Book Three Chapter Nine: Sorc_of_Summon

Book Three Chapter Nine: Sorc_of_Summon

The trio managed to get out of the Mage Of Lifes dark tower without the Chosen One trying to mount anything else. Keeping a firm hand on the Chosen Ones arm in order to stop him from attempting any more snow-based antics, Qube eyed the next tower in the semi-circle.

The Sorcerer of Summoning. Someone who specialised in travelling to and from other realms. Qube looked at the Chosen One, nervousness twisting within her.

Would the Sorcerer be able to tell that the Hero was from another realm? Could they talk to spirits? Did they know about the Devs realm? Could they talk to the Devs?

She was less tired now that theyd left the tower of cushions, but she still felt slightly sluggish. Maybe they should have a sleep when they got back to Cobbletown Qube had been scarred by her last attempt to sleep outside of a bed and wasnt eager to repeat it any time soon.

The next Wizards Tower was enchanting, in both the visual and the magical sense. Visible vines of different coloured mana wrapped around the tower, holding it in place and stopping the precariously-built pile of stones from falling down. Trying to calculate the amount of magic needed to keep such an ostentatious display going was mind-boggling.

The Chosen One, unimpressed by this show of power, shoved open the towers door.

Hey, he announced as he entered, stepping away from Qubes restraining hand. How weird are you gonna be, Sorcerer-erer?

He paused, giving Qube and Definitely Bad Guy a chance to enter the room too.

The Chosen One abruptly turned around and left the tower.

Qube, who had only just managed to gather an impression of a young adult woman patting an ethereal wolf in a darkened room, hurried after her friend just in time to see him flop face-first into a snow drift.

Chosen One? she asked, worried. Had the Sorcerer done something to him? Was this some kind of spell? She shook her head, trying to clear out the lingering slowness that was making it hard for her to think.This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com

[Heal], [Lesser Shield], she said, kneeling next to him and putting her hand on his exposed back. [Minor Cleanse]. Her mana pool dipped as she poured protective spells onto the Hero. Chosen One, what happened? She frantically looked back at the tower, where Definitely Bad Guy was standing in the doorway, watching the scene play out.

The Mage stepped outside and closed the door behind him. He was frowning as he looked down at the Hero, who was groaning into the snow.

Im fine, the Chosen One said into the pile of snow. Nothing happened. Im fine. This is fine. My friends are [apples], is all.

Youre friends with apples? Qube asked, now extremely alarmed. How did that work? Was he delirious?

No, not apples. Theyre [apples], the Chosen One insisted, lifting his head out of the snow and groaning even louder. He rolled over and sat up, sinking deeper into the drift.

Chosen One, youre frightening me, Qube quietly admitted.

Sorry, its nothing, the Chosen One said, rubbing his face. That Sorcerer just looks like someone I know. And it threw me for a bit.

Oh, Qube said, lapsing into silence. That Sorcerer looked like someone from the Devs realm. From the Chosen Ones life from before she knew him.

She didnt like thinking about the Chosen Ones other life. It made her feel well, she didnt know what the word for how she was feeling was, it was a combination of sad, sick, and something else. Something that made her hands curl into fists.

Anger. It made her angry.

As soon as the thought occurred to her, she dismissed it. Why would she be angry that the Chosen One had a separate life? That he was an interloper, come into her world to change it? He was there to help!

She pulled some empathy from within her.

I dont want to have tea with her, the Chosen One said, trying to wedge himself behind Definitely Bad Guy.

Chosen One! Qube said, shocked at his rudeness. Why are you acting like this? Ive never seen you behave so she struggled to think of the word, so cowardly! Youve faced terrifying monsters, and battled beasts no others have ever survived! Youve spoken with real, live Royalty! You are the one chosen to save our kingdom! And youre cringing away from someone just because they happen to look like a different person?

Its not that, the Chosen One said, pulling a face. Its just, well, none of that other stuff actually I mean, shes ah, youre right. Yeah, youre definitely right. He heaved a massive sigh. Shes no different to the rest of you. Even if it feels different. He frowned, rubbing his eyes. Why does it feel different? he asked himself quietly. It shouldn't, should it? I dont know. Yay for being a pioneer!

The Chosen One straightened himself up, and stepped out from behind Definitely Bad Guy.

Say whatever you gotta say, the Hero said to the Sorcerer. The Sorcerer giggled some more, before sitting down at the table and pulling a cup of tea towards herself.

Well, I was thinking about this total cutie when the Head Mage asked me to help him with some spell, she started.

The Chosen One contorted, his feet remaining firmly planted while the rest of his body seemed like it was trying to fold up on itself.

I hate my friends, he whispered to himself during the Sorcerers entire speech. I hate them so, so much.

Qube, meanwhile, spent the entire time trying to figure out what this mysterious twin could have done to make the Chosen One react so strongly to her mere image. Had she committed some terrible offence? Had she done something personally to the Hero? But from how red his face was, and his refusal to make eye contact with her, the discussion of his friends, it was almost like

It was almost like shed had a crush on him and hed had to reject her advances! His friends must have tried to play matchmaker, and encouraged this other woman to confess to him! Maybe shed even pledged her protection to him!

Or maybe hed had a crush on her? Qube dismissed this idea nearly instantly. The way the Hero was acting right now was completely different from how hed acted during his courtship with Sexy Screamy Spider Lady. Sure, there were some slight similarities, mostly how uncomfortable he seemed, but there was none of the fun back and forth about whether or not they were in a relationship, or the Chosen One occasionally making heroic or chivalrous statements about Sexy Screamy Spider Lady.

In fact, one of the core defining features of the Chosen One and Sexy Screamy Spider Ladys romance had been how often the Hero had insisted that the Hunter not do or say anything overtly romantic, in total contrast to him not even hinting that Sorcerer Sara should stop leaning forward at the table and giggling while talking about how single and ready to mingle she was in the middle of her explanation about how to use her amulet.

The fact that Definitely Bad Guy had been able to pick up on this before Qube had was mildly humiliating, but then the Mage seemed much more love-obsessed than her.

Qube came back to reality when she realised that the Sorcerer was holding out an amulet with a rabbit on it. She nudged the Chosen One, who jolted and stopped trying to cringe away from the whole situation.

Yup, got it, thanks, he said curtly, reaching out and swiping the amulet.

Anytime, the Sorcerer replied, sipping her tea and peeping at the Hero through her eyelashes.

Urgh, the Chosen One said, staggering away. Qube started to follow him before she hesitated.

Definitely Bad Guy, did you happen to take note of where this amulet was supposed to go? she asked, suddenly aware that shed neglected her duty.

Of course, Definitely Bad Guy said, inclining his head slightly at her.

Excellent! Qube said brightly, beaming at the Mage. Thank goodness they were a party! It made things so much easier than when it was just the Chosen One and her to have other people to help fill the gaps. It was even better now that they had all started getting along, as they all strove towards the same goal of saving the kingdom and ascending to the realm of the Devs.

Oh. Shed totally forgotten to get either of the men to ask the Sorcerer of Summoning about the other realms. Qube almost turned back but caught sight of the Hero determinedly marching towards the next tower, not allowing himself to be distracted even by the snowmage someone had made next to the trodden-down path.

There was no way she could ask him to go back to a place that caused him such distress. Qube would have to cope with her curiosity being denied.

For now.