My Profession – Tattoo Artist of Stories

Calcium couldn't take her eyes off the creature's eyes, which reflected no light, as if their owners themselves had no hearts.

–We're looking for...– she stammered, realizing that it was difficult to answer: – We've come for answers...

The figure was silent, studying her words. She seemed to be able to read everything that was going on in her head. But then, without taking her eyes off him, she spoke again:

–Knowledge is too expensive. Not everyone who aspires to them is willing to pay the price. Not everyone who came here got out alive.

It was weird. Calcium felt a cold eclipse in her chest. Everything she had heard about the temple, about the tablet, now seemed too simple.

She glanced at Lian, who was standing a little apart, ready to act if necessary. But something inside her was holding her back. This moment was something different than she had expected. It wasn't just a temple or an ancient building, it was a place they had entered against their will, and now it was as if it wouldn't let them leave.

– We... are not afraid of the price. Calcium said, trying to find the courage in her voice: – If we're willing to pay, give us a chance.

The shadow straightened up and seemed to lean forward a little, as if thinking. In her presence, the world around her became even more alien and ruthless.

– Then answer the question that this temple is asking: – Said the figure. – Are you ready to sacrifice what you consider yourself for the sake of what you will know?

Calcium felt the air become dense again, as if the shadow itself was trying to fill her soul. Her heart was beating faster.

As soon as the shadow uttered her question, Calcium felt a pressure on herself – as if the reality itself around them began to change, stretching and narrowing, trying to find a weak spot to penetrate her consciousness.

She looked at Lian, who still couldn't hide his wariness, but something in his eyes had changed, as if he realized that not just their lives were at stake, but something more.

– Are you ready to sacrifice what you consider yourself for the sake of what you will know? – The figure repeated, her voice becoming more and more penetrating.

And at that moment, as always in moments of important choice, a line appeared in front of Calcium's eyes, unnoticeable to others:

[New goal: Pass the test of the Temple of the Forgotten Name.]

[Danger: Extremely high.]

[Assignment: To answer the Temple's question. Access to the tablet is allowed only to those who are willing to sacrifice their essence.]

[Possible consequences: loss of memory, loss of connection with reality, transformation into an immortal shadow.]

She froze, her heart pounding, and her gaze did not leave the figure. Was this really the price that the system had predicted for her? The tablet was here somewhere, but to gain access, she had to be willing to sacrifice something important to herself. But what?

Suddenly, a new line appeared in front of her eyes:

[Attention! In the process of completing the task, it is possible to activate the hidden "Echoes of History" function.]

[Note: Using this feature may affect the character's memory.]

Calcium grimaced. Echoes of Stories. It was an important task, and she knew that this moment would be crucial. At some point, during the use of this function, her memory and perception could change, but she did not know what exactly it would be.

The voice inside her wouldn't stop, like a muffled echo, forcing her to think. It was a chance, perhaps a chance for a deeper understanding of her purpose and her path as a Story Tattoo Artist. But how will it turn out?

[Do you want to activate the "Echoes of Stories" feature to search for an answer?]

Calcium closed her eyes, trying to concentrate, and for a moment thought about what was more important to her — her current self or the path she had embarked on, full of mysticism and ancient knowledge.

Should she give up her current memories for the sake of the truth, which will probably destroy her former life?

Information flashed through her mind again, and she decided.

–Yes. – she said softly out loud, although the doubt inside did not disappear.

[Used the "Echoes of Stories" feature of level 2.]

[New ability: To live the history of the past through the memory of an object.]

[Attention! The memory of Calcium begins to change.]

At that moment, she saw in front of her a lot of pictures — stories that were full of people who had once come here and died, and those who were trying to find answers, just like her.

But one picture stood out from all of them: a woman with a tattoo on her arm, exactly the same as hers, stood in front of the tablet and talked to sinister creatures like shadows, which, as it turned out, were part of the temple.

"So it's true..." – she thought, realizing that her role in this temple had long been predetermined.

[New information: The Tattoo Artist of Stories, El Mora, left her notes here.]

A new understanding flashed through her mind–the tablet was not just an object, it was part of a much larger plan.

The tablet contained more than just knowledge, it was connected to the fate of all the Tattoo Artists in the Stories, and Calcium was now on the verge of finding out how it all related to her.

"Now it's clear why we were stopped, I took the wrong tablet that I needed."

"I can't back down." – She felt her soul connecting with the past, filled with new knowledge.

Instantly, as a response, the system updated her status:

[New: Level 3 of the Echoes of Stories ability has been reached.]

[Echoes of History (level 3): You can read and transfer to the memory of objects that have experienced key moments in their lives. For each use of the ability, the object's memory can become yours. Potential changes in self-perception.]

Calcium felt everything around her begin to disappear, as her perception changed. But now she knew for sure that her path was not just following adventures. Her mission was much deeper than she had ever imagined.

The shadow in front of her tilted her head slightly, and her voice became quieter:

– Are you ready to continue?

With this last question, the space around the Calcium began to vibrate, and the air became denser. The temple has reopened its doors.

Calcium took a deep breath, feeling her consciousness clear up. She stood in the temple again, the cold air soaked her clothes, and a shadow still towered in front of her, waiting for her next step.

She quickly checked her status in her mind:

[Name: Calcium]

[Level: 6]

[Profession: Story Tattoo Artist]

[Rank: Tablet Master]

[Abilities: "Tablet Creation" (level 3), "Echoes of Stories" (level 3)]

[Artifacts: missing]

[Additional effects: The influence of the Temple of the Name (active)]

Her "Echoes of Stories" ability had indeed improved, but now she felt a strange heaviness in her head along with it. The memories intertwined, and she felt the line between her thoughts and the stories she saw getting thinner.

"Can I remember other people's lives... or forget my own? It flashed through my mind.

She clenched her fists, pushing away the doubts. Now is not the time to think about the consequences, because there was only one way forward.

–I'm ready. – Calcium said firmly.

//To be continued, please like and save…