Meridias

by Ryan Hodgson

  Then Saturday came. It also happened to be the first day of July. Elunduil decided to branch out into healing magic since it was something he’d been able to do, but he hadn’t practiced it since he’d first used it on Cerra. He was also looking to spend some time with Alicia. He and Felras wolfed down their breakfast and walked to the VR center. Despite the fact that it was morning it was still warm out. It was supposed to heat up even more over the next week or so. “Hey, Felras. I’m going with Alicia today to learn about healing magic. Do you want to come along or will you be fine with Tim and Tanis?” he said as they approached the VR Center

  “Uh, I’ll be alright,” Felras replied. Elunduil nodded and they went inside. Tim and Tanis were already waiting and Sean was there as well. “Alicia isn’t here yet?” Elunduil asked as he approached the others. Sean began to speak but a voice came from behind him. “Here I am!” Elunduil looked about to see Alicia hurrying to them. His heart raced as she smiled at him and he smiled back. “Okay then let’s go,” he said and lead the way to the portal. He’d bring up going to Cooper’s with Alicia once they got to Ragnarok.

  When the group arrived they immediately set out for the transports. One transport was waiting at the launch area and they boarded it. The knight waiting in the transport fired up the engines and set off to Ellicia. Elunduil found himself fidgeting and was hesitant to speak, but he finally found his voice. “Ahem, I think it’s time I learned about healing magic, so I’m going to go with Alicia starting today.” He was nervous and couldn’t look at her. Tim had a knowing smirk on his face and said, “Well you did manage to heal Cerra and Cooper so you must have a knack for it too. Best to round out your skills. Cooper can definitely teach you a thing or two.” Tim winked slyly. Elunduil frowned at his friend. What had he meant by that last bit? “So, you’ll be coming with me?” Alicia asked. Elunduil nodded. His face was hot. From what he could tell she was blushing a bit as well.

  When they arrived the group split up and went their separate ways. Elunduil let Alicia lead the way from the town hall. They reached the earthen and green hued house within a couple of minutes and much to his surprise Alicia opened the door and went into the house much like Cerra had when he’d first come to this house. I guess that’s normal here. He thought as he followed Alicia into the home. It was just as cluttered with books and other mystical objects as it had been the last time he was here. “Oh, you’ve brought Elunduil with you today?” they heard Cooper say from somewhere behind a stack of books. “Um, yeah he says he wants to learn about healing magic,” Alicia replied. Elunduil gave Alicia a what’s-going-on look and she chuckled. “He’s always digging through some book whenever I come. You’ll get used to it.”

  Cooper finally appeared from behind his books carrying a leather-bound tome and put it on the table in the center of the room. “How did you know it was me?” Elunduil asked the elf. Cooper smiled and chuckled. “I could tell. We’re birds of a feather after all,” the elf said. Elunduil was only more confused. “I’d expected you to come to me sooner or later. You show talent for healing but at the time I didn’t get to see how you did it. I’d like to examine your technique.” Cooper pulled up a stool by the table and drew back the sleeve of his brown robe. There was a black bruise on the elf’s forearm. “I was a bit careless the other day and a stack of books fell on me. Unfortunately I’m not as young as I used to be.” Cooper chuckled heartily. “Please heal the wound in whatever way you see fit.” Elunduil was caught off guard a bit but thanks to training with Angurvadel he was used to acting on the spot. Although he was a bit anxious with Alicia watching him. He took a breath and visualized the bruise vanishing and then reached deep inside himself. He held out a hand and a soft golden light went from his hand and washed over the bruised area.

  He’d expected it to take a long time considered the last time he’d healed someone, but in a matter of seconds the bruise had disappeared. He barely felt tired. “I guess I’m a fair bit stronger than before,” he commented. Cooper appeared to be deep in thought and stroked his short white beard. Elunduil looked to Alicia and she shook her head. After what seemed like an eternity the elf broke his silence. “Let me tell you about the healing element, Life,” he said and walked over to the leather-bound tome. “The element of Life is in every living being. You could say that it is this element that sustains us. I’m told that you have met with the entity Life. The elemental spirit gives us life so that we may live. It is this element that all healing magic comes from. Utilizing your own energy you use Life to speed up the regeneration process that all living beings possess. However…” Cooper paused and put a hand to his chin. “The fifth element. Aether… well it being the parent element of Holy and Life it is capable of much more.” Cooper looked to Elunduil. “With Aether you wouldn’t even need to regenerate the body’s wounds. You could simply breathe new life into the ones that are damaged or form new components entirely.”

  Elunduil felt as if he knew the point the elf was driving towards. He did have an affinity towards the element and… Angurvadel had said it was related to Void. “Angurvadel has informed me of your orientation, young man. You being capable of using Aether in a small capacity was within the realm of possibility. It would seem that my hunch was right. That being said I will still give you a proper teaching about healing magic. Now let us begin.” Elunduil nodded and the elder held up the tome so that Elunduil could see the contents. It looked like the anatomical structure of some kind of worm. Cooper pointed out the various parts of the worm’s internal organs and explained their functions. He also had Alicia explain some of the things. Elunduil then had to repeat back the function and structure of each one back to Cooper until he was able to recite it from memory. As he was finishing describing the triple chamber of the worm’s heart he heard the door open and Elunduil looked to see the others along with Cerra. “Ah, has it been that long already? Very well you may go. I hope to see you again tomorrow.” Elunduil let out a sigh of relief and joined the group.

  When they were outside Cerra asked Elunduil about what he had learned. “Well I can tell you a pretty good picture about the anatomical structure of a worm… oh and apparently I ‘heal’ using Aether rather than Life.” Cerra whipped about and grabbed Elunduil by the shoulders, startling him in the process. “Seriously?! When you healed me before how did you do it?! You said you visualized it healing but how?” Elunduil stammered for a moment. Cerra’s reaction had been unexpected. “Um… I imagined the bones coming back together though I don’t really know how different your bone structure is from ours so I guess I just used what I could imagine…” Elunduil gulped. Her gaze was intense. “So, you didn’t go into a healing trance and look at the damaged areas… you just used your imagination?” She sighed and let go then looked around. “I think it would be best to keep this between us and the elders for now. Your magic being undetectable until used is already enough of a shock as is,” she said. Elunduil and the others nodded and went to the transport site.

  They saw Maria, Daniel, and Dave waiting to board the transports as well. “Oh, good more people!” Dave said. “Normally they wait for a few minutes to try and fill up the transports but with all of you we can take off early.” Elunduil glanced in Maria’s direction. From this close he could tell her neck was bruised. What trouble had she run into in the real world? “Well only six of us will fit at a time and with everyone here that’s going to Ragnarok we have nine so… some of us will still have to wait for another transport,” Tanis pointed out.

  “Hey how about this. Maria, Dave and Elunduil have to wait and the rest of us go first?” Daniel said with a wide grin. “Wait why should Elunduil go with them? Shouldn’t you go with them since it’s your brother and friend?” Alicia asked bemusedly. Daniel grinned like he knew something they didn’t. “Well Dave should wait because he’s the oldest. Elunduil because he’s the strongest aaand Maria because she’s the second strongest.” Alicia was about to protest but Tim cut in.

  “Well since you insist I’m s
ure you guys have some sort of matter to discuss with Elunduil. Come on guys let’s go.” Tim led the way to the transport and the others reluctantly followed. Alicia glanced back with a worried look on her face. Elunduil shrugged and motioned for her to go. As the transport took off another one arrived from Ragnarok with some passengers. Once they had disembarked Elunduil boarded the transport with Maria and Dave. He sat across from Dave and Maria sat to Dave’s right. “Your brother kinda sold you out there,” Elunduil commented. “Yeah I’ll get him back later… Say last time we didn’t really get to talk because of the contest but I was curious as to how you got kidnapped.” Dave’s inquiring eyes were on him. Elunduil also noticed that Maria’s attention shifted from the wall to him. “I honestly don’t remember much about that-” Mostly because it didn’t really happen. “But they got me from behind and held some sort of cloth up to my nose. When I came to I was tied to the chair and blindfolded.” Dave looked astonished. The transport hummed to life and started its journey as he spoke. “Wow they must’ve been planning to take just about anyone or something. What happened next? Did the guys beat you up?” Elunduil frowned. “There wasn’t anyone there when I woke up. I called out a few times but gave up when I determined that no one was there.”

  Maria felt the way Elunduil was acting was odd. Sure the guy never seemed bothered by anything but recalling a kidnapping should at least be a bit terrifying. “Were you scared? Did you ever think that nobody was going to come? Did you think… that you might die?” she said mockingly. She hadn’t expected a reaction but when she’d said ‘die’ a hard expression crossed his face. “Tired… weary and surrounded by darkness… It was… cold.” Elunduil closed his eyes as he recollected what he’d felt when the Leader had drowned him in darkness. Such an expression caused Maria to regret saying what she’d said, for dragging up a painful memory. She shook her head. What was she doing? Was she feeling sorry for him? Still… she could relate to the cold and darkness. She’d faced it many times before, and… that was the first time she’d ever seen him show so much emotion. It was strange. “There were a couple of time where I thought I would seriously die, but I believed that there was some way I could be saved… Anyway, what did you guys want with me?” Elunduil’s face become expressionless. Maria sighed. He was back to being his normal self. “Well while you’ve been playing healer today I’ve been honing my skills. I want a rematch. This time we’ll do it in Ragnarok. Tomorrow, around 1 o’clock. I’ll understand if you’re too chicken to show up.” Maria grinned to herself.

  Elunduil sighed wearily. Why was she always out to get him? Oh well he’d just beat her again. “I’ll be there,” he said plainly. The transport came to a stop and they got out. Elunduil rejoined his friends and Daniel went off with Maria and Dave to Tel’kedar. “Did she challenge you to a rematch?” Tim asked. Elunduil nodded.

  “She really does not like me. Although considering her reaction to the robe and my mini-firewall flower she must think I’m trying to be a copycat. Oh well I’ll just beat her again.” They started walking to the tower. “I wish I could be there tomorrow but I made plans with Stephanie,” Alicia said. “I’ll be cheering you on in spirit though.” She gave him a brilliant smile. Elunduil rubbed a hand through his hair in embarrassment. “Ah, thanks,” he said meekly. The group went to the portals and returned to their world and headed home. Elunduil did not look forward to another duel but was still determined to win.

  ***

  Joel and his comrades had held the perimeter for four days. Food supplies were starting to run low and everyone was on edge. The Krel hadn’t tried to jump into the tent again but they would smash against the floor every once in a while. It was as if they were testing their prey’s resolve. Someone tapped Joel on the shoulder. He looked over to see Jerome handing him a water flask. Joel nodded in thanks and took a quick gulp before handing it back. “Alright it’s time for us to go to plan B,” Ashblade said cutting through the silence. “At this rate we’ll run out of food and water before they leave. Bryce get the package. Everyone else move into position. We’re ending this.” Ashblade’s voice held a menacing edge to it.

  Everyone quickly rose up and fell into a circular formation around Bryce. Ashblade drew a knife and cut his forearm then wrapped a rag around it. He made sure the rag soaked up plenty of blood before handing it to Bryce who wrapped it around one of the extra tent poles they’d found. Ashblade bandaged his wound and Bryce nodded that he was ready. They heard the Krel stirring outside. They seemed to have caught the blood’s scent. The plan called for luring the Krel into attacking and then killing them. If they were lucky only one would attack at a time. The only drawback to the plan was that the pole was short and Bryce had to get close to the edge of the floor to hold the pole out over the sand. They knew the risk though and Bryce nodded that he was ready.

  Ashblade nodded back and Bryce slowly walked towards the tear in the tent. The Krel started to bang against the floor. They had expected that to happened and Bryce crept ever closer. Joel gulped as Bryce reached his standing point. Bryce then slowly waved the pole over the sand. The Krel started to circle around it but didn’t make a move. They wait patiently for several minutes as nothing happened but then one made a move. Rather than going for the rag on the pole a Krel burst forth from the sand with a wraith-like hiss and flies right at Bryce. Bryce tries to get out of the way but is only able to get a few steps back and the creature bites down on his leg. He cries out in pain and drops the pole. “Attack!” Ashblade commands.

  Bullets fly forth from the others but the creature isn’t releasing its grip and starts to pull Bryce towards the sand. Joel is terrified. He is shaking but… but those damn land sharks made him angry! “AAAAAHHH!” Joel cries out and charges at the creature with his sword. He slashes at the creature’s belly with all his might opening up a huge gash. The Krel lets go of Bryce but Joel was far from finished with the creature. “Just! Die! Stupid! Land! Shark!” Joel calls out as he hacks furiously at the creature. The Krel manages to slide back into the sand but its wounds were great. As the creature sinks into the sand the other two Krel swarm and attack their wounded comrade. The wounded creature struggles but soon it falls still and moved no more.

  The group looked away as the creatures feasted and tended to Bryce’s wounds. “Thank goodness it didn’t do any permanent damage,” Lucas said as he treated Bryce’s wounds.

  “It sure as hell doesn’t feel like it’s going to be fine. Thank God we have painkillers in here.” Lucas chuckled. The next half an hour was spent watching the Krel feast. Would they still be hungry after their meal or would they move on? Joel hoped it was the latter. He didn’t think he’d be able to attack another one like he’d done earlier. Several minutes later they saw two fins dipping out of the sand and heading in different directions away from the camp. Ashblade had them wait for another hour before he took a party out to investigate the outside. By nightfall they determined that the Krel most likely weren’t coming back, but Ashblade set up a night watch just in case. Now that they had been attacked there was going to be a permanent night watch from this day forward. Joel was too tired to complain and was happy to sleep in a peace again. He drifted off to sleep thinking of his family back home and wishing he could leave this wretched world.

  ***

  Elunduil and Felras met with Sean and Tanis at the VR center the next day. Tim had said the he would be along later so the four went took the portal to Meridias. Sean said he was helping Damon with a project and ran off leaving Elunduil, Felras and Tanis to wait for Maria and her friends to show. “I wonder what kind of contest that girl has in store for you today,” Tanis mused. Elunduil shrugged. “Probably something to do with water or freezing.” Tanis nodded in agreement. One of the portals opened up and Maria appeared with Daniel and Dave in tow. “Are you sure you don’t want to back down?” Maria said with confidence as she approached. “Yeah, yeah let’s get this over with. I want to get a quest done today. Which reminds me what’s your guy’s levels
now?” Elunduil asked looking to Tanis and Felras. “Uh, 3,” Felras said. Tanis was level 5. Dave and Daniel where level 3 and Maria level 6. Elunduil sighed. “Leveling up in this world is really slow. I want to do more quests to level up faster,” he said.

  “Hey I bet Elunduil’s level 10 or something,” Daniel said with a grin. Elunduil looked to his device while he said, “Actually I’m level twel-wait thirteen? Huh just a few days ago I was twelve.” He frowned while tapping the device. He looked up and saw that Maria looked very annoyed. “Uhh anyway we should go to the contest area,” Dave suggested when he saw Maria’s expression. “Everything should be set up.”

  Dave led them briskly out of Tel’kedar and onto the streets. He headed towards the community center while Elunduil thought about their levels. Everyone had gained about two levels in the past two weeks since they’d started. Tanis and Maria had gained three levels and he had… gone up five? He couldn’t blame Maria for being annoyed. Why was he progressing at a faster rate though? During their last contest he had felt like he had a good grasp of the nature of water that he hadn’t had before… it was like the day he’d first used a firewall flower.