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  Then Tyler remembered that what he thought before. That he would marry Eira if she manages to produce coffee for him. Aw, shit.

  “Would you like a taste?” asked Tyler, offering the drink to her.

  “Can I? I didn’t try it yet as I don’t know whether I did things right.”

  Eira tasted the coffee. She savored it first before swallowing it.

  “It is a strange taste. First new flavor in a long time! It tastes like roasted nuts but with a slightly different texture. The bitterness is offset by the sweetness of the honey. I could get to like this.”

  “It tastes better when it’s hot. Sometimes people add a little milk.”

  Their breakfast went on, occupied by small talk and new queries from Eira about food on Earth. Finally, she had to leave and bid Tyler goodbye.

  “I do have to visit the landvaetters about your metal plates,” she added.

  “Thanks, Eira. Hopefully, I can get this experiment under control.”

  After Eira left, he went back to the bank of the pond. He noticed that the shallow crater was not there anymore. He sat down and thought about the enchanting problem.

  All inhabitants here have innate magical energy. Huh! That’s not a possibility for me. After Eira’s procedure, my bones won’t hold any. Haven’t asked about the flesh though. Another query for my researchers.

  Idly, he explored the surrounding forest, letting his senses ride on the energy wave around him. He could sense the fauna in the surrounding area.

  This forest is indeed magical. Each animal has a spark of magic in them. Faint and minuscule, but it’s there.

  He focused on one spark running among the trees. It was a deer. He could perceive that it was a fawn. Its fur was smooth and silky.

  This is nice, he thought. My ability has gone up a notch. But I can’t determine colors yet or the animal’s intentions. It’s limited to what can be perceived in a tactile manner. Although vision is vague, to the point of being blurry. Let’s see the range of this skill.

  Not that far, he concluded after the fawn went out of his perception in a short time.

  He did the same exploration again. Tyler tried it on a flying spark and discovered it to be a woodpecker. Noticing some flashes were apparently underground, he focused on another group and found them to be forest rabbits. Another spark was moving slowly towards the animals, so he shifted his scan to it.

  Tyler latched on to the approaching spark and immediately felt the scaly texture of a moving snake. A big one. Disgusted by the slimy feeling, he instinctively recoiled and while doing so, inadvertently held on to the spark of the snake. It dropped dead as he withdrew while holding on to the minute ball of energy. Its body was also dragged a few feet in his direction until he remembered to let go of the magical flicker.

  AW, FREAK ME. WHAT HAVE I DONE?

  Shocked, Tyler involuntarily dropped to the ground.

  Just what the hell did I do? The thought reverberated through his mind. After a few seconds, he thought of Hal and X.

  “Guys! What the hell happened?”

  “You removed the magical spark from the snake’s body. Considering that it is directly connected to its lifeforce, taking it away also resulted in killing it. The dragging of the body was a consequence of holding on to its spark while its life was being torn away,” answered X.

  “Shit! You didn’t tell me about this side effect of using the affinity ability! I thought it was just for scanning for magical beings and signatures!”

  “You didn’t ask, Elder. We did tell you that you need to ask us about such matters.”

  “How would I have known of such matters! I just found out about it now!” Tyler was getting furious. The possibility that he could have done more damage when around people was dawning upon him.

  “I could have killed innocents! My companions! Even Eira!” He inwardly shouted.

  The AIs stayed silent.

  “Oh my God! I could have unwittingly wiped out an entire city! You’re supposed to help me! Why didn’t you warn me? Does this mean anything I have learned have unforeseen side effects? Tell me!”

  “Elder, we have informed you that you need to ask us questions. It is part of your learning process. By asking us, we can access the relevant data provided the information is related to known abilities. In some instances, your queries unlock other previously blocked data. Our protocols do not allow us to initiate the learning process. We are your guides, not your teachers,” replied Hal.

  Tyler didn’t respond. The shock and his anger were asserting themselves in his tumultuous thoughts. He closed his eyes and tried to calm himself down. He knew he was extremely furious, but from what Hal reminded him, Tyler also saw he really couldn’t blame the two.

  It took a long time for him to compose himself despite using all the techniques he had learned about quieting his troubled mind. He couldn’t help but reflect on the dangerous and lethal possibilities of what could have happened. Finally, he reached some degree of soberness. He looked at the water of the pond, his uneasy feelings about the entire situation still bothering him.

  I didn’t realize that Elder knowledge could be so dangerous. A simple ability turned into a means of dealing death. I don’t know if it will stop there. And how about the other skills I have learned? What else can they do?

  “Guys, could you tell me about the other effects of the abilities I have gained?”

  “We apologize, Elder. But you have to ask us about specific matters related to the abilities. Experimentation and practice will bring out other possible uses of the knowledge you have learned. We are not allowed to answer general questions. The purpose of the entire knowledge structure is for you to learn. We believe that the Elders judged that dumping all that information on the recipient is infinitely more dangerous. Not only on its use but also to your mind,” replied X.

  “Like making me crazy?”

  “Your brain will try to understand concepts it cannot comprehend. As the knowledge will be permanently there, irreversible psychiatric damage is a possibility,” said Hal.

  “You do know how difficult learning would be. Right now, only Fossegrim gives us the time and place to practice, experiment, and then ask you the questions needed to unlock more information. Outside of this forest, we have too many life and death concerns. Dealing with the plots and schemes of the deities of Adar don’t make it easier.”

  “We realize that, Elder. We do try to be of help as much as we can.”

  “I know that, guys. I’m sorry I acted that way. But it was a shocking realization. I could have killed a lot of people – including people I care about! Which reminds me, does that draining ability work on deities?”

  “We understand your concerns, Elder. At least the worst scenario didn’t happen. About the deities, their energy is too much for your ability. The only time you were able to do that to a deity was with Supay, but it took two different spells and a rare power. Though if ever you attain the Elder Archmage level, then everything will be possible. Reality on Adar will be at your command. But once the pantheons learn about this, they will do everything in their power to stop you,” answered X.

  “At least they still don’t know about you guys.”

  “For now, yes. But once we gain an autonomous existence outside your body, then the pantheons will know. And they will try to destroy the three of us. Some deities might refrain from involving themselves in such an act, but those will be few.”

  “What you’re telling me is to get ready for a war with the pantheons once I reach Archmage level?”

  “Yes, Elder.”

  Aw, shit! War again! In the future, but a war nonetheless. A bigger fight. I am getting tired of this war shit. Right now, the Aztecah situation is going to be another war. Those damned Elders made me a fireman! Putting out fires everywhere! While giving me a freaking headache with their steep and deadly learning curve! And what do I have to put out the fires? A precious few abilities! I couldn’t even handle Supay directly!

  �
�Guys, I guess I still can’t transform natural energy into Elder energy, can’t I?

  “Not yet, Elder. We believe that’s several levels above your rank right now,” answered Hal.

  “Let’s just go back to the house. There’s a lot on my mind right now. Not to mention coming up with the questions to ask you about my abilities. Which reminds me again, what’s the effective range of the draining ability?”

  “Right now, it’s at two hundred feet. The more powerful you become, the greater the range. It is the same as your other abilities. Its efficacy decreases with range,” pointed out X.

  “Thanks.”

  Tyler walked back to the house. It had been a very stressful second day of his vacation. On top of that, he still has to clarify his relationship with Eira.

  That night, during dinner, Eira noticed his subdued demeanor.

  “Is there something wrong?”

  “I guess there is. I was practicing a scanning spell this morning and found a dark side to it,” replied Tyler.

  “A scanning spell? Dark side? What happened?” asked Eira.

  Tyler told her.

  “What happened to that ball of energy? You absorbed it?”

  “No. I let go of it. I assumed it went to the energy matrix of this world.”

  “Then it’s not a dark spell. Though I have to admit this is the first time I have heard of such a spell. From a human mage. A fact which makes it more unusual. Deities and magical beings usually have a similar ability, but it’s not something they have to cast or perform actively. Unlike in your instance which requires a willful act. Dark spells or abilities do not let go of the energy obtained. It is horribly absorbed and used by the being using it.”

  “You mean like a vampire?”

  “Gjenganger. The dead coming to life. For many reasons. But it is believed by some that they need to drink the blood of the living or use their energy to continue existing. I had met and fought some when they tried to make Fossegrim their lair. Nakki told me other civilizations have their versions. Some are worse forms of the creature. The vord nafjardar is another such Norse creature, but it is not of human origin.”

  “But the ability I discovered still is a deadly one. I fear to practice. I may unknowingly initiate something which I may deeply regret later on.”

  “Oh, Tyler. That’s the problem with finding your own path. But without practice and experimentation, you will never progress. Think of your ability as a knife. It can help in the kitchen, or it can serve as a weapon to defend yourself. It’s how you use the object, spell, or ability that matters.”

  “I guess you’re right. I do have to be a lot more careful now when exploring my limits. You’re wise beyond what I merely see, Eira.”

  “Only in matters not involving humans. I nearly destroyed what I started with you. You’re the first human I have had dealings with,” laughed Eira. “I am not even familiar with certain human feelings. Jealousy and love, for example.”

  “And what do you feel about me?” suddenly blurted out Tyler. Aw, shit. Why did that come out?

  Eira sat still, her face now turned towards the table.

  “I’m sorry, Eira. I didn’t mean for it to come out… I mean I didn’t mean to ask the question,” Tyler nervously stammered. A blush was starting to come over his face. His mind agitated with the knowledge of what he had let out in the open. But a part of him was relieved that the question had been asked.

  “It’s fine, Tyler,” answered Eira, looking at him, her eyes starting to water.

  “I am confused and scared, kerasti. I love you. That I know. But everything else is so unknown to me. How do you feel about me? Is it just because of your promise about my brother? Will you be with me forever? Will you leave me because of another mortal woman or because of death? I can’t even think of what will happen to me if such events ensue. How do humans and spirits love each other? Will you die in your quest? Will there be a day when you won’t come back to me and the forest? What if the forest becomes too small for you?” The torrent of concerns poured from Eira, her tears accompanying them.

  Tyler stood up and went behind the seated Eira, putting his hands on her shoulder.

  “I can’t tell you what the future brings, Eira. I can’t answer some of your questions. But this I know. I have come to love you too. My promise about your brother is one I intend to keep, whatever will happen. That promise came even before I learned about my feelings towards you. About being with you forever and the rest of your questions, those I cannot answer. Maybe my quest will give me the answers later on, but that’s just a possibility. All I know right now is I have found you and that I realized that I love you. And no, there’s nobody else. On the First World or this world,” answered Tyler in a soft voice.

  Eira placed her hands in his hands.

  “What do I do, kerasti? What do we do?”

  “We take it one day at a time, beloved. Until such time you are ready. I could tell you to forget all your concerns and come to my arms, but that would be lying and selfish. Incredibly sweet that may be. And you are wise beyond words except in matters involving the most important feeling that makes us mortals human. That’s something you have to explore and discover by yourself. But this is another promise I am going to make. I will always come back to you and the forest. Until the time you don’t want me to, that is,” offered Tyler.

  Eira stood up and hugged Tyler, crying all the time. Her soft sobs were breaking Tyler’s heart one piece at a time. Her wonderful scent, the warm and soft hug of her body against his frame, all threatened to delightfully overwhelm him.

  “I am so confused, kerasti,” whispered Eira in a mellifluous voice.

  “I am not confused, Eira. I am scared that you will turn me away,” replied Tyler. “And you’re breaking my heart with your crying.”

  “Oh, I am sorry, kerasti. It’s just all these emotions. I am not familiar with them.”

  “Tell you what,” suggested Tyler. “We’ll try to work it out. Just tell me when you’re ready. In the meantime, if I find answers to your questions, I’ll bring them back to you.”

  “You will still be my kerasti?” Eira had finally stopped crying.

  “Of course,” answered Tyler. “Though this is a lot better than our shouting matches before.”

  “Shouting matches,” repeated Eira. “You do know how to make a girl smile.”

  Tyler could feel Eira’s mood lifting. Inwardly, he was insanely euphoric and thankful. At least some sort of resolution had happened. A bit inconclusive, he admitted, but better than before.

  A knock on the door sounded.

  Who the hell? he thought.

  He and Eira looked at each other.

  “You’re expecting visitors?” they both asked at the same time, resulting in soft laughter.

  Two knocks sounded. Not a loud banging. It even seemed respectful.

  “Let me see who it is,” said Tyler. “You stay behind and cover me.”

  Tyler walked to the door. Staying behind the door frame, he opened it.

  “Good evening to you, lad! And to you, my beautiful Lady!

  Rumpr was standing before him.

  “I trust I am not disturbing anything?” asked the elemental.

  Yes, you did. But I don’t know if it was for the better, thought Tyler.

  “Of course not, Ellri. Do come in. This is a pleasant surprise,” remarked Eira, coming to the door.

  Tyler fully opened the door.

  “Come in, Rumpr. It is indeed a pleasant surprise.”

  Rumpr smiled and came in, throwing a quizzical glance at Tyler when he noticed Eira’s eyes. The mage gave him a quick smile and shook his head.

  After the three had sat down, Tyler looked at the spirit who had been of enormous help to him in the battle against Ymir.

  “What brings you here? At night. Must be urgent,” asked Tyler. Eira had sat down beside him and nestled close. It took him some effort to concentrate on his discussion with Rumpr. Eira’s warm presence and enthral
ling aura were pleasantly distracting.

  “A lot of things, High Mage. High Mage! Now that’s a fast promotion if I ever saw one. Heard it from the wine god. He was trying to find you, but it was an impossible task for him. So he got to me instead. I was very surprised. It had been a few hundred years since we last had a… ahem… discussion.”

  “It must be important for him to go to that length. He must have spent a lot of energy finding you,” commented Tyler.

  “Oh, not that much. I did leave a runic stone with him the last time we met. What surprises me is that he remembered it. He was dead drunk when I gave it to him. Pleasant fellow for a deity.”

  “You probably saw his mortal side. So what’s so important? I just left Akrotiri a day and a half ago. Nothing indicated that there was a problem.”

  “Indeed, lad. But the wine god is unlike any of the major Greek deities. He can still think like a human. And being suspicious, he looked into what’s happening in Dori.”

  “And?”

  “Well, here’s what he told me – ‘tell Tyler the battle is not yet finished’. The sons are amassing a force around Dori to take Akrotiri. Men, fell creatures, and beasts.”

  Aw, duck shit.

  “I thought those fellows would have learned their lesson by now. It appears I was wrong. And that on top of the Aztecha problem,” declared the unbelieving Tyler, shaking his head. “An important matter to resolve even before going with Viracocha.”

  “Couldn’t help you in Akrotiri, lad. Too many eyes. Matters will only get worse if I help you openly.”

  “I wouldn’t ask you to put yourself in a bad situation, Rumpr. Even if you probably are one of the most powerful beings I have ever met.”

  “You flatter me, High Mage. I really like saying that. High Mage. It has a certain ring to it. Anyway, Hrun and I not the only ones of our kind. Like mortals and deities, we each have our way of looking at the world.”

  “There’s more of you?” asked the surprised Tyler.

  “Not many. Elementals, we are. You knew that even back in Scarburg. My brothers and sisters are of the wind, the sea, and of the burning mountains. Some, like me and Hrun, are of the earth and stone.”