Chapter 27

Fate of Yggdrasil Chapter 27

Part 1

Chilly mountain air chewed through the old man’s thick coat. His joints ached, lungs burned, and stomach was tight, but his mind, focused, like a steel trap, nothing escaped. Prey the size he hunted that night was beyond anything else he’d brought down. Unimaginable, nothing in all his years of hunting, or living, had startled him the way that creature did. Its visage, with only the light of the moon casting a faint glow onto its astral black fur, radiated an otherworldly aura. He’d known from a glance; the beast was dangerous. “Log 22…” He grumbled into his handheld recorder. “I’ve pursued the monster now, for a month. Tracks are strange. Five toed prints leave oil…or something like oil behind.” Placing two of his fingers into the prints left on the dirt road, the man withdrew them dripping with a sappy liquid. “Townspeople are scared. Kids say they saw it, cars getting scraped up, and pets are going missing. No animal howls like that. Gonna’ to keep tracking it for the next hour…then gonna’ call it for the evening. Arnold out.” Returning his recording device to his pocket, Arnold looked to the moon in the sky. It hung overhead, glowing warmly yellow, surrounded by twinkling stars.

Branches nearby crunched! Arnold’s old brown eyes shot into the woods, staring deep into the darkness, adjusting. In the instant that his sight needed, the silhouette of a creature slinked off into the abyss of trees! That dark colored fur was distinct, thus Arnold chased behind the creature, masking his murderous intent. It moved around the oak trees, ducking in and out, weaving through the woodland with purpose. Once the creature reached the ridge, Arnold trained eyes on it. Bent over with a back hunched so high it reached above the old hunter’s own head, the monster looked back with gleaming eyes. Pulling his ranch rifle up, the shot was perfect, almost more so than any he’d ever had in his life, but it smiled. A smile so insidious, almost begging, pleading for the man down the hill to shoot. With the lowering of his barrel, the creature frowned, then continued on its way.

(…That thing, it wanted a fight. What the fuck was that?) Arnold took a breath and prepared to retreat while rethinking his approach. That beast more than dangerous, it was malevolent.

Part 2

My eyes remained locked on the black staff, my target, just an arm’s length away. A gleaming black sword impeded however, coming within centimeters of lopping off my head! I ducked the attack and reached out, nearly there, only for the blade to halt my progress again! Every time the weapon neared, I correctly calculated its trajectory, giving me time to consider a counter attack – a better course of action. Victory would’ve been a certainty, but suddenly the ground beneath my sneakers hardened, breaking into a multi-sectioned rectangle, springing up and catapulting me away! I pulled my legs around, flipping to my feet, but by the time I was aware again, the black sword loomed overhead! (Dammit! Have to block this! No! Dodge again?! If I dodge, I’ll have to move back! No! Attack! Break through!) I moved my hand to my mouth, ready to rip my nails out, but the thought of using those claws gave me pause. (No, not now.) I looked back up and it was too late!

With less than a split second to spare, the sword stopped a hair short of cleaving my face in two. “Thinking too much, again.” Retracting its blade, Anesha’s knight piece familiar floated back toward her and the bishop. “Disappointing. Months of training and you’ve only managed to better your flexibility! You mimic my technique well enough, yet obsess over minute decisions and refuse to throw kicks with any instinct. What’s the point of having all of this training if you refuse to use it?!”

Words, biting as always. “…Sorry.” The witch took umbrage with that apology, glaring at me collecting myself on the ground.

“Apologies do little for the dead.” Anesha stormed out of the factory and into the abandoned lot, fuming. Ever since that night, our already strained relationship took a massive step backwards. Unsure of how she may possibly interpret the meaning behind my actions, be they fear or rebellious rage; I stifled my inquisitiveness and refrained from making eye contact.

“Young Fate.” Bramble, another of my strained relationships.

“…Yeah?” I responded, hesitant to look the dog faced minion of Anesha in the eye.

“Though I understand your reason for sulking, I do say, it is pointless.” Bramble sat alongside of me on the floor, his brown fur tinged with red flakes of the seed’s residual mana I’d exuded from training. “Keep in mind, dear boy, I do not dislike you any more now than I did when we first met.”

“…” Couldn’t tell if he was trying to get on my good side, or just making polite conversation. The dogman’s natural cadence and tone were soothing, but I couldn’t forget his words that day.

“Soon, 3 days will have elapsed since that incident. Do you not believe it best we continue to stay on good terms?”

“…3 days? Oh, I guess the 4th of July is coming up.” Somehow the month was coming to an end without me even noticing. “…Guess, I’ll end up getting a ton of messages soon. Mom’s going to be upset if I don’t call her.” Muttering to myself. For the first time in a few weeks, I felt lonely. “…Bramble, listen…I won’t betray Anesha.” Openly, at least. (For now…)

“I have little doubt that you plan to betray her somehow.”

“What?! No, seriously!”

“Young Fate, as of now, I’ve lived for more than 5 times as long as you. I am no fool. That spark in your eyes, it is one of rebellion. I’ve seen it in my allies’ eyes as well at one point.”

Deep down, a part of me trusted Bramble. Even if our goals didn’t align completely, he wasn’t directly antagonistic toward me; just loyal to Anesha. True as that was, after being reminded of my place in the witch’s grand scheme, my resolve to live on was only strengthened, making us opposed no matter what. “Regardless, I know my…place.”

“Fate!” Whenever Anesha would call my name, a flash of the void replayed in mind. That nothing, that darkness all around, to stave it off I’d retreated to humming again, as was my coping method. “Since it is clear you’re failing to grasp the purpose of this session, I shall reiterate.” Pointing to the bishop, Anesha emphasized the staff. “When facing Magekin, you are to disable them. Our hands and mouths are the key way we cast spells. It requires massive concentration, which can be aided by a Magekin’s armament. My hat, for instance, is one.” With the snap of her fingers, the hat soared by me with a machine-like hum! It landed atop her head, and when I closed my eyes, I could sense the change in Anesha’s mana. It changed from a calm outward flow to a focused stream, coursing throughout her body! “The most common form is in a hat and wand or staff, lo', I’ve known some to keep it as a pendulum on their hand, a mask on their face, and a glove. Breaking down an opponent is the best way to overpower them. Take away their means of combat, unnerve them, and they are no longer a threat…” That idea stuck out to me. ‘Make it so they’re not a threat’, was what I wanted… “Then end them, so they can never be a threat again.” But clearly not what she wanted.

“Then, you want me to focus on taking out their armament when fighting, then their hands and mouth?”

“No, you fool! I want you to stop planning every single aspect! Live in the moment, is what I want you to do. Planning is fine, lo’, should it go awry, live in the moment, trust yourself and move without overthinking everything! That is why we train! We train so you do not need to think about every movement, every attack, how hard you should swing, what maneuver to do!” With another snap of the fingers, the knight charged again unleashing a flurry of slashes! I backed away, slipping in between them, but only barely! “Fighting a Magekin one must always prepare for their familiars. They can be of many different shapes and sizes, showcase a multitude of abilities, have thoughts all their own! Sometimes…” I was rammed off my feet, sent rolling across the ground by a massive wall smacking into my side! “There can be more than one!” The white rook! Its tower shield had knocked me so far; I’d need to dash for the bishop! With the ground exploding beneath my foot, I charged, yet the knight was in the way. It swung for me, and I ducked! My chin nearly scraped the floor, but I pulled up, launching a flipkick upward, unfortunately, it was too strong.

“Fuck!” I was stuck up in the air, unable to maneuver as the knight piece floated up toward me, blade at the ready! As I rose, my foot met something hard. It wasn’t the ceiling, I wasn’t close enough, I knew that for sure, but it didn’t matter. Whatever was back there helped me change trajectory, dodging the strike, and reaching the ground first! Again, I charged, full force and…was blasted from the side by the rook. “Dammit! I was so close!” I couldn’t help but let my frustration boil over.

“No, be proud.” That compliment from Anesha caused me to do the first double take in my life! “The object you found as a foothold in the air, behold.” She pointed, revealing what had helped me. It was a transparent blue orb with golden symbols encircling it!

“Did you do that?”

“I did. Fate, relying on me and liking me entail two wildly disparate things. If I am able, I will assist you in a fight. However, should you grow so complacent and lazy, then you are as good as dead; and more worthless than dirt. A hinderance to me.” The humidity within the confines of the old factory must’ve won, as Anesha peeled off her leather jacket, with a light sweat glistening in the moonlight on her pale skin. “Now, stand up. This time, we shall train as a pair.”

Part 3

Lying flat-backed across the cold concrete factory floor with my overheated body was made even more pleasing while downing a bottle of water. I felt it all circulating through every nook and cranny of my insides, energizing me! “Pitiful.” A snide remark as Anesha stretched. Still without her mage's robes, the witch sported a pair of yoga pants, sports top, and running sneakers, all black and purple of course. “Your display today, in regards to training, was pitiful.”

“Well…sorry about that.” I wasn't expecting more praise, but being constantly insulted was exhausting.

“No, you should take that as a compliment. You were pitiful today, yesterday, you were worthless, maybe tomorrow you shall ascend to lowly.” She chuckled. Telling if Anesha was in a good mood was more difficult than telling the way the wind would blow. “The aftermath of your battle with Lauritz showed me more than enough. Without witnessing the battle firsthand, I can surmise the series of events. You were caught off guard due to your inability to sense mana. When you had an opportunity to land a killing blow, you hesitated, multiple times. His familiar attacked, but you were unable to focus on Lauritz, giving him time to cast more spells. Ultimately, the final blow that was struck, was due in part to you losing your composure. Am I correct?”

Almost beat for beat, my every mistake was called out. I’d already run through that fight in my head a million times over, seeing that if not for the train killing Lauritz, we’d have been done in, Erna and I. “I don't know what to tell you. I’m not a born fighter, like you.”

“Born? Foolish. I worked hard, devoted myself to training, and ultimately attained this physique and skill that I am so proud of.” Proud was the perfect word for it. I'd never have expected a witch to be constantly showing of her toned abs, legs, and back, but nothing about Anesha fit expectations.

She finished stretching and stood up from the yoga mat, the only one we had, which I wasn't allowed to use. “Uh, I'm going to change out of my sweats, and probably head to bed. Is that okay…?”

“Do what you wish. I'm going to clean myself in the upper room. Do not consider peeking or I shall pluck your eyeballs from their sockets.” Where the line was drawn between her showing off and me looking was unclear. Anesha walked the stairs to the upper landing, carrying along our joint bathing supplies and her personal luffa, disappearing into one of the abandoned offices.

I kicked off my shoes, and hung my sweaty workout attire on one of the old pieces of machinery. Looking around, I began wondering what work was done in the building we used as a temporary base. Likely a steel mill, the abandoned factory’s silent interior was haunting. The only sound was splashing as Anesha created a warm squall of water in the office, cleansing away the workout sweat. Brown bricks, a still paved concrete floor, and rusted machinery; I loved abandoned buildings! (Nothing beats the sound of your own steps in an empty building! The feeling of being alone it's…!) Suffocating! I was alone, Bramble was with Anesha, and we were so far from civilization even ambient city noises couldn't pierce the silent surrounding hills! (Fuck! Can't I enjoy anything anymore! I…)

“Fate…” That voice, it wasn’t real, I knew that. “Fate…” Calling for me, every so often, it was a hallucination! “Fate…” Or was it? My perception of reality had shifted over the course of months, so maybe those voices were real. “Fate…” Echoing on and on, from no real direction, the cadence shifting, tone dilating, volume low enough to barely hear but impossible to ignore, they loved the darkness. Slightly Familiar voices came around corners, veiled in the shadows of the moonlight, and over my shoulders. When I turned to chase them off, they disappeared, and I stepped on one of my bag straps, toppling it and all the contents onto the ground.

The perfect distraction from my nyctophobia came in the form of my phone screen lighting up! An unread message from Gabriella was still in my notifications bar. Without opening it, the message headline read… [Hey, been a while! I’m currently sitting in your room!] I nearly screamed at the top of my lungs! [*Clubroom! Lol! My bad!] Was the second message just beneath it. [You guys seriously need to clean up. When are you coming back?] I didn’t respond – couldn’t respond. If I replied, I’d have probably wanted to talk more. It wasn’t the first time since the funeral that Gabby had reached out either. So many unread messages sat on my phone, and it killed me seeing them. Mom, Chester, Demica, my old boss Wally, I even had a single message from my crotchety teacher, Professor Russell.

“Fate!” I turned immediately, thinking it was another disembodied voice; however, it was Anesha. Raven hair dripping wet, and in her pajamas, she’d managed to sneak up on me. “Go ahead and clean yourself next. Bramble will act as your reservoir.”

“…”

“What?”

“Nothing…” I knew what she meant, but I didn’t like the way it was phrased. I gathered my bathing supplies and walked up to the office. We’d been fortunate in finding an office with a shower, still mostly intact, just lacking running water or a frame. Since we weren’t planning to stay for longer than a night, we simply celebrated breaking our three-day streak of needing a shower. I entered the chemical emergency shower station, and looked to Bramble. “…Don’t peek.”

“Young Fate, I can promise, you have nothing to show me that is of interest.” In the distance, I could hear Anesha snap her fingers, and suddenly hot water burst forth from the dogman’s fur! “Go ahead, clean yourself. I shall rest until you do.” The glow of the seed’s mana he’d absorbed was still prevalent on his body, but he laid down so calmly in the corner of the unit.

Washing up, I closed my eyes and could sense the line of mana flowing from Anesha to her familiar. The water that was exploding upward into the ceiling and raining down on me from one of her many spells, but it was being directed through her familiar, like a proxy! (If only Anesha wasn’t so…I’d be taking notes on how these things work.) Finishing the shower, I skipped trimming and dyeing my hair since it was late and sleep was calling my name. With the day mostly over, I crawled into my sleeping bag, eying Anesha who sat awake watching her radar as I drifted off.

Part 4

Eyes…

“Whoa!”

“What is it?” However long I was asleep didn’t matter, I sensed something! “Fate, what is the matter?” I found myself on my feet, eyes locked firmly on the entrance!

Anesha was still seated, using her radar to scan the area. For a second, I doubted myself, but the feeling didn’t pass! “Someone or something is here! I can tell!” Anesha immediately stood up, and discarded her clothes! With the snap of her fingers and a quick exertion of mana, her mage's robes seamlessly clung to her semi-nude form. Slinging her jacket covered in silver trinkets on, the witch readied herself in less than a second!

“…I can sense it now too.” She began to inch toward the window, as Bramble and I followed. Whatever was there, the overpowering aura wasn’t malicious. It wasn't benevolent either, but that imposing feeling, inescapable. “This isn’t a Magekin, or at least one I know of. Could it be one from another country? How did they sneak up on me?” Anesha’s cageyness worried me. We’d spent so much time preparing for the inevitable battle, but was I mentally prepared to possibly kill a person? “Like we planned…take the lead, I will cast a spell to support you. Understood?”

“…” I silently nodded, resolving myself to fight for my survival, until…

“Fate Isley, Anesha Kyteler, we mean you no harm.” In the briefest of moments, Anesha looked to me, baffled as I was! “Please, converse with us.” A voice so deep it rattled the busted-out glass windows around us resounded.

“…Explain yourself from there!” Anesha halted her chanting, but rested her hand on one of the many trinkets around her waist. The seed pumped heat through my veins, but my heart fought back with cold fear.

“We have information we wish to acquire about the two of you. We are Seer.”

“Fate. Come along.” It was like tension had rapidly evaporated from Anesha’s body. She stood up, and simply walked out into the open!

“What?! Anesha, wait! Bramble! What’s going on?” The dogman also seemed unbothered as he followed behind his master.

“Simply follow us to understand.” Seeing both so unworried with my senses still blaring, I inched out slowly.
(She said rely on instincts…) Under the stars, alone in the gravel covered lot, a solitary figure awaited us.

“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Anesha Kyteler, Bramble, and Fate Isley.” The dainty frame of a little girl silhouetted in moonlight stood with an ash-colored scarf wrapping and concealing their face. “Fate Isley, you do not know of us. We are Seer, a collector of information. We wish you no harm and only care for the gathering of records.” Eyes so brilliantly gold and viper like, even from yards away and with only small openings for them, they pierced down to my soul.

“Anesha…?” She said nothing, just pondered silently.

“…State your business, primal being.”

“Another one?!” I dropped back into a fighting stance! Primal being, just hearing that brought up bad, recent, memories. “Do we attack? Should I attack? Anesha, quick!”

“Silence! This primal being is of no threat to us.” Despite the witch’s words, she kept ahold of her belt. “Seer is a well-known, yet sparsely detailed primal being; one that existed before properly recorded history. It exists as a totally neutral party to all, simply aiming to keep records of all things throughout time.”

“OK…why is it a little girl?”

“We inhabit all of those sharing our genes. As those genes are spread, we gain the ability to borrow consciousness when we see fit. It allows us to experience important events firsthand.” Tattered and covered in mud, the girl’s red dress was ruined from traversing the surrounding unkempt fields.

“Its location has never been known to Magekin. Any discussion of the Seer’s appearance has never confirmed aspects beyond feathers blacker than the darkest night, eyes richer than any gold, and a body with more arms than the whole of humanity.” A creature beyond my own imagination, was what Anesha described. “For the Seer to make its known, you must want something desperately. I’ve read that you only do such when a person who has a great chance of making history appears, and you crave knowledge of their past that isn’t readily at your fingertips.”

“This is true.”

“I see no reason to offer stories of my past.”

“A trade. Information for nothing is not our way. For knowledge, we offer knowledge. You grant us the information with crave, and we will give you what you crave.”

“What information do you offer, and what information do you request?” Seeing Anesha so cordial, it could only mean she was intrigued by the deal.

“We ask of you, Fate Isley; during your first video production, what happened to cause you to lose the footage of the owlman of Greenville?” That wasn’t a memory I’d thought about in years, but the second the Seer brought it up, it all flashed back.

“It was because…” Relived embarrassment halted me. “…I was…distracted by the architecture of the old hotel, and ended up filming nothing. Teddy suggested we start doing to a two-camera set up after that.”

“That lacking attention span has always been a part of your character, it would seem.” Another insult by Anesha, unsurprising but fair.

“How did you know about me messing up the first recording?” Despite my embarrassment, that was more curious to me than anything. (We didn’t tell anyone about that, I just told the others that the footage wasn’t useable.)

“We browse many corners of the web. First, we came across the original post referencing the Occult Research and Study club’s proposed first video investigation. It was noted the video would go up on one week after the initial post, however, it was postponed for an extra week. Then, we lulled the information out of an unknowing Perry Fitzpatrick, who confirmed that was due to you saying the footage was unusable. Now, we have confirmation as to why.” I was floored. Not only did they keep track of something so minuscule as a missed date, but got information from my friend, all just to understand an unimportant piece of history. “Worry not, for we did not reveal our identity to Perry. We came to him as a normal, unsuspecting person. What we do now is so we can truly show our humility before you two.” Taking both sides of their dress, the Seer gave a plié. “Now, Anesha Kyteler…” Apparently satisfied, they moved onto Anesha. “What words of comfort were offered to you by your father at the funeral of your mother?”

“What?!” I had an idea, but I didn’t know for sure! Anesha’s mother had died. That revelation, thrown at my feet without ceremony, without context just…

“Nothing. He said nothing, and didn’t speak with me for nearly a year. Is that all?” Landed like a brick in the dirt. Anesha answered, unflinching; frankness almost more unnerving than seeing her angry.

“I see…what was the first thing he said once that year had passed?”

“That would be another question. Do you plan to offer more information on your side?”

“We withdrew the question.” In a way, I respected Anesha’s seemingly unshakable poise, but the level of detachment felt unreal. “Then, we shall now divulge this information. Four Magekin north of this current location, are moving south west…” Our goal was suddenly illuminated! “At one point, they traveled together as a group, however, they are now separating.”

“I see. Can you describe these Magekin? Looks, familiar, names?”

“We cannot offer that information.”

“Stingy.” Anesha huffed. “Is that all, then? If so, be gone, Seer.” Anesha turned to walk back into the factory, disengaging with the primal being all together. Clearly not fearful of the centuries old monster within yards of us.

I bowed my head, unsure if that was even correct etiquette, prepared to follow Anesha and Bramble, but the Seer called to me. “Fate Isley, do you not wish to hear the offered information?”

“Huh?” I stopped. “Wasn’t that the stuff about the Magekin?”

“You offered us information, and we will offer information in return. In regards to the Magekin, that was meant for Anesha Kyteler.”

“OK, what you got?” My interest was piqued.

“There are a number of threats moving toward Greenville.”

“…” Sound faded out, and back in. My heart pounded, blood ran cold, and the seed roared. “What do you mean?”

“Fate, calm down.” Her words reached my ears, but my body didn’t stop. “Fate, I said calm down. Come here!”

“What do you mean threats are moving toward Greenville?! I’m not there anymore! I’m here! Why are things moving toward Greenville?!” Those I loved, left behind, abandoned all in service of protecting them were in danger?! “Tell me what’s happening! Tell me how! Tell me who! Tell me when!” Other paled in comparison to my greatest fear!

“Enough!” Anesha’s conjured that purple glyph in hand, rendering me totally strengthless and enfeebled. The paralyzing grip on my chest surged across my whole body, causing me to fall to my knees, mere inches from the Seer. “Have you calmed down?”

“Y…Yes…” I hadn’t, not even an ounce. “Please…I…need to know.”

The burden evaporated and I felt the pain constricting my chest lessen as Anesha released her grip. “We cannot tell you who, when, or where, however, many whispers seem to point in that direction. The fact that we do not know of the exact origin would imply it is Magekin or another type of being. All we can speak to, however, is that you are not the target.” I was confused. Anesha, Bramble, and I all looked to each other, once more, baffled. “That is the information we have offered. Now, we will return this one home.” Another plié, and the Seer slowly backed away, walking off into the night, vanishing like a ghost.

“Anesha…”

“Silence.” Her reddish-brown eyes burned with indignation. She took a deep breath, sighed, and then continued. “I comprehend your feelings toward the matter of Greenville, and your friends. Your concern for them is noted, after all keeping them safe was our reason for leaving that city. However, you will not step out of line so readily. Should we complete our mission here, then that will remove one danger for your friends and family. Chasing a threat, that of which we have zero information on, would yield little more than exhaustion. We will hunt down the Magekin here, and then return home, yet not a second sooner. Understood?” In a way, it felt like Anesha wanted to reassure me, but it was sadly for not. I couldn’t escape it, that fear of impending doom, a shadow of death cast over Greenville and possibly my loved ones.

End of Chapter 27