Captain Angelton walked into the conference room, trying to focus. He couldn’t get that kid’s words out of his head. ‘There is never nothing to experience’. Has he been ignoring things he should be paying attention to?
Almost like the world was proving a point, he nearly jumped when Sergeant Borson interrupted his thoughts. “Sir, are you alright? You have the same look Blackwood does when he’s trying to figure out if I made fun of him.”
“Yes, I’m fine.” he said, firmly putting the kid into the back of his mind for the moment.
He walked up to the table and focused on the matter at hand. The sergeant’s noticed his demeanor and all six of them came to attention in their chairs.
“What do we know?” Captain Angelton asked.
Sergeant Williamson spoke up, “We received long range communications from the scouts. They tracked the raiders to a valley not far from where the caravan was hit.” He said as he waved his hand over the desk, and a hologram depicting the area came into being.
He continued speaking, as small details started populating the image. “There are around 100 of them. No camp followers, or other signs of them digging in. The camp looks temporary. The scouts are still doing an in depth search of the area, but all signs point to the camp being isolated.”
“Do the mages have anything?” the captain asked, while examining the image.
Sergeant Tailing replied, “Nothing useful. They thoroughly scried the area, and can clearly see the camp. The records say that the place was empty two days ago. No reports or indications as to where the raiders came from. They say that there isn’t anything else out there, but I am leery of taking their word for it.”
“Alright, I have orders to see these raiders dealt with.” Captain Angelton stood up to his full height. “We have 540 men between us, and we will maintain contact with command in case we need reinforcements. Let’s kick this hornet’s nest and see if we get stung.”
The men all stood and saluted. “Yes Sir” was heard in unison. Nodding to his men, the captain walked out first. ‘Let’s go see what this is all about.’ he thought.
-----
While walking through the halls I couldn’t help but wonder who pays for all this. Just when I was about to ask, Mrs. Salvatore stopped and turned toward a door that looked suspiciously like an elevator. The elevator door opening confirmed it’s purpose, and we stepped in. She pressed 5 and we started going up. The ride was smooth and I didn’t hear any gears or mechanical-type sounds of any kind. ‘Magic for the win’ I said to myself, while admiring the glowing panel with buttons.
The doors opened to a hallway with a desk and receptionist. A young lady was standing over a circular desk and speaking to a young man who was sitting down and taking notes. The young woman was looking down at a pad of paper while reading off food orders. The situation was so very normal that it could have been something I saw happening back home. In fact, it was so familiar that I felt nostalgic for a moment.
Mrs. Salvatore and I just stood there listening to them go back and forth, where the woman would state a food order, then the man would ask for clarification, and they’d continue on. Only to repeat their pattern over and over again. It seemed that patience isn’t one of Mrs. Salvatore’s virtues as she coughed loudly. Both the young woman and the receptionist paused their skit to look at us.
“Judy, in the future just hand him the paper with the orders. Better yet, just make a simple form and make it available for everyone on the Center-hub for this floor. Everyone who wants their lunch ordered can print out the form themselves. Then they can fill out said form with their order and turn it in here at the desk. That way everyone saves time, and the likelihood of the order being wrong is drastically reduced.” Mrs. Salvatore said in a lecturing tone.
The young woman, apparently named Judy, turned to the receptionist and said, “Brian, why didn’t you think of that. Make a form and get them out to all the offices. Then they can turn in their orders here.” She turned and said “Thank you Vera, that was a lovely idea.” She gave us a nod and a smile then started to walk off. I could almost see the steam coming from Mrs. Vera Salvatore’s head. As amusing as it was, I liked the lady, so I figured I’d fire a shot of my own.
“Excuse me? Judy, was it? You might want to leave the paper with the rest of the lunch orders for tomorrow. That way Brian doesn’t have to collect the ones you haven’t read at him.” I said with my own smile.
Mrs. Salvatore standing next to me radiated a ‘sugar won’t melt in my mouth’ aura, as she watched Judy return to deliver her paper.
Dropping it off Judy said, “Thank you, young man.” This time her smile was a little strained when she walked off.
Brian took the paper and placed it off to the side, then turned to us with a bright smile. “What can I do for you Mrs. Salvatore?”
“Please call Mr. Salvatore and ask him if he is available.” She said sweetly.
“Sure thing.” he replied.
If you come across this story on Amazon, it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.
He reached up and touched a small circle on his temple that I didn’t notice. It lit up a pale blue. I was expecting him to start talking, but instead he just sat there and started shuffling his papers. The light on his temple went out, and he looked up and said “He’s currently in lab 1. He says he’s all yours, and that you should stop picking on Judy. She has enough self-confidence issues without your beauty and intelligence adding to them.”
Mrs. Salvatore rolled her eyes and started walking down the hall. “Riiiight…. Thanks Brian, good luck tomorrow. Come along Mr. Walker.” She said.
I followed while chuckling at the amazing fantasy office politics skit I just witnessed. I’m hoping that Nick turns out to be a bumbling goofball that is constantly inventing things that don’t work. There is just something amusing about a head of research being someone who constantly researches things that don’t work. I think that’s why everyone likes mad scientists. Wait, a scientist wouldn’t get very far in this world if that were true. ‘Son of a bitch. He’s going to be competent, isn’t he.’ I thought to myself. Looking over at his wife, I tried to imagine what kind of man would be with such an exacting woman for 50 years.
Before long we were at a metal door with no handles. We just stood in front of it for about 5 seconds with nothing happening. I was just about to say something when Mrs. Salvatore audibly sniffed. Then the doors opened with a slide. ‘Magic automated doors… nice.’ I thought, while watching the doors disappear into the wall.
The room was huge. It had segmented areas that looked like they were for spell testing and were able to be sealed off. There were books everywhere, along with tables and chairs. At the back of the room was a thin man of about 6ft with meticulously trimmed hair and a very stylish light red robe. ‘Do only intake people wear blue? The army wore blue too. What does red mean?’ I wondered.
The man was staring at what looked like a hologram of a tree without leaves, while arguing with himself in muttered tones.
“Nick!” She half shouted. “Thank you for taking the time to see us on such short notice.” Mrs. Salvatore continued loudly to break his concentration as we walked up.
Sighing, Nick’s temple radiated blue while he started pressing some glowing sections of the table as holograms disappeared. He then turned around with a sardonic smile and said, “Lose the management voice Vera. I love you to death, but you know I hate that.”
She smiled as she walked up and said, “That is exactly why I do it. You always tell me you love me along with your complaints. Now come here, I want you to meet Mr. Walker.”
Nick walked up and I put my hand out for a shake. He just stared at me with a confused look on his face. ‘No handshakes here, got it.’ I reminded myself, as I lowered my hand and offered a smile instead.
Taking it in stride, Mrs. Salvatore said, “Mr. Nero Walker here awakened today under unusual circumstances. He was found by the army at the site of a merchant train raid. He was supposed to turn 14 in three months. When he woke up there, he had no memories of the raid or anything having to do with his past. He even has a new name on his identity. In addition, this is what he used to look like.” She then raised her hand and a picture of my file appeared in front of us.
As this was the first time I’d seen this, I was extremely interested. Leaning forward, I took a good look at myself while trying to ignore the fact that she held a freakin’ hologram in her hand.
I was a thin-ish young man with average looks, tan skin and mud brown eyes and hair. The look on my face was that of a typical teenage angst ridden mouth-breather. I had an urge to tell the kid in front of me to stop being a little shit, comb his hair, and take the trash out. ‘So that’s me, huh.’ I thought.
Mrs. Salvatore noticed my interest and realized that this was the first time I’d seen my file. She then said “Here, Mr. Walker. This is what you look like now.” As she spoke the hologram turned into a mirror and I could see myself for the first time. To say I was shocked would be an understatement.
‘I’m a goddamn anime character! I don’t get a super leveling system or a golden finger, but I get THIS!’ I thought while trying to repress my rage.
My eyes were such a pale, light blue that they were practically glowing. My hair had turned into spun silver; and while messy, it still looked beautiful. These features combined to turn my average looks into a pleasing fae motif. As I watched myself grimace, I realized getting worked up over it was pointless and moving forward was my only option. I took a deep breath, closed my eyes and let my preconceptions about what I’ll see when I open my eyes just disappear. This time, when I looked at my reflection, I saw a calm face with a resolute expression.
I nodded to Mrs. Salvatore and she dismissed the mirror. I turned toward Nick, who was looking at me like I was a particularly interesting puzzle. Mrs. Salvatore added further fuel to the fire by saying with a smirk, “It’s also worth mentioning that within an afternoon after having awakened, on the way over here from the gate, he leveled.”
Nick’s face snapped to Mrs. Salvatore and he said, “What do you mean he leveled? Like he actually grew to a level 2 from a 1 in an afternoon?” He turned to me and said, “Speak up, young man, what do you mean you leveled.” Mrs. Salvatore started laughing as she watched him sputter.
I didn’t really get the joke, aside from realizing that it was probably a little fast for a level. I just said “Well I came across a lot of new information and experiences. I’m told that’s all you need for growth, right? I’m sure it’s a little fast, but it can’t be that exciting.”
With his mouth open in astonishment, he started shaking his head. He said “No, No, No… it’s not just new experiences and information, it’s ‘internalizing’ that new thought form. Interaction with the world under the new paradigm is a must. All while collecting the new experience into a part of your center. To put it another way, I can’t just read a book at you and have you grow. You have to learn it, understand it, put it in a frame of reference to your past and incorporate it into your future. Growth is not easy, it takes work and dedication. It takes months for a level 1 to become a level 2. Typically, it takes a climber between 5 and 6 months for their first level. After that, the work really begins.”
I replied flippantly, “Grinding is a lifestyle.” Seeing the confused faces, I clarified, “Like a grindstone. You just keep grinding in order to get sharper. It never stops. You can ALWAYS get sharper, get better.”
Nick looked at me as if he were seeing me for the first time. “Yes!” he said, “that is was it is to follow the path. A ‘grind’. I love it.” He turned to the side and threw his hand at the wall like he was flinging mud. On the wall in large, bold letters it stated ‘GRINDING IS A LIFESTYLE’. He looked on proudly at what he had made.
I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Sure man, you can use it. It’s not like it’s copyrighted.” Looking at their confused faces, I just sighed. “Ignore that. So now what?”
Mrs. Salvatore said, “This is where I leave you with Nick. I’ll go finish your paperwork for a new identity and get you a place in the Center dorms. We have associates who want to be Wayfinders training here, and there are rooms for rent available for them. Temporarily, the Center will cover your room and board. I’ll also schedule an appointment for tomorrow with a mind-healer for you. After that we’ll have another meeting and touch base.”
Nick spoke up, “Why does he need a mind-healer?”
Mrs. Salvatore replied, “Because he doesn’t remember anything from before he awakened.”
Nick replied, as though this was old news. “Yes, but that’s just because whoever was in his body yesterday is now dead. Mr. Tenpennies or whatever name was on the file you showed me. This young man right here.” He gestured to Nero, “is a new person, a new soul. Probably a remnant soul that was dragged into the body through some cosmic fluke or tossed here by some sovereign to get it out of his domain. He’s obviously not a revanent, zombie, lich, or any other kind of undead. He has a heartbeat. If he were a vampire, he’d have a consciousness echo of whoever had the body before. Who knows, maybe he is a part of a soul from a shattered sovereign that reconstituted after death and went toward the closest available body on this plane. Even you should be able to feel his unique psychic presence. I’ve never felt a mind like his before.”
Every word Nick spoke was so ‘matter-of-fact’ that they hit Nero’s psyche like hammers. All of those things exist here. There are dangers and wonders all around. This was a world of magic. He came from elsewhere and took over a dead body that was killed in a raid on a merchant train. The soul is a real tangible thing, and HIS soul is now in this body. For the first time since arriving here, Nero felt clarity spread through his very being. He KNEW who and what he was. ‘Ding’ He heard a soft chime as the world around him came into sharper focus and he felt alive.
“Well this is just bullshit!” Nick exclaimed and threw up his hands.