Chapter 217

Hopeless Missions and Promises

Sometimes I really put myself in a bind.

I now have the mission to find the parents of little Izzy, she doesn’t know her last name. As it turns out even with Telepathy going so I could read the kids mind, I got almost less than nothing from talking to her, both mentally and magically.

Me: “What are your parents’ names?”

Izzy: “Mommy and Daddy.”

Me: “What do they look like?”

Izzy: "Mom is the most beautiful woman in the world, and dad is very handsome and very tall.”

Honestly, I don’t know why I asked that last question, even while reading Izzy’s mind and seeing the parents through Izzy’s memories I realized that those visuals did nothing for me. Why? Well the mother had black hair, while the father had blond hair. Why does this matter? Well, I can’t see hair shades at all thanks to my Angel’s Sight.

If I knew what their auras looked like, I could probably create a tracking spell based on the aura signatures.

As it was, I was going to have to resort to a form of magic that I was fairly certain was either borderline sympathetic magic and borderline spirit linking.

Basically, I took some hair and skin samples of the girl, there were plenty of them from my clothes. I took them, used them as the base components for a Life detection spell.

Then I proceeded to create a reverse family finder.

New Spell Created: Family Tree Finder (Leaf to Branches Edition) (C): A Tier IX Life and Spirit Magic spell created by Cassiopeia Spiritlight that attempts to find the immediate family members related to a sample of DNA evidence. By focusing on the unique chromosomes of the target sample, the caster of the spell can identify likely genetic matches for the male. By focusing on the sample’s mitochondria, there is a 100% chance of finding blood relatives.

“Not exactly the spell to end all wars, but a much needed spell that everyone will want to have cast at the end of a war.” I say to myself.

“Wait, did you just create a new spell?” Mallory asked, a note of surprise in her voice.

“Yeah,” I admit, before sharing the details with her.

Raywell, the female that stood up to me and became a subsequent leader of the refugees that we were still directing through the open portal just stared at me in amazement.

“You, have a portal going nonstop, you are casting your Healing Rain, and Cleansing Rain, and you still apparently found time to create a new spell?” Raywell asked.

“Yeah, well I was bored, and once you get the other spells going, its not like you can’t think.” I state.

With that Raywell just looked on at Mallory with slack jawed amazement.

“Yeah, welcome to our crazy little world. This is our mad professor and so far the only accredited teacher at SVC, a dual Magic and Cultivation college.” Mallory states, giving her greatest sales pitch.

“Oh wow, you are getting good at selling our place as an urban city.” I state.

“That’s because it is, despite the odd petting zoo and random misadventures that always seem to pop up from one specific area, it is a great and mostly safe place to live.” Mallory states.

“Mostly?” I ask, trying to figure out where the danger is, and what I need to do to fix it.

“Yes, but unfortunately, you kind of come with the land. Like the guardian spirit of the pet cemetery that we built our city over top of.” Mallory says.

“Wait, are there dead animals that haunt the place?” Steve…something asks, he is one of the teenagers that Raywell got to stay behind and help make sure everyone got out safely.

By now all of the kids were out, and it was mostly just vetting and checking the adults who wanted to enter to make sure they weren’t spies or dissidents. Fortunately, Mallory had people who specialized in counter espionage to vet those people.

Meaning it was just us, and watching the remainder of the people going through. Since I was the second anchor point, I couldn’t quite leave not yet.

Due to my staying, Mallory and her entourage of guards and task managers were naturally here by my side. As it was, I would assume that Raywell was getting informally screened to be one of the newly designated managers, one who would focus on the Refugee population. During this time it also seemed clear that the Steve-something kid was related to Raywell.

But that was only a hunch.

Focusing on my new spell, I cast it and proved my theory to be correct.

Family Tree Finder (Leaf to Branches Edition)

Gods that was a long name for a spell. Still, the spell did its part, no sooner had I cast the spell from a strand of the boy’s hair, that I had plucked with Telekinesis, was I able to give a slight link to the boy, the original creator of the hair particle. Then there was a bright golden light that linked the hair to both Raywell and to a stream of light far off in the distance.

“Good it works,” I sated excitedly.

“Wait, what was that?” The boy asked.

“Oh, yeah sorry. That was me testing out my new tracker spell. This is designed to specifically find the nearest family relatives of the original owner of a particle of DNA.” I answer.

Pausing, I realize that once this is done, I am so going to test this to try to find my parents, though I must focus on the one remaining task. First let all the vetted personnel through the portal between myself and my Simulacrum. Then go and find Izzy’s long lost parents. Parents that I apparently promised to find and that somehow became a binding quest.

Well, not quite binding, I could still refuse the quest, but why refuse a quest that can easily be solved with thirty minutes of work. Or at least thirty minutes of work so far. Still, the fact that my spell worked made me feel a lot better.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“Wait, it can track the relatives of a strand of DNA, like some form of Magical Ancestry Finder?” Raywell asked.

Hearing her, “Ancestry Finder? Gah, that is such a better name than what I came up with.” I reply, momentarily forgetting the actual question being asked.

“Wait, what did you name the spell?” Raywell asked.

“You probably don’t want to know.” Mallory cut in, “one thing you will find is that there are limitations to her genius, and naming her amazing inventions is not something she should be allowed to do without adult supervision.”

“Hey,” I respond a bit halfheartedly.

“What did you call the Qi Fusion Fighters? The Unicorn Pegasus hybrid? Or what is your newest one the Qi and Mana flow measurement system?” Mallory asks, listing off some of my more questionable titles.

“Okay, fine, do you have a list of all my questionable names?” I ask.

“Questionable? No, these names are so bad compared to the masterpieces that you created that I can’t help but get embarrassed when trying to think about marketing them to others.” Mallory states.

“I can’t help it that I go with practical names, versus aesthetically pleasing names.” I rebuff.

“Oh, I’m sure its not that bad, tell me what did you call this Ancestry Finding spell?” Raywell asks.

Hearing the much better name of the spell I can only groan, as I reply truthfully. “I called it Family Tree Finder (Leaf to Branches Edition).”

“Oh, I see, you really went all in on that tree metaphor,” is all Raywell states, nodding her head in as placating of a way as possible.

“To my defense, as you noted. I was maintaining two different spells, while creating a brand new spell the world had never seen before.” I say, a bit more dejectedly than I intended.

“And maybe if you sat down and focused on one thing, you might really do it well, and not cause these types of issues for yourself in the future.” Raywell stated, then quickly covered her mouth as she seemed to have said more than she intended.

“Thank you. Oh, Gods, finally another voice of reason. Even if you don’t want to be part of the delegation for the new refugees, there is always a place for people like you.” Mallory begins.

“There is?” Raywell asks a bit incredulously.

“Yes, anyone that can meet Cass and not be instantly intimidated by her and roll over at her every beck and call needs to be applauded and given a position.” Mallory states.

“Hey, I’m not that scary.” I protest.

With that, Steve, and both of Mallory’s overpowered guards both visibly flinch. While Mallory and Raywell both just stare at me like I’m a little girl with butterfly wings sulking before her big dance recital of Swan Lake.

Mallory for her part just does a quick scan around to see what I already noticed, namely that everyone had taken a half step back at least.

“I agree, you are not that scarry, you are just,” Raywell begins, but then seems to catch herself looking for the operative word, then continues “intense.”

“Oh honey you don’t know the half of it.” Mallory says, resting her arms across Raywell’s shoulders as she seems to be setting Raywell up for something.

I know what she is doing, she is basically working Raywell up to do something, but I can’t for the life of me figure out what it is. Then before I can get too lost, Stevie cuts back in.

“Hey that spell you cast, where does that other end go?”

“Most likely your father, though I would need to do a few more tests. It is just as strong via DNA testing as you are to your mother, but hard to say. I’ve only cast this spell once.” I admit.

“Once? But you are sure it is my father?” The boy, Steve something states.

“Stavi, I told you that your father died a long time ago.” Raywell stated.

“But look there it is, a strand that all but states he exists. That or someone genetically related to me.” The boy, apparently his name is Stavi, not Steve, because I’m the one that’s bad at naming things, replied.

“Oh come on, even if he did exist, I’m sure Dr. Spiritlight here is far too busy to take up yet another task of this scale.” The woman Raywell stated.

“I totally am, I’ve got a class on Bloodline lineages to teach.” I state, realizing that Mallory will never go to teach that class again. Not after the last time when she swore it was the absolute last time I pawned my responsibilities off on her.

“I’ll gladly take on the teaching of your class,” Mallory begins, but then smiles as I think she thinks she’s identified something. Then she continues, “that is, so long as we can get Cass to say she will attempt to find the other person at the end of this tracking spell she created.”

I look at Mallory, and I would squint if it wasn’t for the fact that my eyes are solid orbs of emerald now. Still, I stare at her and wonder “what are you planning to do?”

“Me, I’m going to teach students about awakening their Legendary bloodlines and potentials. Maybe even suggest that the instructor come up with handy teaching aides like she has made for her other classes.”

At that, I think about the Outsourcers and then try to see if I can come up with a model that could be used for teaching about bloodline balancing and powers, but nothing comes to mind.

“See, you can tell she isn’t close to coming up with anything for this project, though she really wants to.” Mallory states.

“How can you tell?” Raywell and I ask at the same time.

“Simple, she turned her head up to the left to think, but she wasn’t close to an epiphany as her tongue didn’t come out of her mouth.” Mallory begins.

“Hey, that was one time.”

“Every time she has an epiphany she has her tongue out. During that time I will need you to get ahold of me, I will drop everything I am doing and get over there to you to try to mitigate the fallout. If I can’t get there, immediately beep it a number of times. If it is a standard creation, one click. For something novel that you don’t understand two. For something that makes absolutely no sense but causes the hairs on the back of your neck to tingle and rise up in fear, then keep pressing the button.” Mallory states.

“Wait? What? You act like she will be my handler or something?” I ask.

“Interim handler for now, but I’ve found that I need someone that can at least take your heat and provide some resistance. As it is, I can’t trust your daughter or Jhonny to do anything like that.” Mallory states.

“Hey, I don’t need a handler.” I protest, realizing that I might not win this argument even before it begins.

Mallory for her part just waves her hand around wildly.

“Really, then how did you end up here?”

“I saw the news article about the displaced kids and knew I had to come and help.” I state.

“Was your need to help before or after you were given the quest to rescue everyone?” Mallory asks.

“Hey, you don’t need a quest to do the right thing.” I state.

“Uh huh, and your trip out here wouldn’t have anything to do with there being twenty-one members of the SLWC?” Mallory pressed.

“SLWC?” Raywell asked.

“Oh, that’s us, the Seventh Life Writers Club,” a familiar sounding man speaks as he gets closer to us.

Pausing, we all turn to look at the three new arrivals that just came from the wastelands. Now that I have time to focus, their auras are familiar, and then I realize they were the very same people I Resurrected while trying to ask for directions here.

“Hey, you are those three people I resurrected.” I state, to the three.

“Yes, after you were done healing all the stray cats and dogs, you then proceeded to Resurrect the three of us.” The female stated.

Hearing her talk, I had a feeling she was likely a pretentious writer that I would not get along with.

“Oh stop that Ms. Whittle, we already went over this. She wanted to come here and heal and rescue the orphans, which she clearly has managed to do.” The first person I Resurrected stated. Then I realize what he said when he first arrived.

“Wait, you three are members of the SLWC?” I ask, suddenly excited to be able to see at least three of my heroes.

“That we are madame, I am Mr. Sanders. My compatriot here is Mr. Raynes, and of course the ever-talented Ms. Whittle.” The first speaker, Mr. Sanders stated with courtly grace and etiquette.

“Wait, the Mr. Sanders, as is the writer of The Ethereal Vapor series? Along with the Hidden Tasks series?” I ask, barely able to contain my excitement at this point.

“The very same,” Mr. Sanders replies while giving another bow.

“Oh my gosh, I am such a huge fan.”

“Not that huge, if you couldn’t even give us a ride with you.” Mr. Raynes states in a fake stage whisper that he clearly wanted me to hear.

Seeing him and hearing his cantankerous attitude, I cannot help but smile. “Wait, you are the Mr. Raynes, author of Eternal Struggles of Light?”

“Yes, glad you have heard of me.” Mr. Raynes said.

“Yeah, I didn’t read as I expected at least three books for a series. A series that I am still waiting for.” I reply, before crossing my arms.

“Oh, she got you.” Mr. Sanders stated.

Then turning to the third person I ask, “who are you?”

“Ms. Whittle, you know Ms. Susan Whittle, author of the Grimlight series.” She states as if that name should mean something.

“Who?” I ask.

“You know the one with all the sparkly werewolves.” Mallory adds.

At that, I remember something about having to take Gwen and my other girls to all go and see those terrible movies, all while Rob used that time to cheat on me behind my back.

“Yeah, I remember your books now, they were terrible.” I replied, I don’t remember them being that bad. But at the time in my life when I was introduced to them, it was terrible. To this day I associate those books with Rob’s infidelity.

“Well, on that note, I say it is about time we let you all join us.” Mallory states, then proceeds to give the same spiel that she has done hundreds of times to these three SLWC members.

As she leads them away, Stavi comes over.

“Please promise me you will find him?”

Hearing the boy, I pause and realize that he is just a wayward kid wanting to find his parents. I even notice the gaze of Raywell on the two of us. For whatever reason it is clear that Raywell does not want me to find this dad, but I do need to test the spell for its veracity, and I think I have a really hard time telling kids no. Well kids that want simple things like to find their parents after being separated by a giant war.

Realizing this is a request that is coming deep from his very heart, I can’t help but exhale as I make another stupid promise in under an hour to yet another kid looking for their parents.

“I promise to find whomever is at the other end of this tracking spell.” I pose.

“YES!” Stavi exclaims excitedly.

“I’ll need some more strands of your hair for this.” I pose.

“Sure thing.” Stavi says, then runs his fingers through his sweat stained hair and I wonder if there was another way to do this without going for unwashed hair strands.

Still, this was the best I could get.

Then before I could say anything else, the world spoke essentially holding me to the commitment of completing yet another stupid quest.

New Quest Found: Missing Parents 1A (Ongoing): You have found a boy (Stavi) and his mother (Raywell) in a refugee camp. When casting a spell to identify familial connections you found two active strands from the boy, one led to the mother and the other led to someone far off in the distance. Find the other person and introduce them to Stavi. Find the other person and reunite them with Stavi. Current persons found and reunited (0 / 1). Rewards: Experience, Variable.

“Take as long as you need to find all the missing parents.” Mallory called out, apparently seeing that I accepted the new quest from her Guild Master’s log.

And like that, I could swear that Mallory had identified something about the random way I seemed to be assigned quests over everyone else. I was going to ask her about what it is she thinks is happening, but before I could get too lost in thought, I decide to at least search for Stavi’s lost ancestor.

All while making the note that when I make an improved version of this spell, I will stay away from tree references.