Finn sat there, trying to process what he was seeing. Could the warriors cast spells? That didn’t seem right. If their affinity was high enough to cast, wouldn’t the Mage Guild have recruited them? Or maybe they had, and they had been traded to the Fighter Guild? However, Finn didn’t see any evidence of the small star tattoo that indicated their induction to the Mage Guild, so that didn’t seem likely.
None of that did anything to explain the color of the mana either. The tendrils had taken on a rainbow hue, representing all six affinities. Did that imply that they didn’t have a specific affinity? Or that they had several?
“He’s charging his weapon,” Kalisha’s voice broke Finn out of his trance.
Finn glanced at her and saw she was looking toward Malik, following his gaze. “What do you mean?”
The merchant’s mouth pinched into a thin line. “The fighters can’t cast spells. Those recruited into their ranks typically lack the affinity needed to be a mage or the fascination with crafting and tradecraft needed to be a merchant. They are blunt force instruments, training their bodies to withstand pain and wield their weapons with devastating proficiency.”
“Yet he seems to be channeling mana,” Kyyle observed.
Kalisha nodded. “I’m not a mage, of course, but as I understand it, even someone with low affinities still has mana. And those affinities often exist in a rough balance. When channeled, they take on that multi-colored hue. I’ve heard other mages refer to it as raw mana,” she offered, gesturing at Malik. “That allows them to… well, I guess you’ll see for yourself.”
As though on cue, the warrior stopped his channeling, rising from his perch and holding the blade in his hand. With a few quick steps, he approached a nearby pillar of stone. His arm snapped forward in a blur of motion, the blade arcing through the air. Finn didn’t see the metal connect, only a faint flash of yellow energy, and then a line was carved in the stone pillar, slicing deeply into the rock.
Malik moved again, his body flowing through a rapid series of swipes and cuts in a fluid rhythm. What was most terrifying was the man’s speed and precision. Each stroke split the stone, slicing through the same exact spot. Within only a few seconds, a deep furrow had been carved into the pillar, only a faint cloud of dust drifting through the air.
Finn’s thoughts were whirling as he tried to process what he was seeing. How was this possible? Suddenly, he recalled the gems he had seen the mages use to create their scoreboards – the same crystals Kalisha used to power her Mechanids and that Finn had seen used to harvest mana from that woman who had undergone the purge.
“His weapon must have mana crystals embedded in it,” Finn said quietly. His eyes shot back to Kalisha. “He’s charging those crystals with his raw mana and then activating the gems with each strike.”
The merchant’s eyes sparkled appreciatively. “The rumors of your intelligence certainly weren’t misplaced,” she observed. “The warriors are trained to use every aspect of their body, including their ambient mana. The Merchant Guild supplies specially crafted weapons in exchange for their assistance and protection.”
She waved at Malik. “Those weapons are then doled out to the warriors based on their rank and performance. The quality between weapons can vary a lot – depending on the crafter, weapon type, crystal quality, crystal type, etc. The master-tier weapons can do extraordinary things…” Kalisha trailed off, watching Malik.
The fighter had returned to a neutral stance and carefully settled his blades on a nearby stone. He then removed his tunic, letting the night air cool the sheen of sweat on his skin – skin that was riddled with intricate black tattoos that spiraled up both arms and curled around his torso like tree rings.
“That’s the second source of the fighters’ power,” Kalisha continued, gesturing at the tattoos. “Those wards are inscribed by mages and tap into the body’s natural mana. That allows the fighters to enhance their physical strength and speed during battle.”
Finn had seen wards inscribed into walls and objects, symbols that enhanced the durability of stone or locked the gates to the Mage Guild. However, he hadn’t realized that they could be tattooed onto a person’s body. He suddenly wondered if his own tattoos came with any innate gifts. If so, Abbad certainly hadn’t mentioned it.
Although the fighters’ wards had another interesting implication.
“So, the merchants and mages are actually responsible for a large part of the fighters’ strength,” Finn murmured softly to himself, still watching Malik. He couldn’t help but recall Abbad’s explanation. It seemed that the Emir had created a delicate balance of power among the three guilds, forcing these relationships that undermined each guild’s strength and made them reliant upon the others.
Finn shared a look with both Kyyle and Julia. Even without speaking, he could feel their tacit agreement. The fighter group might be far more formidable than they had expected. With other mages, they could recognize the requisite incantations or gestures of a spell and how long it took them to cast. However, the fighters’ abilities were all instantaneous and would depend in large part on their weapons and tattoos, making any anticipation of their attacks or abilities difficult.
As Malik returned to recharging his weapons, the group’s conversation moved on. Yet Finn’s attention kept returning to Kalisha and her companions. If the fighters had hidden talents and powers, what sort of secrets did the merchants keep? He had seen Kalisha’s Mechanids already, and she had mentioned “weapon systems.” What exactly did that entail?
He had a feeling he was going to regret finding out, especially with his bargain with the Seer hanging in the balance.
And yet, Finn couldn’t help but feel a hint of excitement. He had begun to grow somewhat complacent among the mages, as though he had reached a ceiling. Almost all of his duels ended one way. He wondered how he would fare against tougher opponents.
He supposed he would get a chance to find out before this competition was over.
***
Nearly an hour later, Kalisha and her companions decided to retire for the evening. They excused themselves before crawling into their respective tents, the fighters soon following their lead.
“Well, this looks like a good time to take a break,” Julia said, stretching her arms as she watched the merchants walk away.
“I think I might sign off for a bit too,” Kyyle added, glancing at his UI in the corner of his vision. Finn could only assume he was checking the real-world time.
“Alright, I’ll stay here for a while longer,” Finn replied, his thoughts distant.
Julia glanced at the nearby tents and then turned her scowl on him. “Or you could log out. You know, eat… sleep… That mundane stuff that keeps you alive.”
Kyyle barked out a soft laugh at that. “Uh, are we talking about the same guy?”
Finn held up his hands defensively while shooting a glare at the earth mage. “I will. I promise. There’s just something I want to do first.”
“Uh-huh,” Julia replied, staring at him skeptically. Yet as he maintained his innocent expression, she eventually let out a resigned sigh and pawed at the air to bring up her system menu.
Finn’s companions soon vanished in a flash of multi-colored energy, leaving him alone. Despite the events of the day – sand gliding beetles, desert camps, threats of death or attack from all sides, and a litany of magical weapons and tattoos – his thoughts kept returning to one thing.
He looked at his pack, where it rested beside him, Bilel’s journal sitting on top.
He had some reading to do.
Chapter 10 - Enhanced
Bilel’s Journal - Entry 6
Despite poor records and haphazard experimentation, our guild has developed several different forms of mana manipulation over the centuries. For example, our crafting incorporates crystals imbued with mana, using those energies to power various weapons, armor, and equipment.
Of particular note is the art of “warding,” which involves inscribing a person’s s
kin with Veridian runes and various symbols. We have long observed that this process allows the use of spell-like abilities without the requisite incantation or gestures. The cost of using these tattoos can place an extreme toll on the user’s body and drains mana exceptionally fast. However, since warding circumvents the usual spellcasting process, it is possible that this art may provide some insight into the nature of mana.
Unfortunately, information on exactly how warding works is scarce, and I have resolved to study this discipline further. Perhaps Renquist can help me obtain access to the crafting ward and find a suitable mentor for my studies.
***
Finn stood on a stone ledge, his eyes taking in the dark desert that spanned out before him, the sweeping dunes illuminated by soft moonlight. Now that the sun had set, a brisk cool wind blew across the sands, whipping at his robes and leaving goosebumps along any uncovered patches of skin. It was incredible how quickly the temperature could change in just a few hours. And how realistic that change felt…
He had found this secluded spot after a few minutes of navigating the stone pillars that dotted the rock island, guided by the glowing substance that coated their surface. Finn had been confused when he had first seen the shimmering pillars. At least, until he drew a finger across the rock, and it came away covered in sticky algae. As he had passed the makeshift pen for the beetles, he had seen them scraping the substance off the rocks with their mandibles.
It seemed some creatures had adapted to survive out here in this wasteland.
Now he stood staring out at the sands. Alone.
Finn had wanted to put some distance between himself and the others. While Kalisha had seemed friendly – perhaps suspiciously so – he didn’t want to be observed for what he planned to do next. He’d also taken pains to ensure that Vanessa had logged off. He suspected her anger and wounded pride might lead her to try something stupid.
“Daniel,” Finn said quietly.
The AI flashed into existence, a harsh ball of flame that cast shadows off the nearby pillars and caused the algae that coated the rock to shrink back into darkness. “Uh, yes, sir?” Daniel replied, his voice wavering uncertainly as he took in the dark desert sands.
Finn responded to the AI’s unspoken question. “We’ve traveled north of Lahab and are camping in this stone outcropping.” He gestured behind him in the direction where the others were camped. “The guards and other champions are back that way. I need you to keep watch for me while I study this journal,” he explained, hefting the book in one hand. “Shout a warning if you see anyone approaching.”
“Certainly, sir,” Daniel replied, bobbing in place. Then the ball of flame shot off toward the rocks behind Finn, his flickering form circling between and among the boulders and columns as he wound a circuitous path.
Finn settled down, sitting cross-legged on the stone facing the desert. With gentle fingers, he eased open the cover of the tome in his lap. He had been riveted by Bilel’s story and notes during their journey that day and was anxious to continue reading. When he had last left off, the mage had switched his focus, beginning to investigate other forms of mana manipulation. Perhaps that examination would offer some insight into the warding process, particularly now that Finn would be facing Malik and his group.
His eyes dropped to the pages, soon skimming across the flowing handwriting and losing track of time as he devoured the mage’s notes and descriptions.
Bilel did indeed focus his efforts on studying the process of warding. His investigation lasted for months, and the mage pursued his studies with feverish focus and dedication. He examined the patterns that the mages etched on to each other’s skin, providing tracings and detailed accounts of his research. Based on his descriptions, the process seemed more art than science – magical painters drawing upon a living canvas. However, true to form, Bilel detected patterns in that process, mechanical rules that could be replicated.
Yet even with those observations, the mage soon hit a wall in his understanding. It was clear that certain symbols or patterns inscribed onto a person’s body allowed them to effectively channel mana and cast spells without the requisite incantations or hand gestures. The mage had been able to repeat this process many times and even had some success at creating new designs.
But why did they work?
And more importantly, how could Bilel discover that explanation?
The subsequent passages mostly expressed the mage’s frustration. He was limited to observing only the effects of the wards, with little or no insight into how the process worked. No matter what experiment he attempted, he reached yet another dead end. What Bilel needed was some way to see how the mana fluctuated within a person’s body – the way it twisted and spun its way through a spell or an inscribed pattern.
If he was going to fully understand magic, then Bilel needed a way to observe it.
And so, his objective shifted. The mage gave up on attempting to understand warding and instead focused on utilizing the craft to create something new – a way for a mage to openly observe the mana in the world around him.
Finn’s eyes abruptly snapped up to the horizon.
He could sympathize with the mage’s frustration, and his goal made sense. But more than that, the prospect of being able to see mana…
It was intriguing. That sort of ability had more far-reaching consequences than simply studying the art of warding. It might even help Finn unlock the formula for creating new spells.
Was Bilel successful? That question echoed through Finn’s mind.
He could feel his own mana surging through his veins, crackling and simmering with excited anticipation as his eyes dropped back to the book in his lap. He failed to resist the incessant pull of his own mana – failed to resist the urge to skim ahead and to quiet the questions that boiled in the back of his mind. His fingers betrayed him, flipping at the pages until he found what he was looking for…
I have done it.
After months of study and experimentation, I believe I have discovered a ward that will allow the user to sense mana. Not through flimsy crystals or by trial and error, but with their own eyes.
Despite my dismissive tone above, an intensive study of mana crystals was in fact, what led me to my breakthrough. I realize that may sound strange since the use of crystals and warding are typically viewed as separate crafts. However, to understand how I have accomplished this discovery, we must first understand how crystals absorb and retain mana…
Neutral gems hold mana, which makes them useful for storage as well as small-scale mana detection. For example, our bodies exude trace amounts of mana. So, a crystal placed in a mage’s hand will naturally absorb the spellcaster’s ambient mana, changing color to reflect his or her dominant affinity. This is often helpful for testing younger mages. Similarly, crafters often use these gems to sense the innate affinity of certain materials.
However, crystals alone were insufficient for my purpose. While they detect ambient mana, they provide little insight into the “flow” of that energy. At first, I thought I was grasping at straws – searching for anything that might assist me in my goal. At least, until I observed that crystals will absorb mana of any affinity. In fact, crystals may be the only substance we have discovered with this property.
For example, sand, when put to the flame, will melt and form glass. Dirt and water may form mud, and, when heated, harden into clay. These examples indicate that most substances cannot “absorb” a specific type of mana without “transforming” their underlying nature. And yet a crystal can. It can accept the outside energy, hold it, and trap it.
Which led me to an intriguing question. What is it about crystals that grants this property? The short answer? Their structure.
With the assistance of a light mage, I was able to observe the composition of these gems more closely – starting with basic light refraction and moving on to a minute examination of their structure. What I discovered was that the crystals all had a similar symmetric hexagonal formatio
n, creating repeating six-sided structures that were stacked on top of one another.
My hypothesis was that it was this structure that made the crystals capable of absorbing all six specific types of mana. If that observation was correct, then this structure – when converted into a ward – might also enable a person to do the same, allowing their eyes to absorb ambient mana and thus to detect or “see” that energy.
To test this theory, I resolved to use the same pattern to create a new ward, one that might be able to enable the user to observe mana itself.
Finn read hungrily as Bilel proceeded to launch into a detailed explanation of those new experiments. The mage had started with some sort of monkey-like creature, inscribing different designs in the skin beside the creatures’ eyes and then running a series of tests. He would then place the animals in a pitch-black room and attempt to strike them with various mana-infused crystals. The creatures that reacted or avoided the crystals helped him fine-tune the design.
At which point, Bilel moved on to human tests…
Finn’s eyes flitted down the page, reviewing the list of instructions that Bilel had left. He had drawn his final ward, a product of months of experimentation. It was a hexagonal design with overlapping panes, mimicking the structure of a crystal. Beside that image was a list of the steps necessary to inscribe the ward.
Finn chewed on his lip as he reviewed the instructions.
I think… I think I could duplicate this, he thought to himself.
Inscribing the ward appeared more complicated than normal, requiring the subject to expel their own mana from their body, hold it suspended during the inscription, and then channel that energy back into themselves – a feat that Finn hadn’t attempted before. However, the pattern itself was relatively simple, perhaps taking only a few minutes to inscribe the design beside each eye.
Awaken Online- Flame Page 10
