Chapter 287: Alternates_Millennial Mage

Chapter 287: Alternates

 Tid on her back on the slope, tears streaming from her eyes, across her jaw, and down her neck.

 Talis memories now her memories, were fresh in her mind.

 She could feel the bones broken under Talis fists. She could see the hurt her words had brought as she lorded her position over the lessers of the House of Blood.

 If the Eskau were the siege engines of a major House, the candidates were the street level enforcers. T had done her best to not dwell on those parts of Talis time, but they were there.

 T had undoubtedly killed far more than Tali had, but Tali was responsible for more direct suffering.

 She found herself huffing augh. What sort of justification is that? I may have killed people, but she made them cry!

 -A self-defensive one.- ts tone was soft.

 Yeah T knew what shed done. Shed killed dozens, maybe hundreds directly. Probably dozens.

 -Do you want me to count?-

 Absolutely not.

 It was nearly sunset, and even though it had taken but a moment to relive Talis memoriesintegrating them into herself and dissolving that personality foreverit had taken hours to work through the emotional fallout.

 It was obvious why Tali had been so devoted to Be-thric.

 Hed been good to her.

 T had known that, but there was a difference between knowing a thing and experiencing it herself.

 Still, that obviously didnt offset what he had done, not even a little.

 There was a certain sadness, however, in seeing what might have been, even if there was no realistic way it could havee to pass.

 I need to get out of my own head.

 -Yeah. That would be good.-

 T really wanted to spar, but she couldnt.

 Huh would that work?

 -Oh, you think a lot of me, dont you yeah, I think I can make it work.-

 T felt herself grin with hope in the possible distraction. With a simple mental flex, she was sitting just to the side of her training circle, beside her sanctum home.

 She rxed her control over her aura, letting it extend to fill the whole surrounding area.

 She was now of a power density that simply being within her aura would be incredibly ufortable for a mundane. It might even be damaging to them, if they lingered, though T still wasnt clear exactly how it would be damaging.

 Within her extended aura, she moved two bloodstars to hover within the sparring ring, as if they were in the ce of the heads of twobatants.

 -Who do you want to fight?-

 Who would be easiest for you? This is a new thing.

 -Only slightly new. Ive been doing simr things for a while.-

 T scoffed. Only in the loosest of senses. Who would be the easiest?

 -You.-

 Alright, then. She smiled. Lets do that.

 To Ts eyes, two identical women appeared, epassing the bloodstars.

 T mirrored her perspective onto each bloodstar, passing one set to t and keeping the other.

 She then closed her eyes, even as t slowly cut her off from her own senses.

 It was slightly panic inducing, because even while she could see and hear through the bloodstar as if she were now standing in the ring, she couldnt feel anything.

 Moreover, it felt like she was floating, weightless and untethered.

 -One moment There.-

 T suddenly had the phantom sensations of a body once again, she felt her feet on the ground and gravity pulling her downward.

 But she couldnt move.

 With practiced mastery of self, T kept herself from panicking.

 -Gah this is This is not easy. One moment.-

 T felt something click into ce, and she lifted an illusory hand to examine it.

 In every way that she could sense, it was her own hand and her own eyes that she used to examine it.

 This is amazing.

 Thank you. The other T smiled, tilting her head experimentally. This is interesting. Then, the woman grinned and ced her hand over her heart. In fact, this is a lot.

 T grinned in return. Youre ridiculous. But in all seriousness, are you going to be alright, t?

 t shrugged. I think so. Theres an odd positive resonance, once everything is established. Its easier to maintain a full immersiona full body and suite of sensesthan just a part. Theres a nice harmony that helps keep it working. I also dont think I could do this without the bloodstar anchors.

 I suppose I can see that.

 Even sot looked a bit abashedif you were any less magically dense, I wouldnt be able to do this And you were right. I couldnt do this with anyone else, not yet.

 After Refining?

 Probably, yeah.

 Fascinating. Just to be safe, T started funneling more power to ts scripts, and those that enhanced Ts own mind, giving t more to work with across the board.

 Retson says that this should be beyond us right now.

 T hesitated. Youre talking with Master Nadros alternate interface?

 Off and on. Its odd to convey what its like for me. t shrugged. Hes always there, open to instantmunication. It makes it so I can talk with him if I have a question. Interestingly, he says that after you Refine, we can work together to let you and Master Nadro speak as if you are in person, no matter where either of you are, so long as you are both within Archive range. Its simr to this actually. She gestured at herself. But with only one body, and I have someone else helping me.

 We still need to enhance our Archive ess range. T bit her lip. Its a bit silly that we havent done so already.

 Shall I ask Mistress Ingrit to make the arrangements? I assume youd prefer to leverage some of that coteral, than be limited to our gold?

 T quirked a smile. Only the best for you.

 t grinned. Why thank you, Mistress T.

 Now. T fell into a fighting stance. Are we going to just stand here all night, or will we fight?

 t hesitated. Do you want your full capacities, or a subset? I can try to mimic the iron maniption, but I dont know that we understand it well enough to guarantee uracy. Id hate to misrepresent it and train us in something that isnt true or urate. Thats a good way to die.

 T nodded. Very well, everything but that.

 Lets get to it, then.

 T nced towards where she was actually sitting off to one side, across the slowly flowing water that surrounded the training arena. Her body rested there, eyes closed, body rxed in a simple seated position, hands rxing on her own knees.

 I look peaceful.

 t lunged forward, and T was drawn into the fight.

 * * *

 After about an hour of sparring, they had to stop for a break.

 T was using as many void-channels as she could maintain to dump power into ts scripts as well as her mental enhancements, and even so, the whole thing was straining Ts mind along with ts core magics.

 She was sore. She knew that the feeling was entirely fake, but t had been giving T a good beating. Since t knew her fighting style and matched her in capacity, T found herself on the losing end more often than not.

 The alternate interface swore that she wasnt cheating. It was just that T had never fought anyone who matched her so perfectly, and t had spent months trying to find holes in Ts fighting style to help her fill them.

 Most were, indeed, now mitigated, but t was left with an incredible understanding of Ts knee-jerk reactions, instincts, and tendencies.

 T, on the other hand, had no idea how t fought, because t never had.

 The results had been educational.

 That said, t admitted that she would probably do worse than T against almost anyone other than her. Well, she would do worse unless she pulled from Ts own experience more heavily, which meant the same thing.

 But she couldnt do that now. Now, t was exhausted, or whatever the equivalent was for an alternate interface.

 -Can I send the diagnostics to Mistress Holly?-

 Shell get them next time we visit, right?

 -Of course, but if she has any easy updates or enhancements, I want them sooner rather thanter.-

 Tughed. Sure.

 She opened her eyesher real eyesand stood.

 There was no unsteadiness, nor disorientation. It simply felt as if shed been fighting, sat down, and then stood up once more.

 The soreness faded as if it were being healed away, t mirroring the feeling perfectly.

 That really is incredible, t. Will it train my muscle memory as well?

 -Oh, absolutely. I dont have the power to process every signaling from your brain, parse it, and enact it at the speed of thought.-

 So what do you do?

 -I catch the nerve signals when they try to leave your neuralwork, which is my domain by the way, and based on where they are, the intention is clear. Muscle memory is a misnomer anyways, its really training your nervous system, and that fires just fine through this training.-

 T grunted. Amazing.

 -I am, arent I?- There was only a moments pause. -Now, please sleep? That was unusually straining on that very system. I expect well sleep longer than usual.-

 Its about six hours until dawn. Is that enough time?

 -Yeah, it should be.-

 T wished to be in her bedroom, and she was. Less than a minuteter, she was und and in her bed, luxuriating in thefort even as t helped her fall nearly instantly asleep.

 * * *

 T woke as the sun rose, feeling both refreshed and a bit hungover?

 -Mentally sore.- t groaned. -The term youre looking for is mentally sore. Ow-

 Are you alright?

 -I think so. I believe we found a portion of our training thats beencking: Mainly, me. Up until now, weve only found things I could do, or things I couldnt. I think this might be the first task wevee across that I think I can improve in over time, which isnt simply a matter of figuring out a better way.- After a moments hesitation, t added, -Though, there will be some of that, too.-

 Well. Thats good, right? Progress through effort?

 -Yeah Id just gotten used to you working hard and being sore for us to improve I suppose I can start doing it again.- t sighed within Ts head.

 Well, let me know if there is anything that I can do to help.

 -Oh, I can assure you that I will.-

 Tughed at that as she stood, her clothing growing over her in a wave.

 Breakfast?

 -Breakfast.- There was a pregnant pause before t added, -Coffee?-

 T was sorely tempted, and t would know that, but she shook her head. No, t. Bad. Mistress Holly said we need to be done with that.

 t groaned. -This is so much worse experiencing it firsthand-

 Well, lets go get some good food, then. Simple, full breakfast?

 -Tomatoes, fruit, and sausage? Plus a fewyer-pastries?-

 That sounds excellent.

 * * *

 The next few days passed as before, with the notable addition of t working heavily to improve her ability with the alternate experience simtions.

 Before T really registered the passing of time, she was walking towards the home in which Mistress Aproa was looking after her great grandmother, Mistress Odera.

 My former overseer on caravan trips I still need to drop by the Caravaneers Guild.

 -Yes. Yes you do.-

 T found them both in the surprisinglyrge garden, behind the small house, which seemed to beposed of a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and small sitting area.

 The garden was immactely maintained, but in a way that made it feel more alivemore naturalrather than like something wholly artificial or sculpted.

 When T arrived, the three of them walked to a cleverly designed seating area with three benches.

 T sat on one, and the two women sat on another, leaving the third unupied.

 The spot was shaped and situated such that nothing truly manmade could be seen, save the paths and the benches themselves.

 Where houses rose over the garden walls, trees were situated and cultivated to hide them entirely even deep in winter, which was impressive in its own right.

 T could sense magics that blocked outside sounds as well.

 All together, the results gave the sense of being out in the wilds, even though they remained in the city.

 Thank you foring to visit me, dear girl. Mistress Odera was hunched in on herself, but she was smiling and her voice was strong, familiar.

 Of course. Im sorry I couldnte earlier.

 The older woman waved her away. Youve been through much, and you needed time to limate to your return.

 T smiled and nodded, letting the silence stand as she looked around, enjoying the winter nts. There were a few songbirds flitting around, and T saw magically heated birdhouses scattered around the garden.

 They wouldnt be warm by human standards, but it seemed that magics would keep their temperature from ever getting below freezing even without the nests situated within.

 Your garden is lovely, Mistress.

 Thank you. Myte husband was quite the gardener. It took him thirty years, but he finally got me to join him. She smiled contentedly. I dont know why I fought him for so long. Thosest thirty odd years, gardening together, were a joy.

 I dont believe youve ever said, when did he pass?

 Oh, nearly forty years ago or so.

 So, shes at least a hundred and twenty, give or take?

 -Give or take, yeah.-

 T paused, letting herself feel what the woman had said before she responded, Im sorry for your loss, but Im d you had so much time with him.

 Thats kind of you, dear. Mistress Odera smiled. Youve learned the value of silence and taking a moment to consider. Youve paid heavily for it, but that is wisdom many never acquire.

 T felt herself smile as well. Thank you.

 They chatted off and on about nothing in particr, simply enjoying the time and garden.

 Mistress Odera had her legs wrapped in a thick nket, and T could see magical warming stones sewn into the inner lining in a few ces, helping to keep the older womanfortable despite the snow and chill.

 They spent a couple of hours together. Mistress Aproa participated asionally, but not very often.

 She was mostly there to be with her great grandmother.

 Apparently, other family members dropped by asionally, but none did so while T was there.

 T finally took a deep breath and asked the critical question, How are you? Really?

 Mistress Odera gave a sad smile. I am fading, my dear girl. I long to be done with this world and join my Torbin, and my little ones.

 Through their conversation, T had learned that most of Mistress Oderas family had not been Mages. Only one of her children still lived, and while she had many grandchildren, not many were in better shape than she, herself.

 T had known the gist of most of it, but it was good to get the details all together like this. It was good to actually ask and hear the answer.

 Mistress Aproas generation had arger number of Mages, as well as many, many children, though Mistress Aproa was an exception in that regard. Even so, those little ones were simply too far removed from their great, great grandmother.

 Mistress Odera missed her family, those who had passed many decades earlier.

 It is the curse upon humanity that they dont warn you of. There are only two options, Mistress T. Either you die, leaving loved ones to grieve over your passing, or you live long enough to grieve over their passing instead.

 -Thats a dark way of looking at it.-

 True, though.

 -Unless you all die together? Score one for ritual, group suicide?-

 No. Dont even joke about that.

 -Fine What about this? You could slowly lose the ability to care and to love before anyone dies?-

 That is death of another kind, is it not?

 t didnt have a quick response for that.

 Mistress Odera. While I was gone, I came across artificially created consciousnesses, integrated in and around founts.

 The Mage grunted. I had heard something of that, yes.

 We can also make a copy of your mind. If you hold on, we could bind your mind, as it is now, to your own fount, and you could live on. You could help others and see the next age, whatever it may bring.

 The Mage shook her head. Why would I want that, child? I no longer even wish to im a portion of this world. I see the folly in that now, bless my earlier foolishness. I have already jumped through the bureaucratic hoopsshe nced down at her own legs and gave a mirthful smilemetaphorically of course. I have gone through the process to ensure that my fount will be freed from Zeme. I will pass on and be with those I have lost. They have been patient enough, my dear. My time has been long, and full, and good. I am ready when it ends.

 T shifted a bit ufortably. What medium will your Archon Star be?

 Mistress Odera perked up at that. Now, that is something interesting. Apparently, when it reaches the point of spontaneous creation, I will form it in the water within my own body.

 Like I did with my blood?

 Very simrly, yes. It was long theorized, but until you proved a liquid medium actually worked, it was believed that even close observation was missing some critical part. Now, since you proved it so tantly, all the data theyve collected over the years makes much more sense, and many theories are clicking into ce.

 Wait They knew, but they didnt know?

 If you saw a stone change into a puppy, would you believe it to be natural? Or would you assume you missed some act of magic.

 Ahh, I see. So, by proving that anyone can use a liquid medium, I showed that there doesnt have to be other magics at y.

 Precisely.

 If I may ask why wait? Why wait for the Star? Why not find an alternate method and leave at a time of your own choosing?

 The old Mage huffed augh. Because life is precious. Ive no desire to die, but Ive no desire to forcefully extend my days. My time wille soon enough. Theres no reason to hasten itsing.

 T nodded slowly. She didnt really understand the sentiment, but she could see that it made sense to Mistress Odera.

 Now, back to happier things. Tell me, what sort of mischief are you getting up to these days?

 That brought a smile to Ts lips, and she leaned in to chat with her former mentor.

MillionNovel

Chapter 287: Alternates