Chapter 11 – The Unraveler

All three pumas jump up and headed straight for the intruder, claws out. They made it only a few feet before streams of frost whipped past Morrigan and hit the three bodyguards. All three cat girls were instantly frozen solid. A loud tapping could be heard as an older woman with a cane walked around from behind of Morrigan.

Clack, clack, clack.

“You did not need to freeze them.” Lilandra commented.

Mother Winter shrugged. “It is better that no one else bothers us dearie. We have much to discuss.”

Deathwalker could barely move. He still had this Unknown Effect debuff that made every part of his body ache. If he had to, he would cast as much magic in their direction as possible, but he hoped to resolve this encounter peacefully. Hope did not mean ignoring the danger. ‘Best prepare for the worst.’

With their bond, Lilandra could sense Deathwalker’s preparations to fight. Lilandra knew she had to deescalate the situation fast. “They are not dead, Master. They are merely captured.”

Deathwalker looked at his first disciple. “Lilandra, you are not sounding like you are coming to our people’s aid. They have attacked our people!”

“I am trying to deescalate the situation. I believe they are not here to hurt you.” Lilandra replied.

“Bullshit!” Deathwalker said before turning to the two intruders. “You attack me and then my people. What is this debuff that you have caused me?! I want answers!” Deathwalker exclaimed.

“Ah. Well, that was not intentional. Lilandra is right, we mean you no harm.” Morrigan answered.

“Speak for yourself sister! I have not yet decided what my intentions are.” Mother Winter countered.

Morrigan glared at her. “Not helping.”

To which the old woman gave her back a toothy grin.

“Some days.” Morrigan commented before turning her attention back to Deathwalker. “Allow me to explain a few things about what happened earlier. I will answer any questions you require and give an oath to not attack you if you do not attack me.”

Deathwalker received a prompt.

The Morrigan has offered you a temporary Oath of Nonaggression backed by her power. If she attacks you, her power will be lost. If you attack her, she is free to defend herself. Beware of your actions!

‘Well, that is not ominous at all. Never seen a prompt like that. It is as if the system is warning me. It is not like I can do much currently anyway, so why not.’ Deathwalker thought as he released the magic he was starting to channel.

Feeling him let go of the spell, Morrigan nodded at Deathwalker. “Good. Now let me start with saying we were invited here by Lilandra.”

“WHAT?!” Deathwalker exclaimed as he turned his eyes on his first disciple.

“It is not what you think, Master.” Lilandra replied.

“I do not know what to think!” Deathwalker stated in exasperation.

“Oh, pipe down, dearie. She came to us as your advocate.” Mother Winter said as she took a seat in one of the chairs in the room.

Morrigan interjected. “Before you think less of her and us, let me explain what happened earlier. You see, I watch the Weave of Fate very closely. As I am sure you can imagine, your travel through the Sea of Chaos and arrival at the Hidden Infinite Nexus Realm...” She paused seeing the look of shock on Deathwalker’s face. “What? You do not think such an event would go unnoticed by someone who pays attention to the ripples that directly affect the strands of fate?”

Deathwalker recalled something Uriel told him during his first encounter with the archangel. “Others will have seen your arrival...”

Morrigan smiled as she saw the realization on Deathwalker’s face. “Yes, good. Then it is time to explain further. You and your friend are not the only ones to have been taken.”

Her words clicked for Deathwalker. “My friend. How could I have forgotten all about finding him? I mean at first, I thought I just found heaven coming to a reality where stats were real, and people were all used to such things, total dream come true! Then Uriel told me I had to get stronger if I hoped to ever find my friend… I mean he did say the Dark took him, that cannot be a good thing, yet why are my emotions still muted. I care but something isn’t right! What the hell is wrong with me?!”

“Ah, he finally begins to understand. About time.” Mother Winter teased.

“I showed you what was left out of your arrival. As the Dark saw to your friend’s arrival, it was the Light’s right to see to your introduction, yet they only chose to show you part of what happened when you first arrived in the Hidden Realm. They left out something critical, which is partially for your current state predicament… You see, they put a geas on you.” Morrigan explained.

This time Lilandra spoke up before Deathwalker could. “A geas?! What? I detected no such thing!”

Morrigan answered. “That is because it was placed by Raphael. He is the Messenger of God and known to be a great healer. Such an archangel has the authority to place a geas on your very being without being detected by the system. I believe when I showed Raphael placing the geas on Deathwalker, it triggered some kind of defense mechanism. You were not meant to discover what happened.”

“You make it sound like it is alive.” Deathwalker said in concern.

Morrigan shook her head. “No. Not in that way. Think of it as a stored series of commands. One of those commands was clearly to cripple you should it be discovered. Why, I do not know.”

“It is your friend.” Lilandra chimed in.

“What?” Deathwalker asked in confusion.

“Uriel made it very clear you were not ready to face your friend. He was too powerful and if you two fought before you had a chance to grow stronger and master your knowledge and abilities, you would die.” Lilandra explained.

“The Light’s champion would be lost, and the Dark would advance.” Mother Winter commented.

“My friend would never do that to me. James is a good man.” Deathwalker argued.

“The Dark can twist any of us in such a way to play us for fools. They did it to my people.” Lilandra spoke up with both Mother Winter and Morrigan nodding along.

“That is what the Dark does dearie. It cannot create anything so instead it twists and corrupts everything it can.” Mother Winter interjected.

That was when Deathwalker remembered a famous saying back on Earth. “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”

“Very apt saying.” Morrigan commented before continuing. “Your friend was the first but not the last to disappear. Since you two were the beginning, many have been taken since. They are to be lieutenants and generals in a new upcoming war between the Light and the Dark. Several of us have read the signs in the Weave. War is once again inevitable.”

“But how could they just take us without our consent?” Deathwalker inquired.

“They had your consent.” Lilandra answered.

“I do not recall ever consenting to such a thing.” Deathwalker challenged.

Lilandra’s next words sent chills down Deathwalker’s spine. “No one ever reads the user agreement contract.”

It was the user community’s biggest complaint, you had to click the agreement three times when you first started playing and any time, they released new content. No one ever bothered reading the giant boring contract, so you would just click it and move on to gaming. “You are telling me the agreement says they can take us?”

“You see your world and reality was cut off from most magics long ago. That is except for faith magic, that is strong there. Devil worshippers and many in the Dark believe they take on no negative karmic debt if they tell the person what they are doing and then go do it. In their minds it is consensual. They believe that so strongly that they look down on those that fall for the trick, seeing them as deserving what they get. It is those same people who own the gaming company and we’re working to find suitable warriors for what is coming.” Lilandra further explained.

Morrigan chimed in. “There is more to it than that, but we do not have time for an in-depth philosophical discussion. Needless to say, your friend was the catalyst. But you… well… let us just say you are unexpected. The combination of bloodlines, your soul’s reaction while in the Sea of Chaos, the claiming of the Infinite Nexus… it had to be intelligent design.”

“What do you mean?” Deathwalker asked.

“Every few generations rare beings rise, born to do extraordinary things. Some of that comes from the hard work of the previous generations and the rest comes from what drives that person. All of that culminated Fate is in the Weave, if one knows how to read it. Some are like knots in the Weave, they pull other strands towards them, influence Fate itself, but all is still driven by some greater force...” Morrigan continued to explain but was interrupted by Mother Winter.

“Oh, just say it sister! She means God, dearie. Each of us here have connections to different primordial forces of the universe, but all of that still ties back to a design. We were arrogant fools to think otherwise, some of us…” Mother Winter looked at Morrigan, “thought ourselves gods, but that is the manipulation and corruption of those damn demons!”

Mother Winter slammed her walking stick down a few times. “Now, can we please get on with this. I have a decision to make.”

Sighing, Morrigan continued. “Very well. We can discuss the rest later. Back to your geas. As a knot in the Weave, you yourself are a nexus of Fate and Destiny. However, as the Master of the Infinite Nexus, you have the power to heavily influence the various realities within the Omniverse. That is why the Light went all in with you, and wanted some assurance you would not fall to the Dark.”

“You mean the geas that is influencing my emotions and interests.” Deathwalker stated.

“Yes and no. You see, I do not think Raphael knew what would happen to someone who attempted to claim the Infinite Nexus with a geas in place. It took that conflict within you and made it manifest.” Morrigan answered.

“What are you trying to say? Please, just get to the point.” Deathwalker replied.

Mother Winter laughed. “Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! I am really beginning to like this one. He definitely acts like one from winter. Enough of your prattling sister. I have waited long enough!”

Mother Winter then rose to her feet and walked over to Deathwalker and grabbed his face in her hand and jerked his face to within inches to her own. Their eyes locked and she stared into his eyes, as he did the same. Deathwalker could feel a cold presence wash over his body, mind, and soul. For him it was like a cool breeze or an air-conditioned room on a warm day, pleasant, even as the feeling intensified.

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

After a few long moments Mother Winter spoke. “Interesting. It would appear you were right sister.” She broke eye contact and turned to Morrigan. “Do not let it go to your head.”

Morrigan chuckled. “Ha, ha, ha, ha. You would never let me.”

Mother Winter, still holding on to Deathwalker’s face, turned to Lilandra. “It appears you are partially right. The geas attempts to hide much, but such a thing is trivial to the Unraveler.”

“Mind telling me what is going on?” Deathwalker asked.

Turning back to Deathwalker, Mother Winter answered. “That is fair, but do not get cheeky with me dearie. I would carve your heart out for the slightest disrespect.”

“My apologies. I meant no disrespect. I am trying to understand what is going on.” Deathwalker replied.

“That is fair. What do you know of me, dearie?” Mother Winter asked.

“You said you were the Unraveler. What I know of the Parcae, one nourishes life, one assesses and allots it, the third severs it.” Deathwalker answered.

“Basic but at least you did not say I take life. Such a moronic understanding of what I do. Those that state such a thing do not live long in my presence. I possess the ability to unravel any magic or strand in the Weave. It is a combination of entropy and part of purity. That is the authority granted to me. There are only a few beings that can withstand my powers.” Mother Winter replied.

“So, is that why Winter is seen as so cold is that it possesses an aspect of entropy? It is a different kind of Ice magic, the one that stops potential.” Deathwalker commented.

Mother Winter smiled again and turned towards Morrigan. “I like this one. He learns quickly.” Turning back to Deathwalker again. “For not insulting me and saving me the trouble of explaining in depth what I am capable of, I will tell you something you should know. My sister believes that your soul was shattered due to the geas being present while you claimed the Infinite Nexus. It was like having warring aspects within you. The Infinite Nexus made those different drivers manifest, which wounded your Mind, body, and soul.”

“I mean I felt unimaginable pain when I claimed the Infinite Nexus, but I thought that was just part of the process.” Deathwalker stated.

Morrigan spoke up. “If you had all the affinities at a high enough level, it should not have been how you described it. Further proof the geas interfered with the process.”

“What different drivers though? I am still a bit confused. What the Light did caused that much difference?” Deathwalker asked.

“The geas holds different parts to it. First, it was to help you accept this new reality you found yourself in. Some who come from realities where power is not accurately measured through a system can struggle to wrap their mind around such an existence. That aspect of the geas is simple enough.” Mother Winter explained.

“It is like a dream come true for me. I have always loved Isekai stories and role-playing games, which have these kinds of elements in them.” Deathwalker commented.

Mother Winter continued. “That is what makes this geas so dangerous. It emphasizes parts of you or mutes what is already there. Your thirst for knowledge has also been greatly emphasized.”

“That explains my multiple long and drawn out, repetitive reading sessions. I mean I love the quest for knowledge and power like anyone, but man those sessions were ridiculous. My head felt like it was going to split open. I normally love to read, but I would’ve spaced it out over time while searching for my friend and getting used to what power I already possessed.” Deathwalker said in realization.

“You have hardly mentioned your friend, but I know your laser focus in finding him was what brought you here in the first place. I always found your lack of interest in your friend odd. At first, I just figured it might be too painful for you to discuss him, but now I realize it was far worse. The geas removed your interest and shifted your focus.” Lilandra chimed in.

Mother Winter nodded. “They muted your emotions and more importantly your drive to find and save your friend.”

“So, my friend is in danger?!” Deathwalker said in concern. Then like a wave, his mind wandered to thinking how fascinating Mother Winter’s abilities were.

Morrigan spoke up. “Of course, he was taken by the Dark. They will do everything to create conflict and one trial after the other to bring out his inner monster. Once that is accomplished, they will do everything they can to turn him into a weapon for their cause. Manipulation and corruption remember.”

“I do, yet it is so hard to keep my focus on it.” Deathwalker replied.

“That is the geas.” Mother Winter commented.

Morrigan spoke up again. “Things have gotten much worse for you now. The damage caused to you when you claimed the Infinite Nexus became exasperated when you discovered the truth about the geas, and it triggered one of its effects. The geas attacked your soul bonded familiar, killing him. That is what caused you to pass out from the pain, it was a soul wound.” Seeing Deathwalker’s concerned look, Morrigan raised her hands. “Do not worry, your familiar can be resummoned, as the geas stopped its attack once you passed out.”

“I cannot remain under this Unknown Effect debuff. Plus, as annoying as that little guy is, Garry is my buddy, and I cannot risk his permanent death if something like this happens again. Can you help me, Mother Winter?” Deathwalker implored.

“I can use my ability to unravel anything, even the magic binding you to the geas. This will result in the removal of the geas. However, there could be unintended consequences of doing so. I would have to remove the geas before I could tell you the extent of the damage or determine what I wish to know. You must choose dearie.”

“Please remove it.” Deathwalker pleaded.

“Very well. Do not move.” Mother Winter said as her other hand brought her cane up to Deathwalker’s forehead and the cool icy feeling of her power came crashing into him.

The icy cold feeling spread throughout him until Deathwalker felt it land on something unknown inside him. The moment the icy sensation touched what Deathwalker assumed was the geas, it dissolved instantly. Deathwalker immediately felt the pain and aches fade away. He still did not feel completely like himself, but he felt better than he had since waking back up.

Deathwalker decided to review the prompt he received.

Unknown Effect has been removed! You once again have access to all your stats and abilities!

‘Well, that is a relief.’ Deathwalker thought before he received a new notification.

Warning! Soul Instability detected! This damage is tied directly to the Spirit. Mind and Body are also affected. Soul magic alone will not provide a solution! Seek help soon! Time until permadeath: 1 year, 13 Days, and 5 Hours!

“I AM GOING TO DIE?!!! That is a pretty big side effect!” Deathwalker exclaimed when he read the prompt.

“WHAT?!” Lilandra asked.

Mother Winter, who was still holding on to Deathwalker spoke up. “I saw his notifications as they came up. He is in far worse shape than we thought, but I see a possible solution within him.”

“Explain what you saw, sister.” Morrigan replied.

“The damage has cascaded to his Spirit, Mind, and Body. He has roughly a little over a year to fix the issue. It appears the geas was holding him together after he claimed the Infinite Nexus. Now that it is gone, it is only a matter of time.” Mother Winter said in an emotionless tone.

“How can this happen?!” Lilandra was clearly frustrated and upset. Perhaps more than even Deathwalker was.

“Calm down, Lilandra. I appreciate the concern, but I need solutions, not outbursts right now.” Deathwalker stated before giving his attention to the tiny fey woman in front of him. “You mentioned a possible solution, Mother Winter.”

Mother Winter nodded. “Yes, I did, but first we must discuss why I am here, not why Morrigan came, or what Lilandra had hoped would happen in seeking us out, but why I came.”

“Then you have tested him?” Morrigan asked.

“He is as I suspected?!” Lilandra replied.

“Yes and No.” Mother Winter answered.

“Tested me? What is it that you expected? You know I really don’t like having things kept from me!” Deathwalker said in confusion.

Mother Winter gave a light slap on Deathwalker’s face, before moving her hand to his shoulder. “Do not get impatient, dearie. This is a complicated matter.”

“How is it complicated?! He is either the Huntsman, or he is not. What is so complicated about that sister?” Morrigan asked.

“Wait a minute, you thought I was the Huntsman Lilandra?! Why would you think that...” Deathwalker began to say before he thought about it seriously for a moment. “Scratch that. I can see why you would think I am him, but according to Mother Winter I’m not.”

“That is not what I said, dearie. Do not make me give you a slap for real this time.” Mother Winter admonished.

“This is unlike you, sister. Speak plainly and get to your true meaning. Even I am confused, and I have known you for thousands of years.” Morrigan said in frustration.

Mother Winter raised one eyebrow towards her sister. “You are getting rather emotional, sister. But very well. I will attempt to explain. Deathwalker’s soul has been shattered.” She turned her attention back to Deathwalker. “While you are in this state it is difficult for me to confirm if you are the Huntsman reborn. The damage to your soul is too extensive. However, I sense something in you that I recognize. This gives me hope that once you fully recombine, I can confirm what we suspect.”

“Recombine? What does that mean?” Deathwalker asked.

Mother Winter sighed. “I will get to that, but first a warning. Your emotions will remain partially muted while you are in this state. And you can forget about helping your friend until you help yourself. My daughter must not meet you while you are in this state.”

“Why?” Deathwalker asked in curiosity this time.

“Simple. Since the death of her husband, she has fully embraced the cold logic of our kind. This coldness has even been towards my granddaughter. She may want to keep you in this state of pure logic, to have one be as she is now. No, you must be healed before you meet either queen of the fey.” Mother Winter explained.

“My sister is correct. Mab has grown colder than her namesake, Winter Queen. If you are the Huntsman, in this muted emotional state, she may seek to keep you that way. Which means certain death.” Morrigan commented.

“But why do my emotions still feel so muted? I thought removing the geas would’ve fixed that. Is the spiritual and mental damage so great that it has affected my emotions?” Deathwalker asked.

“Tell him, or I will.” Lilandra said firmly.

Mother Winter shook her head. “Such defiance against your elders. You truly care for this one so much?”

Lilandra stood straighter as she answered. “I do. He freed me from my prison, and you know what I believe.”

Mother Winter sighed again as she turned her attention back to Deathwalker. “Very well. Your soul has been shattered. What you do not understand about that is the fact that you are not whole. The essence of who you are… you have parts missing. That is what the geas did to you. The Infinite Nexus tore away parts of you and scattered them across various realities. In order for you to heal, you must either regain those parts… which may be impossible to find in the infinite number of realities out there. Which is why I have an alternative to suggest.”

“What alternative?” Deathwalker asked.

“You have absorbed multiple lifetimes of experiences. One of those experiences I believe is the key to your survival.” Mother Winter began but was cut off by Morrigan.

“Chronos!”

Mother Winter nodded. “Exactly. You possess the Infinite Well of Time Magic inside you. If you could find the other part of Chronos’ power and legacy, you could use it to stay the inevitable. Become as Chronos had, master of time. With that mastery you could indefinitely pause your unraveling while you search for your missing parts of your soul.

“It is a rather ingenious idea.” Lilandra commented.

“Mother Winter nodded. “Of course it is, I suggested it.” She turned deathly serious. “It is our understanding that other than the Infinite Well of Time Magic, Chronos divided his power into two other relics. One was knowledge imparted into the System to be given as a boon. The second, and most powerful fragment was his Primordial Core. If someone else has it, then you must take it from them, and I do mean kill them. It is the only way. Once that is accomplished, you could spend the countless years needed to find the parts of yourself you are missing, and I do mean that literally. The more you find the more you can heal.”

“You want me to locate Chronos’ power, kill whoever has it, then use my ability to absorb it? I don’t know if I could do that. Sure, if it is in the hands of some monster not a problem, but an innocent, I am not sure.” Deathwalker answered with honest concern. ‘Do I have the right to kill another so I can live? I do not know about that.’

“Two.” Morrigan said.

“What?” Deathwalker asked in confusion.

“As my sister mentioned, Chronos’ power was split into three. One was the Infinite Well of Time Magic, which you possess. The other majority of his power was in his Primordial Celestial Dragon core. Lastly, a final fraction of his power was given to the System itself so it could reward it to someone in the future. If that has been given, you must take it if you hope to survive. This means you must kill two beings to save your life.” Morrigan further explained.

“Great. So now I possibly have to kill two people to save myself. I do not know about that.” Deathwalker replied.

“Survival of the fittest. That is Winter’s way. It is the cold, hard truth. In the end, it is your choice. I will give you a warning. Do not use the Infinite Well of Time Magic unless you have to. Doing so without the other parts of Chronos’ power will only hasten your demise.” Mother Winter warned.

“Well, whatever I decide. I appreciate the warning and the information you have freely given. Most importantly, thank you for removing the geas. I do not like being controlled.” Deathwalker said as he stood and gave Mother Winter a big hug.

Everyone was stunned, speechless, most of all Mother Winter. She had not been hugged for thousands of years. The last time was in fact her late son-in-law. Something came over her, and Mother Winter embraced Deathwalker back. They stood there for a few moments, before Deathwalker ended the hug.

“You are both welcome here any time. I just ask you to be mindful of how you announce yourselves. In fact, I’m surprised my men have not stormed the room yet.” Deathwalker said.

“Oh that. My sister cast Winter’s Long Slumber on the whole city. They should awaken once we leave. Come sister, you can get more hugs later.” Morrigan teased.

Mother Winter gave her sister a stern look. “Do not push it, sister. Yes, I must rest myself. It has been many years since I exerted myself this much. Farewell Deathwalker, try not to die before we meet again.”

Morrigan gave Lilandra a hug and whispered in her ear. “You were wise to request our council. Try to keep his condition quiet, if the Dark finds out the truth, it will not end well. When the time comes, I will intercede with Summer should something occur.”

Lilandra replied back, “Thank you!”

With that, Morrigan stepped away, transformed into a giant black raven. A cold gust of blinding wind spread throughout the room. When it cleared, Morrigan and Mother Winter were gone, and Mrrsha, Prrsha, and Frrsha were unfrozen.

“Where did they go?!” Prrsha asked.

“What happened?” Mrrsha inquired.

It was Frrsha who looked at Deathwalker and instantly knew. “You are wounded alpha!”