Chapter 38
A Spirit Walk, Or Just Walking
“I have some good new and some bad news.” The train’s doctor began. “The bad news is that your familiar is beyond my help. The good news is that there is a doctor at the Magical Wastelands who can help.”
I pause, letting that comment sink in. Then to add insult to injury, I get a quest prompt.
Quest Activated: Saving a Friend: You have been given the task of making your way to the Magical Wastelands so you can find a cure for your injured companion Zero. Rewards: Experience, Skill(s), and the chance to save Zero. Quest Conditions: You need to make it to the Magical Wastelands (0 of 50 miles) within 3 Hours, 59 Minutes…
Yeah, they gave me a quest letting me know we were about to be on our way.
Whoo WHOO!
“Oh, and look at that. We are about to be on our way.” The doctor said.
“Don’t worry, we are sure to make it to our destination on time.” The Ticket Master said. “We have never been stopped from making our final destination.”
And just like that, I knew I was going to have to leave the train with Zero strapped to my back.
***
Fifteen minutes and ten miles, that was as far as we made it before we were stopped again. We were going at a fairly decent pace, all things considered. Forty miles an hour, while not groundbreaking was a decent pace to go.
My quest notifications were proof to how fast we were going, as everything was constantly being updated.
Quest Conditions: You need to make it to the Magical Wastelands (10 of 50 miles) within 3 Hours, 44 Minutes…
Everything seemed fine, in fact at this rate we should be able to make the rest of the time in an hour. This would give me approximately 2 hours and 44 minutes to search around and find this healer that the train’s doctor noted. Yet, it was not fated to be, such a time and pace were nearly impossible to keep up in a world that was defined by controversy.
There was movement of a giant herd of animals roaming across the train tracks in a way that reminded me of migratory birds flying in an echelon formation. It didn’t help that this herd in particular was particularly massive. Judging by the number of wild animals I would predict this flock of creatures had no less than a hundred large creatures all running in a perpendicular path to the train tracks. Looking at the number of creatures that had passed, and the number still remaining it was clear that at the very least the train would meet the trail end of that formation.
With my Angel’s Sight, I wasn’t the only one who noticed this, as the train conductor did as well. Which was why the did likely the stupidest thing, or likely most scripted event. They reached up for their wire that would allow steam power to flow into and through the train’s giant warning horns and let out a long bellow to the creatures.
WHOOO-WHOO!
Of course, the sound was meant to be a warning, the equivalent of trying to spook the creatures into going one way or another. Either continuing on, or turning around entirely and trying to avoid getting steam rolled by the train. Unfortunately, neither of those two events happened, as these were wild monsters living on a monster infested fields of existence. Rather than being startled by the sound, the animals all paused for a half second, long enough for the flock of one hundred large truck sized creatures to identify the creature that had issued a direct challenge towards their flock, and then begin charging.
SCREEECHH!!
It was a stampede.
As they turned, I could feel the ground begin to rumble, as sign that I needed to act quickly. Fortunately I had not been sitting by idle all this time. I knew I would have a few minutes, at least I hoped I would, so I used my time to prepare a papoose out of my complimentary quilt for Zero. The design was simple, effectively swaddle Zero, by wrapping them a few times in the quilt. Then cutting arm holes to push my arms through. Then strap down that with a bit of rope, for extra reinforcement. Then I just sat on my bed, waiting for this moment, or something similar to happen.
No doubt this scenario was set up for passengers to go on a murder spree, killing off dozens, if not the entire herd of creatures that were now charging as one towards the train. Once they were taken care of, there would be some time when we would have to protect the train as it was fixed from any damage sustained during the battle, then be back on our way, until the next triggered event. If everything went well and I killed the waves of monsters fast enough, I would likely be able to arrive just in time to rescue Zero with seconds left to spare.
I of course had no intentions of making it so I was subject to such laws.
The minute I saw the giant herd of creatures begin to appear I stood up. Then when it became abundantly clear that we would not be able to avoid the creatures, I prepared myself to move. Then when they turned as one to charge at the train I Teleported past the last creature of the thundering herd.
Rumble.
The ground shook as hundreds of tons of wild animals charged forward, towards a common threat. Honestly, I wished the bison like creatures well. That is what they were, now that I was able to stop and get a good look at these creatures, they were clearly larger version of bison. Well bison with an extra pair of legs and what appeared to be the ability to craft earth related spells while charging forward. That or the rock armor they created around themselves was somehow both magical and a reflexive action taken by the species.
This was interesting to me, as it meant that spirits in the spirit realm could also wield other forms of magic. While this shouldn’t be too surprising, I did need this little reminder that other forms of magic would exist throughout this tower. Especially if these creatures were found on the first floor. Even though it was a basic earth armor type spell, the fact that magic was in use was undeniable. In a way, I wondered if all the different realms had their own particular brand of mana that was more prevalent. For the mortal realm, the most abundant form of mana had to be gray, or what is commonly referred to as basic mana. I say this now, as I have not seen gray mana in use since I got here. Not that I have seen much mana, other than these shield spells, but the fact remains, I have seen a lot of spirit magic related spells, most of which are simple sight based spells, or scanning spells. In fact spirit based spells were so prevalent, that I almost began tuning them out due to their mundane nature in this tower.
“Huh.”
I manage as I watch the swarm of a hundred or so fully enraged and challenged herd animals turn and charge as one into the train.
BOOM!
There is a distinct sound of steam and mechanical parts breaking under strain as the animals all charge as one into the giant beast.
In a way, I wonder how effective this strategy is, say for instance could these creatures take down a dragon with a similar tactic? Looking around I don’t see any spirit dragons, meaning either having a dragon in the first floor of a tower would be too much, or these creatures likely killed any such opposition long ago. I would bet on the former, but I couldn’t fully refute the latter as a viable option either.
I pause to watch the mayhem for a second, in this case, I get to see a literal train wreck happen in slow motion. Or seemingly slow motion as I see the moment two unstoppable forces collide and smash into each other. The first few magic bison easily get crushed into paste, but their deaths are not in vain, as their sacrifices slow down the train just enough for the second, and third wave to fully force the engine into coming to a complete stop.
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At this, mayhem ensues as the train has come to a complete stop, while monsters charge forward assaulting passenger cars and disembarking passengers alike.
Seeing that carnage, I nod to myself and begin Teleporting away in rapid succession, trying to put a lot of distance between myself and the monsters as quickly as possible. Surprisingly, the rapid use of Teleportation in so short of a timeframe is fairly easy. Or at least it is easier than the last time I remember having to do so. The most memorable time that I had to use Teleportation so many times was just before I earned my class, when I had to run through Legrand space, to make it to the Tortoise mountain. During that run, I was able to cast the ability a few times, then run, then cast a few more times. This time, I don’t even try to run as I just disappear and reappear over a kilometer away with each jump. I think about this, then realize a lot of this sudden ease of movement is likely due to the fact that my Willpower has skyrocketed since I opened the leveling system. Now I get bonuses from both my Class and Race every level, meaning my base 76 Willpower is increased by my cumulative 38 Willpower points from my class and race, putting Willpower at easily my highest Attribute category at 114.
With each jump, I see my tracker telling me my distance remaining until I reach the Magical Wastelands is constantly counting down, at roughly one mile every two jumps. 11 of 50, 12 of 50 and so on. Seeing those markers, I take that all as encouragement to keep going, until finally by mile marker 40 of 50, I decide to stop jumping. Not truly because I am tired, but because I want to keep a few jumps in me, in case I need to race past large swaths of angry monster packs.
Just as I noted earlier, the train tracks weave through mounds of what are clearly monster spawn sites. Only after not seeing a monster spawn site, or residual monsters following the train tracks for a mile or two, do I take a moment to walk and let my mental energy regenerate on its own.
Now is the time when I walk, each step causing Zero to bounce gently against my back. Due to the way Zero is bouncing, I decide to walk, not run. At this time, I still have over three hours and thirty minutes to walk the remaining ten miles. Of which, I feel I can easily Teleport at least five of those, but that is my ace in the hole. During this time, I just use the walk to let my mind wander and expand.
It takes me a few minutes to realize something that should almost be both obvious, and unimportant due to its obviousness at the same time. But the realization of the thought causes me to chuckle.
I realize I am literally going on a spirit walk, with my spirit animal in the spirit realm.
After that thought, my mind travels to the next thought. If you are a spirit, then a spirit walk isn’t as grand as mortals might think, it is just walking.
This is my thought process as I go first a mile, then two, pushing my counter to mile marker 42 of 50, when I realize my mental energy is once again full. Those two miles took over ten minutes each, leaving me with just over 3 hours and 22 minutes remaining.
For a moment I contemplate walking the remaining eight miles, but ultimately, I decide to stop that train of thought. There might be something I can gain, a skill like Callouses from walking with rocks in my shoes for such a long time, or some other crazy meaningless skill, but I decide against that. Currently I am going to be offered a skill by getting Zero to a medical examiner. My goal is to get some type of healing or healthcare related skill that I can then use to help treat Zero and other spirits in the future. That is the goal at least, so I flash ahead the last few jumps in a row.
In the end it takes fifteen final jumps to find the area that we are looking for. Part of why it took so long is I got lost on a jump when the train just disappeared. Yep, straight up was there one second, then gone the next. Only after back tracking did I find the area where I was supposed to go, a spot where the train tracks drive like a road runner cartoon into the side of a mountain, and then disappear.
Shaking my head, I go to the tunnel, wait a moment to see if anything is coming and then when I realize the coast is clear, I walk through.
The path winds upwards, and upwards through the inside of the mountain, until finally I find a wall of intense magical energy. I know the area for what it is almost immediately, it is the barrier between floors of a tower.
I pause, realizing that this will be the first time I ever got higher than the first floor of a tower.
Then after a moment’s hesitation, Zero shifts slightly on my back. Her unconscious form all but reminding me of why I am here alone. With her on my back, I decide to press forward, walking through the dense layer of energy that glows like a beacon to my altered senses.
I feel a moment, where it feels like I walk through an invisible bubble of slime coating, then after a brief second that sensation passes and I feel the sudden surge of mana blast past me as the world around me disappears for a second, only to reappear slowly around me.
After a few moments, I feel my senses slowly expand ever outward, until I can feel the exit to the mountain. Not even risking traveling through the mountain, I decide to jump.
Poof.
Within a second, I appear where it would take me hours of countless cutbacks and switchbacks to appear. I could all but imagine the number of near death experiences that were awaiting me on a train that decided to traverse that dense network of train tracks.
Arcanarus Tower Floor 2. You are the first to reach this floor of the tower, as such your interactions will have the most impact on the world around you.
That was the message, I received. Seeing the message, I couldn’t help but feel that it was both a grand moment, and one that ultimately meant nothing to me, as I had an important mission to do. I still needed to save Zero, who was clearly meant to be used by the system as a plot device.
While I hated the idea of forcing pain upon people to drive an agenda, I knew I was ultimately powerless to stop it. Still, I did dislike the idea of being manipulated in such a way.
Fortunately, the town where I was supposed to go to was just a few yards away from the end of the mountain pass.
Seeing the town, I couldn’t help but feel skeptical about its importance, though there were two different train tracks that intersected at the heart of the town. Buildings lined both sides of the two intersecting train tracks, with a placement of all four guild halls being at the four corners of the two, caused by the train tracks.
Seeing this zone, it was clear that this was meant to be a staging city, or at least an area that could be expanded out by regressors and travelers alike. Right now it just had the bare bones of a city in the making, but the overall design was there.
I also knew that this was likely a choice for how this zone and likely the next few floors of the tower would develop. Which guild hall I went to next would show the way this zone should grow. I also knew that the different guilds all had different ways I could attempt to heal Zero. The Mage’s guild had of course mages that would be on hand to heal anyone in good standing. The Adventurers guild would have healing battlemages on hand or traveling that could be asked to help. The Apothecary guild would have healing salves that I could likely make to save a my spirit companion’s life. Then there was the engineering guild that could help me create spirit infused mechanical wonders that would likely be used to save Zero. Basically, just like healing humans, the spirit realm used the four main guild halls to revive the dead and dying spirits.
Seeing my options, I paused for a second. I was strongly caught up between going to the Apothecary Guild and the Mage’s Guild. I figured the Apothecary Guild would allow me to learn new recipes that could be used on all spirits, or at least on spirit familiars. While the Mage’s guild would have magic. Ultimately I decided to go to the Mage’s guild, why, well simple this was the tower designed from the dead and dying remains of Arcanarus University, the formerly premier university of Biprism. If there was any place I could learn rare or interesting new spells it would be here, in this tower.
Also, with me being a Tier VIII practitioner of spirit magic in the spirit realm, I figured this would likely be similar to what a Tier VIII healing mage could do in the mortal realm. Basically, if I was going to learn to use my magic effectively, this was the place to go. Also, I had a strange feeling that this was ultimately what this quest line was trying to teach me all along. With that thought, I make my way to the guild hall. The town is so small, and my remaining time is so vast, that I don’t feel bad walking the last mile or so.
This is done as a conscious choice, as I also don’t want people to know about my Teleportation trait, as I figure that is likely a good ace in the hole. I am also relatively certain that no one saw me use it to make my way out of the train tunnels to here.
Walking down the street, I see a few people, but they all take one look at me, then turn away in fear.
Not good, I think, as I pick up my pace.
As I go past shops, I can see little faces pulling away drapes from the windows and peering at me. At that I sigh, as I realize I will likely need to spend more badges to increase my reputation with this town. At least, if I want to come back.
I see multiple groups of guards walking in large circular loops. One is going on this vertical train track, and another is on the horizontal train tracks. Shaking my head, I realize I don’t have time to try to avoid them, nor fight them, nor bribe them.
Sighing, I decided to reveal my ace in the hole and Teleport right to the entrance of the Mage’s guild. I normally wouldn’t mind playing cat and mouse with a few guards, as most of their movements were simple timing sequences, but I didn’t want anything to happen while I was still carrying Zero on my back. While I could monitor for threats from all sides, it was still not good to tempt fate in such a manner.
Poof.
Ding-cling.
Appearing right in front of the door, I open the door to the Mage’s Guild hall, instantly triggering the bell letting people know someone has entered.
The hall is empty, with just a simple registration desk at the front. I am already wearing my SWAG, letting the guild receptionist know that I am a member in good standing.
“Good morning, how can I help…” She trails off as I get close, then turn to show Zero’s unconscious form on my back. “Right this way…”
Fortunately, she is quick on subtle hints, and begins ushering me to follow her quickly.
“Carlton! Carlton!” The receptionist screams, while taking us down a healing wing and to the first room on the right.
“What is it…oh…” A mage, apparently Carlton, asks then trails off seeing me and my bundle. “Here, let me help you with that.”
At that I feel the healing mage take my bundle from off my back and help me place Zero on the examination table.
“I can heal them, but it will cost you.” The healer says.
Quest Updated: Saving a Friend: You have managed to get your familiar Zero to a doctor’s office on time. How would you like to pay for your visit?
Extortion, this was freaking extortion. Still, I bite down my frustration and try to answer calmly. “What!”
My question must come as a slap to the face, as he visibly shakes his head as if he had been struck. “I take it you can’t pay the standard guild fees?” He asks.
“How much.”
“Twenty gold.”
At that, I roll my eyes. Again, my Broke flaw coming back to bite me. “No, I cannot.” I try to say in as calm of a tone of voice as possible.
“I can teach you, but in exchange I will need to you to act as my apprentice for a time.”
“Apprentice?”
“Yes, I need someone to help me with my healing.” He says. I look around, seeing that the Mage’s guild hall is practically deserted, with only a few people in each section. Even those I figure are likely the heads of different departments, rather than regular guild members.
“Not here, but for the Adventurers. I am a healer there as well, but going back and forth between the two buildings is becoming tougher.” He says.
Quest Updated: Saving a Friend: You have managed to get your familiar Zero to a doctor’s office on time. Now the local Healer is offering to heal Zero, but in exchange you must pledge to be his apprentice for a week. Rewards: Experience, New Spell (Spirit Healing), Skills. Do you accept?
Seeing the quest, my eyes bug out as this is likely perfect for me, almost too perfect.
“Go on.” I say, crossing my arms, but willing to hear out this entire process. If this quest chain was just a circuitous way to teach me Healing magic type spells, even if I can only use it to heal spirits, I will be okay with that.
“Well, you see. I am getting on with my age, and need a disciple…”