Chapter 299: I Do Try

Chapter 299: I Do Try

Tala and Mistress Airim stood in silence for a long minute before Tala cleared her throat. You know, I am not a reality Mage.

The Constructionist frowned. Of course you arent, Mistress. Reality and void magic dont really mix. Well,she laughed self-deprecatingly"reality and any magic dont really mix.

Then, what did you mean?

I meant, why have you exposed yourself to the powers of reality?

I didnt really have a choice. Tala didnt elaborate. Part of her wanted to, but anything short of a full retelling would create more questions than it answered, and she had no interest in imparting such, even if Mistress Airim was interested in hearing it.

After a moments pause, Mistress Airim simply nodded, clearly understanding that Tala wasnt going to say any more. Very well. I can see that you arent really influenced by reality. She snorted a soft chuckle. I, of course, mean that in the best of ways. Lets finish the analysis.

-Hey, that was a good one. You should remember it for later.-

Tala simply sighed, not really interested in laughing at the moment.

The Bound nodded to herself, focused on Flow once more. Bound and bound and overlaid and merged. She looked at Tala. Part of the weapon is within your body as well?

All my iron.

Oh. The woman hesitated, then her eyes widened. Oh! Oh oh, my. That sounds like Her eyes suddenly narrowed. I dont mean to pry, but did you somehow find the corpse of a dasgannach?

I no? Are they even special after they die? I have the gold one in Kit, somewhere

-No, you left that behind.-

Involuntarily

Mistress Airim was obviously unaware of Talas inner griping, so she simply answered. Ive never seen one myself, but I imagine it would retain some magic.This chapter was first shared on the Ñøv€lß1n platform.

I suppose but were off topic. Is the what that important?

She made a non-committal noise. For this? Probably not. For you? Undoubtedly. I hope you have some very knowledgeable mentors, whatever caused this tangle.

Is it that bad?

A well-knit sweater can be called a tangle, Mistress. This makes that look like a childs drawing beside an ancient masterpiece. It was not meant derisively.

Oh so, is it good?

Absolutely! If you can make it work for you, and it seems like you can. At least youre still alive, so thats something.

Tala huffed a laugh. I suppose thats true enough.

Mistress Airim looked back down at Flow. I think Ive sussed out most of what I need, here. It really is a fascinating weapon youve nurtured, Mistress.

Thank you.

She smiled. The fact that this beauty will need a morphic sheath actually makes the whole process easier on us both, as I dont need to keep your weapon with me for the construction, and Im not constrained based on size.

Thats good to know. Tala could understand how having the sheath need to reshape would give a lot more flexibility in the original construction. I hadnt actually considered that as a positive.

So, what timeframe do you need this by?

Tala shrugged. I cant spar for another couple of weeks, so I dont need it before then. Even so, Id prefer it sooner rather than later.

So not a rush job, but not a take my time project either?

She shrugged again. That was my thinking, yes.

Alright. Mistress Airim nodded, mostly to herself, as she continued to contemplate.

So, you can do it?

She gave Tala an odd look. Of course.

The womans instant assurance made Tala a bit nervous, so she asked another question to verify a key point, Will you be able to block the conceptual manipulation?

The woman barked a laugh. No, not at all, but for your purposes, yes.

Tala frowned. That makes no sense.

Oh, but it does. The Constructionist grinned. Nothing that I know of could block this conceptual manipulation if it tried to enact. What I would normally doif such an insane project had come across my worktable beforeis add a layer of iron, protected between two layers of the sheath, sealing the conceptual magics away. You can probably guess how well that would work in this case.

Ahh I see.

Exactly. Your weapon would claim the iron, and it would cease to be effective almost immediately. She hesitated. Most likely. In any case, I wouldnt trust it in the slightest, as it would either fail instantly or be unnecessary.

Tala grimaced. So, thats just a no. Well, thats frustrating.

It is, but your real purpose in asking, I assume, is to ensure that you dont harm your sparring partners, correct?

Thats right. She felt a bit of hope returning. She did not want to have to spar without Flow.

Then, that isnt a concern. Your weapons conceptual nonsense should only act on that which you cutor intend to cut and contact maybe. It might not be enacted in that second case. Mistress Airim hesitated, narrowing her eyes in thought. It might also work if you simply no, no. Forget that. The manipulation of ownership is decidedly tied to what is cut.

And I can manipulate iron that I own, now.

-Thats what it seems like, yeah.-

Alright, I think I understand. So, just having any sheath over it will protect against the conceptual danger?

Well, any effective sheath? Yes. Remember, though, this weapon is still growing into your new advancement. I wouldnt trust a mundane sheath, nor any made for you before you were Fused. I am obviously biased, but that is my professional opinion. Anything weaker will risk shattering under the magical weight of your strikes.

Good to know. I assumed as much, actually. Tala bit her lip in thought. What will be the implications for the portion of the weapon in my body?

Well, as long as you dont somehow turn the iron in your body into a cutting or piercing something, you should be fine?

Tala opened her mouth, then closed it, frowning. Oh I did not consider that.

You can actually do that? The womans eyes widened slightly, but then she shook her head. Of course you can. She sighed. I dont know that I have a solution for you, there.

No suggestions at all?

Well, if you can find a way to keep the attacks sheathed? It wont blunt the hits, like the sheath Ill be making for this lovely weapon, but it would keep the concept of ownership from being altered.

I could maybe add a layer of the white steel over anything I try to create with the iron? Its not like Ill be throwing my iron around. Tala shuddered internally at the very idea of losing another bit of metal. Though, I suppose it will just vanish, now, rather than being severed. So, thats a plus?

-Definitely a plus.-

The young man had already moved on with his singing, clearly not actually focused on the magical creature that hed accidently drawn her attention to.

It tried to invade her mind and push her attention away, but it was weak, and she held her concentration and resisted with basically no effort.

What is this? A syphon for ants? Surely, no mundane would actually fall to this weak power. It had to be directed towards animals or insects.

-No, youve just gotten a lot sturdier, mentally.-

It was then that two small eyes opened, high up on the walls of the little shop. They looked around, searching, and stopped to stare directly at her.

Oh thats a syphon, and I stared at it too long so it knows that I know its there. What were the chances of that happening?

Before an answer presented itself, the street exploded with power as tendrils shot out in all directions, knocking people from their feet.

Only Tala and the odd man managed to keep their balance.

Tala drew Flow and bisected a flailing syphon appendage down the length, sweeping her weapon to the side to cut it off completely, even as the blood around her surrendered its iron to her weapon.

Thick, clear liquid sloshed onto the ground around her.

Wow, that was quite effective, actually. The single attack seemed to have drained a disproportionate amount of energy from the young syphon as well.

In the same second, the man drew and slammed a mace into the attack that had been sent his way, resulting in a destroyed syphon tendril with gore and blood showering the street.

The guy looked around, seeming a bit aghast. Oh oops.

Tala glanced his way. Oops? You didnt expect the blood? Have you never fought before?

He glanced back. Well, of course I expected the gore. I hunt all the time. I just didnt think about coating the mundanes. His face scrunched briefly before he just shrugged.

They continued deflecting and cutting apart attacks as his rapidfire words just kept coming.

Little known fact, though: syphon blood is good for your skin. So, they should be fine, better than fine, actually.

Tala blinked at him a few times. What? Why does that matter?

They jumped away as more attacks slammed down. Each of them snatched up a prone pedestrian, moving them from the path of impacts.

Now is hardly the time for questions, Tala. Get down to business. Im Tala. Clear the civilians. Ill keep it occupied.

Pavrimax, I can help!

Getting them to safety is a help. You can fight after.

Pavrimax grimaced briefly then nodded decisively. Fine!

The syphon was barely orange to Talas magesight, now that it had unveiled itself. Even so, it was physically powerful, and she really shouldnt let herself be harmed, bodily.

Well, stab to gain ownership, eh?

-Tala? I dont think-

Tala didnt let Alat finish.

In a single motion, she powered Flow into the form of a sword and threw it with all her might into the syphon-buildings center, just a half-dozen yards away.

The blade whirled in sharp circles, slashing deeply through the outer reaches of the beast to stick firmly near the center.

As the blade embedded into the creature, Tala threw her magical weight behind a newer aspect of the magics that she found within her soul-bound weapon.

Unfortunately, it did nothing special, mainly because her efforts were rebuffed.

The claiming of iron wasnt a question of magical weight, at least not in a way that she could enhance.

Even so, she could feel iron being claimed from the beasts ichor by the second, and the whole building shuddered, seemingly pulling in on itself.

Clear liquid was streaming out of the slashes that Flow had made before landing, and Tala could feel her power overcoming the vastly lower magics of the magical parasite.

The tendrils of the syphon were still flailing about, but they now lacked power, bouncing off buildings, the street, and even mundanes who were still trying to get further away.

The hits to buildings caused rumblings, but no cracks.

The impacts with the road sent up plumes of snow but didnt upset the pavement.

Even the people who were hit only stumbled, most not even falling to the ground.

Pavrimax came sliding back through the slush, taking up a runners stance, seemingly about to lunge at the building.

Stop. Tala held up her hand. Its dying. Dont go in where it has more strength left to use against you.

But there are people inside.

Tala frowned, taking on a mindset close to that she used as an Eskau. I dont see anyone, nor do I hear them. Did you see anyone, and could they have been illusions?

He shrugged. Its more a hunch.

Tala opened her mouth to say more, but the man, the Archon, was already gone in a burst of power.

Immaterial Creator?

-Or Guide, hard to tell, but Id say momentum or kinetic energy focused, outwardly aspected.-

Yeah, clearly.

Master Pavrimax slammed through the remaining walls, eliciting a subdued roar of outrage from the struggling beast.

To her surprise, Tala heard a few exclamations of overwhelmed relief before the Archon blasted back out, carrying three precariously balanced people.

As he jerked to a halt beside Tala, the people went tumbling away, and Tala heard some pops and cracks which might have been bones breaking. This elicited more groans from the three people.

One more! Master Pavrimax vanished once again, even faster this time, and returned with a man who also tumbled from the Archons arms to land in a heap with the others.

There were ongoing whimpers of pain from all four.

Tala turned a confused glare on the man. Why werent you more careful? Couldnt you have

The syphon let out a last pitiful gasp and crumpled in on itself, utterly crushing everything still within the building.

She hesitated only a moment before letting out a sigh and shaking her head. Ahh. Well, good job I suppose?

Thank you, Mistress Tala. I do try.