The Chronicles of a Scalebound Sage: Wandmaker Vol.2

WM [76] Reality Bled

The path through the Chaos Lands was going at the fastest pace Tanisha could manage. They had been running for hours to the point that she had to take several stamina potions just to make sure she could keep up with the constant speed Fuyumi was pushing them to travel. Tanisha knew that as soon as she had points to spend she would be putting more into stamina.

Tanisha had always relied heavily on her Chain Breaker's Mantle to bolster her physical abilities, but this trial was exposing the gaps in her natural resilience. The recent opening of her Blood Gate was likely the only reason she had any stamina left at all. Power flowed through her now in a way that felt effortless, as though a lifetime of invisible shackles had finally been cast off. She wished she had time to look over her status menus but she barely had time to breathe before the yuki-onna had them running at full tilt.

The mana hurricane forming overhead was a good motivator to run as fast as possible. Apparently it has gotten to the point where looking directly up at it will cause hallucinations. She and Bjorn had to wear special talismans to keep from going crazy. Or at least that is what Fuyumi said. Whether the talismans would hold under the storm's intensifying effects was anyone's guess.

Tanisha also opted to wear her full armor; its resonance with her magic made her able to focus her power greater than any of her other clothing would have. It also had protections that would be useful in the Chaos Lands. Thanks to the connection to her magic it also felt as light as normal clothing as long as her Mantle was active. It did drain more magic but if there was one thing she had a lot of, it was her seiðr.

"We will stop up ahead for a break," Fuyumi said as she pointed to a spot that was quickly approaching.

She tossed Tanisha and Aurelius a small bag. "We'll need to set up the crystals as soon as we stop. I will do the outer ring, Aurelius you will do the middle ring two feet from mine and Tanisha do the inner ring six feet from Aurelius's."

As soon as the got to the location Fuyumi specified they followed Fuyumi's directions placing the circles of crystals. Once they were done Fuyumi raised a hand and created a thick canopy of dark ice over the area.

"To keep us from looking up." She offered simply. "I will take the first guard, you three sit and rest."

Bjorn found a spot and layed down as soon as she gave them the okay to do so. His chest rose and fell as heavily as hers did. Aurelius looked equally haggard and gave a thumbs up before finding a spot next to Bjorn and dropped to the ground in a huff. Tanisha soon followed and the trio fell into silence as they individually found their breath.

***

Tanisha finished her meal, setting her bowl aside before noticing Aurelius once again glancing at her tail, which swayed lazily beside her. She tilted her head, catching his gaze as it darted away. Her eyes flicked to his tail in turn—it was shorter than hers, covered in short brown fur matching his long hair, and adorned with several decorative rings.

"Did you want to ask more questions about my tail?" Tanisha asked.

Aurelius stiffened, his face reddening. "No, sorry it's nothing."

Tanisha raised an eyebrow, her head tilting slightly. "With a reaction like that, it doesn't seem like nothing. What's on your mind, Speedy."

"Speedy?" Aurelius questioned.

"Because you are the fastest one in the group." Tanisha smiled.

Aurelius chuckled nervously but soon sobered. "I... well, have you ever met an elf before? I have only ever been around humans and demons, dwarves a few times and the harpies are fun but never elves. Since they are sensitive to the chaotic ambient mana they stay away from the chaos lands."