Chapter 13 Part 1
The Lich commands the Undead away from the anomalous spheroid as Christopher contemplates and analyses what he should do to stop the distortion.
"We need to find a way to prevent spatial oriented mana from being affected by this metal. It seems to consume it in a way." Christopher ponders.
The Lich returns, writing backwards on the air. It reads, "We could always blow it up."
"True enough, we could significantly weaken its effects by making a bunch of smaller pieces. But then we would need to collect said pieces. I don't think I have enough time for Tallifik's blessing to resist the distortion for Tari." Christopher says.
"Could we condense the object?" The Lich questions.
"That would only intensify the effects." Christopher says.
"Then what should we do?" Jasyn asks.
Christopher outstretches his arm and touches the object, pulling away sharply when the tip of his middle finger makes contact with it. He inspects his finger and gains a revelation.
"What did you discover from that, Highness?" Jill asks.
"Do you remember how I said that this thing is like a magnet for Spatial Mana?" Jill shakes her head. "Well, I think that may be the key to isolating the field surrounding this region."
"Do you mean, we need magnets?" The Lich asks.
"No. I got shocked with electricity when I touched it. And as any self respecting researcher should know, Electricity either has a positive, or negative charge, making it want to reach out and exchange with the opposite charge." The Lich withers slightly at the statement.
"So what 'charge' does this object have?" Jasyn asks.
"Most likely positive. We need to deaden the effects of the field with negatively charged electricity. I think that should get rid of the field, but should also keep the metal intact."
"Then our only hope of getting rid of this distortion its causing is the Lich. None of us know Energy Magic, at least not enough to cast Electricity Spells efficiently enough." Jill says.
"Yeah, I know a bit of Energy Magic." The Lich writes. "But I don't think I have enough mana to neutralise it."
Christopher motions for Jasyn to give the Lich something from the sac he's carrying. After a moment's hesitation, Jasyn reaches inside the bag and pulls out a perfect purple sphere, tossing it at the Lich.
"A Mana Crystal. It should be enough to do the job without you using any of your own mana." Christopher explains.
The Lich picks up the crystal from the ground inspecting it closely. "I know what a Mana Crystal is. Not one so flawless though."
"The tech was considered finished about thirty years ago." Christopher replies. "Can you get this done?"
"Sure. It may take a few hours though." The Lich says.
"I don't care if it takes all day. As long as you're done by sunrise, that will be enough. Do it properly, don't rush through it." Christopher advises.
The Lich steps towards the Gravanium, staring at it for a few seconds before looking back to Christopher with concern. "I'm not sure I know how to specifically make negative electricity."
Christopher sighs. "That's not technically how it works. But when you cast it should feel slightly lighter than it usually would. Like the pushback is lessened."
The Lich breathes out, exhaling some of their stress. They rub their hands together a few times in preparation. "Ok, lighter pushback. No idea how to do that, so I guess smaller tests before the real thing?"
"Like I said, take your time. As long as it's done by sunrise." Christopher repeats.
The Lich points his finger out into the air producing a 4 rune spell called Spark. Casting the spell produces a small ark of electricity. Its most common uses during that era…was torture.
"Okay, that felt, exactly the same." The Lich says with misgivings of the outcome.
"I think this might actually take a while." Christopher says with slight unease. "If only we had some tea."
"What if I replace this rune with a different one?" The Lich mutters. The resulting effect causes him to shock himself. "Not the expected outcome."
"That was the outcome I was expecting. By the gods, it might kill me seeing them doing this." Christopher mutters with dread. "I'm going to take a nap. If I don't wake up in three hours shake me." he continues, only to lie onto his side, facing away from the Lich.
Christopher rises from his slumber just as the sun starts to dip beneath the horizon. He sits up, rubbing the crust away from his eyes. "You still with me Tari?
(Narrator) I would have loved to have documented all of those Lich's experiments. But since I'm practically glued to your chest I was staring at hard rock for five hours.
"Five hours?! Why didn't anyone wake me up?" Christopher says with alarm.
(Narrator) I tried, we all did. You wouldn't wake up.
"I apologise, Your Highness. I did shake you. But instead of you waking up, Seph told us that you needed to sleep a little longer." Jill says, getting to a knee and bowing her head.
Christopher becomes visibly angry and begins cussing Sephicroth to high hell.
"Chrsitopher, you hadn't slept for days. I was making sure you actually got some decent rest. Yelling at me will accomplish nothing. You're essentially yelling at yourself." Sephicroth retorts.
"Considering you act more like a subconscious mind these days, I'm inclined to disagree." Christopher scoffs.
The sound of a thunderstrike in the background reminds Christopher what he had tasked to someone. "Putting that aside, how's the Lich's progress?"
"I'm not entirely sure. They got really excited about an hour ago, but it seems he's been back peddling ever since." Jill informs.
"C'mon seriously? He should at least know the correct runes. It's even in Magic 101, kids read that, all they got to do is alter the order, maybe add more circles." Christopher says with scorn.
Christopher gets off the blackened ground, looking for the Lich. He marches over, forgetting any royal etiquette he wanted to maintain. He slows down as he approaches, spotting dozens upon dozens of sketches and writings on previous experiments and their results along with some theories that not quite panned out as they hoped.
Christopher picks up some of the notes, skimming through them. "What's going on here?" he asks curiously
The Lich is on their hands and knees, scribbling away on another parchment. They swivel their head towards him with a delighted expression. "Oh! Your Highness, you're awake. I've made some fascinating discoveries. If you change some of the runes for electricity magic, it can give you some curious results."
"Yes, I'm aware. It's all been researched and documented thoroughly. Don't you think you're getting a little bit distracted here?" Christopher says.
"How do you mean? I'm attempting to find the answer to that negative charged electricity." The Lich asks, their smile disappearing from their face.
"It's way simpler than you're making it. You know how runes are a magical alphabet, right?" Christopher starts. The Lich interrupts with a resounding 'no' before he continues, drawing runes on one of the parchments. "Well, there is a rune that means 'minus' or 'negative' If you pair that with the rune for 'charge' you get…'negative charge'. All you really need to do is add that into the spells' circle or circles and you get negatively charged electricity."
Christopher looks up from his scribbles to see the Lich looking at the parchment slightly boss-eyed, his face completely expressionless. "Are you following me?"
The Lich snaps out of his daze and shakes his head in confusion. "Your handwriting is awful, I can't read any of this. It's like a pig took a shit on a wall and smeared it."
Christopher appears upset at the remark. "That's a bit harsh, dontcha think."
The Lich points out specific parts of the writings as he lists out all his mockery. "It's like a really shitty diagram of a bird's nest. Like if a cat would leave claw marks in polished wood. I've never seen something so unintelligible in all my years. How can you be a prodigy with writings that look like rabbit droppings mixed in with hay?!"
Christopher's expression changes from upset to offended. "I get it, ok? Just stop making nasty remarks about my handwriting." Christopher snaps his fingers and Jill appears beside him. "I do have a Thought Quill but not on hand. So Jill here will rewrite this and you will put it into practice."
"It's been a little while since I was given this task. It may take me a little while." Jill says, picking up the parchment.
Christopher walks back over to his beloved Jasyn, burying his face into his armoured chest. He unintentionally smacks his head into the armour, making him grunt out an ouch.
Jasyn places a hand on Christopher's head, scratching his scalp to soothe him. "Careful my love." he says softly.
"It's at times like these I really miss Sister Helga's stews. I just wish we have something other than slightly stale bread." Christopher groans, resting his rump on the stump of a burned down tree. He pulls apart the bread with his fingers, chowing down on the crumb.
"Once the Lich figures out how to get rid of the field, why don't we make some together?" Jasyn suggests, lifting his helm to eat.
Christopher looks up at him. "I'd like that." he says with a sombre smile.
An excited blair averts their attention. The Lich is seen with Jill in tow happily skipping, punching the air with glee.
Christopher gets up from his makeshift chair and adroitly walks towards the pair. "Finally, you seem to be in high spirits, Jill. Was there some good news to share?" He asks sternly.
"Mr. Iris finally put the negative charge into practice and got it right." Jill says, straightening herself with a cough.
"Iris?" Christopher asks quizzically.