Chapter 27 Precognition

Aurora heaved a deep sigh, stopping in front of a small patio. Two rocking chairs teetered back and forth squeakily beside an old stone table. The low-cut grass and flowers in the small garden swayed back and forth in the gentle breeze.

Shoulder-height wooden fences stubbed out from the ground in every direction, partially obscuring the captivating scene from nosey onlookers. Aurora breathed in deeply, taking in the aroma of the beautiful environment before letting out a ragged breath and steeling herself.

After so much time spent within the stone walls of the Academy... she was home. If viewed from above, one wouldn't have any trouble picking out the dissimilarities between this home and those around it. The rooftop had a steeper pitch, and the abode was taller than those around it without having an extra story... it was more like the home was wearing a large, pointed hat.

The outer walls were constructed in a blackened brickwork that bore a stark contrast to the surrounding homes. A dirty, cream-coloured paint was used to highlight the trim around the window frames and ornately carved doorway, giving the house a unique look that the surrounding dwellings didn't dare replicate.

After another long, ragged breath, Aurora forced a smile on her face. Opposed to the stone and metal of the Academy, the smell of the flowers and the freshly trimmed grass helped her feel at ease. The sound of the constant creaking of the rocking chairs replaced the drumming of her heart. She felt almost liberated from the pressure and the gloomy days she felt at the Academy... though even the high fences blocking the view from the street and the nostalgic smell of the garden couldn't prevent the odd sensation that had her so worked up.

Aurora stepped onto the patio... and heard a click. She jumped at the noise, stumbling back before noticing the front door swinging open. A gorgeous woman stood at the threshold, smiling excitedly. If it weren't for the few lines around the woman's brow and her speckled grey hair, one would think the door had opened to reveal a mirror.

"I thought I heard someone shuffling around out here," the woman smiled and stepped forward, wrapping Aurora in a tight embrace. "Oh, my sweet girl, you've grown so much. I'm so sorry that we couldn't stay after the ceremony."

"M-Mum..." Aurora's voice came out in a choking whisper, tears starting to form in her eyes.

"Baby, are you alright?" the mature woman stepped back and looked at Aurora worriedly, wiping her thumbs gently across the young woman's cheeks.

"I-I'm fine, mum. It's just been so long, and I'm tired from the ride," she answered slowly, not wanting to worry her mother. "My bags weren't light, and I haven't gotten much sleep since the ceremony."

"Deary me, why am I holding you hostage out here? Hurry in and get comfortable. Come on now," her mother ushered her in, taking the bags from Aurora before she could protest. "Warm biscuits are waiting on the counter."

"Alright," Aurora smiled... a genuine smile, one not so fraught with worry. She glanced at a nearby window, where she could see a large, dark silhouette crouching behind the curtain. "Is dad around?"

Her mom looked back and winked, "Oh, you know Raymond. He's toiling around the shop, as usual."

She stepped in, already smiling and trying not to turn her head toward the living area. This was a game they'd played for years, and her stepfather always felt lousy when she called him out. Their relationship changed when he burned through his savings to send her to the Academy. She'd long seen the man as her second father... but she felt indebted to him now, making her feel awkward.

"Aurora!" as she passed the arch leading to the living area, he leapt out from behind the wall, calling her name and laughing. "You're finally home!"

Aurora feigned surprise and jumped back, laughing at the antics of the giant man. Her mom smiled from the hall before dragging the overstuffed bags into one of the side rooms.

"We just got back from the shop no more than a half hour ago! Your timing couldn't have been more perfect!" Raymond grinned broadly and gestured to the kitchen, "Let's enjoy some of your mom's cooking and catch up. We're so proud of you, and I want to hear everything!"

His voice and his words were genuine, and his smile lit up the room. Aurora couldn't help but be affected by his energy. This man had shown up in the darkest period of her life, bringing a beacon of light with him. When her biological father vanished... it put Aurora and her mom in a tough place.

Raymond stepped up, taking care of them and treating her like his own. It wasn't just paying her tuition that left her feeling like she owed the man... he'd given her everything and still supported her dream to find out what happened to her father. There was no way she could ever repay him.

"What's wrong?" Raymond turned serious, looking closely at his daughter. There were dark marks under her eyes, and he didn't miss how stiff her expressions were. "Is there someone bothering you? Who are they? Where can I find them?"

"Calm down, Raymond!" her mother appeared and wrapped her arms around Raymond's thick biceps. "She's exhausted and had a long trip home. Let her rest. You can interrogate her later."

Raymond raised an eyebrow and looked at Aurora worriedly, "Alright... if you say so. Just make sure to tell me if I can do anything for you. And be sure to grab one of your mum's biscuits while they're still warm."

Aurora hugged them both and grabbed a biscuit before heading to her room and closing the door. She knew that it wasn't only her that hadn't been getting rest. Both Raymond and her mother had bags under their eyes... signs of their constant struggle to keep the shop going.

Her guilt at having soaked up so much of their earnings for herself grew, and she could only be glad that it was over. Now that tuition was no longer necessary, they could slow their pace and relax. No more books. No more tuition. No more sending gifts to the First Floor.

Aurora wished she could show them how truly grateful she was, but the best she could do for now was to reach a higher Floor and pay them back. They went through so many sleepless nights to provide for her. She wouldn't let them down.

As she lay on her bed, a sudden itch made her cringe. She twitched her neck, rubbing the spot aggressively against her shoulder. A breeze passed through the open window, gently shaking her curtains and causing her to jump. She leapt up and closed the window, ensuring the latch was tight, before crawling back on the silk sheets and cautiously examining her surroundings.

Aurora found nothing out of place. Her room was exactly as she recalled. Next to the door stood a tall, ten-foot glass pane which reflected her figure sitting on the bed. She leaned against the wall, stared at her reflection and pulled down the collar of her shirt to reveal a bright red patch of skin. Blood trickled slowly from the wound, and she fought the urge to scratch at it again.

"Haah..." she placed her head in her hands and began to cry as the itching started again, a primal fear creeping into her mind. Her shoulders twitched as she sobbed quietly into her sleeve.

"Not again..." she muttered almost inaudibly as her mind formed a connection with one of the Cards within her Deck Box. Aurora did her best to fight it, but it continued to drag her in, her surroundings turning a deep red as she tried to resist the pull.

Her head shot up, and the room around her began to spin. The familiar white curtains and tall mirror disappeared as the colours swirled together, and she found herself somewhere else entirely.

A tall white building stood before her. Four enormous pillars supported a massive awning at the top of several wide steps, where a beautifully crafted door stood ajar. Aurora spun, taking in her surroundings.

High metal fences surrounded the structure, and she could make out the faint glow of unactivated circuits on each spire. Myriad carriages lined the street before the building, where men and women in masks and quirky attire exited and ventured toward the massive building.

Aurora opened her eyes wide, stunned at the clarity of this vision. It hadn't been the first, but it had been the only one she could see clearly. Before she could get any clues about the location, the scene shifted again, and she found herself in a dark alley.

Trash and broken glass littered the ground. The broken concrete was filled with water, which rippled as a cold wind blew down the narrow passage, distorting the reflections of the few lights that cast shadows about the place. There were no indications of life. One of the puddles rippled harder than the others, and she could make out a glowing sign when it cleared.

Grandhardt's Sour Skies

It appeared to be the sign for a small shop... or, more likely, a tavern, judging by the location. Her heart throbbed, and the anxiety she'd been feeling grew in intensity.

Splash!

The same puddle splattered, the tight walls as a black boot stomped uncaringly down the broken stone walk. Though it was hard to shift her view, Aurora managed to slowly raise her head and catch the sight of a hooded figure traipsing by.

The shadowy figure carried a large sack over its shoulder. Though the bundle was as large as the figure, it didn't seem to struggle under the load. Its footsteps echoed rhythmically in the tight space until it came to rest in front of the tavern.

With a loud, wet thud, the sack fell to the ground in front of the door. Another splash ensued, and Aurora flinched from habit, even though the water couldn't touch her in this form.

When she looked back, she could see the puddle turning colour. The mirror-like water was turning crimson at a rapid pace, staining the brown bundle. Her heart began to beat fiercely, and she almost retched as a horrid stench assaulted her.

"Hm..?"

The hooded figure turned its head swiftly, looking directly toward her. Its face was covered by a black mask, only its ebony eyes showing through... and its eyes were looking right into her own. She froze, dread and terror filling her as the itching on her neck spread to the rest of her body.

She needed to flee. To get out of this place as soon as possible... but she was frozen. Internally, she screamed that she wanted to be free from this place... and suddenly, she was. As if the Card showing her this vision had listened to her plea, the world swirled again, and she found herself looking into a mirror. The one in her bedroom.

Her clothes were drenched, as were the sheets she sat on. A bright red stain showed on her collar, and the wound on her neck was openly bleeding, no longer just a blemish.

Aurora rolled out of bed and stood shakily, trying to control her laboured breathing. Closing the distance to the mirror, she looked at the wound and then her complexion. She'd lost colour... her face was pale, dreadfully so. Her lips trembled, and tears welled in her eyes.

Suddenly, the irritation stopped, and the feeling of dread was washed away by a wave of euphoria. She closed her eyes and focused on this feeling, and she could picture the glowing sign from her vision, though only the first part stood out.

Grandhardt.

She pulled a pair of glasses from a case on her belt and donned them while simultaneously drawing a Card from her Deck Box. She'd read the description countless times, trying to understand what was happening to her.

[Card Name: Precognition]

[Class: Spell]

[Rank: Sacred]

[Level: 3]

[Essence: 0/100,000]

[Description: The Wielder has a sense that steers them in the correct direction to keep them out of harm's way or lead them to great prosperity. At times, both peril and fortune walk hand in hand]

[Sacred Effect: When an important decision needs to be made, the Wielder gains deeper insight through a vision. The target of this insight will either lead the Wielder to great danger or to remarkable fortune]

[Effect 1: The Wielder experiences irritation when there is an opportunity or danger is imminent. Danger is typically accompanied by an uncomfortable sensation while opportunity is denoted by a soothing warmth]

Aurora lay back on her bed, thinking over the lines she'd read. Peril and fortune walked hand in hand... and both awaited her in Grandhardt. Her eyes closed, and as she drifted off to sleep... she made her decision.

***

I smiled warmly as I looked at each of my guests who had joined me in the living area. David floated upside down, poking his fingers at the carapace of the unnamed Beetle and giggling when the creature raised its shell and flapped its nearly useless wings.

My Pixie rested comfortably on my shoulder, watching the two and smiling in amusement while the shoulder-height Golem stood to the side with little expression, occasionally scratching at its head with a stone finger. Each of these beings was a part of me, and I could feel their delight at being out in the open.

Before calling on them, I spent 21,000 of my remaining Essence to Level both David and the Beetle to Level 3 so they would each last a couple of hours. With all of my Summons at the same Level, I felt much more comfortable relying on them for different tasks. In addition, both of them gained some unique Skills.

[Card Name: Beetle, Rhinoceros]

[Class: Summon]

[Rank: Pure]

[Level: 3]

[Essence: 0/100,000]

[Description: The Wielder Summons a Beetle companion. All mental Foundations must be of an equivalent Level or higher than the Level of the Summon]

[Duration: 1 hour]

[Cooldown: 30 minutes]

[Skill 1: Reinforce. The Beetle hardens its shell, becoming tougher to injure for a brief time]

[Skill 2: Crunch. During its next attack, the Beetle's horns gain additional crushing power]

[Skill 3: Flutter. For a short period, the Beetle flaps its wings, allowing it to hover over a short distance]

The Beetle's new Flutter Skill allowed it to flap the wings on its back and hover for a short time. At the moment, I didn't see how that could be useful... but I couldn't help but wonder what would happen if I Promoted the creature. That was a decision for later, but it was on the table.

[Card Name: Spirit, Glacial]

[Class: Summon]

[Rank: Sacred]

[Level: 3]

[Essence: 0/100,000]

[Name: David]

[Description: The Wielder Summons a Spirit companion. All mental Foundations must be of an equivalent Level or higher than the Level of the Summon]

[Sacred Effect: As a Sacred Summon, the Spirit, David, has been blessed with natural awareness. Will not required for this Summon, but be warned, this Summon has a Will of its own]

[Duration: 1 hour]

[Cooldown: 30 minutes]

[Skill 1: Minor Fear. The Spirit instils a feeling of dread into its target]

[Skill 2: Spectral Connection. The Spirit forms a link with its Summoner and other Summons, allowing them to communicate through thought]

[Skill 3: Frost Field. A domain of frost spreads around the Spirit, chilling and slowing enemies within its range]

David's new Skills would both be valuable in most situations. Between his Minor Fear and his Frost Field, he could handle a good deal of crowd control. As for Spectral Connections, it was a Skill that allowed him to communicate with any entity he chose as long as he formed some kind of bond with them. With his naturally intangible body, he could become a master informant.

Of course... that's only if he can control himself.

I chuckled again as David flew through the different objects in the room, shifting between his invisible and visible forms, which it seemed he didn't need a specific Skill to do. It was interesting to see what he could do naturally, and in addition to his Skills and awareness, I could certainly see what made him a Sacred Summon.

At Level 3, the Holy Ranked Pixie that sat on my shoulder enjoying the show couldn't yet speak, though she could vaguely communicate with gestures and was intelligent enough to follow more than just basic orders. The Blessed Ranked Golem, on the other hand, could only follow the most fundamental of commands, even at Level 3. Stay. Attack. Lift. Place. Throw. Use Skill.

Then there was the Pure Ranked Beetle... It couldn't do much. At the moment, it would act on instinct to protect me, the other Summons, or itself, but it couldn't understand commands. That was apparent by the few minutes I spent conveying to the creature that I needed it to stay put... not attempt to devour my furniture.

Yeah... I'll probably definitely end up promoting it.

"Rowan! Watch this!"

David swooped to the floor and angled his body straight, shooting up into the ceiling. I watched for a while, but there was no change. Something pulled at my ear, and I glanced at the Pixie, who was pointing at the floor below me.

"Boo!"

David's head was poking out through the floorboards staring up at me. I laughed heartily and patted the cushion next to me, "Come have a seat and talk to me, lad. I'd like to know why you decided to come with me."

"Hmm?" David floated up from the floor and came to rest on the couch, "You were funny, and... well..."

The boy looked down at his feet, "I've spoken to a bunch of people over the centuries... and tried to talk to more. When I showed up, some would run... others would talk but kept their distance. After a time, I learned it was best to not show myself often. You were the first person who ever treated me like a real person."

"Well..." he looked at me thoughtfully, "There was another who treated me well a very, very long time ago, but his Deck was already full. He was kind, but there was no room, so I didn't ask."

I raised an eyebrow, "Is that so? I'm delighted you decided to come with me. I'm assuming you've never left the First Floor?"

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"No," David shook his head excitedly. "This is the first time I've been on the Origin Floor since... well, you saw. Anyway, I've been trapped by the stairs all these years and could only venture so far from that point. Life was boring before the Academy came along, and even then, all I could do was try to play with others or sit in on the lectures."

"You sat in on lectures... for over six thousand years?" my shoulders stiffened. I was disheartened to have to relive my last few days at the place... but thousands of years? That must have been torture.

The young boy nodded, "That's right. I watched them build it, and I sat in on so many lessons that I memorized them centuries ago. You wouldn't believe how long they've used the same material, though they do update information here and there as they learn more on higher Floors."

"How did you become a Spirit?" I asked, pulling my timepiece from its pocket and glancing at the time. We still had another half hour before David would fade into the Card. The Pixie flew off my shoulder and sat beside the young boy, patting his hand even though her own kept phasing through.

"I don't really know," he scrunched up his face and squinted his eyes toward the ceiling. "I remember dying... and let me tell you, that was not pleasant. After that, I simply woke up above my own body. Cain was barking orders at a small group of my tribemates he'd brought up the stairs after using that boar's tusks to cover up the wounds he'd caused Abel and me."

"After that, they travelled into the woods, and I couldn't follow. The few who stayed behind became deathly sick after eating the boar," David sighed. "Of course, you learned in the Academy that the meat of Plagued Beasts is poisonous, and there aren't many who can safely consume it without an Endurance Foundation."

So I guess most of them died.

"What about the other tribes?" I asked curiously.

"By the time others showed up on the First Floor, Cain and the survivors were gone," David shrugged. "There were conflicts as a town was built around the stairs, but I couldn't see much of it. The distance I could travel was minimal at first. It took years to get used to my body and expand my range."

"I see."

"By the way, Rowan," David pointed to himself. "Do you think you can show me around town soon? I would like to see everything I heard about in the Academy. Just look at this!"

David flew up and pointed to the light, tracing the circuits on the ceiling, "This is amazing! How did they figure this out? I spent hundreds of years examining the markings around the stairs, and there is no way I could do something like this!"

"What?" I was taken aback by the thought of a child analyzing the Tower's secrets... though, after a moment, I felt I was being foolish. David had lived and learned for thousands of years. Even if his form was that of a child and it affected his personality, he would still have a vast amount of knowledge.

"Yeah," the boy grinned broadly. "I think I learned a few tricks, but I've never been able to try them. Obviously..."

David waved his hands through the table, and I laughed, "I suppose that would be a problem. You're welcome to look over the ones in the house while you're out."

I stood and headed toward the door, "I'll be outside if you need me."

David flew into the floor while the Beetle scampered around the Golem's feet. The Pixie flew back onto my shoulder and placed her hand on my neck. I smiled down at her.

I need to come up with names for all of them.

Naming a Summon was something any Wielder could do, and it would reset if added to another Wielder's Deck. I wondered what my father's name was for the Pixie.

Names helped when issuing commands, and I'd even heard that it helped them become more aware... though that had never been confirmed. In my previous life, I'd named the Pixie Lana after my mother.

After ambling through the flowers to the back of the house, I walked until I came to a short fence surrounding a tall oak. The moon was bright tonight, and I had no issues seeing the large stone that lay beneath the tree.

John Wilder

May Tara forever guide his path.

"Hey, pops," I sat on the grass, and the Pixie flew to the top of the stone and sat. "It's been a while. I... just wanted you to know that I'm doing all right. I recently found some notes from grandpa, and I did well on the First Floor. This life... well, things are going to be different. I only wish I could have come back earlier."

I breathed out slowly and leaned against one of the fence posts, staring up at the sky, "I'll be sure to make you proud, pops."