Looming Shadow: Journey to Chaos book 2

by Brian Wilkerson

  That could take a year! Assuming I don't get lost!

  “Or you could wait a month and let me you take you back by airship.”

  Eric raised an eyebrow. “You're offering to pay our way in an airship!?”

  “Uh-huh. There's a Mana Mutation Summit to prepare for. Ah, here we are.”

  Before them was a wooden inn and sitting at the desk was an old man who languidly waved to them as they passed. Mr. Monotone! a perky voice in Eric's head chirped. Unlike Dengel’s voice, this one was just a memory, and a bittersweet one at that. Eric didn’t want to think about it either.

  Kallen led them up the stairs and down the hall to her home away from home. Before the door opened, Eric could smell it: the stench of a dozen species leaking through the doorframe.

  “Did something die in there?”

  “No, it's just my research. Wait just a moment.” She ducked into the room, said something about air fresheners, and then pulled the door open. “Welcome to the lab of Kallen Selios!”

  It was by no means luxurious, but it was warm and adequately furnished. There was a small kitchen, a living room, a bed, and a couch. As one, the girls looked at the guy. He placed his bag on a rug and looked for a blanket.

  Dinner was simple, modest, and fit Eric's perception of Kallen: cup ramen. Kallen picked the spicy and Emily grabbed the sugar, leaving Eric with the sour. The latter was happy about this because the honey incident had turned him off overly sweet things. While they ate, Kallen explained the purpose of her visit in the frigid north. Her assignment was to research the elemental properties of mana mutation.

  Mana entered a world fruit through The Eleven Mana Gates: one for each element and a final one for Spirit. Only mana that came through this last gate was neutral because the rest was “colored” by an elemental gate. There was a hypothesis stating that this phenomenon influenced the mutation. It was not yet a “theory” because many previous studies were inconclusive.

  “I'm going further than that,” she declared. “My presentation lays out the entire process!”

  “That's an...” Eric fumbled for a nice word. “…unrealistic goal.”

  “I prefer to call it ‘ambitious,’” Kallen replied and returned to her explanation.

  Monsters around Mambi tended to be ice type and the ones in jungles could be seen with plants growing on them. Across the world, it was the same; monsters would often have a connection to the natural world around them. This was known as the Elemental Mana Factor Hypothesis. If it could be proven true, it would be a step toward discovering the mechanics of mana mutation.

  All based on my work. Every mage living does so in my shadow.

  When will this voice go away? Out loud, Eric said, “It would be a grand feather in your cap.”

  “Yeah, but I have something else in mind. To prove the hypothesis, I'll have to find pure ice energy in one hundred monster corpses.”

  Finished eating, they threw their cups into the recycling bin and split for their separate beds. The next morning, Emily dove into the work of settling into the new world. She asked Kallen for magic lessons over breakfast (energy bars), inquired about local traditions she should follow or taboos she should avoid, and asked about the qualifications necessary to join this ICDMM or other skilled labor. In the end, she effectively became a sidekick so she could learn and Kallen could have an extra hand with her job. Eric was told to find his own.

  “I’m only paid enough to feed myself,” Kallen explained. “Do you think I can feed both of you without another source of income?”

  With his talents as a mage and experience as a mercenary, Eric decided to join the local militia. After the recent mana storm, they were looking for extra hands and, after seeing his magic, they were happy to feed him after the daily drills and patrols. His connection to Tasio and everyone else from Ataidar didn't reach this far north. They didn't even know he was an Otherworlder; just one more kid whose clothing was stolen by Yukihime, the local trickster. Yukihime herself showed up to support this idea by reciting a detailed and embarrassing story she made up. Eric grudgingly said it was the truth. As for pocket money, he turned to hunting.

  The surrounding area was home to many breeds and there was an industry behind every part of every one of them. Claws and teeth could be made into jewelry or smashed into powder for domestic products. Muscles and organs were good for food and potions. Fur and skin were both fashion and functional. All of which could charmed for accessories or bought for scientific study.

  Much of Mambi’s economy revolved around this hunting. There were the hunters who left the city walls to find monsters, craftsman who processed them, shops for weapons, armor, or curative items. Taverns catered to them and served local delicacies. Even the local government had special niches for the hunters and the monsters they fought. It was sobering to think that this town’s lifeblood was, in part, tragedies like Patrick Lumberson.

  “How many people become monsters vs monsters born from monsters?” Eric asked one night at dinner; ramen, of course. “Is there a percentage?”

  “There are dozens from dozens of sources,” Kallen replied. “First, you have to define ‘people’: Do you mean humans like yourself, or do you include the Earthmover family? Since ordercraft prevents mutation from occurring in urban areas, how do you reliably track mutations? Consider the scale; mutations happen all over the world.”

  She slurped a long string of spicy noodles.

  “It’s generally accepted that most monsters were born from other monsters, or were otherwise never sapient, because the number of missing people that can’t be attributed to other causes is too low for the monster population that we have.”

  “If that’s the case, then how do you know what the monster population is?”

  “Kill every monster in a designated radius, come back the next day, and do it again. Repeat a third time and average them all.”

  Emily choked on her pork noodles. “That’s how you measure the population? How are there any left?”

  Kallen shrugged. “That’s one of the mysteries.”

  As the days passed, Kallen spent more and more time outside the walls and came to dinner less and less often. When she did come, she ate quickly and didn't say word. She disappeared into her lab and neither of the two saw her for the rest of the evening. As the month drew to a close, a heavy object slammed against the wall. Eric opened the door to the lab and saw a monster’s head in two pieces on the floor.

  “Is something wrong?” Eric asked.

  Kallen drew herself up and mimed holding a note card. “The results of my extensive study into the posthumous remains of the monsters of the Mambi region indicate that elemental ice energy may or may not play a role in the transformation of sapients into monsters. In other words, I’m not sure.”

  “Inconclusive, huh?” Eric asked. “That must be frustrating.”

  “If only I had a better method of detecting it…”

  Kallen paced. Her stomach rumbled, but she ignored it. She chose instead to listen to herself concoct and dismiss solutions. Eric suggested that food might get the creative juices running, but she waved him off and insisted that her juices ran by the use of them. She was yanked out of her thoughts by Emily yanking on her hair and sitting her down at the dinner table.

  “Eat now,” Emily said. “Work later.”

  Kallen looked up at her. “Is this supposed to be an intervention?”

  “Yes,” Emily said and shoved a warm cup of ramen in her hands. “Now eat!”

  Kallen opened it up, picked out a chunk, and held it out. “Say ‘ahhh.’”

  “Whmmph.”

  Blushing slightly, Emily swallowed around the chopsticks thrust into her mouth. Kallen picked more out, swallowed it, and offered more to Emily, who blushed redder, fumbled for her own utensils, and grabbed a different box. Eric sent Kallen a sour look. An innocent smile was her reply.

  Someone knocked on the door. Emily answered it to reveal the innkeeper. He stopped by to make sure they k
new about the snowstorm warning in effect.

  “Snol declared she would supervise this one in person.” Looking directly at Kallen, he added, “Hunting in such weather is tremendously dangerous. She’d see it as a challenge. Good night and stay warm.” He closed the door.

  In a few hours, as the storm approached, Kallen was gone. Eric stayed up, hoping to stop her, but she did the same. He hoped to catch her on her way out, but she somehow evaded him. Even so, he was able to follow her. The darkness was as clear as day to him and he had a tracking spell locked on her. While Kallen took great care for her appearance, she was less concerned with her surroundings and left hair in places. Together with the spell Eric learned to track Tasio, he was on her trail.

  He followed it up the mountain and around snowdrifts. At one point, it crossed a frozen creek and Eric cast a float spell on himself just in case she did the same. Occasionally, the trail stopped near pools of blood with bodily remains nearby. Only a follower of The Trickster would be crazy enough to hunt with a Snol storm on the way. What does that make me?

  After walking for an hour or so, he found evidence of the mana storm from the other day; an alien landscape. The ground was discolored and in places swished like a sea in the breeze. Other places looked like poisonous gelatin and it made rubbery growing noises as he passed. Peaceful trees were misshapen into nightmares with green vines and animal parts in odd places. Eric wished he was a florapath out of curiosity, but didn't finish the thought in case Tasio was listening. Another hour passed and the storm began.

  Powerful was the wind and fierce the cold. All his layers and heavy coat counted for nothing against them; the storm bypassed them and struck him to the bone. The snowfall, a serene voice said in his mind. Pure beauty kisses. Eternal sleep. Kallen's trail was still visible, so Eric projected his barrier against the cold and pressed on.

  After walking through the flying snow, he felt a sudden sense of danger and back stepped just in time to avoid an ice lance. Rising out of the snow before him was an ice elemental; a living mass of energy. He’d read stories about them during his nine-day library stay. They manifested in the worst storms and defeated all but the greatest warriors. Those that succeeded were always sages and it was often defeating one that earned a mage such an esteemed title.

  They were also thought to be fragments of a deity’s essence and thus divine creatures. In all his time hunting and patrolling near Mt. Takij, he had never seen one. That was why they were so highly regarded. For one to show up now, and directly on his path towards Kallen, could not be a coincidence.

  If one is here now, then that’s a good sign that Snol is too.

  The serene voice spoke again in his mind.

  Spawn of dark,

  Light of day foil;

  Vanish shadows.

  All this time, the sun slowly rose over the horizon. Nights this far north were long and none too quick to end, but when they did, the snow became blindingly bright. Eric couldn’t see his path, let alone the elemental. Then a second ice lance flew in his direction.

  Higher up on the mountain and inside a tent, Kallen thawed her arm with a thermal spell. Abyss take that elemental... If I wasn't so tired, I – She hissed as her arm regained circulation. At least I'm awake now.

  For hours, she wandered, looking for new specimens. This was the last day; her last chance. If she didn't find what she was looking for, her presentation would be incomplete, and she would be scrutinized by other researchers and heckled off the stage. Then she ran into that elemental and incurred its wrath. She didn't notice the spell until it impacted on her arm. She would have loved to fight it, but she was in no shape for such a battle. She barely got away.

  Once her arm finally thawed, she shook it a few times. Suddenly, she was breathless and lightheaded. She grabbed a bottle of Mana Juice and shook the top over her mouth. Only a drop touched her tongue. It was just enough to remind her how much mana she'd lost. A part of her said she was over-extending herself: not enough sleep, not enough food. Her hands were aching and the cold made it worse. I can do this! She clapped her hands and pulled her crystal from within herself. The orange light within shined alongside the grey. I have the power!

  She left her tent and saw someone standing about eighteen feet away. The sight was such a morale booster that she laughed. It was an avian woman – tall and very pale with purple hair, purple eyes, and white-blue earflaps. She cloaked herself with a pair of wings resembling a snowdrift and about her waist twisted a water eel glowing with divinity. She raised a taloned hand and beckoned. Kallen took one step forward and, all at once, the world changed.

  The wind grew stronger, the snow grew deeper, and the cold penetrated to Kallen's soul. Snowflakes deliberately blew in her eyes and the chill made them sting. A gust came out of nowhere and nailed her in the gut. Kallen gasped and fell backwards into the snow's cold embrace.

  Gritting her teeth, she clapped her hands and drew them apart to reveal a staff. It was made of white rowan, had a pommel stone at the butt, and a head shaped like a crescent moon lying on its side. Inside the arch, her crystal was attached with amber sap. Two lights glowed from within. She jammed it into the snow and pulled herself up until she walked above the snow. Brandishing her staff like a plow and forming a barrier of light at its tip, she pushed forwards.

  The pale woman stood in the distance, staring impassively at the struggling human. She was as far away as ever and getting further with each step Kallen took. Snow and ice obscured her from view.

  With a deep and chilly breath, Kallen shouted, “Snow's Tool! I want your power!”

  Tehehe, foolish child, a silky cold voice said in Kallen's mind. You cannot handle my power.

  “I can take anything you've got!”

  Hail the size of boulders fell from the sky. Kallen pointed her barrier at the assault and braced herself. It pounded on her barrier like the bolts of an army. Each one cracked it until one finally shattered it. She fell to her hands and knees and the last boulder struck the ground behind her. It completed the circle the others made as they recoiled off her barrier. As one, they grew into full-length mirrors. See yourself and despair. Kallen looked up and her knuckles turned white: a chimera stared back at her. She looked away, eyes stinging, and came face to face with another mirror: herself bullying a younger girl. She shut her eyes and plunged her head into the snow.

  Behold the power you seek. Show me someone worthy of it.

  The cold and silky voice was accompanied by one deep and rumbling. Kallen stared wide-eyed at the power rushing towards her. A mountain's worth of snow bore down on her.

  When Eric heard the avalanche, he turned around and ran away. Winged Feet gave him just enough speed to stay ahead of cold, crushing death, but his spell was flawed. It improved his lungs and legs but didn't account for cold air. Each breath burned his throat and strained his focus. The avalanche gained ground with every passing second.

  It ran over rocks, trees, and ledges that Eric was forced to dodge. One rock escaped his notice and sent him sprawling head over heels down the mountain. Snow punched him over and over until he soared through the air; he'd gone over a cliff.

  “Just like a wooden boat, support me now so I may FLOAT! AIR DISK!”

  Wind gathered beneath him and he fell on a disk of air. The mage jumped out further as the snow followed him. Only then did he let out a sigh of relief.

  Eric watched the snowy horde continue its conquest and anxiety bubbled in his stomach. If Kallen was caught in that, then she could be dead or buried. It was a strange feeling; she annoyed the abyss out of him and yet here he was worried sick about her. The disk started to shimmer and blink. He scurried back to solid ground before it vanished.

  With the natural steamroller wiping away all tracks, physical and magical, Eric thought it would be hard to find her and he was right. For hours, he searched the snowy blankness without success. His fear for Kallen grew by the second. It was a pain that filled his heart and anxiety that ran in his limbs. If she we
re buried by the avalanche, then she'd be dead by now. Then he noticed something peculiar.

  There were trees in the carnage with burn marks and animal corpses that appeared charbroiled. A fire during an avalanche? Then he saw a third strange sight and his curiosity was piqued further. It was a large rock formation that stood in the field of white. It looked like a horseshoe with a comb-over. Everything within the circle was scorched black, except the girl at its center.

  Kallen was on her knees and propped up by her staff, unconscious. Her cloak was a solid sheet of ice and her hood had holes in it. Her coat and pants were streaked with chunks of ice that looked suspiciously like slash marks. Eric fearfully checked her pulse and again sighed with relief.

  This is why you do not taunt the ice goddess...

  Carefully, he laid her flat and completed a more thorough check for injuries. As he did, the crystal on her staff caught his eyes. Inside, there was a purple light chasing an orange one around a grey, or maybe it was the other way around. Eric had seen the first light when he originally met Kallen and the orange a month ago, but the purple was brand new. Is that the real reason she came out here?

  From inside his pack, he pulled out a bottle of glowing green liquid. Its official name was “Mana Juice” and it was liquid mana that replenished magical reserves. Eric tipped Kallen's chin and held the bottle to her lips, careful not to let her choke. With the additional mana, Kallen's body would heal on its own. His other potions specifically treated injuries and hypothermia.

  He shifted Kallen into a makeshift piggyback and carried her down the mountain. He didn't have to worry about monsters because nothing on this mountain could withstand the avalanche’s might; nothing except the girl on his back. By the time he reached the base, she stirred.

  “I feel like a sack of potatoes,” she said sleepily. “A bridal carry would be more romantic.”