"You could've stayed."
The words echoed through my head, one of those whole ‘someone said this to you years ago but you can’t remember because it’s currently a stressful moment’ things. If you haven’t experienced it, I really don’t recommend it. I unslung my weapon, making my way toward the group with a purpose. One of them noticed me though, and they all stopped to gawk me at me. Shut up, hand it over. I rested the long handle of my weapon on my shoulder and stuck my hand out expectantly, making a gimme motion toward the long-haired brat type.
More words I couldn’t understand.
“Hand over that cube,” I pointed at the brat. “That belongs to me, I’ll only ask once.”
The masked fellows looked between me, and the kid. One of them rushed in and grabbed the brat, the other two turned to face me with spears. I sigh and heft my hunk of steel. I guess I’ll secure the brat myself. I quickly assess, a familiar anxiety gripping my chest. Their stance is set, they can probably move a short hop in any direction. They don’t want me to charge, but they know how to work together. A bit better for me.
“This’ll sting,” I call out and use both hands to quickly trace a circle in the air in front of me with the blade. Exhaling the last of my breath as it completed. A black, inky link flowed from the squared tip of my weapon, when it connected a deep hum chimed and it dissipated, I inhaled sharply and felt strength suddenly fill me to the brim. The world slowed down around me as I sprinted the short distance to the brat. Knocking aside the first spear with ease, slipping the other and planting a foot in the masked folk holding the brat. They went tumbling back in slow motion and I secured the…now that I’m up close they’re clearly an adult, just a good four inches shorter. I’m very quickly realizing the disadvantages of my lifestyle making it so that 90% of the people I’m interacting with are taller than me. This is a bit new. I blame the baggy clothing.
Getting away was simple, I circled around back to my box and tossed my new friend in. Too easy. I even made myself look intimidating by taking some half-official looking sword stance. I only took like two or three historical sword fighting classes so I probably looked like an amateur. The masked fellows looked between each other, there was a lot of shouting. I shouted back, something along the lines of “It’s my box, go away.” but words weren’t really getting through. After a quick deliberation, they composed themselves…and ran.
It was a bit deflating, I was just starting to get spun up too. Bad Ash, bloodthirsty is not what we need on the ground. Too easy to die when you aren’t encased in metal specifically designed to keep you alive. Stating the obvious to myself here, but sometimes you have to.
With my new friends deciding to cheese it, I turned to the person huddled up in the back of my box. Slinging my sword, I offered my hand once more. They stayed there, understandable, don’t interact with the strange masked person and they might go away. Well, unfortunately for them, that box is mine. I step inside.
They cry out in fear and cover their face, like I’m going to hit them or something? Fear grips my chest, please don’t look at me like that. I feel you, I really do. I put one hand to my chest as a show it won’t move, and very slowly reached down, grabbing the head-sized cube off the floor where it tumbled. Stepping out with both hands on the cube, and away from the entrance of my box. A good thirty feet at least, in case they charged out to try and stab me or something. My androgynous friend isn’t out of the suspicion zone yet.
“Alright Dalliance, I hope you’re doing ok,” I whisper to the cube, taking a glove off to feel around the sides of the cube for Dalliance’s connection. A small panel slides open at my touch, allowing me to pull a cord from the cube and plug it comfortably into the back of my head. A small icon grew from a speck to a symbol in my vision, a set of concentric hearts that alternated rotations before lining up and filling. The heart turned into a small collection of pink cubes in my vision, and pulsed slowly. Like it was breathing.
“Ah, Ash. Good morning, it seems you found the…” Dalliance’s level tone began, then trailed off. “You’re downloading, me…Ash what is going on.” I felt sorry as her tone changed to a mild panic. She tried speaking again but it was broken and unreadable, then a small chime echoed through my ears and she sighed.
“Someone else had your container,” I mentioned, holding up the box in front of me, studying it for damage as Dalliance downloaded to my helmet’s system. Our lovely visitor poked their head out of the box, I assume it’s to keep an eye on me. I made no move to acknowledge them, as long as I don’t have a knife in my ribs they can wait. “Well, I guess it would be like several people. We’ve been out for a hot minute.”
“It will take me some time to sort through everything and get a bearing on what happened. My last log dates back,” another sigh, she sounded kind of annoyed. I felt bad, we were both pretty lost at this point.
“Last log dates back nearly five hundred years.” Dalliance announced solemnly.
Right…wait, “Five hundred years?!” my hands habitually slap to the sides of my cheeks. I groan and stare up toward the sky. “Five. Hundred. Fucking. Years. Well better get started on recovery, let me know when you’re done sorting through the data. I’m supplying power manually until we can automate intake again. When you have a moment can you start a background translator?”
Dalliance’s program chimed in affirmation, and then there were no more words from my friend. Now…
“Hey! Come Out!” I unplug the cord and let it snake back into the black cube. I toss the useless thing aside now. Neither Dalliance or I have use for it now that she’s living in my helmet. I hope she has enough space.
The visitor’s eyes widened, and they ducked back into the box as I approached. Please don’t try and take anything apart to use as a weapon. As a show of good faith, I keep mine slung and out of the way…hopefully, they take that as good faith, I am still armed.
“I had to write a new one, but the translator is up. Try getting them to talk.” Dalliance informed me, her cubic structure pulsing in rhythm with her words.
“I’ll see what I can do,” I sighed in reply, but it wasn’t without an idea popping into my head. I circled around to the front of my box, my new friend still hiding behind the pilot chair, watching me with a look of apprehension. Look I don’t blame you but this is a little much. “How much magic can we control at the moment?” I asked Dalliance, removing and gently setting my metal flat stick down on the ground.
“We can manage small effects, your acceleration has depleted my capacitor. We probably won’t be able to pull off anything like that for another day or two.” The cubes reshuffled, attempting briefly to compress into a different form before comically falling apart. “Also, the helmet needs repairs.”
“Gotcha, I’m going to draw some pictures. Don’t laugh at me too much please,” I removed my gloves, setting them neatly on the clean steel. Rubbing my hands together, I set to work. With more practiced deep breathing I focused on the very basic message I wanted to get across. I bent over, gently brushing my hands against the stone. A thin white layer of that same, black inky liquid that had come from the tip of his weapon, spread itself out across the stone forming simple images.
“Are…You sure that’s what you want to draw?” Dalliance asked in a worried tone. What was she worrying about? it looked fine.
“Yeah? It makes sense doesn’t it?” I studied my work. Two vaguely person-shaped figures stood a slight distance away from each other, one spoke and symbols representing words came out of their mouth, and wrapped around the other’s head. In the next image, the person with words floating around their head spoke a different set of symbols. Simple enough right? I thought so.
“Okay, just know it might backfire,” Dalliance warned me, I always appreciate her worry but I felt exceptionally confident about this plan for once. It looked super clear to me, they talk, the program absorbs the words and then I’m able to talk back!
“Don’t worry too much Dalliance, I got this one.”
It failed. I had picked my things up, taken a few steps back, and given my guest a friendly wave. Gesturing vaguely to the pictures in front of me as they cautiously stepped out of the box. I waited patiently, putting my gloves back on and slinging my weapon as they studied my very simple and easy to read examples. After a moment a look of terror crossed their face as they looked from me to the pictures, then around at the courtyard. Why are you looking at me like I’m some kind of demon? They start to mutter something, then get up and point at me. They start shouting angrily, then as if realizing a mistake, then covered their mouth and glared at me.
“Why are you looking at me like that…wait do you think I’m stealing from you?” I say aloud, but I could tell the translator wasn’t kicking in yet. They shook their head and took off running frantically back the way they came, a look of fear across their face.
“I told you, Ash.” Dalliance sighed, “She probably thinks you want to eat words. I did get a sample of speech but it's not enough to start real-time analyzing, you should probably follow her in as non-threatening a manner as possible…with my black box.” Well, Dalliance did say it might not be a great idea so I stick with her plan this time and grab her former housing.
“You said she, do you know her name too?” I asked as I jimmied all of the compartments open in my box to acquire my emergency supplies, tools, and the little bit of luxuries I stashed away for long term stays like this.
“No, but after piecing together my recent log… I’ll tell you on the way there,” Dalliance pulsed strangely afterward, I shrugged and laid out my equipment to take stock.
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
One standard emergency survival kit: tent, nutritionally complete rations for thirty days, multi-weather sleep system, and spare oxygen tank. All compressed neatly onto the top half of a surprisingly comfortable frame. The only other time I’ve had to use this was when I was assigned to an extended observation mission on a moon, and since then I keep it close at hand and well-stocked.
Additional supplies include: one set of portable metal-working tools, a hobby of mine I picked up when I joined up with my buddy’s coalition. They’re super useful for basic imbuing practices and repairs as well. A set of finer imbuing tools are shuffled in, I use these to add additional functions to my helmet when I have the inspiration to do so. Dalliance is invaluable for this process since she allows me to make super-fine adjustments.
One set of basic mechanic's tools for when I find my ship. As long as nobody with the right tools has stripped it, I should be able to get it working enough time and patience. An unused fishing rod still in its case with the price tag and everything. I got it on sale at some space station. Some alcohol flasks filled for celebrations, haven’t cracked them open in awhile. Lastly, a couple of sets of clothes, double that amount in socks, and a barely broken-in pair of boots.
It all fits neatly onto the frame, which I hoist onto my back and secure. It’s definitely heavy after being immobile for hundreds of years, but nothing I can’t handle. I try to spin it positively as the beginning of my physical rehabilitation, but part of me is deeply afraid that I’ll never be back to where I was.
“Are you doing ok, Ash? You’re doing that, about-to-speak-but-won't thing you do when you’re conflicted.” Dalliance’s voice rocked me from my train of thought with a quick shock of surprise directly to the heart. I exhale slowly and try not to laugh at being startled.
“Right, you’re in my helmet now. I uh...I think I’m ok, the pack is a bit heavy now that I’m out of shape.” With a short nod, I tap the hatch of my box with my boot. “See you later, box. Stay safe now,” with the final farewell to the small space I have lived in most of my life, I close the hatch and watch it seal.
“I can retrace the route for you, it should lead to a small pilgrimage town.”
“Thank you Dalliance, just let me know where to turn. I’m going to have to dial my brain down for this walk,”
“Of course, Ash. Hang in there for me ok?” It was her sweet voice, the one she used when she wanted me to do something that I had little chance of doing anyways. It made me smile to hear it. I’d hang in there for her though, our survival kind of depends on it.
The walk was uneventful but beautiful. The ruins of this once large town were nestled onto the sun-warmed summit of a tall. It was comfortable outside, the view of the surrounding mountains was breath-taking. As I reached the edge of the ruined town, there was a winding back that switchbacked down the mountain, I could see wisps of smoke rising over a small ridge far below, far below (with the help of my helmet), and the figure of the girl already six hundred meters down.
“This is what I get for taking my time,” I look toward the sun, it hung halfway between the horizon and a noon position, but I couldn’t discern whether it was morning or afternoon. I just woke up, so basing my travel schedule off the time of day might be a bit foolish, but the exertion the party that had met me outside my box began to make sense. Running up a mountain was no joke.
“Take your time, I don’t think there’s anywhere else safer than the town to run for some leagues.”
“Did you really just use leagues,”
“I did… Oh, interesting.” Dalliance made a chime noise, as though something had finished loading, “I’ve accessed more of my logs, let me sort through them. I’ll fill you in on what I’ve learned as you walk.” She hummed as the sound of pages turning occasionally reached my ears. “The town is a three-hour walk away at your current speed.”
“Thanks…fill me in soon?”
“Yeah,” Dalliance's cheerful tone soothed me enough to keep the anxiety down. She kept me company as I walked with her humming, I should ask her to compose something for us to sing at some point.
It was a terrible three-hour walk, but I made it, mostly. The speed I had to walk felt like a snail's pace, but I could feel the sweat making my shirt cling to me. My helmet dulled the sensation of anything under it due to the material but I imagine if I took it off I’d be just as soaked as the rest of me. The pack only felt heavier even when I drank the water packed with my rations. My knees, hips, shoulders, back…My whole body felt like it was about to fall apart really.
Dalliance had filled me in on what she could discern from her records during our wonderful walk through the woods. First is that the girl removing her from whatever weird altar she had been sitting on for centuries ended up scrambling all of the data she had collected up to that point. The download fragmented it further, so reorganizing and gaining access to complete records would take some time.
From the flashes she could extract, Dalliance had detected the box beginning the last resort wake-up process. In desperation, she used what little functionality she could to make contact with one of the shrine maidens and have her bring the box to me. The girl I had scared was the shrine maiden. Apparently, this planet has an incredibly dense mago-sphere, like humidity for cosmic energy. So not only was my box able to sustain torpor for hundreds of years, but Dalliance was also able to extract ambient wisps to sustain herself in a low-power mode and gather information on our surroundings.
They also apparently worshiped her as a conduit of their goddess, but that seems to be distorted and locked behind the fragmentation. It’s going to be a wild ride once she defragments everything. Now as far as how she is still able to recognize me and use some of my helmet’s functions is because she had taken it upon herself to write it into her foundation at one point. I nearly cried when she told me that, because for magidigital beings like her it meant that she viewed me as a permanent part of her.
I learned that my box had become a pilgrimage destination for a goddess of life and fertility, which is why there was food and acorns and water left. Things needed to nourish the body and earth. Sometimes people would bring clothing as an offering, as a sign of respect for those recently born or passed, like well wishes for the afterlife. The basics as far as my box went. This town we were talking to facilitated the journey up the mountain, and was home to one of the larger temples to the goddess.
Oh, we also composed a lovely musical poem about the sights of the mountain. Dalliance has always been really good with that kind of thing, we sang it together a few times.
“So this didn’t occur to me until now, but why aren’t we recovering the ship first?” I asked Dalliance, interrupting her humming of our lovely new song. The entrance to the village was in sight, and I slowed my pace to observe and decide on a plan of entry. Especially since I couldn’t speak their language yet.
“Ah…you’ll see.” She answered, rather cryptically, a bit sheepish. It’s in the town, isn’t it? I sigh and rest my hand on the handle of my trusty rectangle chopper.
I guess I haven’t really talked about this thing yet; it's a weapon I’ve grown quite fond of since its mainly a multi-purpose thing. It's a strange sword design: three feet long, one-third of it is a handle, dual-edged, a black circle sitting on the end of the handle, and a squared-off tip. The tip is able to take magic energy I’ve stored inside of it, or myself, and release a semi-physical (partially ethereal) liquid that I then use to make magical circuits. Or as most nerds like to call them, spells.
Spells that I hope I didn’t have to use because it would consume what energy I had left, and probably kill me.
I approached the gate to find it closed. The sun had begun to set at my back, and two men with great bushy beards and grey robes with a red sash looked down at me from the adjacent wall. Calling out in their language. I look around, point at the gate, then point to me and make a walking motion.
Wow, they sound really annoyed. I try to do the same message with different motions, and they leave. Maybe to get someone? Or open the gate, that’d be cool.
“You’re really bad at charades, Ash.” Dalliance giggled in my ear. Hush, I don’t need it from you too, I’m too tired.
“Need more words for the translator huh,” I grumbled a reply and approached the gate.
“Correct~” She sang, her cubes lighting up a pleasant neon pink, (she usually sticks with a pastel).
A white circle was painted on the gate, it seemed fairly fresh, as though it were painted today. The seams of the gate where the circle met were totally sealed. I removed a glove, setting my hand against the gate. I usually don’t have to use this much magic in a day, maybe I should invest in an open-palmed glove. I exhaled slowly and cleared my head of distracting thoughts, focusing on sending my own energy into the door to feel out what this was.
A seal, freshly applied to the door. It was a simple one, it reinforced the door and kept it from opening for all but the caster. The pattern inscribed wasn’t protected, so I could write myself into its structure as a caster if I wanted to, but since I had to be careful with my current state…
“Do we have enough power for a rewrite?” I asked cautiously, even with a dense mago-sphere rewrites could be exceptionally dangerous since you never know how much power was originally put into a seal.
“That’s rude, someone worked hard on that,” Dalliance teased. When I wasn’t teasing back, she answered “yes, you can open the gate without draining yourself,” in a dejected tone, her pink cubes darkening with her defeated tone.
“I appreciate you Dalliance,” I say quietly and close my eyes, withdrawing my energy from the door and visualizing the circle. Little scrubbing here, stretch that a bit, write in glyphs representing me and…oh, that’s nice. I open my eyes and step back, feeling only a little dehydrated. Not too shabby, it feels nice to be useful while your friend has been working hard all day.
“Ashildr,” I shout once, and a line of line runs once down the center of the gate. Alright, it accepted me! I can’t help but feel excited as the door opened before me. I step through the threshold, into the town. A new surge of energy coming with my success.
“Ash…” Dalliance said quietly, her cubic avatar becoming very small. Like she was trying to be invisible or something. My happy place goes up in flames as I look around at the scene before me.
Spears, bows, and a lot of startled, angry shouting from multiple sources.
“You’re collecting words right,” I sigh and pull my sword off my pack. Several arrows land in front of me, followed by clear warning shouts, a step forward from the wall of spears puts me in a very small pointy box.
“You’re not fighting right?”
“I’ll blow up if they go for my helmet,” I reply and throw my sword to the ground. A good ninety percent of the folks seem to visibly relax as I do. Parting ways for three new friends to enter. A short masked individual with green and pink robes, a taller masked person with a spear, who’s hand was firmly planted on the shoulder of our young shrine maiden.
“Hold on, I’ll try something.” Dalliance said nervously. I quietly fed her some of my energy, feeling the strength readily leaving my limbs. The anxiety following vulnerability quickly sets in. I won’t even be able to run away at this point. “Trust me, I have a strong feeling this will work…”
“No worries, we have time if anything,” I reassure her and watch the crowd carefully.
I see a flicker of pink across my vision. That’s, not in my helmet.
From everywhere it could slip, that magical liquid flew from my body and formed into an inflated representation of that avatar Dalliance was always so fond of. It was fascinating to watch her go through the process of coloring and forming into a ten-foot version of herself. She’s so adorable in that sundress.
I looked down from Dalliance’s dazzling display, to find everyone genuflecting.
Dalliance, I swear to the stars…