Chapter 14
Hunger finally woke him, though Aster could have easily slept for another couple hours, even if the bed wasn't the most comfortable. Opening his eyes, he blinked up at the wood paneled ceiling and slowly lifted a hand to rub his eyes as his vision refused to focus for long. 'Must have hit my head pretty hard then...' he realized, but he wasn't in pain, so he supposed Richter had healed him and the effects of the concussion would wear off soon.
He heard the sound of papers and the scratching of a pen. Turning his head, Aster blinked as the room came into focus again and it dawned on him that he had no idea where he was and the figure seated at the desk on the other side of the room was not familiar. Dark hair shining in the light of a lamp, the person sat with the toes of his boots hooked around the front legs of his chair. Shuffling through several papers, the man stuck his pen in his mouth as he used both hands to look for what he wanted.
Even though Aster knew he shouldn't, he carefully sat up to get a better look at the room. His vision blurred again and he had to wait a moment. By the time he could see again, he found the other man had turned in his chair to look at him. "You shouldn't try to get up just yet," the man said softly.
Aster blinked several times and leaned on his hands until the dizziness faded. "Yeah," he agreed. "Got a concussion."
The other man stood and approached, giving Aster a better look at his face. "How are you feeling otherwise?"
"Pretty good, considering..." Aster mused as he looked at the young man's face.
"Considering what?" the young man asked.
Opening his mouth and closing it again, Aster considered his options. "Hard to explain..." Aster carefully looked around. He cleared his throat. "Uhm. Do you know if my friends are all right?"
"Who would your friends be?" the young man asked, tipping his head slightly.
"Marta, Emil...?" Aster asked, watching the young man's face. The man merely looked perplexed. "Girl with long brown hair and blue eyes? Guy that looks like me?"
The other man shook his head. "We only found you." He folded one arm across his chest, the other touching a finger to his temple.
"Oh..." Aster's voice faltered. "I should get back to Palmacosta then..." his voice faded as he saw absolutely no recognition on the other man's face. "Where am I?" he asked.
"You're in Fennmont," the man said. "Do you have any idea why monsters might have been ...standing watch over you?"
"Depends on what kind," Aster said, mind reeling as he tried to think of where Fennmont might have been. He was drawing a complete blank.
"Bog Polwigles. Three of them. You don't seem surprised that monsters would do that, however?"
Aster started to shake his head and regretted that action immediately. "I probably smell like the Centurion Aqua," he said. "Or Ratatosk. I can't think of where Fennmont is. What's the nearest big city?"
"Fennmont is the big city," the man said and dropped his hands to his sides. "The longer I talk to you, the more this doesn't make sense. What is a Centurion? What would that have to do with monsters protecting you?"
Lifting a hand to his spinning head, Aster closed his eyes for a moment. "Yeah. Okay... let's start at the beginning? I'm Aster Laker, researcher from Sybak."
"Doctor Jude Mathis of Talim Medical School," the other man said. "Can you tell me what you were doing in the Arkand wetlands?"
"I don't know anything about that," Aster admitted and carefully moved to fold his legs in front of him, tucking the sheet around his waist even though he was wearing a hospital gown. "I was traveling with Richter Abend to find the Summon Spirit Ratatosk who controls the flow of mana in the world via the monsters and his servants the Centurions. We'd only recently discovered information about the links between the monsters and mana... We did manage to find and speak with Ratatosk at least..." Lowering his hand, he looked at the other man to see an expression of quiet listening. "Then..." Unsure of how exactly to explain without sounding insane, Aster chose to edit out the alternate timeline. "We decided to help awaken Ratatosk's Centurions and found out some demons had gotten loose and were going to start wrecking things. Someone attacked Ratatosk, though, so I and my friends Emil and Marta went to protect him. Then the whole place crumbled in on itself. There was a guy with a strange sword that could absorb magical attacks and Artes. I'm guessing Emil destroyed the Gate to keep that guy from taking control of it."
Jude tapped his temple again in thought. "Are you, by chance, from Elympios?"
"Huh?" Aster stopped himself from shaking his head again.
"Or do you not remember?" Jude asked.
"I remember lots of things, but Elympios isn't ringing a bell," Aster said. "What is that?"
"The other world? This is Fennmont, you're on Rieze Maxia."
"Neither of those names made any sense either," Aster said and looked down at his stomach as it grumbled.
Softly laughing, Jude shook his head. "Lay back down, I'll go get something for you to eat. Take it easy for a bit. We'll figure this out."
Aster watched Jude leave, feeling unsettled, but he did lay down again, propped up by pillows. He closed his eyes and woke again when he felt someone touch his arm. Looking over, he found Jude placing a tray in his lap. "Thanks," he said and took a breath, smelling the soup he had been brought. Picking up the spoon, Aster started eating as Jude brought his desk chair over.
"Have you remembered anything about where you came from?" Jude asked.
"Didn't forget it," Aster said between swallows of slightly too-warm soup. He was too hungry to stop.
"You're sure nothing's been scrambled?" Jude asked.
Aster put down his spoon and turned to look at the doctor with a frown.
"Just checking." Jude lifted his hands and smiled slightly. "My knowledge of Elympios's geography and cities isn't that great yet. I'm trying to eliminate all other explanations before moving on to the more far-fetched explanations."
"Elympios still doesn't sound familiar," Aster said and returned to eating, lifting the bowl to drink the last bit. "You said this place was called Rieze Maxia?"
"That's the name of our world," Jude agreed.
Turning to look at Jude as he lowered the bowl to the tray again, Aster frowned. "I've got an uncomfortable thought that maybe I've gotten to another world somehow," he said.
"That was the conclusion I was beginning to come to as well," Jude agreed. "But the question is, where are you from then? How did you get here?"
Aster pinched the bridge of his nose. "My world is called Asalia," he said. "Recently returned to whole after four thousand years of being split into two. That's a long story, though and even I don't have all the pieces to explain it." He shook his head. "But if I am in another world... That would make some sense if Emil destroyed the Gate of Nifelheim to keep that stranger from getting its power. Maybe this is the world that guy came from? At least that means I have a chance of finding out what he was after."
Jude had folded his arms and tipped his head to the side with a half-lidded look.
"You look like you know something," Aster said.
"No... Its nothing..."
Aster rolled his eyes and finished the soup. "Uh, where did my clothes go?"
"They were torn up," Jude said. "I've found something for you to wear."
"Oh no..." Aster shook his head. "My research notes. Are those all right at least?"
"Your bag is okay," Jude said and stood to grab something from the floor beside his desk.
Trading for the tray, Aster threw his bag open and pulled out the folder with his and Raine's notes, quickly flipping through to find them marginally undamaged. Some swampy water had gotten in and wet a few pages but the ink was still readable. He sighed in relief.
"You mentioned mana flow and summon spirits," Jude said.
Aster nodded. "How familiar are you with the subject?"
"I've known a few summon spirits," Jude said with a fond smile.
"Well..." Aster picked out his original notes on the mana flow and how it correlated to Ratatosk and the monsters. "That should explain everything. But the simple answer is that monsters absorb and redirect mana from places with an over abundant type. Such as darkness monsters being in caves. They channel this mana back through the roots of the World Tree which then redistributes it. They attack humans out of a sense of self preservation and because we're made up of all the types of mana. They're trying to keep our population in check, as a sort of natural order of things."
Jude was nodding with an intense look of interest on his face. "That makes sense - and considering most humans cannot produce mana, they're simply using it without returning it to the cycle. I think I'd like to meet this Summon Spirit."
"If I can find him," Aster said. "I hope he's all right. That Gate was tied to him as much as he's tied to the mana flow."
"Do you mind if I take some time to read through this?" Jude asked, gesturing with the papers Aster had given him.
"Go ahead. Though mind that's a rough draft still and I'm not certain everything that should be explained has been. I've only just recently gotten the chance to write it all down."
"I'll remember that," Jude said. "Get some more rest. I'll find some new clothes for you in the meantime." He returned his chair to the desk and headed out, reading even as he opened the door and stepped out.
Aster watched, then settled back with a sigh. "Well, at least that part can be replicated if he runs off with it."
...
"Hey." Ivar prodded Emil sharply in the center of his back with a finger. "Your monster stopped."
Emil rubbed his eyes and looked around to find more of the same desolate landscape as before. This time it was night, though he couldn't tell how late. Ahead, a high wall stood backlit by bright towers of light. He squinted at what he supposed was the city and carefully dismounted the gun tortoise and patted her head.
Ivar dropped down as well and strode forward two paces past him, fists on his hips. "This is Trigleph, capital city of Elympios." He stuck out his tongue in distaste. "The city of free-loading spirit killing spyrix users." Ivar turned to face Emil with a wild swing of his hand.
"Spirit... killing?" Emil swallowed.
Nodding firmly, Ivar waved his hand at the city again. "Yeah. That's why this world is so dead. They used all the mana and killed all the spirits and now they're preying on Rieze Maxia like it's their right." Clenching his fist, Ivar stomped forward with one foot. "If only that damn Jude hadn't convinced Gaius to quit destroying spyrix! Ugh!" He slung his fist and straightened. "But now that I've got a summon spirit of my own, I'll be able to defeat him! Hahaha!"
Emil sighed and shook his head, looking down at the gun tortoise for a shared moment of regret. "Do you want to make a pact with me?" he asked the tortoise.
The gun tortoise lifted her nose and he got the impression that was a yes.
Stepping away to face her, he set his feet shoulder width apart and held his hand out. An ethereal wind brushed the sand, then blasted it away in a magic circle beneath the gun tortoise. Emil was vaguely aware of Ivar's startled yelp and back-step, but concentrated on forming his bond with the tortoise. Feeling the connection link, then strengthen, he released the power he had summoned and nodded. "I will call you if I need you," he said and touched the tortoise's nose once again. She faded into mana and collected into his hand.
"Woah!" Ivar stepped closer, leaning around to look at Emil's face. "How did you do that? Where did the monster go? Did you kill it?"
"No, I returned her to mana, she'll reform when I need her," Emil said, "Can we get in town and get something to eat, though?"
Ivar's expression dropped. "I thought you said you were a Summon Spirit. Lord Maxwell never had to eat."
"This body is human," Emil said, trying to find patience. He started walking towards the city, hoping that whatever it was they did to kill spirits there would leave him alone. He wasn't really in the best of shape to defend himself still, even though he was feeling much better already. Ratatosk was still unconscious, but at least not dying.
Ivar had to run to catch up with him and glared when he did. "Don't go just running off like that. You're supposed to do what I say! We have a pact."
"A pact, yes, but that's not what it means. I'll lend you power when you need it. I'll help you in fights, but I'm not a slave and I hope you figure that out quickly before Ratatosk wakes up. Pact or no, I'm pretty sure he'd try to kill you."
"I thought you said you were Ratatosk..." Ivar blinked.
"I am. But this," he gestured at himself. "Is Emil Laker."
Ivar leaned back, his hand going to his chin to stroke in contemplation. "Ohh. I think I get it. You're like Lady Mila." He nodded. "So that's why you need to eat. Even though Mila didn't until that rotten Jude got involved." His fists clenched in fury. "So maybe we should go after the guy who tried to kill you too."
Emil looked down briefly. "If... you don't mind? I had to destroy something very important to keep him from getting control of it."
"As long as you help me get revenge on Jude, I'll help you get the guy who tried to kill you!" Ivar pumped his fist out with a thumb up.
They had gotten to the gates of town by then, were glanced at by a pair of guards standing on either side of the portcullis, and left to enter the city without question. Emil squinted and shaded his eyes at the bright lamps lining the street. The towers of light he had seen before were actually buildings lit in random squares down their sides. People walked the streets here, chatting and talking, but Emil could only sense the faintest hint of mana coming from them. Collectively, they were about as alive as a rock, but even that was better than what lay outside the gates of their city. He looked towards Ivar and could practically see his mana being drained off by people simply walking by and the lights themselves pulling away a little from every angle.
"This... place is awful," Emil said, feeling ill at ease.
"Yeah," Ivar snorted. "You're telling me. King Gaius sent me here on a mission, though and that's the only reason why I'd come here. So you got lucky." He prodded his finger at Emil's nose. "But, good thing I'm done with that mission. All I have to do is return to King Gaius and give him my report, then I can go confront Jude!" Ivar excitedly punched the air in front of him several times, a maniacal grin on his face. "We'll take the first ship out in the morning," he said.
Emil shivered at the idea of staying an entire night in this horrible city. At least a majority of Ivar's mana was being directed towards him. 'I'll last one night,' he told himself. "Let's get something to eat and find somewhere to stay the night then?"
Nodding firmly, Ivar took the lead, striding confidently down the street. He was getting distasteful looks from the people he passed, though Emil couldn't quite figure out why until he realized the distinct difference between Ivar's clothes and those the people in the city were wearing. He nervously looked down at himself, realizing that he stood out even more so. Ivar's outfit looked at least like he had come from a backwater town of some kind. Emil flushed, feeling simply tacky.
'I wonder if I can call Tenebrae to me?' Though he doubted it, but it would have been nice to have someone he knew around.
...
"Why did you tell him?" the woman with the fish tail coming off her head said to the floating black dog.
"What do you want? I should have lied?" the dog demanded.
"You knew something bad would happen!" The woman jabbed the dog in the nose with her finger.
Ears folding back, the dog lifted his head. "I knew it was a possibility. I honestly thought he was better. At least he didn't burn the world this time."
"That's all you can say?" The woman threw her hands into the air. "Lord Richter nearly died because of your careless words!"
Tiger sighed gustily. "You know, you could either explain what's going on or take your fight outside. Some people are trying to sleep here."
Both the strange floating talking creatures turned to look at him. The black dog actually looked guilty, the woman just looked disgruntled. "I'm surprised you didn't drown," the dog said.
"That's because I saved him, you nitwit," the woman said then floated closer. "Miss Raine healed your wounds, but you might still get sick. You nearly drowned."
While he didn't remember much of the fight against the demons, Tiger figured she was probably right, considering his breath rattled in his chest and he felt like someone had been sitting on him. "How'd I end up in the water?" he asked. His gaze flicked around the room finding that he was in what appeared to be a makeshift hospital set up in the church. His cot was tucked into a corner with Richter's beside him. He could hear small sounds of other people in the room, but view of them was blocked off by a sheet hung up between the wall and a pillar.
"I'm not sure," the floating woman said. "Probably Alice or Decus threw you there."
Tiger sighed again and let his head drop back. "Man. Useless again..."
"Not really," Genis interrupted as he stepped around the sheet, carrying a tray. He knelt next to Tiger's cot and set the tray in his lap. "You helped quite a bit..."
"Yeah, but I got knocked out again." Tiger managed to prop himself up on his elbows before he started coughing. Genis moved the tray before he spilled it and helped him sit up further, then handed him a handkerchief when he finally got the phlegm loose. "Ugh..." he sighed in exhaustion. "My mom is going to have a field day with this."
"How come?" Genis asked.
Tiger looked down, not wanting to meet his new friend's gaze, partially in embarrassment and partially shame. "I get sick pretty easy. She's always coddling me. She's probably going to say you guys shouldn't have let me help at all. But I'm tired of getting told to sit down and-" He started coughing again, closing his eyes tightly as his whole body shook from the effort.
Wiping his eyes, he tried to take slow breaths in order to not trigger another bout and looked over to find Genis staring at him in concern. "Please don't look at me like that." Tiger sighed.
Genis shook his head. "Think you can eat?"
"Probably." He accepted the tray again and glanced around, finding the black dog and girl with the fish tail still hovering nearby. The woman looked slightly distraught. She looked away when their gazes would have met. "So, how did the fight end?" Tiger asked and picked up the bowl of soup Genis had brought.
Sitting back on the floor cross legged, the half-elf leaned on his hands. "Well... Richter got really mad and killed Decus outright and started attacking Alice but then she tried to eat him and he tore up her face. She decided she'd had enough and grabbed her boyfriend's body and disappeared with it. I don't know whether that means they'll both be back, or she'll be back twice as angry."
Tiger turned to look over at Richter where the half elf was lying still and pale on his cot, glasses removed and eyes closed. "He going to be all right?"
"He should've died," Genis said, looking down. "I guess he was too mad to even notice..."
"What do you mean?" Tiger lowered the empty bowl to the tray and cautiously moved to set the tray on the floor. "Your sister healed me, can't she heal him?"
Genis nodded. "She did. But... Its more he doesn't want to live anymore."
"You're not making much sense."
Shaking his head, Genis sighed and tipped his head back to look at the ceiling. "Half-elves have this thing where... we get attached to people sometimes. It could be family, it could be a friend we consider family, but it's more than just a friendship or like a fondness. It borders on obsession. We're all right as long as the relationship is going okay, but if that person dies, especially unexpectedly..." Genis cleared his throat and looked at Tiger again. "We'll go to great lengths to get that person back, even beyond rational thought process."
"So..." Tiger picked the blanket covering his legs. "I'm guessing Aster was his? You know, I didn't see Aster around."
"He went with Emil and Marta to protect Ratatosk," the black dog said. "They failed."
Tiger whipped his head around to look, moving too fast and causing himself to double over in another coughing fit. "What-" he gagged out amidst his coughing. "Is Marta okay?" he wheezed at last.
"I'm afraid not," the dog said. "She, along with Aster, Emil, and Ratatosk are dead. The Gate of Nifelheim has collapsed and the Otherworldly Gate threatens to break at any time with only Lumina, Aqua, and I holding it."
Gripping the side of his cot, Tiger pinned the dog with a hard stare. "So you're saying that jerk who threatened me screwed up and not only got Marta killed but he's put the whole world in danger?" His fingers tightened. The wooden frame cracked audibly.
The dog's ears folded down. "I suppose you could put it that way."
"Then there's nothing else to do," Tiger said firmly and turned to look at Genis. "We're going to go wake up the rest of those jewels and find some way to get Marta back. And that Ratatosk guy so I can kick his ass and kill him again."