by Ian Rodgers
This emergence was almost identical to a Druid’s Green Path ability, yet those who saw it felt the wrongness surrounding the disguised man. Fear washed through the people in the square, and they scattered, stepping into alleys or buildings to get out of the way of the silver-masked man.
He strode through the streets, eyes locked on the local Adventurer’s Guild building. A bell chimed as he pushed the door open and he stepped inside. The interior was filled with adventurers, and they all tensed as he approached.
“I recently found an unusual item, and I wish to have it appraised,” the masked figure declared. He withdrew a golden ring, inscribed with pictograms, and held it in the palm of his right hand as he showed it off to the room. Though on edge, the adventurers’ curiosity was piqued. Gold was gold, after all.
“Do you have an Adventurer’s Badge?” a secretary behind a desk asked after swallowing down her apprehension. The man in the hooded black robe shook his head.
“Well, we do have an appraisal service for a fee,” she continued slowly. “For a single piece of jewelry, the price would be five copper coins.”
The man held out his left hand, and revealed a small, silver coin in it. He then walked over and placed the two items on the desk in front of the Guild’s secretary.
“Keep the change,” the man said, and now that he was closer, the people in the Guild’s lobby could see that his mask bore an etched image of a tree with six branches and roots.
A few of the novice adventurers relaxed. A Druid, then, if he was wearing the symbol of Gaea, the Four-Faced Goddess of Nature, on his person. So what if his aura was a little out of whack?
The veteran adventurers remained on guard, though. Gaea’s symbol only had the tree and six branches. Why this man had included the roots on the design was unknown to them, but based on the unclean, greasy feeling the man gave off, none of them were willing to relax in his presence.
As the adventurers watched the black robed man, the secretary was busy using a magical tool, shaped like a magnifying glass, to examine and appraise the gold ring. Her breath hitched, and she looked up in shock at the man who’d held it.
“Th-this is a pure gold ring,” she stammered, “easily worth ten, or even twenty gold coins. B-but the pictograms on it… this is a ceremonial ring that is worn exclusively by the Dragon Priests of the Lizardfolk! Where did you get it?!”
“So, you’re saying this item would be easily recognized as such?” the man asked, ignoring the clerk’s inquiry.
“Yes! But that’s not the point! Tensions are already high between us and the lizards! If they find out someone sold this ring, a holy treasure belonging to their temples, they’d be furious! Not to mention they’d demand it to be returned, and the identity of the person who found it!”
The woman’s panicked words carried across the entire hall, and the adventurers started to reach for weapons, or gather mana for spells.
The man in black, however, merely laughed. “Perfect!”
The desk exploded as thick, stake-like roots tore through it, impaling the secretary, killing her instantly.
A roar of anger rose up from the adventurers, and they charged toward the silver masked man, only to be attacked themselves by dozens of roots, thorny vines, and the buildings themselves as the wooden beams and furniture creaked and cracked and shattered into splintering bombs.
All across the town of Ryegrid, screams rose up from the inhabitants as the trees and plants around them started to die, only to come to life, and tear themselves out of the ground and attack anyone nearby. Buildings turned into death traps as the wood inside them rebelled, and even the arrows and spears used by the local guards and the adventurers turned on their previous owners.
Blood spilled, soaking into the dirt and floors. Bones cracked and splintered, littering the ground. Flesh tore, releasing the precious life sealed within. Screams turned into gurgles, and then deathly silence.
An hour later, the Root of the World Rebellion stepped out of the Adventurer’s Guild building, leaving behind red footprints. He walked back to the tree he had emerged from, and the corruption in the air and earth flowed into him. Trees and plants rearranged themselves to their former state. Buildings whined and groaned as their timbers shivered and returned to their architectural form, no longer appearing as lethal weapons or twisted ruins.
He stepped into the tree, which proceeded to crumble into dust once he was gone. And the Apostle of the Void left behind naught but obliteration and carnage. Ryegrid festered under the hot noon sun.
And inside the ruined mess of the Adventurer’s Guild lobby, buried beneath blood and splinters, lay a golden ring, waiting to be found.
Chapter 12: Body building
I tossed and turned. Wiggled and writhed. And then I burst free from the dread confines of my prison! My massive, gelatinous bulk crushed the wooden walls and I rose, triumphant!
“And that is how you escape from a barrel!” I exclaimed from amongst a pile of battered planks that had once been an old barrel. Scattered, squishy applause came my way, along with a few whoops and cheers.
I was showing off the myriad things I could do with my body to the younger Soul Oozes of Haven. Besides basic spells and the assortment of interesting healing substances I secreted, I had displayed my ability to grow multiple pseudopods, as well as alternating my size (though admittedly the latter skill was due to me storing my excess mass inside my Dimensional Pocket).
Most of my tricks were useless to the Soul Oozes, though. They had a completely different biology compared to mine. As such, only the minor spells that used little mana and a few ways to mold the shape of their bodies ended up being helpful. Still, it had been fun showing off, and the adults all appreciated that I took the time to play with the children.
“Great job, Jellik! You’re surprisingly good with children!” Katherine said with a smile, clapping alongside the rest of the audience.
“What do you mean by that?” I asked, indignantly. “I’ll have you know I have managed to keep up with Rosa for over three years!”
The Carbuncle in question took offense to my claim and flew over, then proceeded to pummel me with her tiny fists. It didn’t hurt at all, and I ignored her righteous anger as I focused on the dwarf thief.
“Alright, that’s true. I suppose you are used to dealing with people very similar to rowdy children,” Katherine acquiesced with a chuckle, holding her hands out in defeat.
“By the way,” the only non-slime based lifeform of the village continued, her tone turning serious, “Valen sent me to fetch you. He’s back with the last of the stuff you wanted.”
“They’re alchemical reagents and materials for a potent ritual. Not just ‘stuff,’” I said. She rolled her eyes and led me to the town hall, where several crates and sacks full of purchased goods were stacked in a spare room.
“So, I managed to procure all the items you wanted, and in the specified amounts,” Valen said, turning to me as Katherine and I entered the room. “But what on Erafore do you need so much lye, phosphorus, ammonia, iron shavings, and coal for?”
“All that and more are just some of the basic ingredients for making a human body,” I said, examining the materials closely. “There are other things we need, but they are easily gathered and obtained, like water. These are the more complex and hard to get items.”
“A human body?” Katherine gasped.
“Or any living creature made of carbon,” I added after a moment of consultation with Tara. “But yes, these are the fundamental building blocks of an organic body. Minus the soul and mind, of course.”
“How does all of this make a body?” Valen asked incredulously, giving the contains skeptical looks. “Also, why are you crafting one?”
“Our bodies are made of all this stuff. Finely blended and bounded through advanced alchemical reactions, of course. Alchemists, Healers, and Biomancers have known the composition of organic vessels for decades now,” I explained. “As for why I am going to try and make o
ne, well, it’s a long and strange story.”
“We have time,” Katherine said, leaning against the doorframe. I shrugged.
‘Tara? Do you mind if they know?’
~No, it’ll come out sooner or later. Especially if you succeed,~ the Spirit of Knowledge said.
“Long story short, I accidentally granted a mind to a magical, book sorting monolith. She lives in my head, gives me answers to questions, and helps me and Rosa out with the more intellectual side of things,” I revealed.
There was a long, disbelieving pause, and then Katherine let out a heavy sigh and dragged her palms across her face.
“Of course, that’s the reason. How silly of me not to have guessed that to be the answer,” she uttered in a deadpan tone.
“Alright, fine. Voice inside your head wants a body and you’re making her one. Stretching the imagination somewhat, but I’m a talking, humanoid Ooze, so why not?” Valen stated after a moment. “But what about the other, more magical items you asked for?”
He pointed at some other crates and I slid over to them, peering inside and checking on them. “Ah. Well, see, the ritual for creating the body is based off of an advanced formula for creating Homunculi, which are magical flesh-constructs used as Familiars among high-ranked Alchemists. This version of the ritual is designed for creating an empty vessel so more magically potent entities can dwell within them indefinitely. But, some of the ingredients for it are rare and expensive, so I’m going to experiment with substitutes for a few of them.”
“For instance, this Snake Hair Grass is going to be the substitute for the scales of a draconic creature, while the chalk and flint will be used in place of the bones of a Sovereign Whale. And these magically infused gems? I don’t have the time or resources to venture into the Elemental Planes to fetch Firestar Rubies, Drowned Soul Pearls, or the essence of spectral entities.”
“Sounds like this ritual is rather complex. And potentially dangerous. Where exactly do you plan on performing it?” Valen inquired pointedly.
“Don’t get your slime in a knot, I’m not reckless, so I’m not going to be performing the tests and ritual inside Haven. I scouted out a nice, isolated cave a mile or so away. Throw up some magic blocking wards and defenses, and nothing bad should happen.”
“Please make sure that it doesn’t go wrong or cause problems. We’re finally making headway with our town, and our neighbors. Some of them don’t even mind we’re sapient Oozes!” Valen exclaimed. I glanced at him, surprised.
“They know?”
“Yes. The traders and I have been going around the other villages and settlements wearing only hooded robes to hide ourselves, and not putting on our illusions as well. Some of the people seem wary of us, yes, but others are welcoming. Especially the multi-species settlements, like Clover Patch, which has dwarves, elves, and even Ursine living together with humans!” Valen said, joy in his voice. “Many were suspicious at first, but they are starting to welcome us! Of course, they think we’re native to Drakon and not colonists like they are. But, baby steps.”
“I’m glad for you,” I said, honest in my joy. Yet I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy. I guess having a permanent humanoid appearance made all the difference when it came to integrating with people.
I pushed it down, deep, deep into the depths of my mind. It was not the time for getting emotional! Instead, it was time to perform an esoteric ritual that toed the line between legal and having ones’ magic permanently sealed for daring to tread upon the realm of the gods!
So, yeah, bit of a need for a calm and collected head. Or core. Or mind. Or whatever it was I used!
I shook myself, purple gelatin jiggling, and I slid over to the numerous containers and swallowed them up into my Dimensional Pocket. After a quick check to make sure I had everything needed, I gave a bob of my body in thanks towards Valen and Katherine.
“If you need me, I’ll be in my cave, setting up the ritual. If I’m not back by sundown, don’t worry. But if I don’t show up after three days, please send someone to look for me,” I instructed, and the duo nodded.
“We won’t let you down!” Katherine said, snapping a mock salute my way.
“Indeed, we’ll make sure you are undisturbed. And I do hope you’ll introduce us to this mysterious voice in your head soon,” Valen agreed, placing a hand over his core where it rested in his chest.
I’d noticed that the Soul Oozes tended to use this gesture as a sign of respect. It was their way to show respect.
I gave the pair one last appreciating look before rolling out of the room. I made my way out of Haven, and headed towards the secret spot only Katherine, Valen, Rosa, and I knew of. It’s not that I didn’t trust Pallo, Sistia, or the other Soul Oozes, but it was better for everyone that the fewer people who knew where I was performing the ritual, the better.
Once outside of town, I morphed into something that resembled a rotund purple centipede, but with squishy stumpy pseudopods for legs. In this form I scurried quickly over the landscape, skittering over and around rocks, logs, and other obstacles until I reached the cave which was situated an hour and a half away from Haven.
It was honestly more of a depression in the side of a hill that extended downwards than an actual cave. It offered very little defense against the elements, and if it rained the water would roll down, soaking the ground and making the minimal protection ultimately useless.
That is, until Rosa and I got our hands on it. We kept the outside looking the same, so no one would suspect anything was different, but using our combined might and Earth magic we burrowed into the hillside and created our own little cavern hideaway.
‘Rosa, how goes the preparations?’
(They’re going great! I cleared away the space we need and already drew the magic array according to Tara’s instructions!)
‘Very good!’ I praised her over the mental link. ‘I’ll be there shortly.’
(Okay!)
After confirming everything was ready, I picked up speed, and arrived at the cave only slightly tired.
(You’re back! Welcome home!) Rosa cheered as I turned back into my spherical shape and entered the cave.
“Yes, I’m back! Tara, was Rosa a good helper girl?”
~She was a fine helper. She listened closely, and has fine coordination when it comes to drawing,~ Tara confirmed, also heaping praise on the Ruby Carbuncle. ~There was a bit of trouble at the start since our connection via telepathy was based around our proximity to you, but we worked it out.~
Rosa’s gem flashed hot pink as she rubbed the back of her head sheepishly.
(Aw, shucks, you two!)
“Really, Rosa, you’ve been a big help. We couldn’t have done this without you,” I said, reaching out with a tendril and patting her on the head. She giggled and flew over to rest atop me as I observed the area where we would conduct the experiments and ritual.
A wide-open space, ten square feet wide and seven feet high, had been completely flattened and smoothed. The ordinary packed dirt floor and walls were almost marble-like in their smoothness thanks to Rosa’s magic.
Dominating the center of the chamber was an absurdly intricate magical array. Instead of the usual circle used for the outline, it was an octagon, representing the Eight Elements of Magic. At each of the eight points of the octagon was a special indentation surrounded by runes that was just the right size for a magically infused jewel. The rest of the array was composed of geometric shapes, mostly triangles for stability, but also dodecahedrons and trapezoids for the more advanced occult energy that would be channeled. At the very center of the magical array was an outline of a five-foot five-inch humanoid body drawn in a mix of pig, goat, and horse blood. Inside the outline, runic script detailed the various functions of the human body.
This had been the trickiest part of the magical array by far. One had to accurately write out how the body functioned so that the runes would tell the alchemically made flesh how to work, how the heart pumped blood through
the body, how the liver processed toxins, how muscles flexed when used… all of this and more had to be painstakingly transcribed. One mistake could end up creating a body that didn’t know how to breath, or had atrophied internal organs.
The fact that Engram Edelhart, creator of the ritual, had figured all of this out on his own before modern magic and science had discovered how the human body worked was a testament to his title as the ‘Father of Alchemy,’ and his status as the founder of the Alchemist’s Circle and the only X-ranked Alchemist to ever exist.
I gave the set-up an approving look, and took a deep breath. Metaphorically speaking. “Now, let’s get this started!”
I emptied out my Dimensional Pocket, plopping down the assortments of goods needed for the ritual. I sorted all of the ingredients out, measuring the amounts carefully and placing them safely to the side before putting the rest back into storage. I had bought a lot of materials, enough for about five adult sized bodies to be formed from the Divine Flesh Descent ritual. I had a feeling I would mess up a few times, as this was a very complicated procedure, so having extra supplies made sense.
It was time to begin the set up. First, I gathered up the solid components and powdered them finely before mixing them together in a copper basin filled with exactly one and a half gallons of purified water. The resulting mixture was a thick, greyish paste. It was unimaginatively named ‘human batter’ in the Edelhart Grimoire. Thanks to the minor magical items inside, a tiny bit of mana flowed sluggishly through the goop, throbbing and pulsing almost like a heartbeat.
With exaggerated delicateness I lifted the goop out with a glass spoon and placed it in the center of the premade magical array, making sure it all stayed inside the outline of the body. After every last drop of the human batter was spooned out of the copper basin I placed the magically infused gems into their respective slots on the outside of the octagon. Each gem had been carefully infused with a tiny bit of Elemental Mana, and then soaked in blood that had been impregnated with mana from each one of the Eight Elements. I suspected Katherine and Valen got these specially made gems from the Dark Guild. As for where the Dark Guild had gotten them, I wasn’t about to ask.
