*Lucas Jaeger*

Someone from Lucas’s world would look at him and think that he was meditating. Upon having that thought, Lucas considered adding meditation to his daily activities- studies showed that it did have some benefits, especially regarding emotional control. However, that was not what Lucas was doing, he was working. Terrasin was clearly correct, Lucas would have to simply disseminate the books he had written and hope for the best. So long as the instructions were followed, it should be fine- though his vaccination plans would have to be placed on a near permanent hold.

However, Lucas was uncomfortable truly unleashing what Terra wanted, she simply did not understand what she was asking for. For that matter, Lucas did not understand the creatures she wanted him to kill. Those ‘High Spiders’ had some human features and could have children with humans, and according to Blade Imps could have children as well despite lacking human features altogether.

They were far more closely related to humans than they appear- far more. So any biological weapon used against them would have a strong chance of coming back around to humans. Well, any infectious ones- there were other options, and Lucas was attempting to create what would be referred to as a ‘mid-spectrum agent.’ For something that sounds so non-threatening, a mid-spectrum agent is especially unpleasant- it is a term that refers to something that has features of both chemical weapons and biological weapons.

Because clearly, a weapon that incorporates only one weapon of mass destruction is not enough.

Though in this case, it would be less dangerous than unleashing a virus or something like that. Lucas was attempting to modify a small shrub in front of him, when it matured it would have flowers but the modifications Lucas was performing had to be done before that point. This shrub reproduced both through anemophily and entomophily, which is a fancy way of saying that it had both wind borne pollination and insect based pollination. Lucas would have prefered a shrub that only reproduced by anemophily, but beggars could not be choosers.

Lucas’s most effective magic involved modifying particles in the air to make them less recognizable by living creatures- and thus causing those creatures to have severe immune reactions towards the air they are breathing, in essence, an asthma attack. What Lucas was doing now was an extension of that- modifying a plant to produce pollen that would cause severe allergic reactions. Though the example in front of him was immature, as this plant grew up it would spread pollen year round as the winters were quite mild. Beyond him, there was dozens of these plants waiting for his attention and scouts were bringing in more plants every hour.

The modified plants were to be planted in specific areas to create natural barriers against invasion. Where groups of these plants were, the land could not be crossed- at least until they were somehow removed. It was a temporary measure, to be sure, but Lucas would use it to buy time. Despite his claims about what he ‘could’ do, realistically he lacked the magical ability to actually utilize his knowledge.

So Lucas needed time- time to talk to Julian and understand more about magic. It had not been that long ago that he had attempted to create what could only be described as a ‘magic generator,’ but it had failed. To go further, he had to make that workable and begin to use magic to replace the technology he missed.

Finishing up, Lucas spoke. “This batch is ready, take a look at the map and go plant them.”

A group of scouts acknowledged his words and took the plant in front of him, and the plants behind him that he had finished. Lucas sighed and reached for the next one, this was going to be a long day.

*???*

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“You let him escape, and even tried to kill him- our King will not be pleased.”

The Widow, a Lady of the High Spiders, an incredibly powerful demon that alone was more than a human battalion could handle- was shivering at those words as she maintained the awkward pose that was their species equivalent of a bow. The creature in front of her was on a completely different level, and being called before it was reason enough to fear. Despite the chains and seals holding it back, it was more than capable of crushing her- even if she had not approached it. Distance did not mean much to this creature, nor did restraint.

“You should be thankful that the Hero survived, and even more thankful that I am not inclined to destroy you for your failures. There were plans in the event of your failure- and those plans are now in motion.”

“Thank you for your mercy, your Grace.” The Widow deepened her bow, quite thankful that she would be leaving this pit alive- it was far more than what she was expecting when she had been summoned here.

“These bindings will not hold us much longer- they were not nearly as permanent as that damned priest thought. Of course, he did not understand our nature- nor the nature of the power he used, so it is of no consequence. The hordes are gathering, and the first of our forces are sallying forth, and our rise shall be the end of this millenium long farce.”

The creature laughed, a sound so terrifying and unpleasant that even the High Spider before the being shivered in fear.

“Which brings me to the task I am assigning you and this time, know that your options are to succeed or die trying. If you fail and return, I will make certain that you will envy the dead.”

“Your will shall be done, your Grace.” The High Spider intoned and the creature before her shifted in the darkness of the pit, the chains that held it creaking as it examined her and smiled.

Afterwards, she traveled through the shadows back to her forces- the Widow had her orders and was given forces to make it happen. This time, her clan’s existence hung in the balance of her success and she made sure they knew that. The human city would fall before her and she would force the Hero to respond.

*Julian Gandr*

“I do not know if I can help you Lucas,” Julian understood what Lucas was asking, but the question was beyond current magical theory. “I am not sure that you could find an answer in Ulian even…”

“Regardless, I need you to answer as best you are able.” Lucas looked at Julian and gave him no room to avoid giving some answer- but what a question.

“As far as I am aware, no one has ever attempted to take magic from others- though there has been some attempt to share magic between mages, I do not think that is what you are asking.” For that matter, none of those attempts had really worked…

“No, I am asking if there is a way to use the mana pool of the army- despite being unable to use magic, they must have some mana. Individually, it would not be much- but all together…”

“I hate to say this Lucas,” Julian sighed. “But all of the questions you have been asking have either no good answer or no answer at all. Hell, even asking about what mana is to begin with is poking at a mystery we barely understand… For that matter, when you were asking about the power of priests I would not even be able to understand what is understood. As for using others mana, I have no idea.”

Lucas sat back, and Julian could only marvel that the man was standing. He had survived High Spider venom and had even recovered and began using magic in a way Julian had never seen before. Modifying prairie bushes to unleash the same poison that Lucas used with his magic, that by itself is amazing and here he is asking for more.

“While not quite what I was looking for, this might be enough…” Lucas was muttering and seemed deep in thought, and Julian was unsure what to say. Lucas had not told him what his plans were, but all of his questions had been particularly difficult to answer. The nature of magic was beyond most people’s understanding, and his questions had been all on that subject. What and how was magic? Where most mages were wondering about how to use it…

“Julian, do you remember when the I attempted to generate magic?”

“How could I forget?” Julian laughed in surprise at the sudden comment, “I have never seen anything like it- I do not think that anyone has even thought about something like that before.”

“Well, then I hope you will watch my next attempt.”