Unnatural Laws (The Whispering Crystals, #1)

by H. C. Mills

  Well, frig. Now I feel even more like a jackass.

  “Did you write one?” I ask quietly.

  Rebecca nods, smiling serenely.

  Too serenely. Suddenly I’m sure of it, with what Steve said earlier about this being a last request... “You’re going down with the ship, aren’t you?”

  Her smile turns wry. “While I’m not entirely convinced yet of the fate of the people who stay behind, as long as there are fewer open spots than survivors, I have no intention of leaving Hub Two.”

  Kaitlynn clasps a hand over her mouth. Moisture wells up in my eyes, but I blink it away.

  Rebecca turns to Kaitlynn and shakes her head warmly. “No need to cry, dear; this is my own choice. Frankly, I’m just done dancing to the tune of this death-trap, watching people be forced to struggle and kill to survive. Compared to most survivors, I’ve already lived a long and fulfilling life, so I’m making my stand here. If this place wants me dead, it’ll have to come get me.”

  Her words sound feisty, but they can’t mask the underlying torrent of sadness. Deep down, I think we all know there’s no road to survival for the ones left behind in Hub Two. After all, we’re not the first team passing through here, and where are the ones who got left behind before?

  I hand my spear to Alec, who is standing next to me silently, and walk forward.

  I pick up the package in front of Rebecca, then shake her hand one last time. It’s rough, but warm.

  “If you get out of here alive, find the bastards who built this place and give ’em hell,” she says.

  I don’t trust my voice right now, so I just nod and proceed to turn around and walk back.

  On the threshold of the door, I stop one last time to wave at Steve. He nods back warmly.

  I better see you in Hub Three, you big lug.

  Finally, once the last member of our team crosses the threshold, the door slams shut with a deafening boom.

  End of Book One

  Want to make sure you don't miss the release of the next book, or fancy a glance at Emma's notes? Read on!

  DEAR READER

  Thank you for picking up my work and taking the time to read it.

  If you’d like to keep me in the business of writing, please leave a review at your preferred vendor via this universal book link: https://books2read.com/whisperingcrystals1

  If your head is still completely in the Realm of Crystals and you need to talk about it with someone—possibly even me—you can always join my Discord server with this link: https://discord.gg/jGx5EvR

  Alternatively—or additionally—if you want to be sure you never miss a release, go to https://hcmillsofficial.com and sign up for my mailing list. All you have to do is fill in your e-mail address at the bottom of the page!

  For those of you who truly cannot wait, there is some good news as well. The Whispering Crystals was originally conceived as a webnovel, under the name ‘I Am Going To Die (In This Game-Like Dimension)’.

  As of writing, this webnovel is still being updated every week, and—as it can be considered a first draft of The Whispering Crystals series—you can choose to continue reading from chapter 49, simply by following this link: https://www.iagtd.com/single-post/chapter-49

  Frankly, however, I would recommend signing up for the mailing list and waiting for the release of book 2.

  Disclaimer:

  This page was written on the Eighteenth of June in the year 2020, and these previous points are pretty much only relevant if it’s still the 21st century and I’m still around. If not, I guess my progeny—assuming I’ve produced any—might still appreciate the continued proliferation of my legacy, so feel free to leave a review or join the mailing list anyway.

  Either way, I hope I’ve managed to transport you to another world for a little while, and that you enjoyed it more than Emma did, at the very least.

  Sincerely,

  H.C. Mills

  EMMA’S NOTES

  The Laws of Being

  (Because screw physics, apparently)

  FIRST LAW: All are One

  SECOND LAW: All are Yin or Yang

  THIRD LAW: All are quantified

  FOURTH LAW: Yin and Yang attract

  Types of Matter

  AETHER: At first glance, looks and feels like air—breathable and everything—but it’s not. Air is a mixture of gasses found in Earth’s atmosphere; Aether is apparently a ‘nigh-omnipresent medium for energies to travel through.’

  ASTREUM: Super-Heated Aether turns into Astreum, which glows orange and expands rapidly when Heated further. Totally rad.

  HYDRUM: Analogous to water, but more viscous. Tastes the same too, though I guess water doesn’t really taste like anything...

  SOLITH: Supposedly the stuff rocks and stone are made of in the Realm of Crystals. Not sure if that includes crystals, though. Note to self: ask about this later.

  Types of Energy

  YIN AND YANG QI: Described as the purest and therefore most potent types of energy in the Realm. All other energies are apparently derived from these.

  LAVI: Analogous to life-force, floats around in Aether like green flecks, stream around inside the body in flows. Supposedly formed by the combination of Yin and Yang Qi.

  HEAT: A type of Yang energy that can damage Lavi and reduce Strength and Toughness.

  COLD: A type of Yin energy, effects unknown.

  VIBRATION ENERGY: A type of Yang energy, which can really hurt your ears. Other effects unknown.

  RADIATION ENERGY: A type of Yang energy that can be given different Purposes, some of which quite beneficial like the Purifying Purpose and the Restorative Purpose. Effects of the basic form unknown.

  TOXIC ENERGY: A type of Yin energy that—in its base form—is very dangerous to unadapted lifeforms, causing a lot of damage to Lavi, and reducing Strength and Agility. It can be used in different—potentially less lethal—ways by giving it a Purpose, like the befuddling Dreamcloud Purpose, and supposedly others.

  KINETIC ENERGY: A type of Yang Energy to do with motion.

  Lavi-based Skills

  RESPIRATION: A low-grade Skill based on taking control over inhaled Lavi, to facilitate its intake. Has the downside of increasing the intake of other present energies as well. Toxic Energy, for example...

  BREATH CONTROL: A middle-grade Skill obtained by evolving the Respiration Skill. It takes things further by allowing the user to maintain control over the Lavi in their breath, and use it to direct their exhale for various purposes.

  MEDITATION: A low-grade Skill that decreases resting Lavi Consumption by slowing down bodily functions, dimming sensations in the process.

  TELEPATHY: A low-grade Skill with unknown working and effects.

  BOOST PHYSICAL: A medium-grade Skill that burns Lavi as fuel for a temporary boost in Strength and Agility. Hurts like hell.

  EXCHANGE LAVI: A medium-grade Skill with unknown working and effects.

  LAVI FONT: Another medium-grade Skill with unknown working and effects.

  Yin-Qi-based Skills

  None known yet, can’t wait to find out more about them!

  Yang-Qi-based Skills

  AMPLIFY: A low-grade Skill that makes use of Vibration Energy in an unknown way. Unpleasant to the eardrums.

  ASTREUM MANIPULATION: A medium-grade Skill that requires Yang Qi to be turned into Heat, which is then poured into Aether to turn it into rapidly expanding Astreum, to be aimed at whatever the wielder wishes to hit. Like innocent trees.

  RADIATE: A medium-grade Skill that requires Yang Qi to be turned into Radiation Energy. Applied by Dave with the Purifying Purpose to help rid people of energies over their Tolerance Limit. Super-helpful.

  UNKNOWN KINETIC SKILL: Used by Bruce to halt everything in his surroundings, accompanied by a flash of yellow light. Exact workings unknown. Completely unfair.

  People of interest

  ALEC: Well-meaning but annoying, has blond hair and a baby-face. Very handy to have around though, due to his wide range of hobbies.
Has a discipline problem that’s being worked on. By me. Also, seems to be lacking in empathy a bit, worrying...

  ARTIE: Sexist prick. Also, my boss. Well, former boss, I guess.

  BORIS: Big guy that got Jacob kicked out of Bruce’s gang and replaced him. Had Boost Physical. Killed by Alec.

  BRUCE (AKA MEATHEAD): Former self-styled king of the jungle, 100% beef. Now missing his right hand, courtesy of yours truly. Kidnapped Kaitlynn and tried to trade her for Stardrops. Currently in the council’s ‘protective custody,’ whatever that means.

  CAROL-ANNE: Kind of a bitch, wore glasses without prescription. Didn’t deserve to die like that though, sucked dry by a Dreamcloud Flower... still, nice of her to leave behind her Yang Qi Pearl.

  DAVE: My rock. Great mind for strategy, keeps far better notes than these. Doesn’t seem to know what to do with his hair though; completely frizzy with dead ends, just keeps it in a ponytail. Oh well.

  DENISE (AKA FAT MISTY): Kaitlynn’s friend, drooled over Josh, but didn’t make it to Hub Two. Poor girl...

  EMMA: That’s you, dumbass! If you forgot who this is, then you’re in deep shit. Don’t trust anyone. Especially Suri.

  JACOB (AKA EMO-KID): The newest addition to our little team. Acts like he dresses: kind of depressed. We’ll have to see how he fits in.

  JOSH: My former fellow expert hotdog distributor. Had the most stunning pale blue eyes. Died in my arms in Hub One.

  KAI: Kaitlynn’s Personal Guide System. Very chatty, apparently. Doesn’t come off as all that smart for an artificial ‘intelligence.’

  KAITLYNN: A real firecracker of a girl, with a button nose, deep blue hair, and a storm-grey eye. It’s rare that I get along with a girl this well... I better gonna hang on to this one.

  LILY: One of the council’s enforcers, clearly bottle-blonde hair, cool tattoo-sleeves on her arms.

  LUKE (AKA LEGO-ASS): The biggest douche that ever canoed. Hobbies included riding his Vespa and hitting on girls, poorly. Couldn’t take a joke either. Almost killed Kaitlynn, got stabbed in the throat for his troubles, by yours truly.

  MANNY: Guy I used to work with at the hotdog stand. Called in sick the day we got portalled, causing Josh to be called in instead. Probably thanking his lucky stars right now.

  REBECCA: Chair of the council. Didn’t trust her at first, but she’s the real deal. Seems to be planning to stay behind in Hub Two no matter the outcome of the lottery. Takes a real captain to go down with the ship.

  ROSE: Dave’s Personal Guide System. Also possibly Suri’s arch-nemesis?

  SAMUEL: Council’s secretary. Probably should’ve communicated with him better, ’cause now it seems like Bruce got him to believe his bullshit...

  SARGE: Alec’s Personal Guide System, sounds hilarious. Heh, ‘Spaghetti arms.’

  SHERLOCK: Never learned his real name, don’t really care either. Got pushed off a tree by Alec after he tried to make our ears bleed.

  STEVE: Good ol’ Steve. Former security guard at the Con, current head enforcer of the council. Could give Bruce a run for his money when it comes to muscles. Makes me wonder what his Strength is...

  SURI: My Personal Guide System. Kind of aloof, hard to get a read on where I stand with her, but she seems invested in my survival, at least.

  WESLEY (AKA WEASEL): Creepy little guy that enjoyed throwing stuff at people. Like his shoes. Got his head bashed in by Dave. Good riddance.

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  This book wouldn’t be what it is if not for the tireless help of my writing group, Edo Kant, Jered Vroon, and Myron Plugge. Thanks for providing me with the endless critique and encouragement that continues to drive me to improve my writing.

  Amongst their many points of feedback, was the suggestion to give the tables in this novel a truly unique style. Thanks to Marleen van der Fluit, that suggestion became a reality, as did the design of the Status Bar.

  Thanks to Piet van Tiggelen for helping me navigate the maze that is online marketing inherent to authorship these days.

  I want to thank my Patrons on Patreon for their generous support, and for engaging with me as a creator, especially my top Patrons, Hoaxendras, MagicWafflez, and Kilsharion Land.

  I also want to thank my thousands of (beta-)readers on RoyalRoad for taking an interest in my tale, for providing much-needed feedback in all forms, and for pushing me to keep going.

  When it comes to my editor, Josiah Davis, it should really be you thanking him, for raising the bar for my writing to a higher standard, and for helping to turn this book into the (hopefully) seamless reading experience you got to enjoy.

  The cover was designed by Proi on 99designs, whose work I fell in love with the instant I laid eyes on it, and who exceeded my expectations of how fast a cover designer can work. Thank you for your excellent work and endless patience with my indecisiveness.

  The title of this series—despite long, fruitful brainstorm sessions—ultimately comes from a random fantasy title generator. Frankly, I find this hilarious. I really only turned to it for some inspiration, but one of the first few results it spat out was ‘The Whispering Crystal.’ It was chillingly fitting, and I couldn’t get it out of my head.

  Finally, I would like to thank my fellow authors, who spin amazing tales that delight and inspire me. In the words of Sir Isaac Newton: “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulder of Giants.”

  If you’d like to know more about the growing genre of LitRPG, check out this Facebook group.

  Or this one, which insisted on getting its own page:

  To learn more about LitRPG, talk to authors including myself, and just have an awesome time, please join the LitRPG Group.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  H.C. MILLS is a Dutch author, who dabbles in acting and singing in musicals, and even (play)writing them. He also teaches physics and chemistry, and once represented his country in the 2008 International Biology Olympiad, but please don’t hold that against him.

  As a physics-nerd, H.C. Mills naturally gravitates to hard magic systems, but he also enjoys writing comedy and romance.

  Like most authors worth their salt, he is a true sadist who takes pleasure in the mental anguish of his imaginary friends/brainchildren—or better yet, in making them cause their own suffering. He refuses to give them anything for free, but will usually leave a window cracked open for them somewhere, to escape whatever peril he plunges them in.

  Aside from The Whispering Crystals, H.C. Mills is currently also working on a project tentatively titled ‘The Forbidden Element.’ If you want to make sure you don’t miss any new releases of this series or other works, make sure you visit https://hcmillsofficial.com to sign up for his mailing list, or find out about other stuff he participates in, like Rules as Fun, a weekly Pathfinder stream on Twitch.

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