The Accidental Archmage

by Edmund A. M. Batara

  “Don’t stand up on my account. As my companions will tell you, I’m not fond of such ceremonies,” the First Mage as he walked towards his room. What he wanted to do was to assess the situation with his guides. Especially the question of what he got out of his adventure in that dying dimension. Not to mention a discussion on what to do with the idiot savant of an Elder intelligence.

  “Guys, update please,” he asked as his tired body met the comfort of the bed.

  “We have already processed tablet number twenty-eight. It is part of the creation module of the series. But decoding the information on the anomaly, marked number forty, is proving to be difficult. We suspect the key to its information is in one of the missing tablets. Though at this point, we believe there is another anomaly in the sequence – slab number thirty-nine. We are still puzzled why the data on these anomalies were not included in the knowledge given to us. Unless our makers intended for the Archmage to discover and unlock such anomalies himself,” Hal reported.

  “And the tracker those slimy squids had on us?”

  “We have already identified the energy trace and the code responsible for it. You can ask us to modify it so those beings won’t be able to trace you. But we believe that would give rise to another complication – the skill needed for its modification is an indication of your present capabilities and could reveal our existence. Its absence will also alarm them. They will exert all means to find you, and when they do, there’s no telling what their actions would be,” answered X.

  Tyler felt a headache starting to squeeze his head. And I even haven’t started on what to do with the idiot. And the Aztecah on the plain.

  He rubbed his temples. The pain was already beginning. He knew it was stress-induced but disdained from asking the guides to mitigate the pain. Tyler didn’t know how it will affect his thinking processes. Especially at a time like this, with critical matters needing his full attention.

  Then a familiar voice sounded in his head.

  “Hello, First Mage. I am surprised to see you are still here. And with guests!”

  It was Viracocha.

  “With your comings and goings, why am I not surprised anymore?” answered Tyler to the telepathic visit.

  “Good. You’re getting used to it. It’s a busy period, First Mage. And not only for you. You just have to be accustomed to my resplendent voice. Don’t worry, I won’t disturb you in your delicate moments,” replied the deity with a chuckle.

  “I’d appreciate that,” the mage said dryly. “Today is going to be a short busy day if we ordinary mortals make a mistake. There’s going to be over thirty thousand Aztecah on the other side of the divide, give or take a few thousand. With heavy field pieces. Or did you know they were going to be here?”

  Viracocha appeared not to hear the mocking tone of the mage. A fact which in turn worried Tyler more. The deity obviously had a lot of pressing concerns on his mind. With what was happening now in the ruined settlement, that could only mean one thing – multiple incursions from the Empire.

  “No, no, no. Not here,” Viracocha answered in an absent-minded tone, as if his attention was focused on several far-away matters.

  Tyler didn’t say anything. It was apparent the deity’s attention was occupied as of the moment.

  “Sorry about that,” apologized Viracocha after a few seconds. “Another emerging fire which needed to be contained. I can’t stay long anyway. There’s no deity accompanying that army so it will have to be a mortal battle. The Incan pantheon has lost many of its members already, and it had been a busy time for the surviving ones too. Even the Etruscans are feeling the pressure. Other pantheons can’t involve themselves yet. They’re not officially at war with Aztecah gods. As of now. Admittedly, the situation is fluid. It’s like tafl or even xiangqi. If an Aztecah deity appears, I have to counter the same with one or more from this side. Thankfully, the strength of their power had been severely affected by your little expedition.”

  “And their patrons? As well as those mysterious rivals?”

  “No showing anywhere in this region. That in itself must be driving the Aztecah pantheon frantic and scared. The local deities don’t know yet who those patrons and their rivals are.”

  Then in an amused though a bit weary tone, Viracocha continued. “I might have an idea who they are. One of three possible groups. But I’m not telling. That knowledge may make the conflagration worse. So, don’t ask.”

  One of three? How many bizarre Elder cults survived in this world? Tyler didn’t know whether to be shocked or scared out of his wits. He settled for the numbed response.

  “Fine, keep your secrets,” replied Tyler, acting the role of an unknowing bystander. “But at least tell me what’s happening because I get the feeling I narrowly escaped prison only to run into a pack of hungry tigers. On the open plain. Incidentally, are there tigers here?”

  “There are, but they’re not this world’s apex predators. The native creatures are worse than any tiger you could imagine. Venture into the inner regions, and you’ll see them being hunted as snacks. They’re not enough for a meal for some predators,” said Viracocha. “But back to your question on the Aztecah, they’re on a rampage. Both the deities and the Aztecah ruling class. Their gods need power now, and for that, they need blood victims. The nitwits tethered their power to their temples and fed on the dribbles from the main sanctuary of their patrons. Did they really think their patrons wouldn’t have enemies? With the destruction of most of their power conduits, they have lost a great of their power. Morons. What did they expect? Depending on a single source of strength, latching on like parasites? Now, they need to replenish everything in a hurry. It’s a disorganized way to fight. But desperation is forcing a sacrifice-focused strategy. We’re dealing with famished dogs.”

  “How about the Aztecah emperor? Is he blindly following the deities?”

  “Not blindly. He cast his lot with them a long time ago. Now, the error of that decision is staring back at him. I doubt if he imagined his city would be severely damaged, treated as an arena in a struggle between entities greater than his deities. The emperor is not stupid and knows it’s the end game. From his point of view, his course of action would be to grab as much territory while he can. Then negotiate from a position of strength.”

  “Politics again, Viracocha? You know how I feel about being involved in such schemes?”

  “But you’re involved, lad! Actively, in fact. Let’s hope that little episode remains a secret. Once they know who is really responsible for the greater part of the damage in the temple complex, you’ll have to contend with the wrath and animosity of an entire pantheon. Right now, they’re blaming the rivals of their patrons. And bizarrely, also blaming me. I don’t know why. Well, we both know, but they don’t. It’s some sort of reflex for them to look in my direction when something bad happens to them.”

  Tyler could almost hear the snigger in the deity’s voice.

  “What do I do now?” Tyler asked. “At least no deity is involved. But the numbers are overwhelming again. As usual. At least we’ve got the chasm.”

  “Your mortal enemies do have a huge problem if they want to assail your defensive position. It’s a major undertaking to conduct an attack across the divide. Normally, it would boil down to an issue of supplies and attrition. But there’s one piece of information you don’t know. Really can’t blame your men. That part of the attacking force is not a common sight up here in the northern part of the Aztecah empire.”

  “What are you talking about?” asked Tyler.

  “Yahui. They brought Yahui.”

  Chapter Lore:

  Llakicunim tupasqaymanta – Quechua. Meaning “I’m sorry” or “excuse me.”

  Kamayuk – Quechua. Meaning “officer.” (TAA, Book III)

  Misayoq – Quechua. A priest or a mage.

  Xiangqi – Chinese. Also referred to as the “elephant game,” it is the ancient Chinese version of chess and still being played today.

  Chapter
Four

  Habrok the Philosopher

  Tyler was silent. The word brought back memories of that near-death encounter in his room at Dionysus’s temple. His mind brought back unwanted images of that deadly creature and its unique abilities.

  “How many?” came the next question. It was the only reaction Tyler’s scared mind could come up with at the moment.

  “Not that many. Thirty-four. I did count them,” the deity replied. “Though more may be on the way.”

  “Freakily difficult to kill,” softly commented Tyler.

  Thirty-four! More on the way! His mind screamed at him.

  “True. But I believe you can handle them,” commented Viracocha. “And do take care. The bigger ones can jump long distances.”

  “How long a distance are we talking about?” Tyler inquired, though he had a feeling he knew the answer. A heavy feeling began in his guts and was starting to rise to his throat.

  “Chasm-long.”

  Shit. Ask a silly question, and you get an answer you don’t want. But he could taste the fear the response gave him.

  “Any suggestions? Help? It’s also your temple we’re defending.”

  “I can’t directly participate if there’s no deity involved. But I can seal the temple for now and will keep it keyed to your aura. And your companions and those three warriors too. I’ll get Apu Rumi to help you. That blob of mine does have unique abilities. Take care of him. He’s not a pet. More an adopted nephew. Happy hunting.”

  With that, the voice of Viracocha suddenly cut off. Tyler could sense that the deity had left.

  Must have a lot on his mind. His departures were usually not that abrupt, the observation lingered in his mind.

  Alone with his thoughts and the gloomy reality check Viracocha gave him, the mage felt acutely the impact of his vastly increased depression. It took all his will not to curl up and forget about everything.

  It’s too much, he thought. I think I may have reached my breaking point. Everything on my shoulders. No break in the pressure. It’s becoming worse.

  “My apologies, Elder, but we detect low levels of neurotransmitters in your brain. Protection protocol dictates that we inform you of medical anomalies affecting your body,” Hal suddenly piped up.

  “And what does that mean?” asked Tyler in a perfunctory manner. He realized after his response that he didn’t care what the answer would be.

  Yep, depression definitely getting worse.

  “Medically, it could mean you’re severely depressed. An extremely low neurotransmitter level is a symptom of depression. Stress could have triggered it,” observed X.

  “Guys. Tell me something I don’t know. I am extremely depressed. And stressed. Super-stressed. There had been no break in our pace. Everything seemed to have been dumped on me. Like our current situation. Another fucking life or death dilemma. With thirty-four freaking yahuis, who, as I was just informed, could jump that stupid chasm. And more on the way? Fuck this! I am only human. We, mortals, have our breaking point. I think I am there already. I am very near the ‘I don’t give a shit’ stage. Unless you have a solution to the bastards.And we have idiot junior to worry about plus those gray bitches. Tell me something good as my brain refuses to work and we may all end up dead or worse.”

  “We could temporarily elevate the monoamine level, but that’s a panacea at best,” replied X.

  “And we don’t know if you would respond to the treatment. It’s never a good idea to treat the symptom and not the cause of depression,” X explained further.

  “Ah, shit!” exclaimed Tyler involuntarily. “But then again, I never did like drugs in my brain.”

  “But we do have something for you. The last tablet we processed was part of the creation substage of the information system. Please check your ability list. We believe there might be something there which could be of use. In the meantime, we’ll try to explore options on what to do for the faulty intelligence we recovered and the monitoring by the gray entities. We do believe we have identified the group you call the gray squids.”

  “Gray shits is more like it,” the mage irritably answered as he called up the ability inventory in his mind. “We’ll discuss who they are once the two of you have a solution to their tracing capability.

  At the bottom of the record were two new entries with the usual scientific Elder jargon as headings. One was titled “Manifesting Physical Shapes from Inanimate Material: Determinants and Limitations” and the other had the description “Animating Physical Constructs through Energy Infusion: Mechanics and Abilities.”

  Now that’s interesting, Tyler considered as he activated the first one. He gleaned through the summary and the rather lengthy discussion. The mage suddenly realized he now could create various shapes from natural materials such as stone, earth, and metallic ore. But the Elder knowledge advised against using the ability on living beings or those made from them such as wood planks and skeletons. The possible side effects and adverse repercussions of such use were extensively discussed.

  Unfortunately, Tyler couldn’t understand most of what the researcher was explaining. His mind stopped working when the data began showing atomic reactions. The second ability was a subset of the first. It dealt with infusing shapes with energy to enable them to move and act like automatons. The knowledge came with the warning that the number and mobility of the constructs were dependent on skill, practice, and the energy manipulation ability of the wielder. As with the first, the information was peppered with cautionary statements and warnings.

  As he explored the new knowledge in his mind, a knock on the door broke his concentration. He opened his eyes to see who it was. Habrok stood by the door.

  “Sorry to disturb you, sire. But elements of the main force are now arriving. I thought you would like to know,” said the ranger.

  “Thanks, Habrok. Let’s have a look. The height of the temple would do nicely.”

  The hall was empty as Tyler came out of his room.

  “Where are they?” he asked.

  “Checking the lines and defenses, sire. It was agreed that Tyndur would be the war leader in this battle. He does have the experience.”

  “He is an einherjar. Though I trust he would restrain the berserker’s aggressive instincts in a defensive battle.”

  “I believe he would, sire. He mentioned that as an unsuccessful way of shifting the war leader role to the priestess. But Asem insisted that he was the most experienced. A berserker means a Champion, by the way. But that doesn’t mean they don’t suffer from battle rage. ”

  Tyler gave a small laugh. The pair walked towards the exit.

  “That true, Habrok. I guess he’s just worried about not having enough time for hand-to-hand combat.”

  “I suspected as much, sire. He even resorted to skaldic mode. Unfortunately, Asem was more than a match for him in that aspect.”

  “I should have heard that exchange,” Tyler mused.

  “It was a funny exchange, sire.”

  “Of that, I have no doubt, Habrok.”

  The mage paused as he entered Apu Rumi’s body. He noticed that the being had created a narrow corridor for him and Habrok.

  “Hail, Apu Rumi,” he greeted.

  “First Mage, my greetings. I have been told of intruders in the valley. My assistance needed?”

  “It is. But first, how do you want me to address you? By your full name?”

  “The First Mage can call me Rumi,” the being answered. Tyler looked at Habrok. The ranger nodded. The rest of the companions would have to call the entity by its full name.

  “The temple would be protected while you are with us?” Tyler asked.

  “Yes, First Mage. A tiny portion of my father’s power is already covering the entrance. It is around us. I could feel its strength filling me.”

  “Could you take a humanoid form when you go with us?” asked the mage. “Your present form would be unsettling for our warriors out there.”

  “Of course, First Mage.”
/>   The gelatinous blob surrounding them retracted instantly and coalesced into a tall being, the height of the stone ceiling. It was a stocky form, an entirely brown simulacrum complete with armor and weapons. Tyler could see that the weaponry and protective gear were copies, detailed extensions of the creature. Though he had to admit the simulation of long hair and beard, facial features, and musculature were perfect. Only its size and monochrome effect ruined the imitation. He does look like a bizarre variant of a giant, the mage thought. He glanced at Habrok. The ranger’s face was a curious study of different expressions – fear, amazement, and curiosity. Tyler noticed the man had stepped a few paces from Apu Rumi.

  “Let’s go,” said Tyler.

  When they reached the outside of the temple, the mage started to lead the pair up its steps.

  “Where do you wish to go, First Mage?” asked Apu Rumi.

  “Up there, Rumi. The top of the structure. The vantage point would give us a better view of the kind of enemies we are facing,” he answered.

  “A long time to get up there,” said Apu Rumi. “You want Rumi to bring you there? Faster.”

  “Please do so, Rumi.” Tyler was curious about how Rumi intended to bring them up the temple.

  The giant form immediately changed to that of an immense brown slug, shimmering wetly, with two indentations on the surface of its body. Tyler was surprised at the speed of the transformation though he was a bit repulsed by the form Rumi choose.

  Habrok had no compunctions about his personal feelings about the sight.

  “Eeewwww!” came the loud complaint of the ranger.

  “Form necessary. Faster and not catch attention on the way up. Tall form might be seen,” Apu Rumi answered nonchalantly.

  Tyler took a seat on the giant creature. Surprisingly, it was not slimy contrary to its appearance and the mage’s expectation. The skin felt like rough hide. Apu Rumi’s power of mimicry evidently extended to changing the texture of the being copied even as the outward aspect was retained.