by A F Kay
Ruwen nodded. You’re right. There will be time to experiment later. And thank you, Rami. This wouldn’t be possible without you.
Warmth filled Ruwen’s mind and traveled into his chest as Rami gave him a mental hug. You’re welcome.
Ruwen ran back to the cave, cheeks aching from his grin. As he approached the cave, Nak came into view, and the remnant gave him a nod. Lylan was likely there as well, just hidden. Even without her magic, Lylan had a lifetime of skills that kept her out of sight.
Stopping twenty feet from the entrance, Ruwen tried to contact Fractal.
Fractal?
Ruwen got no response. He kept trying, but it wasn’t until he stepped into the cave that Fractal responded to Ruwen.
Yes, Fractal said.
We can’t talk unless I’m inside the dungeon, Ruwen said, stating the obvious.
True that is. Someday stronger both us be. Talk all times.
Ruwen nodded to himself. Yes, someday, they would both be much stronger. The experiments he’d just tried proved that.
Someday soon, he told Fractal.
Chapter 15
“We heard an explosion,” Hamma said. “We were worried about you.”
“By we, she means her,” Sift said.
Ruwen kneeled next to Sift and looked at Hamma. “I’m okay.” He raised his left hand and wriggled his fingers. “See.”
Hamma gasped and grabbed his hand, examining it. Lylan appeared a few seconds later and studied it as well.
“It looks normal,” Lylan said.
“That doesn’t seem right,” Sift said.
Ruwen remembered blinding himself and then burning his skin. “I’ve had more practice than I expected. And good news, you're next.”
Sift narrowed his eyes. “Why don’t I feel lucky?”
“Better news is I can’t kill you,” Ruwen said.
Sift covered his eyes and muttered something.
Ruwen turned to Hamma. “Do you have any more of those wraps? I need to cover my hands. Just in case.”
“Just in case what?” Sift asked, trying to sit up.
Lylan pushed him back down. “Stop being a baby.”
Hamma nodded and walked over to Slib. She had used strips of cloth to press the multiple pieces of Slib’s body together. Removing two, she brought them to Ruwen.
Ruwen wrapped his hands. The cloth bound his fingers together, and it made him uncomfortable, but he only needed the wraps while he cast the heals. Eventually, he would need to find a pair of gloves so he could move his fingers when he cast.
Hamma and Lylan stepped back, and Ruwen moved to kneel next to Sift’s chest. The rough cut around Sift’s center looked painful, but he didn’t complain at all.
Ruwen calmed himself and filled his thoughts with all the successful heals he’d already performed. This would be no different. He had always stood before, but it didn’t seem like that should matter since he didn’t access the Meridians in his legs. If it felt different while kneeling, he would stop and start over.
He completed the form, touching his Spirit as he brought his hands down to his waist. With the wraps, he couldn’t see the glow around his hands. Gently, he pressed his palms to Sift’s chest.
Bright Spirit swirled from Ruwen’s hands, but instead of filling Sift’s body, the twenty-four holed raisin of Sift’s center immediately consumed it all. Sift’s center brightened with the addition of the Spirit, but his wounds remained.
Sift looked down at his chest. “I thought you were fixing me.”
“I was,” Ruwen said. “But your stupid sifting sucked it up.”
“Well if you give me more Spirit, I can heal myself. Like I did before,” Sift said.
“That’s wasteful, and you just want to steal all my Spirit,” Ruwen said. “We’re trying this again.” Ruwen looked up at Hamma and Lylan. “You might want to turn around. In case any light escapes the wraps. It’s not pleasant.”
“What’s not pleasant?” Sift asked.
“Well, whatever happens, it’s your fault,” Ruwen said.
Sift tried to sit up. “How is it my fault that you can’t heal a minor scratch? Hamma never makes excuses.”
Ruwen pushed Sift back down. “Let’s see if you can handle this.”
“Healers are gentle and care about their patients,” Sift said, a little worry in his voice.
“Well, I’m not a Healer. You should close your eyes. I blinded myself the last time I tried this,” Ruwen said.
“What?” Sift yelped.
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Hamma said, still facing the other way.
“Well, he does kind of deserve it,” Lylan said.
“Thank you, Lylan,” Ruwen said.
“What! How could you say that Lyl?” Sift asked.
“You literally carved a hole in your chest like you were some kind of donut,” Lylan said.
“Findley makes the best donuts,” Sift said, immediately distracted. “But he hides most of them from me.”
As Sift continued to talk about Blapy’s Kitchen Master, Ruwen quickly redid the form, this time running his finger across his Core instead of just touching it. With maybe a little extra force, he pressed his palms against Sift’s chest and pushed the Spirit into Sift’s body.
Sift’s entire body turned bright white as Spirit filled him. He didn’t scream, but gasped and then groaned. Hamma and Lylan turned and then kneeled across from Ruwen. Sift’s center quickly sucked in the Spirit, but too much Spirit filled Sift, and his wounds healed before the last of the Spirit disappeared into Sift’s center, which had now turned into a bright misshapen prism.
Ruwen squinted his eyes, and Lylan laid a shirt over Sift.
“The wound disappeared,” Hamma said in disbelief.
Ruwen leaned back, sitting on his feet. “I told you.”
“That didn’t feel so good,” Sift said.
Lylan slapped Sift’s chest. “You mean, thank you.”
Sift looked from Lylan to Ruwen. “Thanks, buddy. Even though you are the worst Healer Uru has –”
Lylan slapped Sift again, interrupting him, and Sift just grinned.
“You’re welcome,” Ruwen said.
Smiling, Ruwen enjoyed his success. He had healed himself, cast two different fire spells, and then healed someone else. There were still a lot of unknowns, but he had already accomplished so much more than he ever thought possible. The future excited him, assuming he could get them out of this realm.
Sift tried to whistle and Ruwen, Hamma, and Lylan all leaned back.
“It didn’t work,” Sift said.
“Your center made it hard to see, but it didn’t look like any paths connected. I’m sorry,” Ruwen said.
Lylan leaned down and hugged Sift. “Stop being an idiot.”
Hamma and Ruwen stood, and he reached across and grabbed Hamma’s bandaged hand. “Why don’t you let me heal this too?”
Hamma jerked her hand away and then saw the shocked expression on Ruwen’s face. “I’m sorry! I, it’s just, well, we need to heal the others first.”
Ruwen, confused, nodded. Why didn’t Hamma want his help? Did his style of healing repulse her? She wasn’t the type to be jealous. Her behavior puzzled him, but what she said was true. They had people who needed healing, and now that Ruwen had proven his healing would work on others, they shouldn’t waste any more time.
Hamma walked over to House Captain Juva. “Let’s start with the easier one.”
“Hello, Hamma. How is Slib?” Juva asked.
Hamma kneeled and patted Juva’s shoulder. “He’ll be better soon. We want to try a heal on you.”
“No, please use any healing you have on Slib. Please, he is just a boy,” Juva said.
“There’s plenty to go around. Just relax,” Ruwen said.
Ruwen kneeled across from Hamma. She smiled, and it made him feel better about what had just happened.
Staring down at Juva, Ruwen tried to sort through his feelings. This man had tried to kill him multiple time
s. Should he be doing this? Juva’s dedication to Slib, while misplaced, was admirable. The man clearly had a sense of duty. If he healed Juva, would he just try to kill Ruwen again?
In the end, none of that mattered. Ruwen didn’t want to become a person who left those that needed help to fend for themselves. And the more powerful he became, the more important that belief needed to be.
“This might hurt a little,” Ruwen said. “Well, probably not compared to your current pain. Ready?”
Juva nodded, and Ruwen executed the healing form over Juva. Ruwen only touched his Core, the lowest amount he’d figured out how to use. He hoped that would be enough since he didn’t have to overcome Sift’s sifting ability. Ruwen pushed the Spirit into Juva’s body.
The House Captain spasmed, and Hamma held him down. Juva moaned and went stiff. Ruwen worried something had gone wrong.
“Uru be praised,” Juva murmured.
The House Captain sat up and touched his midsection. “You did it. The pain has disappeared.”
Juva stood, and Hamma and Ruwen did as well.
“You should take it easy,” Hamma said.
Juva hugged Ruwen and then held his shoulders. “Uru’s blessings on you. It shames me what I have done in the name of loyalty. I have a family, a little girl, that –” Juva paused and closed his eyes for a moment. “I thought what I was doing was justified. But it wasn’t, and I’m sorry. If we ever get back home, I will make changes. I want to be a different man than I’ve been.”
Ruwen patted Juva’s shoulder. “It’s okay.”
Juva shook his head. “It’s not. You proved your character when you helped the boy and me. When you had every reason to leave us, you didn’t. And now you’re healing us from the wounds we took after abandoning you. You are an honorable man. I want to be like that.”
Ruwen stood speechless. His parents, and Tremine, had complimented him before, but never like this. Or with this intensity. Hamma smiled and nodded, which only embarrassed Ruwen more. He wasn’t someone worth admiring.
“I just want to get home,” Ruwen said, wanting to move past this uncomfortable conversation.
“I will do everything I can to help,” Juva said. “Can we help Slib now?”
Ruwen nodded and moved over to Slib.
Hamma had done the best she could, arranging the pieces of Slib’s body to aid in the slow regeneration process. It made Ruwen’s stomach turn every time he saw the mangled pieces. Slib’s eyes were unfocused, and his mouth moved, but no sound emerged. The pain seemed to have driven Slib mad. Ruwen wondered if Slib would recover mentally, even if Ruwen fixed Slib’s body. Regardless of Slib’s actions, he didn’t deserve to suffer like this.
Kneeling, Ruwen immediately executed the, for lack of a proper name, Minor Heal. When he pushed the Spirit into Slib’s body, it didn’t look like it had much of an effect. Ruwen took a breath and did the form again, this time running his mental finger across his Core, generating the power for a Major Heal.
Slib’s entire body vibrated. Spirit flooded the broken body, and in moments Slib looked normal. Hamma gasped, and Juva shouted for joy. Slib’s eyes remained unfocused.
Ruwen stood and stepped away, and Juva immediately kneeled and lifted Slib’s head and shoulders.
“Slib, are you okay? It’s over,” Juva said.
Slib didn’t respond, and Ruwen worried he’d been right, that the pain had broken Slib’s mind.
Juva kept trying, and the third time, Slib’s eyes focused on Juva.
“Juva?” Slib whispered.
“Yes, yes, I’m here,” Juva said.
“It hurt. The pain. So much pain,” Slib said.
“I know. It’s over now. Ruwen fixed you,” Juva said.
“Ruwen?” Slib asked. He looked up and focused on Ruwen. “Thank you,” Slib said and then sobbed.
Juva rocked Slib, and Hamma and Ruwen walked back toward Sift, giving Slib some privacy. They were halfway there when Sift’s eyes grew large, and Lylan leaped to her feet, crouched, and faced the water.
Ruwen turned to look at what had caused the reaction and stopped. His heart raced, and he stepped in front of Hamma, dropping into a fighting stance.
Four figures stood silently in the water.
Chapter 16
Ruwen studied the four newcomers. He couldn’t tell much about them because their armor covered them from head to toe and consisted of mismatched animal parts. The biggest of them carried a shield that looked like a giant turtle shell, and his armor looked the most consistent of the four. Their weapons were talons, beaks, or long fangs that all glowed with the dense white of Spirit. They looked like something straight out of a nightmare.
The smallest of them stepped forward and removed a beetle skull helmet, revealing a youthful woman’s face, possibly not even a hundred yet. She had thin features, dark eyes, and high cheekbones. The woman reeked of danger, and it subdued her undeniable beauty. It reminded Ruwen a lot of Ky. Her eyes took them all in.
She crossed her arms over her chest and bowed. “Her blessings on you, travelers.”
Hamma stepped up next to Ruwen. She kissed her index and middle fingers and held them up. “Her favor on your plans, her light across your path, her mercy in your heart,” Hamma said.
The woman across from them kissed her own two fingers and touched her heart, mouth, and forehead. “Thank you, Sister.”
They all remained quiet for a few seconds, and then the woman spoke again. “My name is Kaylin. If you would be so kind, could you tell me the year?”
Ruwen, still in his fighting stance, didn’t know what to do. The four arrivals hadn’t attacked, and now they were asking about the date. Should they help them? Hamma didn’t seem to have any of these reservations.
“9703 AP,” Hamma said.
Kaylin winced and looked down for a few heartbeats. “Thank you, Sister.”
“My name is Hamma.”
“Well met, Hamma,” Kaylin said with another bow.
Ruwen dropped his fighting stance and stood up straight. “Why are you here?”
Kaylin focused on him, and Ruwen felt the stare like a punch. “I was careless.”
Ruwen shook his head. “No, I mean, why are you in this cavern?”
Kaylin hooked her helmet to her belt. “We were forced into the dungeon by a Wailing Revenant and its army, a pack of Bloodless Wolves, three Dire Specters, a –”
“Wait,” Ruwen said. “All that is outside the dungeon?”
“No, their battle has tumbled inside now,” Kaylin said.
“Is there usually that many things around here?” Ruwen asked, thankful they hadn’t immediately left the dungeon.
“No,” Kaylin responded.
“Then why are they now?” Ruwen asked, an awful feeling forming in his stomach.
“The same reason we’re here. Looking for one of you,” Kaylin said.
“One of us?” Hamma asked. “Who do you want?”
“Mica?” Kaylin asked as she turned around.
The second-largest warrior pointed at Ruwen.
Kaylin returned her attention to Ruwen. “I don’t see any spillage. Are you sure it’s not him?” Kaylin asked and pointed at Sift.
“I’m positive,” Mica said. “It’s the wrapped one. He has the spatial warping of a Dread Lord.”
Kaylin’s eyes widened, and all three warriors turned and faced Mica.
“He’s that strong?” Kaylin asked.
Kaylin pointed toward Sift without turning from Mica. “Young lady, you’re good. It took me twenty seconds to notice you. Please stop advancing. We just want to talk.”
Ruwen looked toward Sift but didn’t see Lylan. Nak continued to watch the tunnel, and Sift stood completely relaxed, his combat meditation making him unnaturally still. Ruwen, his hands still wrapped, couldn’t signal in Shade Speak, so he yelled. “Let them talk.”
Mica continued. “It’s him. By the rotation, I’d guess he’s Refining right now.”
“How many Meridia
ns?” Kaylin asked.
Mica shrugged. “Too much distortion to know for sure. But at least six.”
“Is he the one she promised?” Kaylin asked.
“Must be,” Mica said. “The spatial warping makes him a walking beacon. Travel will be dangerous.”
“What are you talking about?” Ruwen asked. “We aren’t going anywhere with you.”
“Take your helmets off,” Kaylin said, and then turned to face Ruwen. “You’re right. We can’t force you to do anything.”
“Why are you here?” Hamma asked.
“The army outside is looking to consume an enormous source of new Spirit,” Kaylin said. “Your arrival made waves that many felt. The demon from the mine has sent her followers to collect you. We’re here to offer our protection.”
Why would the newcomers want to protect them? And why were they so close to the dungeon in the first place? Their statement made little sense, and Ruwen worried this group might be bandits.
Kaylin stepped back and put a hand on Mica’s shoulder. “This is Mica.”
The man had removed his helmet, and dark shaggy hair almost covered his eyes. His angular face matched his thin muscular frame. He looked similar in height to Ruwen, just over six feet tall.
Kaylin turned to the young woman beside her. “This is Una.”
While Kaylin had pulled her hair back in a tight bun, Una had braided her hair, and all the strands combined to form a larger braid down her back. Her oval face looked softer than Kaylin's, but Una’s eyes were just as hard.
“The big guy is Jagen,” Kaylin said.
Jagen looked older than the other three, but still less than two hundred. His short-cropped hair sat on top of a wedge-like face, the jaw wide and strong. Despite his sizeable frame, his eyes appeared kind.
“Naktos sent us all here. Jagen is Izac’s, and Una, Mica, and I are Uru’s,” Kaylin said.
A sudden realization crashed into Ruwen’s thoughts. Uru had lost three Champions to Naktos, and this group had been looking for him. No, they were expecting him. He needed to confirm his suspicion, though, without giving too much away.
Juva and Slib huddled against the back wall, and Ruwen hoped they were out of earshot. He didn’t care if Hamma put anything together. She would have to know Ruwen was a Champion soon enough. Eventually, Uru would reveal the tree on Hamma’s palm that marked her as one of the Hand: the five people chosen by Uru to help her Champion.