EG Monster Island Chapter 6

**** AUTHORS NOTE ******

I just got in the author copies of Mana Daemons, so let me know if you want to purchase signed copies! I'll be messaging y'all that already let me know in the next day or two to coordinate. 

***** AUTHORS NOTE *****

Farah led me into a room I hadn’t seen before. The same chair that Ambassador Saf’Ir used on my last tattoo dominated the space, while a dozen shelves littered the wall. The shelves were covered in bottles of various colored inks, pills, or powders. Two stools sat off to the side next to a chalkboard. Ambassador Saf’Ir sat on one, his back to me as he wrote. “Ah, Aiden, good. You are the last one. Have a seat,” he gestured at the tattoo chair as he turned around. “You will be receiving three tattoos today, so there are some choices to make.” He pointed at the board. “I can connect the last of your gathering meridians together, improving their efficacy even more. With your projection meridians, I can either give enhancement tattoos to improve techniques of a few types of Aether, or projection tattoos to improve your control at a longer distance. You can also get tattoos that provide a technique when Aether is channeled through them.”

He listed some techniques, all of which I could eventually learn without the crutch of a tattoo anyway. “Wait, three tattoos?”

“Your princess bargained for another for everyone. I am impressed with the generosity of your teams.”

“That’s awesome. Thanks. Uh, can you improve Affinity?” I asked.

“There are ways, but not with the ingredients and equipment I have on me. You would only be able to pick one Aether, and it would use up both possible tattoos on the front of your torso. I can improve your gathering speed, though only by a small amount.”

“Okay, I guess. Any recommendations for me?”

“Linking your gathering meridians will improve your already impressive Aether endurance by a significant amount. You are strong, but so are many other of the competitors. Few to none, though, will be able to outlast you. In the same manner, I can provide a technique tattoo that produces a healing effect, reducing bleeding and blunting pain. Although, a projection tattoo will let you manipulate Aether nearly fifty percent farther than you already can. Librarian Narwan mentioned that you were beginning to learn area techniques. Hmm, there are many options.”

“Uh, let me think. I’ll definitely go with the gathering meridian linking,” I said.

“Then lie down and I will get started on that while you think.” I flipped over, debating internally what I wanted. I didn’t have much time, though, as only thirty seconds passed before a needle shot into the back of my neck. All of my muscles stopped responding to my commands. More stabs followed. I couldn’t cry out, even if I wanted to. Which I did. Ow, ow, ow, I chanted internally, losing track of my thoughts. Finally, fifteen minutes later or so, it was done. Farah retrieved a jar of ointment from one of the walls and massaged it into my aching back, and then the needle in my neck was removed.

I immediately flopped over, almost falling off the chair. “What was that?”

“Your friends are all busy, so I had to immobilize you somehow,” Ambassador Saf’Ir said. “A small amount of Aether right at the base of your neck can paralyze all voluntary muscle reactions while letting you continue to breathe. It probably will not be necessary for the next tattoo. Have you decided?”

“Uh, yeah,” I said, quickly deciding to go with my gut. “Projection tattoo on my left arm. Lightning, Air, Fire enhancement tattoo on my right arm.”

“The best defense is a good offense? Heh, okay. You may be able to earn more tattoos anyway. Hold your arms still,” he moved over to a shelf and began to pull bottles off it. He sprinkled some powder over my left arm, then sketched out a vaguely Celtic pattern that extended around it from my elbow to my wrist. The projection meridian was very near the surface of my arm, so this one didn’t hurt quite as much as the gathering meridian. Watching him was impressive. He moved almost as fast as Librarian Narwan, leaving blurred trails in my eyesight as he drew and sculpted the image into my arm.

My right arm was even more awesome. The tattoo was of a Crimson Zarorzel with streaks of lightning flowing between its wings. “Thank you,” I stammered to him, admiring his work.

“Thank you for appreciating my art,” Ambassador Saf’Ir said. “And for allowing Farah to watch. She is studying to become an artist.”

“It was my pleasure,” I started to get up from the chair. I was dizzy for a second, then shook it off. “But I think I’m going to go lay down.”

“Let me or Master Narwan know if you still feel unwell in a few hours,” he said.

“Here, I will help you to your room,” Farah hopped over to me, pulling my left arm over her shoulder.

I accepted her support, and we limped down the stairs to my room. No one else was in, so I just collapsed into bed and passed out for a nap.

I woke to Jon shaking my shoulder. “So, what did you get?” he asked excitedly. I held up my arms and told him my choices. “Neat. I got two enhancement tattoos, one more focused on Ice and another on Air. I have been practicing for a bit, and it is awesome! I can hold the Frozen Wasteland Technique for almost twice as long, and it reaches almost half-again as far from me.”

“That’s awesome,” I said, then split my face with a yawn. “Why’d you wake me up?”

“Oh, right. Librarian Narwan wants to meet,” he said sheepishly. “Sorry, was excited about the tattoos. Thanks again.”

“Hey, that’s what teams are for,” I said, hopping up. “Lead on.” I followed him out of our room. Turning into the hallway, I nearly ran into Aleks. “Oh, hi. I didn’t know you’d bargained for another tattoo for us all.”

She jumped, then blushed, “Yeah. I should have done that earlier. I honestly did not think of it until you did.”

“No, not at all. Ming expressed a desire to pay me back, so I’m sure he’d be interested in assisting you as well.”

“I talked to him already. He said that Ambassador Saf’Ir would not let him buy another tattoo for all of us,” she shrugged. “Guess we will have to earn them in the tournament.”

“A competition, then, to see who gets the greatest reward?” I arched my eyebrow at her.

“Well, yeah? Is that not the whole point of the tournament?” She retorted, and Hanna giggled at me.

I frowned at both girls, then shrugged, “Yup. Has anyone heard what the prizes are?”

“Not a thing,” Jon said. “And I’ve been pestering Librarian Narwan and Ambassador Saf’Ir about it. They won’t tell me.”

“That is because it will be announced on the first day of the tournament,” Librarian Narwan thundered from behind him. “Now move it, we only have a few days until we reach Monster Island, and I will have you ready.” He herded us through the hallway into the largest workroom. The tables had all been removed, and tiny tables were in their place. Each table was barely a foot off the ground, and had a small cushion underneath it. The tables were arranged in a circle, surrounding a large Formation plate.

“Sit,” Librarian Narwan commanded. “The Foundation Firming pill is not something I originally planned for you all to take. Mostly due to the rarity of the ingredients. However, the high level Blotto Cattail and other plants discovered on your foray into the Zaboj Swamp, along with two materials from Captain Svik’s personal stash and a lucky find by Zimnodlot gave me enough to make those twelve doses. My gift to you is the rest of this ceremony.” He sent out a pulse of Aether.

Knight Kaminski, Farah, and five other sailors filed into the room. Farah and the other Ashkhas were each holding two trays. On each tray were three tea cups. Knight Kaminski held a single large tray that held three bowls and a large hot water pot. When I looked closer, I saw that each bowl had a pour spout on it. The sailors set the trays on the tables in front of us. I looked closely at the cups. They were set into small divots in the tray, so they wouldn’t slide around. One was straight ahead of me, with another to my left and right. The two to the side were twice the size of the one in front.

“This is a ceremony from a group of peoples who no longer exist,” Librarian Narwan said, sadness echoing in his voice. “We hold this to honor what came before us, to experience what currently is, and to seek peace in what the future holds.” He gestured at Knight Kaminski.

She bowed to him, and then pulled out a powder and dumped it into the first bowl. A rich fragrance of tea, citrus, and chamomile filled the air. She slowly poured steaming water into the bowl and whisked the powder and water together.

Librarian Narwan took the bowl from her, and carefully poured a small measure into the cup on Aleks’s left. He continued around the circle, serving each of us in turn. “Take your tea in both hands, lifting it to your face, and inhale deeply, breathing in the scent. Remember where you came from, what you have learned and faced in your past that shaped who you are.”

I followed his directions. The scent changed from citrus to mildew. I opened my eyes to see the bunkroom in the orphanage I grew up in. I was standing in front of my bed, looking on with hopeful eyes as a couple walked in. Miss Angelica, one of our caregivers, was speaking to them quietly. Three other kids, all younger than me, looked on with expectation and desire. Miguel, the youngest at five, was called over to talk to the prospective parents. My vision blurred and it was three hours later. All the other kids had had a chance to play and interact with the adults, but not me. Miss Anglica finally came over and sat next to me. “I’m sorry, Caleb. They decided to adopt Maria.”

“It’s okay, ma’am. Maria was only three and she’ll be so much happier in a home,” I said, forcing a smile onto my face. “I can be here for the other kids.”

She hugged me tight, “I’ll always be here for you.”

I opened my eyes again, tears leaking out their corners. I looked to my side to see Jamila with a giant smile on her face, while Lea was openly sobbing. Everyone had a different reaction to the tea. “Drink up. Small sips only,” Librarian Narwan directed once everyone had regained control of their composure. I took a sip, and my tongue tried to shrivel at the sour taste. Then the richness of chamomile mellowed it out, and I took another. The tea grew on me, and I quickly took another drink. Each sip, I noticed, seemed to slice the edges of pain off my memory, and the dozens like it, smoothing the bite they took and helping me to see the happiness I had, and the new life I’d gained from my choices.

We sipped quietly on the tea, focusing on the feeling of nostalgia and contentment it provided, for at least ten minutes. “You have all witnessed one scene from your past that shaped you. Whether painful or happy, you are who you are because of it, and many others. Remember who you are, but know that your future is not set only by your past. Your present, your friends and compatriots around you now, will also change you.”

Knight Kaminski pulled another packet out and started to mix it into the second bowl. A strong black tea smell filled the room, and I felt like the caffeine in it was already affecting me. The tea was served in the tiny cup, only enough for a few sips in total. “Now, breathe in this tea and drink.”

I inhaled, and energy seemed to zap from the cup into my brain. It then spread, and I could feel what those around me felt. “Think of the tournament,” Knight Kaminski said. Determination flowed through the air, followed by pride and hunger. Pride in what we accomplished. Pride in making it this far. The hunger to prove oneself, to grow stronger and show the world what you could do. I looked over at Vaya, and affection rose in my heart, then communicated out to everyone else. I blushed, looking down at my table. I focused my feelings and thoughts on more neutral things. We can do this, power through and win the tournament. There will be more, though. This is just the next step. We will all have so much farther to go. I looked at my friends and focused on the feeling of starting out on a long journey, walking side by side.

“Together,” Hannah said suddenly. “We will win, together.”

“Yup, first through third place,” Jon agreed. “We are first though.”

Bridget smacked the back of his head, “No getting arrogant.” Everyone laughed, then sipped the tea at Librarian Narwan’s command.

That same feeling of connection deepened, and then faded. “Now you know where you all stand with each other. This tournament is just the start of your journey. Walk in unison, and you will go far,” Librarian Narwan said. “Past and present. Peace and connectedness. Now we move on to the future, and hope.”

Knight Kaminski served us all again. This tea smelled of berries and sunshine. I pulled it to my face and breathed in. I stood on a mountain top, looking down at a swarm of red goblins from the dungeon. With a gesture, lightning slammed down from the sky, annihilating them all. Then I was standing in front of the King, bowing as he named me Count Kupiec. Another vision had me kneeling in front of an altar, Jamila and Vaya by either side in beautiful gowns. More visions flew by as I drank the tea, with victory and rewards shown over and over again. Finally, I collapsed backwards onto pillows that had been laid out.

“Welcome back,” Librarian Narwan said. I struggled back to a seated position. The others were similarly getting up. “No one knows where the visions come from. I believe they are a manifestation of your greatest desires, as almost none of the last visions I saw came true. Whether true visions of the future or just hopes, know that you can achieve much. Be at peace.”  He fell silent.

I focused on myself for a second, realizing tension I hadn’t noticed was gone from my back and neck. I felt relaxed, hopeful, and full of peace. Jamila reached out and grabbed my hand. I gave hers a quick squeeze, then took Vaya’s. We enjoyed the moment, before Knight Kaminski said, “Now that you have achieved a calm and peaceful state of mind, it is time to take the Foundation Firming Pill. Librarian Narwan crafted these, using ingredients from Captain Svik, Captain Alborz, my own stash, and his personal store of rare herbs. Do not waste this opportunity.”

“We won’t, ma’am,” I said, and the others echoed me.

Librarian Narwan stood and placed eight Cores on a Formation plate, which promptly glowed. Aether shot out of the Cores, rebounding off the Inscriptions covering the walls, and filled the room. Once it reached a much higher density, the Formation turned off. Eight more Cores were placed nearby, “There are twelve of you. I had just enough to make one pill for each, with two left over. Once you take the first pills, I will determine who needs the second the most. Now, processing these will be among the most unpleasant experiences of your life, and taking a second is worse for half the benefit. So you may refuse the second pill.” Yeah, right, I laughed internally, only to get cuffed on the back of my head. I didn’t even see him move. “The pill works by increasing the pliability of your Aether Pool, then expanding and strengthening your meridians and your center, and then reinforcing your life meridian a second time. As the pill’s effects travel, you must push to expand your Pools and hold against the expansion of your meridians as best you can. The less they expand, the more they strengthen. Pull in Aether from the room as the pill works to supplement and expound upon its effects.”

Twelve pills floated out of his hand, and shot from him to us in an instant. I quickly grabbed mine, nodded to Ming in challenge, and gulped it down. Immediately, burning fire exploded from my mouth and stomach, searing its way into my center. I grabbed it with mental hands and tried to force it along, but it wouldn’t listen. Just gotta endure for now, I growled, then the pill’s Aether shot out of the stomach meridian and into my Aether Pool. In my mind’s eye, I saw the Aether in the Pool begin to boil, soaking into the sides. “Expand your Pools!” I vaguely heard the shout, before flexing my gathering technique to pull more Aether in. The Pool was starting to run dry, all the Aether boiled off into a gas to fuel the pill. I grabbed as much as I could, forcing it against the sides and pushing.

I gasped in pain as my Pool increased in size. My mental grip slipped for a second, letting the Aether flood back into the center causing a wave to hit my Core. Light, that hurt! I thought, reasserting my hold on the Aether and stretching my center even more. My Pool was nearly empty, but I was able to keep filling it at just about the right rate. Over and over again, I stretched the sides before dropping Aether into the Pool, pulling as much out of the air as I could, until finally, the feeling of boiling stopped.

I sighed in relief, only to groan as the pill’s energy shot into my meridians, pushing against the sides and stretching them wider than the mental finger thickness they were currently. With gritted teeth, I crushed the meridians back to their starting places. Reaching ahead of the pill made my heart pound and my consciousness fade. More Aether poured into me, and my grip didn’t waver this time. Everything outside of my body was something to worry about later, and only my meridians mattered.

I’m not sure how much time passed before the pill’s energy flowed back into my center, my mental capacity nearly exhausted. I couldn’t even muster up enough energy to worry about my friends. My focus was only on the pill and what it was doing. Aether continued to flow into me, my gathering technique running in the background of my mind. Whatever had managed to get stored in my Pool while the pill was working on my meridians immediately evaporated. The gaseous Aether was absorbed into the upper portion of my center, and I worked on expanding it to match the lower.

The pain was muted by the same focus that left me unable to see outside myself, and more time passed. Once the top matched the bottom, the last of the pill’s energy flowed into my life meridian, enveloping my heart, lungs, throat, and brain with a last coating of Aether that caused the meridian’s walls to triple in thickness. All of the pain faded, and my awareness snapped back into place. Sweat dripped off my brow, I was breathing way too fast, and every part of me ached.

My eyes shot open to find Librarian Narwan moving a fourth Lightning Core into its place on the Formation. “Ah, good, you are done. You are the last to finish,” he said, before plucking all the partially depleted Cores off the Formation plate. “Who do you think should get the other two pills?” He held out a glass of water to me.

“Uh, I don’t know, sir,” I said, before gulping down the water. “If we all processed okay, probably Jamila and Lea, as they have the least amount of advantages of all of us. The others are all either nobles, with the extra resources that came with it, or have the weird Seed Core.”

“Hmm, I agree. Every one of you possessed enough determination to take full advantage of the pill. Now, go rest. You need to sleep.”

“Yes sir,” I said, yawning. I stumbled out of the room and to my door. It opened onto a room full of snoring, and I collapsed into my bed to add my own to the melody.