《Broken Gates》


 Chapter One: No Choice

    A deafening screech chased Anisha and Murdera down the decrepit tunnel of an ancient tomb. Their footsteps echoed by the stone walls and the footsteps of those that pursued them relentlessly.


    It wasn''t supposed to be like this. Thought Anisha.


    Her first adventure was supposed to be something easy! Her first party wasn''t a match for a Lant hive even with Murdera, the guild master with them. Glancing over to the dwarf he trudged on behind her in his heavy bronze steel armor, his silver blood poured from a gash on his forearm, and just from a quick look she could see it was already hardenting, causing his fabric coating to be stiff with the hardened metal.


    There was so much on him, and not all of it was his.


    They were all that''s left, the two other beginner adventurers, Nathul Hound, a knight, and Julu Nadra, both human. She had been so excited to finally be a part of the party.


    She tried, but, but she just couldn''t. When the moment came Julu needed her; she couldn''t cast a single spell! She tried opening her gate, but quickly began losing control, it took everything she had just to close it again. And by then, by then it was too late.


    Oh Gods she left her, she panicked and ran. What kind of healer mage if she ran away! She was still running. She didn''t stop until she ran into Murdera, who was already injured when they met up. Nathul was grabbed from behind, and his screams were quickly silenced by one of the Lants legs piercing his neck collar with one of their long street like legs. Breaking his armor like roots crack rocks.


    "DON''t STOP THORN EAR!!" Murdera yelled from behind. He came to a stop and turned to stand before the horde of lants that charged down the hallway. They were so fast, only the tightness of the tunnels and their over eagerness to kill them causined them to stumble over each other.


    "Murdera you can''t take them all!" She stopped now. She had to stop, she couldn''t leave Murdera, not after everything he''d done for her.


    Murdera didn''t respond at first, instead he hefted his warhammer, and twisted the handle; the crystal on the bottom shifted from a red to gray one. He slammed the pommel of the hammer into the ground shattering the crystal, the mana flowed into him in one massive surge of energy. With the other hand he raised it and a gray circle appeared, a magic ring began to form complex runes swirled together before firmly settling with a flash.


    The horde broke on an invisible wall. Their needle-like tree limbs clawed and scratched at the wall, Causing Murdera to slide back with it, but he still held firm, pushing back with everything he had.


    "G-GEA''t TO THE D-DOOR! THORN EAR!!" He grunted through gritted teeth.


    "Murdera I can help-" He cut her off.


    "I''M NOT PLANNING ON DINING HERE HALF-KIN!! You need time to prepare a spell and I''m giving you that! Now for once in your life, do as you''re told!"


    Anisha still didn''t move. She couldn''t, she wanted to listen, but her legs locked her in place. The hordes pushed ever closer and closer, the barrier flickering with each passing moment.


    "Develts forge!" Murdera cursed.


    "May my blood harden and form steel!" With his other hand he held his palm towards Anisha, a smaller ruin she''d never seen before began appearing on his hand. Its yellow hue shocked her.


    Hes... He''s multicasting?!


    The yellow magic circle was unknown to her but what it did hit her hard.


    A powerful burst of air slammed into her chest sending her flying back five ten fifteen feet landing on her back and coming to a sliding. Finally stopping once she was inside the small room.


    "M-murdera!" She cried out trying to lift herself up from the ground and get to her feet. But before she reached the door, another burst of air shot out, this time it wasn''t aimed at her, instead it slammed into the door shutting it with such force that some of the hinges bent inward. effectively selling her in.


    Anisha pounded on the door with all her might and cried out for the only person she considered a father figure to her.


    "Murdera!! Murdera!! Please!!! Murdera!!"


    Yet her cries remained unanswered.. Her head slumped against the door, and the strength left her body causing her to slide down to her knees.


    "You- you brush beard, stone head wrotted-" She couldn''t think of any other insults she''s learned from him over the years. Tears blurred her vision, they fell leaving droplets of water patterns staining the fine dust layer that covered the floor.


    "You idiot! You know I didn''t have any magic crystals left."


    She had lost the bag before they lost Nathul, A land had ripped that strap as she nearlily ducked its stabbing attack.


    Without those crystals she had no means to use her magic. She had lost any hope of surviving along with them


    "But not all of them." A thought crept into her mind.


    "N-no. Thats an evil magic I-I can''t"


    "So you will let Murdera die?"


    "No-no!! I won''t, I''ll find another way!"


    "There is no other way. It would be so easy to save him with your True power."


    The thoughts kept coming, with ever louding vigor and force. Anisha tried to cover her ears but that didn''t help as the thoughts were coming from her own mind. They were her own thoughts and no one else''s. She knew that. And. And She knew they were right. It was the only way.


    Resolutely she stiffened her back against the door, and stifled a few more tears that were beginning to fall. But these ones were not from fear, but of sadness. She didn''t want to do this. She didn''t want to be this way. But what other choice have the Gods given her? She can''t let Murdera die.


    She reached into her back belt pouch, usually a place for storing herbs she found on her carrier routes before becoming an adventurer.


    From it she slowly pulled out a small cylindrical object wrapped in a thick leather.


    The leather was showing signs of degradation, as if it was a well used piece of material, but in truth it was only a week old. Parts of it flaked away and tears marred the surface.


    Carefully she unwrapped it.


    In her palm she held one of the most vile things in all of Bortone. A black crystal.


    To anyone else it would give a feeling of unease and fear. But in her hand it felt.


    Wonderful.


    The power in the crystal pulsed through her palm, and synchronized with her own beating heartbeat that rang in her ears. It created a hypnotic effect.


    Yes, it felt so good to finally use it. She hadn''t felt this since her first summoning a year ago. The power she felt. Back then! The spell came so easily to her. She didn''t have to struggle to control the little mana she had in her body. It obeyed her. As all things should! Its power could give her that. All she ever wanted was right there if she could just use it!


    "NO!" She screamed. Shaking her head, trying to physically rid it of those thoughts. Raising the defiled crystal above her head she intended to toss it at the nearest wall, shattering it completely.


    "I WILL NOT BE CONTROLLED!" She said through gritted.


    But no. She couldn''t destroy it. She had to use it. She had to control it! Not the other way around.


    Taking a few moments to steady her breathing she clenched the crystal in her hand and power began to pulse up her arm, then her shoulder, making its way through her chest and then finally, her gate. A black ash began to pour from the tip of the crystal. Its flakes cause the dust of the ground to engulf in a small smoldering purple flame, leaving a black char.


    She had to work quickly.


    She moved to an opening in the room, pushed an ancient table over and out of the way it shattered into a pile of splintered wood frayed rope, and a cloud of dust..


    Sitting herself down in the center of the room she placed her hands together making a ball-like shape with them, then she began the ritual.


    The crystal floated upright around her in a large circle. The outer lines were vital for any magic, it''s what allowed the user to further manipulate what the spell would do. The crystal began to draw out the shape of the one spell Anisha knew the best. A summoning circle.


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    The circle was far more complex than most magic circles. Over a hundred different symbols had to be made, each one clearly defining the purpose of the spell, and the conditions on which a summon could accept her summoning. What made it even more complex was the flow rate of the crystals. Where a magic user could start and stop the flow of mana in a normal crystal a black crystal never stopped converting mana once started. So the runes or symbols had to be made all in one fluid motion, like cursive writing one symbol leading to the next in a perfect flow. Not a single mistake or the summoning could go very very VERY wrong.


    The circle itself acted similar to how adventeres got quests. Someone made a request with certain specifications and posted it on the guilds board. The problem with that comparison was how similar they truly were. Because just like the board, anyone, or anything, that meets those specifications could answer the call.


    And if the summoning went wrong, and she couldn''t bind whatever came to her. Her very soul could be dragged away, never to be reborn again.


    She shuddered at the thought, but pressed on regardless. Maybe just a little slower now, making sure everything was perfect.


    The crystal disintegrated as she added the last rune. The rune for a proper binding wasn''t fully complete, she could still use it but she''ll have to supply it with her own mana once she was found.


    By whatever answered her call.


    A purple hue of light shone from the circle as the ritual finished. And with it Anishas vision began to darken.


    The room faded away to nothing. Anisha was alone, in an endless sea of black. But she wasn''t alone. She could feel the darkness move around her, like she was submerged in water. She was in Hmota. The Dark river. The realm of the dead.


    She wasted no more time and sent out her cry for help. A wave of energy dispersed from her, and the river lurched with it. Its water like feel increased and felt more like a raging rapid trying to sweep her away. But the circle she was in protected her, as long as she stayed in it. But the protective runes wouldn''t last long. She needed to hold until something came.


    After what felt like hours, Anisha began to lose hope, nothing came. The swirling storm of void continuously beat on her protective shielding, slowly wildding her strength down by the minute. With more effort she sent out another call. Purple energy surged from under her finger tips and shot out into the dark, tendrils feeling their way through the void like a snake in brush.


    Non of them finding anything. This wasn''t how it should be! Her first summon was so easy compared to this why wasn''t there anything here?! Did she mess the circle up? Did She mess up one of the cursive symbols?


    One of the tendrils sent something back. A solid wall. Or what felt like a wall. Curiocity and desperation caused by the dwindling shield made her rush her next decision. She sent out another surge of energy, but purely at the wall. Her magic slammed hard into a magic barrier in the void. She pressed again sending out even more of her dwindling energy. For a split moment she felt it break, and her magic entered it. But it was quickly pushed back out. And the barrier repaired the hole.


    Sweat poured from her skin, as she she began to feel the drain from her failed efforts. She couldn''t send out another call. All she could do now was wait, and hope something would come.


    She took a meditative mindset and only focused on maintaining the barrier trying to conserve as much mana as possible.


    Her concentration was disrupted when she heard something out in the void, or rather someone! She heard a man''s voice call out, but the words were lost to the roaring of the river. When she didn''t hear it again, she began to wonder if it was just her imagination. But that idea was dismissed when she saw his boots just outside the ring of light.


    Her body was so weak, she tried to look up and see him, but her head wouldn''t move. Every muscle was locked in place, fearing that any movement would cause her to collapse. She was so tired. And it was taking everything she had to maintain the barriers. To her surprise, he seemed to understand she was tired, and lowered himself down into a squat in front of her.


    There before her standing completely unfazed by the roaring rapids of the river was a human man. He wore strange armor, a gray tunic that covered every part of his body and was barely covered by white metal strapped to his shoulders from a full body harness that dip and woved inbetween the gray tunic. They covered his forearms and chest. The three white plates strapped together covering his chest however caught her eye the most. A gnarled hole was punched clean through. And the once brilliant white armor was stained with his blood. There was so much blood on that part of the armor that she figured that was the wound that killed him.


    A... A HUMAN?!?! Anisha thought in a panic.


    No No no no! She- She couldn''t summon a human!! That''s, well that''s necromancy!! The dead need to stay dead. And not to mention. Humans Don''t go to Hmota when they die. Or at least most don''t. She remembered overhearing a few adventurer humans talking about their afterlife, what did they call it? Vara''dun, Var''dan? The name didn''t matter right now what did matter was why was a human in Hmota?! Only the most vile of people spent their afterlife in here, and even then only for a little time before being grabbed by a Draugmary and taken to be reborn. For him to not only walk unfazed by the rivers power, and was around long enough to answer her call.


    Oh Kunnskap, help her. What kinda horrendous acts has this man done to be sealed away behind that barrier in the depths of Hmota?!


    She could send him away. Maybe wait for something else, preferably not an intelligent being. But could she really risk it? In all the time she''d been here nothing else has answered her call. Her first summon Bruin only took a few minutes to appear. And was relatively easy to bind with the summoning spell. What would happen if he resisted?


    Maybe this was the Gods helping her. After all, a person should never be forced to do something against their will... But a human who ended up in Hmota...


    She looked up at the man, trying to lift her head just a bit higher to see his face.


    A kind boyish like smile, and genuine concern on his face was all she saw. His hair was black and short cut with a long strand of it sticking out and to the left unnaturally. His face spotted with faded scars that looked well tended to only leave the faintest of signs of ever being there.


    A warrior. she concluded, and one who seemed to be concerned for her.


    He held out his gloved hand to her.


    "Trener Dul Hjl?" He said.


    "W-what?" Anisha couldn''t understand, what he was saying, she was starting to feel faint from her oversue of mana.


    "Dul Era Sarret?" He asked.


    "I-I don''t understand you." Anisha said back.


    His head tilted, clearly not understanding what she said either.


    "Hva Var det?" He responded.


    They couldn''t understand each other! Would the ritual even work?! How could they make the deal that would determine what he would get in exchange for being summoned, how much freedom would he be granted. How would he be a usable summon if he couldn''t understand her!?


    She, She had to do it. She had to make this work. Binding him by force will take all of her reaminning energy, If she pushes too hard she might even break her gate in the process. But it''s the only option left now. She''s gone this far.


    She set her mind, and took a shaky breath, in preparation for what was about to happen next. Even if he was an evil soul, no one deserved to be controlled like this. She was summoning him to fight the horde of monsters, and probably die all over again.


    "I-i''m so sorry." She said lowering her head even lower, and placing her unsteady hands on the circle floor that began to pulse with energy again.


    The man was startled by the circle, his eyes went wide and he took a few steps back away from her.


    "Hva-?!" He was cut off.


    "BIND!!!" Anisha yelled out.


    Black chains shot from the circle and began wrapping themselves around him. One pierced his chest, passing right through his white armor. He gave a shout of pain as black smoke poured from his chest, Anisha tried to tune out the screams of pain, she knew she was hurting him because she could Feel it hurt through the chain that led back to her.


    "In exchange for your resurrections you will be my summon. We will be linked and My life will be yours. Anything that hurts me will hurt you too." That was one of the first conditions to give. This way it prevented the summon from just killing their summoner when they got their body back.


    He grabbed at the chain with his arm and pulled it, but it was too late, it had latched on to his gate. And nothing short of death would loosen it.


    "In exchange for your strength I will give you a new body. One in its prime. you will Use this body to live again and fight at my side." She added that last one to ensure that when he came back he would be at his strongest. This drained the vast majority of her remaining mana. Only leaving a bit left.


    Two more chains shot up and out of Anishas body and wrapped themselves around his arms. They began to pull him down into a kneeling position.


    Gods was he strong. She pulled and pulled with all her might, and he pushed back with all of his.


    She had to end this quickly. She just needed to place one more chain. The one that would let her control him fully. The last chain rose up and moved like a snake about to strike.


    He stared at it, seeming to know what was coming next he turned his head away. And tried to pull away from her grasps.


    "Kom Deg Vek Fra meg!! Hva Gjr Du?!!" he shouted through gritted teeth.


    "Please calm down. It will be over soon." She knew he couldn''t understand her but she just had to try to calm him down before...


    He broke his chain. The black chain that wrapped his left arm shattered and turned to mist.


    That wasn''t good, he shouldn''t be able to do that! She needed to get the last chain in before he truly broke free.


    "In exchange for your soul''s refinement our minds will be linked, my thoughts will have sway over yours and you will obey my will." She said hastily before she flung the last chain as fast as possible going straight for his head. With a sigh of relief, it was finally over. She lifted her head, but was shocked by what she saw. HE CAUGHT IT?!


    He held the chain a mere inch from his face, it writhed in his grip and tried to escape his grasps but he didn''t let it go. His other arm, the one that held some strange work of metal that only now did she realize he had been holding this whole time, began to pull the chains up. He slowly began moving the tip of the item towards her.


    "Spo Det!!" He yelled, more anger in his voice now.


    "Ikioke lag meg!" He said more pleading in his voice. But Anisha didn''t stop, she pulled down even harder. her whole being ached from the effort. Every part of her body was straining from the effort it took to just hold him still.


    There was a bright flash followed by a loud booming sound and Anisha lifted her hands from the circle to cover her ears. Even for a Helfman her hearing was exceptionally sensitive to loud noises. And now all she could hear was a dull ringing. Even her own exhausted breaths couldn''t be heard.


    Fluid began to spill down her left arm. Looking over at it, it was bleeding. A deep gash was sliced across her arm, and blood began to pour from it. She had to stop the bleeding, if any of the blood landed on the runes and messed up the circle, she could lose her last bit of protection!


    Anisha looked back at the man, who still continued to fight her restraints. He looked resolute in what he had done, the smile long gone, now replaced with stone cold determination. He was determined to kill her if it meant being freed from the chains.


    Anisha placed her right arm back on the ground and pulled on the chain that wrapped around his right arm, but he pulled back even harder than before. Pulling the tip of the weapon to point ever closer to her body.


    What was that thing?! It was some kind of weapon! Was he gonna kill her?! What would happen if she died here?!


    The more he pulled the more he slipped from her grasp, no, she couldn''t fail here. Not now.


    With one last cry and all of her remaining energy she had left in her whole being, Anisha cried out "BIND!!" Once more.


    Hundreds of chains shut up from the circle. Forming a wave-like wall over them, the chains came crashing down over both of them. And submerged them in utter darkness.

 Chapter two: The Soldier from the void

    Anisha reimerged from the black soot that covered the ground. Her magic circle dicindigrating and purple flicks of flame died out around her. She took a deep breath trying to calm herself. Her hands shook on their own, unable to stop moving. Her shoulders slumped and her whole body felt heavier than stone.


    Did it work? She thought to herself, glancing around the room she didn''t see the man. She failed. And now she will die.


    The monsters could still be heard outside their door, their haunting screechings becoming white noise as Anisha truly began to give up. She tried, she did everything she could, but her magical inabilities weren''t enough.


    A last remaining purple ember flared with a little sudden burst of energy. Anisha watched, unsure of what was beginning to happen. The small purple ember floated away and stopped dead, a few feet off the ground. Then the black soot that stained the floors, her clothes and her hands began to lift off the ground. floating towards the purple ember they began to form a mass around it. The swirling increased and soon she had to cover her eyes as the particles began to spin faster and faster around the ember.


    She tried to get up and move away but she couldn''t even stand anymore. Fearing the result of this runaway magic she scooted away on her hands and knees.


    A body began to take shape from the soot. First a skeletal structure was formed from black cloud to hard white bone, then it was wrapped in tendons that snaked through and joined the bones, muscles overlapped muscles and finally skin. Black hair sprouted from the head, with one strand of black hair sticking out.


    The man''s body was then covered in his gray full body tunic. His armor formed, brilliant white with a stain of red on the chest. In his hand came his weapon that cracked like thunder.


    Anisha couldn''t believe what she was seeing now. She did it! She actually did it! And not only that she made the link!


    If she focused she could see a few green chains floating in their connecting her gate to his. She really did it!


    The reilief was short lived however as the banging on the door and screeching of the Lants soured her achievement.


    Murdera, he was still out there!


    "Murdera!" She cried out hoping to hear the dwarfs gruff voice.


    "YOU BETTER HAVE THAT SPELL READY! THORN EARS!!" He yelled through the door, followed by the clanging of metal on monster limbs.


    He was still alive! Anisha had to act quickly, she had to open the door to get to him and allow her summon to fight for them as they made their escape.


    The summon floated in the air still, unmoving, his once bare body now covered with the armor he had worn in Hmota. While she was relieved, when she first summoned him and his body was taking shape, she was a little concerned that he would come... well without his clothes. A thought that made her cheeks almost as red as her hair.


    She never thought of that before, burin was an animal so she never considered if everything would come with the person or just the body would be remade.


    Anisha started to make her way to the door, sweeping her hands over the black charred floor removing the evidence of her magic she had just used. She''ll have to think of some way to explain where this man came from.


    Her legs struggled to move, so she resorted to crawling on her hands and knees to the door, grabbing the handle she pulled herself up and braced herself to try yanking the door open, With Murderas help they should be able to get the door open long enough to pull him in.


    She glanced back at her summon who still floated in the air, unmoving and more alarming, bleeding.


    Blood poured from the wound in his chest, but that shouldn''t be happening! The deal should have made him have a new body, so why was it still there!


    "Get back girl!" Murdera yelled from the other side of the door before being thrown threw it.


    The dwarf shattered the wall and he went flying backwards crashing into a pile of wooden debris and stone in the back of the room. Exploding in a cloud of dust and beard hair.


    A wooden branch stock its way through the door, Anishas eyes landed on the blood stained sharpened tip. Another leg followed and soon another.


    A head made of vines and eyes stock through followed by a round body that looked like a round ball of leaves. A chittering click from its concealed beak froze Anisaha to the bone. Without the door to hold on to her legs gave out from her and she collapsed to the ground.


    She just couldn''t do it anymore. She was a failure, and not even breaking one of the most sacred rules of magic wasn''t enough to save them. All it did was bring another person to the slaughter.


    She glanced up, through tear filled eyes.


    "I''m sorry- I''m so so sorry!" She cried out before a dark slumber took over her.


    Murdera was only out for maybe one to two seconds, and no more! His Dwarven blood bolstered him to get up again and fight those Delvet forsaken monsters one last time! Ensuring his blood in his veins will form only the finest of Gold veins upon his death. He pushed himself up and out of the debris. Slamming his hammer into the ground and a gust of wind shooting out dispersing all the dust from the room.


    Grabbing his silver blood and abominable corrosive green blood stained hammer with both hands he prepped for the fight, His march towards his foes was halted however when a new threat entered his gaze.


    A man in white armor stood hunched over. On himself, with the dust cleared away he could see the Iron rich red blood pooling at his feet. A human, recognizing his brother kins blood type. His wound was bad, a hole from his back poured blood, and judging from his hand on his chest he figured he had been impaled by one of the Lants.


    Murdera held out his hand. Though he wasn''t partially skilled in healing, that was supposed to be the Half breeds Anishas Job. He did know how to at least stop a wound from bleeding.


    Green energy swirled around his hand, pointing his hand, he focused his magic on him while also keeping his eyes on the Lants that began to slowly enter the room. Knowing they were trapped they took their time to approach.


    The magic completed, a simple feedback from his magic circle informing him that there was no more healing to be done.


    The man rose up holding a hand to his head, shook it around, and took a step back, steading himself on his wobbling legs.


    "Take it easy adventurer, it''ll take time to still recover from your head being rung like a bell."


    The man turned and looked at him. A human in his mature years looked back at him with confused almost glazed over eyes.


    Bahh these new adventurers were always quick to grab the fanciest armors but always forgot to get good head protection. Murdera couldn''t recognize the armor style from any known patterns, or kingdoms. It was rather unique and his dwarfish instincts were intrigued by its overall uniqueness. Perhaps a custom set.


    "Just sit this one out lad. I''ll handle them."


    Murdera was the Guild master of the Eastern Frontier Kingdom. Even if this wandering adventure wasn''t assigedd to them it was his duty to look after all adventures in the area.


    Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    "Hva?..." He finally said something. Even though it was Gibberish Murdera took it as a good sign that he was getting back to his wits.


    Speaking of wits, he needed to refocus, in all the confusion he wasn''t sure where Anisha had gone to. He had to-


    A Lants head hung over Anishas body, thick oozing thendral vines slid across her face. Its jaws chittered a few inches from her face.


    "OVER MY BRONZE COVERED HIDE WILL YOU EAT MY GUILD CURRIER!!" Murdera shouted.


    He charged and slammed his hammer square on the side of the Lants spider-like head, smashing it against the wall in a spray of green ooze and fake leaves. Its body collapsed but before it fell on Anisha he used his right boot, hooked Anishas body and slid her back towards the man. Another Lant quickly climbed over its dead counterpart sensing that their prey wasn''t beaten just yet.


    "GET HER TO SAFETY!" He called back, bracing his shield; the second Lant put its full weight on his tower shield that was slung over his shoulder.


    A third one pushed past and started making its way to the two young adventures.


    "DEVELOTS FORGE! DON''T YOU IGNORE ME!" He braced his shield with one arm and jammed the head of his warhammer at the leg of the third but it merely stumbled a bit before continuing its march towards the weaker two.


    "Don''t just stand there! Defend yourself!" Murdera commanded the man. Murdera cursed under his breath upon seeing the man''s face. Fear, utter shock coated his face. He was panicking, and was going to run.


    "Develt strengthen me!" Murdera had to hold them all off, no noe was coming to save them, he was their only chance to survive.


    But what could he do! He was pinned by one Lant while another just ignored him like he was some scrap of fools gold left by the wall. Murdera could only watch as the Lant approached the man, standing back on its back four legs it raised its from two preparing to stab straight through the man.


    It lurched forward, but didn''t find its mark. The man with surprising speed dodged at the last possible moment. One of the legs glancing off his white armor. Coming to a rolling stop, his expression changed from fear, to the face of a fighter.


    Furrowed brows and a tense muscle Murdera has seen enough fights to know that he was no longer out of it but back in the moment. Resolve set the man looked about as if looking for something, and finding it on the floor. A small metallic rectangle device that Murdera didn''t even know what to make of. Its shape was odd, and served no clear purpose but by the way the man eyed it desperately Murdera figured it must be important.


    The Lant went for the stab again, standing up and attempting to stab him again. But the man dodged again, a little slower now, and his recovery wasn''t as smooth, he held his chest and a thick cough of blood came from his mouth.


    The healing Murder did early only sealed the wound but it couldn''t fix what was damaged inside.


    Undeterred by the stumbling the man continued his way to the object grabbing it he held it with expert pertice, there was no wasted movement, or fiddling with what apparently were the handles as many others did when desperately grasping for a weapon.


    The warrier stood taking a sturdy looking stance; he braced the object against his right shoulder and leaned his head on the device gazing at the beast.


    Murdera waited, he wasn''t sure for what, but when it happened he couldn''t believe it.


    Thunder road from the weapon and the beast roar out in anguish as a red magic crystal shot out of it and pierced one of its eyes. Another crack of thunder and the monster backed up again, again and again the weapon boomed with power, and more crystals shot out. The monster''s face was a pincushion of magic crystals. ALl of them zapped and surged with sudden bursts of energy. The Lant screeched one last time before being silenced by another crystal.


    The man turned his attention to the hallway where the rest of the hive festered now in a ravenous rage once more trying to claw their way into the room. The stranger pointed his weapon down the hall and Murdera recognized the stance he was taking. It was similar to one  used by heavy crossbow users or a hand held ballista. Not wanting to be caught in the crossfire he pushed back on the Lant with his shield and dove out of the way, scooping up Anishas body, he braced his shield between them and the weapon.


    The thunder cracked once more but now even faster. Delvets foge; he couldn''t even tell one crack from the other. His ears hurt from the sound that echoed. And even in Anishas'' passing out state he felt the Half beed elf girl twitch at each deafening boom of the weapon.


    The screechings of the Lants were canceled out as the warriors'' weapon cried out even louder and seemingly with more fury than even a dragon.


    When the barrage finally stopped Murdera cautiously peeked out from behind the shield.


    The warrier stood their stone still, smoke poured from the end of the weapon, and occasional zaps of yellow energy game from the back of it. Murder cautiously stood up from behind the shield. He never truly considered the danger of this man. As far as he knew he could be a bandit, or a rogue infiltrator from a rival kingdom.


    With weapons like those he must have high status with some nobles.


    Murder stood up from behind his shield. With a quick turn the man turned his weapon on Murder and pointed it at him dead center. Murder quickly raised his hands showing he was unarmed having had to drop his hammer to grab Anisha.


    "It''s alright lad, calm down. I''m Guild Master Murdera Stormchin of the Eastern Frontier Kingdom."


    The warrier didn''t lower his weapon, but his stock still stance loosen a little.


    "Hva-... Hvo meg... Hvo meg?" He said in a questioning tone. But Murdera couldn''t understand him.


    "What''s your name stranger? I wish to thank you properly and share your deeds today."


    "N-name?... Hva Var Det?" He asked a little more confused. His weapon lowered a little more, but his shoulders showed that he was still on edge.


    C-could he really not understand common? There was no place on Borotone that didn''t at least know some common tongue. Just where he was from wondered Merdera.


    But his questions had to wait, one of the Lants slowly began to pull itself from the pile of its dead hive. A few red crystals shown from its head but non were dead center.


    Murdera hefted his shield, having abandoned his hammer it was his only means of protection. The stranger turned his attention also pointing his weapon at the monster. It charged and reared back preparing to stab the man. Merdera braced for another crack of what he was now theorizing was magic made thunder.


    But it didn''t come, instead he heard a very quiet. ''Click''


    The man looked at the side and in what Murder guessed in his tongue muttered a curse under his breath.


    What was wrong? Did he over use the weapon? Murdera could only stand by and watch again as the Lant Charged into the man, sending him sprawling to the ground. One of its legs came out and slammed down on the man''s chest piece. A blow that would almost certainly puncture or dent most armors.


    But once again the man''s equipment left Murdera speechless, the Lants leg slammed into the armor, but didn''t so much as distort the paint on the armor! It crashed another leg in only for it to not pierce the white armor.


    The force of it still caused the man to cry out in pain as the weight still fell on his already injured chest.


    Murdera couldn''t stand by this time. Leaving Anisha, he charged with his shield. Bashing into its side, its weight barely budged from his weight. But he dug his boots in and pressed with all his might he could muster. The Lantsncreeched in protest, Now trying to get one of its long branch limbs up and over his shield to stab him, but Merdera held tight to his shield not allowing the creature to get another nick of his silver blood.


    The weight of the lant suddenly shifted and the lants own weight was used against it as it began to bend back and tip. Merdera looked in shock as the man had grabbed the lants front two legs and was now pressing it backwards.


    Such raw strength was rare to find in a human, even rarer for one as young as him.


    The man pressed hard, getting to his knees then standing he pushed back against the creature. It Screeched in protess as it tried to resist, it can''t use any of its other four legs as Merdera was blocking two of them while the other two it used to desperately keep its balance.


    Resurint to its second weapon, it shot out its vine tendrils and wrapped them around the man''s arm.


    That wasn''t good. Lant venom is a paralysis type that can freeze an entire person''s body in a matter of seconds.


    The man''s right arm slowly began to wain and the leg now bolstered by his prey''s weaking moved towards his neck hoping to stab him in a weak spot. But with the brashness of a dwarf the man released both legs and shoulder charged the underside of the Lant, not only toppling it but sending it flying back a few feet.


    It sprawled on its back, spear like tree limbs jutting upward trying to find leverage to flip it back over.


    Taking the opportunity the man unsheathed a small bladed knife with an extreme bend in it. Almost similar to a hawks beak, or a reptiles claw. He rushed it. Right arm gone limp but wielding the knife in his left hand expertly flipping reverse grip he drove the tip into the lants neck before dragging it around its entire throat.


    The chittering and sprawling legs slowly died away. As the last Lant died on the floor.


    Murdera could only stare in awe.


    The man slowly stood, his body tethering from side to side. He turned to face Murdera, giving him a slight nod of his head. The guild master took that as a sign that it was dead, and that he wasn''t going to find Murdera.


    His eyes moved over to Anishas, his face then twisted into a mix of shock, confusion, and anger. Murdera instinctively moved between the stranger and Anisha. He wasn''t sure what Anisha had done to warrant that reaction from him but he wasn''t going to take any more chances today.


    The man looked back to Murdera, his eyes started to glaze over again.


    He caught himself with a stumble, and with a flourish of his right arm he crossed it against his chest and proudly stated "Verden Ennhet!!" Before falling over, and going unconscious.

 Chapter Three: Aftermath

    Anisha stured from her deep and groggy sleep to the sound and smell of a crackling fire. She felt horrible, like she hadn''t had any sleep in 6 months. Every muscle and fiber ached in protest to being moved at all. But her body wasn''t the only thing that hurt. Keep inside her her gate burned. Its overuse causing excess mana to pour from it. Insticitly from years of training she began a breathing pattern to slow her thoughts and calm her gate. Once she felt the mana stop flowing she began to inspect her soul. In her mind she could picture it infront of her. A singular ring like structure with holes running through it. Her hands move around the gate inspecting it for cracks or breaks. Letting out a long breath when she found no damage.


    Rolling onto her side she rubbed at her face and eyes, trying to clear her vision of its blurry effect. The tingling in her face made her hands instinctively touch the side of her face only to feel nothing.


    Her momentary movement of panic got the attention of the fire keeper, his battle worn bronze metal armor shifting as he sat on a log near her. Her ears twitching to the suttle rustle of chainmail underneath it.


    "Lants venom shuts down the nerves. Its only temporary mind you. So don''t start ya panicking until after yor scouldins done girl."


    Murdera tone showed no visible emotion, it was stone cold like the mountains of his home. But years living with him she''s become accustomed to deciphering the dwarfs subtle signs, hunched forward focusing on the fire instead of her hinted that he was deep in thought most likely because he had questions for her, and he meant to get the answers from her but was taking the time to think them out.


    She struggled to sit up but she forced herself to at least be upright. If she was going to face the justified rath of her teacher than she would do it showing the proper respect. Anisha was a complete and utter failure as an adventurer. And she showed Murdera her true character today by resorting to dark magics in a vain attempt to try to help.


    Anisha sat and waited, her face trying to match the dwarfs emotionless features but it was a struggle to maintain it as time went on.


    The questions didn''t come. No, Murdera always liked to make her squirm for a bit before starting. He sat their blowing smoke rings from his jade and gold pipe that he only ever used after a hard fight (Or sometimes at night to just relax but shes not supposed to know that). Which made Anisha even more nervous. if he was this on edge, she really was in trouble.


    As she sat and waited Murderas punishment was starting to work on her, but she wasn''t going to speak first!. But as time march''s on so agonizingly slow, her mind starting trying to guess what he would ask by going through the days event. Her first quest slowly came back to her. The ruins, the Lants attacking, Running, desperation. and then...


    Oh GODS!! She actually did it!


    Her eyes furrowed and her lips twisted as realization set in now clear of adrenaline she was thinking straight again. The momentary crack in her mask caused Murdera to slightly glance toward her. He saw her crack!


    She... she performed necromancy! The thought almost made her vomit what little was left in her stomach.


    In the moment the choice felt so obvious and justified. But now that they were out of it. Guilt riddled her. She''s no better then a Avist worshiping crypt defiler!


    Her hands trembled as she recalled the moment she had succumbed to the temptation of dark magic. The memory clawed at her conscience, twisting her stomach into knots. Images of the summon she had raised flashed before her eyes, the fear on his face when she started bounding him, the ound that killed him pouring a seemingly never ending amount of blood, his body forming right in front of her made from the defiled crystals. She pressed her lips together, trying to suppress the rising tide of guilt that threatened to consume her. The weight of her actions bore down on her shoulders like a leaden cloak, suffocating her with the fear of condemnation and exile. She couldn''t bear to meet Murdera''s gaze, knowing that behind his stoic facade lay the judgment she dreaded


    Is that what has Murdera so on edge? Did he figure it out?! Of course he must have, how else could a random mans corpse in foreign armor just appear in a room they had already searched!


    She had to explain herself, maybe Murdera would just leave her here and not bring her to the guards to turn her in. He would show her some mercy wouldn''t he? Ah who was she kidding Murderas been looking for every excuse to get rid of her since she was five. Gods she even knows the only reason she was given the courier job was so he wouldn''t have to deal with her burdensome existence everyday.


    The silence was more agonizing than any punishment she''s faced from him before. He sat there unmoving, almost like he didn''t even acknowledge her existence.


    Oh Beskyttendes embrace help me. She thought. The fearing of Murdera''s next actions overwhelmed her and she started to say something, anything. The guilt was becoming unbarrable.


    "M-Murdera-" She chocked out, fear in her voice and she was on the precipice of completely breaking down in front of him. Avist take that steel headed old guildmaster for breaking her from simply ignoring her!


    "Two dead and rotting adventures, two injured, and a dented ol''fool guildmaster." Murdera cut her off, as if she hadn''t just spoke.


    His voice was low and grumbly, but clear to understand.


    "I knew you weren''t ready, but against my better judgment I took you along with Nathul and Julu." He paused for a bit lowering his pipe, his face contorted slightly as he was trying to think of what to say.


    "I thought, they could have maybe helped you. Shown you the ropes that I clearly wasn''t able to, I thought some real experience with my supervision would help you overcome your magic blockage."


    He took another puff of his pipe before continuing.


    "It was the wrong call." He let out a smoke filled breath of smoke. After sticking the pipe back in his mouth he continued.


    "I didn''t expect to have you experience the hard reality of adventuring so soon. Seeing a comrade fall in battle never gets easier, you just get more accustomed to it."


    He gestured to the neatly wrapped remains of a mans body, white cloth stained red. Anisha didn''t see another body. Seeing Anishas gaze Murdera continued.


    "After making a camp and making sure you two weren''t gonna die I headed back into the ruins. I found him, half gnarled to the bone near where you ran into us. I couldn''t find Julus body. All I found was a blood trail leading into the inner Lants nest. Poor girl, she shouldn''t have lived long through the pain."


    Tears filled Anishas eyes at the mention of Julu. She let her down. She left her to die, once the Lants attacked because she couldn''t use her acursed magic when she needed to. And now she was dead, and they didn''t even have a body to return to her family.


    "Their deaths are my fault girl, not yours." stated Murdera with a heavy voice, he truly believed that this was all his fault but it wasn''t. Anisha was the weak link that broke the chain. She could have helped if not for her inability to control the other magic types. A shield, could have locked the lants in hallway to let Julu and herself escape. She could have healed Nathul, she could have... could have done anything else than what she actually did.


    But something else stung at Anishas conscious. Did Murdera say both were alive?


    Slowly she looked around the campsite, across the fire layed a man on a stretcher. His white armor now removed and gray tunic peeled back to exposed his bear bruised and bloodied chest.


    Her summon, on impulse she felt through their bond, feeling for life. And she found it, foucing on the chain the green chains the bound them appeared before her meaning that he was still very much alive.


    Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    One of the chains lead to the injury in his chest that wasn''t healed when he was summoned, and another wrapped around his right arm. Two chains however floated idle by not making contact with his body at all. The one that lead to his left hand was shattered at the tip when he broke free. And the last one remained intact but since it never made contact with his mind it floats a short distance from his head.


    At first Anisha didn''t know how to react to the situation. In her panicked state she never considered what to do with the man after escaping the Lants. Admitting to herself she had planned on them mans death stalling the Lants long enough for Murdera and herself to get away. But with him very much still alive that just makes everything far more complicated.


    Tracking her gaze Murderas eyes rested on the injured man. "He wont make it through the night." An air of loss in his voice.


    "You''re out of magic and all I can do is surface level healing. There''s nothing we can do for em. Such a waste of talent."


    "What do you mean?" Anisha asked, how would Murdera know anything about the man, he was practically dead when she summoned him.


    Murdera turned his gaze from the man and back to Anisha, who sat patiently for an explanation.


    "When I first saw him he had a wound straight through his chest, frome end to end. But he didn''t go down. Once he got a hold of himself, he braced his weapon and lade wastes to 10 Lants in the span of a few seconds. And then when one Lant clawed its way through its dead kin and attacked him he grabbed it by the legs, and physically held it back. With no magical enhancements." Murdera took another puff after his explanation.


    "A person can''t do such things unless they go rigorous training. Trainings like that don''t leave a man unscathed." gesturing to the mans bare chest with his pipe Murdera continued his assessment.


    "However, this man has not a scratch on him save it be the ones he got to day. Not one scar marrs his body. Which can only mean one thing."


    Anisha heart felt like it jumped to her throat. Here it comes, he knew, he had to know!


    "He''s a prodigy nobleman from a far off kingdom." Murdera concluded tapping his pipe on leg armor.


    "A- A noble?" Anisha asked? Skeptical that this was his real conclusion.


    "Yes, a noble born. They are pretty rare to see as adventures, but I''ve seen it before, powerful families send out there kids to get some real world experience and build connections. Its the only way to explain his powerful weapon that only the greatest of weapons smiths could have crafted. And he must have had access to some of the greatest healers for his training. There''s no doubt in my mind this mans taken a beating, the way he continued to fight even with wound like that." Gesturing at the wrapped chest wound. "It takes great mental resolve to be able to keep your wits and push through the pain like that." Murdera nodded to himself after explaining his thoughts to Anisha, most likely feeling more confident in his assumption now that he''s said it out loud.


    "Oh... Yes I see, that does seem like the only logical and likely explanation." Anisha didn''t know whether to cry from relief or cry from guilt that her hidden actions may not be discovered.


    She sat there feeling relieved that she wasn''t going to be exiled or taken to the authorities for execution.


    But....


    Murdera said he would die. After hearing what that not only did he save their lives but was an impressive fighter. She couldn''t feel anything but sadness at being unable to do anything for him after what she''d done.


    Cautiously she stood up, a little shaky but she steadied herself on her staff that was laid close by. Using it to support herself she walked over to her summon. She kneeled at his side and just watched him for a bit.


    His breathing was labored and after some time she noticed it was beginning to slow down. She reached out and held his hand. Trying to send comfort through their bond to him she wanted to convey her gratitude, and apologies.


    "Thank you, thank you for saving me, I''m so sorry for what I did to bring you here. Please rest, and return to your rest."


    He stirred a little "F-frea?..." He said in a weak voice only Anisha heard.


    "Frea... Seg Vraskt" He mutter again. With more energy.


    Anisha still couldn''t understand what he was saying. It pained her that his final words were not understood.


    She had to make this right, she couldn''t just let him die. Not after everything that''s happened.


    But what could she do, she has no magic crystals left, and even still she''d probably not be able to maintain the spell to do healing.


    She began to rifle through her summons stuff. Opening the two side satchels on his side she pulled out metal rectangles that at once she realized what was inside shocked her along with gave her hope.


    It was full of Red power crystals. She could feel the large of amounts of mana pouring from it. Now that she started looking for it she could feel mana all over the man. From his very grey magic poured from it.


    Then she felt it. A small flicker of green magic. Coming from his chest piece.


    Grabbing it she felt around the thick but surprisingly light piece of metal. Gazing into the hole in the backplate she noticed that the backplate was actually hollow. Feeling around she found a small lip under the bottom section. Pulling slightly the covering on the back slid down, revealing a thin profile backpack.


    Inside was an array of items Anisha couldn''t even begin to guess what they were. More of those rectangles full of red crystals were on the right. But ont he left she found what she was looking for. A thin pencil like object with a thicker cap at the end held what she needed. Uncapping it she saw a thin blade made of green crystal.


    "What are you doing girl." Murdera who finally took notice of her actions got up and started moving towards her.


    "leave the mans items alone, so we can send it back to.."


    Anisha held out the small knife made of crystal to the dwarf.


    "I can heal him with this!" She stated that with far more confidence than she thought she had.


    "What in Develts forge, a blade made of Healing Crystals?!" Murdera was now more intrigued by the design then what Anisha had said.


    Anisha held the knife in her hand. Carefully she reached out to the crystal, through her gate, out her arm up the knifes hilt and into the Crystal itself. She felt a slight surge of mana ripple back to her gate.


    Her gate like a sore muscle ached as she began her magic.


    She had to image herself pulling open her gate by hand. But it was heavy and wanting to shut. But she had to do this. Even if it meant breaking her gate.


    Her own mana began pouring into the crystal and the spell began.


    Slowly ever so slowly she crafted a few magic runes in the air. The thin blade would not be enough to heal him. But it should be enough to get him to tomorrow. Where they will take him to a proper healer who knew what they were doing.


    As the magic progressed the blade shown brightly, but slowly began to fade.


    And then it burst. In a cloud of green dust and magical energy the blade, well.. exploded, the shaft of the rod it was attached to was split like a tree when struck by lightning. Anisha instinctively dropped it expecting it to burn. But instead of pain she felt. Slightly refreshed actually.


    "Develots! Girl! What are you doing!" Murdera yelled, shock and confusion on his face, his stone face facaded now cleared away.


    "I-I don''t know... I was just trying to heal him. I---I -I''m sorry Murdera, I just wanted to save him. I thought If I went slow my magic wouldn''t go out of control. I don''t know what happened everything felt fine, I-I was doing it. At least I thought I was doing it right." Tears now openly poured down her face, her runaway mouth only put to a stop as she struggled to take a breath.


    Murdera shifted in his heavy armor. A little discomfort on his face seeing her so openly show her emotions.


    "Bahh, Dam your eyes girl that wasn''t you." Murderas words made Anisha gain a little control back.


    "It, it wasn''t?"


    "Tell me girl, to Crystals ever explode?" He asked, its such a simple answer No, no they don''t.


    She shook her head.


    "That''s right, they don''t or at least they shouldn''t. Something tells me there''s more to this mans equipment then its peculiar design."


    Reaching down into the mans armor back pack he shuffled a few things around before giving a grunt of confirmation.


    "Mhm Just as I thought." Pulling out a thin metal emblem he held it up to the campfire to see it better. "Hah ha! Just as I thought."


    He held it down for Anisha to see.


    It was a metal emblem with a rather strange bird she had never seen before, Its feathers were white and orange, and its legs were long. In one of its talons it held a red crystal. The design was incredibly intricate unlike anything she had seen before.


    "Is that a"


    "Noble Crest" Murdera finished.


    "i''ve never seen one of its kind, so that confirms that he''s no noble from close by but based on its royal color, its master craftsmen make, and an family animal on it. Id say its best to confirm that he''s a noble from yet a far off land that few probably know about. The only question I wanted answered now is, what''s he doing all the way here in the Eastern Frontier Kingdom?"


    Anishas confusion with the man only increased. Sure she assumed he was from some far off land. But to be so far away that not even a Guild Master Wouldn''t recognize it?


    Things she had to consider for later.


    Turning back to her summon he laid on the ground. But some how he noticeable was breathing better. Placing her hand on his bare chest she felt his breaths come and go, with relief.


    "H-He''s doing better." Anisha said, not sure of how though.


    At this point she just decided to not ask anymore questions. And would instead just focus on his needs.


    Through the night she stayed by his side. Dabbing his forehead with a washcloth as he continued to have the occasional nightmare.


    "F-frea..."


    He says that a lot Anisha noticed. She wondered what it meant, and also wondered if perhaps it was actually someone he was calling out too.


    Whenever he seemed to be troubled she reached through their bond and try to send soothing thoughts to him. Trying to reassure him that he was safe. It worked surprisingly well despite the language barrier. Perhaps her bond allowed some form of understanding to pass between them.


    When dawn broke, Murdera returned with a cart he had bought off a local farmer. The said farmer was more than willing to sell it at a fair price after the Adventures had dealt with the Lant infestation.


    Putting the body of their dead party member and the injured body of the stranger they set out on their days Journey back to the guild.


    As they made their way down the dirt path in silence, Anisha couldn''t help but feel the completion of her first quest did not feel as satisfactory as she had hoped it would.

 CH Four: Eastern Frontier Kingdom

    The road back to the guild took Anisha and Murdera a day and a half to get back. The extra load of the cart slowed down their pace tremendously. Anisha stayed by her summon side walking next to the cart. Checking his breathing. And every now and again reaching through the bond to see how he was doing mentally. His nightmares had diminished in occurrences but he still shifted in his sleep.


    Anisha shared his unease, she wasn''t sure what was gonna happen next. She was walking straight into a place where if anyone found out what she''d done, not just her but her summon could be executed for the crime of necromancy. Murderas reputation as a guild master would be tarnished.


    She knew not to push her luck any further than she already has. By her luck or curse she managed to summon a dead noble''s son back to life so it explains his overall strange-ness. But she doubted she could keep up the charade for long.


    Another concern came to her mind, that being what would her summon do once he came back to consciousness. Does he remember being dead? Will he thank her for bringing him back or despise her for defiling his body with Hmotas black crystals?


    Anishas concerns had to be put on pause once the gate caller yelled out to get their attention.


    In front of her stood the towering double door gate that was the main entrance for the kingdom.


    The gate caller wore a pointed helm with a yellow plume. From his elevated balcony in the gate house he ran through the usual questioning.


    "Who wishes to enter the gates and what is your business here?!" Called the gate caller.


    Murdera took the lead on the procedures.


    "Murdera Stormchin Guildmaster of the Eastern Frontier kingdom. We are returning from a quest with a casualty and an injured noble."


    At the mention of his title Guild master, the caller straightened up and was already giving the order to open the gate. The gate''s speed doubled when he mentioned the injured noble.


    Anisha guessed none of the guards wanted to be held accountable if the noble died because they took too long to open a gate. Nobles have placed blame like that before.


    The streets of the Eastern Frontier kingdom were not as nice as the older and more established cities. Their roads are still dirt with only some stone pathing just recently being placed in the town''s center. The market square was still a hive of activity that they had to sluggishly weigh through with their cart and passengers.


    "Rusted flecks, can''t they see we''re trying to get through here!" Murdera cursed as the crows around the stalls seemed to be an immovable wall now.


    All the citizens seemed to be taking their time at the markets recently. With the increased gate security, few merchants have been making the usual trek to resupply their sellers here. Anisha guesses that today just happened to be a day when a fresh caravan of merchants have arrived. She recognized some of the kingdom crests that were displayed close to the merchants stalls signs. She saw merchants from Blandgedi, Clifractian, Modland, and even saw a group of dwarven smiths from Krozneath. Anisha thought Murdera might have been a little pleased to see some of his kin from his home. But he only gave an audible grunt before putting his focus back on trying to push his way through the crowd. The other dwarfs in kind didn''t seem to pay much attention to Murdera either. Too busy working on their metal work.


    Anisha always looked for others like her in large crowds. Half breeds were uncommon but not rare. She saw a Dwarman working the kilm at the Dwarfs stall. In dwarf terms she was much taller than the other dwarfs and a bit more lean, but still had the characteristics of looking sturdy.


    In the crowd she saw a small family of Horcs. Noticeable by their paler green skin instead of the thick calisted dark green orcs usually have.


    And to Anishas sudden joy she saw another Helfman, however this one''s hair was a mix of gold and brown, instead of Anishas red and black mix.


    Meaning he was a descendant of the gold Elfs, next to him clutching his arm was a very old human lady, Anisha guessed she was probably in her late 70s. In contrast the helfman, who Anisha assumed was her son by how he carefully held her up and was patient with her as she chose her items from the stall. Looked no more than 25.


    Anisha couldn''t help but smile at them both. It was nice to see someone care for their aging parents.


    Being born of mixed races often came with both pros and cons. For those of half elf blood, it was about a 50/50 chance you would age either a little bit slower or faster than one of your parents. Elfs naturally had long lives, some even believing Elfs can live indefinitely in the right conditions.


    Anisha herself landed more on the life span of her father, who was human. She''s aged a little slower, but currently looks about 23 when in actuality she''s 28.


    A man who stood towering over the crowd got her attention. His steel and bronze rimmed armor shined in the afternoon light like a beacon. He stood seven feet tall and held a tri leafed spear that looked as long as a flag pole. On his shield and chest piece an orange bronze oak leaf was embraced and polished to a shine that would make glass jealous.


    Sir Haltis Holyoak, Lord knight of the Eastern Frontier Kingdom, marched dutifully through the crowd. Careful not to bump into others with his size, but it seemed unnecessary as the crowds parted for him.


    "Guild Master Murdera!" His deep but pleasant voice boomed from underneath his great helm.


    "I came as fast as I could when one of the callers informed me of your recent ''casualties''. " He said with a bit of pain coming through his voice. The goliath of a man kneed down to be more level with Murdera who was half his size. Leaning in he put his hand up as if to dampen his loud whispering to Murdera but to no avail. Anisha, and she bet most people close by could hear him just fine.


    "I came once I heard an injured Noble was entering the kingdom. As Lord Knight it is my solemn duty to ensure his safety through these streets. Please allow me to escort you and your fallen to their destinations." Before Murdera could even respond, the giant shifted his attention to Anisha. While kneeling in front of her she stood above him which was quite honestly a strange sensation, seeing him at a more eye contact level instead of craning her neck to look up at him.


    He placed his gauntlet hand on her shoulder, careful not to let its way pull her down he hovered it slightly.


    "Miss Anisha. I am sorry for the loss of your compatriots. It''s a sad day whenever our fine kingdom loses one of our valued adventuresers. I''m sure that they are resting in the Halls of Verden. And awaiting their reincarnation."


    With that he stood back to his towering height.


    "Alright let''s get this Nobleman to a healer on the double. Murdera hand me the reins on that cart. Don''t argue friend. you''ve carried your responsibilities long enough. Let me carry it the rest." Once again not letting Murdera protest he slung his shield over his back, collapsed his long polearm into a half its size and shielded it on his back as well. Grabbing the cart, it looked like a child playing with a toy. He looked towards Anisha and asked. "Forgive me, Anisha but it seems I do not know any good healers in town. Perhaps you know someone worthy of treating a noble?" Murdera mumbles something about Haltis being dimmer than a half drenched charcoal.


    Before Anisha could give a name Murdera took out the bag that held all the man''s armor. And slung it over his shoulder.


    "Murdera? What are you doing with those?" Anisha asked. Unsure of what the dwarf was up to now.


    "The man saved my life, seems fitting that I take his armor to be repaired, and after passing that there dwarf smiths ways back I bet they can repair it to its previous quality." He said it as though it was the obvious thing to do next. Turning he started pushing his way back through the crowd. Ignoring Haltiss words of "So chivalrous" and "That''s why he''s guild master"


    Hoisting the cart easily, Haltis yelled out to the crowd around them. "Make way! Move aside for the Injured." On his command the sea of people parted, a wide alley down the center of the market cleared right away. Anisha was impressed by how they all obeyed and moved just because he said to.


    "Where to miss Anisha?"


    She couldn''t see it, but he knew he was smiling at her under his helm.


    A few minutes later Anisha and Haltis were In Front of Mrs. Malissa Healing and Herbs Clinic. A small but tall building nearer to the town center and close to the guild. She was the predominant healer for serious injuries from Adventuring. She''s seen it all and if it bleeds she can heal it. How does Anisha know this? Well because she''s also Anisha''s Magic teacher. The one who taught her everything she knew about magic. How to control her gate, how to mix the crystal''s power with her own mana. It was her that inspired her to study the arcane arts and specifically with a focus on healing.


    A pale white Urashin, with 4 large white petals for hair greeted them at the door. Lifting her goggles up, her reptilian-like eyes blinked at the peculiar view in front of her shop. The four pedals that lined both eyes opened and closed repeatedly as if a sign for Anisha to explain herself.


    "Anisha... What brings you here, shouldn''t you still be out on your first quest for a few days? Don''t tell me Murdera backed out again of your detail." The white flower pedals on her head began to flap up and down as her anger rose.


    "That stubborn Dirt Eater I''ll teach him a lesson the next time he comes seeking my healing! Maybe I''ll just lace his armor with Spiral dust, and Ooshin clippings." Snapping her fingers, an action Anisha learned to mean listen up. "What are the effects of combining those two ingredients?" Anishas back straighten immediately, years of being subjected to Mrs. Mallissas rather ''unique'' style of teaching. Caused her body to react on instinct and an answer to leave her mouth before telling her teacher why they had come.


    "By combining those two you get a cream that causes skin irritation, and can often lead to rashes, itching. And if ingested a week-long sickness."


    "That''s the correct pupil. Nice to see you haven''t been slacking on your studies while away." The large smile that almost split her face in half showed pride in her student.


    Malissas Eyes went up looking up towards the large armored knight that stood behind Anisha.


    "And you big guy, are you here for healing or just looking for a job as a new front yard decoration?" She asked, completely ignoring his clear ranking in the Lords guard.


    "M-Mrs. Malissa." Anisha began, alleviating Haltis flustered state, she guessed he wasn''t used to people treating him like that so openly.


    "Murdera didn''t do anything wrong, in fact he did take me on the quest." The Urashins face softened from that, but confusion soon appeared on her face instead.


    "Then what brings you here? you look fine? You are fine aren''t you?"


    "No-no I''m, I''m fine Mrs. Malissa. I-its um, we, ah." She struggled to say the words to her teacher. She wanted to tell the truth so she could hopefully heal the man, she didn''t know if healing didn''t work the same on a summon as it did on a living person. Additionally the guilt from before resurged with even greater effect now that she was standing in front of her teacher. As a failure.


    "I-I''m so sorry..." She started to cry openly now, and just as the tears began to run again. her teacher of 8 years rushed to embrace her. Her hand wrapped around the back of Anishas head and cradled her into her shoulder.


    That action brought out everything else Anisha was holding in. All the fear, shame, and guilt was finally being let out.


    "I-I... I couldn''t do it Malissa... I couldn''t cast. it''s all my fault they''re dead. I- I couldn''t do anything to save them." Anisha said outloud muffled in her teacher''s hair.


    "It''s alright young Pupil. Let it out." Her teacher''s soothing voice worked its magic. Anisha could feel herself getting control of her emotions again. After some time passed her teacher pulled her off her shoulder and set her square in front of her.


    "Anisha, you shouldn''t blame yourself for not being able to do what you were not ready for. A first quest almost never involves something that can fight back so something must have gone wrong. It''s not your fault you were caught unprepared. Why don''t you spend the night in my study and rest. And we''ll talk more tomorrow.


    Anisha sniffled a few more times before nodding her head. Wiping her tears on her sleeve she turned to the cart. Gesturing to the man.


    "I wouldn''t be alive right now if it wasn''t for him. P-please can you heal him?"


    Her teacher looked back only now realizing the injured man that laid in the back of the cart.


    "As sure as the sun will rise tomorrow my pupil." She walked over to the cart and placed her hand on Anishas summons forehead. For a moment nothing was happening. Then the blue crystals that hung off a golden chain on her teacher''s hip suddenly began to glow and levitate slightly. Her teacher''s face twisted in concentration.


    Anisha waited on baited breath. Fearing that her teacher''s soft words would soon turn to anger.


    "Get him inside now!" She ordered Haltis. Reacting as if he just received an order from the Lord of the kingdom himself. Haltis lifted the man''s body up and, having to duck his head to get inside, carried him in.


    Inside the building she heard Malissa shouting orders to her two staff. Venus, her husband, and herbalist came from the backroom. Still wearing his gloves and apron. Without hesitation he discarded what he was working on and quickly began to help his wife clear a spot for the man.


    They placed him on a long wooden table in the middle of the shop. around the room were hundreds of shelves that held all manner of specimens, samples, and other odd trinkets she''s collected over the years.


    "Is he gonna be okay?" Anisha asked, seeing the speed at which Mallissa was working alarmed her. Was he that close to dying? She thought he was stable, and recovering.


    "I don''t know, if you had come any later there might have been nothing I could do for him." Her blunt answers showed that she was focusing on the task at hand. Not wasting any time to give Anisha another surprise test, or questions.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    "Where''s that weed sawdened Dryfolk!" Malissa yelled out to no one in particular.


    As if on cue a black cat Dryfolk girl came down from the upper study.


    Kameko Shig, Malissas other student and Anishas best friend, seemed to have just woken up. Her black second set of cat ears on her head drooped a little. And her tail hung limply behind her.


    "W-wahhhh''s goin on?" She said through a yawn and stretching herself out. Her body was extremely flexible. Twisting her back she was almost able to spin her torso all the way around.


    "Kameko, take Anisha to the study and heal any of her wounds. Once that is done come back down and help me here." Seeing the seriousness of the situation Kamekos eyes widened and she quickly began doing as her teacher instructed.


    Masterfully jumping down that last few steps and landing with a quiet thud she gracefully bobbed around the two healers as they moved quickly around the room. Instead asking Haltis to move his massive body she instead jumped and crawled over his back and slid down his shield landing near Anisha.


    Kameko looked at her friend in concern. Her eyes hung on the man their teacher was working on. Her face was pale, and she noticed that her eyes were red from crying.


    She reached out and grabbed Anishas hand. But this didn''t seem to break her focus. pulling her along Anisha followed behind but at a slow pace. It took some time for them to reach the study but once they did and Kameko closed the door behind them Anisha slumped to the floor next to her old cout.


    She sat there in a ball for a bit before Kameko slowly approached her and sat next to her.


    "I''m gonna check you for injuries okay?" Anisha gave a little nod though she didn''t uncover her face and stayed curled up.


    Kameko began the magical process of checking for injuries. Using a blue crystal that hung off her side similar to her teachers she used it to penetrate Anishas very body. Not seeing any serious damage besides a bruise on the side of her head, she quickly pulled out a green crystal and began healing the injury to Anishas head. Within seconds the bruise vanished.


    "How do you feel?"


    "A little better, thank you Kameko." Anisha finally said something, which made Kameko relax a little. She had never seen her friend like this. She has seen other patience that Mrs. Malissa treated before. They always had a far off look and seemed to not be in the present moment. The fact that Anisha was starting to un-ball herself continued to relieve Kamekos concerns.


    "I-I did it." Anisha said after a few more moments of them sitting in silence.


    "You did what?" Kameko asked, her head tilting far to the side. Causing one of her ears to flop over.


    Instead of answering, Anisha slowly moved her hand to her back satchel and pulled out a piece of leather fabric that was well worn and in tatters.


    It took Kameko a moment to recognize what it was Anisha was showing her.


    She jumped up to her feet unable to contain her excitement "You used it! How was it? Were you able to control your magic using the crystal? What did it feel like?" She had a thousand more questions she wanted to ask but her stream of thought stopped when she saw Anisha didn''t share her enthusiasm.


    "I- I didn''t want to use it.... I tried, Beskyttende knows it, I tried to use every other magic I could think of. But when I lost my other crystals and Murdera was left to fight alone, I didn''t know what else to do.


    "Oh Gods you didn''t let Murdera see you use the black crystal did you? You know he''d report you to the guard as soon as you got back if you did."


    "No. No he didn''t see me.. But, I didn''t have a choice but to use it to..." Anisha choked off at the end. Her body shook as she tried to hold back more tears and guilt.


    "To what?" Kameko was starting to get really concerned now. What had her friend done that had her like this?


    "The-... The man downstairs... he''s.. he''s not."


    "Alive..." Kameko finished her friend''s sentence for her. Anisha nodded slowly, head now buried in her arms again.


    "Anisha. Do you know what this means?"


    "That i''m a crypt defiler necromancer who''s gonna be executed if anyone else finds out" Anisha said glumply through her balled up state.


    "No! Well, yes! But also no! Anisha this means you completed one of the hardest spells known to mortal kind! Summoning Bruin was one thing, he''s an animal from Hmota. But making a pact with a full fledged human! and completing the ritual! Anisha this confirms my suspicions. Your magical attunement is to Black Crystals! "


    Anisha could only look up at her excited friendly glumly.


    "That''s not a thing to celebrate Kameko! That''s like telling me I have the power to feed on people''s souls. Or or... raise the dead" Anishas glum words didn''t seem to dampen her friend''s mood though.


    "Anisha. For the longest time you and Mrs. Malissa believed that your problem with using other crystals was from you not being able to control your gate. But now we know that it''s because your soul an incredibly strong attunement to Black Crystals!"


    "How is that even possible?... The Gods never made us compatible with the corrupted crystals. Let alone be attuned to Hmota! In order for me to be that attuned to the dark river means I was probably a horrible Avist worshiper in my past lives, or something even worse! I probably deserve this punishment for what I''ve done." Anisha buried her face back into her ball form.


    Kameko was really getting tired of that. She kinda wished Anisha would act her age rather than how she looked.


    "Anisha, you are the kindest person I know. You told me that you wanted to become a healer so that you could make people feel better. To fix the wrongs of the world. Does that sound like someone who was once a worshiper of the literal God of treachery?"


    Anisha seemed a little comforted by her friend''s honest words. Looking at her friend she asked.


    "So- what now? What am I supposed to do with an undead nobleman as a summon?"


    "We worry about that- Wait did you say he''s a nobleman? No deal with it later right, later. For now you let me worry about your ''Summon'' and you get some rest." Her never glum personality started to rub off on Anisha. Slowly she lifted herself up and laid down on her old cot. Draping a blanket over her Kameko shut the blinds and silently stepped out of the room.


    Kameko couldn''t help but do a silent dance on the other side of the door. She was so excited by the news! For the first time in recorded history someone was born with an attunement to black crystals! HA hA!


    She could hardly believe it herself even though researchers had theorized about the possibility for a while but once Anisha first told her about how she had summoned Bruin about a year ago and Anisha showed no sighns of corruption she knew there was more to it.


    Summoning was extremely dangerous, and what made it even more dangerous was the total lack of knowledge about it. Years ago when the magic was first outlawed everybook on the subject was burned and anyone practicing necromancy was arrested and usually executed to keep them from spreading the knowledge of how to raise the dead and summon familiars.


    She couldn''t believe her luck as a researcher. In all the world, heck in all the realms the gods have ever created, how did she end up being friends and fellow student with the one person in known history to have a connection to Hmota so deep that she can summon even as a novice mage!


    She had to go see this summon for herself. She had so many questions to ask him!


    Dashing down the hall quickly she jumped the stairs and landed on the floor with another quiet thump. In front of her, her teacher, Mrs. Malissa had her gloved hands that went all the way to her elbow were covered in blood.


    Lord Knight Holyoak was nowhere to be seen, probably seeing that he was no longer needed he had left to give the professionals room to work.


    The man that no one except Anisha and herself knew was a rotted corpse a few days ago. Layed on the table. His gray tunic peeled back to show his bare rather well defined, chest. Bloodied bandages were strewn about the room. Venus held the man''s head in his hands. A blue crystal around his neck floated close by Glowing from use.


    "He''s still blocking me out. I can''t tell if anything we''re doing is helping." He said in frustration. His pedal eyelids twisted with concentration, and his wide mouth curved down in frustration.


    "Then we''ll have to fix him the old fashion way. Hand me the pliers. Oh good your back finally. Quick grabbed that thread there and bring it here. I''m gonna have to sew him back together." Malissa''s knowledge of the Human body was truly remarkable. Healing was usually done by the person''s own body, and the healer simply supplied the mana for it to repair itself at a faster pace.


    To repair damage like this by hand was quite the feat even for her teacher.


    When Kameko went to hand the thread to her teacher she saw the damage to the Summon. A hole the size of a spear shaft was punched straight through his entire body. If she looked she thought she could even see his lungs moving on the inside.


    Taking on her role as assistant and pupil she stood at her teachers side grabbing every odd tool she requested. Some of them were buried behind years of old experiments and samples that their original purpose has long since been forgotten.


    Hours went by and it wasn''t until the sun had set long ago that Malissa put down her tools and slipped off her gloves. Wiping the sweat from her brow she slumped onto a nearby stool and hunched over, chin resting on her hands. She stared defiantly at her patient. Who laid in front of her. Venus slumped into the stool beside her. Exhaustion evident from maintaining the blue crystals power for so long.


    "Well, did we do it?" he asked, dabbing his forehead with his handkerchief, that was covered in so many alchemy stains Kameko couldn''t tell which one was the original color of it.


    "He''ll live. But It''ll take months maybe even a year for that wound to heal properly." Snapping her fingers, and without looking at the exhausted assistant Malissa started another questioning.


    "Pupil! We are unable to heal our patient through the use of magic, why is that?"


    Kameko, even though she was exhausted, shot up from her seat, stiff backed and alert. But she didn''t know how to answer the question. At least she has a few theories. Like that fact that perhaps traditional healing magic does not work on a summon. And he could theoretically only be healed with more black crystals. Does that apply to other magics? Would a gray crystal not be able to strengthen his body to resist injury. Would use of a Red crystal to enhance his reflexes. Could a blue...


    The blue crystals, Venus wasn''t able to perceive his mind. Could that mean. yes it''s possible, having been made entirely of a corrupted crystal it could be hypothesized that his very existence acts as a cancellation to all other forms of magic!


    ''Pupil..''


    She''ll have to write these experiments down somewhere and make Anisha help her with her research! She could stand to learn so much from this golden opportunity


    "PUPIL! You''ve got two sets of ears don''t you?" Mrs. Malissa was not a very patient person, and her annoyance was convened clearly through the ruffling of her petals on her head.


    "Ahh.." Kameko zoned out again! She had to think of some answer that wasn''t true but also wouldn''t make her teacher think she wasn''t smart enough to figure it out.


    "umm, B-because Venus wasn''t able to make the mind connection. Therefore his body wasn''t able to be told to start repairing itself with the supplied mana?..."


    Malissa nodded slowly to it.


    "yes.. But for the love of Beskyttende why not?..."


    "I''ve never experienced anything like it. I''d have a better chance digging a hole through the city''s wall with my bare hands than connecting with that man''s mind. It''s like a bastion of steel. I feel I nearly cracked my gate just trying to press through it. There must be something blocking me from his mind." Venus looked the most exhausted out of all of them. His lime green skin has faded to a lighter version. His eye pitals dropped almost covering his eyes.


    "Malissa when that Anisha pupil of yours wakes up we''re gonna have to ask her some questions about how this man got injured."


    Mentioning the wound made Kameko look at the man again. His chest, rather barbarically she had to admit, was sewn together by nothing more than a piece of thread. Her teacher had to do what she called a "Tissue transfer" where she had to cut out layers of skin from another part of his body, she cut out several square sections of skin from his forearm, chest, and leg, and reattach them to make a complete seal of the original wound as there wasn''t enough.. "Material" to patch it up.


    She couldn''t see what work she did on the inside of his body. Her hands blocked her view, and she was so focused that Kameko didn''t dare approach the table unless especially ask to.


    She''ll have to ask her teacher more about this method of healing.


    "Something isn''t right about this." Her teacher finally concluded after a few more minutes of silent contemplation.


    Her husband leaned over and placed his hand on her shoulder. "Mallissa my dear, we''ve done all we can for the man. You''re the best healer in the kingdom hey maybe even in the world!" His remark made her smirk a little but she maintained her concentration on the man as if, waiting for something to happen.


    "Come my dear, it''s late. Why don''t I make us some Singwood flower tea and get some rest hmm?" When she didn''t respond he let out a sigh, standing up he looked to Kameko who was still studying the stiches on the man''s body.


    "How about you young pupil? The singwood arrived just this morning, it won''t taste any better than if you have it tonight?"


    Kameko didn''t register what Venus was saying. Instead she reached out her hand to trace the stiches, curious if the style of stiches was important to the healing.


    A strong hand gripped her wrist and pulled her away from the observations.


    "DON''T TOUCH THE THREADS PUPIL!" Mrs. Malissa''s tone showed that she was truly angry. But for once Kameko didn''t know why. Sure she knew she had a habit of zoning out but her teacher always encouraged her intellectual curiosity.


    "M-Mallis.. Mrs. Malissa. You''re hurting my arm." She finally said. Her voice tinged with fear looking at her teacher. She''d never seen her this angry. All her petals were outstretched making her look bigger than she actually was. Her eye petals spread wide showing her eyes in full detail.


    "Malissa my dear, calm down, the pupil just wanted to study your work." Venus tried to defuse the situation. But it only earned him a glare from his wife.


    "My work... my work! What good is my work if I can''t even heal a single scratch on this man! Blood of the gods! It should have taken effect by now! Kunnskap Knowledge why do you forsake me now!" Malissa''s use of the gods in her language didn''t bode well for her mood.


    "Teacher, What do you mean, he is alive, and you fixed him by umm, sewing him up. Surely you have done something."


    "All I''ve done is put a fabric patch over a dress that''s half burned to ash! The thread spool, hand it to me."


    Kameko quickly acted, not wanting to bring any more anger her way. Grabbing the spool of thread off the counter where she left it she quickly handed it to her teacher.


    Unwinding the thread a few times in her hand, her teacher, without warning, took one of her small thin blades she used during the healing and cut a gash in her own hand.


    "MALISSA!" the tea that Venus was holding on a tray crashed to the floor as he ran over to her side.


    "What in Hmota are you doing to yourself?!" Turning to the side he quickly grabbed some white cloth and was gonna wrap it around her hand to stop the bleeding.


    Not seeming to care one bit of what she just did. Malissa took the twine and snapped the thread loose from the spool. As she did a light shot through the thread slightly illuminating the room.


    Malisa clenched her fist and steam arose from her fist. Quickly the thread in her hand disintegrated into nothing.


    Both Kameko and Venus stood back and watched in amazement as Malissa opened her hand. Her uninjured hand.


    "By the- how..." Venus''s eyes went wide in shock. Kameko figured her eyes probably looked the same too.


    "The Earthborn call it Miracle Thread. A magical substance that doesn''t require any mana from the user to heal a wound. Very rare, glad to see I didn''t waste my money on a regular spool of cloth" She said this, flexing her hand open and closed as if testing to ensure there was no pain left. Seeming satisfied with her little demonstration, and the bewilderment on both her pupil and husband she stood up and approached the man.


    She ran her finger across the stitches feeling each bump and twist of the miracle thread.


    "It should have healed the skin at least. But it seems using the thread did nothing at all. Might as well have been a thread bought at the local seamstress shop. But as you can see here" Holding up her hand to the light. "It works just fine. I supplied no healing or mana to it whatsoever."


    "What could it mean?" Kameko asked her teacher, wanting to know.


    "I... I have know idea" that response seemed to pain her to admit openly to her pupil.


    "It would seem I have no other choice. This man''s care is out of my ability to care for." Setting her face she stood up and headed to the front of the store. Kameko and Venus right behind her.


    Putting on a satchel and cinching her knife to her belt. she draped a dark purple cloak over her. Her front two hair petals just barely sticking out the front of the hood.


    "I''m going to see the Oracle." Her face distorted with her own declaration.


    Kamko panicked at the mention of the oracle.


    "THE ORACLE?!" Her exclamation caused her teacher to stop half way through the door.


    "Yes, though I''d rather remove my own arm with a dull scalpel than ask an Avysky for help. I''m out of options, and my priority is my patients well being. I will be back as soon as I get the answers I want out of her."


    "A-are you sure you should disturb her at this hour?! I mean it is late and you know the Oracle doesn''t like to be disturbed." Kamekos mouth opened before she had time to think of a better response. She had to keep the Oracle away from her newly acquired research subject.


    "Frankly I don''t care if she''s in a meeting with the Kings of every kingdom! She''ll have to make time whether she likes it or not. Get some rest Pupil, I''ll be back as soon as possible." And with a flourish of the cape she disappeared into the dark streets.


    Venus, who had just finished picking up the shattered tea cups sighed again. Accepting his wifes stubborn attitude he didn''t protest once she set her mind.


    "Don''t worry, pupil. I am sure everything will be alright. How about you go check on Pupil Anisha while I tidy up down here."


    Kameko''s slow stride to her upstairs room gave her time to worry even more.


    The oracles'' involvement with the summon wasn''t good. wasn''t good at all.

 Chapter Five: The Ox Oracle

    Malissa''s boots splashed in the freshly pooled puddles of rain water that spotted the empty streets. All the lights in the streets have long since been put out as their residence got some sleep. Moon light was the only way she was able to traverse the streets without a lantern.


    Light rain still drizzled onto her cloak. Finally stopping when she reached the Castle, at the center of the town. It was an elevated design, originally used for an output, its raised stone foundation made entry difficulty, to attackers. But after being converted to a place of noble negotiations, and grand displays of influence, long flat stairs were added to the front entrance.


    Once inside the keep and making her way through the halls, Malissa stood outside the Oracles chamber, its large wooden doors stood high as if in opposition to her. Setting her resolve she tidied her cloak, pulling it flush, and casually sweeping off some of the water onto the well maintain stone floors. Straightening her back she knocked on the door. The sound almost damped out by their sheer size.


    When no answer came she knocked again, a little harder this time.


    When still no anger came her hair began to flare a bit in anger.


    "Blood of the Gods I know you can hear me in there!" Malissa blurted out, abandoning all prior attempt at civility. If that avist spawn was gonna toy with her now of all times then she would not give her the lugary of seeing her being polite.


    The guard at the doors side stirred uncomfortably where he stood. Indecision clear on his face. Malissa guessed he''d never seen anyone address the Oracle in that way before.


    She''s seen how people look at this door, uncomfortable glance, and hurried steps by the servant when they had to cross its path.


    And here Malissa was, a middle aged Urashin Woman trenched in water and wearing peasants clothes banging on the Oracles door and an un godly hour.


    Malissa raised her fist a third time preparing to really give that door a beating with her fist when her actions were stopped by a small voice, just barely piercing the door.


    "Enter Malissa."


    The guard seeming to want to get this interaction over with as soon as possible took a key from his belt and slid it into the large key hole. Iron bars retracted from the sides, and with a sturdy pull, the guard slowly opened the Oracles chambers.


    "About time, avist spawn." Malissa muttered under her breath before marching in to the dark room like she owned the place.


    Stiff backed and a large scowl of her down turned lips was not a pleasant appearance most could withstand. Years of teaching spoiled youngsters in the art of magic have taught her how to deal with those who didn''t know the meaning of respect. And she would teach the Oracle that one day. But not today.


    She didn''t intent to spend a minute longer than she needed to in this defiled place.


    Getting straight to the point she walked to the center of the cylindrical room. Not a single light was present, the Oracle didn''t need light.


    As she stood there she felt her hairs stand on end, at first she heard nothing in the dark room, The faint light that came from the hallway illuminated the room slightly, it took her eyes some time to readjust to the dark again.


    The room was almost barren, a stone floor with the oracles seal on it. Two eye facing in opposite directions, encircled by a ring of gold.


    Malissa had seen it before a few times when she had come to the Oracle before, and after each and every visit she swore she''d never come back in here. But her needs always seemed to lead her back.


    "Close the door." Came the quiet voice again. It came from Mallissas right, and against her own resolved she turned her head quickly, trying to find the Oracle in the dark.


    She''d never come this late in the night before, and usually the rooms singular source of light, its fireplace in the corner was lit, but now it stood dark and cold.


    As the heavy door slowly started to close behind her and the remaining light in the room faded to a sliver of light before plunging her into complete and utter darkness, Malissa''s heart started to race in her chest.


    What was the Oracle up to now?


    In the darkness she could hear it. Faint footsteps, not of shoethed feet or bare foot, but hooves, clomping on the cold stone ground.


    Clack, Clack, Clack


    Malissa''s heart jumped to her throat.


    She''s out?! Who let her out of her cage?!


    her eyes darted back in forth in the dark, trying to conceal her rising discomfort. She would not show any fear to the Oracle.


    Then her eyes saw them, Her white and gold eyes pierced through the dark, and straight into Malissa.


    The monsters eyes lingered, locking her in place. It made her skin crawl. In those eyes were the eyes of Hmota itself. Avist gazed through all oracles eyes. Behind those eyes contained unfathomable collection of information, which was the only reason it was tolerated to live in this room.


    What was once fear turned to a boiling rage.


    "How dare you look at me with your accursed eyes! Cover your eyes this instant!" She mustered her response to contain all her accumulated renown as a teacher to give that command.


    For a few moments the Oracle was silent. Her eyes still pierced the dark before disappearing.


    "My Apologizes healer, its seems I''ve forgotten my covering, I was not expecting company tonight." Oracle replied, a hint of mocking amusement in her voice.


    Her hooved footsteps echoed in the dark. Malissa jumped at the sound of a cage door slamming shut, and the locks engaging.


    "Now what is it you want Healer?"


    Malissa wondering if this was just another trick from the oracle, using some of her mana, she produce a magic ball of light in her hand and held it up.


    In the back fourth of the room a wall of iron bars divided the circle room. On the other side she saw the oracle standing behind the shut door.


    It wore long robes of purple and gold that trailed back 2 spans. Its hands were unkeept with long nails. From her head sprouted Faded blue hair, and two long spiked horns, longer than a spear head. On her face a white and gold band wrapped around her head, covering her eyes.


    "Does seeing me in here put you at ease healer? Now please tell me what you seek so that I might return to my meditation."


    The oracles voice no longer held any mischief in it. Rather it talked in a similar way a lady of the court might talk. matter of factly and clear.


    "Nothing would make being in a room with one of you put me at ease oracle. I''m only here because of one of my patients."


    The oracle unperturbed by her remark simply nodded for her to continue.


    "One of my pupils brought him. A noble with a wound from a Lant leg piercing his chest. I''ve tried everything I can think of to heal that wound, but it will simply not heal. From the most basic of healings for scraps and bruising, to using Earthborn miracle thread. Yet his body resists it like it has no affect. I fear the man will die soon unless something is done." Malissa didn''t want to beat around the bush she wanted out, and hoped that her desperation didn''t show in her voice.


    "I see." The oracle said. Moving away from the bars she sat on the floor and took a meditative stance. Her eyes even through the thick fabric on her face began to glow through. Two white circles pierced through the cloth and up at the sealing. She began to float off the ground and hovered in the air.


    The eyes darted back and fourth as if reading an invisible manuscript.


    This was no normal form of magic. No magic crystals were used from what Malissa could see. It only proved just how unnatural oracles were.


    The process went on for awhile, Malissa paced back and forth as time went on. She knew they didn''t have much time left, and as much as she wanted to tell the Oracle to hurry up, she didn''t want to make any more mistakes tonight.


    Whatever it was the Oracle was doing her eyes slowly faded, and she lowered back to the ground. Rising from the ground she she spoke to Malissa.


    "There are no known cases of any living entity being unable to be healed by Miracle threat. I fear I will not be able to help unless you bring him here for me to see him first hand."


    "As if I''d let you lay your eyes on my patient, check again, you must have missed something."


    "I''ve checked as thoroughly as I can. All that I can recommend is that you bring him here. If you are insisting that I not gaze upon him, then allow me to connect to his mind. I should be able to gain access to his mind in ways you and your husband can not."


    "But moving him now might worse his condition, he could die just moving him."


    "All the more reason to bring him faster, I can not go to him so you must bring him to me. I can not know for certain unless I can see him for myself. My guards will fetch him from your residence... Along with your pupil. I have questions for her."


    "You Leave my pupils out of this."


    "She was there was she not? Tell me Malissa, have you considered the possibility that your Pupil is lying?"


    "Why you..." She bit her tongue before continuing her sentence.


    "Very well, we''ll do it your way."


    Malissa wanted to turn down the idea, but what else could she do? She was out of options.


    "I''ll make preparations for your return, have a few of my guards accompany you back to your clinic to help bring him here. Do be quick about it Mallissa. As you said time is of the essence." With that the oracle turned back to face the inside of her cage.


    Malissa knocked on the large door, it took a few seconds for the guard to unlock it and pull it open.


    She didn''t dispel her magic light until she was completely out of the Oracles chambers.


    She made her way out of the castle, and by the time she made it to the bottom of the stairs she saw two guards standing at the bottom of the stairs. With a torch and cart in hand.


    On their chests were the same symbol that marked the Oracles chamber. Marking them as Guards of The Order of Oracles.


    Not wasting anymore time, she barked an order for them to follow, and they did so without protest.


    When she finally reached the clinic she opened the door and showed the two guards to the table where the nobleman laid. His face had gotten paler and his breathing became labored.


    Rushing over to him she placed her hand on his head and her crystal began to glow bright as she checked over his body. The mental block that she guess was the reason for him being unable to heal was still there, but it didn''t stop her from checking on his body.


    His left lung was filling with liquid and struggling to breath.


    Venes she called out, her yelling brought not only her husband, but also both her Pupils. Anisha and Kaneko stood at the top of the stairs.


    Anisha looked like she didn''t get much rest, and Malissa felt guilty that she would be prolonging the girls weierlyness without a proper rest.


    Both her and Venus quickly moved around the table trying to keep him alive just a bit longer.


    The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    "Put him on his side, and Pupils, you might want to look away for this one."


    Malissa pulled out a a thin syringe usually used for alchemy, but today she needed to use it for something else. Felling for the gap in-between her patients ribs she stabbed the metal tube into his chest and pierced his lung.


    The noble gave sputtering breath, and his body tensed from the pain but quickly slumped back down.


    Anisha gasped and looked as as if she wanted to throw up. meanwhile Kanko looked as curious as ever at this new technique she just witnessed.


    Blood pooled out of the straw, and his breathing slowly returned to a more normal rhythm.


    "Venus, help the guards put him in into the cart, we''re taking him to the Oracle."


    "The?!... Are you sure Malissa?... Perhaps there''s simply nothing we can do for him." Her husband had similar reluctances she had, but there was no going back now. She swore to her pupil he would live, and she wasn''t going to break her promise. If she did, then what kinda teacher would she be.


    "If he''s gonna make it through the night, we will need the Oracles skill in mind magic to break through what''s ever stopping us from healing him. I know you concerns my dear, but I must do what I can for him"


    "And Anisha."


    Her helfman pupil looked up to her, with dreary eyes and a slumped posture. A farcry of her once tall stature and determination.


    The Oracles mocking words echoed in her memory


    Have you considered the possibility that your Pupil is lying?


    Why would here pupil lie to her. What could she have done to lead this outcome?


    "Grab your cloak, you''re coming too."


    Anisha, though feeling like her boots were made of pure stone, followed her teachers request as fast as she could. Heading upstairs she draped her cloak over her shoulders, a plain grey green fabric. Looking to the corner of the room her staff stood leaned against the two walls. New crystals seeming to have been replaced by someone, reaching for it she held it in her hand.


    She knew what was gonna happen now, she wasn''t sure if her teacher already knew was simply putting on a chiraide to lead her to be imprisoned, and to have her summon executed. But she knew that that would be tonights outcome, one way or another. Turning to head back down the stairs, Kameko stood In Front of the door blocking her way out.


    Her brows furrowed and a serious gaze was on her face.


    "You can''t go with them Anisha. Sneak out the window, I''ll stall for time, you should be able to get to the woods if you reach the gate house before the guards start searching for you."


    Kameko expected her to protest, to tell her she Had to do what''s right  But who gets to decided what''s right? She knew who Anisha was and she wasn''t going to let her just throw her life away for a mistake that she encouraged her to do for the sake of her own research. She was the one that gave her the crystal, if she hadn''t Anisha wouldn''t have used it.


    "I-its my fault.... I shouldn''t have given it to you. You don''t deserve this. I... I thought we could keep it a secret."


    Anishas arms wrapped around her feline friend, and both held tightly to each other to what seemed like too short of a time before Malissa yelled for her to hurry up.


    "I don''t blame you, it was my choice, and now my punishment. I will not disgrace Malissa anymore by being a runaway, nor Murdera. I''ve caused enough problems for everyone over the years. It seems now I''ve finally reached my limit."


    Kameko couldn''t bring herself to stop Anisha as she put her hood on and walked down the stairs and to Malissa''s side.


    Their teacher gave her a nod before placing her hand on Anishas shoulder and leading her out the front door. When the door shut behind them. The house felt quitter than a crypt.


    The rain had picked up again and small streams of water ran through the center of the street. The two guards pulling the cart grumbled occasionally as their heavy steel boots got stuck in the mud. Everytime they slowed down Malissa would tell them to hurry up with her whip like tounge.


    The cart was taken to a side entrance where Anisha guessed supplies were delivered to the keep, Large barred doors with four guards with pikes stood by at all times. Upon there approach they pulled on the large chains connected to the top of the gates, two men per chain, and pulled it open.


    Once inside the cart was left with the other wagons and carts the keep used. She saw the royal treasury carriage, and next to it the horse stall. Where the once asleep horse naeyd in annoyance at being woken up by the loud noise.


    The guards carefully lifted the stretcher that carried Anishas summon. Up the winding stair cases, and down some long hallways, Lavishly decorated in fine silk curtains, and long red carpets covered the floors. Each door was as tall as two elf. And the handles were what Murdera had told her once "Made of the third best Dwarf smiths in Krozneath. Anisha never asked him how he could tell the difference. She just figured it must have been a Dwarf thing to be able to tell. But now she wish she had taken the time to ask him. Give her something to distract her. from what was just ahead.


    The Oracles chamber was wide open, and the flicking light of a fireplace shone off the opposing wall. A group of guards about 6 men, all wearing the same purple and gold garments as the two that carried her summon.


    They stood stock still grizzled faces with a sword and shield at there sides, ready to be used at any moment. In front of them stood a disheveled woman who looked like she was pulled out of bed and dressed no more than a few moments ago, her hair still in a knot around her head and her eyes drooping, as she rubbed them under her large round glasses as if trying to wipe away her weariness.


    Sirme Rakho was the keeps book keeper, it was her job to record all important events going on in the keep, and to compile any relevant events and news from the kingdom, and reports directly to Lord Sog. Who was nowhere to be seen this night.


    "Greeting Healer Malissa, its nice to see you again. I was told there was a noble in need of healing. I''m here to get his name and family name. So that I might inform Lord Sog." She said this while flipping through a small leather bound book and a quill in her hand, ready to right down the information.


    "Its a pleasure to see you too Sirme. But we don''t have time now to figure that out, he must be treated too this moment." Malissa lead the two guards inside the lit chamber, Anisha and Sirme followed close behind. She tried to insist that she need the information but the book keeper let out a quick yelp and clenched her log book close to her chest.


    The Oracle was walking around outside of her cage again, going in a circle around the center of the room, placing five blue crystals around the circle in a even pattern.


    The sound made the Oracle stop for a moment, but she turned back to placing the final crystal, which pulsed with the other four crystal.


    "Just Malissa and her student, the rest of you leave." Sirme turned and nearly ran out of the door, looking back only once she was out of the room. Still clutching her log book, as if protecting it from the Oracle.


    The two guards placed the summon in the middle of the circle before leaving and closing the thick door behind them, which sealed with a loud and heavy Cli-Clunk. Sealing Anisha and Malissa in with the Oracle.


    In the large room, the only sound was the crackling of the logs in the fire, but Anisha could feel her heart pounding away in her chest like a drum.


    Both Anisha and Malissa stood side by side just a few steps back from the oracles circle.


    The oracle walked over to where her summons head laid on the cold floor, his breath weak and barely noticeable now. If the oracle didn''t hurry up, he would die.


    Which was an outcome that still conflicted within Anisha. If he died then maybe no one would know what he was, no one would know she''s used black magic. But... After saving them, and getting hurt, she couldn''t just let him die not without trying to save him, and send him home.


    "Let us begin." Said the oracle, she sat at his head and placed her hands on his head.


    "Both of you take a side and place your hand on his chest."


    Malissa gave Anisha a comforting knod, when she didn''t move at first. Both of them moved to either side, and did what the Oracle instructed of them.


    Sitting this close to the Oracle made Anishas skin crawl, and judging by Malissa''s stiff posture and her looking anywhere else but the Oracle made Anisha guess that her teacher felt the same.


    The blue ring of crystals began to pulse, faster and faster, and with it the Oracles eyes began to shine through the mask she wore to conceal her corrupted eyes.


    Two golden orbs shone blindingly through the fabric, and shone down on the summons face.


    He stirred a little. Much weaker than before. The once kind faced and tired man she met in Hmota. Was now a pale ghostly mockery of what he was.


    What was he really though?


    Him being a noble was only a guess from the crest he had, but for all she and Murdera knew that could have been anything. He could have even stolen it from a actual Noble.


    The thousands of questions that Anisha had had been put to a halt as the Oracles magic increased in flow. The Oracle grimaced from the effort, even through the blindfold they could see the strain on her eyes, that glowed brighter but started to flicker slightly.


    As the Oracle pushed, the more the crystals pulsed, faster and faster they went. Until nothing.


    The golden light faded from the Oracles eyes and the magic circle that had started to form around them dissipated.


    Both Anisha and her teacher looked around in worried confusion.


    "What happened?! What went wrong?" Asked her teacher as she got up onto her knees to check his pulse.


    "He''s still alive, but barely" Holding her own blue crystal in her hand it glowed, her focused face turned to frustration, and then sorrow.


    "The barriers still there, and as strong as ever." She looked over to the Oracle, expecting her to say something similar. But instead the Oracle, The Oracle!


    Had taken off her blindfold. her Golden swirling eyes starred at her own hands as if seeing them for the first time.


    Then her head snapped back and her eyes darted side to side, mouth moving but no words coming out, the eyes glowed brighter and brighter until they were the dominant light source in the room.


    "Pupil get back!" Mallissa yelled as she too stepped back from the Oracle.


    The Oracle began to float again, a few feet above the air. The eyes moved casting beams of light through the air. Her head slowly lowered back down and gazed at Anishas summons body, studying every part of him.


    "Don''t look at him!!" Anisha couldn''t help but yell it out. What was the Oracle doing?! She was forbidden to look at anyone with her Avisty Eyes,


    The yelling made the Oracles gaze fall on her now. The golden beams absorb everything about Anisha. They saw every part of her, she could feel it. Piecing straight through her gate and into her soul.


    "S-stop.. P-please..." It felt wrong, like a dark dendril was borrowing its way through her whole being. Pulling at everything she had done, searching for information, information she didn''t want to give.


    "P-please... Don''t look at me...."


    But the Oracles gaze didn''t break for moment, each second she continued to look at her felt like hours.


    "THATS ENOUGH!!" Yelled a voice, but Anisha couldn''t see who it was there was a sudden burst of energy that pushed Anisha to the side and out of the Oracles view.


    Once she was out of the light, Anisha was brought back to reality. She was sprawled out on the ground, her arms shook as she tried to push herself up.


    Across the room the Oracle laid on her back, her eyes no longer glowing,


    Malissa stood inbetween Anisha and the Oracle. She held in her hand a gray crystal. Which pulsed with energy, showing she was still ready to use it at any moment.


    "Don''t you Ever... Try that again you Avist Spawn or so help me I will not hesitate to send you back to whatever pit you crawled out of."


    Anisha had never heard her teacher sound so threatening. Her pedal hair stuck out, and she barred her sharp teeth in her wide mouth.


    The Oracle on the other hand, after pushing herself up on to her side, looked as if Malissa''s words were of no concern of hers.


    "Just what in the Gods names did you think you were doing?! What were you trying to do to my pupil!!"


    The Oracle continued to look uninterested in Malissa''s demands for an explanation, instead she turned her attention back to Anishas summon. Standing she held her hand to her head, which Anisha could see was bleeding now.


    "I was just confirming a suspicion Malissa." Said the Oracle matter of factly, she sat back down near his head and placed her hands back on her summons head, not caring that her own head was still bleeding from the gash across her brow.


    "What suspicion?! Enough with your games Avisty!" Malissa''s anger grew the more the Oracle wasted time.


    They should be healing the man, ot fighting each other, what was the Oracle doing.


    "The suspicion... That his mind doesn''t recognize this body as his own."


    "That''s absurd! How could his body..." Her teacher trailed off. Her pedals fell back down around her face as she considered what was just said, as if realizing something for the first time.


    "BLOOD OF THE GODS!! AND KNOWLEGE OF KUNNSKAP! How could I have been so blind!!"


    "W-what''s going what does she mean, his mind doesn''t recognize his body?" Anisha really was confused, how could someone not recognize their own body.


    Malissa took over the explaining. Switching to her lecture tone she began. "its rare, but its been reported that sometimes, when someone is healed, they are healed. ''Too much'' and instead of healing the body to look like it did before the injury, a mage can go too far back in the persons memories, even as far back as a past life. And start healing them based on that old body. But since the mind has spent its current life in one body, waking up in a different body causes the mind to rejected it, as it does not know it, therefore can''t tell what''s wrong when injured. People who have experienced this would never heal again, even a small cut on their body wouldn''t close up."


    After her explanation Malissa face dropped a little and her eyes furrowed.


    "There''s no known way to reverse it." Malissa looked pettingly at Anishas summon, coming to the conclusion that there was truly nothing they could do.


    "B-but, if that was your suspicion." Anisha asked cautiously.


    "Then why did you look at me?"


    The Oracle turned to her, her eyes were covered again with her blind fold, but it now had a deep red stain above her eyebrow. A knowing smile creeped across her face. An unsettlingly and clearly unpracticed action. As she bore her teeth awkwardly.


    "I was curious to see if you could heal him yourself."


    "M-me?! How could I heal him?! I couldn''t heal him when he first got injured, I tried and failed. Malissa and Venus are far better healers, if they couldn''t do it how could I?"


    "Anisha." The Oracle said her name, Neither Malissa or her used her name, how did the Oracle know her name?! Did she learn it from just looking at her? What else did she see?!


    "Please, come here and try." The Oracle took a step back gesturing for Anisha to take her place.


    Anisha hesitated for a bit, but determination forced her up off the ground, finally lifted herself off the stone floor, she slowly headed to where the Oracle sat.


    But before she made it a few steps Malissa grabbed her shoulder, stopping her before leaning in close to her.


    "You don''t have to do this Anisha. I fear at this point there truly is nothing we can for him, and the Oracle.... I''m not sure what she''s planning but I do not trust it. If he dies it is not your fault Pupil. We can leave right now, and do what he can for him so that he passes peacefully." Malissa''s grip on her shoulder softened when Anisha took hold of her wrist and gently lifted it off.


    "I-it is my fault...."


    "Pupil, we don''t know how his mind got confused-"


    "Its My fault, I''m the reason he''s hurt, I''m the reason he''s here! I have to try to make this right!"


    Her words had a double meaning, it was her fault he was here at all, not just here in the keep, but in this world at all, and alive again.


    Malissa gave her a slow nod, but didn''t hide the fact she didn''t like the choice as her mouth curved down.


    Anisha approached her summon who was on the brink of death. She could, feel it like a quite drum beat slowing down. Sitting down she focused on their link, even with her eyes closed she could see the chains that linked them together.


    "Use your connection." The Oracle whispered in her ear so Malissa couldn''t hear. Anisha hadn''t noticed the Oracle had moved to be right beside her. Her long nailed hands grabbed Anishas and placed them on her summons head.


    Why was she helping her save him? She knew without a doubt that the Oracle knew now or how else would she know about their connection. She knows hes a summon, she knows she used a dark crystal, so why was she helping her save her summon.


    "Now.. Enter his mind"


    The Oracle poured her own mana through Anisha hands, it was strange, she''d never done magic with another person before, she could feel the Oracle doing most of the work, guiding the mana into the circle that began to expand around them again.


    However this time the blue crystals that were stationary before lifted up and started floating around the circle, similar to how Anisha controlled the black crystal during the summoning ritual.


    "I''ll supply the mana and help you control it. You guide me on where to put the runes"


    The crystals began to disintegrate as they flew through the air. The cursive design of the magic circle was much easier than the original summoning circle. This one didn''t need to make an entire human or transport her to another realm, no all this one had to do was let her connect to her summons mind.


    Once the final rune was complete the world around Anisha disappeared, the Oracles body against hers vanished, along with the heat from the fire place and the feel of the stone floor beneath her. She was now in a void of nothing.

 Chapter Six: Nightmares or Memories

    In her meditative state Anisha could feel the mana coursing through her. The Oracles magic seemed to guide her through the dark. An unseeable hold on her leading her to an unknown place. The empty void moved around her, but unlike Hmota it wasn''t a raging torrent of forces trying to break her down and grind her to nothing. But instead was a still calm fluid that, to her disconcert, still had the taint of Hmota in it.


    She shouldn''t have been so surprised about that, he is from Hmota. So of course there would be signs of this within him, a magical residue that marked him as a summon.


    "Yes, feeling for the taint of Hmota is one of the main determiners used by royal courts to determine if a living being is actually a summon." The oracles voice sound like it came from every direction in the void. And the sudden introduction of sound in the void made Anisha heart jump a few feet.


    "How are you-?"


    "You haven''t entered his gate yet, you are in a inbetween state between your mind and his. I understand you struggle to control your gate, so I will handle moving you into his mind. But once inside you will be on your own." The Oracle didn''t let her finish her first question, but now she had even more. Like how is she supposed to help his mind accept his new body, what will it be like in his mind, can she even use magic here.


    Making it obvious that the Oracle could read her mind she began to answer those questions.


    "Unlike a normal healing where all you have to do is supply mana to his gate for his gate to start using his own memories to heal him.You will need to find him in his own memories before he got that injury. Then use your own memories to guide his body to repair itself. But you must be careful Anisha. Your summon is currently stuck in a unending memory of the day he died..." The oracle trailed off for a abit before continuing.


    "You must stay out of those memories. Because if you and his own mind remember his death in detail, then he will die. You Must Not Let that Happen."


    As the Oracle made her warnings clear Anisha began to realize just how difficult the task at hand will be. Some part of her stupidly thought that it would be easy to fix him like how it was easy to summon him. But no, clearly she was way out of her depth here. And it didn''t give her comfort that the Oracles direct insistence on her summon survival unnerved her even more, why was the Oracle helping her.


    Anisha waited for a response, as she knew the Oracle knew what she was thinking. But her voice didn''t come again, also choosing to remain silent Anisha tried to ready herself as the Oracle continued to move her about the darkness.


    It took a few more minutes but Anisha saw something appear in the distance, a large ring spun in the darkness. Its true size becoming apparent as it got bigger and bigger. The whole ring was the size of keep they were in now. Large walls stretched upward.


    Around the ring were thirteen circles, or thirteen gates. twelve of them were sealed shut, but the thirteenth... Approaching it a light shown threw large cracks in the gate, large chunks of rubble floated around the broken sections of it.


    And going straight through the gate, a green chain. A chain that lead right back to her.


    "I- I broke his gate..." Anishas guilt began to rise again.


    This, this was unrepairable, there is no possible way to repair a broken gate. For the rest of his existence, for every thirteenth life he''d live he would be born with a broken gate.


    "There is nothing you can do for him for that Anisha, what''s done is done. Now please hurry, enter his gate." The Oracles words pushed Anisha forward towards the gate. She stood before it like a massive castle gate, reaching out her hand she touched the gate.


    The darkness that once enveloped Anisha flowed over her like a wave and disperarced. When she reimerged she was no longer in the black void but in a large open field. The sky was red and orange, and the air smelled horrendous, and she choked on the thick clouds of smoke that endlessly poured from large craters that surrounded her.


    "Wh-what is this? Where am I?" Anisha said this outloud hoping for some answers, even from the Oracle. But she didn''t get a response, instead the ground shook so violently that the ground beneath her feet broke apart and sent dirt flying into the air covering her. What came next was an absolute definting crack of thunder that caused her to instinctively cover her ears and crouch down seeking cover from the lighting.


    But no bolt of light appeared in the sky. Instead there was a crash like a mountain collapsing followed by another earthquake and deafening crack of thunder.


    She tried pressing her hands harder against her ears and pulling in her legs tighter trying to keep out the sound, the absolute painful sound, and trying to make herself shrink to not be a bigger target.


    The ringing in her ear faded slowly, but when it did she could hear something else out there.


    Foot steps, someone was walking close by stepping through the loose dirt. Which now closer to it, Anish could see the very ground itself was burnt, there was no soft soil or a single blade of grass to be seen. Risking a look, she uncovered her face and ears and peared up.


    She was inside one of the craters, and above her on the ridge. Stood her summon. His white armor and gray under cloth apparent, standing out even in the dark smog. He wore a helmet now. A bizarre design that had a single orange eye, a flattened beak at the front, and two wings sprouted from both sides.


    He held an even bigger version of the weapon he had used in Hmota. Where that one was the size of her forearm, this one was almost as tall as she was. He held it loosely with two arms at hip height.


    "H-hello..." She said this in a voice so low she even wondered if she had actually made any sound at all. She cleared her throat and pushed herself up straightening her back.


    "H-hello... Do you remember me?" Anisha wasn''t sure what to really say to her summon, especially here.


    But to her confusion her summon didn''t look at her instead, his gaze scanned the the thick fog as if able to see through it.


    "Verden Ennhet!!" Her summon yelled through his helmet before hefting up the weapon, and unleashed its terrifying power.


    Hundreds of red projecties shot out of the end at unbelievable speed. Instead of the single crack of thunder she heard in Hmota, it was a continuous roar of power and sound. She covered her ears again. The ringing returning and the continued exposure to it was extrucating to her.


    When it finally went quite again she couldn''t stop herself from trying to get away from him. She desperately crawled up the side of the hole and ran a good few spans before turning around and truly seeing what was around her.


    He wasn''t the only one there. Behind him large metal contraptions opened wide, spreading their wings like a protective eagle, and from behind it hundreds, no thousands of similarly clad in white armor warriors emerged. All of them tall and imposing and to her own amazement, many of them were female. Distinguished by two flaps on the side of their belt harness. Though even with the few key feminine details she could hardily tell the difference between the men.


    There was another call of "Verden Ennhet!!!" Echoed by a thousand voices. The metal birds joined in the war cry by lifting their heads. And thunder exploded from their throats. The ground shook from the sound, and as Anisha stumbled trying to keep her footing. The thousands of warriors didn''t so much as flinch or lose their footing from the shaking.


    Anisha knew what was coming next, preemptively covering her ears she waited for the second shake and explosion that always followed the first.


    When it came it was nothing like she experienced before.


    A invisible force a thousand times stronger than the Oracles, threw her back 10 spans. A wave of air slammed into everything around her knocking the air right out of her lungs. On the ground she struggle to get in any air from the polluted fog.


    Pain, fear, and adrenaline were all that got Anisha back to her feet as quickly as she did. Her chest hurt, it hurt to even breathe. Her ears no longer ringed, but were completely silent. She couldn''t hear anything anymore. Not the thunder, not the shouting. Not even the footsteps as the line of warriors charged out into the smog. She felt the beat of their boots through the ground like a charging calvary line.


    But no noise.


    She moved her hand to feel her ear but pulled them back when she felt something warm and wet. Blood was on her finger.


    She can get hurt here.


    Her heart pounded in her chest. It was a weird sensation, she could hear her own heartbeat inside, but nothing else. Its fast beat only seemed to increase the more she realized that that''s all she could hear. What happened to her hearing? How could being thrown to the ground take away her hearing Was this some kind of spell?. And how were all of the other people here unaffected by it?


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    Then a more concerning thought crossed her mind.


    What kind of enemy must they be facing in order to need such weapons.


    The burnt ground, choking smoke, and magical spells beyond her comprehension made her consider the possibility that what they were facing was a dragon. yes that had to be it.


    Then as if to confirm her suspicion, fire. Liquid fire poured from the sky. The heat was so intense, that even a good ways back Anisha could feel her skin start to burn.


    The flows of fire fell like water but synged both machine and man caught in its path to nothing.Yet the white armored warriors didn''t flinch or falter. They continued their charge, few stayed behind to pull their injured allies from the pools of fire however.


    The site of the carnage made her sick.


    Bodies half burnt away were pulled out of the flames by their allies. She couldn''t hear any scream of agony but she knew that''s what she would hear.


    Anisha couldn''t watch it anymore. She turned and ran. She didn''t care where she was running to as long as it was not this memory. This gods forsaken memory.


    ---


    Malissa Pedals rose and fell with every loud footstep that echoed in the stone chamber. Like a clock, counting every second that went by.


    She didn''t like this, she didn''t like any of this.


    One of her Pupils shows up after her first quest went south, carrying a wounded man that no one could heal, a man who''s had his memories from a past life override his current gate. And her pupil acting as if she''s the one that did that to him.


    Anishas struggles with gate control was a thing she and her have worked on for years. While Kameko picked it up at a natural rate, Anisha took twice as long. She knew her Pupil couldn''t do any magic strong enough to do that kind of damage to someone''s gate. It was simply impossible, like a tiny trical trying to carve a canyon.


    And then there''s the Avisty Spawn Oracle. Daring to look at her pupil, HER pupil with those accursed eyes. She can''t even imaged what that must of done to her.


    With every new scheme the Oracle pulled her and Anisha into the more she was willing to end this fa?ade right here and now.


    But, something stopped her. Call it a gut feeling, or manipulation from the Oracle, but Malissa couldn''t shake the feeling that Anisha was not telling her something. But what?


    Malissa didn''t like being left in the dark, and she especially didn''t like it when people kept things from her. Come the morning tomorrow she''s going to visit Murdera and get his side of the story.


    With any luck his story will match Anishas. That being they were in some ruins, got attacked by Lants, but were saved by this stranger, who now lies on the ground. Dying slowly.


    Malissa bearded her teeth at the Oracle who''s eyes open, but covered by the bandana silently sat next to her Pupil.


    Hmota Damn that Avisty spawn! Making her question her own pupil like this.


    Her anger flared again, pedals rising even higher and further outstretched, but her anger was quenched by a smell. A familiar smell


    Blood.


    Malissa eyes went wide as she saw blood slowly pour out of her pupils ear, and a new bruise form on her face.


    There was no sound, no grunt of pain, just one moment she was fine and the next, she looks even worse than when she arrived to her clinic that morning.


    That wasn''t all, the smell of burnt flesh permitted the room, and not just her skin showed sign of burning but so to did the man. Blood pooled from his ears, and he had bruises on his fact, and burn marks on his hands.


    Malissa couldn''t'' hold back, her muscle memory took over, quickly crossing the room she kneeled down next to Anisha pulled out a green crystal and started to heal her.


    Malissa let out a sigh of relief as she watched the bruises on her face slowly fade, and the blood from her ears stopped flowing.


    What was happening to her. Was she straining herself to control her gate. Was she overusing her gate? Malissa didn''t know much about what the Oracle was doing from what she pieced together, the Oracle conclusion that the reason he can''t be healed is because his body can''t rebuild something it doesn''t know. So She asked Anisha to help. But help how, how was Anisha supposed to fix a problem that''s had no known cure for over a thousand years?


    She didn''t move over to heal the man however, she knew it would do nothing.


    She had to save her strength now, incase her pupil needed healing again.


    But she was tired, very very tired, she hadn''t got any sleep, and was tending to the man since morning. But she would perciver. She made a promise and she would keep it.


    ---


    Anisha ran, she didn''t stop running even when the world around shifted and warped around her. After leaving the field she was in a empty street with buildings taller than the mountains, and bodies everywhere, then she was in a desert that burned like a fire, A Silvery room with a small desk and bed. Her running was only stopped when a person suddenly appeared in front of her.


    She was in a small room crammed tight with 20 of those white armored warriors. The room she was in lurched up and down, and there was a loud constant Thrum rattling she could feel through her whole body.


    While the world could affect her, she seemed to have no affect on it. No one seemed to be able to see or hear her even when she stood right in front of them. The people were stock still like statures and she had to bend herself around them to squeeze out of the group.


    Breaking free from the tight grouping she looked around again, trying to figure out where she was now, she saw light coming from a small corridor in front of the group. She cautiously moved towards it. Just a little further ahead was another small room three more white armor clad humans sat. But these ones were different, two of them had blue markings on their armor as opposed to the red on most of the armor. They also had two large ropes coming from the sides of their helmets that lead to a back plate that lit up with pulses of energy.


    The other had tan coloring on his armor. He was off to the side in a small cramped booth surrounded by... Well Anisha wasn''t sure what she was looking at. It was transparent and colored like tinted glass but the images on them changed at the mans touch. Thousands of symbols she couldn''t read crossed the many glass windows and the man sat there seeming to read them and understand all their meetings.


    "LanArm KlaGar." He said.


    "ForSta." Replied one of the blue marked ones. He raised his hand to a lever that was above his head, grabbing it, the other blue marked one that sat right next to him said something too "BraEce BueFel UtgVelLse."


    At the pull of the switch Anisha suddenly felt weightless. Her hair started to rise up, and her side bands that hung off her belt lifted up too. Then her feet actually lifted off the ground! And not just her, small items around the room that weren''t secured down slightly raised up, a small metal cylinder rolled out from somewhere and floated up to her.


    Then as suddenly as she started ''Floating'' She was actually falling, she hit the hard metal floor when the blue marked man pushed the lever forward again.


    "Ow.." Anisha pushed herself off the ground again, but she now felt the opposite of her weightlessness before, now she felt twice as heavy, as if her own body weight was threatening to keep her pinned to the ground.


    "W-what is going on?! I don''t understand any of this!!" Anisha said outloud, but she still couldn''t hear her own voice.


    All she could do was hold tight to the ground and wait.


    The room she was in faded away. The rattle of the floor ceased, and the magic glass with symbols vanished. She was now, alone. In a dark cold tunnel.


    No longer crushed by her own weight she didn''t try to stand up but instead crawled over to the side of the tunnel she was in and raised her knees to her face and held herself in a tight ball.


    She couldn''t do this.


    "What was the Oracle thinking sending me here? I can''t do this, I can''t"


    Did the Oracle know that and send her in here anyways... Why would she...


    Anisha held tighter to herself as a thought occurred to herself.


    "Unless this is my execution..."


    The Oracle could kill her using her own summons memories, and her summon would die from his wounds.


    Yes, that had to be it.


    She was a fool for trusting an Avisty. The Oracle didn''t tell anyone what she did because she wanted to kill them herself, in a cruel way, and would be able to get away with it. Afterall, everyone knowns she''s no good at magic, so they could just chock it up to an "Accident."


    Anisha wouldn''t fight it anymore, she couldn''t. Every part of her hurt, her skin burned, her hearing gone, her face was bruised from hitting the ground. Everything hurt. And she was just exhausted from it all.


    In the dark tunnel she sat for a long time. She waited for the inevitable to come. She felt very faint vibrations through the ground and occasional dust fell from the metal struts that supported the roof of the tunnel. But nothing as bad that happened before.


    Another vibration that shook the ground a lot harder jolted Anisha from her seated position. Lights, hundreds of them appeared, going in a line down the tunnel. But just as quickly they appeared they vanished and Anisha was left in darkness once more.


    Pushing herself up again, she stood looking down the long dark tunnel, one of them leading up while the other lead down.


    She wasn''t sure what pushed her to the decision, but Anisha started walking again. Following the path that was once illuminated she slowly made her way through the cave. As she walked she realized that it wasn''t really a cave, but a mine.


    Murdera had had her delivery supplies to mines before so she got to see some of the common tools and look of how mines operated.


    Their were large chunks of metal that protruded out of the wall, they didn''t look natural however. They were more like a piece of worked metal, melted and twisted by immense pressure. She couldn''t tell what it was but the mine was clearly designed to extract it.


    Not only did she see the ore that was harvested but the tools also to break them out of the hard stone walls. There were pickaxes and chisel, and many other tools that she couldn''t make heads or tails of. One looked like a large chisel with an absurdly large handle and two more handles came out of both ends. Another looked like a stone cutters blade, but was attached to a small handle, and had no clear way to spin the blade.


    The ground shock again, they had gotten stronger the farther up she goes. So that means she was getting close to the surface again. She wasn''t looking forward to reemerging, and at this point she truly didn''t know what to expect here anymore.


    Trying to make sense of her summons memories was like trying to read a book in... well whatever language those glass tablets used. Thinking back to the first time she saw him she did remember him speaking a different language. But it was no language she had ever heard of.


    Growing up in the Adventures Guild hall exposed her to just about every language, dialect and culture on Borotone. And yet, he and his people were completely unique. How could that be? Could he be from a much older civilization, does anyone on Borotone even speak that language?


    The more she thought of all that obstacles that lied a head of her the more overwhelmed she was by everything. She needed some time, time to rest. Murdera always said to any adventurer whether new or a veteran, that "Pushin ya body to the point of collaspen is a good way to kill ya self for the monsters."


    Well for once she was gonna listen to the dwarf and take time to just rest.

 Chapter Seven: Doing the Impossible

    Anisha felt the mana enter her body before she felt the healing begin, her headache went away, her chest finally loosened allowing her to get a full breath of air for the first time in wha felt like hours. Rancid thin air, but sweet sweet air filled her lungs. And along with it she heard herself take the deep breathe and slowly let it back out.


    "Huuuuu.... Ahuuuu"


    Anisha felt her face, the bruising had disappeared and her hearing returned.


    "How... Who...?" Anisha stood up now, while she still felt unusually heavy like she was wearing full plate mail, she felt her strength return to her.


    Was this the Oracles work?... No she would never, then perhaps... Malissa?


    Even after everything her teacher still fixed her up. She couldn''t stop the small smile that brightened her face.


    Malissa was the kind of teacher who never let her Pupils quit. She''d stuck by Anisha even though it took her years to be able to perform some of the simplest magic spells. Never giving up on her. She can''t let her teachers efforts go to waist.


    She had to keep going, she was going to save her Summon, and survive the Oracles Trap, after that... well one step at a time.


    Setting her mind she set off for the next memory.


    Choosing a random tunnel in the endless mine she followed it, deeper into the ground.


    The darkness of the tunnel finally gave way to a slight red glow in the distance.


    On the ground were three dead men, in armor that was... no longer its brilliant white shine. But was stained a deep red. Some of them had red mana crystals sticking out of their body.


    "They were killed with Mana Crystals?! How, no one ever used a mana crystal as a physical weapon before. So barbaric."


    Perhaps it was some kind of undiscovered magical creature? Some Golems were known to have magic crystals grow on their rocky hides.


    As if to bring an answer to her questions a dark beast immerged from the dark. In the dim light she couldn''t make out its shape, but saw its two massive red eyes that glowed in the dark, how had she not heard it approaching? With her restored hearing she should have some inclination to its arrival, but nothing. The creature moved fast with careful and deliberate footsteps that struck the ground with power launching it forward but minimized sound. And was heading straight for her.


    Instinctively she moved out of the way as the creature charged past, its bipedal form just barely glancing past her. Its two flat tails that trailed behind it were the last thing Anisha saw before it disappeared into the tunnels.


    "What in the Gods creations was that?!" Was that able to bring down all these armored soldiers? Was that what killed her summon?


    A forgotten concern raised back to her mind. She didn''t go to far into his memories did she? Listening carefully she could barely hear the monsters continual gate head further and further away. But heard nothing else. Bending down she began checking for her summon amongst the dead. One of them was missing his head at the shoulder, but the other two still had their helmets on. She checked for the unique symbols her summon had on his helmet the first time she saw it. While she didn''t know what they meant one looked like a ring, and the other a twisting snake.


    Only one here had a ring symbol on his helmet but it was followed by a straight line. The others helmet had symbols that were more complex, comprising of three individual symbols.


    He wasn''t here, that was good.


    Turning back to where the monster had fled from she continued down that way. It didn''t take long before she was able to hear what sounded like voices.


    Turning a corner and saw two more white armor clad warriors, one significantly shorter and smaller then the rest she had seen, and to her relief and worry, her summon, and he was in trouble.


    Her summon stood hunched backed, bearing a large beam on his back, the artificial caves ceiling collapsing down upon him. But he just barely managed to hold it up.


    She saw his muscles bulge under his grey tunic, blood poured from beneath his helmet, and in his right shoulder a red mana crystal protruded out. A thick stream of blood pouring from the wound. His chest rose and fell with the effort to hold up the beam.


    This had to be it. He was about to die. She had to act fast. Ignoring the creaking of the ceiling that was slowly collapsing down on her summon she ran to his side.


    Now finally coming face to face again with her summon she never realized just how tall he truly was. Even hunched over his height came to her shoulders.


    A white gas hissed from his mask, its odor smelt familiar like one of Malissa''s healing agents.


    Close by the other warrior who was in much better condition stood by seemingly trying to help her summon escape from beneath the beam.


    He placed his much smaller frame beneath the beam and pushed with all his might but nothing budget.


    "Kab.... Kab!" Her summon yelled out.


    The too began talking in their shared tongue. While Anisha had no idea what they were saying the tones in both their voices allured to some amount of kindship between the two.


    Using his head her summon gestured forward back from where Anisha had come from.


    The smaller one turned to look to but shook his head and began pulling on the beam again.


    "No''baul Kabshiel!" Her summon yelled out again.


    "Tyos.... Jeg kan ike" the smaller one replied, defiance in his voice.


    Her summon continued to talk in a raspy and tired voice. Clearly his strength was giving out. He was probably trying to get the other person to leave and get to safety. The smaller one had a similar symbol on his helmet, a ring followed by a snake that wasn''t wrapped around itself.


    Another blast of white gas hissed out of the sides of the helmet. And with great effort her summoned straightened up, pushing not just the beam but all the stone debri back up along with it.


    He stood now legs spread bearing the weight of part of mountain alone on his shoulders. He looked like one of the great carved dwarven statues of their deep hallows.


    "IKE! KAB! Verden Ennhet!!!" He grunted out. More commanding than before.


    Hesitantly, and reluctantly the other one began to back away, turning he ran off back up the tunnel, but not before turning back one last time and crossing his arm across his chest, straight handed he gave a loud yell back


    "Verden Ennhet!!" Before running back up the slopes.


    Her summons shoulders gave way as the other left the area. Falling to one knee, rocks began falling from the ceiling, Anisha was forced to dive to the side to avoid being crushed by a boulder the size of a haybale fell where she was just standing.


    She had to get out of here quick. Moving quickly to her summons side she wasn''t sure what to do, she had no idea how to reconnect his mind to his body. So she did the first thing that came naturally to her, she tried healing him in his mind. Placing her hands on his injured shoulder she tried to send mana into him. And letting his gate do the healing.


    Nothing happened, It was like she was trying to pour mana straight into a rock. Her efforts just ran off him like rain on a roof.


    She moved her hands to his helmeted head, which now hung low and tried again. Putting everything she had into it this time. But nothing happened.


    What was she supposed to do? Why isn''t it working? She was running out of time, he was gonna die again if she didn''t figure this out.


    "WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO!!??" Anisha yelled out to the Oracle, she knew she couldn''t hear her, no one could, even her summon couldn''t hear her, she was like a ghost, watching things play out Infront of her and being unable to do anything about it.


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    The ground around her began to vanish her summon no longer moved now, but was as still as if he truly was a dwarven statue column.


    The room she was in suddenly shifted, her summon and the collapsing tunnel were gone. Now kneeled down on the ground all she saw ahead of her was a empty tunnel.


    "No!" Anisha grasped at the empty air trying to see if any part of her summon remained, but only grasped nothing.


    She looked around for him, if she was moved to another memory then perhaps she still had a chance. Standing up and turning around she saw the smaller white glad soldier facing the wall.


    Hes fists were wrapped tight in fists and he hit the wall with them.


    "Tyos... Cryaden... Jeg beklag" He said his voice saddened by leaving her summon behind.


    Tyos? He had said that before, was that her summons name? If that was the case then this ones name was Kab, Kabshiel.


    Why was her summons memory here? She looked around expecting to see her summon, but it was only her and Kab in this tunnel.


    Kab reached for the back of his helmet, flicking something on the back, the helmet let out a small hiss before removing it. The face below that helmet was one she recognized all too well.


    A boyish face with black hair and a strand of hair sticking off to the side.


    This was her summon?!


    She tried to mentally compare the two in her head. No this couldn''t be him, her summon was very tall, according to Murdera a skilled fighter. He was.. well... Shorter than she was. His body while still muscular was more average. But the face... The face was undeniable.


    Thinking back to any amount of info she could Murdera highly suspected he was a part of some nobel house. And Tyos the one she thought had thought was her summon had called him "No-baul." A weird pronunciation of the word but it supported their guess.


    She now looked at her summon in a new light, she never truly knew how much the summoning changed his body. Part of the deal she had made was to give him a body in its prime, which explains the change.


    This was her summon.


    She reached out her hand to him. Placing her hand on his face she hesitantly pulsed mana into him. Fearing she might still be wrong some how and that her mana would just pour off again.


    But that didn''t happen. Instead the mana went into him. She felt it flow from her and into him.


    Taking her hand back for a moment she couldn''t contain her relief.


    "It worked... " Setting herself upright she placed both hands on his head as he hung it against the wall.


    "I''ll heal out. Everything''s going to be alright."


    Anisha didn''t try to using healing magic however. She couldn''t deny his reality anymore, he was a thing of Hmota, made from its essence. If anything could heal him it would be that.


    So She poured her mana into him, and imaged a summon circle around them.


    Malissa stayed crouched next to her pupil. A few more minutes has passed since she gave her the healing, and luckily she hadn''t needed anymore since. However healing was being done in the room.


    The mans burns and bruises slowly, ever so slowly began to disappear. By the Gods Anisha was actually doing it!


    From the corner of her eye she glared daggers down at the Oracle who sat stock still unmoving, unblinking.


    If this truly worked she didn''t know what she would do to that thing. She was enraged by its actions towards her pupil. But so far it seemed Anisha was able to do something, but what was the girl doing in there? She''ll have to ask her later when they were done here.


    A wish she hoped would come sooner rather than later.


    Unseen by Malissa as she now focused on the mans slowly closing wounds, the Oracle gave one small but deliberate twist up of her mouth, a slight knowing smirk.


    Anisha modified the summoning spell in hopes to have it be used for healing instead of summoning a new entity from Hmota. If the current spell circle could create a body, then their should be no reason the same one couldn''t be sued to repair the body as well.


    So she went about removing the contract parts of the spell, along with the protective wards, as she didn''t plan to enter Hmota while still in her summons mind. She''s not even sure what that would even entail. But she bet Kameko would have wanted her to try for "Research purposes."


    Unlike any other type of magic modifying this type came naturally to her. It was easy to control the symbols in her mind. And the new version of the circle was complete within a few minutes.


    Within that time her summon had moved away from the wall and was pacing back and forth a bit. Routinely checking weapon that hung at his side. She now recognized it as the one he had used on her in Hmota. She still had no idea what it even really was. Murdera tried to explain it as some kind of magical crossbow that could fire thunder.


    "Okay, its ready." She said out loud to her summon, even though he couldn''t hear her Anisha couldn''t help but talk to him. It seemed more, friendly, or polite.


    She reached out for him to finish the healing, she only got a few moments in before the room around them shook violently. She managed to keep her balance this time, but the explosion was much closer than any of the others. Her summon straightened, his head snapped up quickly and darted up the tunnels path way.


    "Frea..." He dawned on his helmet, and it quickly sealed around his head with a hiss and click. And without another word or hesitation, he ran off towards the explosion.


    "W-Wait!! You''re healings not done!!" She yelled out in vail, letting the magic dispersed from her she ran after him. She couldn''t let him escape her sight. She didn''t want to risk getting shuffled around in his memories again. There was no telling where she would come out next.


    But her summon, despite his shorter stature, ran at un unbelievable speed. She couldn''t keep up. His boy disappeared into the dark tunnel ahead, and with his leaving the tunnel around her disappeared too.


    "No no no, Please don''t change." she pleaded, but the world around her changed anyways. Now she was suddenly in a much bigger room. Around her were the bodies of more white armor clad soldiers and some without armor. All dead,


    "No no not again, where are you?" She moved around the dimly lit room. The only light that was there came from a small crack in a wall that let in a beam of sunlight and the red glow of crystals that laid desugared in the dead and the ground.


    Walking past a large chunk of ceiling that had fallen i the middle of the room she found her summon.


    He was laying bloodied on the ground, red power crystals protruding from his chest and arm. His helmet was removed, and his head rested in a another''s white armored soldiers lap.


    The other, also without their helmet was a beautiful woman with a long singular braid that hung over her soldier. Her face was bruised and tired, but she smiled down at her summon. He likewise gave a weak smile back.


    Anisha walked over to them and kneeled by his side.


    His face was pale, and was bleeding a lot. At first she thought she was too late again, and that this was his death. But he didn''t have the large wound in his chest.


    Though red crystals stuck out of his armor none left left gaping holes like the one in his armor had.


    She didn''t'' waist any time. She poured mana into him and started the healing process. He might still have some injuries from this battle, but she needed to heal that chest wound if he had any chance of surviving at all.


    The circle appeared and she felt the mana began to pass from her to her summon.


    The amount of mana she was pouring in felt like a waterfalls amount. In all her years of training her gate she''s never felt something draw this much mana in such a short span of time. She felt her strength begin to diminish fast.


    She couldn''t maintain this much longer without risking breaking her own gate.


    She was almost done though. She could in a way feel his body healing itself through there link. She couldn''t see it in his gate but she knew it was still there.


    Her summon gave a gasping grunt, which caused aniisha to look up from her meditative state, and she was struck with fear.


    The monster had returned.


    It stood up behind the woman with a braid, it had massive teeth in what looked like a mockery of a human smile. In movment that Anisha couldn''t track he stabbed the woman in the exposed part of her neck, and the only sound that game out was sharp intake of breathe before falling over.


    Anisha couldn''t stop herself she reached out for her, trying to place her hands over the wound but the blood pooled through as if her hands weren''t even there.


    Her summon too reached for her, but struggled to move.


    "F-Frea!! Frea!! R-R---Recrant..." He glared back at the monster that now stood over him. A large spear made of metal bar. And with great force the monster stabbed it into his armor.


    For a moment the armor held against the blow, but the monster didn''t give up and brought the spear down again crashing through the armor. The second strike was so much stronger that it went through all the way and pinned her summon to the ground.


    He let a a horrifying gargling yell of pain.


    No she waited too long!


    She reached for magic out of desperation and with practice motinos tried to push the monster back, but just like everything else she had no affect on it.


    But the monster did react though. Its red eyes fixed on her. Their glaring hate filled eyes froze her in place. Her head began to hurt like it was under a ton of pressure. Then she felt as if something grabbed her from behind, and pulled her into the dark.


    Anisha was on the ground. She felt the smooth ceramic floor beneath her. She stared up at a ceiling with a dome shape and a old chandelier that hadn''t been used in years.


    The fireplace still burned but was now down to a much lower flame, comprising mostly of embers and mostly burnt logs.


    Malissa flower like a pendiges appeared in her vision, they were flared out, and her teacher stood above her, magic crystals glowing bright from use.


    As she started to get her bearing she could hear her teacher yelling something.


    "Anisha... ANISHA!! Are you alright pupil?!" Her teacher looked back to see if she was conscious but maintained her defensive stance.


    Anisha struggled to get to her elbows to prop herself up. She''s never felt this spent before, she felt completely and utterly drained of mana. Her movements were slow in it took her some time to register what was going on.


    In the center of her room, her summon no longer layed on the stretch. He was now standing up in the center of the room. His left hand gripped tightly around his bandaged side. He stood almost at full height. His new body towering over everyone else in the room by a good head. His eyes darted from side to side, as if looking for a threat.


    "Hva... Hva Jeg...." His eyes rolled to the back of his head, and he fell to the ground, unconscious again.


    "What was all that about." Malissa said out to one one in particular. Her pedals slowly lowered back down and her magic crystals on his belt faded back to a lower glow.


    "I-I think he was just scared." Anisha struggled to even talk, it was not like she was physically tired. But was experiences the side effects of being tired. Her mind felt fuzzy.


    She unsteadily got to her feet, with the help of her teacher she was able to fully stand up.


    "I wasn''t talking about his reaction pupil. Your... Healing, what went wrong?" her teacher questioned, not letting her eyes leave the man on the ground.


    "Wrong?... I... Healed him... I fixed him..." Words were getting even harder to say.


    "Fixed?" Her teacher scoffed.


    "You might have just made him live through that wound again. He was almost healed, I watched his chest wound slowly close. I don''t know what you were doing pupil but it was working. Until it wasn''t. You went to far didn''t you."


    Her teacher said that last question with not anger but more concern.


    "yes... I... didn''t have a... choice... Memories... Kept.... changing." She moved over to him, ignoring the oracle who still layed on the ground, its eyes closed and unresponsive. Neither of them moved to check on it.


    The wound was closed.


    Along with it her eyes closed too, and the world faded to black again.

 Chapter Eight: The Summon Awakes

    Despite Malissa''s clear instructions to rest Anisha simply couldn''t. As soon as her teacher had left the keep to get some rest of her own Anisha got out of her bed and began pacing the floor.


    The events of last night rushing through her memory. She''d done it, she really had! She healed what people thought was unhealable! She couldn''t believe it at first, when she woke up in the small servants room, Malissa had been by her side applying her own mana to her body to help her recover her own mana levels.


    "You nearly killed yourself trying that." Malissa had chewed her out as soon as she was certain Anisha wouldn''t pass out again. But on the tip of her harsh tone, Anisha picked up a little bit of what she thought was pride.


    "I don''t know how you managed it Pupil, but you healed him."


    "The wound?" Anisha had asked her teacher.


    "Completely sealed, I was able to heal it closed after you passed out from using too much mana. There''s still some scarring and he''ll have a hard time breathing, which means he''ll probably never fight again, but its not gonna be the death of him. He''s resting in the other room should be awake sometime today."


    Anisha had to see him, see it for herself. She believed her teachers words, but honestly it was hard to believe her own memories! Had she really done it? Fixed her mistake and without getting caught!?


    She moved to the door of the room, undid the latch and swung it open.


    "Not. So. Fast. Anisha..." across the velvet carpeted hallway, Kameko sat on a chair opposite of Anishas door, her cat like tail swishing back and forth behind her seat, and her ears twitched in what Anisha has come to recognizes as a sign of annoyance and anger.


    "Malissa made it very clear you are not to leave this room until she comes back! And rightly she has put me in charge of seeing to it that you do just that." Kameko said in a bossing tone and crossing her arms.


    "Since when did you follow her rules so precisely Kameko?" Anisha said defensivley, Her friend jumped to her feet with incredible speed and approached her quickly and jamming her finger in her face, forcing Anisha to have to back up into her room to avoid being rammed into by her.


    "Well maybe I started caring when I was told you nearly broke your soul trying to save your!-" She cut off not finishing the sentence.


    "You wouldn''t just be dead Anisha! If you had used just a drop more of mana you would have completely shattered your soul! No after life, no reincarnation, complete and utter oblivion! You escaped execution, just to nearly get yourself killed for good. What in the Gods names made you think trusting an Avisty Oracle would lead to anything but that outcome!"


    "So.. Malissa told you what happened..."


    "Yes. Mind magic, with a Oracle?! You may have a higher tolerance to being corrupted from Hmota than most people Anisha, but that was just pushing it too far!" Kamekos was really angry about this.


    "I-I would have expected you to be fascinated with it... You always liked asking me questions about summoning, and other things."


    "Yea I did... When you were doing it safely, with wards and spells. This was opening yourself up to pure corruption! Maybe even a worse fate then if your soul had broken. Better you had let him die then risk that." Kameko muttered that last part underher breath but not very well.


    "He saved my life! I couldn''t just let him die!" Anisha said angrely, now crossing her arms and setting her own stance now.


    Kameko glared back at her and strained her own back, she turned and closed the door before addressing Anisha in a hushed but angered tone.


    "He''s. Already. Dead! Anisha! Sure you brought him back but he''s not ''Really'' back is he? Face it Anisha he''s more of your puppet with your contract you made, he''s probably not even himself."


    "He is alive! And that is him, I-... I never finished the contract." Anisha said sheepishly at the end, her voice fading off.


    "Wait, wait, WAIT! You''re telling me he''s not even under your control! What do you think he''s gonna do when he''s conscious again?! If he has any idea of what you did to him, he might just attack you himself!" Kameko now paced the room like Anisha had done a little bit ago, her tail swishing side to side with each knew potential outcome.


    "I don''t think he''ll attack me."


    "And what makes you say that?"


    "Ahh... feeling I guess."


    "Like your Link with Bruin?, can you sense him right now, what he''s feeling?"


    Anisha focused on her connection to him, the green chain materialized before her eyes and she saw it go through the wall to the room next to her.


    For the first time since summoning him their bond felt calm. His nightmare finally ended.


    "Yes I can feel him, he''s calmed down now." knowing that he was alright, even though she couldn''t see him gave her some amount of relief. She released the connection and sat down on the edge of the bed. Her whole body suddenly felt a lot heavier. In her rush to check on her summon she never really noticed how she felt herself. Perhaps she should listen to Kameko and Malissa''s Advice this time, besides, not like her summon was going anywhere.


    After a few minutes of silence Kameko sat down on the small table in the room, her tail still flicking side to side and ears twitching occasionally, it seems seeing Anisha finally give in hadn''t been as fulfilling as Kameko had hoped for. And she stared out the window, a clear pout on her face.


    "Are you sure you don''t want to hear about what it felt like to do magic with an Oracle" Anisha asked quizzically, hoping to relieve some of the tension in the room.


    Kameko attempted to give her a uninterested expression but it didn''t last long.


    "Well if telling me all about your experiences tonight will keep you in this room then fine! I Guess I''ll hear you out." And fluid motion of a action practice a thousand times Kameko pulled out her journal from her side satchel, opened it too a new page and looked Anisha expectantly, excitement clearly bubbling under the surface.


    "Start from the beginning please."


    ----------


    Kabshiel Atsumbauls eyes opened slowly. Rubbing them to clear the blurriness in his vision, he opened them again, and his sight slowly returned to normal. The first thing he saw was the white plastered ceiling.


    "That''s not a standardized building material." Kab thought. Soft form building materials havent been used in contraction for over one hundred years. At least in his home country of Roclycia.


    "Where am I?" He stirred from his covers and sat upright in the bed, the movement was painful however. The pulse of pain he felt in his chest made his hand instinctively go to where he had been stabbed, and take a shaky deep breath, as if the very action of breathing was a uncommon thing.


    The air was painfully thick in here, and it gave him a headache.


    His left lung hurt, and felt like it was crushed, unable to get a full breathe.


    He began inspecting his chest for any thing causing it, his hands landed on thick bandages that wrapped around his bare chest and shoulder. Recent medical treatment.


    Okay so he had his injuries tended to, so that''s good. But where in Verden was he.


    This wasn''t any standard Roclycian med room he''s been to or seen in his life, perhaps it was a Drylen or Astris''dan building? Had their advancing forces already unified the city?


    He looked around the room now, and his eyes fixed on one particular item in the room.


    Across from him against the wall in the very small room was a... A Wooden table?!


    A entire table made of wood! he couldn''t believe it!


    He leaned over reached out and placed his hand on it just to verify that it was in fact real and In Front of him. The wood wasn''t like the small wooden slab his father kept on his metal desk he saw when he was just a kid. That piece of wood was old and had faded gray and worn smooth from years of being blasted by the heat and sand of Verden. This wood was smooth too had a thick coating of some clear polish, it was a vibrant brown, and was shiny like it was permanently wet with water.


    He''s heard rumors about such creations of wood, Frea had told him once that the High General actually had an entire door of wood leading to his private quarters. But Kab always thought that it was just some absurd rumor they use to tell each other when they were kids and were just recruited.


    Wood was valuable keepsake and almost never used for anything as meaningless as ''furniture'' He figured the more worldly Ekoggian merchants probably did this. Many not knowing how they were desecrated some of the few remnants from the past. Kab couldn''t be angry at them for not knowing any better though, but there were some days he wondered just how much had they lost due to the selfishness and incompetence of nations.


    All the more reason to hasin Verdens Unity.


    Out of curiosity Kab grabbed the underside of the table and tried to lift it slightly, he had always heard that wood was a self growing material that was incredibly strong and light. It would never be as strong or light as Grastal armor plating, but the fact it could be grown fascinated him.


    The table lifted with little to no effort, In fact it was so easy to lift, Kab accidentally lifted it too high, and the contents on the table rolled off making a loud noise as they hit the ground.


    A water bowl and towel fell to the ground, followed by a small box.


    "oops" Kab said out loud and rubbing the back of his head in self imposed embarrassment.


    The table was way lighter than he thought it would be, it was almost nothing in his grasp.


    He lowered it back down and reached for the mess he had made, but his hand froze a few inches above the... Wooden FLOOR!


    Kab straightened up and began to really start looking around his surroundings.


    It wasn''t the white walls or the desk that stuck out now, the siding, the windows, the chair, the bed, everything in this room was made of wood!


    Kab had to rub his eyes for a third to make sure he wasn''t hallucinating.


    And sure enough as soon as he opened his eyes again he was still there. In a room made entirely of... Wood.


    This wasn''t right.


    No one, absolutely no one had access to this amount of wood across all of Verden.


    No Roclycian structure would be so lavishly decorated, it was a complete waste or resources and time. And if he was in recently unified territories then no fleeing army would have left this behind.


    Kab was more certain he was not in Roclycia anymore.


    He moved to the window, and suddenly the small wooden room he was in didn''t seem to be the most impossible thing he''d seen that day.


    Rows and rows of wooden structures stretched into the distance. From his elevated position, he surmised he was most likely in some sort of tower or barrack perhaps judging by its strategic position and height, perhaps some centralized command post. He could see a thin wall that encircled the settlement. Smoke poured from multiple chimneys but the air wasn''t full of smoke like it usually was in Astri''dan. The orange gray sky was instead replaced with a blue and white sky, clouds were rare in the Drylands, but here they seemed to blot out the sky.


    The roads were a dark brown, misshapen and poorly maintained marred by deep trenches and footprints, the people that walked them wore colorful clothes in a variety of shapes and cuts.


    Beyond the wall was a flat plain of of some green ground covering... what was it called again.. grass?


    But it couldn''t be... If that was grass then that would mean he was in Begom. Which was on the opposite side of the Astri''dan volcanic mountain range.


    How''d he get to Begom?! What was he doing there?


    Perhaps Begom finally put aside their selfish nature, and finally decided to unify with Roclycia. Its a possibility. Maybe he had been out for longer than he thought. He looked out the window again, expecting to see the Roclycian flag flying from a pole, or atleast see a few squads of white armor clad Roclycian soldiers walking the street. But that''s not what he saw.


    On one of the guard towers connected to the wall a single triangular flag flew from a post, and it was not a flag Kab recognized.


    A visual that finally confirmed his fear.


    This wasn''t Roclycia controlled territory. Which means he was probably taken prisoner in the last battle. A mistake his captors were sure to regret. Roclycians do not take kindly to their own being taken. That thin wall out there and wooden structures wouldn''t stand a chance against Roclycian might and artillery. Perhaps once they saw how hopeless it was to resist unification, they will unify peacefully and Roclycia wont be forced to destroy all this wood in the fighting that would surely ensue.


    If he stayed put and waited, he''s certain his brothers and sisters of the Roclycian army would be here to get him in no time. So without a worry in his mind he layed back down on the ''wooden'' bed. And tried to pass the time with trying to remember what exactly happened leading up to this.


    The mine, ambushed, explosions out of nowhere, casualties; Matts, Alta, Petra, Crayden, Tyos.... Frea! Where were they?! Was she here with him? Or was she?... Kab sat upright again.Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    He didn''t like that idea so he decided to not consider it an option, Frea was a No''baul raised Roclycian, if he survived, then so did she. But the thoughts of just before he blacked out, unnerved him.


    A recreant Astri''dan soldier or Ekoggian mercenary, he still wasn''t sure. Stabbing her in the neck, could she had survived that? What if she hadn''t, What if they took her armor?!


    Hold on a moment...


    "Where is my armor?!"


    ---------------------------------------------


    "OOOOOOOOOOOOOHAAAAA!!!!!\ MURDERA STORMCHIN YOU SON OF A BASTARD GOBLIN RUNT!!!! YOU MUST TELL ME WHERE YOU OBTAINED THIS ARMOR!!" Bellowed Graven Vein the dwarf forge master of The Eastern Frontier kingdom.


    Around him his six apprentices all gathered around the white armor Murdera had brought to be repaired. He had dropped it off yesterday and hoped to have had it repaired by this morning, but frustratingly that didn''t seem like a possibility now given his Dwarvens brothers ogling of the craftsmanship. Have they been doing that all night? Murdera thought.


    While annoyed Murdera really couldn''t blame them, he was equally curious of the armor and the material of which it was made.


    "Its the armor of some unknown noble adventure I came across."


    "Ask him his price!!" Graven was uncomfortable close and Murdera could smell his morning mead on his breath.


    "I''ll pay whatever it takes to get just a sample of this!"


    "Its that good huh?"


    "Good? Its a unbelievable work of pure ART! MURDERA!, come follow me." Graven lead Murdera to the back of the shop, Graven was large and wide even for a Dwarf, his bulk pushed aside lesser projects of craftsmanship, swords axes and chest pieces fell to the wayside. His golden beard braces clinked off each other as his beard swayed side to side with each step. Pushing his apprentices away from the armor stand that held the white armor, Murdera could see they had at least cleaned the blood off it. But the huge hole in the chest and back plate were still there.


    "Alright Graven, what is it about the armor that is so special It''s got your blood melting?"


    "Well for starters Murdera, take a look through this." Graven disconnected his magnifying eyepiece from his head gear that was a banded array of jewlers eye pieces, and one large eye cover used for the forge for high temperature forging. he handed the eyepiece to Murdera.


    Murdera took the eyepiece and gazed through it at the armor, his dwarven silver filled heart skipped a beat.


    "I-its... Perfect." Murdera stuttered out.


    "Not a Damn Single sign of a hammer strike!" Graven exclaimed.


    "Was it casted?" Murdera asked questioningly, it had to be, that was the only explanation to such a smooth and perfect surface of armor.


    "No, I looked all over the damn thing, examined from end to end, not a single seam to be seen! And that''s not all." Graven waved his arms around to motion everyone to stand back. The groups of Dwarven smiths and Murdera made a ring around the armor stand and the Forge master. He started speaking in his lecture voice. It was lower than his usual boisterous volume, but he spoke clear and emphasized his points.


    "As you all well know casted metal is much weaker than forged metal, Melting a metal down to a liquid breaks its materials bonds that have been carefully crafted to weave together by nature. Forging was the only way to maintain that strength while shaping the metal. Since there are no signs of hammer strikes, we could conclude it is a casted piece and that would explain the damage to its front and back sections. However, observe carefully."


    Graven pulled out his belt knife, a blade of incredibly thick haft, its blade was as wide as Murderas thumb. It was a forgemens Knife, deigned for puncturing armor for riveting leather to the armor, it was incredibly strong and sharp, holding its edge even from some of the mightiest of blows thanks to its thick coating of Drastal, a knife like that was the sign of a true Forge Master. In the other hand Graven hefted his smithing hammer. Once Murdera realized what he was about to do Murdera tried to call out to stop the Forge master. The armor was already damaged enough a strike from the blade and hammer will shatter it even more.


    "Graven!" Murdera called but it was too late. The Forge master brought down his hammer with all his might, and struck the large flat pommel of the knife. There was a loud BANG and the breaking of metal. But to the amazement of everyone around it wasn''t the armor that broke.


    Graven now held only the handle of his forgemens knife, the blade had not only broken off at the guard, but had shattered into several pieces that now laid in the sand covered floor of the blacksmiths shop.


    "And yet," Graven continuing his lecture from before, unphased from the fact he just shattered a Forge masters knife like it was his mothers pottery!.


    "It''s strong enough to resist a drastal enhanced forgemens knife. That Murdera, is what makes this armor so special." The Forge master tossed the handle of his broken knife into the forge, and began now moving to Murdera with a purpose burning in his eyes.


    "I don''t care how much it takes, or costs, if I have to sell everything down to the clothes on my back and the hair on my face, and have to travel across the world on my hands and knees just to hold the position of forge assistant again, I will do anything, to learn the craftsmanship of this!" Gravens gloved fist tightened with the declaration.


    "Well..." Murdera began, he wasn''t sure what to say to the forge master, he knew next to nothing about the man, and if his hunch was right, he doubted the man would willing share the strengths of his peoples armaments. But perhaps there was a way they both could get what they wanted.


    "Well Graven Vein, I''m certain that the noble would be most pleased and be willing to take you up on your offer if you were to repair his armor for him."


    Gravens eyes widened at the suggestion.


    "YES of course! I must show that I and my hammer are worthy to work on such quality items! Say no more Murdera! I will have this armor patched up and ready before midmorning mead is served!"


    Graven turned back to his apprentices and began yelling orders.


    "STOCK THE FIRES! AND BRING THE ORE SAMPLES! EVERY OTHER ORDER CAN WAIT!"


    Satisfied with the increased effort from the smiths, Murdera made his leave and headed back for the guild, he still had a mountain of paperwork he was now two days behind on.


    He let out a sign, Lucky him.


    ----------


    Anishas story about what it was like going through her summons memories was cut short by a sudden bang and the sound of splashing water.


    Kameko jumped reflexively a foot into the air, her fur frizzled and tail was stiff like a log behind her.


    "What in the-"


    "I think he''s awake." Anisha said, trying to keep her voice level. trying to hide her own nervousness.


    She had checked up on him a few times while Kameko and her talked, she felt his mind begin to stir a few minutes ago.


    She reached through their bond again, and a wave of sensation she''s never experienced before slammed into her like a bucket of cold water.


    Confusion, Amazement, concern, fear, loss, pain, happy, fear again.


    It was so much to handle in such a little amount of time. Bruin never felt like this. He being a animal summon had more simpler thoughts, he often thought about food or sleep, and would either see people as friend or enemy.


    Her new summons thoughts were a hive of activity, multiple emotions mixing together, the sensation would have made her dizzy if she wasn''t already sitting down.


    But then one emotion shown brighter then the rest, it struck with unbelievable force and accretion over the rest.


    Anger.


    Kabshiel wasn''t gonna let some recreants steal his unification from him and his squad mates. They''ve sacrificed too much already to be lost to random chance of reincarnation.


    He bounded from the bed, and pushed down the pain he felt in his chest.


    A soft knock at the door however stopped him from opening it.


    A person, a woman by the sound of it spoke on the other side of the door, the wooden door muffled it beyond any recognition Kabshiel could understand.


    He debated moving back to the bed, perhaps faking he was still asleep, or moving to the side of the door then rushing whoever it was on the other side.


    Kabshiel had to mentally shake those thoughts from his head. What was he thinking. Ambushing a lesser enemy? What was he some sort of Astris''dan soldier in a border war with Begom? No He was a proud Roclycian! He would face who ever held him head on, as his people always had.


    The door was knocked on one more time before the door slowly opened.


    Kabshiel felt his muscles tense in preparation for the fight.


    A short black hair woman peaked her head in. Her eyes went wide seeing him. She slowly opened the door more. She was much shorter than him, had long black hair, and her clothes were.. Strange to say the lease. They were loose fitting and puffy, with an array of belts and sashes tidied around them in what Kab could only guess as to having no tactical reasoning besides appearance. So there was a chance this was a civilian and not a combatant.


    Kabshiels muscles didn''t relax a bit though, anyone other than a Roclycian can be deceiving.


    The woman lowered her head and began muttering what to Kab sounded like absolute gibberish.


    She raised her head back up, and continued to mumble her words in such a way he couldn''t understand a single thing she was saying.


    Kabshiel wasn''t sure what to do, she wore no armor, and displayed no weapons in the open, but that didn''t mean she wasn''t dangerous.


    When he didn''t respond to her mutterings she tilted her head, and her strange head ware that looked like two triangles of fabric, moved unnaturally, twitching slightly like a mechanical arm glitching from crossed wires.


    She looked him up and down, when her eyes got to the floor then moved to the spilled bowl and box.


    She muttered something again, this time a bit louder, though it didn''t seem to help her pronunciation.


    Kabshiel got more and more annoyed with this stranger, she wasn''t understandable at all and at this point he was suspecting this was some sort of trick they were trying to pull on him. Trying to distract him with her nonsensical words.


    If she wasn''t gonna speak real words to him then he would, and he would make it painfully clear what he was saying.


    "Where. Is. My. Armor?" he spoke in a harsh tone. Probably harsher then he should of, this still might be a civilian after all. The woman took a step back, her head garment now straightening upright.


    She mumbled a response, but it was still nonsense.


    "Don''t toy with me Recreant! You will give me back my armor or I will be forced to take it back."


    And Kabshiel meant it. He would die before he let them do anything to his or Freas... Or Any Roclycians armor! He''d die before letting a single plating of armor be taken by them.


    The woman raised her hands defensively and took a few more steps out of the door way. She looked to her side and started talking in her mutterings. Was she talking to someone else? How many were outside this room right now?


    Kabshiel was done wasting his time with this. He approach the woman who shrunk back against the wall, Her mutterings got louder and sounded with a bit more panic in them.


    The Hallway he entered was, like the rest of this place a wooden structure, with soft red carpets he felt beneath his bare feet. The halls were long but narrow, and lined with small metal shapes that held fires.


    From the room to his left a red and black haired woman emerged, she was taller then the black hair one, but was still shorter than him. Her face was worn from what Kabshiel recognized as exhaustion.


    But that wasn''t the only thing that stuck out to him. This woman looked, familiar somehow. The woman straightened, but used the side of the door to support her own weight. She opened her mouth to speak.


    "Ul''vala, Ul''vala..."


    Kabshiel let out a sigh... More gibberish.


    "I don''t understand your mutterings civilian, Tell me where my armor is now!" He hoped this one would be more compliant but his anger only grew when in response she covered her own mouth before looking to the black haired one and the two started muttering to each other as if they were speaking some in communicative way. But to Kabshiel it was nothing he''d heard before.


    He muttered "recreants" under his breath before turning away from them, and choosing a random hallway to start his search for his armor.


    The two followed behind him, becoming increasingly more frantic with their noises.


    They were annoying, but as long as they didn''t try to stop him or fight him then Roclycian doctrine dictated he couldn''t do anything besides ignore them and continue on with his objective.


    The red haired one ran up to his side and seemed to be trying to get his attention, her mutterings became more simple, she emphasized each one, but seemingly tried repeating the same one with slight variations to it.


    "Kahh... Kabaul.... Kav dal! Kahh.... maul... Kavaul!" Kabsheil didn''t stop for her to form actual words. He continued to make his way through the building, as he passed some doors another person rounded the corner, this time it was a man, wearing a black and white suit that was more pristine then what the other two were wearing in comparison. In his hand he held a metal tray and a small fabric cloth was wrapped around his forearm.


    His eyes opened wide as Kabshiel approached him. He was also much shorter than him, he only came up to his shoulder.


    "Where is my Roclycian armor officer?" Kabshiel assumed the man had some higher rank as his uniform had intricate detailing on the shoulders and chest. A common mistake other military forces made, blatantly marking who were their leaders were made them easy targets.


    Of course Roclcyains didn''t target leaderfigures like that during combat. It was against Doctrine to do so.


    The man stammered before muttering sounds in a concerned tone. He went from looking at him to piering back to the two behind him, all three began making noises together.


    How long were they going to keep this up? Couldn''t they see that their trickery wasn''t working on him?


    "Your mind games will not work on a Roclycian! Now end this nonsense or get out of my way." Kab motioned with his arms in a way to hopefully convey he wanted the man to move.


    The mans muttiners came in short bursts, he straightened his back, bowed his head and moved to the side.


    Good, at least that understood that.


    As he walked through the building he couldn''t help but feel that something wasn''t right with this place, well obviously they lacked unity, and judging from how that officer reacted to him, they were also cowards. But the strangest thing was that he had expected some resistance at least. Sure these two still followed him as he went from room to room clearing each area before moving on. So far all he''s seen is other people who didn''t speak real words, and would look at him like he''d grown a second head or something.


    As he walked he made a mental note of each room, its contents and the layout of the building, a learned skill and now habit he''d picked up from his training as a Infantry Recon man. Mapping out complex tunnel systems in his mind was easy to him, so this building with its linear passage ways were easy to remember. From what he can tell its a relatively large building, most the rooms he''d come across seemed to be oversized personal quarters for only a handful of civilians and or engineer/manufacturers. While the large building was impressively sturdy looking, despite the weaker building material''s it was nothing compared to Roclycian infrastructure. The building lacked any form of security or defensive positioning that he could see. It seemed these people put all their effort in to looking nice, rather than being productive and defendable.


    Large paintings of men and woman lined some of the walls, he''d seen a few paintings in his life. Trainer Skal actually had a family heirloom painting he kept on his desk, he called it a reminder of what we lost, and told us that if we wanted one of our own, we''d have to fight and die for the unity of Verden.


    But here, they seemed very plentiful, there were even larger ones, of people in even more strange clothing. Men in purple and blue shirts with huge puffy sleeves, and round pants. None of it look funcional. It gave a enemy too much to grab on to, and could easily get snagged on rubble in a battlefield.


    Just who were these people?


    Kab needed to get a better understanding of his situation, he needs to know who his captors are and he won''t know for certain until he gets outside. So that''s what he started looking for next, a exit.


    -------


    Anisha and Kameko chased after her summon. Hastily offering apologizes to the now traumatized servants of the keep who were definitely not expecting to see bandaged half naked nobel come barging into their personal quarters, the kitchen, store room, and whatever other room Anishas Summon seemed to just want to go into.


    Both of them kept trying to assure him he was safe, that he wasn''t in danger and that he needed to lay down. But there was just one MAJOR problem. He didn''t speak the same language!


    Anisha tried other languages she knew, Dwarvish, Red Elf, Common. And Kameko tried a few others, souther Folkmen, Urashinese, Urashin Bush Talk, which she was pretty sure Kameko used just to insult him and his god. And... AVISTIAN?!


    Anisha clamped her hands over Kamekos mouth. Before whispering in her ear.


    "What are you doing speaking the language of Hmota in public!"


    "Mhmm hmmhmhm.." Anisha moved her hand away so she could actually hear her.


    "I said, since he''s a ... You know... well I thought maybe he''d just come with the ability to understand that... But apparently not!" She hissed out glaring up at his back.


    "What are we going to do Anisha? Sooner or later he''s gonna burst his way either into a armory full of guards or the Lords personal Chambers! How are we gonna stop him if he doesn''t understand common, and YOU can''t give him orders?!"


    Anisha watched her summon as he barged into yet another servants quarters, they heard one of the servant girls scream from the sudden arrival of a complete stranger. But just like all the rest her summon didn''t even so much as bat an eye, he just looked around before turning back out the door and heading to the next door he saw. Kameko moved to start apologizing to the servant, So far the only excuse they could come up with was he was confused from a injury to the head. But considering how rigid and determined he seemed to be, she wasn''t sure how many believed that.


    What exactly was he trying to do? She could only guess that maybe he was looking for something, or someone perhaps.


    If they couldn''t talk then maybe they could communicate a different way. Anisha and Kameko had to run to catch up to him, by the gods he was fast for someone who was on deaths door a few hours ago and should have half functioning lungs!


    They tried everything from standing in front of him, waving their arms, even laying their heads on their hands to gesture for him to go to rest, but nothing worked!


    In another vain attempt Anisha tried to use his name, she had heard it in one of his memories but for the life of her she couldn''t really remember what it was, she knew it started with a K and A, so she kept guessing.


    "Kaval! Ka-ka Kadail, Karshal, Karldal!"


    Kameko grabbed Anishas hand and brought her to a stop.


    "This has gotten out of hand Anisha... I think... I think we need Malissa''s help to calm him down." Anisha was gonna protest, she just knew her teacher was gonna chew them out for this! He''s supposed to be bedridden and not moving at all, not going for a casual stroll through every room in the entire keep!


    Recovering from mana withdrawal or not she''ll make both of them do beginner excises in the pouring rain until they drop unconscious again.


    Anisha gave a moroful nod "Go, I''ll try to stall him."


    Kameko gave a nod before running back the way they had came. Anisha saw for a moment her friend pulling out a red crystal from her satchel, a few minor incantations later a red aura surrounded her, and she went bounding down the hall now at twice the speed. Sending Kameko is the best option, since she can actually USE normal mana she can consistantly use spells to enhancer her speed.


    Malissa should be there soon, they were going to handle this and everything was going to be fine.


    Now All Anisha had to do was stall-


    Where did her summon go?!

 Chapter Nine: A Run-in with the Guild

    Kab was a little relieved when the two unwanted companions stopped following him to whisper their own gibberish filled conversation. Honestly he would have expected them to give up by now, if they weren''t trying to stop him from finding his armor then what were they doing?


    At one point one of them had spoken something he understood a little, but the red and black haired one stopped her. Which only confirmed to him that they can in fact speak real words, but for some reason weren''t with him. It was all so... inefficient. He just needed to find his armor, find out where on Verden he even was and then... Well he wasn''t sure what to do after that. He could try contacting Roclycia, but he didn''t seen any communication towers or antennas when he looked out the window. Not to mention he hadn''t seen a single sign of anything running on Maktite energy in this entire place!


    The only light in the building came from open windows and some sort of fuel burning light, judging by the smell and thin ripples of fumes that came off it. The lack of any actual powered light made the hallways a little darker than he was used to when inside.


    It wasn''t just that lack of lights that caught his attention. Kab couldn''t find a single conduit of wire, a power box, or a vanpad anywhere. How did these people control their systems, or communicate with each other at long range?


    Perhaps this was another trick? Maybe the people of this country hide all their technology and also speak gibberish to outsiders as some form of deterrent to attacks? That might work against a raider looking for valuable Klarsteins to steal, but to another country like Astris''dan, Scommand, or Ekog they''d be claimed by them in no time. So they must have some other form of defensive options.


    Kab shook his head in annoyance and refocused his efforts to either getting out or finding his armor.


    So far he''s been going in straight lines, but it only lead him to more crew quarters so instead he began taking more left turns. If he was on the right side of the building at the start, then there was most likely a entrance closer to the middle.


    And sure enough after a few turns he came to what was quite possible the biggest wooden door in the whole world! Each door stretched about eight standard units high, They were both also caved with what Kab had to admit was beautifully made engravings that he''d never seen before in any building. He couldn''t explain it but the swirls and repeating patterns were appealing in a weird way that didn''t seem logical.


    Kab looked for some sort of vanpad on the walls to open the doors but like the rest of place there was such visible technology.


    Instead he noticed after a second look at the door a pair of golden doorknobs that were crafted in such a way their flowing design meshed with the wood engravings behind it, almost like camouflage.


    He twisted one of the handles expecting them to be locked, if there was a wall to his prison he would have expected this to be the exit, and so it should be locked. But just like everything else today it surprised him. The nob twisted with no resistance, and with little effort, which surprised him even more he pushed open the large door.


    And immediately his nose was assailed by horrendous smell. Like a latrine that hadn''t gotten its scheduled cleaning. And Kab saw the source of the smell.


    Strange four legged creatures stood in wooden confines that lined the wall. Their faces were elongated with a thin strip of hair running from the top of their large heads down their neck. Two ears stood upright on the top of their heads, twitching and moving every few seconds. Their bodies were huge, bigger than any non insect like animal back in Roclycia. A Plateau bug was still quite a bit bigger, but they weren''t as muscled and moved slowly through the sand dunes, these animals here looked like they could keep up with a scout sled on flat ground.


    Near one of the animals confines a young man was shoveling out what Kab guessed was the animals waste. And disposing of it onto a... Wooden sled, but instead of.. well two thin rails, or a zakamite hover system installed, it just had two... Round constructions, also made of wood.


    Behind the cart however was a site Kab had been looking for. The animal containment room lead out to the open sky just ahead.


    Kab couldn''t help but feel relief to finally be out of that place and be outside again. Ignoring the confused and startled stares from the young man in the room Kab headed for the exit. And hopefully home.


    -----------


    "I thought you said you were going to get some rest?" Venus asked Malissa while placing yet another cup of herbal tea that smelt of garesh vine and lupin pedals in front of her, careful not to set it on on any of the hundreds of scattered documents and manuscripts sprawled out over the large table that split their clinic in half.


    "I can''t rest, not till I figure how, just how my pupil was able to do it." Across the table in a organized mess off papers was every record on the affects of having a mind not recognize the body in Malissa''s collection. There were only about ten written accounts of it, each one detailing the patient, theories, and attempted remedies, all failing and eventually leading to death.


    From her research it took a tremendous amount of mana to be able to enter a persons mind to the point that you entered a previous life, and then tried to heal them. Few could do that on their own, so perhaps it was some group of mages that did this to him? Was it accidental or deliberate? Was this all some assassination attempt by another rival Nobel family? And were her and her pupils now involved in that mess, or was something else going on? She ruffled her hand through her pedals in irritation now as she was thinking of nonsense rather than solutions or answers.


    "Malissa my dear you''ve read those over a hundred times. I don''t think there''s anything in them that you don''t already know." Venus sat down next to her. His skin had darkened to its proper lime green again, meaning he was the only one out of any of them to have gotten any rest recently. His handsome face and well kept pedals were distorted with concern.


    He was right, she knew he was right, in fact if she saw someone else pushing themselves the way she''s pushing herself she''d call them a fool and send them straight to the closest bed with a batch of Venus''s herbal sleep remedy. But she just couldn''t, something made her guts writhe about this whole thing and she couldn''t stop till she got to the bottom of it.


    What had the Oracle seen inside her pupil that allowed her to fix what had always been shown to be unfixable.


    When Malissa had told Venus that part of the story she heard him mutter a rather strong word in Urashin bushtalk specifically targeted at their specific Oracle. And their own urashin god for putting such a creature on their world. But most Urashin insults usually ended with them cursing their own god regardless.


    It wasn''t just that the noble was a mystery all on his own, but her pupil. Her pupil could barely hold simple practice spell for longer than a few seconds. But last night she formed one of the most complex magic spells without a sign of strain or unsteadiness.


    "You should have seen it my dear." Malissa said, sipping from the warm tea in front of her.


    "The way my pupil moved the crystals to form the circle, it was. masterful." She couldn''t help but smile at the memory, she was proud of her pupil, but there was still a MAJOR problem with that. Where in the world did she learn to make that magic Circle! And not to mention the runes themselves were in a language Malissa had never seen before.


    All of the runes flowed into one another in one continuous line, unlike how runes are usually formed, individually. One mistake and the whole thing probably would have been ruined.


    How had her pupil learned of this new way to cast magic that works for her? And more importantly, why hadn''t she told Her about it! She was her teacher after all! Where had she failed in her own personal study that lead to this outcome.


    The door to the clinic opened quickly, bashing into the side of the wall, and in came her other Pupil. Kameko, red faced and panting.


    "T-teacher.... Venus.. its the noble."


    "What happened?!" Venus said standing up but putting his hand on Malissa''s shoulder, softly hinting that she should stay put.


    "Is the noble alright?" Malissa asked, finishing down the tea, and clenching to the mug a little as if trying to squeeze any amount of energy she could from the drink. Because deep down she knew she was gonna need it.


    "Well he''s fine.. but too fine." Both Venus and Malissa looked at their pupil in confusion, then to each other, then back to kameko.


    "He''s running around, barging into every room, we think he''s looking for something but we don''t know what. And we''ve tried to stop him but he doesn''t speak common! Or Dwarvish, Elf, or Urashin."


    "Wait a minute, pupil." Malissa''s eyes turned threatening and her pedals moved in irritation.


    "What do you mean WE''VE Are you referring to Anisha?! By the useless blood of the gods Pupil I told you not to let that girl leave her room! She shouldn''t even be able to move more than a few steps after how much mana she used."


    "Well-- I tried to keep her in there when the noble woke up, but then he started causing a commotion and when he started trying to leave I.. just didn''t know what to do."


    "Where is she now?"


    --------------------


    WHERE THE HMOTA DID HER SUMMON GO?!


    Anisha abandoned calmly walking through the keep and instead was now running as fast as she could around each corner. He was going in a straight line before, but he must have taken a random turn at some point because she couldn''t find him!


    And unlike before there wasn''t a trail of confused servants. In fact now she was the one that stood out and got weird glances from the those in the keep. She tried asking them if they saw a bandaged noble walking around, but they just looked at her like She was the one who needed help. This mess was just getting worse by the second.


    Anishas frantic search was only brought to a stop when she almost ran straight into the book keeper Sirme Rakho. Her hair was no longer disheveled like last night, now it was up in an elaborate Braide with two silver and gold hairpins holding most of her brunet hair up in a professional style. She pushed her large rimmed glasses back up after they had almost slipped from her face.


    "Good heavens miss, you startled me... Are you alright?"


    "My apologize Miss Rakho, but have you seen the noble from last night?"


    "Recently? No, I wasn''t expecting to talk to him for another..." She began flipping through her large pile of papers before pulling out what she must have been looking for.


    "A yes here it is... Malissa said he wasn''t due to wake up until midday, which isn''t for another few hours. Is he already up and about? Do you happen to have his name yet?"


    "yes, and no. he woke up a little bit ago, I think he''s.. ahh.. Hallucinating or something and is wondering around confused, I lost him and haven''t been able to find him. Has anyone by any chance reported a strange person in the keep?"


    Rakho put a finger to her lip, thinking for a moment and then pulled the top two paper from her stack.


    "There was a report from multiple servants about some creep in the servants quarters... And... and ahhh oh dear... a report from the stables about a man in bandages leaving through the keeps rear entrance... I just gave this report to the guards as I had assumed some criminal had snuck in somehow, and told them to tell the guild to be on the look out for this person... that was the noble was it?!"


    Rakhos face paled in fear as she may have just sent guards to arrest a noble man.


    And Anishas face paled because her summon was now loose in the city. With the town guard, and guild members all looking for him.


    --------


    Kab walked the streets in udder bewilderment, he had to be dreaming right? Got hit on the head too hard and can''t think straight, like a vehicle whos onboard computer system took a direct hit and has few cracks in its vannmite array. Yes that had to be it! Because there was no possible other explanation to this place.


    It wasn''t just that one building he had been in that was strange. The people in this country were... Well different! He wasn''t even sure if they were people. Sure he saw other people, but there were others that were covered in thick colored plating that connected straight to their skin, like fish scales, and their faces were elongated out in a triangular way with rows of sharp teeth that protruded out. And from their backside sprouted a actual tail! The one he was looking at turned and gave a guttural growl, but it didn''t dissuade him from continuing to stare as he saw it was holding a smaller version of itself in its arms.


    There were others with dark green skin, some with red skin but had horns that came from their head and twisted in random ways. And from what he could see it wasn''t some sort of head piece that could be removed, but was in fact actually growing out of their heads!


    He kept walking, hoping to find at least one thing that made sense.


    But instead of everyone else looking around in confusion like he was at all the strange sights, they all looked at him like he was the one that was wrong!


    A Roclyian without his armor was a strange sight though Kab thought to himself. How was he ever going to get back home, let alone find his armor in this whole mess.


    He stopped in the middle of the street for a second, just to gather his thoughts.


    He wracked his brain for some explanation, some sort of basic training education class that where his instructors had mentioned a country with differently shaped people. But nothing came to mind.


    Taking the time to stop and think however made him realize, that he was in fact, still very much injured, and in a tremendous amount of pain. It was only years of training to ignore exhaustion that had kept him going, even though he felt like he hadn''t slept in a week.


    As his adrenaline began to fade he could feel the wound in his chest. One lung felt like it couldn''t expand fully, like it had some giant weight on it crushing it down.


    He tried to force it open, tried to get just a bit more air in to his system, hoping that it would clear away what he was seeing. But when he tried it only brought on a painful coughing fit that showed signs he hadn''t really been patch up properly, because his hand now was stained with his own blood.


    ---------


    "The Lord Sog is a drunken oaf that''s going to be the death of this kingdom." Braunchus the Eastern Frontier Kingdom treasurer mumbled to himself as the treasury coach made its way through the still drying muddied streets of the town. Bumping and jostling him to no end.


    He mendaciously stacked this months tax collection on the small table in the center of the cramped coach.


    "If he just let me increase the tax rate by 10% we could afford actual paved roads! Instead of trenching through this mud heap, its like a pig pen!"


    The coach came to a sudden and very painful stop, which send Braunchus sprawling forward and scattering his well organized and stacked pile of collected gold coins across the floor.


    "Brahhhh!!! GODS! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU DRIVERS!" He could hear the horses still naeying and shifting their hooves on the ground nervously as they had just been pulled to a stop suddenly.


    "My apologizes Master Braunchus but some ragged clothed street rat just stopped in the middle of the road!"


    "Oh for the love of.. THEN EITHER GET HIM TO MOVE OR RUN HIM DOWN! I''VE GOT IMPORTANT BUSINESS TO BE ABOUT TODAY!" Braunchus went about picking up the now scattered hundreds of gold coins. If he lost any he was gonna dock it from the drivers pay!This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    "You got muck in your ears scum! I said move it! Or I''ll make you!" The coach shifted as the hefty driver climbed down from his seat atop the coach and now made his way to confront the rift raft.


    "Hmmm" Braunchus gave an approving grunt, it was hard to find some actual help with a backbone in this backwater town. Too many of these guards wouldn''t treat the common scum the way they deserved to be treated, especially when they were hindering the work of nobility!


    "That''s it! I warned you- Ow! Wait- AHHHH!!" Braunchus stopped his collection when he heard the yelling and the notable gasp of the surrounding commoners.


    Just what was going on out there?


    Undoing one of the window covers he stuck his head out the window and his eyes went as wide as a gold coin that now dropped from his hand.


    In the road laid his driver, either unconscious or dead, Braunchus didn''t know or care. But standing above him stood a tall man with black hair, his body was mostly covered in bandages, and grey pants that were bunched up around his waist, he was barefoot in the mud and in his hand he held a bloody knife.


    "Ahaha-aha ha a THIEF!!! Come to Rob the people of their hard earned TAXES! YOU WONT GET AWAY WITH SUCH GREED! GUARDS GUARDS!!! THIEF!!!"


    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Kab disarmed the attacker as he approached him with a unsheathed knife, he wasn''t sure what he had finally done to cause these people to drop their fa?ade, but now they were trying to kill him. The man continued to make sounds he didn''t understand, but when he started waving a weapon at him, he understood that just fine. That was a declaration of war.


    So Kab obliged. With practiced motion he stepped forward grabbed the mans wrist and twisted it forcing him to release his weapon. Then in one fluid motion he caught the knife and slashed it upward cutting the mans wrist. Insuring he couldn''t attack with that hand again.


    Then with his other hand he threw a full force punch into the attackers face. Kab felt and heard the mans jaw break from the force that also sent the man spinning as if hit with a tank round and fell to the ground, without another move.


    Kab was surprised by the force that went in to him. He didn''t think he had hit him that hard...


    Resetting his mind he gripped the knife, testing its weight, it was no talon knife but it would do for now.


    Roclycian doctrine usually didn''t allow the use of enemy weapons unless in situations of unique circumstances. And Kab would bet that this would count.


    Another man emerged from the wooden, vehicle that was pulled by three of those long faced animals he had seen back in the barracks. They were hitched together, and to his amazement and also confusion, it seemed they were used to move the vehicle, instead of using maktite powered zakamite system that most sleds used to operate.


    The man started yelling in very loud gibberish but from what Kab could tell from the mans face he was furious with what Kab had just done.


    Had they underestimated him as a Roclycian? He may be missing his armor and weapons but he was still a proud Roclycian soldier, part of the sacrificial generations that would see Verden Unified once more so of course he wouldn''t go down without a fight.


    "I will not die so easily, lost one. Now, return my gear and me to my people or face unifications through Roclycian attrition."


    The man ignored him and continued to yell gibberish, but showed no sign of aggression.


    Kab instead glanced around the ground that had formed a semi circle around him. All of them flinched away from his glare as he assed whether or not they were civilian or combatants. But Kab had learned that these enemies mask their intentions and who they are. Its like their whole culture was built around it. The man who attack him looked no different from the common citizen, most likely a strategy to get close to him and then kill him. So any one of them could be a threat.


    Just how far had these people fallen from unity that they would employ such back handed tactics They were almost as bad as an Ekoggian Mercenary!


    When no one stepped forward to challenge him he took it as a sign that he had won this battle for now. And he began to look around again, for anything that might lead to his escape.


    His glancing around stopped when his eyes landed on what he guessed was the exit to this place. Two buildings in the distance marked the wall, and he could see the way out was open. All he had to do was reach it.


    He gave one more look around assuring that all threats in this area had been dealt with before dropping the bloodied knife to the ground and making a run for the exit.


    Roclycian doctrine didn''t permit him to keep any enemy weapons, nor did it allow any form of retreat. However since this was not an active war zone, and the circumstances are, well not normal Kab came to the conclusion that he would be cleared to move back to Roclycian controlled borders.


    He would just have to find those once he got out.


    --------------


    Murdera hefted the sack of now repaired armor over his shoulder. Graven Vein stood triumphantly next to him, covered head to toe in forge suet and metal shavings. While all his apprentices were looking haggard and like they were reconsidering apprenticing under Graven.


    "This my friend, is the finest work I! Graven Vein Forge Master of the Eastern Frontier Kingdom! Has ever made! You be sure to tell that noble just that, and also bring up my request. And in exchange the armor repair will be free of charge! You have my silver blood oath on it!" With a specialized ring he pricked his finger, and silver blood slowly dripped from his index finger into his palm, he then took a stamp dipped it in his blood and stamped it down on a piece of paper. Sealing it with a silver seal with his family crest in the center. A Hammer in the talons of a phenix.


    Murdera gave a acknowledging grunt and nod before heading off back to the keep.


    He made it a few stalls away from the forge before curiosity got the better of him and he had to see exactly just what he had done to the armor. He had seen some of Gravens former work before and it was immaculate.


    Setting the sack down on the ground he undid the not and pulled on the top chest piece.


    Where there was once a gaping hole on the left breast plate, was now a beautiful seem line, like the vein of an ore in the side mountain, the patch was made of black Dathite for strength but was coated in a layer of Grey holdare and silver for added strength. Leading to a appearance of a polished silver blue with specs of black.


    The techniques to combine those materials in such seamless way where it look as though the two metal belonged together takes a level of precision truly worthy to the tittle of Forge master.


    He placed the plate back in the bag and resealed it. But he only made it a bit further when a commotion up ahead got his attention.


    A large group of towns people were gathered in a loose cluster around the treasury coach. The circle then opened wide and a man ran out from the center. His chest was bound in bandages, and wore a gray pair of pants. His black hair ruffled as he ran past Murdera. And a all too familiar triangular hair strand stood out.


    Was that the noble?


    "AFTER HIM MEN! DON"T LET HIM GET AWAY!"


    A group of armored guards with pikes ran in close group after him.


    Was that the keeps guards?


    "That''s the thief from the keep! Quick after him and the reward will be ours!" Yelled Aldrin Null, an adventure in Murderas guild. He hefted his long sword on his shoulder, cast red magic to increase his speed and bounded off.


    Why was his guild looking for the noble?!


    "WAIT DON''T HURT HIM! ITS JUST A MISUNDERSTANDING!" Anisha yelled running after the group waving her arms to get their attention to to no avail.


    What did that thorn ear do this time?


    ----------


    Kab had made it about half way before he had to start slowing down. The pain in his chest grew ever worse the more he pushed himself. But he couldn''t stop, he had to get back, find out what happened, find his squad, and come back to find his armor.


    Also he just wanted to get away from this strange place that seemed more like a merchants tale then reality.


    From behind he heard more shouting and the clinking of metal, he turned back to see a group of armored men with long spiked poles chasing after him.


    Why were they using those? Couldn''t they just shoot him? It would have been much easier than trying to stab him with some piles of sharpened scrap on pole.


    He stopped running and slid to a complete stop, spun back around turning to face the new attackers. He would not run from an enemy even now. There were five heavily armored men, most likely hard case armor plating, meaning there was little chance of piercing it anywhere except for the joins.


    The armor was similar to Scommand Hard case designs, but were smoother and had a layering of cloth on the top that had some imagery of another animal he''d never seen before. They came to a stop, put their long sticks sharp end down and pointed at him.


    One of them that had some gold trim to his cloth covering began yelling at Kab, but Kab didn''t understand any of it. So instead Kab took up a fighting stance, bracing himself for the eventual charge. It would be unlikely he could avoid all the poles, but if he managed to just slip below the first attack he would be able to close the distance and enter the lines in Close Quarter combat.


    Without his armor he is more venerable yes, but also freed him of the weight, and gave just a bit more flexibility to his movements.


    Those armors looked heavy and more cumbersome to use than any other he''d seen before. A weakness He''ll have to capitalize on.


    The line of spiked poles moved towards him at a slow speed.


    Kab braced his legs for the charge, ready to do what was necessary, ready to die here for Verdens Unity if he made a mistake.


    A shadow overhead and instinct however made him react on in a different way. He instead of charging forward, dashed to the side, just narrowly avoiding an attack from a red hair man who just appeared from nowhere and came falling down towards him with a large sharpened piece of metal, that when it struck the ground causes a slight explosion of force that sent out a literal gust of wind.


    What on Verden was that kind of weapon?


    The man raised his head up gave a cocky smile and hefted what Kab now thought was a ridiculously oversized knife over his shoulder. It was as tall as he was, had two metal bars that came out above the handle. The sharpened end tapered to a fine triangular point. A weapon like that was impractical in most circumstances, but Kab had to admit, that right now, it could still kill him. The ground where Kab had just stood moments before was a small crater.


    If that weapon had hit him. He would have been cut in half!


    "Uraw No don''s mondo laul, Aldrin Null! utabe grol machalul!" The red haired enemy said gibberish with such confidence that he had to be mocking him.


    He took his weapon and with one two hands held the handle down, but the tip pointed up in a stance that was very clearly offensive and defensive. He would be able to move to attack and guard from any potential attack Kab did. So he was limited to waiting for an opening when his opponent made an attack.


    But the man in front could also just be another distraction of some kind, something to keep him an unaware of his surroundings. Perhaps they were moving a sniper into his blind spots. It would be a brilliant move against him, but something in his gut told him that wasn''t what they were planning.


    He hadn''t seen a single gun in this whole place. Only sharpened scraps of metal. Did these people only encage in close quarters combat? If so why, what advantage do they have that would lead them abandoning the clearly superior firepower and tactical options a fire arm brought.


    "HEYY!!! Uraw goult do vat na goularish?!" The red haired one turned his head and now pointed his sword directly at Kab''s chest with one arm. A horrible decision because it completely left him wide open.


    "Tuala? Uraw hatlish-"


    Kab bounded forward, and with his hand shoved the blade aside at the tip with all his might.


    The opponents eyes went ride as he desperately tried to bring the weapon back into place, but it was too late, Kab had closed the distance between them and enter the mans range where his oversized weapon would be difficult to use.


    The moment of confusion only lasted a few heartbeats, seeing Kab''s move he responded with his own. Kab didn''t understand how but the man glowed a bright red for a split second, and with one back step, launched himself backwards an impressive distance clearing him of Kab''s grappling attempt and putting Kab back into the lethal range of his own attacks, he swung his weapon from a high position from where Kab had knocked it before, and brought it down towards his neck.


    Kab ducked the edge of the weapon, only managing to cut a few strands of his hair rather than his neck.


    The tremendous amount of force the enemy put behind his attack made it continue to move from the momentum, before he could bring it back around Kab moved in again and instead of going for a grab hold, grabbed one of the mans arms, spun his back to him and tried to disarm him while also throwing him to the ground.


    The enemy was caught completely off guard by the move and tried to resist the pull but was pulled off his feet and over Kabs shoulder.


    A sudden and intense pain in Kabs chest however lead to him loosing his balance and the both of them were sent into muddy ground.


    He let out a pained yell, it felt like he had just been shot by a lite caliber round.


    Was he wrong, was there a shooter concealed somewhere?


    Kab placed his hand over his bandaged chest and felt a warm liquid. Blood was beginning to stain his bandages.


    A new coughing fit began. And blood spilled from his lips.


    "COUGH no, not shot... I-- I to- COUGH tore my COUGH COUGH stitches..." despite the serious medical situation, Kab forced himself back up to his knees.


    He wasn''t gonna die lying down.


    His other opponent also got to his knees, using his weapon he stabbed it into the ground and used it as a crutch to lift himself up. His face no longer concealed with confidence. His eyes were furrowed and his mouth downturned.


    "Vtylando clearata Utavada gu hyil... haha.... jukulada." he brushed mud away from the red and brown clothing he wore, there was no visible armor besides some thicker fabric material that crossed his chest and went down his shoulders. Rare to see someone who fought with almost no armor, he must be truly confident in his fighting ability.


    He got back into his original position keeping his weapon in place ready for whatever attack Kab threw next, his posture and face showed that now he was taking this serious.


    Why was he doing that? I''m clearly injured and open to attack. He also holds the advantage in man power. why had only he attacked me when there were five other armored men just standing there instead of joining the fight?


    "Kurashal! Malda grusha li Hmota."


    "Enough with the- COUGH gibberish already." another cough of blood left his mouth. He could feel his left lung filling with liquid. He''d be completely unable to breathe soon, and he doubt they would treat him a second time.


    The red haired mans head turned in confusion at his words.


    "Kula? Jugish Werty hosgo?"


    Kab let out a bloody exacerbated sign before pushing himself back to his feet. Holding his right arm over his now re opened wound in a vain attempt to slow its flow.


    "Very well... But know this. My death will only bring my people, and even if I die without my armor and become lost like you, I will still gladly die for Verden''s Unity!"


    Kab straighten his back and crossed his chest with his right arm, a salute of his people. And readied himself for the fight. Fully intent on meaning what he said.


    The man responded with tightening his grip, resetting his footing and giving a resolute nod to him, understanding that Kab wasn''t backing down.


    "KAB!!!!!!!" yelled a voice from the crowd.


    Frea?!


    Kab turned his head, to the crowd.


    But it wasn''t his squad mate Frea Dauf who he thought called his name, instead his eyes met that of the red and black haird woman from before.


    "K-kab... Uraw gulial Kab?..."


    How did she know him by that name?! Only his Squad called him that.


    Movement from his left made him curse as he now remember he was still in a fight.


    There was a blur of red and the butt end of the mans weapon struck Kab in the side of the head, and the world faded to black.


    ----------------------------------------


    Anisha felt their link go quiet.


    As she had gotten closer to him while trying to find him in the city, she could feel his emotions more and more the closer she got. She used it to find him.


    At first she felt how he was confused, angry, happy, sad, proud. All the emotions at once it made her own head hurt as she tried to process all of them. But now it was quite.


    Aldrin delivered a strength enhance handle bash into her summons head knocking him to the ground. And he wasn''t getting up this time. She didn''t think this would be the outcome. When she finally remembered what his comrade said to him in the caves, something like Kab atsual... she thought calling out his name would get his attention, maybe calm him down. But instead it lead to him only getting hurt even more. She had to stop this now.


    "NO! STOP!!" she called out, and ran out of the crowd, and just barely avoided being grabbed by one of the guards that reached out to pull her back.


    Aldrin hefted his sword, eyeing her summon as if expecting him to get up again at any moment. Ready to deliver another attack that would be sure to keep him down permanently. But Anisha wasn''t gonna let that happen.


    She placed herself in-between the two.


    "Anisha? What are you doing? Move away from him." Aldrin didn''t relax his stance.


    "The guild has a bounty on this man, I don''t know what your history is with him but-"


    "HE SAVED ME!" She yelled out. That made Aldrin''s posture change a little.


    "What do you mean?"


    "My first quest... it didn''t go well, we were overwhelmed by Lant''s, Julu and Nathul didn''t make it. I- I only survived because he was there and saved not only myself but also Guild Master Murdera."


    "The Guild Master?" he looked back at the bandaged man on the ground now, as if seeing him for the first time.


    "If this is true Anisha then how do you explain this." Aldrin finally lowered his sword down, but gestured to the crowd of onlookers, the guards and himself.


    How could she explain this that wouldn''t lead to them both being executed.


    "He was seriously injured in his last fight. That''s why he has bandages on. He was on the verge of death for days and was having nightmares of battles past. When he finally woke up here, in a place he doesn''t recognize and coming from just a fight for his life he was probably just scared to wake up in a place he didn''t know."


    "Please let me take him back to a clinic to heal him again. He just needs somewhere safe so he can calm down and heal."


    "I THINK NOT!" yelled Braunchus as he pushed his way through the crowd and soldiers alike.


    "This!- This! Wild man was out to kill me and claim the gold for himself! I saw it with my own eyes!"


    "That''s not true! He''s a Noble he wouldn''t do such a thing!"


    "BAH! A NOBLE?! I refuse to believe this disgusting pile of clothes is a noble! I''ve never seen him before. If he claims to be one then that is just another charge against him! One that will surely get him executed for impersonating someone of higher class."


    "That is not for you to decide coin counter." Murdera Stormchin hefting a heavy sack over his shoulder emerged from the crowd of people. Anisha was at first relived to see him, but the disappointed death stare she got told her he didn''t feel the same way about her right now.


    "The Guild has a quest against this man, and seeing as C ranking Adventurer Aldrin Null was the one to apprehend him, he fall under my authority." Murderas tone was authoritative and was said in such a way that didn''t invite much debate. But the sniveling treasurer decided to push it anyways.


    "Stormchin... Even you must adhere to custom. We have no way to know if this man lies or not. Your... student here may be able to explain his rabid behavior caused by a confused mind, but we can not know for certain if he''s a noble as he claims unless we bring him to the Oracle! If it says he''s a noble then we''ll drop this whole thing." Braunchus said this in the way a parent would make a deal with a stubborn child.


    "Agreed, I likewise want to know just who this man is." Murdera gave the ''noble'' a look that Anisha didn''t feel good about. Was Murdera starting to question her too now?!


    He reached into pocket and pulled out the rectangular piece of metal that her summon had on him when they first tried to heal him.


    "I''ve done my own searching into this mans history while waiting for the armor to be repaired. I couldn''t find any record of a matching emblem in my logs. But I still have reasons to believe that this man truly is noble."


    "Oh? And what reason would that be!"


    "His armor and weapons are of a grade I''ve never seen before, something only a A rank adventurer, or a Noble would have access to."


    Murdera reached into the bag and lifted up the now repaired chest piece showing it to all around.


    "Forge Master Grave will attest to the quality of this armor."


    "He could have stolen those! We already suspect him to be a thief!" Braunchus argued.


    "You are right in that regard, so I am in agreement with you that it seems our only options is to use the Oracles, and see if he matches any known noble across the world. But I will keep him in the guild lodge cell until he has recovered enough to face the Oracles stare. I will not send a man in such a condition to the Oracle, or else it would just be his execution."


    ".... Very well. Guild Master, but I will leave a few of my guards at your lodge to make sure there aren''t any more... Incidents."


    "I will allow this." Murdera said, clearing stating that he was the one making the final decision in this and not Braunchus.


    The treasury clearly got the meaning, sneered and turned away. Back to his coach.


    "Out of my way Peasants! I''ve got work I need to get back to."


    Anisha heard Murdera curse in dwarvish as the man turned away.


    rust bloodied inbred.


    "Null." Murdera turned to Anisha and Aldrin.


    "Yes. Guild Master." Aldrin straightened and took a respectful stance.


    "Lift his legs, we''re taking him back to the guild."


    "W-wait, he''s hurt, let me try to heal him a bit before you move him."


    "I think you''ve already done enough Anisha." Murdera said back, not sparing her a second glance.


    "If you want to be useful go back to being a currier, and got get Malissa. We need someone who can actually use magic."


    "Ah.. Y-yes Mur-... Guild Master. I''ll go get her..."


    Anisha turned, leaving her Summon, and her dreams of being a adventurer behind.

 Chapter ten: Confinement

    "If. That. Half. Brain. Moron. Of A Child of Nysgjerrig. So much as scrapes his knee so help me Anlegg I will peel his hide off, heal him again! And then peel it off again!" Malisa held her hand over Anishas Summons who was now, thankfully, lying in bed, which now was in the Guilds basement, and inside a cell with thick metal bars. A site that was sure to freak him out more when he finally woke up, but what other choice did they have?


    He laid on the bed unmoving, but unlike before Anisha was sure he''d wake up again, and sometime soon. She reached through the bond and felt him stirring, the nightmares didn''t come back thank Kunnskap. He was calm, The overwhelming sense of emotions from when he was awake was a stark contrast to it now, from what felt like a roaring storm calmed to a rippless lake.


    Malissa Peddles rose and fell as she continued to mutter curses and punishments to not just the the summon, but to everyone who seemed completely incompetent at their Jobs.


    "Drudge filled adventures fighting my patient.... *murmuring* Pupils not obeying clear instructions... Blood drained nobles... Fools... The lot... Could no god make a single species that could actually think!... Well clearly not..."


    This round of healing had only taken a few minutes. Malissa had to siphon some mana from one of the adventure mages upstairs just to reseal his chest wound that was on the very edge of ripping open.


    Seeing her two days of work almost be undone in a matter of an hour of consciousness has elevated Malissa''s Anger to a height Neither Anisha or Kameko had ever seen their teacher show before.


    Which was why they both now sat in the cell right next to her teacher, head bowed, not daring to move an inch. Or else face their teachers rage head on.


    Kamekos tail and ears flopped down as a sign of humbling. She''d already received her portion of Malisas rage, it was her duty to keep both Anisha and the ''Noble'' in their rooms and according to their teacher she had failed spectacularly.


    But it wasn''t all her fault. Anisha was the one who caused all this, when she tried to speak up on her friends behalf she was quickly hushed by her teacher in a way that clearly stated. Your turn will come.


    So they both now sat, waiting.


    Malissa''s Blue Crystal slowly lowered itself down and its once blue shine dimmed as she slowly closed her gate cutting off her mana supply to the crystal.


    She let out a snort of air from her nose like a beast as if to intimidate her summon into staying put.


    "You two out." Malissa got up from where she was kneeling. She didn''t spare them a glance as she walked past them and out the cell, clearly expecting them to follow like they had been told.


    Both of them did so, heads still bowed low.


    Murdera who had stood off to the side with two of the nobles personal guards slid the cell door shut and inserted the large key into the lock and with a twist the cell was firmly shut with a loud Kaclunk!


    "From no one no one is to talk to the Noble except me, or the guild master. No one is to enter and disturb him while he rests. And for the incompetent love of your senile gods don''t let him out again!"


    The two heavily armored guards gave only a slight tilt of their heads in acknowledgement.


    Satisfied that she was being obeyed she turned to leave the basement.


    Her pupils, and Murdera followed behind her lead. Once they reached the top of the stairs, Murdera took his leave, staying until he had more research into the nobles lineage, and running the guild.


    "I''ll keep you informed of his condition Murdera. He''ll be fine, but he is not ready to meet the Oracle wont be for at least three days at the soonest if I apply healing every day. As much as I''d like to make him heal the old slow way, I doubt the Treasurer Braunchus would allow such a time restraint."


    "M-Malissa?" Kameko croaked out.


    "What can we do to help?"


    Their teacher''s pedals rose up for a split moment of anger ready to lash out, as she hadn''t given them permission to talk yet. But the anger was stifled by a very exhausted sounding breath their teacher let out.


    Both watched as they watched Malissa face switch from the stone cold healer and teacher. To a very exhausted Urashin.


    "Don''t think you''re getting out of any punishments, pupils. What happened today could have had tremendous consequences. But luckily somehow by sheer luck the nobles not dead. Had he died under our care his house surely would seek some sort of retribution or consequences." She rubbed at the bridge of her nose and closed her eyes, clearly imaging the scenario in her head.


    "If. you want to fix your mistakes, you can start by helping collect some ingredients for me. Kameko, you will do this. Head out of the walls and in the south part of the forest near the river there should be some Bark Spores growing on the stumps of old trees, and if you can manage it get some willow mint from the market."


    kamekos ears rose as she was not given something to actually do. "I''ll do it Malissa! I''ll be back with as much as I can carry." Kameko turned to run out the guild hall but Malissa stopped her with her hand outstretched to stop her.


    "I wasn''t finished yet, pupil. When you are done with that task, you are to go to Venus and take over mucking out the specimen cages for him. For three weeks." Emphasizing the length of her true punishment.


    Kamekoss face paled and she visible gagged at even the thought of the task. Kamekos stronger sense of smell always made her stay clear of that part of the clinic.


    "Y-yes,,, Teacher..." Kamekos enthusiasm before had completely vanished now replaced with barely stifled abject horror.


    Malissa watched one of her now cowed pupils solemnly stock up to perform her tasks. Visibly happy with choosing the correct punishment for her.


    "Now then... Anisha..." Her teacher now turned her full attention to her now, the momentary smile now replaced back to the stone face of a professional. Here it comes, Anishas blood ran cold as she prepared to receive her punishment.


    "Come with me to the training hard."


    "E-excuse me?..."


    Her teacher didn''t explain herself, instead she made her way to the back entrance of the guild which opened up to a small fenced in dirt patch that was mainly used for teaching new adventurers.


    Malissa made her way to the middle of the yard and looked around until her eyes landed on one of the older training dummies. It was hacked, cut, burned, and missing an arm. but was still standing.


    "Yes that will do. Pupil! Come stand right here... Oh come I''m not gonna bite girl, I''m just checking something, good now begin running through your mana control exercises. Nothing intense, despite your ability to walk right now I''m not risking you over pushing yourself."


    Anisha wasn''t sure what her teacher was up to but thought it best not to argue and did as she was told.


    She ran through the steps she had practiced over thousands of times in her lifetime.


    She first started by closing her eyes and pictureing her gate in her head. This was the very basic foundation of doing any magic. And it was what Anisha struggled with the most.


    Whenever Anisha tried to picture her own gate she pictured it as a small ring floating between her hands, but her mind had a difficult time maintaining that image. Oftentimes her gate would flicker in and out of her conscious thought. She''d struggle to just keep it still in her head, but it was like trying to catch a wet fish. It always slipped out of her grasp after a few seconds.


    "Relax Pupil, you''re tensing up." Malissa moved to her side and moved her hands from that of the traditionally taught method of having both your hands face outward to one they had spent years finding worked better for her.


    She cupped Anishas hands into the o shape that for some reason helped her picture her gate easier.


    "Better?"


    Anisha could only give a slight nod of her head as she was putting all of her effort into just maintaining the image of her gate.


    "Okay now, just like we practiced, I want you to slowly open your gate and let the manna trickle into this." Though her eyes were closed, Anisha felt her teacher place a familiar feeling crystal into her hands.


    It was a gray one. Usually used for creating barriers, or making materials stronger.


    Each type of Crystal felt different when you used it. A gray one felt like you were coating your gate in cold stone, it was rough but sturdy. a red one felt like you were running with the wind, pushing you along. A Green one felt like grass or wheat, the essence of life itself, a blue one felt like you were submerged in crystal clear water. And Black...


    Black crystals were supposed to feel like refiling through raw sewage, or burning your gate. At least that''s what all the childrens stories said, and what most magical scholars agreed with.


    But not for her. To her it felt... It felt like stability, control. Like if she had one right now she could control her own gate and then she would be able to do anything with it.


    Anisha


    If she had one she probably could have healed her summon the night she made him. If only she had more none of this mess would have happened.


    "Anisha."


    Her teacher''s tone cut through the haze of her thoughts like a knife bringing her back to the current moment.


    What in Kunnskap was she thinking just now!? Wanting more of those occurred things! No she never wanted to see another one ever again! She would never use dark magic again! No matter what! She wasn''t going to get corrupted by it!


    "ANISHA!" Her teacher''s voice cut through her spiral again.


    Her teacher now stood in front of her, green hands cupping her face carefully bringing her face to meet hers.


    "Anisha, release your gate."


    She hadn''t noticed it but right now her gate was assailed by mana that was pouring out of her open gate. With nowhere to go it was building up inside her like a flood threatens to break a dam.


    Anisha quickly dropped her hands and made the image of her gate vanish in her head. The flow of mana stopped but her body was still pumped full of it, and it would take a few minutes for it to slowly dissipate.


    She was also breathing heavily


    "What happened Anisha? What were you feeling?"


    "I-i... I--" Anishas hands shook as she tried to calm herself down and answer her teacher but nothing came out.


    "It''s alright pupil. I should have waited another day before checking your mana control. In my old age I''ve become as hasty and foolish as the gods it seemed."


    Her teacher continued to help Anisha calm down for a few minutes. Once it felt like her heart wasn''t trying to escape her own chest, she managed to ask her teacher a question.


    "Why were you checking my mana control?"


    "After seeing what you did for the noble last night, I had hoped it to be a sign that you had finally gotten over whatever barrier is preventing you from controlling your gate fully."


    "Oh.. I see." Anisha arm crossed her chest and held tightly to her other and lowered her head.


    "I''m sorry teacher, I still can''t control it."


    "It is not your fault girl. But I think I know what''s going on now."


    "Y-you do?" Anisha asked cautiously.


    "Your control before meeting Hmota cursed Oracle was better, whatever she did to you only seemed to make your control worse... I''m sorry I didn''t stop her sooner, I should have never let things go that far. There''s no telling what she must have done to you, and the noble for that matter. Of all the gods'' mistakes those disgusting creatures are the worst of them."


    "Oh.. I didn''t consider.." Anisha wasn''t sure how to feel about the Oracle right now. She knows what she did, she knows that Kab, yes that was his name she wasn''t going to forget it again.


    Kab was her summon, but didn''t tell anyone. At least not yet, why not? Was her teacher right and the Oracle was up to something else.


    Oh knowledge of Kunnskap of course it is! Its a Oracle all they ever do is scheme and gaze in to the depths of Hmota.


    "Get some rest, pupil. Some Real rest. I don''t want you to leave your room until at least tomorrow afternoon. And I''m certain this time you will listen to me? Right Pupil?"


    "Yes Malissa, I will not leave my room." Anisha left her teacher in the training yard. Malissa continued to stand their hand on chin as if trying to work out some puzzle in her mind. A Puzzle Anisha knew she didn''t have all the pieces to.


    Anisha didn''t like hiding stuff from her teacher, but what choice did she have now? She''s drug not only Kameko into her problem but also Malissa, Venus, And Murdera! They were all trying their best to make things work and here she was making things infinitely harder from everyone. Per usual.


    She made her way up the stairs past Murderas study, tempted for a moment to knock on it to talk to him. She wasn''t sure what she would say, but she could hear the shuffling of papers and the dwarf muttering something to herself that she wasn''t able to make out. So she decided it would be best to leave him be for a while.


    In a roundabout way he had demoted her back down to carrier, so she thought it best to maybe just avoid him all together unless it involved her work.


    Past the guild masters office and down a short hall her room was not as big as the one she''d use when studying with Malissa. This room could barely be considered a one person bedroom as all it had space for was a cot that took up a majority of the space, and a small dwarf desk that when she sat down at her knees came up to the table top.


    If the door didn''t open outwards it would have been impossible to even get into.


    Exhausted from the days ''excitement'' Aniahs was fully intending to follow her teachers instructions.


    But...


    There was one more thing she had to do before sleeping.


    She reached into her gate and focused on one of her bonds. But not her bond to Kab, no this time she focused on her bond to her first summon. Bruin.


    He should be safely tucked away under her bed, in a hypernation-like state due to what Anisha had started calling a "Link Rest" Which happened whenever Anisha had to travel far away and couldn''t bring her summon with her. Which she didn''t do often.


    Bruin was a rather unique animal. Or rather, thing... She wasn''t really sure what Bruin was.


    In his small form he looked like a small kids toy of a black bear with a large purple crystalized horn coming from his head. No bear on Borotone matches that description So she wasn''t sure where he came from.


    Just my luck I don''t know anything about either of my two summons


    Anish moved her spare clothes to the side and pulled out a small whicker basket from the bed.


    "Bruin, I''m back, did you miss-"


    The Basket was empty.


    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    What on Verden was that thing?


    From the corner of his eye Kabshiel Atsumbaul saw some black hairy creature with a purple... Knife? was that what was coming out of its head? Well whatever it was. The animal stood on four legs and glowered at him from the shadows. It took him a few moments to see it as his eyes had a hard time making out the shape of it in the dark, which it blended into exceptionally well.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    In a very low tone he heard it make some sound deep in its throat that sounded like grumpling. And he got this odd sense that it didn''t particularly like him for some reason.


    Without much warning, or visible movement for that matter the animal disappeared back into the shadows of his cell.


    Kabshiel decided to just chock that up to just another trick because he didn''t know what else to think at this point.


    He had been awake for about an hour now. But he didn''t move from his new bed. The cold stone floor ceiling, darkness, and shuffling of armored boots nearby told him all he needed to know.


    He was finally being treated like an actual Prisoner!


    He wasn''t entirely sure what he had done to break the enemies resolve and have them show him the proper respect of treating him as an actual prisoner, but he couldn''t help but feel happy about it. If for nothing else whatever mind tricks they were trying to use on him would hopefully stop soon.


    Being alone and isolated in this sell made him think this was how he was told things were supposed to be done in other countries. He was injured in battle, taken prisoner, and now they will either torture him for some information, or would try to negotiate some sort of deal with Roclycia for his release.


    It was all pointless of course. Roclycia didn''t make deals with other countries, because everyone who wasn''t raised Roclycian were liars and selfish. Making a deal with an outsider was a good way to just get you shot in the back.


    Something I know all too well He thought bitterly to himself.


    Roclycia stood strong against every foe by ourselves, and Kabshiel believed it would be his country to finally unify Verden again, it was only a matter of time.


    Which was all he seemed to have right now.


    His eyes traced the outlines of his cell probably a hundred times now, he wasn''t looking for a means of escape or that creature from before but was instead looking for more wood. The place he was kept in didn''t seem to be built of the stuff like everything else seemed to be here. It was oddly comforting to be surrounded by stone.


    Well its not like I''m a Mountain carving Scommand or anything, I''m just glad its not... so weak. He admitted to himself.


    While wood was a very rare item on Verden it was exceptionally weak compared to all the other materials currently used in Roclycian architecture.


    C grade Bynstal could withstand about 42% of the other countries strongest artillery bombardments for an extended amount of time. Wood on the other hand. could be broken by hand if someone was strong enough.


    Which made Kab wonder if what he had seen was actually wood at all. Because who would build entire buildings out of such weak material?


    He''d seen the depths these people were willing to go to mask their true intention so perhaps even their very architecture was a mess of lies and misdirection.


    If Tyos was here he''d probably go mad from being idle and not getting into a fight with someone. He might even have ripped his way through those metal bars and just made his way home by himself.


    Kab smiled thinking about his squad mate but that smile faded as his loss came back to him.


    And these recreants took my armor so I can''t even engrave his numbers onto my chest piece,


    Did Frea already carve his numbers into hers? Did she know he was alive? Was she even still alive?


    Kab felt his anger spike unnaturally again, something that''s started happening all too often. Since childhood he''s been trained to control his emotions. But ever since coming here he''s had to fight to keep them in check. The only thing that seemed to keep him calm now was trying to maintain a constant state of a meditative state. He slowed his breathing and heart rate down, and instead of trying to focus on the here and now, and the past. He focused instead on his past life''s memories.


    It took a little longer than usual but through patience he was able to see it.


    Any memory from a past life was always blurry, you could never truly tell who you were, or where you were, but you could still see snippets of your life.


    Currently Kab was going through one of his favorites. He believed it was his 4th life ago. Before Verden Burned and unity was broken.


    The Sky was a swirl of blue and green. Huge Gammetal buildings stretched high into the sky. Even fuzzy their emasculate architecture was something truly to admire. Not limited to their modern weaker materials, the people of Verden had been able to make buildings that almost seemed to defy reality. They twisted and turned in the sky before coming back down to the ground.


    Higher in the sky, the Haven Needle floated around the world halfway completed. A far cry from the current needle which was only 1/16 of its original size and only could be seen during certain times of the year.


    In this moment Kab felt it. True Unity, he was happy. Not the kind of happiness you feel nowadays, which was messy and made you distracted, but a cerine almost quite happiness. It was comforting, so comforting that Kabshiel didn''t realize that he had drifted off to sleep again.


    -----------------------------------


    Murdera closed the another log book and added to the stack to his side which was in serious danger of toppling over onto him.


    With a resigned sigh he pushed himself away from his desk and began to pace his office for the twelfth time.


    None, absolutely no record in any log book of a noble crest with any semblance to his.


    Murdera turned and glared at the metal crest that sat on his table almost mocking him.


    Sure not every noble house is tracked, and every crest notarized. But to have a crest of such quality, armor of such craftsmanship and weapons of power! He had to come from one of the more financially wealthy ones. But nothing matched!


    If he''s not a noble then what in Delvets Forge was he!


    Murdera sat down on one of the soft couches that were laid out in the center of the room.


    In the corner of the room, now polished back to its proper and beautiful metallic shine, his copper armor shone in the candle light.


    If he was some crook then why did he stay and fight? He could have tried to escape as soon as he unleashed that first volley of magically produced lightning. But he didn''t. No instead he had stood his ground, for spilled silvers sake he charged into one with nothing but his bare hands and a knife. No crook no matter how strong they thought they were. would ever risk their lives like that, they were cowards a lot of them. Would rather die running away than die fighting.


    A soft but attention grabbing knock on the door brought his attention back to the present.


    "Guild master? May I enter" It was the Gray Elf Quest Handler Ruvyn Iliyra.


    "Enter Ilirya."


    The tall elf entered the room with little to no noise save it for the squeak of the hinges that Murdera still needed to fix.


    He made his way to the coach but stood across from him, stiff and rigid as always, he bowed his head before talking.


    "I''m leaving for the night Guild Master, is there anything else you need from me?" His tone clearly hinting that he believed theirs was in fact more he thought he could get done, but had run out of his regularly scheduled tasks.


    Ilirya was the kind of worker who, even if you told him to do a meaningless task like organize the quests by the type of wax seal they used, would get it done as if his life depended on it, and it would be done right. so perhaps it was time he utilised the man''s attention to detail.


    "Actually there is something. Something I need to get to the bottom of."


    It was a very subtle movement but the gray elf''s ears perked up a little, a sign that Murdera had learned was comparable to someone giving a big toothy grin. He didn''t show much emotion, few full blood elfs did.


    "What do you need done guild master?" He bowed his head again.


    He stood up and headed back to his desk, picking up the crest he held it out to him.


    "By any chance have you seen a Noble crest matching this one?"


    The elf took the emblem as if he was holding a delicate piece of glass art.


    He turned it over in his hands and with a neutral tone returned it to Murderas hands and said.


    "I''m sorry sir, but I do not recognize the symbol." His ears fell down ever so slightly, meaning he was absolutely distraught with himself right now.


    "It''s alright Iliyra, neither could I or any of these log books." He gestured to the pile of over thirty years of log books.


    "No quests, important news, or messages have ever come from this noble house, if it even exists. And that''s the problem."


    "This is the crest of the..." Iliryra trailed off for a moment as if carefully considering his words. "The man who claims to be a noble in the cell? Yes I heard from Mr. Null about what happened today. An unfortunate circumstance the guild seems to have found itself in."


    "That''s putting it lightly. We''re delvers in a mine stuck from a cave in."


    "What do you mean sir?"


    "The nobles found it... Concerning the guild has no Nobility leadership, or ''supervisor'' and have been on my boots heels for years trying to weasel their way in. But Lord Sog, though a drunkard bastard he is, has done his part in quelling any of their real attempts at power over the guild. But this, this whole mess could be used for justification. Think of it like this, if he is a noble, then one of our own adventures just pummeled the man to the ground who was already medically on his deathbed a few days ago. So of course the nobles will call for some form of punishment on us. And then the other possibility. If he''s a liar. If he''s not a Noble, but a common criminal masquerading as one, the nobles will be out from my silver blood for protecting a fake and offering him aid. They''ll use it to destroy my reputation. Explanations or not I''m a smoldering piece of slag waiting to be hit with the hammer."


    Ilirya didn''t respond, instead his ears only dropped even more, and his eyes moved side to side as if assembling the pieces himself and coming to the same conclusion as Murdera.


    "That is... Very unfortunate"


    Murdera could help but laughs at the elfs change of words.


    "Yes, very."


    ---------------------------------------


    "BRUIN! There you are! Don''t wander off like that again! You made me worried sick!" Anisha scooped up her summon into her arms. He was a little heavier than a dog but no less energetic. He desperately pawed at her chest and face trying to climb up to lick her face.


    "Yes yes I missed you too!"


    Bruin excitement usually wasn''t this strong. He ran around the small room jumping from her lap to the floor to the desk back to her lap. He did this a few times before Anisha finally had to reach out with both arms and pull him in to chest scratching behind his ears and rubbing his face.


    "Did you have a good link rest? I''m sorry I was gone for so long but you need to settle down now ok?"


    She felt through their link that he was very excited to see her. In her mind she saw an image of a young cub digging its way out of a burrow with melting snow all around it, the cub began to run around just like Bruin was doing, enjoying the spring air and the end of winter.


    Bruins thoughts were much easier to understand then her Kabs were. She figured it must just be the difference between humans and animals. Yet now she had to manage having one of each.


    "Oh Bruin, I have some news for you."


    The bears head broke free of her tight hold on him and looked up at her eyes wide and tongue flapping out, very much like a dogs.


    "You now have an older brother! His name is Kab."


    Bruins head tilted showing he was confused, but a few seconds later a image came to Anishas mind. It was the cub climbing out of the den again, but this time he was joined by another cub.


    "Not quite Bruin, he''s a human!"


    Bruins head twisted to the other side and after a few seconds a new image came to Anishas mind.


    It was the cub again, and.... Anishas face turned as red as her hair.


    Kab was coming out of the den but, he didn''t have any um... clothes. And his face was grossly disproportioned. He looked frail and weak, and his face was glazed over like he wasn''t even thinking. He stumbled around slipping in the snow and mud.


    "Umm not quite Bruin... How did you know what he looks like?"


    Bruin turned his head again inconfusition and his eyes got all big and innocent looking.


    I''ll just worry about that tomorrow.


    Anisha undressed and got into her night wear and once ready she laid down on her cot padding the bed for Bruin to join her.


    Her summon eagerly hopped up and buried himself under her arm.


    His body didn''t give off any heat, and even when he was running around his footsteps were very quite. But his fur was very soft, almost like silk.


    He was a comforting presence that Anisha very much needed.


    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    "Sixty five Sixty Sixty Sixty SEVEN! That should be enough!" Kameko stuffed the Bark Spores into her alchemist satchel Next to the few other ingredients she picked up along the way. She rose up from the ground. And stretched her lims out.


    "HURRRRR GAAAW!! I''ve Been hunched over for hours! The suns already down so I better be heading back to Malissas."


    When the son had gone down Kameko had cast a small spell to create a ball of light that followed her. It was very simple and only required concentrating your own raw mana into a single physical spot.


    The light consumed little mana at its current brightess, which was comparable to a lantern but instead of the orange hue that burning wood created it was a bright white that made things just a bit brighter.


    She could see the town lights in the distance, she''d ended up going out a lot further than she thought she would. But she wanted to be sure she brought back enough that Malissa would be happy, and with any luck reduce her punishment by a week or two.


    Carefully making her ways through the shrubs and fallen trees of the forest she eventually made her way back to the main road.


    It was obviously barren of people except for herself, few were traveling far out past the walls this time of year with all the raids on caravans recently. But since she was just one person and close to a capital she figured it was safe.


    But.... Just to be safe.


    She made her light disappear and instead put mana into a blue crystal that she then used to cast a spell to increase her hearing and sight just a bit more.


    Her feline like eyes adapted to the dark quickly naturally, but with the enhancement it was instantaneous and almost like she could see everything as if it was in daylight.


    Her ears were also enhanced allowing her to hear things bumping around in the dark. Off to her left about 30 feet their was Racoon slowly moving through a bush. And above her a bat glided through the night only flapping its black wings occasionally as to not disturb its prey. And to her right a twig snapped.


    Suddenly all other noises faded away. On reflex her eyes turned to the right, eyes wide trying to take in as much information as possible. Another twig snapped, it was closer than the last. But she couldn''t see what made it snap.


    Her body tenses ready to dash at the drop of a pin.


    Snap.


    It was getting closer.


    Snap.


    She could hear breathing now.


    Thick and heavy, and just around the one of the great oaks she saw somethings breath fog in the night.


    She grabbed a red crystal and started putting mana into it.


    She prepared a spell that would shoot out a red slash of raw energy that could cut deep into anything that tried to attack her.


    Then in her other hand she prepared a speed enhancement spell. Ready to run as soon as she got her attack off first. Better to wound whatever was stalking her then just attempt to flee.


    Snap.


    A deep brown figure emerged from behind the tree.


    Kameko braced her arm and was moments away from unleashing her slashing attack before she finally saw what it was.


    A Moose emerged from the bushes and from behind the oak.


    "Haha you scared me big guy." Slowly the adrenalin left Kamekos body and her senses returned to normal. But everything was alright. She smelled something.


    Something vile and sick.


    The moose that she had dismissed a moment ago kept walking as if it couldn''t see her. Even though she was a folkmen most animals avoided anything that remotely looked humanoid. But the moose kept walking closer and closer to her.


    And Kameko realized that it was the moose that the smell was coming from.


    She covered her nose with her mouth and coughed and gagged as she saw what the smell really was.


    On the moose''s back leg, deep gashes marred its leg, and she now noticed it was limping and struggling to stay up at all.


    Its huge bulky body swayed side to side and its legs struggled trying to balance itself. But it didn''t stop its continual march forward.


    "What did this to you?" The moose didn''t heide her words but continued on.


    Kameko bit her lip, looking back to town then back to the injured moose. She couldn''t let it keep suffering. She''ll try to heal it. And if she can''t, well she''ll end its suffering for it.


    She approached the injured leg, but firmly kept her forearm over her nose and mouth.


    "It must be severely infected. Healing wont do anything unless I kill the bacteria... Well lucky for you I just happen to have some of the stuff I need to solve just that problem!" She began digging through her alchemist bag and pulled out some dried Lotuses A Bark Spore and just a few seeds of Kelgin Flowers. She stuck the ingredients in her mouth and chewed them before spitting them out into her hand and mixing them with her finger.


    "Blahh! Gross! But this should kill that infection real quick. Now stay still. And this is gonna sting a little." She reached out her hand and very gently began applying the antibiotic compound to the wound.


    The smell started to fade and was replaced with a smell that was very similar to Malissas Clinic.


    "Hugh Venus would be so proud of me." She said to herself, pride physically beaming from her.


    "Now lets make Malissa proud. Don''t worry this part doesn''t hurt." She reached out and placed her on the wound again, taking a green crystal in her other hand she focused her mana into it.


    I''ve never tried healing anything other than a cow or pig for a farmer, but this shouldn''t be to different.


    She reached into the mooses mind and began the letting the mooses own body do the healing.


    "There we go- OWWW!!!" Something feeling like shards of glass suddenly embedded themselves into her hand with an explosion of black and blood.


    "OW WHAT IN THE BLOOD OF THE DAMN GODS!!" She pulled her hand away from the moose who seemed undisturbed from the now black shards of some shiny material sticking out of its wound that were not there a moment ago.


    She clenched her fist close from the pain but it only made the pain worse.


    She had to slowly open her hand to see just what she''s been stuck by.


    Dozens of tiny black shards stuck into her palm and fingers. Each one felt like a burning dagger digging deeper into her skin.


    The moose now finally stopped its continual marching. Its head slowly turned to her as she kept taking steps back away from it.


    Its eyes were black with purple swirls. A black viscus fluid began to drip from its mouth. And one of its large antlers began broke off as if suddenly whitened down to almost nothing.


    It gave one loud grunt and a muffled scream with the fluid in its mouth as it fell over on the side of the road. Dead.


    Kamekos heart felt like it had completely stopped as she now realized just what was injected into her body.


    "Corrupted Crystals."


    Panic was swelling inside her mind. She was gonna die like that moose just did.


    It was almost impossible to remove a black crystal from a body. It broke off and flaked in to hundreds of smaller ones and if just one flake entered her bloodstream she was as good as dead already.


    "No, no no no no Please no!"


    Snap.


    Another twig snapped in the forest from where the moose had come from.


    Then another and another.


    Kamekos head turned slowly to the noise.


    Another moose came out of the forest, then another, then another. A Dozen mooses all walked unsteadily in a straight line. All of them born deep gashes and black rotting blood spilled from their mouths as they walked.


    "Gods... What is this."


    She began backing away from the infested herd.


    She had to calm down, she had to, or else it''ll spread faster through her.


    She took deep breathes and reluctantly released all her mana. Since Black Crystals feed off mana using mana only expedites its growth process. She needed to get help. Malissa would know what to do. She''ll save her.


    A deep mocking laugh couldn''t come from any god made specimen cut through the night and locked in her in place.


    Behind the herd emerged a thin but monstrously tall giant. He wore a ragged cloak and hefted a scythe made of pure black crystal. Its jagged crystalline structure glinting in the night. Which contrasted with its wielder''s ghoulish complection.


    It spoke to her.


    Bastard Gods! Why Do I have to understand it.


    It spoke in the language of the dead. The same language Anisha used for summoning.


    "Virtute Utere ut Ignem Crea, Ette Uret."


    Use Magic to Create Fire, And It Will Burn You