Mana Mutation Menace (Journey to Chaos Book 3)

by Brian Wilkerson

  Locking the door to his bridge house, he skipped up the stairs and an arrow pierced his skull and lodged in his brain.

  Holy chaos, that hurts!

  Despite the agony, it was not lethal. He pulled it out and the hole mended itself. Even the pain was brief. More arrows followed the first and they too pierced him, but they didn't kill him. Eric searched nearby windows and rooftops but didn't spot anyone. The arrows stopped coming, so he assumed they gave up.

  You can't kill an immortal, but why'd they want to kill me in the first place?

  Grey Dengel appeared. You have enemies besides Order.

  "Oh, hey, Grey Dengel. Where've you been? I haven't seen you since the soul mate talk."

  Grey Dengel sighed. I am not the real Dengel. I am little more than your imaginary friend. My absences are yours to explain.

  "I suppose my enemies are Gruffle, but he works for Nulso, who works for Order. I suppose Dengel-fans or those objecting to Medical Mana Mutation might have something against me, but worth killing me over?”

  No one else attacked him on his way to the Dragon’s Lair. Nor did he see anyone from his team. Someone else was in the lobby instead. Ever since Eric's first day, Mia never once failed to greet him, but today, she didn't even notice the door's ding. The young man leaning on her desk had her full attention.

  Prince Lunas looked directly into her eyes and moved his hand discretely at his waist. Eric’s Magic Sight couldn't detect any magic or ordercraft, but he knew the prince was up to something. The ribbons holding Mia's hair in pigtails contained protective wards and they wouldn't be glowing if Lunas were harmless. Only by chance did her eyes wander away.

  "Happy Torch Day, Eric," she said dreamily. "Prince Lunas is wonderful company."

  The handsome boy gazed upon Eric and his eyes focused like a falcon spotting prey.

  "Eric Watley, I presume?"

  Eat him! "Yeah, that's me," Eric said as he shook the guy's hand. "And you are?"

  He locked eyes with Eric. "Lunas Latrot. Pleased to meet you and happy Torch Day."

  A wave of feelings entered Eric's mind. Warm and comforting, they wrapped around him like the coils of a snake. He felt confidence in Lunas' ability to do whatever he said he could and trust in that he would do what he said he would. He felt like doing A+ rank missions for free if it would help achieve whatever noble goal the prince put his heroic heart towards. He also felt bullshit because he knew how artificial it all was. After his possession by Dengel, mana mutation scrambling his mind, and his recent encounter with mind control by Nulso, he could tell when someone was poking in there.

  "Do you have a mission for us, Your Highness?"

  "No. I came to announce my own mission.”

  “What would that be, Your Highness?”

  “To become your friend."

  The feelings bounced around Eric’s head like the lyrics of a catchy song. The repetition was becoming annoying.

  "Really? You wish to be friends with a humble mercenary?"

  "I may be a crown prince but between of the two of us, you are the celebrity. You are the Trickster's Choice, the Landlord of Dengel, and the Modern Demon. I've heard much about you, but I wish to know you personally.”

  Mist gathered inside Eric's mind and a light shined on Lunas. Both attempted to obscure his thinking and suppress his reasoning. Eric scattered and darkened them with ease. His Razor Spirit increased his awareness of such trickery and boosted his resistance.

  "In that case...There’s only one way to become aquatinted with a mercenary." Eric stepped towards a door and gestured inwards. "Why don't we have a friendly spar?"

  Lunas held up his hands. "I'm no warrior. A professional like you would tear me apart."

  "Don't be so modest. I hear the prince has a profound spirit and masterful skill with a sword." His eyes slitted. "I'd like to see it for myself."

  Lunas assumed a thoughtful pose. "Perhaps I could...” He turned his mesmerizing eyes and charming smile on Mia. “…If a certain lady would grant me a kiss upon my victory."

  Mia giggled and nodded. "I'd be happy to offer you the same, Eric."

  "I'm taken!” If he thought about it, he would consider it.

  "By whom?" Lunas asked.

  Eric glowered. "Follow me, Your Highness."

  Lunas didn't move. "A guessing game! Did you meet her at school? Did you study together? Did you rescue her from an orc?"

  Eric felt a chill and his body prepared itself for combat. Threat…

  Lunas smiled slyly. "The only way it could be more romantic is if she were his abused maid and you slew the beast to protect her chastity."

  Eric drew one hand behind his back because it was transforming against his will.

  "Shall we duel, Your Highness?"

  Lunas held up one hand to ask for more time.

  "Give me a second to remember. It was such big news; the daughter of Dnnac Ledo's ambassador and Mana Mutation Researcher rescued from an orc by The Trickster's Choice. It's remarkable that you killed an orc for her. She must be a special lady to you.”

  THREAT! Eric breathed a calming breath to dismiss the killing instinct.

  "I express only honest admiration, Eric. I did not mean to offend you."

  Despite his best efforts, his right hand transformed, followed by his left. "I take a focusing breath before fights that I look forward to."

  Lunas didn’t react to either change. "Then let's not waste any more time."

  They entered the courtyard to see Raki and Aegis dueling again. As always, it ended with Raki's swords flying out of her hands and Aegis pinning her to the ground, but there were fresh cuts on Aegis' clothing and he was more out of breath than usual.

  "That was amazing," Lunas said.

  He made eye contact with Raki and she blushed like a schoolgirl. It increased in size and strength of color when he kissed her hand.

  "If my own guards were half as skilled and lovely as you are, then I would be both the safest and luckiest prince on the continent."

  Raki looked away bashfully. "Oh, stop...I'm not that good."

  Eric had never seen her act this way before. Nor had he seen her so taken with anyone other than the lieutenant.

  "I'd like to see more if you don't mind. Perhaps a fight against Eric?"

  "Oh sure. I spar with him all the time. Now's as good a time as any."

  "I thought I would duel you, Your Highness."

  "I thought this room would be empty, Eric, instead of occupied by this deadly angel."

  Raki giggled and made doe eyes at Lunas. Then she took a fighting stance and her eyes became a tiger’s. She struck without warning and Eric was instantly put on the defensive. Raki struck fast, strong, and without mercy; three times, he blocked a shot at a vital point. While he debated using grendel power, she passed his defenses and stabbed him in the heart.

  Just like with the arrows earlier that morning, it hurt like abyss. Also like the arrows, the damage quickly repaired itself. He exploited Raki's confusion to place his crystal blade against her neck. Both Aegis and Raki herself were too shocked at what happened to declare the duel. Lunas, by contrast, was not.

  "Grendel biology," Eric said in anticipation of the question. "I just look human."

  "If that is the case, then Miss Raki is even more amazing than I first thought."

  Lunas closed the distance between them and grasped her hand once more.

  "Might she do me the honor of joining my personal guard?”

  Raki’s face was flushed, her eyes glazed, and her feet unsteady. Smiling widely, she said, “I’d lov—” Aegis slid his shield between their faces and Raki shook her head. "I can’t. I have training and Bladi duties and I still have to take this old man's title from him."

  Lunas made eye contact with Aegis. "My apologies. I didn't mean to overstep my boundaries. I understand you're only trying to protect her."

  Aegis' eyes unfocused. "Yes, she's a reckless girl."

  "There's nothing wrong with energy and dr
ive, but it has to be structured so she doesn't hurt herself. That's what you're doing, right?"

  "Yes. She has the potential to surpass the captain of our squad." Raki beamed proudly. "For now, she's too young and immature." Raki glared harshly.

  "That's why you protect her with your shields."

  Aegis nodded. His stance was loose and his head droopy.

  "That one on your left. Did you enchant it?"

  "No. It's the Chaos Shield."

  "Wow! I hear it has abilities that border on chaoscraft."

  "Those are legends, but a sufficiently skilled user can indeed draw out tremendous power that is influenced by chaotic energy."

  "Such a legendary weapon must be a family heirloom."

  "It is."

  "Then you will give it to your children one day."

  "Yes, I plan to."

  "I'm sure they will work hard to prove themselves worthy of it. No doubt, they will see it in their defense or that of your wife."

  He wriggled his eyebrows at Raki and she was reduced to more blushing and stuttered denials and other lovesick behavior. It made Eric’s skin crawl. Terminating the threat was sounding more and more reasonable by the second.

  "You would do anything to protect them, wouldn't you?"

  "Absolutely."

  "Even above your shield?"

  "What good is an heirloom without heirs?"

  "Indeed! Well said!"

  All of a sudden, Lunas' manner changed from affable friend to cunning trapper. The switch startled even Eric, who knew him for a snake. He held out his hand and demanded, "Then give me the dangerous item on your left arm."

  Aegis unbuckled the shield, slid it off his arm, and placed it in Lunas' hand. He did all this with little reluctance. Raki covered her mouth in horror. It glowed dimly in Lunas’ grasp and burned him where it made contact, but his expression didn't change nor did he break eye contact.

  "I'll hang on to this and make sure no one is hurt by it. Now please admire Raki."

  Again, he obeyed and this time without any reluctance at all. Raki herself was so surprised and too busy enjoying/protesting that she was as distracted as Aegis himself. Lunas turned the shield on Eric and said, "I did not bring a weapon because I did not expect a duel. Will this do?"

  A spear wielded by the Trickster's Choice against a shield wielded by the Ordercraft Prince. One would think Tasio arranged it...

  Eric pulled his staff out and assumed a battle stance. "It will do fine."

  He moved into a thrust and Lunas blocked. He struck left and right and Lunas parried each time. He put more strength into his strikes, but he couldn’t budge Lunas; his skill with a shield pushed his strength aside each time. Then Eric feinted for the prince's eyes and stepped forward into a swing with the butt that swiped Lunas off his feet. His head hit the ground and the crystal blade nicked his ear.

  "Again, Your Highness?"

  Eric offered a hand to help him up, and when Lunas grabbed it, he shifted it into a grendel's. For just a moment, there was instinctive fear in his eyes. They faced each other and again Lunas took the defensive by standing still and blocking attacks. Then he took the initiative. By deflecting a blow and stepping closer, he set himself up for a punch to the nose. Eric stumbled and Lunas shoved him with the shield. Eric lost his footing and Lunas dropped the pointed end of the shield between his legs.

  "Again, Trickster's Choice?"

  Lunas offered a hand to help him up, and when Eric grabbed it, a second hand reached out; a ghostly parasitic one like Nulso’s. For just a moment, there was instinctive fear in his eyes. The invisible feelers probed his mind and spirit. If he hadn't fought off such attacks from Nulso, he wouldn't have noticed at all.

  Their dance continued and, this time, neither gained an advantage. The chaotic mercenary struck with many and diverse attacks, but all failed to break his opponent’s guard. The lawful prince repelled every attack, infiltrated his opponent’s mind, and physically counterattacked when possible, but he failed to break his opponent’s will.

  If he wants in so badly...I'll open the door and welcome him.

  Eric unfurled his spirit just enough for Lunas to sense his monster madness. It permeated his sense of self so finely it was easy to hide in public. It was also easy to give eavesdroppers flashes of what he hid in private.

  A monster’s mind is unfathomably chaotic and savage, frightful for anyone. Someone like Lunas would fear it all the more for his lack of experience. Once he was sufficiently on edge, Eric struck him with the Right Arm of the Grendel. Lunas blocked with the shield, but the force of the blow traveled through it and knocked him off his feet and a yard backward. Lunas lowered the shield and revealed himself as fresh as a daisy.

  "Mr. Watley, you didn't tell me it was going to be that kind of duel."

  A grey-white fog gleamed within him and the shield blazed golden-brown. Lunas grounded himself and fired a shot of chaotic energy. Eric dodged and the shot vaporized part of the wall behind him. Lunas fired again, Eric dodged again, and another section of wall disappeared. These weren’t just holes; they were voids. Eric half-expected eldritch beings from beyond time to crawl through them.

  Lunas fired a third time and Eric dodged into the path of the fourth. He grendel-jumped to avoid it and kicked off the air to avoid the fifth. I have to end this now!

  He was too far away for Grendel strength or mage staff and he knew from practice that the shield would absorb any spell he threw its way, and that was if Lunas' own power didn't dispel it first. There was no doubt that he was sharper than Gruffle, so the dust cloud trick wouldn’t work...

  “He's amazing..." Raki swooned. Her hands were clasped at her chest and her eyes gazed adoringly.

  "I didn't expect an ordercrafter prince to be so talented with chaotic weaponry," Aegis agreed. Between the approving tone of voice, the hand on his waist, and the way he gestured with the other, one would think he was praising his own son. “Truly, he is a masterful warrior.”

  How can he maintain control without eye contact? Eye contact!

  He caught the prince’s gaze and poured forth his new and improved Evil Eye. This was not the sorrow and hatred of a young human man, but a monster’s killer instinct. This was the Universal Dread.

  Mr. 15 didn’t assault him or Kasile with personal problems because those were limited. Someone with a lack of empathy could easily block its power. The simple and naked desire to kill someone was, in a spiritual sense, un-blockable. There was nothing personal about it; like a force of nature. That was what made it so scary.

  The prince froze long enough for Eric to close the distance and grab the shield. It burned his skin, but he grit his teeth and wrenched it from Lunas' grasp. Once in his possession, it pulsed a wave of energy through the room.

  Aegis shook his head and asked, "Eric, what are you doing with my shield? Didn't I…?”

  He trailed off when he saw the holes in reality. Without a word, he yanked the Chaos Shield from Eric and fired a quick succession of shots into each one. The last void filled just as a red-eyed thing pushed its presence into the world. The fragment dropped to the ground and Aegis crushed it with the shield’s hammer end. Then he flared the shield’s power to vaporize it and sprinkled glowing dust across a square foot area of the fragment. Finally, he recited a prayer in a language none of them understood. Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief.

  “My, my, it is a dangerous item,” Lunas remarked.

  Aegis stood to his full height and looked down on him. “Boy, if you did not have diplomatic immunity, I would vaporize you where you stand.”

  Lunas smiled easily. “Then it’s a good thing I have diplomatic immunity.”

  Without turning his back on the prince, Aegis addressed Raki. “You're getting better; almost had me this time. How about we get some ice cream?"

  "Really!? I mean, why would I get ice cream with you?"

  "Because I'm paying for it."

  “Fine. If you insist."

  As she
marched professionally to Aegis’ side, it was painfully obvious that she was trying hard not to skip in happiness. The two of them left the lair, one substantially happier than the other. Lunas again offered his hand to Eric.

  "Can we be friends now?"

  Eric shook it. "We can be more than acquaintances."

  He tried to crush Lunas’ while Lunas tried to wither Eric’s.

  "Good. I look forward to getting to know you better. Perhaps over breakfast?"

  Lunas led the way through the caverns and passages of the mountain. He walked unerringly to the mess hall. It creeped Eric out that this prince knew his guild better than he did. Then he remembered the video Kallen showed him; he’d been here before when he begged for assistance from the guild’s leadership.

  "Mia taught me how to navigate. She's such a friendly and energetic girl one would never guess how lonely she is when the lobby is empty."

  "You seem to have a way with girls," Eric said, barely keeping the grendel out of his voice, "such as my receptionist and my queen."

  "Tabloids would have you believe so, but it is not the case. She gave me the cold shoulder when I arrived and that is also the case today."

  Fascinating. Ordercrafters cannot lie, but if I didn't know better, I'd think he meant a solid span of time instead of a beginning and end without mentioning the middle.

  With a joking air, Lunas continued, "Even if her armored watch dog weren't puppy-guarding her, I would gain little ground beyond a reverential kiss on her hand.”

  Good job, Siron!

  "We love our queen. Do you have such adoration back home or do you brainwash everyone instead?"

  Lunas chuckled warmly. "My father provides the people of Latrot with peaceful and happy lives. At the end of the day, isn't that every benevolent ruler’s goal?"

  Lunas pushed open the double doors and greeted everyone there. They all stopped what they were doing and returned the greeting. Some even shook his hand as he made his way to the buffet. He didn't have to say a word to announce his presence. It was as if an aura enthralled everyone around him. The only one unaffected was Eric.