The Autumn Mage

Chapter Twenty-Three

"They're a myth; a legend!" Aki exclaimed.

"Some legends are true," Lanhua said stoically. "I have reason to believe that they exist. The question remains is where are they hiding?"

"Do you want us to hunt them or something?" Orpheus said cautiously.

"Or something. There is an old military compound that holds the information you seek. You and Aki will go there and find where you can find the Sisters. Then you will find them and seek out the answers to all of our questions."

"Wait, you're telling me that there's an empty military base that's just full of secrets?" Aki asked suspiciously.

"As a matter of fact, yes. It has been abandoned ages ago," she reassured him. Orpheus squinted at her.

"That doesn't make sense that the army would just leave a base full of information sitting idly by," he chimed in taking Aki's side. Birds began to chirp outside as the sun rose higher and Lanhua opened the glass doors to walk down to the courtyard. The breeze fluttered her flowing robes as she greeted the day and walked down the winding marble steps. The two followed her hesitantly.

"All attempts at reclaiming the base have failed. There is an evil there which has claimed every life that has attempted to take it back," she responded calmly. Orpheus's mouth dropped open and shook his head emphatically.

"Oh no no no, we are not going to Middletown!" he exclaimed growing more excitable. "That is a suicide mission!"

"What is Middletown?" Aki asked more curious than afraid. The courtyard was full of tall groomed shrubs and deep purple orchids. Two white benches seated across from one another and a small waterfall-like fountain were the only decorations in the garden. Off to the farthest side was a small thin sand box with a rake which had been used to draw circles and shapes, a form of meditation.

"Middletown used to be a military village which conducted experiments. Do you know why they outlawed Alchemy?" Orpheus asked Aki.

"Because if everyone turned things into gold it would crash the economy. Everyone knows that," he responded matter-of-factly.

"That is what the crown has drilled into everyone's head as the official reason," Orpheus warned. "No, Alchemy is one of the seven Forbidden Magics because of what the Philosopher Stone is capable of. Specifically the creatures it has created there roaming about."

"I'm sorry, but sneaking into a base with no one in it sounds pretty easy," Aki said arrogantly. Orpheus shook his head slowly in disagreement.

"While I admire your enthusiasm this mission will not be easy," the Empress warned. "The experiment that took place centered around the Seven Forbidden Magicks and nothing can prepare you for the horrors found within," she said gravely. "I have lost three of my scouts to Middletown. The Chimera that lurk in its shadows are abominations driven mad by their own existence. The rumor is that they cannot be killed. But without finding the Moirai we will never know where the Paladins are going and what they are after. Everything hinges on this operation."

"I guess we have no choice then," Orpheus sighed. "Do we get to borrow any of your troops?"

"The fewer that go, the better. More men just mean an increased chance of getting caught. No, it would be best if just the two of you embark on this task." Orpheus shook his head in disbelief. "Aki, Doctor Schnabel here tells me he has taken you under his wing. He says you are eager to learn but lack discipline." Aki blushed as he glanced from Orpheus back to Lanhua sheepishly.

"I'm pretty good with a few spells," he said quietly. He felt ashamed at just how ignorant he was in their presence.

"Ah yes, he did refer to you as a 'spell collector'. I can assure you, what you know is not nearly as important as how you use it," she said as she slowly approached him with her hands behind her back. "A carpenter can know of many things to build, but if he does not know how to wield a hammer this knowledge is useless. Tell me, what do you know of a spell's power?" she prodded.

"A spell's power depends on several different factors," he recited cautiously. "The branch of Magic of the spell; it's name; whether or not it is spoken; the concentration of the user; whether or not they are using an instrument like a staff or a wand; what type of spell and how it is being used. The user's Mana level," he added afraid he had left something out. The Empress thoughtfully wiped at her mouth and chin thoughtfully.

"These are good answers," she agreed cautiously. "But they are not great answers. These are the examples of an amateur. Mana, especially, is a trivial man-made system. All Mana determines is how long someone can use Magic without tapping into other sources of power."

"What other sources are there?" Aki asked unable to hide his excitement. The Empress chuckled.

"Mana was introduced so that wealthy aristocrats would duel and brag over petty arguments. I will admit that the higher the Mana level the more spells the user can cast. But this is narrow-minded. Magic is neither a tool nor a weapon as many believe. Rather, it is a bridge; one that connects us to the natural world around us. All Magic stems from an element found in the world, and to think that one does not have to tap into it is foolish. It is like catching a fish without a hook or a net; possible, but infinitely easier with the proper tools." Aki nodded as he absorbed her teaching. "Different cultures around the world refer to different sources as Ki, Chi, and Prana. Mana is the power that grows within us as we grow stronger. Ki is the strength that comes from our mind. Chi comes from within, from our very soul. And Prana is the power of the natural world around us. Tapping into different sources makes certain spells stronger."

"So tapping into the power of a swamp would make Blue Magic stronger?" Aki asked applying his new lesson.

"Ah, as Mr. de Acqua did?" she asked casting a sly smile at Aki. "As someone who seems fond of Black Magic you would do well to study Prana."

"I've never heard of those three," he said sheepishly.

"No, unfortunately most younger Magicians have not. They are older teachings when the world used Magic to the benefit of others. Now they only want to gain power quickly; to use it to destroy each other. They forget that power begotten easily is easily lost," she warned as she paced the floor slowly. "Send a Fireball at me."

"What?" he exclaimed off guard at the absurd request.

"Take out your staff and send a Fireball. The tip is charred; I assume it is your most used spell." Aki glanced at the protruding instrument and removed it from the holster inside. He slowly took a fighting stance unsure if he should follow through. He breathed deep and furrowed his brow. He felt his Mana bubble up inside and then travel through his arm and wrist and out through his staff. The wooden snake glowed red for a moment before a red smoky haze swirled in front of it. A quick explosion followed firing a melon-sized Fireball at the Empress. She flicked her wrist and a brighter orange Fireball fired at his, striking through it leaving nothing but a puff of red smoke. It continued to fly and struck the wall behind Aki searing the white stone. He looked at the impact and then back at her in a daze. "Why was mine stronger?" she quizzed amusedly.

"Because you have like a thousand years' worth of experience over me."Orpheus hung his head in embarrassment but she only chuckled.

"That, and because I combined my Mana with the Prana from the sun. Having two sources of energy made it faster and stronger than yours. We must tap into the power given to all things by Gia if we are to realize our full potential."

"Why does everyone keep pushing their religion on me?" he asked bitterly.

"Even one who has seen what death brings is still too prideful to see that there are things bigger than himself. I do not think there is anything else I can teach you today," she said, her voice tinged with sadness but her expression still emotionless.

"Wait, why?" he whined.

"Because you do not believe that the night exists until you see the stars. One who is truly strong knows that strength is more than just his own power. You have potential but you must open your mind past what you are and are not capable of. Orpheus, send word when you two reach Middletown," she said as she walked away, her back to them.