Expedition

Support my main contracted novel and winner of Writing Prompts #26 - The Legendary Mage!

Desolate Mage: A Legend Reborn!

https://www.webnovel.com/book/12013957905760805/Desolate-Mage%3A-A-Legend-Reborn!

* * * * *

"Hmm...?" A woman grew wary as she sensed a global spell being cast on the world of Urth.

(The Heavenly Fate... What is it doing...?) The handsome woman closed her eyes and discerned that the spell was not targeted at anyone, but seemed focused on the central continent - which was where she was.

Her state of alertness grew; worried that she might have been detected; only relaxing as she realised that the spell was one to guide people's judgment in a certain direction; a spell of suppressing common sense - deception.

The woman was surprised; the world essence consumed to trigger a global spell was stupendous. For what reason would the Heavenly Fate give up so much influence...? She thought about it for awhile, but decided against investigating or interfering - with the rebellions scarce manpower, resources and influence, they had to choose their battles wisely.

Standing in the courtyard of the shrine; standing before a run-down "house" - if you could really call it that - the woman began to walk over to the entrance and stood there, not bothering to knock as she observed the building. At least it did have the bare necessities - 2 sleeping rooms, 1 study and 1 kitchen; whilst there was a mezzanine floor built on the cross-beams supporting the roof; forming a claustrophobic attic for storage. For ablutions... She didn't want to let her thoughts go there.

"You look awful."

Lucius lowered his book and glanced at the visitor he had been expecting for a couple of days now. He had been reading what was widely regarded as the first detailed biography of the journey to divinity [or transcendence; both factions argued that he belonged to them].

Showing her a wide smile, Lucius set aside his research notes and carefully closed the journal titled "Saiyama: One-kick Man". He didn't have any supplementary lighting; the noon-time sun through the window and gaps in the walls provided enough illumination.

"Ahh, Tamar!" Even as he was still smiling, Lucius manifested his sword and raised his mana circulation to the maximum.

The thin woman standing at the doorway of their home looked nothing like the valiant warrior whose name resounded across the Endless Worlds just a few weeks ago. She wore a typical hunters outfit; a brown-green matching pants and tunic, with dark brown boots.

The only thing differentiating her was the fierce sense of raw power seeping out of her body; even with her suppressing her aura. It was the kind of terror-inducing aura that told the mind to subconsciously ignore the owner; or die from a stopped heart from fear.

She looked disdainfully at him and his sword. "Come on. You're not even at 50% of your peak." Her gaze then grew grim. "...And if you aren't treated soon, that number will drop below even a single digit." She stepped past him and helped herself to a seat at the dinner table in the kitchen.

Seeing that she had already seen through his bluff, but clearly intended no harm, Lucius released his mana and stored his sword; then followed her to take a seat at the opposite end of the table.

"I need your help. And looks like you need mine too."

Lucius said nothing, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with her statement.

"I don't need to explain my cause. You and I both know what it is; and I know you're on neither side. But-" She looked hesitant to speak the next words. "...*please*, I need you and that gandharva's skills." She forced out the word please" through grit teeth.

Seeing that he was still listening; she added: "I'll introduce you to an adept healer. You can be back to top condition within a year - only, you'll need to seal yourself to 10% of your power during that time."

Lucius frowned. "What help could I provide? If I'm still recovering? Or sealed...?"

Tamar smiled, showing her teeth - somehow reminding Lucius of a dragon salivating before it devoured its prey.

"My network has discovered a rift near Edon. It looks like it leads outside of our Endless Worlds..." Her eyes glinted, knowing that it was impossible for either of the knowledge-crazy old men to resist a discovery like this. She continued smiling, waiting for Lucius to take the bait.

"...And? Where do we come in...?" Dhrtarastra's voice was heard from the doorway, just returned from his waves training.

"We still don't know what's on the other side; but what we do know is we need someone with vast knowledge in mana and formations-" She looked at Lucius, "...and someone to solve the divine power mysteries we may encounter." She looked at Dhrtarastra.

Lucius and Dhrtarastra exchanged looks, before Lucius asked, "Who else will be going? How about combat...?"

"For that... I'll be going together with you. I'll supply all the combat power we need." She said it as a matter of fact, with no grandeur or bravado.

The two paused; considering. While they were still thinking things through, Tamar interjected.

"Initially, I intended to form a team and recruit one more person specialised in culture, language and archaeology, but we don't have much time; and we don't want more people to know about this. I know you're both well-versed in those areas as well; we should be able to get by."

Tamar breathed in deep, then continued. "...I know it's sudden and you want time to think. But we're short on time. From our estimates, the Heavenly Fate of our Endless Worlds will discover and seal the rift within 2 days."

Frowning, Lucius asked, "When must we leave?"

Tamar grew more serious as she spoke the next 3 words: "...Today. Before dusk."

* * * * * * * * * * *

Lucius bid Sam good-bye and told her to be good and take care of the house for the 2 weeks he would be gone. Then he turned and started to leave the school grounds, when he was stopped by the girl's voice.

"Grandpa...?"

Turning back to her, Lucius smiled and waited for her question.

"Can I go with the rest for a field trip...?"

"Yes, yes my dear, of course you may! Where to...?"

Excited that he was supportive, Sam bounced up and down, which was a disturbing sight to Lucius; seeing a grown male acting like a cute young girl.

"Just to the Necro-Dragon-Lich-Demon-God [NDLDG]'s Lair in Catalunia...? The one that was cleared 1000 years ago by Zeus...? The teacher told us that it's a very romantic place, where Zeus met Uropa and fell in love; and where Emperor Minos was conceived..." She spoke like a bullet train, worried that grandpa would balk upon hearing the far-off location.

"..." Lucius was alarmed. What kind of school trip was this...? A romantic field trip? To a dungeon?

"...Is this also the same place where the NDLDG swore that he would resurrect 1000 years ago...? Resurrect in 1000 years on..." Lucius checked his memories. "...on this Friday...?"

Sam nodded enthusiastically, mouth ajar in awe that her grandpa seemed to know even what her teacher needed to read from a book.

"Teacher Nadal-Dug said that many sacrifices would be going there this Friday, the exact same day as our field trip! Hehe, he's really cute! He's just a little bit bony, but he's so funny when he makes those hissing noises while he talks, almost as if he were a skeleton wearing a human's skin!" Sam chattered on and on; as a result of her first time going to school and having an activity with friends.

"Oh, but we plan to leave on Wednesday. When we asked when we'd be coming back, he said it doesn't matter to dead people. He likes to tell jokes like that alot." She giggled to herself while thinking of the lich's remnant body posing as a teacher. "And I'm sure when he said sacrifices, he meant tourists. He was just joking as usual... I think..."

Lucius sweated, mind blank and felt as if the world around him were collapsing; he was shaken to the point of despair at the blatant and explicit foreshadowing done by the author. Didn't anyone else notice how crazy it was?!?

And it was just when he was leaving... What looked like a coincidence smelled like something far more sinister, like a forced plot device... Who would protect Sam, apart from her plot armour...?

Sighing, Lucius nodded and gave her a hug before leaving.

Watching her return to the school yard and to the class of 10-15 year olds, Lucius pulled out a note and began to pen a letter to his old friend. He then drew out a mechanical falcon from his pocket dimension, powered it up and sent it off to Aachen, where it should reach within 24 hours.

He hoped his trusted companion would arrive in time to prevent the disaster that was just waiting to occur.

* * * * * * * * * *

"Alright class, theory session is over. Take a 5 minute break, then line up at the practice field - we'll be having live sparring as usual." Their class teacher made the announcement, closing off the current session. He was short, about 150-155cm tall, and of a small build. He wore glasses and had a studious look, fitting his nickname of "Professor". Despite his young age of 37, he had already published numerous papers on the theories of mana, fate and divine power, gaining him much fame. As well as notoriety for the revolutionary, or as some would say, preposterous claims. Claims that triggered the erstwhile-neutral Senate to effectively banish him from Roam, assigning him to a small town in the allied Uro Theocracy as punishment.

The children in Pari attended classes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons, from about 1pm - 4pm. They usually began at the age of 10, and continued even as they apprenticed in their various professions or trades until the age of 15, where they would be considered an adult and left to fend for themselves.

Sam had been greeted by some familiar faces when she arrived for class; the most prominent being Lily and Reeve [ever shadowing Lily to make sure no scummy boys got too close to her]; Stella, Marie and Anais [making good friends with Lily and trying to talk to Reeve - who was rather taciturn]; and Bob with his gang of Rat, Stoner and Bow [who looked nothing like their nicknames]. There were a couple other children in class; but many more children of school-going age in town who did not attend school. As schooling was not compulsory, many would choose to dedicate themselves to their apprenticeships once enrolled.

During the break time, Sam sat by herself. She saw Lily surrounded by the other girls who normally didn't like her; and even now with her new identify as Samuel, they shunned her even more due to the rumours that she liked other boys.

And for the same reason, the boys stayed away from her too - even Bob, who would normally pick on the new kids without fail, avoided even meeting gazes with her.

Very quickly, the break was over and the Professor returned with a list in hand.

He started to announce pairings for sparring.

"...Bob and Martin - Bob, if you send another boy to the priests, I'll have you do cleaning for a whole month! Stella and Marie, be gentle alright? I know you're best enemies but please consider my position. And Samuel with Reeve. Any questions? If not, please begin."

With that, a simple sparring match had been set that would become the clash talked of all over Pari.