Blair interjects with several important questions

As Blair looked over the spiritual stones, her desire for more information was gnawing at her, keeping her from making a decision. She looked up to Yoshito and asked. "I know you said that these trials are personal, but do they tend to have a direction? Perhaps they are conceptual, physical, literal, or metaphorical? Just knowing that would be quite helpful. Even if it was that it could be all of them at once." A new exclamation flashed that she allowed to pop up as Yoshito began to chuckle.

Achievement Unlocked!

Inquisitive mind

Clever, very clever

Reward: 2 Wisdom and 15 xp

Yoshito smiled, nodding slightly as he said. "A good question. The best way to put it would be conceptual and metaphorical. At least, that is what I have seen." She nodded before looking down at the stones once again before asking. "Do you have any suggestions on which to take first? Also, I am curious, are you one of the three who have passed all five trials?" Another new exclamation flashed that she allowed to pop up as Yoshito chuckled once again, his score ticked up to 75.

Achievement Unlocked!

Thirsty for "Knowledge"

Well, aren't we naughty?

Reward: 2 intellect and 15 xp

Yoshito moved his right hand to his chin, rubbing it gently with his thumb and pointer finger before saying. "I would suggest the blue stone, its trial is one of clarity and will help guide you through the others. However, I will reframe from answering your other question until you have passed all five trials yourself. You obviously need more motivation to continue this journey." Blair listened, but stuck out her tongue at him when he said she needed motivation. She just wanted some knowledge. It wasn't like she was using this as an excuse to look at his toned stomach, defined pecks, cute face, or crotch. Her eyes began to those at his toned stomach, defined pecks, then down at his crotch. Her eyes lingered a little too long before thinking, 'Ah! What am I doing!?' She began to blush before shaking her head and said. "Right, right. Um, I see. Clarity huh? I could use some of that right now."

Yoshito coughed, trying to hide his amusement as his score ticked up to 80. Blair's eyes looked over the glowing stones once again before slowly moving her hand to the Blue Spiritual Stone of the Flame. She smiled and said. "When I finish, you better answer my question." Her eyes looked up to him as he replied. "Of course. Until then, good luck." She smiled softly before placing her hand on that stone.

Trial one, Clarity

Everything around her became skewed as if everything was being torn apart on a microscopic level. Within that moment it reminded her of how a person's vision would split into multiple colors and flicker upon putting on 3-D glasses. When everything snapped back together, she found herself within the zen garden of meditation, alone. She looked herself over and pinched her right arm, but stopped upon feeling a bit of pain. This was oddly real, but it wasn't like she had been teleported here either. Had her spirit been displaced? She would have gotten a notification if she had moved to a different illusion barrier, right?

She began to look around to see if anything was different. However, her attention was drawn away by an odd sound only a few seconds later. The strangest thing about this sound was that it didn't seem to grow or lessen in volume as she followed it. Unlike the volume, the place from which it emanated from seemed to change. She followed the sound down the stairs, but the way out of the old arcade was filled with a bright white light. This is where things started to change. The sound was clearly coming from outside, but did she dare go near this oddly bright archway?

Hmm, she knew there wasn't any reason to be so cautious. This was a trial of clarity, it shouldn't be dangerous. Seriously, when has clarity ever been dangerous? This was a clear attempt to lurer her somewhere. This caused her to wonder, 'But to what end?' She shook her head, pressing onward, but she felt a chill running down her spine as she grew closer to it. But despite being several inches from it, she didn't feel any heat at all. Much to her surprise, when she finally decided to touch the archway's light. Well, to put it simply, it felt icy cold.

She simply glanced to either side to see if there were any other options available to her, but upon seeing nothing else. She stepped carefully through. Her body and vision were enveloped during her short trek through with this icy cold light, but upon exiting she found something she would have never expected awaiting her on the other side. Nora, Zane, and Lusserina were all on their knees bowing down before her. What made Blair giggle with a little smirk was when they all sat up on their knees. Zane, was the only one without a shred of clothing on, she could see his cock was held by a steel cock cage, keeping it small and soft against his balls, but what amused Blair the most was the rather large butt plug stuck out slightly from asshole. He looked rather uncomfortable sitting on it.

Nora began to speak. "Mistress, you've done it. You have finally quelled the squabbling between the religious factions and brought them underneath your mighty boot. I, I know I didn't think it could be done, but please. Forgive me for doubting your ambition and power, mistress." Zane lowered his head slightly, obviously not wishing to speak. However, Lusserina gently coughed before beginning to speak. "I knew it from the day I met you. No one was your equal, not in power, ambition, lust, and as a mistress. ♥ You are possessive and kind to those you care about. However, those who try to take from you are laid low in a brutal display. Mmm! ♥ Such sweet brutality!"

She groaned softly before licking her lips slowly, soon continuing to speak. "The way a true ruler should be. I am humbled to have been your first real conquest during your climb to power, mistress." She moaned softly before looking to Zane with a playful smile while continuing to speak. "You even made this pitiful boy learn his place too." She looked back to Blair and bowed her head before continuing to speak. "I do not wish to ever serve another, mistress. May you live forever and continue to show the rest of us what it is like to truly live."

Blair looked down slightly, thinking. 'Ambition? The religious factions? I, wait, why is Nora my pet? Didn't I want her to be my girlfriend once more?' She looked to them once more, but something odd was happening upon her face. She felt a truly happy smile creep across her lips, but before she could speak. Ellinor came running from around the corner and unexpectedly wrapped her arms around Blair's neck, pulling her close and into a soft, but loving kiss. Their tongues playfully slid along one another's, but before Blair felt content, Ellinor pulled back and said. "There you are, my love. I was beginning to think you weren't going to come back out of there."

Blair looked to her pets before looking back to Ellinor. She was torn, but felt this was actually what she wanted. Ah, that's right. Blair wasn't the monster, it was Zane. Nora and Lusserina were only interested in her for pleasure, not loving her. Nora desired pleasure from her. Hell, Nora even paid for everything, trying to buy her off like she was some whore. Nora never spent the time to get to know her, not like Ellinor did. Ellinor took Blair by the hand and led her to the front of the old arcade where Yoshito was waiting.

There was a large red ribbon out front and several camera crews awaiting for something. Blair looked at the old arcade and saw a large opening soon sign in front. She blinked twice, thinking. 'Wait, what?' Yoshito smiled, gently touching her right shoulder with a hand and said. "I appreciate what you've done here. You've made this place a safer place to live. On top of that you decided to purchase this building and refurbish it." He smiled before continuing to speak. "You should cut the ribbon and let the kids and teens in to play. You wanted to give the world a better place to live and play, no?"

It was at that moment the world shattered around her, her knees buckled as the weight of the truth hit her. Her eyes were filled with tears of pain and sadness. What she wanted, what she couldn't see until now wasn't justice for herself. She longed to bring back a happier time for herself and others. Zane and those like him were forcing pain and oppression on those who weren't doing anything wrong. Sure, there were those out there that truly deserved it, but it was clear that they weren't even using their power correctly. In fact their arrogance and actions had brought her to this moment. It brought her to the truth. To stop their reign of terror, she needed to become far more terrible than they could ever be.

Her consciousness wavered as the world went black, but when she finally had the strength to open her eyes once again, there were five pop ups awaiting her.

Understanding One Self has increased to rank 3 - Strength, Agility, and Endurance bonuses have increased to 15.

Understanding Humans has increased to rank 2 - damage and pleasure increase has increased to 15% per touch/strike.

Continuity rank 1, Self Defense rank 1, and Natural Rhythm rank 20 have merged into Rhythm of Continuity and Defense lvl 1

Rhythm of Continuity and Defense lvl 1

Cost: 200 Hp

Gain an invisible shield equal to 3 times the sacrificed health for up to 5 minutes.

While the shield holds, health and mana regen will be increased by 100%.

While the shield holds, sacrifices of health for other spells will be taken from the shield.

Cannot be recast while the current shield holds.

Achievement Unlocked!

Passed the trial of Clarity!

Reward: 100 xp and $1,000

After reading that, she closed those pop ups and looked around, wondering what happened, and why she was back on the bed. She let out a breath before closing her eyes and thought, 'Ugh, I passed out did I? This is a bad start, isn't it?' Her mind turned to what laid ahead. Which stone's trial would she do next?

Name: Blair Mitchell

Title: The Gamer

Lvl: 15 XP 1,584/3,000

Hp: 392/392

Hp regen: 4.84 per min

Mp: 360/360

Mp regen: 4.5 per min

Money: $6,343,719.27

Bust size: D cup

Inventory slots 11/20 ( Zane's Angst, Wizard's Band, Lusserina's Soaked Red Silk Panties, Ring of Fingering, Thigh High Leather Boots of Power, Hearthstone, Emiko's Leggings, Firebrand of Nature, Demon Leather Boots, and White Dragonscale Chainmail Shirt)

Unspent skill points: 10

Str: 35 + (15) End: 31 + (15)

Int: 45 + (0) Wis: 45 + (0)

Agi: 35 + (15) Cha: 35 + (0)

Lib: 20 + (18)