(V1) I Know What You Did Last Isekai - Chapter 8

Kimberly had always considered herself a quick study.  She entered college with multiple credits already under her belt and could have graduated and gone into a career already.  Heather’s medical degree was still a year away, so Kim had gone for her Doctorate.  It also let her study several other fields that drew her interest if only to pad out her schedule.  None of that mattered now, but it wasn’t as though she lost all of that knowledge.  She just wasn’t sure how useful any of it would be in a world full of literal magic.

“And so the Creator declared it; all are created equal.  Be they man or woman, large or small, all within my creation are to be cherished.  Precious is the life of all, and all are to be protected.” 

Her pen moved quickly, taking notes as the young woman continued her reading.  Kim made her usual marks by the words she struggled with, and a few others were new enough to earn a secondary notation.  She was picking Acadian up faster than Spanish, and Kim grew up around that language.  At least it wasn’t too complicated.  The writing system was indeed phonetic, with each word reading exactly as it was spelled.  That was reassuring, because English was a total bitch about that.

It also lacked any sequence that read like a laugh track from a bad JRPG scene.  

“As you can see, the Creator is quite clear.  We are to be kind to one another,” the girl said, smiling brightly.  “So no being mean to others!” 

“Yes Bishop,” the children chorused. 

Well, it was the closest word she had in English.  The girl wasn’t a Pastor, but she was considered a ranking member of the clergy.  Such were the trappings of linguistic gymnastics.  It was a case of child and kid.  Sure, both could mean the same thing, but ‘kid’ held several other meanings on top of it.  From ‘kids on the lawn’ to ‘hey kids, wanna see a dead body’ all the way up to ‘kid’ being a baby goat. 

It could be frustrating, especially since she was pioneering the process and translations.  One downside she had learned of was that there were two systems of writing that she would need to learn in time.  The common tongue, and the language of magic itself.  Sigils as complex as any Chinese character numbered in the hundreds were necessary to manage spell casting or enchanting on any scale beyond a simple light or water runic array. 

But that would come in time.

“We finished early,” the girl said.  “Would anyone like to hear the story of the Hero?” 

The kids all cheered excitedly and Kim sighed.  The last three services she attended all went this way, and the kids ate it up.  Viola was currently presenting the message from the main pulpit, while Kim was sitting in with the children once more.  The words were simpler and easy to follow compared to the deeply archaic speech of the Holy Word. 

Having grown up listening to preaching from the good ol King James, there was a hint of nostalgia knowing that some things were staying the same.  Yet, it was also frustrating because the language had drifted considerably since then.  It wasn’t quite a completely different tongue, and the religion itself likely held some sway there, but it still proved tedious at times.

Even with the children’s version of the text.

“Let’s start with the Hero’s valiant charge against Lilim’s monsters,” the girl said, to many cheers from the children.  “A long time ago, a great evil rose to stand against the Creator.”  The children all jeered in unison.  “The Creator chose a mighty Hero from his people.  He then gifted the Hero and his companions powerful artifacts that would beat the dark magics of Lilim.” 

Regardless of how dumbed down things might be for the kids, it was still enlightening.  Learning the nature of the legends surrounding Lilim and the power she held was half the reason Kim attended these lessons.  Viola was essentially the Pope of the religion, or Pastor might be more accurate?  It wasn’t a perfect one to one in either way, but she was considered the head of the religion despite her age.

“Tell us how the Hero stopped the evil lady!” 

The young Bishop smiled.  “He didn’t do it alone.  We don’t know their names, and I think that was by design.  Anyone can be a hero.  Those who are kind already are in the eyes of the Creator.” 

“I’m gonna be a hero!”  

“No, it will be me!”

The bishop hid a chuckle.  “Why can’t it be all of you?” 

“That’s right!  We’re all heroes!” 

The kids cheered, jumping to their feet as they began to run about.  Kim began to organize her notes, making sure the ink had dried before shuffling them together.  There were plenty of notations to add to her pocket journal, but that could wait until she was back at Viola’s.

“I see you’re following the lesson better, Kimbree,” the girl said.  

That was another thing she had accepted.  Everyone knew her as Kimbree Li Dougal, and it was easier to just accept that was her name now than to try and convince an entire government body to use a slightly different pronunciation.  The similar name was still a mystery, but not one that was pressing.  No, that was figuring out the depths of the power that she inherited from whatever forces brought her to Arcadia.  The name of the city was a bit pretentious, but the place managed to live up to it.  

“My Acadian is improving,” Kimbree agreed.  “I struggle to read the Word, however.” 

“It is difficult even for the learned,” the Bishop said, her voice containing a note of pity that wasn’t welcome.  “I’m sure you will regain that skill in time.” 

“Right,” Kimbree said, standing.  “I’m going to sit in on the remainder of Maester Chandler’s sermon.  I’ll see you next week.” 

“Of course, Lady Dougal.” 

The halls of the Temple of the Creator as she now knew it to be called were quickly becoming familiar.  Kimbree opted to join Viola wherever she went, mostly for her own safety.  Viola had done her best to explain that some members of the Council wanted her gone and that she didn’t trust them to not try something underhanded.  

The Temple being an exception.  It was the one place Viola insisted was safe.  Because culturally, it was tantamount to barring oneself from ever seeing paradise or something.  Blood was never to be spilled at a site holy to the Creator.  

To someone who grew up on Earth, the idea of there being any place too sacred to spill blood was hilarious.  Her elementary school had an active shooter just a few short years ago for fuck’s sake.  Two kids were killed and nobody had batted an eye. 

Kimbree was happy to see that part of her old life firmly behind her.  Children were considered sacred and harming one outside of self-defense was a straight ticket to the bad place.  It was almost funny how agreeable the religion was to her own Earth sensibilities.  Really, children were people, and deserved to have some level of autonomy despite their parents wishes.  Her own life would have been much easier if she and Heather hadn’t needed to hide their relationship until they could move away.

Again the crushing depression settled over her like a wet blanket.  That loss wasn’t going away anytime soon, and might never truly fade.  It was strange, being the one that died and simultaneously the one that has to live without them.  

Another mural lined the hall that she had paused in.  This one depicted a different scene from the scriptures.  The Creator stood above all, wreathed in light so blinding as to be unidentifiable in all respects.  They chased the shadows away, banishing the dark.  Again, the Hero stood at the center, accepting a divine sword from the looming god.  Around him stood other figures just as indistinct.  The vague appearances had to be intentional, and it was surprising that none had ever appropriated their own likeness to pass off as the divine.  It had happened on Earth, yet not here. 

Another mystery among many that might never be solved.

With that tangent having served to banish the looming darkness within her own mind, she pressed on towards the thrum of magic that she could feel dancing along her skin.  Arriving at the main sanctum of the Temple, the booming voice of her only friend in this new world carried across the breeze wafting in through the opened windows.

Kimbree paused in the doorway, watching as Viola spoke with passion and amplified by an array built into the pulpit.  “These rift-breeches are indeed a cause for alarm, I do not fault your fears.  Know that they will not last, and that we will endure!” 

A resounding cheer filled the air and the sermon was dismissed.  Kimbree didn’t get to hear much, but a reassurance to the crowd wasn’t exactly the advanced scriptures she hoped to catch.  She’d missed her opportunity this week and that was frustrating. 

It didn’t mean she lost the chance to learn more of the language; far from it.  Viola would continue to work on her understanding of Acadian, and promised answers once her comprehension was better.  The big man from the council had approached Viola as he often did, their conversations a bit of posturing to show that the Maester is keeping the man responsible for the city informed and that he was passing things along to the Creator’s intercessor. 

Stepping up to the pair, Kimbree kept a respectful distance to give them the illusion of privacy.  Despite that, she still tried to follow along with the rapid conversation.  Something about another breach, but she couldn’t understand the details.

“Another Breach?” Kimbree asked. 

The big man turned.  “Her Acadian is improving.” 

“Of course it is, Cid,” Viola said with a chuckle.  “She’s got me as a teacher.” 

The man huffed.  “Vainglorious as always, Viola.” 

Figuring out that word had been a bitch and a half, but he seemed to use it almost fondly around Viola.  They clearly had some history, and a part of her wondered if they might be lovers.  The public displays were always kept professional for the most part.  Shoulder punches were the extent of affection shown between them.

Which was itself a bit odd, and more than a few people in the congregation gave them looks at such open camaraderie.  Then again, it wasn’t exactly a secret that Maester Viola was assisting with the Rifts as they appeared.  Kimbree just wished she knew enough to follow along with Viola’s theory crafting on how many more breaches would occur before the shield finally stabilized.  If nothing else, they were at least growing more infrequent.  The last one had been five days prior, which was already longer than the two previous. 

Knowing her luck, another would occur before nightfall. 

Yet, she wouldn’t let that ruin what promised to be an amazing day.  It was also the moment that her stomach decided to growl audibly.  Kimbree’s cheeks reddened as both turned at the same time.  Viola wore a smirk while General Manchester just shook his head.

“Feed your Ward before she withers,” he said.  “I’m going to remain on standby for the next rift.  I’ll see you there.” 

“Of course,” Viola said.  “Hopefully it doesn’t interrupt dinner.” 

Cid laughed.  “If it does, I’m sure we can hold on a few extra minutes for you to finish your meal.” 

“Then don’t complain when I order dessert,” Viola replied, getting an even deeper laugh from the man. 

He left with a wave and Viola smoothed out her robes.  “Give me a minute to change and we can head out.  I know you wanted to get some more writing supplies, but I think a proper meal is more pressing at the moment.” 

“Agreed,” Kimbree said just as her stomach rumbled again.  “Maybe skip the makeup this time?” 

Viola gasped, clutching at her chest.  “Rude.  You know full well I don’t wear anything of the sort.” 

Kimbree threw her friend a wink and moved towards the inner door with a spring in her step.  It wouldn’t do for the Maester to try and exit through the same space where nearly a thousand citizens were currently filing out of the building.  The Temple staff had their own private exit that came out a full level down. 

Because of course Viola had to be extra when she first took Kimbree to the Temple.

“The smudge under your eye says otherwise,” Kimbree retorted with a smirk. 

Viola’s hand was almost to her eyes when she paused, narrowing them in suspicion.  “You win this one.” 

“When don’t I?” Kimbree asked innocently. 

A month in Arcadia, of being friends with Viola, and it felt as natural as anything with her friends back on Earth ever had.  The only person that was closer was Heather, and that reminder sucked the levity right from her.  Viola didn’t miss it—the perceptive bitch—and wrapped an arm around her shoulder before the melancholy fully set in. 

The walk through town passed in a bit of a haze.  The sun was beginning to set over the city, casting warm hues over the light stonework that made up most of the buildings within the walls.  Viola picked a place that overlooked the city, something that proved popular with most of the citizens of the upper levels.  The view was truly magnificent, and despite the government buildings, it didn’t cast a deep shadow over too much of the city until the sun was well and truly low in the sky.

Kimbree knew that she could deepen those shadows, or even expel them completely with the power that thrummed right beneath her skin at all times.  Playing with the various intensity of nearby shadows was almost a hobby at this point.  Or a nervous tic.  It scratched the ADHD need to constantly fiddle with something. 

“Not too obvious,” Viola said with a chuckle.  “Keep it subtle otherwise you’ll have people screaming about a second coming again.” 

“That would be a lot funnier back in my world,” Kimbree said, rolling her eyes. 

“Right, that guy who got nailed,” Viola said.  “I’d say your religions are funny, what with that one that has an elephant person, or the turtle thing?  Then again, ours is probably just as weird to you, isn’t it?” 

Shrugging, Kimbree took a sip of tea.  “I mean, I think every civilization comes up with fantastical tales to explain events that happened.  There’s enough flood myths in my world that there had to be some common cause there, and our scientists have a few theories on that, but you get the picture.” 

“Fair enough,” Viola said with a smirk.  “Just be careful who you say something like that to.  Some people get horribly defensive if you suggest their life’s devotion is a lie.” 

A stuck out tongue was Kimbree’s answer and Viola rolled her eyes.  It was good that she wasn’t one of those stuck up assholes about it, because Kimbree didn’t have the patience to pretend she believed.  Her academic interest helped preserve the illusion well enough that most didn’t bother with probing questions.

Viola’s eyes followed the flickering shadows as they danced around the railing, a hint of amusement in her eyes as food was delivered.  Steam wafted off the soup and was carried off by the evening breeze.  A plate of toasted bread joined the bowls as Kimbree dug in.  The flavors were once again a completely new combination to what she knew back on Earth, and experiencing them was a delight. 

Finding small joys in this new world was essential to keeping her mind from spiraling down dark paths.  Her Acadian was at the point that she could follow children’s books and little more, but that was enough to spur her interest.  The primer on basic magic theory especially.  Getting back to that book was one of the things she looked forward to the most. 

There was a section on mana density that she wanted to take another look at.  The theory was interesting enough and it was supposed to be important for spell formations.  The mana density was also part of why Rift-breaches happened in the first place outside of shield cities like Arcadia.  Just more in an ever expanding pile of things that Kimbree needed to study if she was going to wrap her head around this new world. 

Another round of dishes was brought out, this some sort of roasted fish with vegetables.  At least the flavor profile of fish was similar to what she knew, even if the spices were completely different.  

“Still no spices you recognize?” Viola asked. 

“Close, but nothing quite the same,” Kimbree confirmed.  “My world had thousands of years of selective breeding go into the spice trade, along with almost all forms of domesticated animals for that matter.”  She paused, running a finger along the plate before licking it clean.  “Basically, if it could be eaten, we refined it considerably from whatever it might have been in the wild.” 

“That’s impressive,” Viola admitted.  “Our world might have ended up in a similar place if not for the Sundering.” 

Lilim’s banishment. 

Whatever the mages did to make sure her soul was forever lost had damaged the fabric of the world.  “And nobody has figured out a potential solution to the rifts since then?” 

“Not for a lack of trying,” Viola said.  “That’s actually one of the driving forces for the Cult of Lilim.  They think that bringing her soul back might repair the damage.  Do you see the flaw in that logic?” 

Kimbree nodded.  “Can’t stitch a tear by making another one.” 

“Exactly,” Viola said, grinding the word out.  “They’re all morons and I hate that we can’t just address the threat they pose.”

Well, if the thought of that wasn’t terrifying.  Religious persecution was a slippery slope that Kimbree didn’t want to get caught up in, especially with the suspicions leveled against her.  As if sensing the tension, Viola dropped the subject and they focused on their meal.  Dessert was a simple cup of fruit and cream, which was quite refreshing after the fish. 

Viola looked off towards the city that now sat deep in the shadow of the plateau and sighed.  “I’ll admit, I half expected the next Rift to open just as the fish arrived.” 

“My money was on dessert,” Kimbree said. 

Viola held up a finger and shook it.  “Nope, not with Cid being willing to wait for me before cracking the portal.  Main dish meant I would have to rush it and not savor anything, then you get my dessert.” 

“Well darn,” Kimbree said with a wide grin.

Viola flipped her off.  Some gestures were just universal and Kimbree was thankful for that.  The Maester paid for the meal, because Kimbree still didn’t have her own money as of yet aside from what Viola gave her.  Unfortunately, that wouldn’t be changing anytime soon given her still lacking abilities with Acadian. 

Maybe she could help at one of the cafes near Viola’s home… 

The air pressure twisted and warped, sending a shiver up Kimbree’s spine as she turned and looked off into the distance where space itself was distorting.  The area was a small patch of green near one of the schools along the second wall.  The unfortunate tree caught in the epicenter shattered into a thousand splinters as the dark ball of distorted reality snapped and stabilized into an orb that sat firmly on the ground and reached a good dozen feet into the air.

“Well, I suppose that’s my cue,” Viola said.  “We’ll head down there and wait until the rest of Cid’s team arrives.  You’ll be safe with them while we clear it out.” 

Kimbree was already following along, wishing she could do more to help.  “Got it, same as before.” 

“You’ll get your chance,” Viola said, breaking out in a near sprint. 

Perhaps, but that didn’t change the guilt she felt at being so helpless.