Chapter 20 - Preparations

“I do not understand the importance of why I needed to join that organization.” Draconis was articulating to Deathwalker and Garry as they entered the Infinite Nexus Portal room.

Garry was the first to speak up. “It’s like a license to kill. We get to hunt things down and kill em!”

“What is this license you speak of?”

“Enough of that.” Deathwalker interrupted.

Draconis bowed his head. “Sorry, master.”

Deathwalker waved off his apology. “No need to apologize. I want you to feel free to ask questions. That was more directed at Garry. He is trying to explain things using references from my old world. Let me try to put it in simpler terms. You like shiny stuff, right?”

“Of course! A dragon naturally likes to collect things of value.” Draconis replied.

Deathwalker explained his thoughts on the matter. “Well, when we complete jobs for the Adventurers’ guild we get paid in silver and gold. It is another way to acquire such wealth.”

Garry smiled. “And?”

Deathwalker chuckled. “He, he, he, he. And we get to hunt and kill stuff that needs killing.”

“That’s a win-win in my book!” Garry chimed in.

“You have a book? What else is in this book?” Draconis asked.

“No, it’s a saying from the boss’s homeworld. Man, I have so much to teach you young grasshopper!” Garry replied before turning to Deathwalker. “Hey boss, now that Draconis is one of your disciples, mind if I take him into the mindscape and start introducing him to some stuff?”

“That’s fine. I need to have a word with Lilandra and General Marius anyway.” Deathwalker answered.

Draconis visibly shuddered. The dragon did not expect such a diminutive humanoid to trounce him so thoroughly in their spar. He had grown in size and power since his master had made him one of his disciples. ‘Apparently that was not enough of an increase to defeat the queen of the djinn. She is a terror on the battlefield. That is to be expected of master’s first disciple!’

Draconis came out of his mental musings to hear Deathwalker warn Garry about something, though the words he used did not make sense to Draconis. “Start off slow buddy, most movies and shows will require more context before you introduce him.” Deathwalker replied.

Garry waved one of his eyestalks. “Not a problem boss, I got this!”

“Come on Draconis, let me take you somewhere more comfortable as we will be in the Mindscape for a while! Man, I can’t wait to introduce you to the classics! Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!” Garry laughed as the two walked away.

Deathwalker watched the two head off, lost in his own thoughts when, “You wanted to talk to me my hunky master?”

“Ah! I mean ahh! Are you trying to give me a heart attack Lilandra?!”

The djinn just giggled. “He, he, he, he. I couldn’t help it; you were so lost in thought.”

“Hey, you used a contraction!” Deathwalker commented on Lilandra’s use of ‘couldn’t’.

“I figured I would try to adapt to your way of speaking. It may take some time but thank you for noticing.” Lilandra smiled.

“I have been avoiding going to the Infinite Library, not sure how I want to start the conversation with Uriel.” Deathwalker explained.

Lilandra gave him a look of concern. “That is understandable, but he knows you are here.”

“He does?” Deathwalker was surprised.

Lilandra nodded. “As one who has an official position in the Infinite Nexus, he knows where the Master of the Infinite Nexus is. This happens to anyone you grant an official position to here.”

“Hmmm, that’s good to know. I am not ready yet. Soon, but not now. We returned to the Hidden Realm so you could meet and spar with Draconis. That, and the girls wanted to check on the puma pride.”

“That is why they came but I sense there is more you wish to discuss.” Lilandra surmised.

“Ever the observant one. Yes, ever since my meeting with Mother Winter and Morrigan, I can’t seem to shake a feeling.”

Lilandra gave Deathwalker a puzzled look. “A feeling?”

Deathwalker nodded. “Yes. It’s like a phantom limb or an additional sense that is on the edge of my awareness. I do not yet feel comfortable asking Uriel so I figured I would come ask you.”

“Hmmm. You said this started after your encounter with two of the original Parcae? Can you describe the feeling in greater detail?” Lilandra asked.

“It is like how people describe deja vu, yet it doesn’t feel like it’s my memories but someone else’s ability.” Deathwalker shook his head. “I’m not even sure I’m making any sense.”

Lilandra put her hand on Deathwalker’s shoulder. “As we now know your soul is fragmented and unraveling. This may open you up to things we cannot explain. Your spirit is a powerful one and the Parcae are guides of Fate. Your Power of 13 could also be at play here. It is possible that your encounter opened you up to sensing the Weave. If that is true, perhaps we can help you understand what you are sensing.”

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“Makes sense, but that does give me pause. Would I pick up other beings’ inclinations? Like what happens if I encounter a demon, would that influence me in some way?” Deathwalker said in concern.

“Fallen angels can affect those around them. Some are more susceptible to certain ones than others. I cannot say for certain what will happen, but we should try to avoid it. That means you cannot go after your friend at least until you have gained the rest of Chronos’ power.” Lilandra said with concern.

“Other than not dying in nine months, why should that matter? I know I still have to grow stronger, but you seem to be talking about something else.” Deathwalker replied.

“Yes, demons will be near your friend. Even if hidden, they are there influencing the world around them. Until we know more, we cannot risk your exposure.” Lilandra explained.

Deathwalker sighed. “Yet another delay in the rescue of my friend. It’s bad enough I’ve taken this long.”

Lilandra smiled. “Look on the bright side master! I might be able to help guide you to sense the Weave better. We djinn are intrinsically tied to Fate, well at least I am, but my children have it to a far lesser degree.”

“So, how do we go about this Lilandra?”

“Close your eyes and focus on that feeling. Do your best to mentally grab on to it.” Lilandra explained.

Deathwalker did as instructed. He closed his eyes and concentrated. Trying to mentally hold onto that phantom sensation felt like trying to grab a fish flopping around out of water. Just when Deathwalker thought he had it, the sensation would slip from his mental fingers.

After several frustrating moments, Deathwalker finally held on the that feeling. “I’ve got it Lilandra! Now what?”

Lilandra kissed him.

The shock almost made Deathwalker lose his mental grip, but he held firm. Then the world exploded around him and Deathwalker lost all sense of himself. He passed out, or at least that is what it felt like.

When Deathwalker came to he was not in the Infinite Nexus. At first it felt like he was in some structure. Then he could feel the tail-tale signs of a leyline nearby. Deathwalker blinked and he was now outside. As he looked around the realization hit him. “I’m in Timberfall! What am I doing here?”

The scene came more into focus. Deathwalker saw soldiers and citizens running around. Then out of nowhere a giant boulder flew over the walls and crashed into the building. The more he paid attention the more senses he picked up. He could hear the sounds of battle on the other side of the wall. People were screaming and crying. The smell of burning wood and flesh filled his nostrils.

A shooting pain filled his head and Deathwalker gasped as his eyes opened and he bolted upright. He was back in the Infinite Nexus. “Man, that was some kiss!”

Lilandra giggled. “He, he, he, he. Technically we only required physical contact, but I couldn’t help myself.”

Deathwalker waved her response off. “I wasn’t complaining. Did you witness what I saw?”

Lilandra nodded. “Yes. It appears at some point war is coming to Timberfall.”

Deciding to check his timer, Deathwalker saw he lost only a few days. “Interesting. It appears that vision only cost me a few days. Definitely better than the three months I lost last time I tried to use the Infinite Well of Time Magic.”

Lilandra looked chagrined. “I am sorry master I cost you even more of your precious time.”

“I’m not. I learned something valuable. I now know that Timberfall will be attacked in the future. Now that I know that I can prepare. Any idea how I can stop a catapult or arrows?” Deathwalker said as he shifted into problem-solver mode.

Lilandra nodded. “You still have that Ancient Hydra Core, right?”

————

“Elder, do you know why the duke asked us to join him in the Town Hall?” Lady Emma asked.

“I do not. He asked to see if you wanted to join us. Your aunt and grandfather seem to be busy discussing trade agreements. I doubt they will even notice that we are gone.” Elder Martha replied.

As they entered the Timberfall Town Hall, the two ladies heard Deathwalker. “You’re going to like this Draconis.”

“I am sure I will master, but afterwards, may I return to...” Draconis heard approaching footsteps and decided to alter what he was about to say. “To continue to study.”

Deathwalker nodded in acknowledgement before turning his attention to Elder Martha and Lady Emma. “Welcome ladies. I’m glad you could make it. I think you’ll enjoy what I’m about to show you.”

“Oh really? And what is that, Duke Dragonvein?” Advisor Mona said from behind him.

Deathwalker caught himself before he drove an Omni-claw through the fey.

Draconis immediately summoned fire in his hands. “You dare to sneak up on my master?!”

“It is fine. Drop the spell.” Deathwalker instructed.

Reluctantly Draconis let go of the magic and the flames went out. Advisor Mona just smiled back at him.

“Are all fey this mischievous?” Draconis asked.

“What are you referring to? Are you saying you were not aware of my presence?” Advisor Mona smile grew wider.

Draconis just growled “Grrrrr.” and turned away from the fey woman.

“It is good of you to join us Advisor Mona. I think you might enjoy this.” Deathwalker said as he pulled the giant magic core from his bag.

Advisor Mona’s eyes went wide. “Is that an Ancient Hydra core?!”

She was not the only one to be in shock. “They say an Ancient Hydra is impossible to kill!” Lady Emma commented.

It was Deathwalker’s turn to smile. “Not impossible, just rather difficult.” He placed the magic core on the pedestal behind him. “The core is not what I wanted to show you. No, I thought you’d enjoy seeing this.”

The magic formation activated, and a beam of light shot out from the pedestal straight into the air. Then the light poured out into a dome covering the entire city. Advisor Mona rushed to the pedestal as her eyes took on a wintery glow.

“It-it is a city-wide protective barrier!” Advisor Mona said in wonder before turning her eyes on Deathwalker. “How did you know how to do this? This is beyond Grand Scale Magic!”

“Truly, Advisor?!” Lady Emma exclaimed.

“I am full of surprises.” Was all Deathwalker said before turning to Elder Martha. “Inform Commander Willis and the city guard. We have a new layer of protection for the city. Something tells me we may need it someday.”

Elder Martha bowed. “As you command your grace. Thank you for bestowing this gift on our city.”

“Come Draconis, let us get you to return to your ‘studying’. Oh, and if you are still interested in me teaching you magic, I would welcome the opportunity my lady.” Deathwalker said as he passed by Lady Emma.

“Thank you, Duke Dragonvein. I will gladly take you up on that offer.” Lady Emma said quickly once her brain recovered from the shock of hearing so many unbelievable statements back-to-back.

Once Deathwalker and Draconis left the upper floor of the Town Hall, Lady Emma turned to Advisor Mona. “Is it really beyond Grand Scale Magic?!”

Advisor Mona did not take her eyes off of the orb and pedestal when she replied. “Most certainly child. Here I thought Draconis might be the one behind the duke’s meteoric rise to power, but no...” she tapped her finger on her chin. “This Deathwalker has layers upon layers. I guess I am going to have to peel them away to get the answers I seek.”

“You are still a guest in his home.” Was all the warning Elder Martha gave before she left with Lady Emma to find Commander Willis.

When Advisor Mona was alone a tiny, blue light flew into the room. A tiny humanoid no bigger than a hand bowed to the fey woman. “You have called honored Advisor?”

“Yes. Keep an eye on the one that summoned this.” Advisor Mona said as she waved to the glowing orb and pedestal. “Recruit others of your kind if you must. Find out everything you can and report back to me.”

“As you command, honored Advisor.” The tiny fairy squeaked out.

Just as the little ball of blue light started to dart off, Advisor Mona raised her hand and the fairy stopped. “Make sure when you report to me you are not spotted. I must still keep up appearances.”

The little light blinked in acknowledgement before taking off.

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