Chapter 7: The Wanderer
After what seemed like ages, the gray crystal dims slowly until it dims back to its state before I grabbed it. It was weird since the other six had the same cycle of lighting up and then dimming after a few seconds. Even the Yin Yang black and white crystals didn't flash blindly bright. No one knows what happened, and I don't know why it glowed bright.
"Did anyone see what happened?" I asked.
"Nope, I couldn't see with it being too bright," said Kirby.
"Merlin had to create a magic barrier as a precaution, but it doesn't look like anything was severely damaged," the nurse said. "You are the strangest client this clinic has ever had."
"What exactly was that? Kirby, Merlin, do either of you know?"
"Nope."
"Sorry lad. Even I don't know what the effects of the gray crystal."
"I do."
"Who said that?"
Out of nowhere, a masked being appears from the shadows.
"Call me Zhuge Shang. That crystal is a very special one that only those who know or are trusted by one known from the angels."
"Shang, it's been a while since we've seen each other. You never mentioned this even with the ancient hero of this land."
"I couldn't mention it at the time Merlin as any word of this breaking out would mean serious consequences. This child is special."
"Uh, I don't know anything."
"Aye. I figured it would be the case. Merlin, I want to speak with you alone."
"Is it about my-"
"I said Merlin, not you."
"Shang, manners! Ace, Kirby, Ichi, you should go finish up. This is only between me and Shang."
"Yes sir."
"Let's go Kirby."
All of us except Merlin and Shang left the room. If their conversation is that important, they should talk it out.
Merlin's point of view
Using my magic to warp us back to the tower, Shang and I settled down on one of the tables at my place. It's not unusual to have a conversation with someone I've known for more than 50 years, but he knows something I don't.
"You're ready to talk after almost 30 years. Zhuge Shang, do you want some tea?"
"I would like to." Shang said.
"I've got Jasmine if you want that."
"That would be good. Jasmine is my favorite after all."
I prepare the fireplace and place a pot above the fire to warm the water.
"So, what is it you want to talk about?"
"That boy and more specifically the gray crystal he used. Isn't it strange he was able to successfully use it when everyone else failed to cause a reaction?"
"It is. Even throughout my life, I never found someone who could use it."
"That gray crystal shouldn't be there at the Easton Clinic."
"Is there a reason?"
"There is. That crystal is a piece of what is known as the Seraphim Orb."
"I recall hearing that name before but never finding evidence of its existence."
"It's real. That boy is proof that the existence of the Seraphim Orb isn't legend but reality."
"Why exactly are you talking about this?"
"According to ancient legend, that orb has the power to rewrite reality and purify the darkness in one's soul."
"If true, it sounds more dangerous then we know about it. What if it got into the wrong hands?"
"It won't. No one knows of its existence but us. Besides they might not care."
The water boils. "Time to put the Jasmine leaves in." We wait a few minutes before pouring the tea into two cups.
"So, Merlin, can you tell me something about the child?"
"All I've heard from him is he gets feverish easily and his magic abilities are beyond impressive. I've never known there were those who possess strong amounts of mana."
"I was afraid you were going to say that."
"Is it serious?"
"Unfortunately, it is. I haven't told you much about it, but he might not have much longer to live."
I spit out the tea I was sipping upon hearing what Shang said.
"Come now, I only started sipping my tea. I know his situation too you know."
"Merlin, have you heard of the devouring?"
"I've only heard it being mentioned. I know no one with it."
"You mentioned his ability to use all six aptitudes from the other crystals."
"I was amazed by his abilities. I didn't believe there was someone who could use all six, including light and dark magic. The light prognosticus mentioned someone who could use both."
"I suppose you are right on that one."
"Now about the devouring, I cannot exactly remember how to tell."
"It's not easy to figure out the condition, but there are ways to tell. Getting feverish quite often is one way. Another thing I know is when a casted spell is much more powerful than usual. If only there were more than two."
"Can't think of anymore?"
"Sorry, Merlin. It's very rare for someone to have the devouring that it isn't well documented in the parchment books."
"Perhaps there is someone else who knows about this."
"Do we ask 'him' about it, that cyan being?"
Shang and I thought about discussing this while sipping tea. There is one other being that may know about the devouring, the Wanderer of Worlds. He's a space-time traveler named Ecolo, and most don't know about his existence. No one knows where he goes or where he shows up, but he may be our only chance of finding out Ace's condition. As we finish our tea, the cyan figure appears.
"What's wrong with cyan?" said Ecolo. "Isn't it a fun color?"
"Ecolo, cyan is a cool color, but that's not what Shang and I were talking about."
"I know that. I've heard you are having a difficult time finding out what the kid has."
"Were you hearing the conversation between me and Merlin?"
"Of course! I can tell you but only if you beat me in a Puyo battle."
"Shang, I'll handle this one. Ecolo, prepare to battle."
Ecolo and I summon our boards and the match begins. As a Puyo master, there's a trick I know that could make this battle go on longer than usual, offsetting. I won't teach it to Ace yet, but it will be useful to him eventually. I send the first chain being a 6-chain, but I know Ecolo is a crafty one when it comes to battles. He deflects it with an equal 6-chain after I sent mine. Both of us are building up larger chains when he sends a sneaky 3-chain. I see through his plan and send a larger 5-chain back which drops 19 garbage Puyo. It almost gets him, but he keeps sending small 1 and 2-chains to recover. Fortunately, I prepared an 8-chain before the garbage became too much. He attempts to send a large chain back, but he misdropped and loses the battle after almost two minutes. Both of us dispel our boards and clean up the garbage Puyo before continuing the conversation.
"Aw I lost." said Ecolo.
"Will you explain anything you know about the devouring?" Shang asked.
"Of course. Why wouldn't I be here?"
"This one is quite stubborn even for the Wanderer of Worlds, Merlin."
"I'll use the wooden tablets I have to write down information about what Ecolo knows."
"So, you guys are having trouble figuring out symptoms of the devouring and request my help. Merlin, Shang, I can provide some information."
"So, what do you have to say?"
"Patience Shang. Let's hear what he has."
"I've seen a few with the very rare disease, and the unfortunate truth is it cannot be cured."
"That's unfortunate."
"I'll say, Merlin."
"Some symptoms I can tell from those that do have the devouring are excess amount of mana, sometimes feeling hyper, feeling more exhausted than usual, the mana capacity overflows, and the worst I've seen is magic berserk due to out-of-control emotions.
"Magic berserk? Kindly explain it."
"I'll put up a magic barrier so no one else but us can listen." I cast a spell that prevents others from eavesdropping.
"It wasn't easy to understand at first, but what I can tell, magic berserk can only happen if a being with the devouring is too emotionally stressed. It could lead to magic choke and could possibly crush those who threaten him or her. If it gets too out of control, the magic could spill out and overwhelm him or her with something fatal."
"This could be bad, Merlin. If something happens to Ace, it could offset the balance of this world with the amount of mana he possesses."
"So, the kid's name is Ace, the one who's skills are beyond anyone else you know."
"How did you-"
"I may have eavesdropped on your conversation before my grand appearance."
"Ah, I see. Merlin, do you believe Ace may have the devouring?"
"I don't have anything to say."
Those who have the devouring most likely won't make it to be teens, so I am worried about this. Ace shows some signs, but it's too soon to find out. There are magic items that can delay the devouring, but they are very expensive and can only be bought with small gold coins. Only 253 cases have ever been recorded. Not even the kingdoms far east nor the United Republic across the ocean have recorded any new cases for years. The last one that was recorded was 16 years ago in the Kingdom of Layton.
"Shang, if Ace already shows signs of the devouring, he might not have a lot of time to live."
"It's bad enough, but there is a greater danger."
"What could be worse than losing him?"
"Forced labor by the nobles. We cannot let them know about this. If any of them find out there is someone new with the devouring, they could misuse the mana in him for power and possibly overthrow the king if from the south."
"That's why you two must protect the kid and make sure no nobles discover him."
"Shang?"
"If it's for him, Merlin and I will protect him."
"We'll help find the pieces of the Seraphim Orb too."
"Thanks, Ecolo."
"No problem. If you need any more help, you'll know."
I dispel the barrier, and Ecolo left. This has become more complicated than ever knowing Ace has the devouring, and none of his friends know about it.
Easton, Satan's point of view
There was nothing I could sense at that pearl shop, but now it is time to go to where the light came from. The light came from the clinic, so Draco and I head there. Usually, there would be a patient or two there to test the capabilities of magic, but this time there were none.
"Hello, can I help-"
The lady working at the counter stopped and stuttered.
"L-Lord Satan. I-I never expected y-you to be h-he-here."
"I happen to be stopping by. Can I request to see the testing lab here?"
"I'm not sure if I-I am allowed to l-let you in."
"Believe me, I get that quite often. Draco, don't get into trouble."
Draco left the clinic as soon as possible. The lady was too nervous to further talk, so the nurse came out and escorted me to the testing lab. There, seven crystals lay in front of me. I stared at the one not like the others. I grab the gray crystal to examine it.
"This is quite a strange one."
"That one was sent by an anonymous being. It's defective and doesn't work."
Lying in front of the ruler of the Underworld? There's more to this than what appears. I can sense it glowed recently from a powerful source. Whatever it was, I cannot say.
"There's no hiding the truth Nurse Jill. I can tell this was used recently by someone before me."
"What are you talking about? It's a defective crystal."
"If it really is, it wouldn't be here. I would like to take it off your hands by paying for it."
"Sorry, it cannot be done. Haven't you caused enough trouble as is?"
"Jill, there are some things you don't know about this crystal. I can sense it is not an ordinary crystal."
The gray crystal is not a crystal but a piece of the forgotten Seraphim Orb. So, Lilith, there is someone you trust. Perhaps I could meet this being one day. Fortunately, I have a real gray crystal with me, so I took it out.
"This here is what a working gray crystal is. From my research, its powers are unknown, but there is a connection with special aptitude of magic called null magic."
I won't tell her it's a piece of the Seraphim Orb. It's a secret only to those who know what it is.
"Now tell me Jill, who used the crystal last?"
Author's Note: I felt this chapter was more difficult to come up with ideas and may take longer to finish. I'm unsure if the devouring in this instance is similar or different enough. I hope I can get to 24 chapters total with this first story. For the remainder of this story, you can help add ideas for new locations, characters, chapters, and more as long as I don't have to raise the rating to T.