Book Three Chapter Ten: Mind Mage

Book Three Chapter Ten: Mind Mage

The Chosen One kept marching until he reached the fourth tower. It was a strange monument that made Qubes brain itch just looking at it. While it appeared to just be an ordinary tower, the more she looked at it, the more she became convinced that it was actually twisted in on itself, despite its apparent straightness.

The Chosen One paused at the closed door long enough to let Qube and Definitely Bad Guy catch up. He still looked somewhat irritated, which surprised Qube. Normally the Heros moods were mercurial, quickly changing from one emotion to the next, but always reverting back to the kind of carefree attitude that caused so much trouble. She wouldnt have thought so small a thing as being confronted with someone whod confessed her love to him would have such a long-lasting effect.

Unless was he worried it might impact his relationship with Sexy Screamy Spider Lady? Qube was suddenly extremely glad that the Hunter hadnt been there with them. Not out of jealousy or anything like that! While the giant arachnid was free with her flirting, Qube couldnt imagine that she wouldve been pleased to come face to face with someone who had caused her lover such unhappiness.

Qube smiled at the Hero reassuringly.

You did a good job, she said supportively.

Thanks? the Chosen One blinked, startled out of his scowling. Im more just mad that they did that.

What they would he be referring to but

The Devs? Did they make her look like someone you know? Qube asked. A disturbing thought. While she knew the Devs were powerful beyond her wildest imagination, the idea that theyd modify someones appearance just to distress the Chosen One (or perhaps in some quest to push their matchmaking agenda) was horrifying on a whole new level.

She has always looked like that, Definitely Bad Guy interjected.

Yes, but time moves differently in the Devs realm, Qube pointed out, looking at the Mage. So she trailed off, frowning as she tried to piece it all together. Chosen One, how much time has passed in the Devs realm while youve been in our world? she asked.

The Chosen One locked up.

Well, its not like that, he started to say, before stopping himself. He sank into deep thought, scratching at his chin.

Its not one-to-one, he said eventually. Your entire world, everything in it, how long has it been around?

The two beings local to the world stared at each other, each hoping the other would have the answer.

Thousands of years? Qube offered up eventually, making the statement sound like a question.

At the very least, Definitely Bad Guy qualified. Sewer Bard would perhaps be better equipped to answer this question.

Definitely at least a thousand years, I think, Qube said.

Right, the Chosen One said, nodding to himself. Well, as far as I know, your world, or at least the parts of the world with you guys in it as you would recognise it, has only existed for like five years. Probably three if you wanted to be certain.

But that doesnt make any sense! Qube exclaimed. That would mean that whenever you interacted with the Save Point, and the Devs, hundreds of years would pass in our realm!

Like I said, its not one-to-one, the Chosen One explained. Time doesnt just go faster there or here. Time here, this world he hesitated, clearly picking his words with care it stops and starts. Its not always flowing. Sometimes it's faster than others.

Qube massaged her temples. Her head hurt.

What? she managed eventually.

So sometimes Ill spend a week here, and only a few hours have passed in the Devs realm, the Chosen One started warming to his explanation. Other times Ill have spent a week in the Devs realm, and almost no time will have passed here. Its not consistent, you see?

Qube tried to wrap her mind around the concept. What would cause such a disparity in the flow of time? But then, she was thinking of time as being linear. Her thoughts pushed up against a barrier, straining to try and expand her thinking.Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m

How could this work?

Its like a river, she said at last, relaxing as everything clicked into place. Where time flows in eddies and swirls, rather than straight through.

Youre gonna have to learn how to cope with emotions at some point, my dude, the MInd Mage continued placidly. Keeping all your feelings bottled up, thats toxic, man. Youre gonna end up exploding, or imploding. You gotta let that stuff out. How else are you gonna know who you can trust, and wholl help you when you need it?

Definitely Bad Guy reached the top of the ladder and paused, looking at the other Mage.

You need to be in touch with your emotions, my dude, or else youll end up in a bad situation, the Mind Mage said, staring at the Academys former apprentice.

Im pretty good at my emotions, thanks. The Chosen One, in his characteristic distracted nature, had let go of his spurt of anger, and was playing with a giant bottle, with several tubes sprouting out of it. It kind of reminded Qube of Squiggless tentacles, only these were clear.

Sure, the Mind Mage said, the rainbow lights panning over their face as they continued to look at Definitely Bad Guy, making their expression hard to read.

Youre gonna tell us about this amulet thing and then were on to the next weird Wizard, the Chosen One said, gently pushing the bottle and watching it tip back and forth, the grooves in the glass causing the multi-coloured lights to fracture. He seemed oblivious to the by-play.

Theres no more people after me, the Mind Mage said peacefully, unperturbed by the Heros lack of manners.

At this the Hero looked away from his bottle.

What do you mean? he asked. Arent there two more Wizards Towers?

Yeah, man, the Mind Mage said. But thats for the guardian and the Grand Working. An amulet appeared above their outstretched palm, with a strange animal that Qube had never seen before carved into it. It looked like a cat, but with a bushier tail with a stripe down its back.

A skunk. The identification appeared in her mind a second later. The rainbow lights stuttered in their rotation, and the music made a strange note. The Chosen One looked around, confused.

This whole place is pretty buggy, he commented to nobody in particular. Even more so than the rest of the world, he added as an afterthought. Anyway, yeah, thanks for that, any instructions on the next part or where to put this?

The Mind Mage leaned back against their rug.

Whatever feels right, man, they said calmly. In the end, you gotta be able to trust your instincts. Once again their gaze flickered over to Definitely Bad Guy, and then they closed their eyes.

Peace out, they said, and waved the party away.

---

Qubes heart was practically thudding in her ears as they left the Mind Mages tower and approached the next one. Naturally, given how such things worked, this was going to be the home of the guardian, and the next one would be the tower with the Grand Working in it. No point putting a guardian after the tower with the spell in it, was there?

Although, if they were in totally separate towers, and they were forewarned, what was to stop them from skipping the guardian and going straight to the Grand Working? The Mind Mage hadnt said that the guardian would give them anything. And if they got to the Grand Working and couldnt complete it for some reason, there was nothing to stop them from just going back to the guardian tower and discovering whatever there was that needed doing, was there?

What was even the point of a guardian, anyway? What was it guarding? Or was it the general Wizards Academy guardian, in case they were ever invaded?

The part of her that loved following the rules and making sure everything was done as it should be warred against this new, rebellious tower-skipper side that really, really wanted to see a Grand Working and also get a chance to read through as many books as possible before the Chosen One got bored and demanded they leave.

Eventually, her rebellious side won out.

Hey, Chosen One, she said, as they stood outside the next tower. What if we just skipped this one and went straight to the next?

The Hero looked at her, and placed a hand over his heart.

Ive taught you how to sequence-break already! he said, his eyes glistening with emotion. Im so proud of you! My little girl is growing up!

Never mind! Qube said, flushing, and stomped into the guardians tower.

They probably needed to get an amulet or something from the guardian anyway.

Stupid Chosen One.