(POV: 3rd person; Kai Conningworth)
~Hawaii~
There can be seen a carefree man with brown hair and shorts who looked to be middle-aged laying on the sand of the Hawaiian beach, minding his own business until something from his peripheral vision rips through the world's barrier known as the Gauntlet, surrounding the material reality separating it from the Umbra.
(A/n: a realm existing alongside and yet separate from the material world or earth. The Umbra is extremely huge with a lot of entities, but some mages would use it as a way to pass messages with their familiars or transportation for themselves... It's also sometimes a place where Mages could fuck around without gaining paradox. I might make an Auxiliary for The Umbra.)
What came out of that rippling of space was a black panther with three tails with light blue patterns illustrated upon its body as its paws gave a blue flow of flames. The panther was a few meters away from Kai as the familiar spoke to him.
[It's been a while, Kai. I can see that you're having a nice time slacking off here in Hawaii...] Kai felt aggravated towards the panther as it messed up his time alone.
"Hey!!! Why did you ruin my vibe here?!? I was chilling here, Zomba!!" Zomba just looked at Kai with a bit of disappointment but understood a bit.
[Kai... Star Of Eagles wanted you to check on an incident, but you do have the right to refuse.] Kai harrumphed and said
"Now, why would I go and do that? That sounds way too much. I mean, I have a life, and I'm spending this life of mine taking a nice break." Zomba only sighed, telling Kai.
[Can you just hear me out before you refuse, Kai?] Kai stayed silent, allowing Zomba to speak.
[*Sigh* let me start with the incident a few hours ago; there was a leakage of corruption that abruptly appeared within the area of Alaska. From the looks of it, that corruption came from a powerful spirit, most likely from the servants of the Wyrm, and if that were the case, you would need to help the Wendigo till more help arrives... Also, the Uktena were worried for the tribe in Alaska and asked for help.
But more of the dream speakers have their problems as they have been busy with a plant problem separating each of the spread into another pocket dimension.
And finding the main hive mind for it has been deemed difficult. The only thing we know of this plant is that it came from a Cannabis branch... Do you have anything to do with it? You own a Cannabis company, and it's kind of coincidental to me. But, I guess I'll blame this on the Technocracy as they've always done things that would always bite them in the ass.]
Kai remained silent after Zomba's words echoed in his inner mind. There was one word that jolted his memories from three years ago: 'Alaska.' he kept his poker face as he lay on the sandy beach. He finally made up his mind and told Zomba.
"I'll leave immediately, Zomba..." That made Zomba happy to hear that, and he said to Kai.
[Thank you, Kai!!! I know that you're reluctant to do this, but you have no idea how happy your father would be to hear this!!!] Kai still looked up to the sky with his poker face without a word to say.
[I'll see you next time, Kai.] As soon as Zomba warped back into the Gaunlet, Kai covered both of his hands to his face and muffled something in complete frustration.
"God Damn it, Julius... SHIT, SHIT, SHIT SHIT FUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!!!!!" At this point, he was standing up and yelling to the sky as his entire vacation was ruined by his own curiosity over what would be quoted by Kai, "That damn prophet." as he went to his private plane to fly to Alaska.
(Time skip bullshit)
~4 hours later~
Kai finally arrived in Alaska with his blue ceremonial robe on
"Thanks, Derrick, for the flight to Alaska. *Sigh*...." Kai thanked his pilot, and the pilot looked back at him and said.
"You're welcome, Mr. Conningsworth, but it seems like you're in a bad mood right now." Kai was in one of his worst moods, but the only good thing about the entire situation was something that would satiate his curiosity.
"You are positively right, my dear friend, but hopefully, this little job will make me feel a bit better... And also stay here for a while longer as I'll need you to fly me back to Idaho along with a guest of mine." Derrick's eyes lit up when he heard about a guest.
"Really?!?! A guest in Alaska? That sounds horrible around this time with the radiation." Kai shook his head and started walking out of the private plane, with Kai's last words directed to Derrick.
"Stay safe, Derrick."
With that, he left to find where the corruption started.
(1st POV: Kai Conningsworth)
As I was walking down the snowy path, it slowly showed more and more corruption as I walked to find its source.
The trees were decayed, all of the snow was gone, and the ground was a disgusting yellowish mush, but that wasn't exactly out of my expectations when looking for a servant of the Wyrm.
There is one servant I can only think that could warp this entire place to such a state, but what is odd, though, is that even with my [spirit sense], I can't find anything to warrant my guess at all, which was completely worrying, its as if that source is gone and all of this was left.
'It seems that someone or something took care of that problem for me.' My thoughts were surfacing as I felt a bit of joy.
I won't have to help the Wendigo almost entirely and find what Julius talked about three years ago. But I finally found the place where most of the corruption took place.
"Oh... Dear god of Mother Mary..." The corrosion was so much worse than I thought. It looked like a warzone gone wrong.
The entire ground looked like it had melted away, creating a circular trench that kept going down and down. Still, it seemed like the corruption was slowing down little by little, and across that trench was a huge line of corruption alongside the decayed trees that had been withered. I smiled to myself while talking to myself.
"I guess that line going through that forest is a great start for investigating." And with that, I journeyed across the corruption, and as it got thicker, I took out my bag and used [Manipulate Gauntlet] to put a barrier around me to protect me from further corruption as I kept going.
~45 minutes later~
It was a tiring walk, but my senses were telling me I was closer to what I was looking for, and I'll be damned, there was a freaking ten-year-old walking barefoot with light skin.
He looked moderately skinny but bigger than an average child his age, with somewhat long blackish-red hair with burgundy eyes. Honestly, I didn't know what else to say to the kid except
"Well... Now, this is unexpected to see a literal ten-year-old with worn-out shoes and torn clothing. Can you tell me your name, child?" As I said that, the child paused for a bit as he looked at me, seemingly nervous, this poor child has probably been by himself without anyone else... Man, now I'm becoming pretty sad.
"Tristan... It's Tristan..." I gave a smile as I got a step closer to him.
"You seem lost, Tristan. Can I help you get back then?" Honestly, my social skills are a complete zero; now I'm starting to sound like a kidnapper, even though technically I am, but with no ulterior motives right now, and I just want to help... I feel a bit cold right now, but hopefully, it's nothing.
But sadly, everything around me began to change violently as the decayed trees began to morph and transform around a mile radius.
The ground turned into a deep black as if one could fall from it at any time; whatever this was couldn't even be felt in a spiritual sense or even through any magical means with my level as a mage. I don't even think this can be sensed through magic, but I don't think I've ever felt so much fear in my life except when a time I saw an Antediluvian, but this felt different. It felt completely incomprehensible. What was worse was when I heard that wicked voice.
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I immediately stood at my place, and I held my breath as I felt that my barrier wasn't working at all. I saw what looked to be shadowy purple around Tristan. It wasn't hurting him, so that's good, but I had never seen such a spirit before in my entire life; it was a powerful one. I could only think to myself as one sign of movement, and I would be dead, and an entire town would disappear.
'Well fuck...'
(3rd POV: Tristan Devroop Akvash)
'Why the hell is this happening.' Tristan was entirely confused about why this entire problem ensued in front of his very eyes, and Zil, who had just come back from its growth, was just as confused.
<I think you should tell me!?! But I'm pretty sure the only reason why she snapped was because of the random person over there> He stared at the guy, who was trembling with fear.
'Well, no shit Zil... But now I'm feeling bad for him, Zil, but what should I do?' Zil clicked his absent tongue and said.
<I think you already know why she's acting like this, and it's not because of the stranger entirely, so please say something smooth to Ana so that our dear stranger won't get mauled to death... And also think of the orphans in the town nearby when she devours it.> Tristan's eye twitched when he heard Zil's last remark, and Tristan replied back vehemently.
'Well, newsflash, Zil!!! I just became an orphan not too long ago!!! Also, screw those orphans too!!!!' If Zil had gained a body, then Tristan would've been backhanded at this point.
<I'll agree with that... But seriously, do something, Tristan. There are more important things we should be doing, and that spiritual mage can help us potentially.> Tristan looked on to see the site of Ana, and she looked like an amorphous ball of blackish purple.
He ignored the change in the surroundings that she created as he took a few steps into her field of personal space and softly patted her with as much reassurance as he could, making the darkish amorphous ball shake; he began speaking comfortingly to her as he gave a whisper only meant for her with a bit of regret etched to his face.
"I'm sorry about before Ana... I didn't know how much it really affected you when watching me become so close to dying. I was honestly really stupid back then to pick a fight by myself against something that could've killed me with ease. Even when I got lucky with that final strike and was able to gain something from it, it may have been valuable for me to fight for myself.
Still, I've completely ignored you and how you felt, even though it hasn't been too long since we have been together, I've already felt this weird connection with you, and seeing you like this pains me to see. Let us hear what the person over here has to say. I assure you that not everything is out to get us, my lovely familiar." Her amorphous body, which looked like a void, shook even harder as what was created around her dissipated, slowly turning the surrounding radius back to normal. Now her body, which looked like an eldritch horror out of Lovecraft, reshaped itself back to her normal self, and one of Tristan's hands that was patting her had her hand intertwined with his as she suddenly pulled him to her embrace.
{Fine~ if he tries to pull something, then I will go on and do what I've just said, Tristy... And thanks for calming me down 🖤} Because of how short Tristan was compared to Ana, her hug had him lifted from the ground while being smothered by her chest. All he could do was pat her on the head like one of those golden retrievers. After an awkward moment that lasted for a while, Tristan was finally released from her clutches while the voice from his Zil rang from his head.
<Real smooth Tristan... Real smooth, indeed. For an amateur.> A tiny vein popped from his head when he heard that.
'Are you really saying that Zil? You, of all things, have no room to talk!!!' Before an argument begins between the both of them, Ana Interrupted.
{Hey Tristan, I guess I'll let you handle talking to the stranger as my presence here is scaring him, but like I have been saying เ ค๓ คɭฬคץร ฬคՇςђเภﻮ} With that she disappeared after making sure that the stranger heard her last words, Tristan just stared at the place where she disappeared, both Tristan and Zil wanted to sigh. Still, they were both too tired to even sigh, not even because of the mental drain but annoyance. Zil's last words before Tristan would focus on the completely traumatized man in front of him were.
"Hey dude, I never got your name!!!!!" Raising his voice didn't get the stranger's attention, so Tristan walked next to him, stood right to his side, and tried snapping his fingers next to his ears. Luckily, that had the intended effect.
"Huh?!?!? Wait... Oh, oh hey there, Tristan, if that's your name, it's kind of hard to speak right now, but I was going to fly you back to Idaho because of your father; let me just collect myself for a bit." The stranger was still shaken a bit from the whole ordeal, making Tristan pity him even more.
"Yeah, man, take your time..." He watched the stranger taking deep breaths as he eventually said something else.
"Oh, silly me I forgot to tell you my name, the names Kai Conningsworth." The stranger, who named himself Kai, reached out his hand for a handshake, and Tristan was thoughtful enough to follow his gesture as they both shook hands. Tristan spoke neutrally to Kai.
"So you said that you wanted to fly me to Idaho under the guise of my dad?" Kai shook his head, yes, but he looked unsure of himself at this point.
"Technically, he did, but it was over a drink from Brazil..." Tristan asked, but now he was just as unsure as Kai.
"Is this something extremely important? Knowing my dad, it would sound like a long story through a flashback?" Kai looked around to see if his new boogieman or woman was around before saying.
"Yeah... You don't have to know about it unless you want to ask me about it directly, as all you need to know is that I'm here to take you to your new guardian and also when I take you to my private plane there are a few questions about the Cannabis you and your father were growing, as I own a corporation that has been huge in the weed business. You don't have to answer every question of mine." Kai looked a bit better compared to the beginning when he talked about his business, and Tristan felt like complying with questions, so he said to him.
"Sure, so how far away is your private plane?" Kai began to look at his watch to check the time, as it was close to morning and then looked at Tristan, saying.
"It's not too far from here at all, as it would take around thirty minutes to walk there." Tristan's eyes lit up when he listened to Kai.
"Really!?!?!?! That actually means that I could go back to civilization again!!!!" Excitement can be heard from his voice making Kai smile a bit.
"Huh... I should be asking why you seemed to be alright walking in all of this corruption in the first place, but that isn't going to be important as I need to get you to safety before I get started with helping the Wendigo tribe nearby. And also, yes, it's only a matter of time when you get back to civilization, you little cave dweller." Tristan raised his arms and yelled with joy.
"Yeeeesssss!!! Finally!!!" When Tristan said that, Kai felt like going on this business trip was well worth it if excluding the years of trauma he had just obtained within a short time frame and asking questions about that beautiful but frightening spirit would bring out the worst ju ju to add upon his now existing trauma.
"Let's start leaving for the plane, Tristan." He walked back in the direction of the plane, and Tristan walked behind him. Both walked in silence.
Tristan thought that it was a great idea to finally see what changed from his anomalous energy through the status while walking behind Kai. and he was surprised by the change.
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Name: Tristan Devroop Akvash
Age: 10 years old
Title: Floramancer
Strength: (2) Meaning you can deadlift 50kg (100 lbs) Without the use of shadows being active
Dexterity: (4) means running speed 10 meters/sec | jumping distance 8 meters | Jumping Height 2.5 meters
Perception: (4) Almost nothing evades your notice.
Endurance: (5) Running Endurance 24 hours | Holding Breath 8 minutes
Intelligence: (4) Exceptional: You're not just bright, you're downright brilliant (IQ 140).
Charisma: (3) Good: People trust you implicitly.
Manipulation: (4) Exceptional: You could be a politician or cult leader!!!! (:
Wits: (4) You're one of the people who make others think, "Ooh, I should have said…" the next day.
Appearance: Grow up first, kid ):
Anomalous Energy: 669/669
Anomalous abilities:
Regenerative Property: Your body can heal from seemingly life-threatening injuries and keep moving; the limits of this is if the user gets its head decapitated.
Shadow Generator: These shadows have come from an unknown source and are not affected by sunlight, so when they get it they will not disappear.
Plant Manipulation: The makings of a botanist, you are a saint when it comes to manipulating and creating new plants.
P.S. This system can be absorbed into your anomalous energy if it annoys you, dear user /: Also, more stats will come soon.
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'Huh? Maybe I'll absorb this to add more to my anomalous energy, except for the stat that would keep track of my energy. But it's nice to see how far I am, though... And I thought that ability only came to weed; well, that's neat.' He got out of his daze and went back to focusing on his surroundings.
(POV: Kai Conningsworth)
Never have I ever been so scared of anything in my life. This spirit, if you can even call it, looked completely alien to me compared to any other spirit. The feeling I got from it was complete dread.
The only reason I was able to live was because of that boy who quite literally touched it without an ounce of fear, and he whispered something to that thing.
I couldn't possibly tell what he said, but whatever he did kept me alive, and I am grateful and jealous that the boy was smushed under that spirit's pair of gazongas...
But seriously, that jealousy is in the very back of my mind, as I absolutely don't want to have anything to do with that monster acting all cheerful. I... I don't w-want to die. And then I heard a snapping sound next to my ear, and I looked beside me, and it was Tristan.
""Huh?!?!? Wait... Oh, oh hey there, Tristan, if that's your name, it's kind of hard to speak right now, but I was going to fly you back to Idaho because of your father; let me just collect myself for a bit." And Tristan was oddly understanding enough to let me collect myself... I'm starting to like this brat. Oh wait, I forgot something important.
"Oh, silly me I forgot to tell you my name, the names Kai Conningsworth." I reached out my hand for a handshake, and he immediately followed decency and shook my hand. He was quite an interesting lad for a kid who had to walk barefoot in Alaska. And now he became even more interesting, as he said.
"So you said that you wanted to fly me to Idaho under the guise of my dad?" I couldn't help but shake my head, yes, but at this point, I felt quite unsure now.
"Technically, he did, but it was over a drink from Brazil..." Yeah, that was pretty odd to say to a kid, but this kid spoke in a way that was the same feelings I've had.
"Is this something extremely important? Knowing my dad, it would sound like a long story through a flashback?" It's true, but now I feel cold... Oh fuck is it that spirit again? I heard that she was always watching!!! I don't even think that was a spirit in the first place, but oh well must've been my imagination.
"Yeah... You don't have to know about it unless you want to ask me about it directly, as all you need to know is that I'm here to take you to your original guardian and also when I take you to my private plane there are a few questions about the Cannabis you and your father were growing, as I own a corporation that has been huge in the weed business. You don't have to answer every question of mine." Talking about my company did make me feel a bit better, but I will always have nightmares in my sleep now.
"Sure, so how far away is your private plane?" Hey, I guess that's a win in my books. I get to have some of my answers questioned!! I began to look at his watch to check the time, as it was close to morning, and then looked at Tristan, saying.
"It's not too far from here at all, as it would take around thirty minutes to walk there." I see Tristan's eyes light up with joy, and that made me feel something I've never felt in a while.
"Really!?!?!?! That actually means that I could go back to civilization again!!!!" Seeing him all excited is making me feel like I've accomplished something. But this little guy is making me question how he's able to walk around barefoot here in all of this corruption... Nah, I feel like I'd open a can of worms with that.
"Huh... I should be asking why you seemed to be alright walking in all of this corruption in the first place, but that isn't going to be important as I need to get you to safety before I get started with helping the Wendigo tribe nearby. And also, yes, it's only a matter of time when you get back to civilization, you little cave dweller."
"Yeeeesssss!!! Finally!!!" Well shit... Maybe this was worth the trip to help a kid out, or not with the trauma I've received, but I'll try to keep it in the back of my mind. And that spirit was probably Tristan's from how she protected him... Knowing too much isn't a good thing sometimes.
"Let's start leaving for the plane, Tristan." With that, I finally took a final deep breath and began the trip back to the plane so that Derrick could take care of him for the time being and tell the Wendigo tribe around here that the problem was already solved, and it probably had to do with Tristan's spirit.
(Third POV)
And with that, Kai had misunderstood that Tristan's spirit was involved with solving the problem of corruption as they made their way to the private plane.
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