Chapter 2

I had moved on from my area. The warrior humans surprisingly moved on from the area I was at, but I did not want to take any chances staying there. Alie still had not come out from her own space. I miss having company.

In meantime I had tried to build a shelter for myself. But it was not close to anything I had tried to envision. It was a mud house that every escaped beast-men knows and had to do to survive in the wild when trying to get away from the captures.

During the time I was building my mud house I noticed my wound was healing. I can only assume it was Alie healing me. Spirit or fair. Her abilities were beyond what I could grasp.

Days would pass and I had seen hundreds of boats pass by the coast, bearing flags of different ethnic groups. "Things on the mainland are probably getting worse." 

Its problems might be reach here soon. I need to find my people before the black coats come find me or the red inquisition does. I might have to cross over the mountain and so I did.

The large wall of mountains stretched miles it was never ending. I did not see the peak of the mountain either. Only on clear days could I ever see it. 

Climbing it looked impossible since there was no actual trail. The mountains were block mountains. So, there were not a lot of places to climb. I strayed around the base of the summit to find a trail of sorts.

After walking for hours, I came across a river. It was a large valley. "Would you look at that." The river was clear. Thousands of salmon were traveling to the sea since it was already spring.

 Crossing the river would be impossible. I could get swept up by the current. Coincidently there were large boulders I could hop on and cross the river. 

I made camp once I was on the other side. I staggered a bit when I was trying to lift a small log for my fire. It was my fever again. 

I have had it for a while now and it will come and go. It worried me a lot. Why is my body doing this to me? 

It felt like life was telling me to give up on living in way. The world is spinning around me. Was I tired or sick? This fever will not go away!! 

In frustration I punched through a tree that was wider than I was. "What? My strength…its back?" I touched my neck and to see if the magic seal was still there. A sign of a spell is the warmth of it.

The seal on me was broken that. "So, this the inhuman strength my mother talked about." I feel lighter and free.

I never realized that my senses were stronger. The paranoia I had was permanent. I had it all my life. I do not know how to handle it. Even now I have no idea what to do. 

"It's probably why I never notice the changes in my body." The smells around me were potent. It was hard to know what was.

 It was not because of the different smells mixed around in the air. It was because I never smelled anything else except iron, coal, and smoke. So, it was very new to me.

The sounds around me are noticeably clear. I could hear the different animals. That day I never forgot the sound and smell of nature.

The night had come. Though nothing happened it was quite beautiful. The moon light shined over the land for the first time. I have never seen the moon before. I was in trance by it. 

The sound of my heart was pounding, and the fever was getting worse. This continued the following day. What is going on? It is like the fires of hell were placed in me.

"I need to get up…the …ocean... I need to get to the ocean." My knees gave out on me. Whatever was happening in my body was affecting the function of it.

The waves hit my body and carried me into the ocean. But the heat in my body did not go away. You Idiot. The sound of a women. It was the voice of someone that I never would see again.

"Mother?" "Not exactly." Things became clear and the heat in my body had gone away. I recognized it was Alie. "I cannot have you die here Ivalyo. If you die, I die." "I just wanted to cool down or…I… I don't know." 

"This deep in the ocean is a funny way of not knowing." "What?" To my shock I was far out in the ocean. There was nothing but water around me. The world became an ocean around me. 

"I can breathe?" "Its not surprising you have strong magic after all and also because of me as well." "My magic." "Let us get back to land first. Staying in the water for too long is never a great idea."

With no struggle she leaped us out of the water with her magic. "I felt relieved that my fever had gone away and the gravity around was much lighter on my body. But something felt different too. 

"You, ok?" "Yeah. I'm ok. You look more human now." "I guess so. I won't be able to keep this form for too long. But in time I will."

"Why did you come now?" "Because you were about to die." "I just wanted to cool off. I had this fever burning up and I did not know what to do. The ocean seemed like a logical solution."

Alie doubted me I can see it in her face. She was right…maybe. "The fever. That might be my fault." "What?"

"The binding spell between us was completed just a moments ago. So, the contract is not done." "I thought that was solved awhile ago." 

"Your emotions affected the process. You have powerful mana. And the reason for the fever. You are normally supposed to be asleep during a contract ritual with a spirit. The mana in your body was gradually heating up and caused the serve fever you had."

"?" "Never mind what I said. You will not have to go through it ever again since the contract is complete." Her outfit had changed. It was a white dress with brown leather boots. She wore something similar to a robe.

"I see" "Come here." 

"What's wrong?" She grabs my hands gently and affectionately. "What are you?" "Relax." A golden light had appeared in our hands and eventually covered us with its warm glow. "This glow." "It's a healing spell." I have never seen such a warm spell. The spells I remember would physically hurt and mentally damage us.

"There. You will look a lot better soon." "So, what now?" "Hmm…well I think its time we find a town somewhere." "A commune? Here in the southern lands?"

 "There have been times that people have tried to settle here in the southern lands. A few city states have flourished here…to some extent. And as some communes have survived the harsh climate here and monsters."

"How do you know they are actually out there?" "I gathered knowledge of the world Ivalyo. I know where the communes are." "Is it safe to go to a human settlement?" "Your right…then I will head into and trade with them."

"Trade? With what exactly." "Come. I will show." She took me to an open space in the forest that was toward the gap where the river flowed through. 

"Here." Suddenly she used her magic to tear through the ground. "What are you doing?" She stopped blasting her magic at the ground then.

Piles of dirt and grass were everywhere. "This is what we'll be trading." She holds out a grey rock. With slights of red in it. "They are humans Alie. They want things that are either editable, shiny, or destructible."

"And shiny is what we have here." "It's a rock." "Break it in half." With any struggle I broke the rock in half quite easily. Inside the rock was pure red stone that was amazing as the moon.

"A diamond." "Not quite a diamond. This is called a ruby." "A ruby I never seen one before." "But you know of diamonds." "Yeah. The panther beast-men have history of jewels. Diamonds were the most important."

"I see. Maybe we'll find some here. But for now, let gather as much as we can. We need to trade with them soon. Before things here get much worse for us."

"Much worse?"

"It is spring now so the weather here will subtle for a short while, but this place is known for its monsoons, heat, and winter. If we do not find the materials to survive it will become harder to survive here. And this area is the only safe place in the entire land of the stars for me and you to live."

She might be right. "I see..." Normally I wouldn't listen to humans. But she doesn't act like one. "Right. Umm let's find a way around this mountain range." 

We walked around the area to find some sort of path that could get us to the other side of the mountains. Alie believe these mountains worked like a shield. They could protect anything on this side of the landscape.

"We need to get you some clothes too." New clothes? That is the first. "Look." We were near the gap that the river flowed through. "Look there's a small space we can climb onto."

There were flat ledges that stacked on each other like stairs sort of. "I never thought I would be climbing over a mountain in my life." "And? How does it feel?" "Kind of refreshing and tiring."

"We are going to have to go though here again too. So, we must get used to it."

We cross over the gap quite easily. The view from the other side was beautiful. It was a sea of grass, with a few patches of trees and mountains. "This is the plains sea. 50 thousand miles of plain grass." 

The world I thought was horrible was filled with many things that described beautiful. "Come." "Where is this village of humans at anyway?" "It's quite far. It will be a while before we get back here."

"And how long will that be?" "Wellll maybe a week to get to the commune and a week back. Sooo…two weeks." "Your joking?" "Don't worry It will be an enjoyable to weeks." 

"There are black coats in this land. If they find me. They will either kill me or force me to another slave camp." "I know. I don't want that to happen."

She doesn't want that to happen to me? Alie was a mystery to me. Her facial expressions were unfamiliar to me at times. "We should still go through. If we are to survive out here, we need the help of humans."

"Why are you so positive about this." "I'm not positive about it Ivalyo. If there is one thing, I'm positive about its that the black coats can't be everywhere." 

"How so?" "We are thousands of miles from the nearest city state. It would take a month or so to get there. All black coats stay near the city where their quarters would be."

"And they wouldn't come out here?" "Not unless their property runs a way." "Don't say that." 

Alie realized the improper wording she spoke. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to." "Forget it." 

The atmosphere was awkward. She walked behind at her own pace. She looked like a child wanting to say something but struggles with the words to say.

"I'm sorry." She whispered. I don't want to say anything. I can tell she has a good heart. But I have no idea how to handle these types of moments.

She stops for a moment to stare at the sky. She reached as if she was going to be handed something. "Alie?" 

The sky was dark, and the clouds darkened. There was a strange smell in the air. "Smoke." Ash was falling over the land, and the sky was covered by the smoke. 

"Where is this coming from? And the smell." "That smell is coming from mages. Mana being used as fire."

"And this debris?" "The king of Lazare. He must be using his mages to clear land to expand his kingdom." "How you so sure." 

"Isabella city is a safe haven for beast-men and the princess there does not have the money to afford the Mages towers resources."

Something about this told me it was a omen. "We should keep going." 

Alie didn't say much about it. She looked frustrated. As she was understanding of her own powerlessness. As days and night pass. Alie wanted to get to know me. But I was not open to her as she was to me. 

One day she asked me why I'm following her. "Why are you following even though you could go anywhere you want?" "Wouldn't that affect our contract?" 

"No really it just brings me back to where you are anyway. Which is also strange to why you never want to go back to your people?"

"…" "You don't understand why you are just going along with anything I say right?" "I can tell you have a good heart. I can't say I have an answer to your question…. maybe I just don't want to be alone anymore."

My answer sounds pathetic in a way. Alie might feel uncomfortable about. "I see. Well, we have all the time in the world to get to know each other. And hopefully we can establish some sort of bond."

Her smile was so pure. My mother always had that same smile even in the hardest of times. "We should sleep. Tomorrow well be at the commune." 

"Oh…yeah." "Good night, Ivalyo." Her voice is quite adorable and yet mature. I lay back on the tree wondering to myself. Where do I want to go?

"The mother of rain will find her children in the land of stars. Will she protect her people no matter what? Am I worthy?" The Mountain beast had forsaken his people. Wil the spirits do so too? 

The morning had come, and the entire land was covered in smoke like a fog. "We should be there soon." "I hope this works Alie." "Me too." The commune appeared clear as we got closer and look very much like a regular home for humans. "All right. I will go in and see if I can find a trading hub. Stay near that tree line ok. We can speak telepathically if things go wrong."

"I guess I'm watching the road then." "Yup. Now go." "Will you be alright? There are a dozen knights Alie. They can easily contain you."

"As long as I don' t do anything that will upset them I will be fine. Wait how do you know there are a dozen knight there?"

"I can…smell them I can see all their scents." "See them?" "Yeah, It's like very clear water in the form of clouds." "Really…hm." "What?"

"Nothing. Get to the tree line. We can speak while I walk into the village."

***ALIE POV***

Walking into the village was pretty nerve wreaking. But this feeling of wanting to experience new things is something I've been wanting ever since I woke up from my seal rune.

I can't remember much about who I was or what I am. I went back into my own space dimension to see if I could remember anything from my past. I didn't want to leave Ivalyo by himself. 

Though he does not admit or won't ever admit. He seems to have given up on his life. I felt maybe he would be alright since we weren't in a place that would have threats.

"You still there Ivalyo." "Yeah." "I'll be back soon. So don't feel stressed about it." "Just be quick alright."

A sign that said tavern was held up next to a post. So, I know where it was. "Alright let's do this." With determination I walked into the tavern with confidence. "Welcome."

"Ah…hi." The interior was dull. There were a few people in the tavern drinking or eating but not too much activity. "You must be a traveler. What can I get for you?"

"Well, I like to trade." "Trade?" "Yes." The tavern owner was in disbelief when I placed the red rubies on the counter. "My, my. This something you don't normally see in our little village." "Would you like to buy them?"

"I would. But I don't have the money to buy every single rock you have here miss. I could probably afford just a few maybe." "Really?" "Indeed."

"Is there another trader here?" "Well, there is one person but he's someone I would not make deals with." "And who would that be?"

"The mage that's in charge of protection against magical forces. But I warn you he is a snake under that robe of his. He breaks every rule that mage tower has written in their laws." 

"What about other travelers." "We usually get travelers that would come through here every few days but because of the smoke and getting lost in it many people have chosen to stay in Port Ama."

"Port ama?" "Yes. It's a port city in the south of us." "Under who's jurisdiction?" "The Sindira kingdom." "Sindria." "From the land of fruit and spice."

"Interesting to be honest. But the port city is not part of their kingdom they are under the protection and is a key port between our two worlds."

"How far is it from here?" 

"A week from here. There are few taverns along the way courtesy of Port Ama." Strange. I wonder if the kingdom in our region knows about this.

"I don't have to make that trip. If you can't buy them all. Then maybe at least one, then it will be enough." "You know a caravan will arrive here soon from the Iron Faction. They will have things from all its members."

"I thought you said know will not travel in this smoke." 

"The foreigners will not be traveling. The people of the stars are resilient so I have no doubt they would being traveling here."

"Two days?" I might as well sell one hear and ask Ivalyo how he feels about staying a few days."

"A message was given here and that they would be making a stop here. Its up to you though." "I understand I will sell what you can buy." 

I glad I got something at of it now let's see if Ivalyo is willing to stay for a bit. The owner offered me a room. So, we won't have to stay out in the open. But I have no idea what they will do if they find a non-human in their home.

Ivalyo was sitting under the tree shades when I got back. "Did you get what you need?" "I did. I bought some stuff while I was there. And hear change into this." They look like miner clothes. It was all they had."

"So, mining town." "Yup. They immediately knew of the rubies I brought."

"Then let's go." "About that." "What is it?" It was hard to say what I wanted too. His stern voice always makes me nervous. "The tavern owner mentions a caravan coming to this village in a couple days." He crosses his arms.

"I couldn't sell all the rubies. Their prices are very high, the tavern owner could only buy two of me." "Staying any longer out here is very dangerous as is Alie. And I don't want to be out here any longer."

"What's wrong?" "I just feel like there are eyes everywhere. Like someone is watching me." "When did you start feeling this." 

"When you left." I closed my eyes to sense any powerful magical force around the commune. The mana is weak here, but the main source of mana was in the knight's quarters.

"The mage knows where here." "A mage!?" "Ivalyo!" "A human mage is here Alie. They are just as ruthless as the blackcoats!" 

Ivalyo was losing himself. "Ivalyo. You need to calm down your mana is beginning to be unstable." I grabbed him by the face to cast a calming spell on his mind. 

"You don't know how to handle your mana blood flow. Your emotions will rupture your mana causing you to either burn or you could explode!"

Explode!? "Take a few deep breaths." "Alright, alright." This feels familiar or like I meant a person just like Ivalyo.

"We should leave." "You're right. We should walk a side the tree line. Just so we don't run into trouble." "Alie what is that." 

"What?" "I can sense mana, but it's condensed in to like a flat surface of sorts." "Yeah…I can feel around us. It's changed. The mana was weaker hear but it got stronger suddenly."

The wall of magic was a few feet in front of us. I step towards it through some magic at it. The magic exploded on impact when it touched the mana wall.

"A mana field" "What is that and how do you know about that?" "I don't know." No doubt this is the mages doing buy why keep us trapped here.

"Is defense type of spell. Think of it as placing a bowl over your food. We can't get out no matter what." "What do you think he wants?" "I can think that it's the rubies." 

"Then let's give it to him." "I agree but we must stay cautious. The tavern owner told me he's a vile snake. We have no idea what he will do or what he's capable of."

"Right then what should we do."

Telepathy

"First, we should speak to each other in telepathy. He might be listening on his."

"Wouldn't he still be listening to us." "This is an ability we only share as sealed pact between us. He can't interfere with the magic of spirits."

"Then we should get going. We might have to comfort this mage.)" "Before we go, I will give a spell that will protect yourself."

I place a magic circle on the back of his hand. "It's projectile spell only use if we have to fight. This mage is from the tower. He will have an arsenal of magic spells."

"I understand"

As we spoke indirectly. A small mirror was watching us behind it was the mage grinning with a devious face. 

"Hm. A runaway slave and unknown creature with powerful magic. I wonder if the tower will let move on from this shit hole of village. Once I capture these two?"

They notice my spell rather quickly. One can sense the mana and the other can see it. I must get in touch with the Black coats soon.

Looking at Ivalyo he seems very intriguing. "This one also has powerful magic. And has yet to seem to understand how to control his magic. But it's hard to tell what his magic is."

Maybe I can buy this one once I turn in to the Lazare crown and the black coats. "I must be careful with the half breed. No binding spell ion it. Meaning I won't be able to take him down strength wise."

"Well, it doesn't matter. Magic always tops strength and he hasn't mastered his magic. And the girl seems above average in magic. This should be easy."

As he leaned back a voice had called out to him. "Please sir…just kill me." The mage turns toward the suffering voice of a women. Her body was changed into a grab-like creature with resemblance of her former human self.

"For god's sake. Why are you still complaining? You volunteered for this." "But you didn't keep your word. My brother was supposed to live." 

"Your brother tried to kill me to save you. I just defended myself." "You…bastard." "I've been called worse. A weaking, a failure and no talentless yak."

He steps from his seat facing the unfortunate women. "But I was just held back by my teachers they didn't see the value of my work."

He snaps his fingers forcing the women to lay on her stomach. "They said playing with creation is against the laws of the king of magic. The laws against the gods!"

"Even my sister abandoned me. They forced me to the ends of the world. But they were foolish to send me here. You are proof of my experiment achieving. A new weapon that will change warfare forever. The age of chimera is here."

"But you still have human features. So, you are still somewhat of failed experience. But maybe these two can work." 

Well then. Lets see what these two can show me.