and dedication to supporting others. Golems try to avoid the spotlight at all costs and will enable the dysfunction of other factions.
I snuck a peek at Cragmarr. That seems about right.
3. SAMURAI [GOLD SPADE]
Embodies the dedication to knowledge, wisdom, and perfectionist application of the Samurai. Symbolizes the pursuit of excellence, strategic insight, and profound understanding. Samurai tend to be selective in their responsibilities, choosing only to participate when they have confidence that they possess the necessary knowledge.
4. MONK [GREEN CLOVER]
Signifies the social harmony of the Monk, seeking the vision to reconcile all. Symbolizes peace, unity, and the quest for enlightenment and reconciliation. Monks tend to be social chameleons but struggle with conflict at the risk of being disliked.
5. AMAZON [BLUE DIAMOND]
Illustrates the resourcefulness and flexibility of the Amazon, with a dedication to legacy. Symbolizes adaptability, strategic planning, and the importance of preserving heritage. Amazons find ultimate security in their resources and, therefore, struggle when others do not value them for those resources.
6. EMPEROR [PURPLE CROWN]
Represents the institutional leadership of the Emperor, focusing on loyalty and freedom to grow. Symbolizes authority, governance, and the balance between tradition and progress. To the Emperor, the ends always justify the means, including control through domination.
“The purple Emperors,” I said. “That’s where I was, right? The guy with the robe and gold chains?”
Cragmarr nodded. I shuddered, remembering the child''s body in the dungeon.
7. JINGOZI [BLACK SKULL]
Locked
“Why can’t I pick black?” I asked. “I assume that’s you, the Jingozi.”
“It is forbidden.”
“That’s not a real answer. It’s like saying, ‘Because I said so.’”
Cragmarr sighed behind me.
“We Jingozi are the gamemasters,” it said. “You may only represent our faction by divine decree and earning your station. There will be no further questions on this matter, human.”
This is insane.
I studied the red heart box again. Problem solver, strategic, ideological dedication—it read like every personality test I''d taken during therapy. The therapist had called me "solution-focused with a tendency toward black-and-white thinking."
Yet, somehow, the choice seemed all too convenient, like a setup.
Whatever, I might as well play along.
"Fine. Red it is." I pointed to the heart-marked chest. "Not like any of this is real anyway."
"You mock what you cannot possibly comprehend," the skull-faced thing said.
"Oh, I understand perfectly. This is either a dream or a hallucination. I probably got roofied at the bar, somehow."
"Such insolence will not be tolerated," it warned.
I flipped it my middle finger—no reaction except for a message.
YOU HAVE CHOSEN A FACTION: NINJA [RED HEART]
Represents the strategy, principles, and ideological dedication of the Ninja. Symbolizes the cunning, discipline, and unwavering commitment to their cause. Ninjas are problem-solvers but are most critical of themselves when they fail.
LEVEL UPDATE
Name: Ember [Doctrine Dealer]
Tier: -
Faction: Ninja [Field]
Zii: 100/100
Cards: -
Deck: -
Before I could ask what a Doctrine Dealer was, more notifications flooded my mind''s eye.
NEW QUEST: JINGOZI TUTORIAL
Complete the Jingozi tutorial.
NEW QUEST: STEEL
Reach Tier III [Steel] Rank 1.
NEW QUEST: JINGOZI TOURNAMENT
Work with your faction to win the Jingozi tournament for the reward.
Prerequisites:
<ul>
<li>
Complete your Jingozi card deck.
</li>
<li>
Tier III [Topaz] Rank 1.
</li>
<li>
At least one champion card.
</li>
</ul>
The Jingozi extended its palm. Two poker-sized cards materialized with a red glow, gliding towards me, leaving a faint trail of red light.
Your first two cards,” it said. “Do you accept?”
I hesitated before poking one of the cards. Both evaporated into red smoke, streaming into my fingertip. A scalding pain shot through my hand as if I’d plunged it into boiling water. The agony spread up my arm, searing through my veins until it engulfed my entire body. I cried out, collapsing onto all fours, drenched in sweat. The pain was beyond anything I’d ever imagined.
Through the pounding in my ears, Cragmarr said, “It is too much for her.”
“The vessel is strong,” the Jingozi replied. “I chose it myself.”
“But look at her.”
“Then this girl is a pitiful waste and deserves to perish.”
“Hello,” I sputtered. “You know I''m right here and can hear you—” I proceeded to dry heave.
Text scrolled on my interface before everything faded to black—again.
YOU HAVE RECEIVED BATTLE CARDS:
<ul>
<li>
[0/0]
</li>
<li>
[0/1]
</li>
</ul>
FEAT ACHIEVED: FIRST TIER
You have been accepted into Tier I [Iron] Rank 10. There are 7 tiers, each with multiple ranks. You must reach rank 1 before advancing to the next tier. Upon reaching each tier, you will receive a special Jingozi deck upgrade.
<ul>
<li>
I [Iron] – Ranks 10 to 1
</li>
<li>
II [Bronze] – Ranks 10 to 1
</li>
<li>
III [Steel] – Ranks 10 to 1
</li>
<li>
IV [Cobalt] – Ranks 10 to 1
</li>
<li>
V [Titanium] – Ranks 10 to 1
</li>
<li>
VI [Platinum] – Ranks 10 to 1
</li>
<li>
VII [Obsidian] – Ranks 100 to 1
</li>
</ul>
UPDATED STATUS:
Name: Ember [Doctrine Dealer]
Tier: I [Iron] Rank 10
Faction: Ninja [Field]
Zii: 100/100
Cards: 2/2
Deck: -