Book 7: Chapter 21: Limits

Book 7: Chapter 21: Limits

When the last of the ivid had disappeared into the vast, gaping hole in the side of the hill, Lesh said, We should wait. If theyre anything like the Kothids, the warriors will take time to settle and move back to their nooks and crannies. When Victor nodded, Lesh produced a leather-topped camp stool and sat down. Victor and Valla had their own camp furniture, hers an upholstered, fancy chair, his a sturdy wooden one. Soon, they were all three seated, sipping at canteens, looking through Farscribe books, or, in Victors case, just staring at the weird yellow sky and the scattered, wispy clouds.

Valla, Lesh rumbled, breaking the quiet. Tell me about your new Class.

Valla looked up from her book, smiling. I chose one that improves my mental attributes in hopes of offsetting my focus on martial ones for most of my life. The System said it was a Class derived from the memories of my progenitors, whatever that means.

It means youve awakened enough of your bloodline for the System to delve into hidden memories, finding the secrets of their ancient bond with Energy. Lesh always sounded a little pissed off when he mentioned the System, and Victor knew why. The big, scaly man felt hed gotten a raw deal with the Systems quest to hunt Victor down, but more, he felt like his people had been borderline persecuted by the System and the favoritism it showed other species of dragonkin, which seemed to be a pretty broad category of peoples. What is it called, if I may ask?

Victor almost answered for her, but Leshs wording stopped him; he supposed it was possible that Valla didnt want everyone to know. His caution was needlessshe replied almost immediately, Storm Dancer.

Lesh made an approving sound deep in his chest that sounded almost like a purr. Legendary?

Epic.

I believe that was wise of you. Your sword skill is already quite masterful, and improving your casting ability will prove invaluable. I chose a different route; toughness and brute power have been the focus of my Classes for many tiers, though I begin to wonder if I will ever see a proper pathway to the glory of my dragon ancestors.

Thinking of Tes, Victor said, Im not sure dragons ever submitted to the System. Arent they still kind of doing things their own way? He didnt want to mention that hed tasted, even used, the elder magic of a dragon.

Indeed, so the legends say. Ashenshoal saw its last true dragon four thousand years before I was born.

Victor made a vague gesture, trying to indicate the world or greater universe. And youve never met one from another world?

Lesh chuckled. Nay, battle-brother. If one visited my world, I wasnt told. If one traversed the worlds I passed through, I was not made aware. No, when I saw that Death Casters skeletal mount, it was the first time I laid eyes upon one of my ancestors, well, her bones at least.The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

It was a female? Valla asked, raising an eyebrow.

Certainly. Her hipbones and delicate crown of horns gave her away.

Delicate? Victor snorted. Leshs reptilian eyes narrowed, and Victor held up his hand in surrender. Ill take your word for it. He tried to move the subject back to elder magic because he selfishly wondered what Lesh knew. If dragons dont use the System, do you worry about using System Classes and System skills and spells? Do you think it will make it hard to evolve your species?

No. It will not stop me. If I can evolve my bloodline sufficiently and find the Systems rules and guideposts are hindering me, I will learn what I must to break free.

I guess a dragon, one who uses elder magic, might help you at that point, yeah?

Lesh shrugged. I have no idea. Our histories indicate that dragons are as varied as any other peoplesome might help me, while others may be just as happy to slay me.

Victor desperately wanted to mention Tes, explain what she was, and describe how helpful she was. He wanted to give Lesh some hope, but he also wanted to keep Tess trust. He held his tongue. Instead, he asked, Ever met any other elder race? Ever met anyone using elder magic? His question got him a look from Valla; she knew about his run-in with the System when hed used Elder magic to modify his spirit totem spell.

There are those on Ashenshoal who dabble with the old texts, attempting to develop their abilities outside the System. They are stunted and weak. What we know is too little. Perhaps if I ever meet a true practitioner, I can learn to throw off the Systems shackles.

You think the System limits us? Victor found himself nodding. Before Lesh could answer, he elaborated, I think the System gains something from us as we grow in power. So, I think it helps us gain strength, but I also think it likes to do it systematically. He emphasized systematically, grinning. I think it wants us to grow stronger so we gather more Energy, but I think it also wants to control us and keep us on a certain path, or, maybe more accurately, away from certain paths. He could still hear and feel the anger in the Systems messages when hed built his Wild Totem spell, coloring outside the lines with Elder magic.

Darren blinked slowly, trying to breathe deeply, trying to banish all of those shameful memories. He felt defeated, ruined. He hated himself; it was the feeling after Victors demonstration all over again, only this time, he had nowhere to run. He was alone in the crystal pod-like room with no doors. His voice thick with emotion and the constriction of his throat, he spoke into the silence. I am ready to leave. Please open the door or whatever. He wanted out. He wanted to flee. He wanted to forget what hed been forced to remember. Darren stood, walked up to the smooth crystal wall, and began to pound on it. Open up, please! I want to leave!

Y-sevens voice sounded behind him, and he whirled to face the floating, glowing, misty orb. Darren, you have my sympathies. I am unable to teach you that which you requested, but there are other options . . .

No. If Im not good enough for your order, Id like to leave. Darrens indignation slid on like a comfortable old glove, filling the void left by his demolished pride.

Its not a matter of whether you are good enough, Darren. Rather, we want to ensure we dont give harmful knowledge to someone with the wrong temperament. This is not a permanent decision. If you can live your life well and build your character, we will re-evaluate youas many times as youd like to try. Darren, K-eight informed me that you are relatively young. You have many years ahead of you in which to improve yourself. If you returned in ten years, after having . . .

Ten years? Darrens question was more of an exclamation. Please show me out, Y-seven.

Would you not like help forming a Core? You have several affinities that K-eight deemed safe . . .

No. If you wont help me, Ill find the answer elsewhere.

As you wish, Darren. Please be cautious. Y-seven didnt elaborate on the kind of caution he should have, but Darren could guess there were probably several meanings behind the words. Y-sevens glowing, misty form drifted past him into a tunnel that hadnt been there a moment before, and Darren sullenly followed him out. When they reached the vaulted crystal cavern that made up the entrance hall, Y-seven paused and spoke again. Please return if you change your mind, Darren. If you allow us to help you form a Core, it will be for your growth, and it will be something we can build upon when youve proven yourself worthy.

Darren didnt reply. He was too angryangry at himself and at Y-seven and K-eight and the stupid system theyd set up that would judge a person based on the hardships theyd faced in life. Who was K-eight to decide Darrens actions were immoral or showed poor character? He hadnt been in Darrens shoes. He hadnt had to deal with the demands of an overbearing father, of a society that expected so much! Was it Darrens fault hed had the odds stacked against him most of his life? It wasnt easy getting where he was! It hadnt been easy gaining the support of nearly half the colony on Fanwath! Was it his fault he hadnt known the absurd truth of Energy, levels, and wild, mythical races?

Bah! Darren growled as he shoved the door open and stepped outside. His thoughts and his guilty feelings were bouncing all over the place, and he tried to calm them by focusing on the gorgeous early-morning view of the city of Sojourn. He could see pale blues, yellows, and oranges to the east and knew the sun would be up soon. The crystal towers at the city center, not too far from where he stood, shimmered with the predawn light, and everything felt a little surreal and dreamlike. So, if they wont help me, then Ill help myself. Darren nodded, balling his fists up. As usual.

He inhaled deeply through his nose and then turned, looking around for something hed seen when he and Lesh had first arrived. Just as hed remembered, a kiosk stood at the end of the sidewalk right before the steps leading up to the Genesis Center. He walked down the steps. Only a few people were out and about near the building, and he supposed that made sense; who would come for training before the sun was even up? He honestly had a hard time believing he'd been there all evening; to him, it only felt like four or five hours had passed.

The kiosk was prominently labeled Visitor Information and, despite the early hour, was staffed by one of the now-familiar glowing beings of mist and light. Hello, he said, stepping up to the window.

Welcome, Darren Whitehorse. How may I help you?

I was hoping you had one of those interactive city maps for sale. Im not sure how to get where I need to go.

Of course. Please take this with Y-sevens compliments. One of the crystal tablet-like devices materialized on the counter.

Y-seven? He told you to give me this?

Y-seven communicated the intention when you asked me for the map, yes.

How much are they normally? Darren produced a handful of Energy beads from his dimensional pouch.

Twenty-five standard beads. The light pulsed, unfazed by his refusal to take the tablet gratis. Still, Darren counted out the beads and set them on the counter, taking the tablet with a frown.

Im not good enough for what you all have to offer. As he turned to walk away, Darren knew he was being petty, but it felt good, anyway. Who needed some charity organization to grow a Core? In fact, the more he thought about it, the more he was glad theyd refused to teach him a Core to utilize the chaos and lightning affinities. Maybe those werent his best choices. Hadnt it felt like Y-seven was steering him toward those? Hadnt it felt like he hadnt wanted Darren to think about that mind affinity?

No, Darren muttered, flipping through the map to a list of businesses in the city. I think I need a second opinion, and if that doesnt work, maybe I need a third. Im going to make the Core I want, and if no one will teach me, then Ill find a book and teach myself.