The Chronicles of a Fallen Star

Paola ran from Ayla, her heart hammering in her chest. She glanced back briefly, seeing Ayla give her a forced, bloody smile. Her soft blonde locks were matted with crimson, and the hand resting in her lap had an open wound that exposed the forearm bone. The sight pushed Paola to move faster, her mind racing with desperate hope.

The ancient city around her was eerie and silent, illuminated by the bioluminescent green moss that coated the ground and walls. The soft glow cast long, haunting shadows, giving the impression that the city was alive with the spirits of those who once inhabited it. The architecture was grand yet decayed, with intricate carvings and towering columns that spoke of a long-lost civilization.

Paola's pink slippers glided on the dusty stone as she bounded up the steps of the temple. Moss hung over the doorway like a natural curtain, and she pushed through it, her breath coming in ragged gasps. The air inside was thick and musty, filled with the scent of ancient stone and neglect.

She froze as she entered the room. It was magnificently built, with towering pillars and elaborate frescoes that depicted scenes of history long forgotten. In the center stood a massive stone gate, seamlessly integrated into the structure as if the room had been constructed around it. The gate seemed almost to pulse with an ancient energy, its presence dominating the space.

What made her heart leap into her throat, however, were the two tall skeletons flanking the gate. They were unlike anything she had ever seen, standing at least eight feet tall with long, sinuous limbs and clean, white bones that gleamed in the dim light. Each skeleton wore a robe of fine silk, one black and one white, the fabric flowing like liquid around their bony frames. Their empty eye sockets seemed to stare into the abyss, giving them an otherworldly and unsettling presence.

Paola's mind flashed back to Halloween at her high school, where her teacher had a human-sized skeleton dressed as the Grim Reaper. This, however, was no costume. These were real, their silent vigil over the gate an ominous reminder of the power and mystery of this place.

She whispered under her breath, "Where the fuck am I?"

The skeleton in the white robe turned its head, the motion slow and deliberate. "We are the Keepers of this Echo Gate," it said, its hollow skull fixing on her with an unnerving stare.

Paola stilled, every instinct telling her to run, but she was rooted to the spot by a mix of fear and awe. An Echo Gate? Which means... there's a Grove of Echoes. The realization struck her like a bolt of lightning, and she knew she had to act fast.

Desperately, she turned and sprinted back to Ayla, her slippers slipping in the dust. She found Ayla slumped against the wall, unconscious, her breathing shallow. Paola shook her several times, but there was no response. She checked for a pulse and found it faint and weak.

"No, no..." Paola muttered, panic rising. But instead of freezing, she sprang into action. Ignoring her own injuries, she lifted Ayla and threw her over her shoulders. Ayla's weight was almost too much to bear, but Paola gritted her teeth and pushed through the pain, sprinting back to the temple.

She burst through the mossy curtains, heading straight for the gate. The Keepers turned their heads to watch her, their hollow eyes following her every move but making no effort to stop her. Paola's breath came in ragged gasps, her legs burning with effort.

As she approached the gate, her heart pounded in her chest. She had no idea what lay beyond it, but she knew it was their only chance. The Keepers' skeletal faces remained impassive as she ran past them and into the gate, Ayla still draped over her shoulders.

The world around her blurred and shifted as she passed through, a feeling of vertigo overwhelming her for a moment. She stumbled, nearly collapsing under Ayla's weight, but managed to stay upright. She could feel a strange energy enveloping them, different from anything she had ever experienced.

She whispered, “We made it, Ayla. We made it.” Paola could feel her strength waning as she carried Ayla through the gate, her own injuries screaming for attention. The determination to save her friend kept her moving forward, step by painful step. As Paola moved through the gate with Ayla, she felt her friend fade from her back. She stumbled forward and hit the ground with a harrumph, lying on her stomach. Expecting pain from her wounds and the fall, she was surprised to find that her injuries were gone. Slowly, she crawled to her knees and lifted her head, her breath catching in her throat.

She wasn’t sure what she had been expecting, but what she saw defied all logic and understanding. It was both overwhelmingly beautiful and strangely familiar. The Grove of Echoes transformed before her eyes, and she realized that her surroundings were adapting to her presence, molding themselves into something she could comprehend.

She found herself on a massive platform covered in soft, lush grass that cushioned her bare legs. The air was filled with a gentle, warm breeze, and the soft light from above illuminated everything with a serene glow. Around her, smaller trees dotted the landscape, their leaves whispering secrets as they swayed. But the central focus was the massive tree before her, its presence both commanding and gentle.

The tree was ghostly, its branches twisting and reaching out in all directions. It seemed to breathe with an ancient energy, and as Paola stood before it, she felt her soul connect with the tree, giving it life. Slowly, the tree solidified, its ghostly form becoming more tangible and vibrant.

"The Tree of Life embraces all," a melodic voice whispered, filling the air. "Even the weary hero from beyond the stars."

Paola sat back on her heels, her eyes wide with awe. She was on what looked like a vast platform, the soft grass beneath her feet a stark contrast to the stone and moss of the ancient city she had fled. She was still naked, her pink slippers the only remnants of her old world.

The world around her began to shift and transform. The platform expanded, and intricate patterns of light and energy wove themselves into the air. The ground beneath her feet felt alive, pulsing with a gentle rhythm that matched her heartbeat. She looked around in wonder as the space became a living, breathing extension of herself.

Suddenly, the ground beneath her seemed to fall away, yet she remained floating, suspended in the air. Her perspective shifted, and she found herself looking at her own body from outside her eyes. An interface began to materialize around her, forming a character selection screen that she recognized from countless hours of playing RPG games on Earth.

Tabs appeared, each one representing different aspects of her character. She saw a health bar, a mana bar, and a stamina bar, each filled to different levels. Her overall level was displayed as eleven, a solid starting point for someone thrust into a new and dangerous world. The familiar stats provided a strange comfort, grounding her in this surreal experience.

The interface showed her current state in clear, concise terms:

- Health: 123/123

- Mana: 60/60

- Stamina: 75/75

- Level: 11

She could see tabs for skills, attributes, inventory, and even milestones, each one waiting for her to explore. Her mind, conditioned by years of gaming, adapted quickly to this new reality. She knew instinctively how to navigate the interface, how to select and allocate skills, though she didn't focus on that just yet.

The transformation continued as the space around her responded to her thoughts. The smaller trees seemed to hum with energy, their leaves glowing softly.

The massive tree in the center, now fully solidified, stood as a testament to her potential. Its branches were empty, waiting for her to fill them with the skills and abilities she would need on her journey. It was a canvas for her growth, a living embodiment of her path forward.

As Paola floated there, her view left her own eyes, allowing her to see herself from an external perspective. She saw her naked form, her brown hair cascading over her shoulders, no longer marked by wounds or scars. It was an unreal sight, but one that filled her with a sense of possibility. She felt relief knowing that if her wounds healed, then so must’ve Ayla’s.

An interface popped up next to her, displaying the Skill Tree with sidebars and branches. Each branch was empty, awaiting her input. Skills and abilities were ready to be placed, and she knew instinctively how to interact with this system. It was like looking at a character selection screen, but with details and stats of herself.

She knew all she had to do was step away from the tree, and she would be able to exit the gate. The intuition was natural, a part of the bond she now shared with the tree. The world around her continued to transform, aligning itself with her inner self, providing a space where she could learn and grow.

Paola took a deep breath, feeling more centered than she had in days. The panic and confusion were still there, but they were now tempered by a newfound sense of purpose and capability. She looked at the interface, her eyes scanning over the vast array of information. There was so much to explore, but she knew she had to take it one step at a time.

As Paola floated before the massive tree, the interface continued to morph around her, adapting to her thoughts and needs. She noticed a tab labeled "Quest and Overview," and with her newfound intuition, she focused on it, opening it with a mere thought. Instantly, a text box appeared, the words scrolling like an old-school RPG, complete with a synthetic, robotic voice narrating her journey.

"Welcome, Paola. Here is the overview of your journey so far: You fell from the sky, narrowly escaping death by zombies. You ran through the forest, singing in a moment of weakness. You fought bandits with bravery. You dressed and cooked an animal for sustenance. You have explored, discovered new locations, hunted, and foraged."

The list went on and on, every little detail of her journey meticulously recorded. Paola's eyes glazed over as the monotony of the voice droned in her ears. She quickly backed out, unable to keep up with the overwhelming amount of information. The whole experience was exhausting, and she couldn't handle the robotic recitation any longer.

Then, she noticed another tab within the same overview labeled "Highlights." Curious, she selected it, and her jaw dropped. Displayed before her were the XP values she had gained through her journey:

- Killing zombies: (1 Zombie each) 500 XP

- Fighting bandits: (1 bandit each) 400 XP

- Dressing and cooking an animal: 300 XP

- Exploring new locations: 100 XP

- Foraging: 50 XP

- Running through the forest: 75 XP

- Singing: 25 XP

The numbers were impressive, showing her growth and progress. But none of that prepared her for what was at the top of the list, with more XP than any other activity. Her highest XP factor, the one that almost made her split in two with rage, was:

- Nudist: 1500 XP

Paola growled, her blood boiling. She focused on the "Nudist" which turned out to be a trait, and a brief description appeared:

Nudist(*)(**):

An XP compound factor that significantly increases the amount of experience gained from all activities. This trait is one of the most powerful and beneficial in the world, though its true value is often unknown. It enhances the effectiveness of all skills and abilities when active.

Paola couldn't see past her blind rage at the moment. She noticed that her skill in dagger had an asterisk next to it, but so did every skill after that. When she clicked the asterisk, another text box appeared, and her blood began to boil even more.

(*)All skills are nearly four times as effective when used in combination with the Nudist trait.

She couldn't believe what she was reading. Then, she noticed a double asterisk and reluctantly followed it, dreading what she might find.

(**)Knowledge gained through the trait Nudist will not be accessible unless the trait is active.

Paola swallowed hard. There was no way this was true. She backed out to the main menu and glanced at her name, noticing a unique passive trait underneath it: "Rabbit's Foot." She read the description, then read it again, and finally, she laughed. She laughed so hard that she doubled over, needing to step out of this strange interface to wrap her mind around what she was seeing.

As she stepped out, she nearly fell into Ayla's impatiently waiting arms. Ayla caught her, looking both relieved and annoyed. "What took you so long?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.

Paola shook her head, still chuckling. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you," she said, trying to catch her breath. "This place... it has a twisted sense of humor."

Ayla raised an eyebrow. "Humor? In the Grove of Echoes?"

Paola nodded, her laughter subsiding into a weary smile. "Yeah, it seems to think my nakedness is a good thing. It's given me a trait called 'Nudist' that boosts my XP and makes all my skills more effective when I'm... well, naked."

Ayla looked at her in disbelief. "You're serious?"

"Dead serious," Paola replied. "And apparently, all the knowledge and skills I gain through this trait are only accessible if I'm in the same state."

Ayla blinked, taking in the information. "Wow, that's... uh, something," she said, still looking skeptical.

Paola laughed again, feeling the absurdity of it all wash over her. "Yeah, it does. And to top it off, I have a unique passive trait called 'Rabbit's Foot' that's supposed to bring me luck."

Again, Ayla blinked. "You, uh, I'm sorry. Did you say a Rabbit's foot? Like a furry animal's foot? How is that lucky? That's, well... gross and disturbing."

"Right," Paola agreed. "And how is any of anything I've been through lucky?"

Ayla paused, her face scrunching in thought. "Huh, I guess you have a point there."

Paola blinked, suddenly realizing that her plan had worked. Her hopes to bring Ayla into the Gate of Echoes to heal her had succeeded. Before she could finish her next thought, she rushed forward, her arms wrapping tightly around Ayla. Ayla hesitated at first but quickly embraced her back. Understanding Paola’s reaction.

"I was ready to die back there," Ayla whispered, her voice trembling as she squeezed Paola tighter. Paola felt the cold metal of Ayla's bracers on her back and the scraped chest plate pressing against her bare chest. It was odd, but the embrace felt right.

"Thank you," Ayla continued. "I owe you my life. I'm indebted to you."

Paola shrugged it off, trying to ignore the confusing feelings stirring inside her. "It's nothing. You saved me too, remember?"

Ayla pulled back slightly, her face slightly red. "Still, I won't forget this."

Paola smiled, trying to keep things light. "Just don't get too attached. You have duties to tend to when we return, right?" She gave a soft chuckle.

Ayla nodded, her expression serious. "Yes, but that doesn't change what you did for me."

"Ah, well," Paola replied, trying to play it cool. "I suppose we can consider ourselves even. Let's not get all mushy here."

Ayla smiled, her eyes shining with gratitude. "Agreed." They held each other in silence for a few moments longer before letting go.

Paola breathed a sigh of relief, grateful for the distance. She wasn't sure how to process the emotions swirling inside her. Too many at the moment, but her thoughts went back to the Grove, her skills... her traits. Paola grumbled under her breath, "Stupid Nudist trait,". Ayla giggled in response. "What's so funny?" Paola asked, looking up with a crooked smile.

Ayla's face was flushed, but she was smiling. "Nothing, it's just... You're a unique one, Paola." She tilted her head, her blonde locks falling to the side. "Did you finish allocating your skills and unlocking your affinity? We should have a better idea of your potential."

Paola rolled her eyes. "You have no idea. Anyway, no I didn't finish adjusting my skills or unlocking my affinity, whatever that is. I had to step out when I saw the Nudist Trait and Rabbit's Foot passive trait."

Ayla's smile widened. "You should go back in and finish. I'll wait out here."

Paola sighed, feeling a mix of frustration and determination. "Alright, but if I come back out even more confused, you owe me answers."

Ayla laughed softly, her mismatched eyes twinkling with amusement. "Deal."

Paola stepped back into the Grove of Echoes, her frustration mounting as she prepared to face whatever absurdities awaited her. The interface materialized around her once more, displaying the Skill Tree with its various branches and tabs. She focused on the "Nudist Skill Tree" tab, opening it with a thought.

Immediately, she saw five skills, each one ridiculously expensive in terms of XP. However, thanks to the absurd boost from her Nudist Trait, she had more than enough XP to unlock them all. Paola sighed and began the process, bracing herself for the inevitable annoyance. Nothing prepared for the cheery upbeat female announcer that spoke to her, way to jovial for Paola’s liking, nearly shouting every skill she unlocked:

1. Dagger Diva (5000 XP) Because nothing says “I’m serious about this fight” like wielding a pair of daggers while in your birthday suit. Paola’s expertise with daggers is unmatched, allowing her to strike with precision and speed that leaves her enemies in awe—and a bit distracted.

Abilities:

Naked Blade: Increases damage dealt with daggers by 20% because an enemy who can’t look away is easier to hit. [lvl I]

Flash and Slash: Adds a chance to blind enemies temporarily due to the unexpected glare. Their loss, your gain. [lvl II]

Bare Efficiency: Reduces the cooldown time for dagger abilities, making Paola a relentless whirlwind of sharp, pointy justice. [lvl III]

Paola selected the skill, and a flood of knowledge about daggers filled her mind. She felt a strange, almost instinctual proficiency with the weapon.

"Great, I’m a master at stabbing things while naked," she muttered sarcastically.

2. Skin-to-Skin Combat (6000 XP) Who needs armor when you can punch your enemies into submission with bare knuckles? Paola’s unarmed combat skills are as lethal as they are unorthodox.

Abilities:

Bare Knuckle Brawler: Increases unarmed attack damage because nothing’s tougher than skin that’s seen it all. [lvl I]

Nude Nunchaku: A flurry of unarmed attacks that leaves enemies seeing stars—and Paola’s many talents. [lvl II]

Flesh Wound: Adds a chance to cause bleeding damage to opponents because they’ll be too stunned by the audacity to notice they’re losing hit points. [lvl III]

Paola clicked on the skill, and her body tingled with newfound strength and agility. She could visualize herself taking down opponents with her bare hands, her movements fluid and precise.

"Because who needs clothes when you're punching people in the face?" she grumbled, rolling her eyes.

3.Summon from Scratch (7000 XP) Paola can magically summon weapons out of thin air. When you have nothing, you have everything to gain—including an arsenal.

Abilities:

Naked Arsenal: Summons a variety of weapons, each tailored to Paola’s immediate need: daggers, swords, or even a bow. [lvl I]

Bare Necessities: Reduces the mana cost of weapon summoning because magic is less taxing when you’ve got nothing weighing you down. [lvl II]

Natural Selection: Summoned weapons have enhanced stats based on Paola’s surroundings, proving that nature always provides. [lvl III]

As she unlocked this skill, Paola felt a rush of magical energy. She could now summon weapons out of thin air, each one perfectly suited for combat.

"Just what I needed," she said dryly. "Magical weapons that appear only when I’m in my birthday suit."

4. Barely There (8000 XP) Stealth isn’t just about blending into the shadows—it’s about making sure no one can believe what they’re (not) seeing. Paola’s nudity gives her an edge in the art of invisibility.

Abilities:

Birthday Suit Sneak: Increases stealth rating significantly, because who expects an ambush from someone with no pockets? [lvl I]

Hide and Streak: Grants a short burst of invisibility, perfect for getting out of tight spots or into them. [lvl II]

Exposed Evasion: Reduces the likelihood of being detected while moving, making Paola a ghost in the nude. [lvl III]

Paola selected the stealth skill, and an overwhelming sense of lightness enveloped her. She could move silently, blend into shadows, and evade detection with ease.

"Perfect. Now I can sneak around completely naked. Just what every girl dreams of," she sighed.

5. Bard in the Buff (9000 XP) Who needs a lute when you’ve got vocal cords and a healthy dose of confidence? Paola’s bardic abilities come alive when she’s stripped down to the essentials.

Abilities:

Naked Notes: Boosts the effectiveness of her bardic songs, charming and disarming enemies with ease. (This ability is a direct buff to charisma) [lvl I]

Singing in the Raw: Increases the range of her bardic abilities, because a voice this bold voice needs no amplification. [lvl II]

Barefaced Ballads: Grants bonuses to allies’ morale and debuffs enemies’ willpower, proving that music truly is a universal language. [lvl III]

Finally, Paola unlocked the bard skill, and her voice felt different, more powerful. She could now use her singing to influence the world around her, casting spells and charming allies.

"Of course," she said, shaking her head. "I can sing magical songs, but only if I’m stark naked."

With each skill unlocked, Paola’s annoyance grew. She was left with plenty of XP still, thanks to the absurd boost from the Nudist Trait. Which further examination, this was the technical description of said trait:

Nudist(*)(**) Trait: Experience points accumulate faster when Paola is in the buff. The less she wears, the more she learns, turning every battle into an opportunity for rapid growth and unparalleled skill mastery.

Trait Highlights:

XP Streak: Doubles XP gained while in combat.

Naked Knowledge: Skills level up more quickly, ensuring Paola stays ahead of the curve—and the competition.

Strip Savvy: Increases the effectiveness of all nudist abilities, because confidence is key, and Paola’s got it in spades.

Disclaimer: Each article of clothing worn negatively affects this trait, reducing its effectiveness by X% per item.

(*) [X = % of body covered]

(**) Accessories do not count towards clothing items.

As she reviewed her new abilities, she couldn't help but feel a mix of incredulity and resignation. It was as if the universe was playing a cosmic joke on her, and she was the punchline.

She backed out to the main menu and glanced at her name, noting the unique passive trait: "Rabbit's Foot." She read the description again and laughed, the absurdity of it all finally hitting her.

"Luck, huh?" she said, shaking her head. "Yeah, I've got the luck of the universe's biggest joke."

As she stepped out of the Grove of Echoes, Ayla was leaning against the wall, looking bored. Her eyes met Paola's she pushed off the wall with a smile.

"Well, I'm back, and I'm even more confused than before," Paola said with a huff.

Ayla raised an eyebrow. "You sound... annoyed?"

"Oh, just peachy," Paola replied, unable to hold back her sarcasm. "Apparently, I can summon weapons, perform magic, and punch people with my bare hands, sing and stab, but, here’s the kicker, it’s all enhanced when I’m naked.”

Ayla stared at her, her expression blank. "What?"

Paola sighed, feeling the weight of the ridiculousness. "Yeah, all my new skills are tied to this nudist trait. So, if I'm not naked, I can't access them." She grumbled. “I can, but, they’re useless without the buff given by the Nudist Trait.”

Ayla's lips twitched with suppressed laughter. "You mean to tell me you're a naked dagger-wielding, hand-to-hand combat, weapon-summoning, stealthy bard now?"

Paola groaned. "Don't say it like thaat, I just want to be able to wear some damn clothes. Is that so much to ask?"

Ayla burst out laughing. "I'm sorry," she managed, tears streaming down her face. "This is just too good."

Paola crossed her arms, glaring at Ayla. "Ha ha, very funny." She pressed her lips together, suppressing the urge to laugh. "It's not that funny."

Ayla wiped her eyes, a smile still playing on her lips. "No, it's hilarious. But seriously, the traits have meaning. The Grove is giving you a path, and you need to follow it." Her giggle was cute, slowly it died as she regained her composure.

Paola rolled her eyes. "Agh," she cried, throwing her hands in the air. "Why does it have to be nudity? Why can't it be anything else? Like a flying squirrel trait or something?"

Ayla shrugged. "Maybe if you'd paid more attention to the interface, you'd know why. Or if you didn't interrupt the process and came out every time you were flustered and finished it."

Paola glared at Ayla. "Maybe... but it's a bit difficult when you're being told that your nudity makes all your skills more effective. That's a hard pill to swallow."

Ayla gave her a crooked grin. "I'm sure it is, but the universe has a plan for you. It wants you to succeed, and it's giving you the tools to do so."

"Naked?" Paola snapped, "You mean by showing my ass to everyone?"

Ayla shook her head, her face suddenly serious. "No, I mean by using your body and abilities to the fullest."

Paola opened her mouth to protest, but Ayla cut her off. "Look, the Grove isn't a simple thing. It has a plan, and it's given you a unique trait to help you on your journey. Well, kind of. You gave it to yourself in a way, but it rewarded you. Don't question it. You can't."

Paola closed her eyes, letting Ayla's words sink in. The frustration and annoyance still bubbled within her, but a small part of her could see the logic in Ayla's argument.

She opened her eyes, meeting Ayla's gaze. "I understand," she said, her voice softer now. "Doesn't mean I have to like it, though."

Ayla smiled. "No, but you can learn to embrace it. The Grove knows what it's doing, and it will give you the tools you need to survive."

Paola let out a resigned sigh. "I guess you're right." She still had more to do in there. She'd barely scratched the surface of her new skills, but for now, she had enough information.

"You're still not done, are you?" Ayla asked, reading her expression.

"Not yet," Paola replied, a hint of weariness in her voice.

Ayla nodded, understanding. "You should-"

"Yeah, yeah," Paola cut her off. "Go back in, figure out the rest, and then we can talk about the next steps."

Ayla nodded. "I'll be here, waiting."

Paola stepped back into the Grove, ready to tackle the last of her tasks. The interface appeared around her once more, and she focused on the "Unlocked Affinity" tab. As Paola navigated through the interface, she found this part was particularly confusing. The interface told her she had a dual affinity, something extremely rare and not yet fully unlocked. Her eyes suddenly burned as if doused in gasoline and set aflame. She scratched at them, desperately trying to recover. Just as quickly as the pain had come, it was gone, and she was back, staring at the interface, as if nothing happened.

This time, she was in the Affinity Tab. There were two main circles, both unreadable and faded, with numerous locks chained to them. It resembled a bubble diagram. Paola understood intuitively that she could unlock only one affinity at the moment. As she focused, the first affinity began to take form, understanding its role in Udanara. Slowly, an inky black ball that looked like a mass of sticky, undulating tar materialized. Her first affinity was Chaos. Surrounding skills formed but remained locked. She also understood, it wasn't her choice, it was adjusting to her role in Udanara.

Paola sat in her mindspace, staring at the ball of tar. This wasn’t water, fire, lightning, snow, or storms. Chaos? "What... What the fuck?" she muttered. Slowly, she backed out of the tab, having unlocked it.

Before she exited the interface entirely, she noticed a blinking tab labeled "Milestones." Reluctantly, she entered the Milestones tab, and a list of milestones greeted her, each providing bonus XP.

Milestones

1. Falling Star - Level 1

Congratulations on your less-than-graceful entrance! You fell from the sky and survived. Bonus XP for not splatting on impact.

- Reward: 500 XP (Nudist Bonus: 750 XP)

2. Zombieland Debut

Your first fight was against zombies! Way to start strong, fighting the undead in your birthday suit.

- Reward: 700 XP (Nudist Bonus: 1050 XP)

3. Zombie Survivalist - Level 1

You survived a zombie encounter. Naked. Maybe they were too distracted to bite properly.

- Reward: 800 XP (Nudist Bonus: 1200 XP)

4. Streaking Traveler - Level 1

You’ve traveled 25 miles naked. Congrats! You’ve officially become Udanara’s most adventurous nudist.

- Reward: 400 XP (Nudist Bonus: 600 XP)

5. Hunter-Gatherer

You hunted and foraged for food while flaunting it all. Truly a naturalist in every sense of the word.

- Reward: 600 XP (Nudist Bonus: 900 XP)

6. Human Slayer

You killed a human in combat. In the nude. That’s one way to make a statement.

- Reward: 1000 XP (Nudist Bonus: 1500 XP)

Paola stared at the list, each milestone and providing substantial XP boosts thanks to her Nudist trait. The cumulative XP was impressive, showing just how effective, albeit annoying, the trait was.

With a deep sigh, she backed out of the Milestones tab. The sheer absurdity of it all was almost too much to bear, but she couldn't deny the benefits. The XP gained from her milestones was substantial, and the Nudist trait's effectiveness was undeniable.

As she exited the interface, Paola took a moment to process everything. The realization that her plan to bring Ayla into the Gate of Echoes had worked was a small comfort amidst the chaos. But, the rest... Her newfound skills, her affinity with Chaos, the milestones... it was all a lot to take in. The XP rewards were substantial, and thanks to her Nudist trait, they all contributed to her overall experience. She had more than enough XP left over, a testament to just how effective the Nudist trait was.

Paola sighed deeply, shaking her head. "Great, more reasons to be naked," she muttered. She backed out of the tab, feeling both enlightened and irritated by the information she had gained. She did one last glance over her character sheet, impressed on how the interface adapted to her understanding.

As she exited the Grove of Echoes, she found herself back with Ayla, who was waiting patiently. Ayla looked at her with a mix of curiosity and concern. "Did you get everything sorted?" she asked.

Paola nodded, her expression a blend of bemusement and frustration. "Yeah, I unlocked my skills and my first affinity. Apparently, I have a dual affinity, but I could only unlock one for now. It's called Chaos."

Ayla's eyes widened. "Chaos? That's... unusual."

"Tell me about it," Paola replied. "And there are milestones that give me bonus XP, all thanks to my Nudist trait."

Ayla couldn't help but laugh. "Well, at least you're getting rewarded for it." But her expression seemed anything but jovial, it was more curious than anything else. Her mismatched eyes studied Paola intently. Ayla's demeanor changing at the mentioning of her Chaos affinity.

Paola rolled her eyes. "Yeah, if you can call it a reward. The milestones are all about my nudity, and the XP is insanely high. The Nudist trait is ridiculous." She threw up her hands in mock defeat. "Absolutely ridiculous."

"And you said, Chaos, right?" Ayla asked, her eyes narrowing slightly. Ignoring Paola’s obvious frustrations and more focused on a particular detail.

"Yep, and there were a ton of locked skills around it," Paola replied. "The interface was pretty vague, but I have a feeling I'm not done with it. It was still locked." She said casually.

"Huh," Ayla mused. "That's..." Her pointer finger tapped at her bottom lip, thinking. Paola hated how cute the gesture was.

"Unusual?" Paola asked, finishing Ayla's sentence. "So... I'm a dagger-wielding, stealthy bard with an affinity for Chaos, apparently. Oh, and let's not forget about my Rabbit's Foot passive trait, which brings me good luck. Because, clearly, that's working out in my favor."

Ayla raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching with amusement. "Yes, it's an... interesting combination of skills. And a unique affinity. I'm still not sure what to make of that."

"Me neither," Paola sighed. She took a deep breath, trying to keep her emotions under control. The reality of her situation was finally starting to sink in, and the implications were terrifying.

"But enough about my absurd situation," Paola said, changing the subject. "How are you feeling? Did the Grove help you heal?"

Ayla gave her a small smile. "Yes, thank you. How did you know to do that?"

Paola shrugged. "Honestly, I didn't. I just figured if I brought you into the gate, it would heal you. And it did."

"I see," Ayla replied, looking impressed. "And what were you saying about your Rabbit's Foot trait, hm?" She gave a soft laugh, teasing.

Paola groaned, throwing her hands in the air. "Okay, fine, the world's luckiest nudist." She growled.