Chapter VII
Upon their return to the tree house, Finn and Jake were both exhausted. Finn didn't even bother to get into his sleeping bag or pajamas before passing out.
Finn's eyes are open, and though he can see everything around him, he can't move. He is in a pristine, white room. There are two figures in front of him that seem to be conversing about something. One leaves Finn's vision, and the other peers over him and lightly brushes his cheek with its hand. He can almost make out what appears to be the face of a female with red hair…
"Wha- huh?" Finn awoke from his slumber with an uncomfortable feeling in his back.
"Good, you're awake." He heard a voice a turned to it.
It was then that he realized that everything was purple.
"Whoa, hey, where am I?" Fin tried to stand up, but hit his head on something.
He was being held in a magic, floating force field, moving at who know how fast, following someone. That someone was the person who'd been causing a lot of problems for Finn lately.
"I'm glad you're up the sun's just starting the rise." Rigid was riding his magic staff like a surf board high in the air over the thick forests, with Finn contained in a purple-tinted magic orb following him.
"Where are you taking me, you weirdo?! You gonna do freaky experiments on me or something?"
"I don't know what you've heard about me, but I don't do any sort of experiments on creatures, least of all humans." Rigid dove down with Finn following close behind. "We're here."
Finn looked down to see what the wizard was talking about.
There was a large clearing in the thick woods that held a relatively large city, maybe big enough for maybe a few thousand people.
"What is the place?" Finn asked, still hostile.
"I'll show you." Rigid replied calmly. He and Finn flew just over the city, and Finn noticed that it was empty. "Everyone's asleep right now. They'll be awake soon." Rigid explained.
The wizard, with Finn in tow, flew into a building that seemed to be a library. Rigid jumped off his staff and released Finn from his force field.
"Here, you'll need this." Rigid pulled Finn's adventure pack and sword from his coat.
"Alright, what the glop is going on?!" Finn asked, his tone still hostile.
Rigid walked to retrieve a book from one of the library shelves. "What if I told you weren't the last of the humans?"
Finn's eyes grew wide, and suddenly lost all hostility.
"I won't bore with the whole story. Let's just say that after the last human empire fell, the humans who survived decided to disappear for a few centuries. I've been keeping watch over them the whole time."
"Wha- ho…"
"If you don't believe me, go outside, see for yourself." They both heard a loud ringing from outside. "They should be up right about now."
Finn rushed outside, and what he saw nearly brought tears to his eyes. Albeit very few, there were humans walking about, leaving their homes, alive and normal. No mutations, not oddities, none of that. Just normal human beings. Finn felt a hand on his shoulder.
"If you were proud to be human before, I can't imagine how you must feel now."
"How- where did all this come from."
"It's quite a tale, and I may tell it to you one day. But for now, go, see your people." Finn stood still for a moment, and tried to process what was happening. But he didn't need long to do this, apparently, as mere moments later he grew a wide grin and ran off, only to be stopped by the wizard. "Oh, and be sure not to let anyone find out you're not a member of the city."
With that, Finn departed.
Rigid adjusted his sunglasses and smirked. "There are big things in store for that boy. Big things indeed." He said to himself, as he retreated into the library.
Finn ran into the city with more enthusiasm than he had doing anything else in his life, warranting a few confused stares from other humans. He didn't know, or really care, where he was going, but the building with several weapons on display certainly caught his eye.
He charged towards the smith and began examining the weapons, when he heard a voice.
"You've got a good eye."
Finn turned to see a tall man with pale skin and freckles, and light brown hair.
"Whoa." Finn said, approaching the man and starting to touch his face. "Uhh, Can I help you with somethin, child?" He asked, confused by the boy's actions.
"No, no I'm fine." Finn retracted his hands and went back to looking at a particularly fetching battleaxe.
"That one's an original piece. Made it myself last week."
"It's totally math."
The black smith gave the boy a confused stare. "Are you alright? You don't look like you're from this part of the city?"
Finn's eyes widened. He remembered what Rigid told him about no one knowing where he was from. "Ugh, nope, I'm from a whole other part of town." He said.
"Ah, case of wanderlust, eh?" asked the kindly black smith.
"Something like that."
"I understand. So are you here to buy, or just looking?"
"Oh, I've got a sword of my own, I'm just checking things out."
"Take all the time you need." The black smith retreated to behind his counter, where he started reading a book.
Finn, didn't want to over stay his welcome, and took his leave of the store, to see what else this city had to offer.
The experience was odd, Finn decided.
For almost all his life, he felt like he didn't belong, or he was out of place. But now, surrounded by his own kind, he felt normal. Though, at the same time, he was in a secret city hidden deep within the, so he felt like they were all abnormal. It was a funny feeling, and in all honesty, Finn really enjoyed it.
He wandered the streets aimlessly, wondering where he should go. He suddenly heard the bellowing voice of some man in the distance.
"Who thinks they can best me?!"
Finn knew what he wanted to do now, and followed the voice.
From the middle of a crowd of people the bellowing voice could be heard
"Come on! Who here thinks they can best me in the art of combat!" yelled the large man.
"Everyone here's tried, no one's beaten you!" a complaint from the crowd sounded.
"I'll fight him!"
Everyone gasped in surprise, and the crowd parted to reveal the challenger.
Finn stood proud before the crowd, enthusiasm beaming from his face.
"You think you can beat me, boy?" the tall, gruff man asked in disbelief.
"Yup. Hope you've got someone to pick up the pieces after I'm done with you." Finn taunted.
The man's brow furrowed. "Very well, if you think you've got what it takes." The man picked a hammer from off the ground. "Draw your weapon."
Finn shrugged and drew his demonic sword.
"Come on Henry! This kid's got nothin'" someone yelled.
"Get 'im, kid! Knock him off his high horse." Called another.
Neither Finn nor the man deemed Henry were listening.
They recognized in each other's eyes that they had both entered a sort of other dimension, deaf to all sound but the horns of war.
Yet, though Henry could tell the boy had possessed this state of mind before, it seemed odd. As if the sense of battle was present, but the drive was utterly different. Shrugging off this feeling, he charged, swinging his hammer horizontally. The crowd watched in amazement as Finn angled his sword so that the hammerhead would not deliver impact, but instead fall diagonally and crash into the ground.
Before he could pick his hammer back up and find is footing, the boy leaped up to pounce on him. He let go of his hammer, and delivered an earth shattering punch to the boy's stomach. He at first worried he had done a bit too much to the boy, but gawked at the fact that the boy still managed to land on his feet, albeit while cradling his abdomen, and was laughing.
"Crud, hehehe, you really knocked the wind outa me." Finn said as he picked his sword up.
The man hadn't encountered an enemy of this nature before. This time he would wait for his opponent to make the first move. As Finn recomposed himself, he noticed Henry taking a more stable stance, suggesting he was going on the defensive.
Little did he know, that's exactly how Finn wanted it.
"RRAAAAGGH!" he screamed as he charged toward the man who stood firm. But, as he reached the man, he leapt over him, causing the man to turn around expecting an attack from behind. He turned around as Finn's arms rose, suggesting he was going to attack, only for Finn to cartwheel his way around him. He tried to switch positions again, but lost his footing, and, taking the opportunity, Finn tripped him and pressed the flat of his sword to his back, pinning him to the ground.
"Gotta keep your feet on the ground, man." He said.
He got up and held out a hand to the heavy warrior.
"This was fun, we'll have to do it again."
Henry was aghast.
"I…" was all he could utter before something broke.
"Dad!" called the voice of a girl.
Finn turned to see a girl maybe a few years older than him and carrying a bow with arrows breaking through the crowd. She kneeled down to Henry as he lay on the ground. "Are you okay?"
"Fine, girl, just a little rattled." He took Finn's hand and hoisted himself off the ground.
"Alright everyone! Clear out, no more to see here!" The crowd dispersed grumbling about the fight, leaving Finn, Henry and his daughter standing the middle of the street.
"Where did you learn to fight like that, boy?" Asked Henry as he slapped Finn on the back, nearly knocking him over.
"Oh, you know. Just been doin' for a while." He held his hand out.
"I'm Finn."
"And, as I'm sure you've guessed, I am Henry, Henry Gollendeer." He shook Finn's hand firmly.
"And this is my daughter, Talia." Talia could only look at Finn with suspicion.
"Go on, speak up girl."
She approached Finn started eyeing him cautiously. "I haven't seen you around here before." She pointed at him accusingly. "Where did you come from?"
Finn backed up slightly. "'I'm, uh, from another part of the city. Pretty far from here."
"And you just happened to come all this way for no reason?"
Finn gulped and tried to think of what to say.
"Now, Talia, what have I told you about 'interrogating' people." Said Henry.
Talia looked at her father for a moment, before taking one more glace at Finn and leaving.
"I don't know what to do with that girl. She's so suspicious of other people. Don't worry, she'll warm up to you eventually." With that, Henry was off, likely to find his daughter, leaving Finn to stand alone in the street, until he too continued on his path.
He still couldn't believe it. He was walking through a town full of normal human beings. There were so many questions he had. What happened to his people? What about Susan and the Hyoo-mans? And how exactly is Rigid connected to all of this? Finn's overwhelming enthusiasm and growing curiosity was starting to give him a headache.
He continued to walk through the observing the many different humans. Some had black hair, brown hair; occaisionaly, he would see another blonde haired human. Their skin tones ranged from pale to deep tan. No one was pink or green, and none of them had incredibly exaggerated features. He didn't feel quite so out of place among them.
Whilst observing buildings, something suddenly caught his eye. It was a large building with a stylized question mark on it. Finn recognized it to be the one on Rigid's button. He stood outside of the entrance of the building, when he felt a tap on his shoulder.
"Excuse me, are you going to enter?"
Finn turned to see a young man about Finn's age with Black hair tied back into a pony tail, with two lock's framing his face, and one stray lock hanging freely in the middle of his face. He was dressed in a peculiar purple robe with dark green trim.
"Uh, I wasn't- uh, what is this place?" Finn asked nervously.
The young man looked at Finn incredulously."Must not be from this part of the city." he said in a deadpan tone of voice. "This is the Arcane Institute."
"Cool. What happens here?"
"If you like, I can show you around"
He entered the building and Finn followed. The building appeared to have several floors, the first floor having shelves packed with books that lined the walls.
"The building itself is more like a library than anything else." Finn nodded as the boy spoke.
"Though kids like me come here to study magic. It's sort of like a school."
Finn stuck his tongue out at the word 'school.' Being raised by dogs, he never went to conventional schools, but he'dheard about them, and didn't like what he'd heard. He learned to read and write, of course, but he was also taught to fight, hunt and forage, and developed indifference toward traditional schoolings. Still, he was being offered a tour, and didn't want to seem rude.
"However, only a select few are allowed to attend lessons. Hand-picked by Master Loken."
"Who?" asked Finn.
"You probably know him has Rigid."
"Oh" Finn wasn't too surprised.
If Rigid was the leader of this city as he claimed, then it would make sense that, being a wizard himself, he would also have some authority of any magic users in the city.
"I do wonder why he picked us sometimes though, given that humans can't use magic naturally."
Now that surprised him. Human's couldn't do magic? He was about to ask when he remembered something that Rigid had told him. 'be sure not to let anyone find out you're not a member of this city.' Finn had to make sure not to seem like an outsider, so kept his mouth shut.
"Anyway, we learn magic theory and techniques here, and occaisionaly Master Loken oversees our studies. Come on, there are more floors." The boy gestured for Finn to follow him, and he did.
"My name's Evin by the way."
"I'm Finn."
"A pleasure, Finn. Come, this is where most of the studying comes in." Finn and Evin exited the stair case to see several other young adults clad in the same uniform that Evin was wearing reading from big books, practicing incantations and doing something that could only be described as meditating, though it looked more like they were holding their hands out in the hopes that something might come from them. Noticing Finn's confused look, Evin took the time to explain.
"They're practicing spell mentality. You have to be in a very specific state of mind while casting to get the right spell." He explained, all while maintaining a monotone.
"We can't cast spells, but Master Loken makes sure we understand it. I've asked why, be never gives a straight answer. I wonder if he will ever reveal his reasons for teaching us. He's quite the mystery." Finn couldn't agree more. Evin continued towards a table. For the first time since talking to him, he saw the Finn saw him smile. "Would you like to see something interesting?." Finn nodded and followed the young man.
The two grabbed two seats at the table before Evin pulled something from a small satchel. "This is a crystal ball. Master Loken told us that if one who was truly gifted looked into it, they would see things; visions that could tell of future events, or information that you need." He placed the crystal ball on a stand and began to look into it. "I'm the only student who's been able to use it."
"But humans can't use magic, can they?"
"They can't, not anymore. Rigid tells us that the humans of old were not only powerful wizards, but noble warriors. But, that was long before now."
Finn could detect a hint of sadness in Evin's voice, even through his monotone. "You alright?"
Evin looked surprised to have his sadness picked up on. "Fine. Just." He looked at Finn with seriousness in his eyes. "I owe Master Loken very much. Call it idolizing, but I want to be able to be like him. Or rather, I want to be able to do what he does. I want the bountiful knowledge of the magical world at my disposal; to be able to study the incredible power of magic. But I can't." He said. He backed away a little, likely embarrassed to have revealed so much to this stranger.
Finn, in character of his 'nice-guy' status, wanted to lift his new friend's spirits.
"Let's see what is says now, huh?" Finn suggested.
Evin smiled just a bit."I don't see why not." He said, seemingly excited to demonstrate what he could do. He placed two fingers on each of his temples and looked intensely into the orb, and visions began to flow into his head.
The city wall lies in crumbles, open to all who live within it, to be led back from the trenches to where they once were.
Evil beasts threaten good people, and a warrior of pure heart stands in their way. The warrior unites the people to fight the evil that faces them.
The throne will be filled, and the crown be restored, and those who had fallen so low will rise again.
The visions faded and Evin reared back, his head pounding.
"Dude, you alright?" asked Finn.
Evin stared at the boy sitting across from him. "I don't… The visions have never been that… intense." Evin said, rubbing his eyes.
He could swear that just for an instant, upon looking at Finn, he could see the mighty warrior standing in his place.
"You sure you're good?" asked Finn worried.
"Yes yes, I'm fine. Just. Fine." He said. "Now, I'm afraid I have work to do. Students only." He hurriedly got up and packed his things, leaving Finn sitting alone at the table.
I wonder what he saw. Finn wondered as he saw the distraught young man heading up another flight of stairs.
Upon exiting the building, Finn noticed the sun beginning to set. He didn't want Jake to get worried, or worse, suspicious. He made for Rigid's library.
Finding the Library, Finn entered and heard the wizard speaking with someone.
"Talia, you know I trust you so, but this claim that someone intruded the city is just downright ludicrous."
"But this kid's weird! He managed to beat my dad, and he's got this crazy red sword!" A familiar looking girl with a bow strapped to her back and a quiver full of arrows around her waist stood waving he arms at Rigid, who was returning a look combining annoyance and lack of interest, yet also a hint of endearment.
Talia pouted and crossed her arms over her chest.
"Uh, Rigid?" Finn said, alerting the Talia and Rigid.
Rigid gave Finn a small nod of acknowledgement, while Talia gave a much less friendly greeting.
"It's him!" she shouted.
All in one, fluid motion, Talia withdrew her bow, aimed an arrow at Finn's waiting head, and let it fly directly toward him.
Finn narrowly avoided the projectile and continued to jump around to avoid the next barrage of arrows that Talia fired at him.
"Why are you shooting at me?!" shouted Finn.
It could be assumed that Talia just wasn't listening, but it's more likely that she just didn't want to admit she didn't have an answer other than just blind hostility.
Watching the display of violence, Rigid briefly considered stopping them, but decided he would find much more enjoyment in simply watching things unfold, so he put a shield on all of his bookshelves so the arrows would damage them, and watched the show.
"Could you just chill for a sec and listen to me?!" Finn pleaded as he ran around the library dodging arrows as they continuously came at him
"No way! I don't know what you're up to, but I'm stopping you before you threaten this city!" Talia replied.
Finn was having just about enough. He drew his sword and started deflecting arrows as they came toward him. He charged toward Talia who backed up, continuing to fire arrows, but Finn either blocked or dodged them. Soon enough, he had reached her, and slashed her quiver from her belt, kicking it away from her. With no arrows, Talia could only attempt to clonk Finn on the head with her bow, but to no avail, as Finn Blocked her bow with his sword. "Now, will you calm down and listen to me!" Before Talia could even think of an answer, the two were enveloped in a green aura, and their weapons fell to the ground.
"Well, I think I'll stop this before one of you kills the other." Announced Rigid, finally deciding to intervene.
"Rigid, this is the guy! He's the one I told you about!" Talia cried.
"Well, you were right. There certainly is something different about this boy." Remarked the wizard in that ever smug tone. "Finn, I hear word you took part in a small brawl."
"Nothin too serious. Just smoked this girl's old man." He shot Talia a glare that made her face redden with anger.
"Rigid, you know this kid?" she asked accusingly.
"Talia, this boy is named Finn. I have employed him for reasons that I must keep secret, you know how it goes." He said, lowering Talia and Finn onto the ground and releasing them from his field.
Finn was about to shoot Talia another arrogant glare, but decided against it when he saw her reaction to Rigid's words. For whatever reason, she had a terribly saddened expression, combining sorrow, confusion, and a hint of jealousy. These however, weren't shown so much on her face; she was only frowning slightly; but in her eyes. In those little brown pools Finn could tell how she really felt.
"Bu- but why? What's so special about him?" she asked, still masking her fury. It seemed Finn wasn't the only one picking up Talia's frustration, as Rigid's smug expression softened show a degree of sympathy.
"Come now, Talia. You know you'll always be the 'sworn protector of the city.' No force on the planet can change that." He placed a hand on near the side of Talia's head, and with a flick of his wrist, a small, white flower appeared, complimenting her red hair.
Talia blushed furiously before feigning anger at the Wizard.
"What'd ya go and do that for! I don't like stuff like flowers!"
"And yet it remains right where I left it." Talia's blush brightened, and she was forced to fake her anger harder.
"I'm outa here!" she said, still leaving the flower in her hair.
"Goodbye, sworn protector." Called Rigid, just as the library door slammed shut.
Finn could only gawk at the display he saw, and came to an inevitable conclusion, "Dude, I think Talia has a crush on you."
"Oh most certainly, but I try not to let it distract from our duties." He explained.
"Now, what brings you here?" he asked.
"Well, it's getting pretty late, and I was thinking I need to be getting home." Said Finn.
"Oh, you wouldn't rather stay here? With your people?" Finn paused. He hadn't even thought of the possibility of staying in the city. Before even thinking about it for a moment, however, he already had his answer.
"I'd love to. But, I can't leave Jake. And I'm still the hero of Ooo. As much as I enjoy this place, I have a place out there. It's an opportunity for adventure that I can't pass up." He said.
Rigid smiled. "Quite the interesting response. Well, if you should ever like to return, this should help." He handed Finn a small talisman. "Just shake it up and in due time, you'll be taken to either your home, or here. Just picture either one. Now, you should be getting home, and I should return to my forest to make sure Magic Man hasn't wreaked any havoc on it."
Finn nodded. "Man, I can't wait to tall Jake all about this."
Rigid Jumped, "No, nononono. You cannot tell anyone about the city. It's very important that humans remain a secret to Ooo. You have to promise not to tell anyone." He pleaded.
Finn looked on for a moment and smiled. "I promise." He said.
Rigid smiled and nodded. Finn began shaking the talisman while picturing his Treehouse. A flash of light emitted from the talisman, and suddenly, Finn was staring at the front door of his home, just as the sun finished setting behind him. "Wow, it really works." Finn marveled.
He entered his home to find the main room empty.
"Finn! You're back!" Jake rushed down the stairs and coiled his rubberized arms around Finn in a lung-puncturing hug. Ignoring the pain, Finn was panicking in his head.
Oh glob! What do I tell Jake?!
He hadn't even considered that Jake had no idea where he'd been all day.
"Dude! Where were you! I woke up and you were gone, and now you're just showing up at the end of the day?" Jake asked in a half-worried-half-accusing tone.
Finn could think very well with Jake's hug cutting off most of his blood, and just blurted out the fist excuse he could think of.
"I couldn't sleep so I went for a walk and got lost!" he said quickly. Jake finally unwrapped Finn who took a long gasp to catch his breath.
"Lost? All day? That doesn't sound like you."
Finn just shrugged nervously. "What can I say? I promise it won't happen again." He assured.
Finn then made his way up the stairs. "Well, I think I'm gonna hit the sack."
"Dude, it's not even that late."
"I know, but I was lost out there for a while." He explained nervously.
"Ok, bro. Sleep well." Jake said as Finn ascended the stairs.
Even though Finn was mostly trying to get to bed because he didn't want to have to think of more excuses for his absence, he truly was tired after spending all day at the human city. As a result, he plopped right onto bed, spent.