Naomi
Walking Toward Camp, Feather-branch Forest, Savriâ
When Willow had forwarded her the “mission” that Madrick had assigned, Naomi assumed it would end violently. The impression she had gotten from the brief time she’d spent around him was that he had more enemies than friends. Unsurprising, if his inclination when taking an interest in someone was to kidnap them.
In this case, though, it appeared Willow’s charm had overcome the obstacle without the need to fall back to her much more potent combat power. It was somewhat entertaining watching Willow hit Nuu with her southern belle accent and over the top friendliness. It almost seemed to stun and confuse him for a bit, before he got his bearings. Though, Naomi suspected there was more to it than being swept away by force of personality.
She’d even seen the fae man’s eyes lingering on herself as they approached, which was unexpected. She knew there was nothing impressive about her, especially when orbiting Willow. Compared to her friend, Naomi knew she was overly skinny, unathletic, and all around boring. That said, Nuu’s gaze had rested on her about as long as they had on Willow, as they approached. It put her on edge and made her suspect there was more to his powers than he implied.
On their way back to camp, Jonah finally brought their amended contracts up with Willow, a topic he’d specifically asked Naomi not to broach yet. Given everything that had happened, she didn’t care one way or the other. She assumed Willow’s response would be dismissive. An assumption which had been proven correct.
Wondering briefly if he got a buff through his gaming mana from confessing his deep-dark-secret, Naomi watched him and Willow staggering about with laughter at Nuu’s unwitting expense. The flashes of blues and pinks running through her soul, and the soft smile on her lips was expression enough for her, for now. Predictably, the colors died out before her friend’s mirth subsided.
She turned to Nuu, “Since our faction has failed to, would you explain why they encourage long winded insights and how it helps with advancement? Essentially all we have on the topic comes from a few high level packets that we’ve bought.” She gestured to include all three of them, since Willow had bought her own packet and read it to them a couple times regarding general mana usage. It mostly covered abilities, since that was what Willow had and was most interested in when she bought it.
Though, there was a brief explanation as to spells, skills, and techniques as well. As she understood it, spells were essentially mana manually controlled to some end. Like an ability without a guide, spells were “cast” by shaping the mana carefully inside or outside of the body, depending on the spell itself. In contrast, an ability allowed the user to simply “dump” their mana into it like a mold.
Skills and techniques were similar to abilities, in that they allowed their user to cause an effect without manually forming the shapes manually. Where they differed was in how they were “inscribed”. Abilities were inscribed upon the “nexus shell”, which was somehow different from the “soul nexus” according to the packet. skills were inscribed on the body itself, and techniques were somehow inscribed between both.
Naomi tuned her thoughts back toward the end of Nuu’s long-winded answer, “…Of course this leaves one with the singularly onerous task of constructing a chain of ever more complex conceptualization in order to achieve the desired final state.”
A particularly interesting change Naomi had noticed since speaking her second insight was a greatly improved ability to retain information, even when she wasn’t paying attention. She knew it wasn’t due to her Emptiness is the beginning insight directly. Rather, it was an interaction between it and her original I am empty; but I don’t want to be. In this case, the connection was clear. The emptiness within her mind longed to be filled, so it captured everything. The irony of gaining such a clear and powerful capability to seize and fill an aspect of “emptiness” which was at the very edge of her entire insight, but lacking the fulfillment of emotion she was actually searching for was not lost on her.
Reviewing the last minute or so of Nuu’s speech, Naomi confirmed she’d understood, “So in summary: One of the difficult parts of advancing is a need to expand and deepen the meaning behind one’s insights, so factions encourage people to start with the most narrow and simple concept they can manage?”
Thinking it over for a moment, Nuu slowly inclined his head, “Your summation is correct, if lacking nuance.”
Naomi nodded thoughtfully as she mentioned, “The summary is just to make sure I’m not completely misunderstanding. I heard everything, don’t worry.”
The fae smiled slightly, as if she’d paid him a compliment. Then the others finally came up for air. After a quick round of checks, everyone agreed to continue on again and they resumed their trek toward the campsite again. This particular walk between the jimble-grimb village and their camp was certainly going to be their longest with all these stops.
After quickly relaying her summary of what Nuu had explained, including mentioning it was a brief overview lacking some context to placate Nuu’s clear need for specifics, they were all on the same page.
Now that the topic had returned to the realm of magic, one of Willows favorite topics of conversation, she quickly resumed a previous conversation, “So, Nuu, how are you able to write stuff into existing?”
Noting Jonah’s head snapping around to stare at Nuu in shock at the question, Naomi kept her eyes roving around them. It was extremely unlikely that anything would try to ambush them, but not impossible. She hadn’t forgotten that their complacency had nearly gotten Willow killed before. Though the eager fighter herself appeared to have mostly forgotten.
“In truth, that generalization is perhaps a bit misleading. While the effect which an observer might observe would perhaps appear to be that of something being ‘written into existence’, as you say. However, for the sake of candor I must confess that such an understanding is not quite accurate.”
Glancing toward Willow, Naomi could see the ever-composed woman visibly straining. She was clearly impatient to get to the explanation. Jonah, less controlled, was walking just behind Nuu and was rolling his eyes and flapping his hand in a ‘talk talk talk’ gesture.
His voice continued to drone on as they traveled. In all honesty, his ability wasn’t too complicated in concept. As it happened, Nuu was able to write a ‘scene’ and invest it with his mana. This investment would then bring that scene to life, causing the events to play out as he had written them. The complexity mainly fell under what went unwritten.
For example, Nuu revealed that when he’d arrived on this planet, Savriâ, it had been even less biologically diverse than it was now. He’d introduced a handful of new plants, including the trees which the kobolds called ‘sunsquat trees’ and he called ‘soul trees’. The pop-hoppers were a product of another test of his abilities. He wanted to see whether he could write and invest his mana into a scene which would occur in the future, rather than immediately.
He hadn’t actually been certain whether it had worked until he returned and found that his ‘guardians’ had spawned when the correct conditions were met. Namely, someone had purposefully removed one of his precious soul trees. When asked why he was went so far to punish would-be thieves, he was cagey. His flowery explanation was essentially along the lines of ‘I don’t like thieves’, but it was clear that he was being less that forthcoming. None of them pushed too hard about that, given it wasn’t much of a concern to them at the moment.
Instead, Jonah and Willow continued to pepper the sparkly fae with questions like, “If you write a scene in the past, does it change the past? Did the scene happen?” or, “Can you write a scene to force people to do things?”
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.
The first question was answered with a long story which essentially boiled down to, ‘I tested it, but I still don’t know. There’s some evidence it did something, but I’m not sure what.’
The second question was a resounding ‘it depends.’ Apparently, Nuu was able to write scenes which included other people. The scene could even include them taking specific actions, speaking dialog, or even having scripted thoughts. However, it was highly limited. According to him, he could’t force anyone to do anything that they would never do.
He explained that, for example, if he had an enemy which he was fleeing from he couldn’t just write that the enemy forgot about him. The specifics of the example made it seem like a personal dilemma he’d recently had to solve. Noticing the detail, she broke in to ask, “How would you solve that problem? If it did happen, it sounds like you have a way around the limitation.”
Appearing pleased when she shot him a look, Nuu agreed readily, “Verily. My solution to such a hypothetical is rather ingenious, if I might indulge in a moment of self adulation. The greater the difference in power between myself and the person I’m working affect through my ability, the more carefully I must plan and word my scene. Should I indulge in a flight of fancy wherein my subject’s personal opinion, personality, conviction, or anything else misaligned from the scene, the higher the likelihood they break the scene entirely.” He winced and touched his brow, as if remembering a great pain, “Which, I assure you, is an unpleasant experience.”
“Given these dangers, my solution is to avoid directly interacting or writing anything regarding my pursuer. Rather, I should write regarding myself free of their grasp. This is ingenuitive and effective, as it provides me benefits beyond the obvious. Should I write a scene wherein I am unwittingly near to my hunter, yet remain unmolested, then I can be assured that shall happen at least once. I have determined methods in which to implement what I call a cyclical scene, something which I wasn’t sure would work until I confirmed the birth of my guardian’s upon their triggering.”
He smiled in clear triumph, “Which is the very reason for which I returned to this nigh desolate planet. Regardless, my point is thus. Using this solution, I might create a circumstance in which either my scene is true, or else it has been subverted and overcome in some way. If it was overcome, I would be granted a warning in the form of the feedback from my scene breaking. As aforementioned it is an unpleasant thing, yet vastly preferable to being captured by an enemy with ill intention toward me.”
When Nuu stopped, he was still smiling with clear pride. Oddly, the expression wasn’t haughty or smug. Naomi thought it was almost innocent, like a child pleased to have solved a puzzle without any help from a parent or older sibling.
After a few moments of everyone digesting, Jonah asked, “Wouldn’t the feedback from the scene breaking disable you and make it easier for the hunter to catch you, though?”
Continued to look proud, Nuu answered happily, “Indeed a concern. Given the risk, it would behoove me to write the scene through a length of time sufficiently broad to provide ample warning should my scene be subverted. In practice, such a scene might be written from the perspective of a distance of hours between the first events taking place and the end.”
“But if they follow the scene up to the point where they pass by without catching you, wouldn’t the scene break then?” Jonah pressed further.
“Indeed not! A grand benefit of my particular ability is one of continuity. Should a scene begin without breaking, then it will certainly end. I have taken great pains to test this fact. One such test was, I believe, empirical evidence given the experiment is 100% repeatable. I am personally able to break my scenes without effort. I feel the grooves and edges of the beginning of a scene I’ve written and may decide whether to follow the comforting tract left by my pen, or whether I should veer off of the written path. Taking advantage of this, I conducted experiments wherein I write a simple scene of me doing a task, in detail, from start to end. Should I plan to deviate from the scene, I find myself entirely unable to follow the groove and it will be broken.”
“You mentioned it’s not pleasant for your scenes to be broken, sounds like a lot of pain to test your ability.” Naomi glanced at Jonah as he spoke, his brows furrowed in thought. She suspected that, much like herself, Jonah felt he’d been under-performing and had a lot of catching up to do.
“Ah, indeed yes. This is an exception to that particular rule. Though I am uncertain as to the reason behind the deviation. Should I decide not to step into the path of my scene, there is no feedback. The scene simply never plays. My unconfirmed hypothesis on this matter is that it relates to the difference in how my ability interacts with myself versus others. By its nature, it will attempt to coerce or, if written too strictly, force my subject into a scene. For myself, however, I am fully aware and cognizant of the full situation and have the choice as to whether I shall follow the flow of the scene or not.”
Interested as to whether Nuu had tested the obvious flaw in all of this, Naomi asked, “Have you tested writing your simple scenes where you do something and all that, and start the scene with someone else who you didn’t write into the scene nearby with orders to either interfere or not as they choose?”
Noticing the slight hesitation in the sound of Nuu’s light footsteps she glanced back, seeing a poleaxed expression on his face. His answer was unsurprising, “Indeed not. The idea has great merit. Perhaps one of you would be willing to provide aid in such a test at a later point.”
“Sure!” Willow chirped from the front. Then she continued, “The thing I’m wondering though, if you wrote some scenes about someone tracking you down just missing you and have a way to make that happen every time they get close… Why not write the scene so that you notice them missing you, so you know it’s working?”
Another hesitation in his steps, followed a soft hiss of, “Morgana’s morning breath.” Another few beats, then Nuu sighed, “Perhaps I shall revisit that particular scene configuration tonight and determine areas of improvement. It has been quite enlightening conversing openly with you regarding my ability. It is a rare thing that I find myself speaking so freely.”
“I was actually wondering why you were so willing to tell us all this.” Mentioned Jonah in an off-handed manner.
“Ah, it is an interesting inquiry. To put it simply, when I first laid eyes upon your companions for the first time I was struck with a vision produced by an uncontrolled behavior of my my mana. I am not entirely certain of every facet of this particular product of my aspect. It provides a unique experience which I refer to as a ‘fulcrum moment’. The strength of the fulcrum moment I experienced upon the approach of miss Willow and madame Naomi was of such sovereignty that I knew myself to be in a singularly important moment. I knew at an instinctual level that the result of our interaction would alter the course of the rest of my life. Given this knowledge, I have made the conscious decision to place myself within your graces with the expectation that this choice will alter my life’s path in the most favorable manner possible.”
After a few moments of silence, Nuu sighed softly, “Though I am under no illusions that you are certainly in control of such an outcome. I made my decision based solely on the infinitely limited knowledge at my disposal. Only the passage of time shall tell whether my decision was to my advantage or to my detriment. Given your friendliness thus far, I shall continue to hold tightly to hope.”
Before anyone else could respond, Willow called from a few feet in front of them, “We’re home, and the weirdo’s here to greet us!”
----------------------------------------
Madrick
Waiting at Willow’s Former Campground, Feather-branch Forest, Savriâ
Delegating the task of fetching his quarry to his apprentice had certainly been the correct decision. Having left to locate and await the small party at their former campsite immediately after making his decision, Madrick had simply been reclining on a rock he’d molded into a decent lounging chair as he watched through the UICI observation suite.
Since he’d been on this wild snipe hunt he’d dedicated little time to check on his apprentice’s progress. He was quite pleased in all truth. He wasn’t certain why the defective multiverse piece of cow shit that was the UICI failed to alert him to her rapid ascension through the ranks, but he was more than pleased to find her sitting solidly in the third rank. Now that he had taken the time to truly examine the others with his soul awareness, even her companions had advanced impressively.
The anemic woman was in the second rank herself, while the boy was at the first. The boy’s mana aspect reeked of the new wave of “gamer” mana types which had become more and more common in the last century or two. The girl’s was more interesting, feeling like a distant black hole more than anything else. Although, her mana aspects were clearly far beneath the power of a celestial grade rift such as a black hole.
Willow’s foundations, which had been oddly transparent in his soul sense previously were now more solid than any he’d ever observed. Even his own, though it pained him to admit it. Whatever her insights, they were integrated so tightly into her being that he doubted even death would separate her from them.
Listening in on the fae’s explanation of his insight, ability, and mana aspect made Madrick roll his eyes. It sounded like it was a suggestion-type ability. The exact mechanics were irrelevant, had Madrick decided to scoop the idiot up instead of sending his apprentice after him, the result would have been the same. It would be amusing to see the proud fae’s face when he realized he’d willingly walked directly up to the very hunter he’d written scenes to protect himself against. Although, Madrick decided that as he was passively sitting, he was less of a hunter and more of a fisher. Perhaps the distinction is why his ability hasn’t ‘broken’ the scene he wrote as he approaches.
He’d been listening to the last few minutes of their conversation with his own ears instead of the UICI. When Willow stepped past the last patch of trees breaking the sight line between Madrick’s makeshift seat and the oncoming party she locked eyes with him for a moment, narrowing hers before calling back cheerfully, “We’re home, and the weirdo’s here to greet us!”