Looming Shadow: Journey to Chaos book 2

by Brian Wilkerson

  “Oh, sorry,” Eric said, blushing. “I was so busy, I lost track of time.”

  “Really? What are you working on?” Emily crossed the room before Eric could close the window. “Practical magic?”

  “Oh yeah, I'm really into magic,” Eric said. “I do sleight-of-hand. Remember?” Card tricks, rabbits, coin gags – he did that sort of thing all the time in high school but lost interest until recently. They were a big hit at office parties and he even embarrassed the resident schmoozer. Sleight-of-hand was fun, but it was nothing like the real deal. Thinking about his small shows made him think of a real show, where he performed real magic, and had real friends and—

  “Eric!” Emily shouted. Eric shook his head and apologized. “You've been drifting off a lot lately. Like you're in another world.”

  “I’m not!” Eric said harshly.

  “That's another thing,” Emily said. “You've become confident to the point of aggressive.”

  “I had a lot of time to think. I didn't like who I was,” Eric replied. “I wanted to be more confident, so I did.”

  “I wish I could do that,” Emily said wistfully. “Change just like that.”

  “It wasn't easy. The struggle of the butterfly to escape its cocoon makes it strong enough to survive. I simply hadn't fought out of my cocoon yet.”

  The cocoon was my own mind, thanks to that ancient asshole…

  You should be thanking me.

  Eric shook his head vigorously.

  “You've become philosophical too. I didn't know that about you.”

  Eric grinned. “There's a lot you don't know about me. I bet there's a lot I don't know about you. I didn't know you wanted to change yourself.”

  “Well...Do you promise not to laugh?”

  Eric nodded.

  “I've had this dream – of flying. I've wanted to fly over the world and see everything...but I could never push myself to do it.”

  “I think that's a beautiful dream.”

  “Really? I always thought it was some silly, childish fantasy.”

  Suddenly, Eric wasn't in his apartment anymore. He wasn't in the city anymore, nor the planet, nor even the local universe contained within the world fruit of the Great Tree, Noitearc. It all rushed by his eyes in a blur of color and light. Once again, he was back in Roalt. Standing in the dirt streets of the busy capital – looking at turtle taxis, flying griffins, and real magic and hearing the mages cast spells, the merchants haggle, artisans shouting, and the aroma of the food, and the feeling of mana all around him! Giving him power and energy and –

  “Eric!”

  Gone. Just like that; it was all gone. All the sights and smells and sounds of Tariatla vanished like a dream. Eric clutched his forehead as he mentally shouted at himself that it wasn't a dream and that Tariatla really did exist because he could still do magic and he was going to get back there! And –

  “ERIC!”

  Eric blinked and looked up. Emily stood over him with her hands on his shoulders, looking worried. Eric smiled sheepishly and his face heated up. He could only imagine how he looked to Emily just now, and how it must have worried her. A new feeling hit: guilt. All this time and effort to get somewhere when he already had something great here.

  Then a second guilt appeared alongside the first. Emily was the only reason he hadn't gone completely mad during his exile. There was a reason for that. There were many great things waiting for him on Tariatla. If only I could get there!

  “Eric, are you all right!? You're spacing out again.”

  “I'm really sorry, Emily,” Eric said. “I'll change as quickly as I can and then we can go.”

  The exiled mage was in such a hurry, he forgot to turn off his computer, so his homepage remained open. He dashed to his bedroom where his date clothes were...somewhere. Emily sat down in his seat, placed her purse on the desk, and looked over the page.

  “You know...ever since Hanson promoted you, you've changed a lot. You're helpful and friendly and you stand up to Aaron, but what were you thinking last night?”

  “Last night?”

  She scanned the recent article about illusions and another about the use of martial arts to increase mana supply and control.

  “Yes, when you dropped that criminal at the convenience store. I read about it on someone's blog. Did you 'emerge from your cocoon' as a butterfly or a wasp?”

  Eric emerged from his bedroom in dress pants and a nice collared shirt. “I had frozens,” he protested.

  Emily laughed. “And here I thought you were trying to be a hero!”

  Eric shook his head. “I'm no hero; just a mercenary.”

  He froze.

  “A what?”

  “I want my money's worth,” Eric said quickly. “I don't want to give a month's salary to a punk with a gun, you know?”

  “Yeah,” Emily said slowly. “Where'd you learn to do that anyway?”

  “I go to a training hall every week,” Eric answered. “At first, it was to stay in shape but –”

  “Not that; the other thing,” Emily said. “The blogger said the criminal paused. You ranted about your day, but he didn't shoot you. Why not?”

  Eric shrugged. “I guess he didn't have the guts. The gun might have been for intimidation.”

  Emily stood up angrily. “Eric, do you think I was born yesterday? You did something!”

  “Do you think I have magic powers? That's ridiculous!”

  Emily pointed at his computer. For the third time that day, Eric silently cursed himself. He didn't want anyone to know that he had real magic. If that happened, he would be constantly bothered for demonstrations. Then he would run out of juice, be labeled a fraud, and never reach Tariatla. If he had met that punk any other day, then he might have been able to show more restraint. “You wouldn't believe me if I told you!” Eric snapped. “You'd think I was crazy and never speak to me again!”

  “You don't know that!” Emily insisted. “I wish you would tell me the truth!”

  Eric was about to retort, when the significance of her words sank in. “What was that?”

  “I said, 'I wish you'd tell me the truth!'”

  “It's pretty complicated. A jump-start talk wouldn't work. It would have to be a heavy-duty explanation.”

  “Fine! I want your 'heavy-duty' explanation!”

  “That is your wish?” Eric asked.

  “Eric, stop delaying! Yes! It is!”

  Silence followed and Eric waited. Emily caught her breath. Waiting, breathing, waiting; Eric never said a word. Emily growled in impatience and turned around. Eric pleaded for her to stay, but she ignored him. She stomped out the door and slammed it behind her.

  Eric slumped back in the chair as a new funk set in. In addition to his usual I'm-never-going-home funk, he now had a new I-drove-away-my-girlfriend funk. He knew it was a long shot, but he was sure that he could draw Tasio with those words. “Heavy-duty help” was the phrase Tasio had used before dragging him to Tariatla all those months ago.

  Then, he heard a scream. Emily! Grabbing his staff and bag on his way out, he rushed through the door. When he reached the hallway, he almost dropped them in shock. He couldn't believe his eyes. Here was the one thing he had been searching for. All his spare time in the last three months was devoted to tracking and traveling and now he had found it in his own apartment building. A tall, double-door, golden-brown gate stood proudly in front of the elevators, and they were closing quickly.

  Eric bolted. The gate faded. He pushed himself harder. I HAVE TO MAKE IT! He jumped forward and the gates closed behind him. He was greeted by the vortex of rainbow light.

  It was just as he remembered it; strange visions coating every surface and flashes of light surging through a tunnel. One of the latter struck him and he re-lived another part of his first trip; the agonizing pain of his limbs shrinking. Despite it, his screams and tears were those of joy. I'm going home!! I'M GOING HOME!!

  Chapter 2 Not Quite Home

  Eric woke up in someth
ing warm and furry. He opened his eyes, leaned up, and a blanket fell off of him. All around him was compacted dirt and thick tree roots. His clothes were gone and, in their place, was a full bear pelt, roughly tailored into sleeves and pants. He sniffed and felt a flush of energy. He inhaled deeply and filled his lungs with mana. It brought tears to his eyes.

  I'm home! I'm really home!

  “Crimson fire! Grant my desire! Fireball!”

  A sphere of flame instantly flared into life between his palms. The tears came so fast they almost put it out. He collapsed the spell between his hands and chanted again and again and again and again. It felt so good to be capable of magic again! To taste the air again and to feel mana again!

  I'm home! I'm really home!

  He hit himself in the head, pinched both his arms, and pulled on his nostrils. The pain and newly raised bump were the final confirmation he needed.

  I'm home! I'm really home!

  “Good; you're awake.” In the doorway stood a badger. “For a while, I didn't think you were going to make it.”

  “Who are you?”

  “Topit Earthmover. My parents found you and your friend in the snow.”

  “Emily! Is she all right?”

  “Yes, she's fine,” Topit said. “She woke up an hour ago. A funny sort she is; doesn't seem to understand our language.”

  “That's because she's an Otherworlder.”

  Eric couldn't describe how gratifying it was to say that and to see Topit's understanding nod. Last time, he was the Otherworlder (technically, he still was) and on the other side of that nod, but never again. This time, he was a native (sort of).

  “This way.” Topit jerked her head to point the direction of his friend.

  The passage, made by and for badgers, was too small for Eric to walk through, so he had to crawl. Fortunately, the pelt insulated him against the frozen ground. He smelled ash and roasting meat before he saw the fire.

  At the end of the tunnel was a larger and taller room. In the center, a fire simmered insects on spits, and three more badgers were talking around it. On either side of them were tunnels leading to other rooms, and against the walls were jars with smoked fish and salted ants. A human girl huddled against one of them. She looked to be teenaged, had long red hair, and wore the same bear pelt as he did.

  “Eric! What's going on!? There are badgers, fires, my clothes don’t fit anymore, I’m younger – they're gonna eat me!”

  Eric fought down his laughter. Strange location, animals that appeared to be talking, missing clothes; he had to admit it was a lot to take in. The additional mana in the air would amplify any panic she felt because it acted as a stimulant in high enough concentrations. As an Otherworlder, the air itself was above her tolerance.

  “Emily, relax. No one is going to eat you.”

  “That's because you taste nasty,” the smallest badger said. He was promptly swatted by Topit.

  “Ignore my brother. He's a compulsive liar.”

  “Then it's a good thing my companion can't understand him.” To the parents, he said, “Thank you for saving us.”

  “Don't mention it.”

  “Eric! Are you talking with badgers!?”

  “Yes, Emily, I am. You wanted the heavy-duty explanation, so here it is.”

  He began by assuring her that he had panicked just as much when he first arrived. Then he told her the story of Noitaerc, the Great Tree that Supports the Worlds, the Sea of Chaos that nourishes it, and the Cloud of Order that anchors it. He demonstrated the Three Laws of Magecraft and explained how the differing mana level between Tariatla and Threa allowed for the possibility of magecraft. With a gesture to their hosts, he told her that non-humans in this world were just as sapient as humans and capable of speaking plainly with them. Finally, and with a healthy dose of scorn, he told her about the one who brought them to this world.

  “Don't say his name!” the badger family chorused. “He'll fill our den with drunk skunks!”

  “This, you should always remember,” Eric said. “Speak of The Trickster and he shall appear.”

  “TASIMMPH!”

  “What did I just say?” Eric asked with his hands over her mouth. “If you say his name right now, he's more likely to subject us to petty mischief than send you home. You wouldn't want to disturb our hosts and rescuers, now, would you?”

  Emily shook her head.

  “Good.” Eric removed his hands and addressed the badger family. “Please tell me where my staff and bag are.”

  The parent badgers had a couple's eye-conversation and the father walked into another room. He came back, dragging Eric's bag in one paw and Emily's purse in the other. Emily hesitantly accepted her purse, then clutched it to her chest. Eric pulled out a number of coins and gave them to the father.

  “I hope you visit a human settlement because this is the only way I can repay you.”

  “Thank you. Might you be a mage?”

  “Yes, I am.”

  Mrs. Earthmover addressed him next. “We found a piece of wood near you that we assumed from its runes to be a staff. When I picked it up, you shook violently, as if in pain, so I placed it back in the snow. We can guide you to it.”

  “I would appreciate that.”

  “I'm coming too!” Emily shouted.

  Her shout was so loud it shook a clump of snow loose and into the chimney. It would have drowned the fire if not for a quick air spell from the missus. This startled the poor girl so much she jumped up and hit her head on the ceiling. Then she screamed again and inch-wormed out the nearest tunnel. Again, Eric bit his lip to hold in his laughter. The younger badger didn't bother and, for this, he was swatted again by his sister.

  Mr. Earthmover guided Eric through the tunnel Emily used. It turned left and right but otherwise remained straight with no detours. It wasn't long until he felt a winter breeze. The lodge had been cozy, but this stretch felt like it was in direct wind chill. Emily was outside, spinning in circles.

  “Did you know she would panic?”

  Mr. Earthmover grinned. “You are not the first Otherworlders we pulled out of the snow.”

  Outside the den, the world was a glistening white. Snow was everywhere and as peaceful and smooth as the icing on a cake. Eric scooped out a handful and pushed it into his mouth; it was just as sweet too. After months in a dry world, even frozen water tasted wonderful. Mr. Earthmover advised him to show restraint or he would die of hypothermia. Eric ignored him and dived into a snow bank.

  He ate his way through to the other side. The snow melted in his mouth and sloshed down his throat, and a rush of energy flooded his body. He laughed, shouted, and smiled ecstatically. By the time Mr. Earthmover pulled him out, he was groaning of brain freeze and shivering.

  Hesitantly, Emily picked up a small bit and plopped it in her mouth. A smile bloomed on her face and she grabbed a bigger piece and was soon groaning alongside Eric. Mr. Earthmover handed them each one of the salted insects and they felt warmer in seconds.

  “What were those?” Eric asked.

  “We call them ‘furnace roaches,’ but I suspect you humans call them something else.”

  Eric nodded. He took stock of his surroundings and his joy gave away to confusion. Geography wasn't his best subject, but he was pretty sure there weren't any stand-alone mountains near Roalt. The closest thing was Mount Fiol in the southeast, but that was the home of Fire's Avatar and a volcano. It was snow-free all year-round. The Yacian Mountain range in the east was steeper than this and had more monsters. So far, he hadn't seen another living being except for the Earthmover family and Emily.

  “Mr. Earthmover, where are we?”

  “Mount Takij, near the human settlement of Mambi.”

  That is not in the least bit helpful... “Do you know how to get to Ataidar from here?”

  “Ataidar? What's that?”

  Eric screamed. He was in Tariatla, that much was certain, but had no idea how to get to home. After he caught his breath, he asked about the Yacian M
ountains, and Kyraa, and Najica, but the badger didn't know any of them. Two steps forward, one step back... He muttered dark things about tricksters.

  “What's going on?” Emily asked.

  Eric answered with his head in his hands. “We're being toyed with by a pointy-eared sadist.”

  He muttered more dark things and recited Tasio’s less flattering nicknames as oaths while the Earthmovers guided him to his landing zone. With every step, he could feel his staff growing closer. When at last it came into view, he jogged the rest of the way. When he grabbed it, it pulsed.

  The staff warmed his hands and his spirit. A mage's staff was as dear to them as their own arms and legs, and would eventually become them. Eric had seen it happen with senior mages. Their bond erased the physical barrier and they acted as one being. It was taboo to touch a mage's staff and a felony offense to steal one. Eric closed his eyes and held his staff next to his heart.

  “Should we leave you two alone?” Emily asked. Eric coughed, blushed, and insisted that wasn't necessary. “So that's your wizard staff?”

  “Mage, not wizard. Someone who practices the craft of magic. A chemist uses chemicals, a violinist uses a violin, I use mana.”

  “So it was magic that you used on that criminal...”

  “Technically, that wasn't magic because I wasn't using mana.”

  “Then what was it?” Emily asked impatiently.

  “Have you ever been so scared you thought you'd go insane?” Eric asked in reply. “Have you ever hated someone so much you wanted to kill them?”

  Emily slowly shook her head.

  “You're lucky. I am not. However, anyone I wish will share my pain.”

  “Are you saying you have an ‘evil eye’? This is all really weird, but that explanation is just too...”

  Eric locked eyes with Emily. Hers dilated, her breath caught in her throat, and her whole body froze. Eric blinked and Emily shivered.

  “Sh-shadow...” she muttered. “Cold...looming...shadow...”