Chapter 6: Past and Present
What's happening? I've never had a fever this bad before, and they usually go away within a day or two. This fever feels more painful than the ones I had before, and I'm not sure if my body is able to fight this one. Suddenly, a figure appears in my conscious mind.
"Ace" the figure said. "It's time you start finding out your lost past."
"Lost past?" I respond. "I don't know anything about a lost past."
"Your consciousness is in a state of desperation, and in order for you to wake up, you need to connect with your past. If you forget completely, you won't make it through the journey you'll take."
"Past? I only remember living on Earth. I don't have any memories of the world I'm in currently."
"In time, you'll find out. There is a forgotten tale of a trio of heroes who once saved this land from a being named Hades. You'll find out about them and who they are."
"Hades?"
"That is correct. They banished Hades in a seal that only the chosen one can break. It is said that they will return one day to save this land again."
"Hold up! I have no idea what any of this means."
"When memories are made, they don't entirely vanish. Some may take years to remember, but they'll still be there."
"That makes sense, but there's one question I would like to ask. Who are you?"
"You can call me someone who will help guide you through your past. It's nice to finally meet the successor of a legendary hero who was forgotten."
"Successor? What are you talking about?"
"It's not important now, but when we have an opportunity to meet again, I'll talk about it. For now, you need to recover. You'll forget this meeting, but you'll recover."
"Wait!"
The figure and the conscious mind vanish. Hopefully it is right about me recovering.
10.7, A.A.6
I wake up in a different bed after I collapsed. My fever seemed to have gone down drastically. I don't recognize my surroundings at all. In fact, I don't remember anything after I collapsed in front of Kirby. This is more confusing than when I woke up after the tranquilizer dart. Am I…well…alive or dead? Where is this place? This room doesn't look like the one me and Kirby and stayed in. Suddenly, I heard the door open, and someone ran up to me.
"Ace, you're alright!" Kirby exclaimed.
"Kirby, is that you? What happened?"
"You collapsed in front of me, and I carried you to Merlin. He wasn't sure on what to do, so you were brought here to this room."
"Where is here, and what is this bracelet on my wrist?"
"Apparently, this place is called The Mana Clinic in a town called Easton. For the bracelet, I'm not quite sure."
As both of us are talking about Easton, the bracelet glows and disappears shortly after. What was it on my wrist for? And the name Mana, is it another term for magic? This world is more confusing than I thought it would be. Plus, I'm not sure if Franny or Alice are safe. The door opens, and Merlin, Ichi, and a clinic nurse come in.
"Seems you've awakened at last," said Merlin. "I was worried when Kirby told me about you collapsing suddenly. I knew something had to be done, so I summoned a horse carriage and took you to Easton to recover."
"What about Henry?"
"He's traveling somewhere north."
"How long has it been since I fell unconscious?" I asked.
"You were out for about three days" the clinic nurse said. "I've never seen anything like this throughout my time working here."
"Miss Ichi, the nurse, and I researched the fever you had throughout the time you were out, and we've never seen the results out of our studies."
At least I know it ended up being a fever, but why was it worse than before? "Merlin, what are you saying?"
"Ace, there was one thing I forgot to tell both you and Kirby. Not everyone has magic powers, and the ones that do have different amounts. Some of us have less magic power, but there were a few with more than average."
"Does this relate to the fever?"
"It's possible, but for that, you would need to be tested at the lab. Merlin has been helping with the lab since the clinic opened."
"Don't worry, Ace. The only thing you need to do is touch the crystals."
Kirby helps me get out of bed and helps walk me to the lab with Merlin, Ichi, and the nurse. When we get to the lab, I imagined it would be one of those crazy places like in the TV shows I watched. When the door is opened, the inside is a large room with different areas for tests. The one I see first is the one with the crystals.
"Usually, there is no need to use the crystals for testing, but you're the first case in years that requires the test."
"What will happen to me?"
"The only thing required is to touch each of the seven crystals to determine the elements you have."
"That's a relief! I thought it would be worse."
"This test has been done since the clinic's opening, and yours won't be different."
"Kirby, hopefully there isn't anything wrong with me."
"Don't worry," said Kirby. "It will be okay."
"The seven crystals here are by color, so you will need to touch the red, yellow, green, blue, black, white, and gray."
"What's the gray one for?"
"That is for you to find out. Your friend requested to be tested, and he seems to have a normal amount of magic."
"Kirby, what were yours?"
"The red, blue, and white crystals."
"Okay, here goes nothing."
I place my hand on the red crystal. It reacted far greater than expected, and lava is summoned in a container that can handle lava. There was some lightning that came shortly after, hitting a copper rod.
"That is a very rare ability for fire magic. Only a handful of beings have the ability to summon lava."
I'm going to say this one may either be lucky or unlucky to have. Lava is quite destructive when it comes from volcanoes. Next up was the yellow crystal. The reaction was far greater than the red one with sand, steel, and platinum summoned.
"I'm impressed," said Merlin. "Even I don't know anyone else who can summon platinum."
"It's the first time a client has the ability to summon platinum," the nurse said. "I'll have to note this in the log."
Platinum is a very tough metal to make stuff out of, so having the ability to summon it means I might be able to use it to create anything I can think of, as long as I don't think 'those' thoughts. The third crystal I grabbed was the blue one. This one reacted so fast I couldn't see what was happening. After that, the room was filled with snow, ice, and water.
"Sorry. I couldn't control this one," I said.
"That's okay, there's a magic barrier preventing the water from escaping. Let Merlin handle this one for a moment, and I'll log this one too."
Merlin uses his staff to clean up the snow, ice, water, and lava, and we continue with the test. I grabbed the green one, and a blast of wind blew opposite of me. A cup that was in the path was destroyed instantly.
"You were right Merlin. This one has air mana. You'll need to make sure this one doesn't fall into the wrong hands. I'll clean up the remains of the cup."
"I've said this before, but the light prognosticus never lies."
While the nurse was cleaning up the debris, I grabbed the next two crystals. The fifth and sixth crystals almost remind me of Yin and Yang. They're complete opposites, but each one has a purpose of supporting each other. When I grabbed both, I had the black crystal in my left hand and the white crystal in my right hand. Both reacted in a way that I almost thought of throwing the crystals. Light and shadow help balance the room where one can't survive without the other. It almost looks pretty to look at seeing the way both keep balance, almost reminding me of a show where the ocean and moon are spirits in the form of fish.
"Impossible" said Kirby. "Ace how is it possible? Even I didn't have that ability when training with Merlin."
"I'm not sure. It happened to be something I have."
"You aren't kidding. Look at how those two crystals react. Yin and Yang. One can't exist without the other."
"This discovery isn't well documented. Less than a thousand beings can use five types of mana. I'll have to keep note of this. You have far greater mana than anyone else I've tested."
"While it's too early for my daughter's tests, I'm sure she'll have a great amount of magic too," said Ichi. "Arle is still learning the basics, so it will take some time for her to get used to her abilities."
"There's only the gray crystal left. What could this do?"
"I'm not exactly sure what it does. No one that was tested successfully caused it to react."
I grab the gray crystal knowing it might not do anything. This one almost has an unusual presence, so there's no way of telling if this one will react like the other six crystals. If no one knows how this one can work, I'm not certain I'll be able to get this one working. I stare at this crystal for several minutes, and eventually, it starts reacting. However, this one doesn't have a significant glow like the others, and like the blue crystal, it glows so bright I cover my eyes. I can't see anyone with how bright this one was, and by the time it dimmed down again, I can't feel my own body. It's unknown if I'm in a state of life or death, but all I know is I don't have control of my physical form. When I open my eyes again, I can see clouds everywhere. I instinctually raised my left hand above my head and expected to grab a ring above it, but there wasn't one. That's weird. I shouldn't be here, but this place almost looks like Heaven. I can't deny it, but I'm definitely not in Easton anymore…
The Sky, Satan's point of view
The feeling of flying is something Draco and a select few beings have. As the ruler of the Underworld, I was granted the power of flight to make travelling easier. It explains why it doesn't take long for me to cross the Mushin Ocean. Occasionally, I see a few storms that form, but it isn't a problem when you're The Dark Prince facing against the weather, though this weather can cause disasters for the others. The journey takes a few hours to travel to the other land from the Satanic Badlands, named by yours truly. It almost feels like travelling to another land to meet the trio from the past, but this is about a tree with no leaves.
If there's one thing I can remember before my time as ruler of the Underworld, I had a wife named Lilith. She was one of the most beautiful beings I met long ago before she mysteriously vanished without a trace. I'm not sure if I had offspring, but if I did, I would know. Unfortunately, without an heir to the Underworld, once my time is up, it's over. I suppose the best thing I can do now is adopt an heir for the future, but there's no need currently.
"How close are we to the tree, Draco," I said.
"Not that far. It's between Magic Village and Easton."
"Easton. Isn't that the place where beings with magic go for tests?"
"It is. We should be close."
Before we get there, a bright beacon of light comes from that Easton place. It shines so brightly I turn my head away. There's only one explanation for this one, and I have a feeling the legendary heroes of the past might return soon. If that's the case, I'll prepare some traps to make sure it is true. The light dims down shortly after.
"Draco, there is a change of plans. We shall go to Easton to investigate the bright light."
"Is it more important than the tree?"
"If it's what the legends tell, the chosen one will return soon, and I may find my Carbunny again."
Carbuncle used to be my pet before I became ruler of the underworld. He would always stay by my side even in difficult situations and never go far. Unfortunately, he ran off the first time while I was distracted with rebuilding the Underworld, and someone named Rulue saved Carbuncle from the hands of Count Dracula. She seems to have feelings for me since I mentioned once I would give him to my future bride. He was meant to be a gift to Lilith to celebrate our anniversary, but without her, I'll have to look for someone else. The closest I can think of is Miss Ichi, but she already has a child. If I could win her over, not only would I have a wife again, but I could help raise her daughter. Knowing her, it would never happen. No matter, I will find a way to impress her. I shouldn't be thinking about this now. Easton is not that far from here, and if I find out about that light, I could find out what caused it.
"We're almost there Satan!" said Draco.
"It'll be nice visiting Easton again."
"Anything you want to look at before the light?"
"There is one thing."
I decided to visit one place before going towards the light. Whatever it was, it might be powerful, and it could be dangerous if used in the wrong hands. For now, I'll visit a shop.
? Ace's point of view
Where am I? What is this place? It almost looks like heaven, but it doesn't have the characteristics of that place. There are many shapes and sizes everywhere that I don't recognize. Blocks, panels, jewels, even a frog launching ball-shaped objects too that I can see. Are those Puyo creatures here too? I find them soon after the others. I can recognize the blocks and jewels since I've seen them in games like Tetris and Columns, but what are they doing here of all places?
"O-Oh. I have a visitor," said a divine being. "I don't expect anyone here. You are the second visitor I've ever had."
I turn around to see a girl with light yellow hair and a cloud looking thing on her head.
"Oh! N-Nice to meet you!"
"Who…are you?" I asked.
"Uh, well, let's see…"
She seems nervous to talk to someone else. I get it, people and other beings might be nervous to talk to others for the first time.
"My name is Marle, and I watch over the worlds. This place is The Will of Spacetime, the farthest reaches of the universe, overlooking all of spacetime."
"So, you're saying I am far beyond where I should be, up in the sky?
"I guess you could say that, but we're far beyond the sky."
"Please tell me I'm dreaming again."
"Unfortunately, you're not. What brings you to this place?"
"Hmm. I recall grabbing this gray crystal that everyone thought didn't work, and it shined so bright that I couldn't tell what was going on. The next thing I know, I'm here, lost."
"I-I'm sorry! There are things I'm not familiar with. My duty is to watch over the worlds and make sure they don't merge. If anything goes wrong, the rules of the worlds that merge will be in chaos."
"What can I do about it?"
"You will forget this place and go back to your world, this one here."
She points to the Puyo worlds. They look so beautiful when looking at each one there is. In fact, there's a blue planet too.
"If only I knew what happened with the gray crystal, I would know where I go."
"You've mentioned this gray crystal. Do you know anything about it?"
"Well, no one was able to make it work. It seems like I was the only one that was able to."
"That description, it sounds exactly like the last visitor."
"Huh? What does that mean?"
"The last visitor used a crystal almost like what you said. He was able to return to where he was without a problem."
"I guess there isn't for me then."
"There is. You appear almost like a spirit, so you should be able to return where you came from. A being like you should be able to return to your original location."
"I'll be able to go see Kirby again, but there is something I would like to ask."
"I'll listen."
"Why do you watch over the worlds?"
"I am a reincarnation of the Will of the Worlds who watched over them long ago. I was created to watch over them after she vanished."
"Oh."
"A child like you shouldn't know this, but I've watched over you since you arrived at your world."
"It isn't easy to travel, especially since I get feverish quite often."
"I am sorry to hear that, but I can explain that."
"You can?"
"Yes. You possess an amount of magic greater than anyone should have for your age. I've only seen a few others that had similar conditions to you, including the previous visitor."
"Did the previous visitor mention getting feverish often?"
"I cannot say for sure, but he came from the same world as you."
"Woah! It's unbelievable!"
I can't believe it. The previous visitor came from the same Puyo worlds. Now I wonder if there are others with similar amounts of magic from other worlds.
"Marle, thanks for letting me have the chance to talk."
"It's been fun talking to someone else."
"I should be going back now."
"B-Before you go, can you tell me your name?"
"I…suppose. My name is Ace."
"Ace, thanks for this conversation. I understand you have problems with your condition, but I believe in you to figure out what it is and how it can be solved."
"I hope so. I don't want to make my friends miserable."
"I believe in you Ace. Hopefully, you can find them."
"Before I'm transported, I would like to ask one last question."
"Sure."
I remember bringing something with me before being transported to this world, so if I can use it here, it will be easier to find Franny and Alice. Kirby, Franny, Alice, and I all have smartphones, so having that work for the new world should be something I shouldn't forget.
"Is it possible to make this work?"
"What…what is that?"
"A personal magic device. There are three others that were transported to the same world I'm in, and they each have one. Could you make this work?"
"I'll see what I can do. Farewell, Ace."
"See you later!"
I wave at Marle as I begin to be transported back to Easton. Although I would forget this place, I should remind myself the gray crystal is not like the others and has mysterious powers. In a few seconds, I am transported away from this place.
"Lilith" said Marle. "Yes, the gray crystal that Ace had is one way to get here. The only ones that can arrive here are those who you trust. Satan, Ace, and your brother. Is it the mysterious power of that gem you have? I can only hope that he can prove that your son is worthy of finishing what you started."
Author's Note: I've made this chapter far longer than a typical chapter because I wanted to have both Ace and Satan's sides of their stories like with chapter 5. You'll eventually find out why the main character gets feverish, but that will wait until next chapter. We'll start the journey to find Ace's missing friends. I changed part of chapter 2 to replace Rulue with Draco. Chapters 1-4 have some QOL improvements and use less filler too. I may have watched Ascendance of a Bookworm recently (as of March 1, 2023) as inspiration for this chapter, so expect it in future chapters.