Arrival

by William Dickey

  ‘Isaac, Isaac, he’s our man. If he can’t do it no one can,’ Mai chorused simultaneously in a dozen falsetto voices.

  With no other options, I had to rely on my primitive magic abilities. I focused on the familiar sigil and added mana. My left arm burst into flame burning both it and the vine constricting it. Arm freed, it rushed for my belt and retrieved my fire stick. With a wave of my hand, the artifact turned on shooting a plume of fire from its end. I directed the fire all around me, waving the fire stick around in all directions. I may have singed myself a few times, but I was free.

  I backed away from the vines as a few of them were still swinging around, trying to restore their hold on me. That was when I saw it, a large central bulb from which all the moving vines originated. In the middle of the bulb was a giant green eye. The eye’s stare met mine and I knew this plant possessed a degree of intelligence.

  According to Mai’s readout, the eye-vine was level 42, which was troubling since I was only level 33, but I had one advantage. It was a plant and I had fire. I aimed the fire stick at the vines nearest to me. I would have aimed for the bulb but I couldn’t reach it. The fire stick sent out a plume of fire, so it had good spread, but the range was terrible.

  The vines easily caught fire and burned away, but it never seemed to be enough. It was like fighting the hydra, for every vine I destroyed two more would take its place. I tried to move forward, to get close enough to attack the bulb, maybe then I would deal lasting damage, but there were simply too many vines in the way. Finally, the stalemate broke. It had to. Unfortunately, it didn’t go my way. A few of the vines, while still burning, broke through to grab my outstretched hand. Pain seared throughout my arm forcing me to let go of the fire stick. The wall of flames protecting me went out and a number of fresh vines shot into the opening and seized me by the throat.

  I didn’t reach down to the ground for my fire stick; too many vines were in the way, so I went for the boom stick on my waist instead. I didn’t think its electricity would match up well to the plant’s fibrous body, but I didn’t have a choice. The only other combat artifact I had was my shield and that couldn’t protect me at such close quarters.

  Before the vines could choke me to death, I sent a bolt of lightning at the bulb’s eye. The vines writhed in agony before going limp. I knew the limpness could only be temporary, the bulb was only stunned, there was no way a single bolt could kill a level 42 monster. Temporarily freed, I grabbed my spear and tossed it into the bulb’s large staring eye. The spear buried into it and the monster’s health bar fell by a third. It was the first time I had seen any movement in it at all, but it wasn’t enough. Any second the plant would snap out of it and resume choking me to death.

  Suddenly, a bright magenta light burst from the head of my spear. It was the mana crystal I set to absorb mana. Somehow, it was drawing power from the plant monster. I watched attentively as the plant struggled to sling its vines around to grasp and remove the spear, but the spear’s shaft was too smooth.

  The light of the mana crystal steadily grew until it was utterly blinding. I couldn’t see the bulb anymore, just a few vines twitching violently. Then the light disappeared, the mana crystal had grown too large for its setting in the spear and shattered. A wave of energy crashed against my chest, throwing me back ten feet into a wall and draining 70% of my health.

  You gained 17432 EXP

  You gained a level

  I climbed to my feet and inspected the damage. The vine monster was dead and all that remained were a couple of half-disintegrated vines.

  “How did a plant have so much mana?” I asked Mai.

  ‘It probably subsisted off of mana. There isn’t any sun down here so it’s the only energy source that the plants could grow from. They must be leeching it from the ley lines,’ she mused.

  “What’s that,” I said turning my gaze downward toward a new noise. I noticed a number of vines moving on the floors below. At least a dozen giant eyes stared up at me as they slowly crawled up the stairs.

  “Fuu-” I cut myself of before I could finish the expletive. I wasn’t sure what senses the plants possessed. Noise might draw even more of them.

  Spear gone, health low, the decision was simple. A single one of these things had nearly killed me. Facing even one more would be difficult. A dozen would be impossible.

  My heart cried, I really wanted all the treasures in this massive Traveler base, but these enemies were too much for me. I retreated back outside.

  “What am I going to do now?” I asked Mai, looking back at the door as it melted shut.

  ‘You can’t fight them, not as you are now?’ said Mai.

  “That much is obvious,” I replied. “Is there any quick way to get strong enough?”

  ‘Give this place up for now and come back when you are stronger,’ Mai shook her head.

  Getting stronger would take forever. I had been in this world for 9 months already and I was only level 34. The enemies here were in the 40s. So I’d have to be around level 60 to take them out in mass. No, I couldn’t give this up that easily. It was the ruins of an extremely advanced society, one connected to whatever interdimensional travel system that brought me to this world. I believed it would hold secrets of Otheristry, the strange mixture of science and technology that I was only just beginning to grasp. Such knowledge was priceless.

  The monsters I had seen were only level 40s. The real challenge was the number of enemies. I knew what I needed to do. I needed to recruit a few allies. With some help, clearing the facility would be easy.

  Chapter 29: Gathering

  “Capsain, brought the items Corsel Dragontail sent,” said Talia.

  “Thanks. Can set them over there next to the emergency rations,” said Izusa.

  “Sure,” said Talia setting them down. “What are anyway?”

  “Products of the captured human mages,” explained Izusa. “Should give us an edge in the coming battle.”

  “What do mean?” asked Talia.

  “Why don’t take a look. Was going to distribute tomorrow with the other provisions before we leave,” said Izusa. The scouts had recently reported that the humans had moved their forces toward Othan territory and in the next few days, Izusa’s unit was expected to be deployed in response.

  Talia opened the box. Inside were a series of little disks. She picked one up and pushed the big red button in the center. The disk hummed to life.

  “What does it do?” said Talia looking around for some indication of change. “Am doing this right?” She pushed the button a few more times to see if anything happened but still she didn’t notice anything.

  “Stop that. Are wasting it,” said Izusa. “Here, hand it over. Will show.”

  Izusa took the artifact, turned it on, and promptly vanished, stunning Talia.

  “Where did go?” Talia called out.

  Izusa flicked the button again and reappeared. “Never left. The artifact makes the user invisible. Of course the user remains visible to self so as to not hinder movement.”

  “Let try,” said Talia picking up another disk from the box full of them.

  “Let go. Can only be used for so long,” said Izusa.

  Talia’s curiosity overwrote Izusa’s command and she turned the artifact on. Talia may not have been able to see its effects on her but there were others ways to test its effectiveness. Talia slowly crept around to try to sneak up on her commander. ‘The Capsain is always so uptight,’ she thought. ‘This is a perfect chance.’

  As Talia approached only inches away, Izusa suddenly thrust out a fist. Talia was sent reeling. She dropped the artifact revealing her presence.

  “How did know?” asked Talia.

  “The disk only makes person invisible.” Izusa pointed down at the ground. There were a set of footprints in the dirt running from where Talia vanished to the ground next to Izusa.

  “Caught,” Talia admitted. “If there’s nothing else, am going to join the feast.”

  “Go ahead,�
� said Izusa waving her off.

  “Should come too, for once,” said Talia. “Need to relax is just beginning.”

  “Have work to do. There’s lots to prepare for tomorrow,” said Izusa.

  I waved at the old librarian at the front desk. He recognized me and let me through. I hadn’t been by since the incident with Deimos, but since I’d had my revenge, I felt like I could come back. The specter of finals no longer loomed and the library was back to the way it usually was, not a soul in sight. I made my way down the stairs to where all the books were held, but they weren’t what I was looking for.

  ‘Are you sure about this?’ asked Mai.

  “I am.”

  ‘The existence of the site will be revealed,’ she warned.

  “That worries me,” I admitted. “But I have to start trusting people at some point.”

  I knew I needed to be careful. The other earthlings in Mill Valley, Lilith, trusting people always seemed to backfire. I told myself this time could be different.

  ‘I’m glad,’ Mai smiled. ‘Never give up on people. Never lose hope.’

  “I won’t.” I ended the discussion with Mai and focused on finding Rose.

  I was a bit worried she wouldn’t be here. The school year had ended a month ago and many of the students had gone home for the break. I didn’t think Rose would be one of those though. She had told me she was a commoner, one of the few who possessed magical ability and permitted to attend the school. Everything she had, including her hopes, dreams, and future, was tied to this school. Either she’d graduate, join the ranks of mages, or she’d fail and live a semi-impoverished life of a peasant.

  I found her where I expected her to be, in the quiet little study room where we had spent most of our time. She turned in surprise at the sound of the door opening.

  “Hi. It’s been a while,” I said. She put down the book she was holding and stood up. I walked over to meet her. I opened my arms for a hug but before I could close enough, she waved an arm and my shirtsleeve burst into flame.

  ‘See, what did I tell you? She’s a flaming witch,’ said Mai.

  I waved my arm wildly trying to blow the fire out, but this only seemed to fan their growth. I ended up ripping off the entire sleeve, tossing it on the ground, and stomping on it.

  After I was sure the fire was out, I turned back to Rose and snarled, “What’d you do that for?”

  I was met with a sharp slap to the face.

  “You just disappear on me. Two weeks before finals. Without another word, like you had all the say. You said you’d help me read the text. I nearly failed the portion on foreign magic,” she said angrily.

  “Zelus said he’d fill in,” I tried to explain.

  “And you set me up with that seducer,” said Rose, adding to the list of grievances.

  ‘You deserved that,’ said Mai in a tone that made me unsure whether she was talking about Rose or me.

  Then she did something unexpected. Her expression softened and she wrapped her arms around me. For half a second, I waited for her grip to tighten and choke the life out of me, but it never came.

  “Okay and what was that for?” I asked. I was grateful mind you, but huh. I was stunned by the sudden about face.

  “I cheered for you in the arena. You were amazing. You actually managed to show up Deimos and all those other pricks,” she said.

  “Thanks,” I said, my face warming slightly. “I’m sorry it’s been so long. I’ve been busy.”

  “We’ll I’d say so. Your performance has been the talk of the town. Other students keep bugging me because they know we practiced together. Sagemeister Fredrick came personally to ask me what I knew. He was quite annoyed when I told him I was as surprised as he was. Did you really find a way to overcome the interference phenomenon or was it all a fake?” said Rose.

  “It’s real,” I confirmed. “I based it off a device in my world that does something similar with sound, but don’t start thinking I’ll reveal how it works though.”

  “So, that’s what you’ve been doing, perfecting your designs? The Millenius ended three weeks ago. You should have come to see me sooner,” said Rose.

  “Actually, I haven’t looked at the mana interference canceller since the competition. I’m here because I could use your help on my current project,” I said.

  “Sure,” Rose agreed. “What are you working on, an unlimited mana storage device or an invincibility potion?”

  “You think I could do something like that?” I said.

  “You already broke one law of magic, what’s a couple more,” Rose replied.

  “Actually it isn’t an invention at all. I need some help clearing up some monsters in a cave. Are you ready for a more practical test of your skills?” I said.

  “I don’t know. Will my magic be enough?” said Rose.

  “Don’t worry you aren’t the only one I’m inviting along. I’m putting together a team with a mix of strengths,” I said. “On that note, do you know if Zelus is still around? I was thinking he could help out as well.”

  I pointed up in the general direction of the academy buildings upper floors. The school dormitories were up there. Since students came here from all across the country, most students lived in the dormitories.

  “He’s around but he won’t be in the dormitories. He doesn’t have one. He’s a local,” she said.

  “Do you know where we can find him?” I asked.

  “I know where he lives. But you’re more likely to find him in a tavern or the red light district,” she said.

  “Let’s try his house first. We can worry about checking taverns after,” I said.

  We left the library and went down the street. We didn’t have to go far and a few minutes later, we were standing in front of a large mansion. My jaw dropped.

  “This is Zelus’ house,” I stammered. It was easily two or three times larger than most of the noble houses that made up the inner city. It was built in the stylings of an old southern plantation fully decked out with a symmetrical façade, Greek columns, and garbled roof. The only peculiarity was its vertical stature, it was four stories tall.

  “How many families live here?” I asked. It was common for several noble families to share an estate in Crystalpeak. Of course, all of the families had a main estate, but it was usually placed on their own lands, which could be several days away. A secondary shared estate would be placed in Crystalpeak to use while they were in the city, meeting other nobles.

  “Just the one,” said a voice behind me.

  I turned around. It was Zelus. He looked quite ragged and sleepy. I guess that’s what happens when you visit a man of the night so early in the morning.

  “Technically the main estate is in our territory in the southeast, but it’s a third the size of this place. The family lands are so isolated we always spent more time here,” explained Zelus.

  “T-This whole place is just your family,” I stuttered.

  “Just me,” said Zelus, pausing a moment to laugh at the placement of my jaw. “Me, and the maids, and the cooks, and the other servants.”

  “The rest of your family is in the other house,” I said despite Rose’s warning stare.

  “No, I am the last of the House of Reinstone,” said Zelus, solemnly. “The rest of my family died during the last Torch. I was a baby at the time.”

  “The Torch?” I asked, unfamiliar with the term.

  Rose took over, “The Torch was, is a plague that crops up every few decades in the Eastern Mountains. Usually the disease is so virulent that it decimates a population before it has much of a chance to spread, but it kills over 90% of those infected.”

  “The Torch is a strange name for a disease,” I said.

  “It’s called the Torch because of the way it kills. The infected spike a fever that continues to grow even after death. Eventually to the point where the bodies literally catch fire. Nearly as many die from the numerous fires as from the disease itself,” said Zelus.

  “I’m sorry
,” I said, not quite sure what to say.

  “It’s nothing. It all happened a long time ago, I’m over it,” said Zelus. I didn’t think Zelus was really over it, he just wanted to move the discussion to something else. I let him.

  “So, why are you two looking for me?” said Zelus.

  “Do you have any plans for tomorrow?” I asked.

  “Plans? Well…” started Zelus but before he could answer Rose cut in.

  “He’s probably busy with his standard appointment at Madam Beuxare’s,” said Rose.

  “Not familiar with the establishment,” said Zelus. “Though I’m curious how you are.”

  “Really?” Rose huffed.

  “I never buy what I can get for free,” Zelus replied slyly.

  “Really,” Rose repeated.

  “Well… There was that one time, but I prefer to think of that as more of a misunderstanding than a purchase,” said Zelus.

  ‘Ouch,’ said Mai. ‘Prettyboy was so bad someone demanded payment.’

  “So are you free,” I cut in before Rose and Zelus could get started.

  “Could be,” he answered, noncommittedly. “Depends on what we are up to.”

  I explained the situation to him. I knew a place full of plant monsters and needed to clear them out.

  “You want to hunt monsters? I’m more of a luvah than a fightah,” said Zelus.

  “Come on, a bit of practical experience never hurts. Besides this is a chance to show your abilities off in front of a couple of cute girls,” I winced in Rose’s direction, hoping she’d understand I was only saying that to rope in Zelus. Zelus was always a sucker for the ladies.

  “Hmm… How many?” Zelus asked.

  “Two probably,” I answered honestly. “Rose and someone you probably don’t know. I’m going to ask her next.”

  “Scumbag,” said Rose as she punched me in the shoulder.

  ‘Nerf-herder,’ said Mai. Finally, the two of them agreed on something, although for once I wish they hadn’t.

  “This other girl, how pretty is she,” Zelus asked. At least he was keeping an open mind.