Chapter 49 : Agreement and another attack
Hello, there ! How are you all ? When I write this author's note, I'm at work, tripping over my feet because I'm typing on my phone while walking… Don't do that people ! And don't do it behind the wheel. Seriously !
In other (not) news, you can, as always, visit my Patréon page to read ahead, or discover some of my other stories. Also, please leave behind a comment, a stone or a review once you finish reading.
And now, the book of the day… in this case, another series : Terry Goodkind's the Sword of Truth. Another story I read a long time ago… almost 20 years now… boy, I'm growing old. Anyways, it's a medieval fantasy story with everything anyone could possibly be looking for. You want magic ? There're all kinds ! A mysterious organization ? Well, they train mages in a pocket space with time dilation… A tyrant ? Sure, even if he does get killed early on. Doesn't matter though 'cause there's also an evil empire. And of course, an Excalibur-like weapon for the chosen one ! Read it if you're curious !
And now, enjoy the read and have a good day !
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There's a heavy sort of atmosphere around the woman. One that makes me feeling a bit of anxiety. Okay, a lot of anxiety. Her bald face with a serious expression set on her rather youthful face considering, I'm already dreading a negative answer…
Finally, the Ancient One opens her mouth :
« I'll concede to your plan… Albeit with oversight ! »
I slump down before perking up when I register what she said. She… agreed ? She's actually on board with it ? Given her self-appointed role from protecting the Earth from magical threat, I expected her to see the building of my dimension like a new one and refuse it. But… She didn't ?
I tilt my head and start to speak while weighing each of my words :
« I'm actually not against some oversight. I was already planning on having you and whoever you thought suited to the task to participate the alpha testing phase. With this, not only can we build the dimension faster, you can also keep a watch on it… Or did you have something else in mind ? »
She shakes her head :
« Having access to your dimension is something we can manage on our own. As I understand it, our magical abilities will be severely restricted using the standard book, wouldn't it ? I had a more involved role in mind… Something with a bit more authority and the ability to influence your realm if it ever started to pose a threat. »
I pause to consider what she's saying. Finally, I propose :
« Something like a GM, then ? Or a Dev ? 'cause I have to say, I'm not really keen on someone manipulating the world as they see fit. Once the Laws are written and put in place, I don't want anybody to be able to touch them… »
She leans forward :
« Those are game terms, right ? If I remember correctly, a GM is a Game Master or something like that ? What is a Dev ? »
« Developer. While the Game Masters have character in game with god-like power, using admin privileges, Devs can directly change the code of the game. »
She hums :
« I don't wish for my people to have too much power. It's corrupting. Especially power they haven't worked to obtain. And I'm also afraid about their transition back to the real world. What if they grow complacent because they believe themselves stronger than they actually are ? In our line of work, this could prove fatal.»
I nod. That's true… I start to consider the kinds of things they're usually fighting and shake my head to dispel those thoughts. I'm afraid of losing SANITY points just from thinking about it… Eldritch entities, Lovecraft-like beings and monsters, demons and magical nut-bags. The Order of the Mystic Arts deals with the Unknowable, the Unseeable and the Unspeakable. Like the SCP foundations if their members had magical powers… Or maybe more like the game Control ? Actually, maybe the Federal Bureau of Control from the game and the SCP foundations are one and the same… There appears to have a great deal of similarities between the two, after all. The creepy, horrific and nauseating ambiance, for one.
Once more, I shake myself out of my thoughts. This conversation with the Ancient One is more important… I muse about what I'm going to tell her, and finally, I decide to be honest :
« I'm sure you already know, with the Handy Artifact gifted to you by an Elder God, but I'm working on a way for the people of my dimension to grow stronger. Theoretically, I'm also hoping for the denizens to be able to use these methods. I can tutor your people so they grow stronger quicker… »
Finally, we manage to reach an agreement satisfying for both parties. For me : I'm content, neither the Ancient One or her students/people will be able to influence my reality too much. For her, she'll be given the Law Book on how the different energies will work and how to harness them. Hopefully, it'll give them an edge since they'll be the first to train in this way. Except for me, of course…
* * * * *
And now, I'm back in school… Holidays are over. It's funny how these always feel too short when they end, isn't it ? Doesn't matter how much you have, either. At first, when school's over, you rejoice and look at the calendar thinking : 'I won't see this wretched place for this long !'
You're happy, though in the back of your mind you know it won't actually be that long. Each passing days draws you closer to going back, but you delude yourself. I still have this much time or Still N days left !
And then, comes the last week end… Realization finally hits and you spend what's left sighing, bitching and moaning that you have to go back.
That's not how it is for everyone ? Well, that's how it is for me ! It's especially true when I go back to this school ! Why did I choose to go there again ? I wanted to avoid people eyeing me with pity and treating like the cancer kid… Okay, fair ! But why freaking MIDTOWN HIGH ?
This place is Weirdness Central with the occasional terrorist or supervillain attack. I've actually forgotten how many Alter-humans this place has seen roam its halls. At the very least, most of the Spider-Family came here… Okay, I just remembered the clones so I'll correct myself : Gwen Stacy, who, in another Universe, becomes Spider-Woman, or Ghost Spider, not sure which it is, has come here. So, has, obviously : Peter Parker. Also, a less known entity but with as much spider-ness : Cindy Moon AKA Silk. There's Mary Jane, too… I think in the Marvel Mangaverse, she has Spider-power as well… Not to mention the fact that I think Flash Thompson become Agent Venom down the line.
In every iteration of Spider-Man's there's been at least, one if not several attack on Peter's school. In the Ultimate Comics, the Green Goblin attacks trying to get at him. In the Ultimate Spider-Man animated series, it's the Frightful Four, the jokers we've defeated and actually attacked the school in our reality. In the Amazing Spider-Man, it's the Lizard… This place's cursed.
So, I'm not exactly surprised when the school experience its second attack in less than a year… What surprises me on the other hand, is that Norman Osborn's decided to play with a team, of sorts… Maybe I should just call them minions. Green Goblin and his goblin army…