Mana Mutation Menace (Journey to Chaos Book 3)

by Brian Wilkerson

  “Dad! You’re in public!”

  “Oh yes, excuse me, Eric. Do you mind if I call you ‘Eric’? Given your position with my daughter, I should hope we are familiar enough for first names because otherwise, I might be nervous of possible end results that might lead to a situation where I bring out the axe my father used in the Conversion War to rectify such results to favor my daughter’s wellbeing.”

  “‘Eric’ is fine, Mr. Enaz.”

  “Glad to hear it. Annala, I’ll see you at home.” He nodded once to Fairtheora. “Good day, Lawful Scary. Allons-y!”

  He jumped ten feet into the air, back flipped, and shifted into a griffin before he completed the first rotation. A rocket developed out of his butt and he blasted off into the distance.

  “Miss Enaz, forgive me if I am rude,” Fairtheora said, “but your father fits every stereotype I have ever heard about elves, save racism.”

  Annala was covering her face with her hands. “He’s our longest serving and most active ambassador; who do you think started them?”

  It was a weekend day, so the couple spent it together; reading in the library, watching a movie, having lunch, and otherwise enjoying each other’s company. Fairtheora even made himself scarce so they could be alone. Around midday, he returned.

  “Mr. Watley, I am pleased to announce that the jury has begun deliberating.”

  “What? Really? When did they start?”

  Fairtheora showed him a video on his scry. It was Reywall, the Dragon's Lawyer's in-house advocate, flying in a courtroom. He was speaking with Kasile and character witnesses. The jury was not present but the seats were packed.

  “Your advocate made your case this morning and was only waiting for the completion of your statement on the manner.”

  “When did I do that?”

  Fairtheora put the scry away and produced a notepad that he showed to Eric. It was notes on his behavior and quotes of what he’d said in the last several days.

  “I have been compiling it since your arrest. A sociopath can pretend to be a rational and empathetic person and so it was feared that a monster with a human’s memories could do likewise. I recorded your statements while watching you in order to prove otherwise.”

  “That can’t be legal!”

  For the first time since meeting him in the castle months ago, Eric saw emotions on the orc’s face. They were disdain, self-righteousness, and professionally controlled outrage.

  “It is reserved for special circumstances and is known as the ‘What You Are in the Dark’ principle. For someone who avoided punishment for deliberate murder because of the ‘Trickster Made Me Do It’ defense, I expect you to withhold any complaints you may have.”

  Eric puffed up in anger and then let it out in a long breath. “Touché.”

  “Please accompany me to the courthouse for the announcement of the formal verdict.”

  “Could I grab a book or two first? Juries can take days to reach a verdict and I doubt my case will be open and shut.”

  “Very well. It might help your case.”

  Eric kissed Annala’s check. “I’ll see you when this is over.”

  She whispered in his ear, “If things go south, you can’t be extradited from Dnnac Ledo.”

  The Royal Courthouse stood in the Grey Town of Justice. It was a magnificent building, made of solid stone quarried by hand. Not one slab was prefabricated concrete. Its roof was roost to a phoenix and its columns were inhabited by dragons. Images of Fiol and the Crowned Tiger graced the walls in displays of authority, punishment, and mercy. Statues of Arritas, the Trickster of Justice, stood outside the door and in the main hall. Although blinded by a handkerchief, there were additional eyes in her throat, hands, and in the back of her head.

  This statue faced a mass of people who, at the sight of him, rushed him. Reporters looking for a scoop thrust their microphones in his face and shined their cameras in his direction. Activists in favor of him shouted encouragement and those against blared threats. A squad of royal guards kept them all in check, but failed to keep them at bay. It was a pushy and raucous occasion, and above it all, Tasio and Arritas munched popcorn.

  A wave washed over them and they fell abruptly silent. Fairtheora marched ahead of Eric and parted the crowd like they were the Red Sea. Whether it was fear of his power or respect for his position, they did not interfere with his escort.

  The courthouse itself was empty because the trial was virtually over. The arguments, presentations of evidence, examinations, and cross-examinations had already taken place. Without a performance to watch, there was no purpose for anyone else to be here, and so Eric was all alone with his advocate. It was quiet and Eric preferred it that way. Unfortunately, it was the calm before a storm.

  “Hey, Reywall. How’d things go?”

  The owl shook his feathered head melodramatically. “Terrible. I have met my match and fear for your life. Kidding! But seriously, it was an unusual experience. I was no more allowed to know the identity of the jury than you yourself were because of fear that I might tell you. If it weren’t for Father Brass serving as the intermediary, I’d have shouted ‘miscarriage of justice.’”

  “Father Brass?”

  “He’s a priest from the Circle of Noitearc with the ironic nickname of ‘Sterile Tree’ for his reputation of unfaltering incorruptibility.”

  “Let me guess, like a tree that has no rot or creatures burrowing into it, he can’t be undermined, but it also means nothing lives in him, and thus ‘sterile.’”

  “Yes, but back to the point; he guaranteed fairness in this trial, so I presented my arguments against the charges against you.”

  “How bad is it, really?”

  Reywall handed Eric the official indictment with his talons. The grendel skipped over the preamble and legalese until he reached the list of transgressions. In total, they were: assault, disturbing the peace, voluntary manslaughter, attempted murder, and public indecency.

  “This last one is impossible. I was wearing clothes that would expand as I did.”

  “The Obelisk’s Lawful Authority Canon shorted them out until after the battle was over. It’s not surprising you didn’t notice, given the circumstances.”

  Eric paled. “You mean I was fighting Gruffle butt naked?”

  “Yes, and it’s on video.”

  “You’re kidding, right?”

  “For once, I am not.”

  The owl reached into his pouch and produced a peculiar scry. Grapefruit Corp produced it especially for avian like himself. Tapping a few buttons, he played the video for his client.

  "When you were banished from the castle by Nulso, many activists recorded the following events to data disk. The Knight of Justice was only made aware of it because two of them uploaded it to Universal Access. It’s very popular.”

  Slumping forward, Eric double face-palmed and ran his hands through his hair.

  “No, this is good news. It means that everyone has seen you acting in self-defense and that you undeniably surrendered yourself rather than fight your way out. I believe the attempted murder and assault charges will be shot down quickly because of it.”

  “What about the others?”

  “Monsters don’t have a nudity taboo, so I believe you will be acquitted of that one as well. The only one that bothers me is the voluntary manslaughter; monster or not, self-defense or not, you still killed someone. What’s worse, it’s the second time you’ve killed someone within a city. Even if I could get you off the hook for that one, I’d be labeled an amoral attorney and my practice would suffer. Finally, if you are found guilty, I fear that Her Majesty will inflict the maximum punishment in order to demonstrate that she does not favor you.”

  Eric shrugged. Personally, he didn’t believe it. Instead, he sat down in the defendant’s chair and started reading. This was a book he checked out with Annala earlier that day on a subject both of them wanted to know more about.

  “Origin of the Divine Elemental Avatars, chapter one…"<
br />
  The world of Tariatla is a world alive. There is enough mana for the planet’s aspects to possess an aggregate sentience and thus a will that seeks to impose itself upon the world. Over time, sapients learned to interpret this will and petition it to favor themselves or harm their enemies. However, this practice was inefficient because the Wills of the Aggregate Sentience of the Fundamental Elements (concisely known and referred to as “nature gods”) thought and behaved in ways alien to the sapients who prayed to them. Even clergy who dedicated their lives to understanding them were only slightly better off. As a result, the first avatar was created.

  No one knows which nature god molded the first avatar. Some have argued for Fire because of the Promethean Theory. Others argue for Earth or Forest because of agriculture or fertility. Still others argue for Air or Lightning because they were seen as more divine due to association with the skies and a fourth grouped argued for Water because it is the source of all life. Regardless, the avatars existed before humans invented means to record their existence, but none of them lasted long. Inevitably, every avatar would melt into their respective element and become one with their patron deity. A decade or so BAA (Before Avatar Alliance), this changed.

  A group of special individuals appeared who were different from the avatars or old. They were more personal than their predecessors were; more alive and distinct as individuals. Secure in their powers, they set about doing the will of their patron on a more long-term scale than ever before. It was to them that sapients now directed their prayers (a footnote ascribed to the theory that the avatar and its patron were the same being or became close enough over the ages).

  There were ten of them in total, one for each mana gate. The most prominent were the Four Earthly Elements that made up Tariatla: Fire, Water, Earth, and Wind.

  Eric pulled out his crystal and confirmed that two of them were present. I suppose the other two will show up sooner or later...

  Next were the Four Composite Elements that were created through combinations of the Earthly Four: Lava, Ice, Forest, and Lightning.

  If I remember correctly, Kallen used lightning to fly in Ceiha. She might have the others by now...

  Finally, the Two Cosmic Elements, Light, and Darkness, lived beyond the world. They’ve been happily married for two millennia.

  Their main job was tremendous in scale: ensure the smooth running of the world. This involved everything from regulating the weather to governing two of the world's Outlaw Nations, to preventing any one species from dominating all the rest and more.

  I have enough on my plate as a mercenary....

  They also worked on the individual level. A human deserving of extra help could see an avatar appear before them to offer it. They might stick around for years until they were satisfied.

  The book had an entire chapter dedicated to speculation about what made a person deserving of such help, with references to volumes more. Eric made a note to check them out.

  The one he had now only described the Method of Operation for each. Waol, the Avatar of Water, changed their identity to what they desired. Wiol, the Avatar of Wind, showed possible futures and allowed them to choose what they wanted. Eaol, the Avatar of Earth, presided over knowledge and experience, and helped them learn what they needed. Fiol, the Avatar of Fire, did it by removing personal obstacles. Like shyness...He shook his head and continued reading.

  The avatars rarely made public appearances, but they left traces everywhere. The Monarch of Ataidar had more firepower than a den of dragons because their royal bloodline went all the way back to Fiol, who founded Ataidar. Eaol had his own religion and some scholars credited him with the birth of chivalry. Wiol had as many greenhouses named after her as Forest's tool and had shrines in chemist labs. Anything about modern sea life could be traced to Waol.

  All this and more Eric read before Fairtheora called his attention. By then, the light from the windows waned and his stomach growled. He hadn’t eaten anything since lunch with Annala. Hopefully, this will be quick.

  “Her Majesty is about to make her entrance.”

  When Kasile appeared, she did so without fanfare. There was no one in the room other than her confidant and sentinel and she wished to finish this quickly. Following behind her was Siron. While she sat in the judge’s chair and spread her skirts, he stood behind the chair and watched for danger.

  “Eric Watley, the jury has reached a verdict for all the crimes you have been charged with. Assault: not guilty via self-defense. Attempted murder: not guilty via self-defense. Disturbing the peace and public indecency: not guilty via monsanity. Voluntary manslaughter: guilty but the sentence will be lightened at the request of the victim.”

  Said victim, a brand new sower, fist pumped. Everyone was surprised to see her sitting in the aisle, only a yard away. They could have sworn she wasn't there a second ago. She waved. The trial proceeded because there wasn’t anything any one of them could do to make her leave.

  “However, due to the nature of the charges against you and the fledging science that saved you, you will be assigned the following punishment. You will be on probation for ten years, fined an amount to be determined by the victim’s family and approved by the Knight of Justice, and sentenced to one hundred hours of royal service without pay. You are now free to go until such a time that I summon you.”

  She banged her gavel.

  In other words, my punishment is to continue helping you as I have been for months, except now you have a legitimate excuse that doesn’t involve guild fees.

  I thought the only payment you wanted was my laughter.

  Touché.

  “Royal Sentinel Fairtheora, you may return to your normal post in my castle.”

  “Yes, Your Majesty.”

  The orc walked calmly and stoically, but Eric was certain that his pace was a little faster than usual. He didn’t acknowledge the sower on his way out, but Eric was struck dumb.

  She was a young woman glowing with divinity. Her long, pink hair resonated love, and her blue eyes spoke of bright life. A golden ring hovered above her head with all the power of chaos. Two angelic wings folded behind her back, seemingly made more of light than feathers. The weasel fur stole around her neck looked like it might come alive at any moment. Even her skirt and blouse, which came from the local department store, appeared otherworldly.

  She blinked at his awe-struck expression and gasped. Closing her eyes, she focused, and her divinity dimmed. When she opened her eyes, her essence was concealed to a level that Eric could withstand without adoring her.

  “Sorry. I’m not used to having Divine Presence.”

  Eric scratched the back of his neck. “I’m the one who should apologize. I feel awful about killing you the other day.”

  Her smile radiated the utmost compassion and forgiveness. “If I were truly dead, I’d be upset, but now, I’m more alive than I’ve ever been. How about we start fresh?” She extended a hand. “I’m Shiro Kami. Pleased to meet you.”

  Eric shook her hand. “I’m Eric Watley. Likewise.”

  Suddenly, the fur stole jumped onto Eric’s head and peed. Eric’s eyes slitted and he grabbed the offending creature, only for her to slip out of his grasp and down his shirt. There she clawed through his shirt and bit off pieces of his skin. Eric reached for her, but she clung to the one area he couldn’t reach.

  “Hombey! Stop that right now and come back!”

  The weasel scurried down his shirt and came out distressingly near his genitals. She stared at the sower and said, “He hasn’t been punished enough! Because of him, you can never have children, so he shouldn’t be able to either!”

  Eric made another grab for her, but she evaded him a third time. He settled for protecting himself with his grendel hands. Shiro's next words mixed softness with reprimand.

  “Hombey, do you remember what happened the last time you wanted to ‘punish’ someone for my sake?”

  Chastened, she left Eric’s shirt and jumped into Shiro’s hands. The s
ower tapped her lightly on the head three times. Judging by the way Hombey slumped in shame, this was far more painful than anything Eric could do to her. Shiro followed up by kissing her head and placing her on her shoulder. Hombey rubbed against her neck and settled down again.

  “Again, I’m sorry. Hombey’s protective of me.”

  “Don’t worry about it. Familiars don’t have to apologize for being protective.”

  “She’s actually my pet from when I was human. Suriel was kind enough to apotheosis her along with me. Unfortunately, she ascended into an infernal creature instead of a celestial like me, so she’s a little...harsher than she used to be.” She petted the weasel around her neck. “She’s still my best friend and sowing is a lonely job, so I’m glad she’ll be with me.”

  “Does it start right away or are you sticking around?”

  “Sticking around for now. I’m a med student at the UoR and Suriel said I could stay until after graduation and residency. I just have to restrain my new divinity because it would have adverse effects on my classmates. You could say I have a job lined up and waiting for me.”

  “Congratulations.”

  “Thanks.”

  Meanwhile, another criminal awaited his trial in the dungeons of Roalt Castle. A winding staircase descended into the cold and dark; unpleasant for anyone but especially for those used to the warmth of Fiol. It was here that Harry Butchin, a.k.a. Nulso Xialon, was imprisoned.

  Stripped of his orderly power, he was a mortal human in a body that did not belong to him. He gave up his original for chaotic technology and then the second for orderly power. Then, that one mutated. His right arm was no longer human. It was instead a fusion of an elephant tusk, a cat’s paw, and a lizard’s leg. It was a prime example of what he used to treat alongside Hasina and Nunnal. He chuckled at the irony. Because he kidnapped the latter’s daughter, he was now the same as the former's patients.

  If that came to pass, he would be killed and Order would claim his soul before he reached the Abyss. He would lose his freedom and, following that, his identity. The only thing he could hope for was an Act of Chaos that would purge his soul of ordercraft without obliterating him entirely.