Smiling to myself, I made my decision, and once more focused on the crystals in my hand.
I placed one on a branch nearby, just to pick it up immediately when I saw it trying to burn through the bark with a sudden streak of smoke.
Right, it was still Origin Crystal. It was going to absorb whenever I wanted or not…
I patted myself down.
Right. I still had some clothes, thanks to Mike.
Did he have any pockets…?
Oh. He had.
I probably should’ve checked those before, on account of finding something that would be useful… All were empty, though.
Oh well.
At least I had a place to hide a crystal for now. Glad I didn’t completely destroy those clothes. Not like I wasn’t trying…
-Let’s get this thing going… The double incant…
One breath, and let’s go…
-Zyza, svury gy xye oryqa nom quxe kyr ur gy xye zoda…
In the middle of the spell I realized…
Last time I’ve done that I had help. And this time ILMA was not here.
Why did I do that without making sure everything was in order? What the fuck is wrong with me?
I vividly remembered my last attempt to do this and all the problems it had. And yet, I just started the ritual without a second thought?
What was happening with me?
I wanted to interrupt the spell before I wasted my components, the soul of that janitor included. But, it was too late. I had to think of something and quickly or…
A sudden thought came to my mind.
Mine and not mine at the same time…
Not even a thought… It was just something that awakened at the edge of my consciousness…
-Peqa, svury gy xye oryqa nom quxe kyr ur gy xye zoda.
And whatever that was, it was casting the other part of the ritual for me.
I had to contain myself, because that had a lot of implications.
Was it ILMA? A piece of her with me?
But the voice… the thought didn’t sound like them…
Stop thinking. I need to finish the spell.
Or that help is going to be wasted.
-Qy avharow op zy xyomr.
-Qy avharow op zy xyomr.
-Vuzury op zy quq.
-Vuzury op zy quq.
The last part echoed in my mind, just like the part before. What was going on?
It definitely resembled the time I was helped before.
But that voice…
It was my own voice.
If thoughts can even have a voice, that is.
I didn’t get to think about what just happened, because a piece of stone in my hands started glowing and absorbing mana with an impressive rate.
Whatever this ritual did, it definitely needed a lot of mana.
Of course, it was expected, but nonetheless, I was startled.
I quickly came back to my senses and started pouring magic towards it, using what I gathered first. I didn’t want for this to drain me before it completes.
It did slow down the speed of drain, but slightly.
For a second I was worried, only to understand what was going on.
It worked.
Or rather was working.
What I felt being drained from me was not just mana. It was THE mana I wanted to expel: the soul of our fortunate test subject.
Of course his magic felt similar to what I had gathered on hand, thanks for it being already part of Mike for a while, but the more it was drained, the more I could tell the difference, to the point where it was painfully clear that something was actually leaving my body.
Exciting.
It was going great!
The crystal was shining. And… growing…?
Ah. So that’s where my actual mana was going.
Of course, not only that. The fact that we were still in the sun was helping: besides me giving away energy, it was definitely getting some from the environment.
And that included trees.
I was a bit worried that something might collapse under us, but it seemed like everything was still sturdy enough.
And there was quite a bit to be worried about. The crystal was growing to the size I didn’t think was even possible in such a short span of time.
I started with a small, but right now I was holding a stone the size of my fist. And it was growing fast.
At least I knew where my mana was going. I mean not the one that belonged to a certain someone, that is.
It continued for a good minute, and I finally started feeling that I no longer was losing anything but energy, so I decided to finish up this experiment.
I cut off my energy completely and the stone responded, finally settling up on its size.
It was about the size of a pumpkin.
I know, a strange comparison, but that’s what it reminded me of instantly. Even the shape and color was similar. Hah.
I wonder, did it have something to do with the owner? Maybe the janitor was into halloween celebrations, I don’t know.
But, more importantly, did it work?
I definitely wasn’t feeling any new presences nearby, be it inside the stone or inside my own head. But that’s given. They were in very deep slumber after all. Even when I felt that presence before, it was hardly anything. And if I was to fail, no wonder it would disappear. Well, it would be the same with the success…
Time to try and wake… whoever that was up.
-Zuny.
It probably would be easier with their name, not just simple “awaken”, doesn’t matter how much mana I’d put into the word.
I mean, I didn’t know the name. Nor was I putting much effort in the “spell”.
And yet, something did stir.
Ha. So I managed to do something.
I mean, of course it worked. But how well? How was the target? Fully transferred? Coherent at least?
Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
Well, I wasn’t going to learn if I wasn’t going to ask.
But for me to ask, he’d have to awaken at least to the point of me recognizing the soul.
So, I started feeding the crystal mana. A bit at first, just to check how it is going to respond.
The answer: positively.
The moment I started focusing on actually fueling it, it suddenly came to life, as it just reminded itself of how it should work.
Hey, better now than never, right?
But, the problem was, it was greedy.
Of course it was. It was barely formed.
If that was really a person I managed to move there, it would definitely want to create something similar to a body as soon as possible. And for that you need a lot of energy.
-Well, at least that aspect is working… - I muttered to myself, and cut off the mana supply. - I know you’re hungry, but I also need my own magic, thank you very much.
I didn’t really think it would understand.
Honestly, if I was to try and communicate with it, I’d use more direct means of communication. Like thoughts. Or sending emotions.
But, to my absolute surprise, it reacted.
It stopped immediately, and I swear I felt an emotion coming from inside.
Fear…?
Ha. That was something.
Whatever I transferred, this thing was sentient. Did it really work that well?
-So you hear me.
No confirmation, nor denial.
Not like it could answer, really… but if I was more direct, I wonder.
I sent my thoughts towards the stone.
-I know you hear me. But can you answer?
Oh, it definitely did hear.
The fear definitely intensified and on top of that I can tell it also got surprised.
Hell, “it”, it was definitely him alright. Who else would it be?
-Come on. Try something. I know you’re resourceful. Yeah, I know, the situation is a bit… well, overwhelming. But try me.
At first, I thought that I would get no response. That I was mistaken, or I failed.
I mean, the process was a bit rudimentary, but his mind should at least be intact… there shouldn’t be any issue with him talking if everything went right…?
But then…
-What is this…?
An answer!
And a clear one to boot!
I guess he needed the time to acclimate. I can get that.
-Ha! So it worked! - I said out loud.
-What…? What… is going on?
I immediately switched back to thought communication.
-How do you feel? Do you remember who you are? How did it go?
-I… I don’t understand…
I felt from him an overwhelming confusion.
No wonder. This process was far from something that one could expect and deal with instantly…
Now, when I think about it…
Kon did get over it pretty quick. But I guess that was also thanks to the crystal?
I mean… wasn’t this guy also using it? I mean, he was wasting the crystals left and right when we fought, but… was he ever a part of one?
Maybe not.
-Right. Of course. One at a time. Do you know who you are?
-I… I think so. I am… my name is Steven… I…
That’s the most generic name I’ve heard in a while. Fitting for a “janitor”. Forgettable and all. I guess that worked out…
-Okay, that’s a start. How’s your mind? You feel okay?
-I… I don’t know. My head is blank… It’s dark… Where am I?
Oh. Right. He wasn’t used to being able to see without his eyes. It took me a good moment to adapt, and I knew what was going on. Without that…
-Right. I am not sure where exactly we are, but that doesn’t matter, really. What’s the last thing you remember?
He went silent. I could feel him thinking, or rather trying to think about something. Was he trying to think up some kind of a story? Did he know who I was?
-I don’t remember… anything.
-Only your name? No surname? No place? Nothing?
-Yeah… I don’t… everything is blank… and dark. Can we go somewhere that is a bit brighter…? I can’t…
Oh. Poor guy.
-Well… that’s going to be a bit of a shock, but… we kind of are in the middle of a bright forest. Or rather on top of it.
-What…?! Am… am I blind? And… I can’t move! What’s…
I could feel his panic forming.
-Now calm down. I know that’s going to sound weird, but… you have died.
His reaction was just stunned silence.
-And I mean your body has been destroyed, only your mind stayed along. Apparently not whole, since you don’t remember anything - I immediately added.
-I am… dead? And you… who are you? Death?
I couldn’t help but laugh.
-Ha, no. But my name is Mor. Nice to meet you. Again.
-Again…? We know each other?
I was hoping to get some kind of response after telling him my name. Maybe make him remember something.
It worked for me.
Not here, I guess.
-We met. Under a bit of unfortunate circumstances. So my name doesn’t jog your memory at all?
-...no. I am sorry.
-Don’t be. I am going to toss a few more, just to check.
-Okay…?
-How about Axelrod? Mike Pino? Griza? Maybe ILMA or Iloa? MIRE?
He was silent for all of that…
That is up till the last word.
-Mire… I… I feel that’s familiar.
-Interesting… Well, I guess that tracks.
-What’s that? I mean I know it’s a swamp, but…
-Ah no. It’s a place you worked at. A corporation now, I guess, if I was to judge. I am not sure any more, I’m not in touch, really…
-Not in touch…? You worked with me?
-Not really… You really don’t remember me?
-No… sorry.
That was convenient.
Not only he forgot, he also was going to be a perfect test subject for my transfusion. Talk about lucky break.
-No, don’t worry about it. First of all, though, we need to get you up and working.
-Working…? What does that…
-I’ll explain in a moment. Your mana…
-Mana…?
I hesitated for a second.
Did he forget EVERYTHING?
Even how to use magic? If he’s asking what mana is, that is going to be problematic.
-Err… magical energy? You don’t remember?
-Magic… like… magic is real…?
I couldn’t help myself but sigh out loud.
That is going to be annoying.
What am I supposed to do, now teach him the basics of magic?
-Well, yes. How do you explain the fact that you are now essentially just a spirit locked inside a small crystal that is right in front of me.
-I am a what…?!
Ah. Right. I forgot to mention that.
-My bad, it kind of slipped my mind. Well, yes, you are. That’s why I said you’re “dead”. It’s just mostly. And that’s why we are talking. I wanted to check if you are able to rebuild your body… or at least something that is a bit more reminiscent of one instead of just a random boulder.
It wasn’t exactly the truth, of course.
I wanted to do that for myself first and foremost. Or rather to check if that is possible after transfer like that.
-You can do something like that?!
-I mean, I can. For myself. I am asking if you can.
-I… I don’t think so… - he said quietly. - I mean… I am not even sure if I can use this… mana… and to make something like that… sounds complicated…
-That depends…
I hesitated again.
Should I try and teach him? Or at least guide him?
I mean, there was absolutely no point in that for me besides to make sure if he was going to be able to remake himself.
I mean, even without a body, he’d be able to attack me, if he knew how to use magic… Hell, even if he doesn’t know he might do that accidentally…
-So just to make sure. You have no idea how to use magic, right?
-I don’t know… how do I even check that?
I was definitely not going to teach him any spells.
What’s the laziest response that is not a lie…
-Well, just imagine something - I simply said. - I told you where we are, right? Let’s say… imagine a water bubble floating above your rock… I mean, above you.
-Imagine…? It’s that easy…?
It’s not.
But…
Suddenly, something started moving right next to me.
I was so preoccupied with the discussion with my rock that I wasn’t monitoring mana nearby, and what appeared was too fast for me to even see.
-What the f…
It was zipping around like an angry bee. Honestly, you could’ve convinced me that it was indeed one, that is if not for the amount of mana that thing was having. What kind of creature…
It turned once more and…
SLAP.
It slammed itself right in my face…
And bursted into water particles.
Huh?
It was just a small water bubble?
A rather condensed water bubble at that: the amount of water that spurted out when it hit me was on par with a large water balloon.
What in the fuck…
Did he just…?