Legacy of the M'Zee Chapter 7

*** AUTHOR'S NOTE ***

Decent week, not the greatest. Only one chapter this coming week, what with Christmas stuff messing with my ability to write. Should be back to two after that.

*** AUTHOR'S NOTE ***

The next few days passed quickly, gathering and training interspersed with some time to see the city. Since the teams were going to be split up in arrival zones in the Divine Territory, I spent most of the evenings with Jamila. The first night, I went with her and Hanna to a clinic in the poorer part of the city, where she tried to teach me some basic healing techniques. “No, not like that,” she corrected me as I stood over a ten year old boy who’d broken his arm. “You can do that internally, but in someone else you have to spread the Aether apart. Watch again.” Her tone was annoyed, as this was the seventh time she’d had to stop me from healing someone.

I watched, adding Aether to my eyes and enhancing my now-permanent Aether Sight. I’d learned how to tone it down, as there were times that it made it difficult to see what was going on normally, but I couldn’t turn it off. Jamila’s Aether control was greater than mine, and I saw the weave she created out of it to direct the broken pieces of bone back together.

After a few minutes, she helped the boy off the table and put on a splint. “Now, be careful,” she said. “It will be sore for a few days. Eat more food if you can.”

“Thank you, miss,” he said, awkwardly forming the Craesti words in his leonine mouth before rushing out the door.

Jamila turned to me, then gave me a hug. “You are an amazing gatherer, and can do some really awesome things with Aether,” she said into my chest. “But you are a lousy healer.”

“I don’t know how you maintain such dexterity with your Aether flows when working through someone’s aura,” I said. “Everything gets slippery.”

“Counselor (Healer) did say not everyone was cut out to be a healer,” Jamila said, stepping back and looking at me. “How does it feel to not be the best at something?”

“Hey, I’m not the best at a lot of things,” I said with a fake pout. “But I am going to keep practicing. I don’t like not being able to heal someone if I have to.”

“Well, you did get the hang of the Enhanced Regeneration Technique,” she said. “At our gathering and tempering levels, it will help someone a lot. Save you on healing potion ingredients if nothing else, mister best alchemist in our generation.”

“Fine, I’ll allow it,” I said, then pulled her into a kiss. “Can I make some powders to give to the clinic, since I can’t seem to actually heal directly with Aether?”

“Yes, go talk to Mother Aisha,” she said.

I spent the next two hours making powders. The clinic had a small Alchemy set, but my travel set was better. They provided all the ingredients, so I just ground out some general healing powders, blood regeneration powders, bone healing powders, and antibacterial powders.

Jamila and I spent an hour after that walking through a local park, then heading back to our inn. The next night, we went out to a play, rather than go heal again. “I want to spend time with you,” she said, “even if that is selfish.”

“You can’t heal everything,” I said. “And if you burn out, you’ll fail to become the greatest healer ever, as I know you will.”

I had worried we’d have to procure more camping gear to prepare for the trip, but we were each provided a bag the day prior to leaving. They were massive backpacks, over a meter tall, with shoulder straps and a waist belt to help hold them up. I lifted the bag up with one hand, “Huh, not very heavy,” I said, looking at Knight Kaminski. “Where do we get the equipment to fill it up?”

She laughed, “Look inside.”

Jon beat me to it, throwing the flap that covered the top of the bag off and gasped. I followed suit, and discovered that it was half full with way more stuff than should be able to fit inside.

“The bottom pocket is nearly as big,” Knight Kaminski said, “and is for you to place extra clothing, personal items, and anything else you think you will need. Each team has a full cook set split between them, as well as a camping set. The camping set includes a four-person tent, rain tarps, two heating rocks, and an alarm Formation. Individually, you all were given two weeks of rations, a firestarter, and a harvesting set geared towards your capabilities. Bridget, Jon, you were given skinning and butchery tools, while Aiden and Vaya were given herbalist tools. Additionally, there are twenty healing pills, five blood replenishment pills, twenty four gathering pills, and a dozen Aether replenishment pills. I highly suggest you restock what you took into the Dungeon and buy anything else you think you will need. Leave the top half of the bags empty, you will need space for what you harvest.”

“Why are they so light?” Bridget asked, while Vaya was just staring at the bags wide-eyed.

“They are Inscribed to hold nearly ten times their physical volume,” Knight Kaminski said. Vaya made a gasping noise in the back of her throat at that. “And they will reduce the weight by around ninety percent. Similar to the packs supplied to you during the tournament, they are to be returned upon leaving the Divine Territory, but you may attempt to purchase them with harvested goods. That will be difficult, as each of these are worth around ten platinum.”

“Ten platinum!” Jon exclaimed, almost jumping away from the bag. “What happens if they are damaged or destroyed during the expedition?”

“Nothing,” she said. “And you will be able to trade for them at a significantly reduced cost. Though, with the reduction in taxation upon the other’s findings and lack of one on yours, it may not be that much reduced. Each of these backpacks are Inscribed by Master Inscribers of at least Perfect Core, and the fastest Inscriber took over a month to make them. That is not including the rare materials needed to create these.”

“Why do they allow us to take them at all?” Vaya asked.

“Because the Divine Territory is full of rare materials, and they want you to bring them back,” Knight Kaminski answered. “You will be given a briefing tonight on many of the rarest plants and Beasts you will find there, and what the most effective ways to harvest them are. A reference is included for each team, given to the team leader in their bag. Now, take some time to discuss what you should bring and then go shopping. You have until lunch, when the lecture will start.”

The discussion took only ten minutes, settling on basically what we brought to the expedition, to the Dungeon, and then doubling it. The resulting shopping trip didn’t take long, though it left me a few gold poorer. The briefing was interesting, and mostly consisted of lots of different types of Light or Darkness aligned plants and level four Beasts. I made some notes, but only on the way of harvesting Day and Night Lilies, and how to spot Mirage Lizards when they are moving. Mirage Lizards were completely invisible if they were still, so that was a no go.

“Librarian Narwan,” I asked at the end of the briefing, suppressing a yawn as it was getting late. “Have you made any progress on the Light or Darkness Affinity powders? Anything specific we should be looking for to help?”

“Hmm, I have not made any significant progress on either powder for humans,” he answered. “I am missing something there. I have managed to make a basic framework for a Light Affinity Powder for birds like Siarczysty that should be ready for testing once you return.”

“Light Affinity!” Sia sent to me, listening in from outside. “That, I cannot fathom it. I would be more than happy to test it.”

“Good,” Librarian Narwan said. “I will ensure you are not the first though.”

“Light Affinity,” Milenna gasped at roughly the same time. “You prove yet again that you are the greatest Alchemist ever, Master Narwan.”

“Why thank you, my dear,” he said.

Sia and I gathered for the next hour after we were dismissed, driving each other’s Affinities forward while working on body tempering at the same time. Sia had a similar technique to temper his blood, and was working on his Wood tempering and Affinity while I focused on Fire. Every second burned, but we endured, racing to get stronger faster. “Light Affinity will make you extremely deadly,” I sent to him.

“Yes, as long as it does not take away my sanity or sapience,” Sia sent back. “Every Beast with Light Affinity is an animal, not a person.”

“We won’t risk that,” I said. “You will not be the first, or even the tenth, test subject. Okay?”

“Of course,” Sia said. “Good night. We shall see in the morning if I get to come with you or not.”

After a sumptuous breakfast, where Ashley and the rest of the staff pulled out all the stops cooking, Librarian Narwan gave me a small bottle. “This is concentrated coffee,” he said. “Mix with water ten to one.”

“Thank you!” I exclaimed, excited by the present.

“Bring me a Dusk Vine root if you can,” he said.

“Will do,” I said. I went up to my room, grabbing the backpack and checking over everything I was leaving. A couple of sets of clothing, a few Knick-knacks I’d purchased, that’s it. “Hmm, what to do with this?”

“Ashley said the servants will take all the stuff from our rooms to storage,” Jon said, hefting his bag.

“Cool,” I said. “I should’ve asked earlier.” We hurried out of the room, meeting everyone in the hallway and stampeding down the stairs.

Just before heading out the door, Samantha pulled me aside. “Can I, uh, speak to you for a minute?” She asked me.

“Sure,” I said. “We’re a little ahead of schedule.”

“SoIwantedtosay,” she started, speaking too quickly, then took a deep breath to slow down. “So I wanted to say, I’m sorry for avoiding you the last week. I don’t want you to think I don’t like you, I just…” she stopped.

I gave her time, knowing the others would wait, letting her process and get up the courage to say whatever she was trying to say.

“I’ve been speaking to Milenna, Hanna, and Lea, trying to understand this world a bit better. You know, from the perspective of people our age,” she continued. “Trying to come to grips with the different social mores, because. Because I like you. I, uh, I like like you, you know.” She hung her head, cheeks blazing. “I also needed to make sure my feelings weren’t just, you know, because you rescued me.”

“That is probably it,” I said, lifting her face with her chin. “It’s fine if that is the case, since you don’t really know me.”

“But I do know enough,” she said. “I know you’re hot.” She very obviously looked me over, causing me to blush. “You’re smart. Strong. Well liked. Important. But most importantly, you’re kind. Yes you saved me, when you didn’t have to. You risked getting injured, risked getting in trouble to save me, then you risked your life to protect people you didn’t know. Your actions show that you are an amazing young man, I want to get to know you better. I know you have three girlfriends already, so I wanted to find out how common that was.”

“Two,” I said. “I’m only pursuing Jamila and Vaya right now.”

She blinked. “Sure you are,” she said, her tone not believing me. She took a deep breath again, suddenly on the verge of tears. “I just needed to tell you how I felt before you left. Just in case. In case you.” She stopped.

“In case I don't come back,” I said gently. She nodded shakily. I put my other hand on her shoulder, looking into her eyes. “Nothing I’ve heard says the Divine Territory is that dangerous, but even if it is,” I continued, seeing the flash of concern in her eyes, “our main priority will be our safety. Yes, we want to explore and find useful things, but they are worthless if we don’t get to come back. I know, man dies for money, but none of us are hurting for basic wealth.”

“I was talking to Ashley. She said the last time they opened the territory, we were able to a send a four person team, and only three came back. She said that is the expected casualty rate,” Sam said shakily.

I pulled her into a hug. “We’ll be safe. All three teams have amazing healers, healing pills, and are able to defend against anything that could go into the territory. I promise, we’ll all be back,” I said. And hopefully, while we’re gone, your crush will be revealed for what it is, a crush. I saved you from slavery, of course you’d latch onto me. Some time away will do her good, I thought. But I won’t abandon her either. I don’t leave my friends behind.

Finally, she stopped crying, and stepped back from my arms, embarrassed by her actions. “I’m sorry. You must be late,” she said, not looking at me.

“We’ll continue this talk when we get back, okay?” I asked. “Even if we don’t, Librarian Narwan, Knight Kaminski, Light, even King Craesti will be delighted to help you and protect you.”

She nodded with a weak grin, then waved me away. I gave her a bow, making her smile more genuine, then rushed out. Obviously, I was the last one to the carriage. “So,” Xiao asked, “what did Miss Samantha want?” His grin was obvious.

I pulled a nut from a small package I’d grabbed for a snack and threw it at him.

“What, everyone knows who her hero is,” Aleks joked.

I shook my head, leaning back against the seat while everyone, Vaya and Jamila included, made fun of me. I could tell that some of it was because they were tense. We all were anxious about the trip.

The journey across town was fairly quick, and we ended up only a few blocks away from the Stairway of Determination. I looked out the window at it, a melancholy feeling rising up in my chest. I both hated and loved that it let me see Jasmine again. I shook my head, looking around at my friends. No being all maudlin now, I thought. It’s time for another adventure.

“I am sorry for your loss,” Sia sent, letting me know I’d accidentally sent him something. “Even if it was better for me.”

“Thanks,” I replied. “It gets better with time, but losing everything is still hard. At least here I’ve found great friends, loved ones, and you.”

“Ha, ha,” Sia replied. “You know you love me.”

I replied with just an amused feeling, and he squawked loudly from the top of the carriage. Ahead of us, I saw a short wall, only three meters high or so. The air above it glittered, though, making me think there was some form of Aether shield in place. Two Ashkhas guards had already opened a gate wide enough to fit our carriage. We slowed down, but rode through the gate. The brief glimpse I had of the metal structure showed it was covered in Inscriptions.

The carriage turned off to the side, and we were let out. Inside the walls was a fifteen meter by fifteen meter area. The outer two and a half meters was grass, and that is where the carriage parked. The inside ten meter square was full of twenty centimeter square tiles. They were a beautiful white and black marble, something I handn’t seen yet. Each one had ten Inscriptions on it. I stepped out of the carriage, only to blink at the massive increase in Aether density. I had to adjust the Aether flowing into my eyes, reducing the sensitivity of my Aether Sight, to be able to see through the haze.

I could have just waited a second to adjust, but I was still practicing with my new, now permanently on, Aether Sight. I’d figured out how to adjust it slightly, but I could not turn it off. I shook the thoughts out of my head, then bent over to inspect the Inscriptions. Gathering, gathering, collecting, something, something, Light Aether? Huh, I thought, then looked at the air. I focused, readjusting my Sight to be more sensitive, and was nearly blinded at the amount of radiant Light Aether in the air. On the other side, Darkness swallowed the courtyard, with only tiny flashes of the other Aethers.

“Aiden, get your bag,” Jon shouted at me, knocking me out of my contemplation of the unexpected Aether density.

“Oh, right,” I said. I quickly pulled it from the storage compartment, the last one to do so. Sia, shrank to his smallest size, landed on my shoulder and bumped his head into mine. “Did you notice that the air is almost entirely Light and Darkness Aether here?”

“Yes, it is slightly uncomfortable to fly here,” he answered me. “I realized I unconsciously use the Air and Fire Aether in the air to support myself. Hopefully the Divine Territory will have a more normal mixture.”

“Hopefully,” I said back, then turned to the rest of the courtyard. No one else was there yet.

On thinking this, another carriage entered and turned towards the opposite side. It began disgorging Volk, and I waved to Prince Gunther and his team. He nodded back, then turned and pulled his pack out of their carriage. It was the same as mine. Over the next few minutes, the Ashkhas and Topraki teams arrived. As soon as the Topraki had retrieved their gear, Sultah Aleahil and three other Ashkhas, all feeling as if they’d never gathered at all, appeared near the middle.

“Welcome, honored contestants and allies,” Sultah Aleahil said. “Congratulations, you have excelled and proven it in front of many nations. You are a credit to yourselves, your nation, and your generation, and I for one expect great things from you all. Not only did you excel in the tournament, but, when my people were attacked, every one of you stepped up to protect the civilians around you. Because of your actions, I have declared that the normal fifty percent tax on harvests will be reduced to ten percent.”

The other three teams cheered. Sultah Aleahil continued, “In addition, because of your actions in part, but mostly the Craesti who stopped the portals bringing in the Chaos Beasts, we have decided to extend the opening of the Divine Territory of (name) from one week to one month. It was going to be longer, but we need the Soul Core gatherers for the major push against the Illyrian Empire. Use this time wisely, finding rare items and gathering in a unique environment. Remember to protect your teammates. I would like for all of you to come back. Do not discount the dangers of the Beasts, or the traps that can be found in the ruins littering the area. Now, let us begin.”

Two other Ashkhas Soul Cores stepped back, tapping a foot each on a black square. Immediately a three meter by three meter square of tiles in between them dropped into the ground, sliding out of the way for a platform to raise up. Two pillars were on the platform, of a metal I’d never seen before. It glimmered a deep purple, but it was iridescent across all of the colors of the Elemental spectrum. When the platform snapped into place, the leftmost pillar began shining a brilliant white, while the rightmost one seemed to suck in all the light. Runes formed on them, black on the white pillar and white on the black.

They flowed, moving and changing every second, so many runes that I almost couldn’t tell where one started and another began. The two Ashkhas moved forward, placing a hand on the side of each, and then I felt their power. So much power. My Aether Sight blinded me for a second, before my brain filtered out the glaring beams of Aether the pillars had turned into. In between the pillars, I watched as streamers of Aether mixed. Whoa, that, I started to think, concentrating on the interplay of different Elements.

After a minute of mixing, a line formed vertically in the center, then ripped apart. Space itself was torn, and through the hole we could see a courtyard similar to this one. The walls surrounding it, what little we could see, were broken apart. Thirty seconds later, the view changed, another courtyard appearing. I could tell it was different only by the change in damage to the walls. The view flickered again, changing, before stabilizing.

“Knight Aiden, your team is first,” Sultah Aleahil said. “After each team enters, the portal will change to a new location. Each of the landing locations are approximately twenty kilometers away from each other, with sixteen total locations. The center of the Divine Territory is fifty kilometers straight ahead, but I do not recommend you explore too deeply. The territory gets more dangerous the closer to the center you are, though it also gets more rewarding. Do not interfere with each other.” He looked sternly at everyone. “There are more than enough treasures inside for all.”

“Well, let’s do this,” I said, stepping forward. Jamila squeezed my shoulder and gave me a grin, then Ming and Xiao held up their hands for high-fives. Heh, I taught them that, I thought with a grin. I led my friends to the glimmering portal, and we stepped through.