[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/240315/de039f859a0f7ed86c79f6d4265d3386.png[/img]

[b]Word Count:[/b] 688
[b]Level 5 Captain Falcon:[/b] 91/50
[b]Exp Gained:[/b] +1
[b]NEW EXP Balance---[/b] 92/50

[H3]Forbidden Kingdom ~ Esaka’s Lower Tier[/h3][/center]

[color=1f66b2]”Robert…?”[/color] Captain Falcon was confused for a moment at Terry’s question. And then it suddenly hit him. He meant Robert Garcia, the fighter whose spirit the Captain had won from the Orb Machine all the way back in Carnival Town. Evidently the bruiser knew him, likely because they came from the same world. And that was when Falcon also realized that this was going to be a little hard to explain. But for Terry’s sake, he had to do it as best as he could.

[color=1f66b2]”So you know him?”[/color] Cap followed up his question. [color=1f66b2]”Well, to answer your question…”[/color] The bounty hunter paused, wanting to make sure he chose his words carefully and phrased what he was about to say in the least confusing way that he could. [color=1f66b2]”...I’ve fused with his spirit.”[/color] Cap already knew this was going to require further elucidation. And so he didn’t even wait for a response before he continued speaking.

[color=1f66b2]”In this world, when we die, we leave behind a spirit.”[/color] Cap said, taking a breath to prepare himself for what was going to be a fairly lengthy explanation. [color=1f66b2]”They look like spheres, grapefruit sized, and they bear our image inside of them. When you collect a spirit, you can do one of three things with them - Fuse, Spiritbind, or Crush. If you crush a spirit, it will turn into an item or set of items usually associated with the identity of the spirit in question. Spiritbinding is a process where you have a brief word with the spirit, and they become something called a Striker that you can then summon to help you in fights. But you’re only allowed to have two Strikers at a time for reasons I’ll explain later.”[/color]

Captain Falcon continued, [color=1f66b2]”Fusion is exactly what it sounds like. You essentially consume the spirit by pressing it to your head or hugging it against your chest. The former option lets you learn a skill from that spirit and then your outfit changes color to reflect the fusion. The latter option lets you learn one of that spirit’s powers, and will also change your bodily appearance to reflect the spirit you’ve fused with. From then on you can start learning and mastering other skills and powers from that spirit the more you fight and train. That’s why I know Robert’s techniques - because I fused with his spirit about a week ago and have been fighting with his skills alongside my own ever since then.”[/color]

Now for the tough part. [color=1f66b2]”And something else you should know, Terry. Our time in this world is… limited. None of us can last longer than 10 years maximum before we’re… I guess ‘reset’ by the system Galeem created and reappear in its world, Galeeming once again. That’s why Pit knew you when we first got here. There was a… previous version of you that he met before who died. And you are the resulting next iteration of Terry Bogard in this world. So even though I have no doubt that Robert Garcia is around in Esaka somewhere, the spirit of him I fused with was very likely a previous incarnation of him in this twisted system that Galeem created. And that brings me back to Strikers. You’re technically allowed to have as many active as you want, but it’s not recommended. Anymore than two will shave years off your overall 10 year limit, essentially shortening your lifespan in the World of Light.”[/color]

Cap took a deep breath, his explanation now more or less complete. [color=1f66b2]”I get that this is a lot of information to process. So it’s okay if it takes time for it all to set in and start making sense. It’s a process all of us had to go through when we were de-storied and freed from Galeem’s control.”[/color] But the Captain offered a small smile and thumbs up, [color=1f66b2]”But not to worry. I’ll keep showing you the ropes about Spirits as we go along. I’ve got your back, buddy.”[/color]