Cracks in the Wall

They all went over to the magical barrier once more. A storm was brewing over them, and the air was full of a certain anticipation, as a faint sound buzzed as they got closer and closer to the strange stones.

Iuria wore a light cardigan over her summery dress, and the strands of hair that her braid didn’t hold were tucked behind her ears. She lightly touched the barrier, and it flickered purple under her hands. It would not budge.

“I’ve always seen it as a shield to protect me,” she mused. “But every year he failed to return, the doubts crept closer. It’s hard to believe he is still the father I once knew.”

Berus looked at her. She looked so small, so vulnerable, so different from the strong, grounded woman he knew her to be. But when their gazes met, she put on a smile.

“But I’ve lived with it for many years by now. One day, I came to terms with it, I think. But I can’t deny I long to see more of the world, to use the knowledge of all those books. Living here is nice, and it’s safe, but in a way it’s not real. I think I’m ready to leave this behind.”

“Are you sure? You don’t know what dangers lurk in the real world,” Mikkah said, and even though he stayed silent, Berus could tell Phorok agreed with her.

She let out a small laugh. “Of course I’m not sure. But I know staying here will pain me more than trying to get out. It will hurt, but I think I can deal with that. Especially with so many wonderful people who will help me.”
“Don’t think flattery will get you anywhere,” Mikkah grumbled. “But by Lucine, it’s difficult to argue against you.”

Iuria twirled around, giving each and every one of them a bright smile. “I know. But I’m glad you’re willing to help me.”

Mikkah nodded, and looked back to the forest.

“What’s in there, by the way? It sounds big.”

“We don’t know,” Phorok answered her. “The forest acts as a natural barrier against unsuspecting travelers who might find the farm. No one ever dared to come here. But… when you two crashed here, something changed. I don’t know what it is, but it’s been on my radar the entire time, just outside of our view.”
“Hmmm. That doesn’t sound too good,” Mikkah said with a sigh.

Then, she turned back to the magical stones. Apparently, she was in full problem-saver mode.

“So, the stones are magical, right?” she asked.

“Exactly. As far as I can remember, they were crafted in the capital, then set up here and when we were in the farmhouse, the magicians activated them. No one could pass through unless one magician was there. The few times the king came to visit, he had a few of them with him.”

“But you don’t know the actual magic, right?”

He shrugged. “I’m a fighter, not a magic-caster. And while Iuria is of royal blood, she doesn’t have an ounce of magic in her body.”

“Hey!” She pouted at him. “I’ve got other skills of the royal bloodline, though!”

“Huh, which ones?” Berus immediately asked.

In the game, royal skills were exceptionally rare. A few of the higher-level bosses had them, and they could be difficult to work around. Maybe it was something that they could use to get out of the circle?

“Well, it’s called ‘Lucine’s blessing’ and grants me strong healing abilities,” she said, casually.

Mikkah blinked at her. “Oh.”

Berus nodded. “That sounds like a royal skill, yes. And quite a useful one at that.”

“But it doesn’t help us to get out of here.”
“You healed me,” Mikkah said. “You made sure I would heal up much faster than I should have.”

“Um, I’m sorry? Phorok told me not to tell you, but… yes.”

“I… thank you. Even if you didn’t tell me, I… appreciate it. I appreciate Lucine’s blessing. But next time, tell me about it, for our Lady’s sake. I don’t like skills being used on me without my knowledge.”

She left it at that, but he could tell Mikkah was still perturbed by this. She glanced at him, but then quickly avoided his gaze. He didn’t quite understand. After all, Iuria helped her get better faster, right?

But then he thought back on his own body. Or rather, that he was stuck inside an automaton. And it was clear that she still worried about that, as well. Even though for the moment, he was perfectly fine as he was. Well, aside from the fact that his body could use a few modifications from her.

“So, we still have no idea what to do about the barrier.” Phorok shook his head. “Wonderful.”

But Mikkah glanced at Berus. “Wait, your spirit could do something like that, right?”

“Huh?”

“That evil spirit! The curse.”

“Oh, you mean Ki-Rai. Yes, I’ll see what she can do.”

Outside of his sparring sessions with Phorok, he hadn’t really talked with her a lot. Mostly because she was still focused on fighting, so she was either too pumped up or too disappointed for him to really deal with her.

Just as he opened his menu, she greeted him with a grim look in her eyes and crossed arms.

“It doesn’t look like you’re going to fight,” she said.

“I’m not.”

“So, why are you here?”

“Um, well…”

“Not to talk, then.” She let out a big sigh. “Why do you think I want to talk with you?”

“Because… you’re lonely?”

“Of course I’m lonely! You’re the only guy I can talk to, and you’re just ignoring me for most of the time!”

He flinched. “I’m sorry, Ki-Rai. I didn’t think–”

“Yeah, I can tell,” she spat. “You never think when it comes to me. To you, I am just a piece of your menu. You can’t even pretend to care about me.”

“Hey, that’s not true.”
“It is. And you know it.”

He didn’t know what to say to that. In a way, what she said was true, as he didn’t talk to her as often as he should.

“Nothing to say to that, hm? I thought so.”

“I’m sorry.”
She rolled her eyes. “Sure you are. And then you’re just going to forget about me again.”
“I won’t. I promise you that.”

She floated closer to him, closer than before. “We will see about that.”

For a moment, there was silence around them. And then, finally, he slowly asked her: “So, can you show me the crack in the barrier that we fell through?”

“I knew it!” She glared at him.

“I’m sorry I have to ask this, but it’s really, really important to us,” he said. “You want me to actually fight, right? If we don’t get out, then we will stay here. For, uh, forever, maybe.”
“Urhg.”

She didn’t say another word, but floated around the stones. Finally, she pointed back to the sky above the farm.

“There it is,” she said. “Unless you can fly, the crack won’t be helpful to you, at all. Heh. I’ll share my mana sight with you.”

She waved her hands, and suddenly, he could see what she was seeing. There was a faint purple dome all around them, crackling with magic. And on the very top it was broken, with cracks going further down the dome but nowhere near the ground.

“Thank you, Ki-Rai,” he said, and he meant it. “I owe you.”

“Not only for this, you dumbass,” she grumble-giggled.

Sure, they might not be able to get out through the hole. But they might be able to widen it. And he had just the spell for that. In Berus’ hand, his lightning strike crackled.