Chapter 57 - In Sickness And In Health (Patreon)

Jiran lay on the ground looking at the myriad colors of the beautiful sky as his stomach roiled and churned. His body was covered in sweat and his heart pumped a dull thrumming in his ears from the backlash of recharging his aura. He let his head fall to the side, toward his replacement lunch, which was currently roasting over a small fire. His gaze remained locked on the horizon, ignoring his surroundings as his mind swirled with random thoughts.

I seriously underestimated the power of a fifth tier beast. I actually thought I would easily beat one and restart my timer but I’m not sure I could have killed that shrieker even with full mana. It regenerated so fast. Even a full blast down the throat only slowed it down for a few seconds. It had a lot more abilities than the other beasts I’ve fought too: Paralyzing scream, regeneration, roots, grabbing vines, and it was even smart enough to throw trees while spreading its roots.

Maybe tier five is like crossing some major threshold in overall combat power. Humans receive their manabody at tier five, which, now that I’m getting used to it, massively increases my flexibility of options in a fight. Eventually, I’m going to fight more tier fives so I better figure out how to make channeling useful before then.

Enough procrastinating. Last push, get this done so you can go see your family, Jiran.

Without moving, Jiran condensed his mana and fed it to his still-hungry manabody. His body moved on instinct as he flipped over to dry-heave above the prevalent brown grass. The feedback continued to kick and churn his intestines for several minutes before it relented.

Finally, it’s full.

His manabody felt like a full waterskin. The energies within stretched nearly nine meters in a perfect sphere around him. He focused on the feeling of his aura straining against the outer boundaries of its reach. It yearned to go further, to grow, to become more, to explore the world just as he did.

Fuck it. For science!

Jiran grabbed another ball of condensed mana and pushed it into his aura with bared teeth and a guttural scream. The feedback was so painful, he curled into a fetal ball on the ground, rocking back and forth until the waves of dizziness and agony abated. When his senses returned, bleary eyes found his burnt meal crisping over glowing embers. He doused the coals but didn’t immediately reach out to refill his empty stomach and dwindling mana reserves.

If his aura felt was full before, now it was bursting with energy that demanded release. A small smile spread across his dry, cracked lips as he shifted a pebble that was once out of his aura’s reach. He scooped it up, bringing it to his hands where he gently rolled it between his fingers, allowing the coarse tactile sensation to distract him.

It grew about two and a half centimeters. If I could do that every day, I would gain a meter every month and a half. At that rate, after a single season, I could double my current aura size. Hmm, a sphere takes up exponentially more space as it expands so I doubt it’s that simple. Also, there’s no guarantee I can even do this daily. The boundary of my aura feels like an overstretched muscle. Who knows how long it’s going to take to stabilize.

Eventually, Jiran felt well enough to eat. He crunched on crispy, sour, tier two meat but was unable to finish the gross meal. He left the rest of the disgusting lower tier meat for the scavengers and leaped into the air.

As he blasted through the sky on bursts of blue flames, he restrained himself from using his aura, allowing  the energies to continue stretching the walls of their prison. Jiran made the best time possible without it, slowed significantly by the unshielded wind. Several hours passed before he reached the coast of the Murinth Ocean.

Now I just need to go west until I reach Feylon.

He also stopped whenever he spotted a tier three or four beast, enjoying the short breaks to further his growth and refresh his mana.

EXP: + 5

Strength: + 1.3

Agility: + 1.2

Endurance: + 1.6

Durability: + 1.1

Wisdom: + 1.8

Intelligence: + 1.8

Back to the slow and steady attribute growth. Madra really gives plenty of rewards to people who push themselves. Interesting, when did I start thinking of Madra and the system as the same thing? Is that true though? It feels like that’s correct but like with everything else, it’s probably a lot more complicated than just that.

Four hours later, Jiran saw a sight that set his heart racing. Far in the distance below him, a cove stretched out rocky fingers into the ocean. Above the shore, atop a steep rise, sat a small town sheltered by a low stone and mortar wall he knew all too well. He had to work to hold back tears as the part of him that thought he would never see Feylon again began to crumble within his chest. He flew low over the village, finally allowing himself to use his aura.

Where is everyone? Usually this time of day there should be dozens of people working but I only see four.

Not seeing his parents, Niya, or Micah, Jiran headed toward Samris’s manor as a nagging fear took root in his spine. A familiar feeling brushed against the edges of his manabody as he approached the now dilapidated building. It felt like a curtain of shimmering energy that he could almost smell and taste.

Is that Samris’s aura?

The two walls of energy pushed against each other before merging to occupy the same space in a dizzying sensation that Jiran wasn’t given the time to understand. If he had blinked, he would have missed the appearance of his old mentor as the man appeared in the air before him.

What happened to him? He looks terrible.

[Human] (Tier 6) ???

So he’s tier six. I never would have known with how good he is at slowing himself down for me.

Samris’s robes were rumpled and stained. The immaculate goatee and hair that Jiran remembered were replaced by an unkempt, knotted mess. His eyes were sunken and the fierce golden glow they used to hold was nowhere to be found.

Seeing his despondent, listless stare, the reality Jiran had been trying to deny fully set in. An entire year had passed for the man before him. Seven whole seasons, nearly three thousand days.

We only spent two moons together. To me, it was such an important time and only ended a few days ago. It feels like we never really parted. To him, I was just a footnote, a speck in time, less than one percent of his last seven seasons of life include memories of me. He looks so much older and sad. Why? What the hell happened to him while I was gone?

After he appeared in the air, the man Jiran thought he knew didn't say a word of greeting. Nor did his face display a speck of emotion beyond apathy before he simply turned and floated on his manabody into the manor. Jiran followed silently, hoping Samris just wanted to speak behind his wards like they used to. As Samris led him up the stairs and toward his study, Jiran released a small sigh of relief as the tension in his stomach began to ease. Once inside the small room, Samris closed the door behind them with a flicker of his aura.

I always wondered how he did that.

The wards flickered to life and Jiran watched with interest as wisps of Samris’s aura were sucked into the sharp lines and symbols along the walls. The energy became trapped as it bounced and reflected within the grooves until they shone with a solid radiance.

“So, you’re alive,” Samris’s voice crackled like dried parchment left in the sun.

“I am,” Jiran’s whisper felt like a hollow ghost, empty, devoid of the elation he wanted to share at their reunion. There was so much more he wanted to say but the weight on Samris’s shoulders bore a physical pressure that constricted his lungs; it was heavy and forlorn, turning his words to dust.

“What… happened to you?” Samris spoke slowly, as if stringing words together was such a foreign concept that he had to focus on each syllable individually.

Jiran opened his mouth to respond but no sound came out. His eyes bulged as the system’s constrictions prevented him from speaking. His jaw creaked as he ground his teeth in barely-restrained fury. With every ounce of conviction in his body, he tied his thoughts to his mana and sent them into the void.

I know you can hear me! Release this geas and let me talk to my friend! I'm not going to spill any of your precious secrets. If you’re serious about building trust with me, this is the place to start.

Two agonizing seconds passed before the binding in his throat eased. He felt it there still, like the specter of a fist ready to squeeze if he ever betrayed it. As the dam broke, his words were released in an emotional rush. “The portal took me outside the empire,” For the first time since his arrival, Samris showed some real emotion as his eyes opened so wide that he could see the whites all around his pupils. “It gets worse,” Jiran warned before pressing forward.

“I was asleep for the past year. I can’t explain what happened to me beyond that. For me, only three days have passed since I last saw you. After I woke up, another portal brought me back and I came straight here. Is my family okay? Are they here? What happened to you? Why is the town so empty?” Jiran’s heart clenched, preparing for the worst.

“Your parents are gone,” The words hit like a hammer, crushing him into his seat. “They left with everyone else from the church two seasons ago. They went to Speakers Sanctum.”

Oh, thank the fathers. I thought they were dead! Maybe lead with that next time!

Jiran sat up straight, realizing the potential implications of his family being solidly within the church’s grasp. “Speakers Sanctum? The home of The Church of the Voice?”

“That is correct. I’m sorry to say I don't know if they made it there safely. I did not check on those who wished to leave.”

“Thank you, Samris. You said my parents, what of Niya and Micah?” Jirans lack of recrimination had a noticeable effect on Samris as the man’s shoulders straightened and his chin lifted slightly.

“Micah left with a group of nobles from Havels Fjord shortly before the inquisitors came and took most of the townspeople. Niya was with Lenton the last I saw her. Where they are, I have no knowledge,” Samris’s fingers spread across his desk as he braced himself before continuing. Have you… discovered any clues about a cure for our curse?”

Jiran's eyes fell to the floor, his answer a whisper that echoed through the small room. “Nothing concrete. Again, it’s only been three days since I saw you last.”

“I see,” Samris leaned back in his chair with a deep sigh as his eyes closed. “You’re welcome to stay as long as you’d like. If you don’t mind, I’d like to be alone now.”

Conflicted and not knowing what else to say, Jiran slowly stood. “It was nice to see you, Samris. I…”

No. No way I’m going to leave things like this!

“I haven’t given up and I’m not going to. I’ve already learned so much and I’m never going to stop searching for the answers. Thank you for everything, and I’m sorry for taking so long to come home.” Jiran’s fists clenched to hold off the stinging that threatened to pour tears from his eyes. He bowed smartly with a fist crisply impacting his chest before he stood and excused himself.

I have to find a way to help him. He’s done too much for me. But to do that, I need answers.

Jiran walked outside and sat next to the creek as full of fond memories as it was crystal-clear water.

Revelation!

“Do you know if my family is alive?” Jiran mentally kicked himself for not thinking of asking the question in their last conversation.

“They are all alive and well, Father. Niya is certainly getting herself into trouble but she's safe for now.”

“She’s in trouble? Where?” Jiran leaped to his feet, ready to rush off before a calming sensation rippled through their connection.

“She's not ready to see you yet.”

“What, why?”

“She is full of anger, hatred even. She has set herself upon a perilous path and your arrival would invalidate everything she has worked for. Though she would be glad to see you, she may come to resent you, should you seek her out now. Patience, let her fury ebb, then, a time will surely present itself.”

Well, at least I know everyone’s okay now.

“Do you know anything about the curse of my unique ability?”

“I do not. Those abilities exist outside of Madra’s gifts, and therefore, outside of my knowledge.”

[Quest acquired!]

[A unique curse and a unique opportunity to learn: Activate the teleportation node to the Jeweled Isles]

“Are you serious right now?”

What’s with that name? Do you really expect me to believe that taking your quest is going to help me find an answer to the curse? Daughter just said unique abilities are outside the purview of the system, so how could your quest possibly help?

Daughter gasped, her inhalation so sharp she sputtered before speaking in a rush. “She speaks to you?! You must go, Father! Madra is sick. If she is asking you for help, there must be a reason. Please, I beg you. Aid her,” Her hands came together as she tilted her chin up in a fervent prayer that he abide by her wish.

“What do you mean Madra’s sick?”

“Her touch grows faint. Before our rest, she was much stronger. Her voice, like waves in the ocean. Now they are weak like the churning of the creek before you.”

That… doesn’t sound good. Wait, why would I help after everything the system, or Madra has done to me? Besides, I’m just a tier three! What could I possibly do that someone else couldn’t do better? Sure, I’m a little strong for my tier but there have to be plenty of others who can help more than me.

The memory of a scoreboard in the air above an empty arena, with his name at the very top, left a sinking hole in his gut. “I-I can’t just go running off on some random quest! I need to see my family. Make sure they’re safe. I need to see them with my own eyes.”

What if there really is a chance to find a cure for Samris if I go? Damnit!

“Please reconsider. Madra would never speak to a mortal without reason. I know you do not trust her but if she pushed you forward, then it was because you needed more power to do what must be done. Feed me daily and I will have the power to watch your family for you. I will go now to conserve my mana. Goodbye, Father.”