Chapter 416: Mission Accomplished

Chapter 416: Mission Accomplished

Tala waited as Master Xeel collected his thoughts, still pouring his magic outward to slowly counter the remnants of the Reality MagesReikispower.

Finally, he gave a slow nod. Reality is fundamentally opposed to us for two critical reasons. The first is obvious: Magic. We introduce more and more magic into existence every moment we continue to exist.

When he paused, she decided to respond. I think I got that one.

He chuckled. True, that is generally the most obvious reason. The second is a bit harder to understand, however.

She smiled wryly. Ill try to pay close attention, then.

He smiled in return. Im glad to hear it. So, the only way that I can think to describe it is as a piece of paper.

Okay.

If you cut a piece of paper in half, how many pieces of paper do you have, then?

Two. She gave him a flat look. Is this the part thats hard to understand?

His smile widened. No, not at all. Between Zeme and the next worldwhat we see as the afterlifethere was a void, a simple separation. Ignoring the disastrous mess of things made by magic that the arcanes call the Doman-Imithe, the void was just that. Now, with every gate, there is, in a sense, a division of that void. Because of the nature of the void, there are more voids now because of gates than there would be without.

So, every gate creates a dual imbalance? More void and magic within existence?

Essentially.

So, shouldnt that mean that void and magic have more power, here? She frowned, considering.

They do, but existence requires balance.

And then she understood. So, existence itself drags reality into prominence.

Funny way of wording it, but effectively, yes.

Tala grimaced. So, the automaton I have in my sanctum?

If you activate it, Ill destroy it. Or someone else will. Even if it was perfectly safe nowwhich it wouldn't beevery moment of activation would give it the chance to be corrupted by reality.

She sighed. What if I soul-bound it? Or kept direct control of it through some sort of connection?

He opened his mouth, but then hesitated. Well, that wouldnt actually be an automaton, then. The name really says most of it. Automaton. It acts autonomously. If thats not true, then its not an automaton.

Its that autonomous action that allows the taint of Reality to grow?

Master Xeel considered for a long moment then shook his head. No, I think that autonomous choice is the issue. That choice-making is what leaves an opening for corruption.

Tala hesitantly disagreed, That cant be it.

Oh? He regarded her again.

Yeah, the core of the House of Bloods hold was an autonomous set of inscriptions that simply used a vestige to power itself. It made decisions, enacted magics, and generally ran the place free of issues. My understanding was that it had been doing so for thousands of years.

Master Xeel shook his head. I understand the confusion. Assuming they havent lost their rusting mindsmore than usual I supposethat core wasnt autonomous. It likely had incredibly complex decision matrices pre-set by its creator. We humans use magics like that all the time. In fact, our cities defenses function atop decision matrices of incredible complexity and nuance.

Whats the difference between the two? I mean, how is a really intricate decision tree different from a choice? I think I get it in concept, but I dont think I could actually explain the difference.

He pulled a long breath, then let it out slowly, his cheeks puffing with the exhale. Thats quite the existential question, Mistress Tala. It could be argued that humans are each just a very complex decision matrix, built by our biology, upbringing, and environment. I would say that the difference is the soul.

She huffed a laugh. So, a soul is what makes us into autonomous actorsmore than just a decision matrixbut being an autonomous actor without a soul is what opens the Black Legion up for corruption.

He gave a half-smile. I see what youre saying, and it does sound self-defeating, but in essence, yes. There is no hard line that says this is just a complex matrix and that is an autonomous actor. All that we know is that the more autonomous a thing is, the more open it is to corruption. I could list off a thousand ways to define the line, or gradient, or binary, or spectrum, but it wouldnt be that useful unless you intend on delving into magical constructs and want to stay on the safe side of things. There is no point in categorizing things unless you have use for those categories when youre done.

She frowned but didnt interrupt.

The automata were set free with their initial programming and allowed to simply act. Maybe that is the great distinction. They are created to act independently, so it is our conception of them as independent or autonomous actors that opens them up to the corruption. He shrugged. Ive conveyed most of what I can on the subject, as I am by no means an expert.

Tala understood the confusion.

It seemed like reality corrupted and bent even creatureswhich had at least what seemed to be soulstoward hating humanity.

After all, most magical and arcanous creatures dislikedor even outright hatedgated humanity. But Terry didnt.

Hed chosen to at least get along with her. So, he wasnt corrupt.

On the other side, Io had been corrupted, turning on her creators.

The Black Legion had as well.

Yet again, some Mages had familiars of both magical and arcanous varieties.

Why couldnt that work with automata, too?

For that matter, why were humans and arcanes immune to realitys corruption?

That drew her attention back outward to the cell that surrounded them.

Were not immune. We just have a bit more magicmaybe a bit more void tooand that protects us? Insulates us? She didnt know, and it seemed like even Master Xeel didnt have answers for her.

Based on Master Xeels words, she let that topic die, turning instead to other things that shed been curious about, and simply hadnt had a chance to inquire about.

Master Xeel?

Yes?

May I ask Did you ever marry?

No, I did not. There was a bit of sadness to his answer.

She nodded slowly and definitively in response. Oh, yes. Are you up for chatting?

He smiled, seeming to be recovering. Almost always. Your message said you wanted to process some things. Does now still work?

Thank you, Rane, and yes. I would appreciate being able to unload a little.

Then lets go find a good spot.

They waved goodbye to her unit and to Anna.

Then, Tala smiled, falling into step beside him as they walked through Alefast, together.

Terry flickered to Talas shoulder as they moved away, and Tala created an opening into Kit in front of the Terror bird, offering him the option.

He seemed to consider for a moment, then he bobbed his assent, headbutted Talas cheek, trilled happily toward Rane, and flickered away.

Apparently, Terry had taken the three days while she was within the cell to roam the surrounding countryside to explore, hunt, and get up to whatever it was he did on his own.

Consequently, he was ready for some Kit time as Tala had taken to calling his lengthy stays within her sanctum.

As for Tala, she had tried to take the time with Master Xeel to process everything that was swirling about within her mind, but her talk with him had also added more debris to the maelstrom of thoughts and emotions swirling through her head.

The flight back hadnt been nearly long enough to reorder her thoughts, and she didnt want to just talk with herself about it, even if that was in the form of a dialogue with Alat.

Thus, she had requested the walk with Rane. Even so, for the moment, they only walked side by side in comfortable silence.

The two of them swung by Artia and Adrills shop, dropping Kits door on the outside of the alley wall and sticking their heads in to say hi and let them know that Tala was back.

Beyond that, Rane and Tala just kept walking.

Rane could tell that a lot was bothering her, but he didnt press. Instead he was just there for her.

Like he always is.

He almost never overstepped; he never forced his help on her; and he was always willing to give it when she wanted or needed his assistance.

She shifted to bump her shoulder into his arm. Thank you.

He looked her way with a smile. Youre welcome, I suppose, but what for?

For always being there to help me. For being a good friend. She smiled his way.

Oh, just a good friend? He teased, emphasizing good so it was obvious he wasnt contesting the friend part.

You know, Id say that youre my best friend, but then Terry might get jealous.

Rane chuckled. I wouldnt want to be the cause of that, so I appreciate your restraint.

Of course, dear Rane, I do so strive to not have your end be the result of avian assault.

He shook his head, Terry tribulation would be an awful way to go.

Oh, I like that. Flickering flailing?

He made a fake horrified face. Horrible in concept and structure, well done.

She huffed a laugh and bumped him again. Regardless. Thank you.

You are most welcome, Tala. It has beenand always will bemy pleasure. He quirked a smile. You know, youve been there for me, too.

Oh?

Yeah. When I joined your caravan, you were kind to meand more than just in a professional sense. I was a bit lacking in social capacity, and you helped me to improve.

You were? She teased in return.

That made his smile grow. Fair. Im still not the most adroit, but I feel that I dont put my foot in my own mouth nearly as often.

Well, that was always better than putting it into other peoples mouths. She said, trying to keep the teasing going.

Then, they both paused, though they kept walking. Rane was the first to break the momentary silence. Like to kick them in the face? What were you going for, exactly?

She shrugged, giving a half hearted chuckle. Honestly, I wasnt thinking of anything specific. I was just trying to turn the words around.

Fair enough.

They fell back into comfortable silence as they continued meandering through the city.

Finally, Rane broke the silence again. Do you want to talk about it?

She hesitated for a long minute, during which Rane didnt press or say anything further. Finally, she nodded. You know what? I really think I do.

And that opened the floodgates.

She found herself unloading about everything that had been on her mindeverything except her stresses related to his Refining, of course and her other, growing, thoughts about himand Rane simply listened, asking clarifying questions, and showing her undivided attention.

She talked about Reiki, about Thron, even about Be-thric.

She whispered about those who had died under her charge, including two children in particular.

She ranted about Masters Xeel, Grediv, and Jevin.

She theorized about master Lisa, and the future of the gateless humans throughout the gated human cities.

In the end, she felt like everything in her mind was just splattering all over the cobblestones as she tried to piece together everything.

As she talked, Tala felt the weight slowly lifting from her mind and shoulders, and she found herself naturally leaning into the comfort of Ranes presence and listening ear.