[Melas] Chapter 115: Vulnerable (Patreon)

The road to recovery was not a quick one. Sure, this world had healing potions— and it had some level of medicinal knowledge, similar to mine during the industrial revolution. And yet, I couldn’t just miraculously heal from such extreme burn wounds all over my body in a day.

Even when I had lost my arms— when my mom had treated me after I fought the Chimera— I still wasn’t fully ready to run around right off the bat. The only time I had ever recovered from a serious, life-threatening injury in an instant was when those three strangers saved me from the Horned Ursa.

They had done something to me. I wasn’t sure if it was magic or a miracle. But they healed me, and they led me to be captured by slavers.

So, even if they did save my life, I wasn’t particularly grateful to them.

For now, I was stuck in my room until I fully healed. I was a child, after all. Sevin, Jack, and Lisa had ordered me to stay in the warehouse until my skin was no longer soft and squishy. Or… softer and squishier than usual. Gennady and Elda didn’t care as much.

Although the other ex-pirates did. I should probably stop calling them that and give them a proper name. They didn’t mind. In fact, they held the fact that they were pirates in pride. They still repped the fact they were in Ginah’s Crew.

Maybe trying to come up with a better name for them should be in my to-do list. After all, I was left to my own devices now.

And it just so happened that my own devices consisted of studying magic and furthering my Tinkering. Gennady had brought me a stack of very thick books he wanted me to finish reading in a week. I told him no, I wasn’t going to do that. But I was going to try and get through as much of it as I could.

It was one thing, spending all day reading something that was information-intensive just to say that I could do it quickly. It was another, trying to actually absorb what was being read, and applying it in a practical manner.

I was trying to do the latter, not the former.

I grabbed a handful of Inferior mana crystals, and were studying their surfaces to find good places to inscribe runes on them. One thing I had learned was that you couldn't always use just any mana crystal for any tool you wanted to craft.

You had to find the right one. Sure, you could do what the Tinkerers in the Holy Xan Empire often did. They ensured that no runes of symbols went on the mana crystals, only on the things that were connected and engaged to the mana crystals. But not only was that a lot more complicated, it also required finding mana crystals of the right size to fit the tool with all the inscriptions on its surface.

I was trying to come up with something simple, yet inventive; something that would actually sell. Not a shower which no one would use. The night was getting late. I was pretty sure almost ever had gone to bed at this point. And that was when I heard a soft knock. It sounded like shoes on wood, actually.

It didn’t come from the door, but from… behind me. “[Speak of the devil],” I sighed.

I sensed the magic a moment later. It was some kind of spell— Space Magic. I could tell. I glanced up from my desk. A figure stood before me, wreathed in the shadows. I lightly rested a handle on my dagger, eyeing the Demon that stood before me.

“What is it that you want from me this time?”

“Hello, Melas,” Elara said, ignoring my question. She wore the same cloak as she did before— the same one that seemed to mask all features underneath it when it fluttered over her body. But she had it neatly folded back this time; it revealed an elegant purple dress— one that was more befitting a formal occasion than this. It was daring, too. Its hemlines stopped short halfway down her thighs, revealing her obsidian skin, almost cracked with red lines. “It has been a while since we spoke.”

Getting to my feet, I regarded the Demon. Her two horns were the only things on her bald head. It was almost eerie; I would never see such a person back on Earth. “Why have you returned, Elara? I am not in danger— I was when Didar attacked us. Not anymore.”

“Yes. I noticed that you were in trouble. However, I surmised that you would be fine, and that intervention was not necessary. And if it were, I was prepared to save you at any point in time.” She shrugged. That was what she was like. Nonchalant. Uncaring.

I glared at her. “And what about my friends?”

“What about them?”

I scowled. I should have known that was what she would say; I still felt compelled to ask her about it, just to know for certain. It was something I intuitively was aware of— she wasn’t here for me, but from what she could make of me.

Never make a deal with the devil.

Taking a step back, I hid a hand behind my back. Whatever magic I could toss her way could easily be rendered null by her Dispel Magic. However, I had a few Cluster Bombs on me. Enough that I could hurl them all at her.

But there was a turn of the head, an inquiring gaze, one that seemed more entertained than threatened. “Do you wish to attack me, Melas? You know that I am far above what you are capable of dealing with, right?”

I clicked my tongue. “Of course I do.” She seemed almost relieved, glad that she didn’t have to apprehend me. Then I grinned. “That’s why I won’t take on you alone.” I leapt to the side, hurling the Cluster Bombs her way.

There was a sigh. A wave of the hand. The metallic spheres halted mid-air. Elara snapped a finger, and the mana crystals in their center flashed— and their lights winked out. Then the Demon took a deep breath. And It was like the mana inside of it was being siphoned out, flowing in a stream towards her.

Shaking her head, she turned towards me. “You cannot—”

Her words were cut off as my Frost Javelins lanced out at her. As I expected, they vanished from existence an instant later. I could barely put up a fight against her Dispel Magic.

But that was enough for me. I reached the door. I pulled at its handles. It swung open— and  I ran face-first into a wall.

I stumbled back, clutching at my face in pain. “O-ow… what the…?” I looked up, only seeing a void ahead of me. Nothing but darkness stood before the doorway. It was like a sable blanket had been thrown over the other side, covering the corridor ahead from me. Except, it was made of the hardest metal in existence.

Seriously, that hurt.

I tried to kick at the black wall, but thought better of myself a moment later. I raised a hand, conjuring a Fireball, but it was snuffed out. A chuckle came from behind me; Elara placed a hand on my shoulder.

I whirled around, stabbing my dagger at her neck. She caught it. “There’s no point trying to escape, Melas. I knew you were going to do this. I made preparations for it, just in case.”

I narrowed my eyes, sensing the magic in the air. It was overwhelming. I couldn’t feel at all before. But now that I focused— and perhaps it was because Elara unmasked it— I could feel it beating down on me. A cage. Just like the one I was trapped in in Bys.

No. It is the same cage. I had only become a slave because of her. Because of the three strangers. Because of that false god. I glared at Elara, trying to press the dagger closer to her neck. Her grip around my arms didn’t tighten. She simply pushed it aside, knocking my weapon away.

“You can tell,” she said simply. “You know the power difference between us is too great.”

“I am the greatest spellcaster in the world.” I spoke through gritted teeth. I took a step to the side, as if trying to circle around her. “That’s what your god told me.”

“You can be.” Elara nodded, placing a hand on her chin. “It will take a while, but you have the potential.” She gestured around her, smiling. “That's why I’m here.”

My eyes grew wide. The Demon did not bat an eye as she spoke; I couldn’t tell if she was lying. I stopped mid-step as she continued.

“I realized that I was too… forward… with my first offer. I know that you don’t trust me just yet— but I assure you, I come here with no intent to harm you, only to aid you.”

There was a pause. A skipped beat. Then I returned to my senses. “I have no reason to accept your offer. Your words hold no sway over me.”

The devil comes for those who are weak—

I stood my ground, but she was insistent. Indignant. She continued, “You are dubious, rightfully so.”

—and vulnerable.

“You think I am out after you, even when I am your protector. You Guardian Angel, if you will. And I will prove it to you.”

That is why you should never accept...

“Which is why I came today bearing nothing but a gift.”

...what they offer you.

Elara produced a rolled up piece of parchment; it looked old, decrepit. I was certain it would crumble if I laid a single finger on it. And yet, the Demon didn’t treat it with care, tossing it onto my desk, with little regard for its state.

To my surprise, it simply landed and rolled to a stop. It was a lot sturdier than it looked. I frowned, turning Elara suspiciously.

“Take it,” she said.

“I don’t need whatever piece of paper you own,” I snapped back. “I have my own tomes and books to study and learn from.”

“But you see, Melas, this isn’t an ordinary scroll. It contains within it a kind of magic— an enchantment— that lets you master a single spell in a day.”

I furrowed my brows. “What kind of spell?”

“The Shield of the Sentinel,” she replied with a smile. “If your Dwarf friend were here, he’d tell you that it is a Tier 6 protective barrier. One that does more than shelter those within its confines, going as far as to heal them, slowly recover their wounds.”

“That’s…” I found my mouth hanging open. But I quickly gathered myself. Focus, Melas. That’s too good to be true. You’re not vulnerable. You’re not weak. Do not trust the devil’s words.

“You can do whatever you wish with it, Melas.” Elara spun on her heels, white specks— like feathers— gathering around her. The sable dome over my room began to disintegrate— almost like it was dematerializing, particle by particle, vanishing into nothing. “I shall take my leave. For now. And perhaps, when I speak with you again, you will have changed your mind by then.”

And she was gone. Once again, she left me standing alone. She infiltrated my room so easily; she found a way around all my protections— all my wards— without me even knowing she was here until she wanted to be made known.

This was the power of a Demon. A true spellcaster. One who had studied magic all her life. The daughter of the Demon Lord himself.

The pinnacle of magic. Could I ever hope to match her power? Yes, I reminded myself. Yes I can.

The question was: should I do it on my own, or accept her offer?

“Here,” I said, handing the small, rectangular object to Gennady.

The Dwarf pulled himself away from his work station, lifting a metal mask up, revealing a face covered in soothe. We were in the basement— where he was usually working, tinkering and doing whatever else he usually did down here.

He raised a brow. “What’s this?”

“It’s what I made last night,” I explained. “It’s nothing genius. I just thought it’d be a handy thing to have around, you know? And it’s relatively simple once I figured out all the runes needed for electricity.”

“Right.” He scratched his beard. Glancing behind him, he looked at a young man for help but found none, and proceeded to speak with uncertainty. “That… still didn’t tell us what this is, lass.”

I rolled my eyes, looking between both him and Sevin. “Do neither of you not know what this is?” I held the object up, tapping at a rune on its side. There was a crackle— a buzzing noise. “It’s a stun gun. It delivers a pulse of electricity through its target. You just have to jab it at their side, and any regular person will fall, immobile.”

Sevin’s eyes widened. “You mean it’s non-lethal?”

“It isn’t supposed to be, although it can be, yeah.” I nodded.

“Woah.” He was fascinated by that aspect of my invention— which threw me off a bit. I was expecting him to be surprised by my use of lightning at a lower amperage.

The Dwarf, meanwhile, was focused on another thing. First of all, he said, “Wait, you mean you didn’t sleep last night? Aren’t ya supposed to be resting?” Once I explained that I couldn’t sleep— which was only partially true, since a visit from a Demon made me too paranoid to willingly fall unconscious and lay defenseless— he moved onto the next question. “I thought you were trynna come up with non-weapon concepts?”

I gave him a shrug. There really was not much else I could say. “I’m surprised neither of you recognized it immediately. I saw something similar being used while I was a sla— while I was in the Free Lands.”

“Something similar to this?” Gennady blinked. Then a look of horror flashed across his face. “You mean the zapper?”

“Uh, if it is what I think you think it is, then yes?”

Sevin seemed to know about what Gennady was talking about. “The zapper— you created a torture device?!” He stared at me, aghast.

“A torture device?” I cocked my head. “No— look, it’s just supposed to be used to disarm any assailants stalking you down a quiet alleyway. It only hurts them a little bit. Enough to incapacitate them before you can run off and find someone to help you.” I held up the stun gun, activating it, and lightly tapping the Dwarf’s forearms. “See?”

“Youch!” he yelped, leaping back. “Yep, that’s a torture device, Melas. It can’t kill you— it can only hurt you. Slavers use the zapper to control misbehaving slaves.”

I remembered the zapper. It was what they had used to keep the Beastkin with me— Shang and Rin— back in their cages, so that they couldn’t just grab the slavers and strangle them to death. They did also use it to torture Shang for a while. So, I guess they really were torture devices.

“Well, this isn't a zapper, alright?” I said emphatically. “It’s a stun gun. You can’t even use it in the same way a zapper is used. Look, for this, you have to get up close and personal with them. A slavery would get bit or punched before they could even use this on one of their dozen slaves.”

Gennady still seemed unconvinced. Sevin was a little more open to the idea. The Dwarf shook his head. “I’ll try and pass the idea along to a few of my contacts. Maybe they’d be willing to hear your pitch. They’re always interested in forming a relationship with bright, new Tinkerers. It’s just… I’m not sure how receptive they may be to the idea.”

I sighed. “I know that, I know that,” I repeated myself, pocketing my stun gun. “Look, it really isn’t that different from Sevin’s Shock Pistol. The only difference is that this works more like a knife which you’ll have to use from close range.”

“Why is it called a stun gun, and not a stun knife then?” Gennady asked with a curious look.

I bit my lower lip. I didn’t respond. I guess it would be a more fitting name. I decided to change the topic as I regarded the Dwarf.

“So, any word about Didar? How about the Puer Kingdom?”

Gennady took a deep breath. He turned to Sevin. “Get me a glass, will you lad?”

“Yes Master Gennady.” The young man scampered off to fetch him a mug of ale. I watched him leave, glad that I didn’t let the Dwarf take advantage of me like that.

“It’s been a hot mess, lass,” he finally said, sitting on his chair next to his workstation. “Lots of information is coming out about the Puer Kingdom. Like how they’re planning a full-on invasion of the Taw Kingdom for years. That civil unrest is on the rise— some groups have been stirring trouble within— and they wish to use the guise of war to clamp down on all dissent, while creating a common enemy to unite against.”

That really wasn’t anything we didn’t already know. However, I guess it did confirm some speculations. “What is the government planning to do?”

“Well, first of all, they hope to weed out all of the Puer Kingdom’s spies running around the city. Which is bloody foolish, lass! Don’t they know that that’s not possible? Bah, idiots, the lot of ‘em.”

I stared at him, waiting for him to continue. Sevin returned with his mug, to which he downed in a few gulps without even saying ‘thanks’.

“I know Adilet is trying to get these idiots to act more pressingly, but there’s always hold ups.”

“Politics,” Sevin chimed in, and I nodded agreeingly.

The Dwarf ignored us, continuing. “Because it’s such a hassle, I’ve been trying to ask anyone I know if they have any information about the Puer Kingdom, but they’re either all useless, or they’ve gone daft all at the same time.”

“Why not ask Jack or Lisa?” The pair were underworld specialists. Surely they would have known something.

“I did. And while Jack is done getting involved with this shit for now— which makes no damned sense to me— Lisa has asked all her contacts too. None of her associates have come up with anything of use.”

I narrowed my eyes. “What about the Dark Crusaders?”

“What about them?” Gennady heaved a heavy breath, resting his chin on his arm.

“Last I heard, they’re not happy about the Puer Kingdom for bringing the Holy Xan Empire into Jahar’taw. They may have some dirt they’d be willing to share if we ask them for information in exchange for some… favors.” I almost trailed off towards the end. That latter part was a suggestion which I wasn’t sure I felt very happy about.

Gennady seemed to agree. “I dunno about that second half, lass, but I think it can’t hurt to prod them about this. Although, I thought you had cut most contact with them a few weeks back? Are you just going to reach out to them out of the blue?”

“I was,” I said, shifting my feet uncomfortably. “I was going to ask Lisa to help arrange a meeting for me— I had… some questions of my own for them.” I remembered the scroll I had been given. The name of the spell, said by Elara. Was it really as powerful as the Demo had said? Would it really teach me such advanced magic in a day?

I could have opened it to find out, but I didn’t; Elara’s words weren’t trustworthy. For all I knew, there could have been some kind of curse in the scroll. If I opened it and read whatever inscriptions were on it, I may be placed under some kind of spell which entranced me to her cause— to the false god’s goals.

There were a lot of logical holes I could poke through those worries, but when it came to Elara, it was truly better safe than sorry.

I raised my shoulders in a shrug. “Since I was going to meet the Dark Crusaders anyway, I may as well just ask some questions for you.”

The Dwarf paused. He had a thoughtful look. Then he grinned. “That’s a great idea! Bring me with you!”

“Wait, what?”

Author's Notes:

3,500 words. Any thoughts? Gib thoughts! Thanks for reading!