Day 45

Roseline Jones

The sunshine was as pleasant and fake as everyone had said. More a reminder of their depth than instilling any sense of freedom. She mostly joined for the experience, doing her best to think of the second floor as a greenhouse or an enclosed environment. There was a sort of comfort in that. The kind of familiarity that made it almost normal. That appreciation doubled when the Sixty passed through the cavern maze to the third section of the floor.

To find light and then quickly be deprived of it again had that effect.

It was good to be out of the Hall. After the Titan fight, Roseline was hesitant to leave again. The danger and stress had been extreme. She required time after to reflect on the experience. Through that, grow strong enough to return to the wilderness. Her presence had been undeniably useful in steering the Sixty through the fight. A net positive The incipient seer wanted to play her part.

It took a few days to recover and process. That had been her first time out there, though not the only reason for the long delay. There was a new avenue with the Tapestry to experiment with.

During the battle with the Ratsins, she noticed something. Only flashes, but those allowed a firmer picture of the world’s flow. Instances of wide clarity. For rippling moments the Tapestry had included monsters in the timeline. Not as outside forces, but as part of the weave. Like torn patches of fabric aligning with the threads of the Sixty.

The Titan that had been the hint.

On that chaotic day, the incipient seer had simply dismissed the oddity. Assumed her anticipating the monster as being an illusion caused by so many threads focusing on the same thing. Only when she reviewed the battle through the Tapestry did she notice. In those pockets of time, Roseline could see not only the Ratsin king but also the Goliaths in the stream of possibility. Whether it was her own power improving or caused by the beasts somehow, she was determined to take advantage of it. To make use of the expanded view.

The incipient seer poured every effort into mastering this.

That was the reason for her extra days of vacation. In truth, Roseline hadn’t noticed those days passing by at all. Two days of joining the festivities and then the rest of the days were lost in a fever of mania. She essentially existed in the Tapestry to watch every second of that battle. Tracing every life and noting every event. Seeking those instants when the Ratsins showed up to her power. An eternity, an instant isolating and extrapolating the effect. Over and over, being as thorough as possible. Burning her mind to make sure that this wouldn’t be a fluke. Confirming that she would be able to pick up other monsters. Pushing to be able to predict them completely and not just snatches.

She came out of the multi-day daze with the iron conviction that the scope of the Tapestry had expanded. Half mad, Roseline had left her room seeking to share her power up and delusionally looking for a monster to test her new capacity. Finding the Hall empty had been a surprise. Tragically alone, forgotten. Left in her mania to rant at the false sky. Cursing the painting for her abandonment.

Eventually, the incipient seer cooled down enough to realize she wasn’t the last one alive. Through the Tapestry, Roseline could see everyone and quickly keyed into a great deal of knowledge coming out of the training area. She would feel silly about that, but this episode of madness was the backlash of using her power too much. Just something that had to be accepted and if possible, planned for.

Once Roseline’s wits were about her, she slipped into the training chaos and learned in more detail what had been missed. That five whole days had been lost felt insane. The impulse to push on to make up for the vanished time was strong. If her body allowed it, the incipient seer would have rushed out the next day. The Hall was too distant from any monsters for her to test the hard earned ability. It didn’t, couldn’t function like the Sixty who were a constant in the Tapestry. There was a deep connection there beyond her sight or thought.

So she was forced to rest. Letting her mind and body recover from the ordeal of deep concentration. Eating several meals to make up for those that had been missed. Finally, today Roseline felt strong enough to follow along. Malachi frowned when she showed up to tag along, but Harken was able to soothe the concern. A combination of assurances of her usefulness and the leader of the Sixty’s guilt for ignoring the priestly man’s desire to openly discuss the words of their benefactor. That was a pressure building across them all, though it didn’t acquire her attention. It was on the right track.

Escorted through the second floor, Roseline was dizzy with glee. She could feel the fate of the monsters. It wasn’t to the same level as the Sixty. Viewing their threads in the Tapestry was almost a physical manifestation. Tracing a timeline was like following a strung string on your fingertip. For the multitude of beasts on the second floor, it was similar to watching tv with bad reception. You could see what was going on, but the details weren’t clear. Maybe that would improve over time.

The incipient seer looked over the second floor from the ridge top. Behind her, the Sixty stood in a circle around the stairway they had come up a moment ago. Preparations to spread out were underway. Which left her time to take in the picturesque scene. Towering island in an urgent river with spots of squawking color. The displays currently in flight would have given any paradise bird a run for its feathers. It was beautiful to watch. Seeing with both sets of eyes. Tracing their flight paths and seeing the avians fly true to prediction.

Today felt good. A warm feeling of accomplishment for pushing her limits successfully. A fine time for an adventure. After all, the incipient seer needed to test if she can monitor the Sixty and the monsters together cohesively. Behind her, things quieted down. People shifting towards the three ways off the ridge. Feeling Malachi’s pull and seeing the moment to pay attention she let her eyes be pulled away.

“You have your assignments,” said Malachi to the eager and serious faces. Some are excited for something new and others fearing the unknown. “Keep those eyes peeled. We have an exit to find, and the no doubt exciting way to open it. Those going downstream look for a way down to the lake. The right way might be still in the maze, but up here is just as likely. Those on clearing the islands duty, play it safe. Between the birds and otters, you’re in a precarious position.”

“Remember we’ve found three clues so far and there’s a lot of room for how they work together so anything interesting is worth checking out. Keep the third’s warning in mind. “Beware! It seeks and tastes, but has no love for beauty.” At the very least there is a guardian to deal with and it might require our full strength. Run if you get into trouble. We have the parties to send support if you need it. Rodrick, you know what to do. Everyone else, let’s move out!”

The gathering split in three directions. Two parties with Warner in the lead took the road towards the cliff and Molly conducted two in the direction of the waterfalls that poured from the ceiling. Leaving three parties to follow Malachi down the steep path. They would explore the dozens of islands just offshore. That would require passing over the pathways and arched bridges that connected them all.

Roseline glided over to join Harken in the middle of his party. Malachi gave her a concerned look and she smiled at him in answer. The worry was appreciated, but her safety wasn’t in question. Not seriously. It wouldn’t be an issue with the possibilities spread out before her. She knew what death was like anyway. Sensing its shadow on a thread was easier now. Her chances today were very low. Nonexistent once foresight was applied.

Also between that and her new monster awareness, it had been made abundantly clear to the incipient seer that experiences were key to expanding her power. Therefore, the need to be out here on the frontline outweighed the danger. She would explain that to Malachi herself if needed, but her usefulness was already proven. The Titan fight bought her a ticket for the moment.

Down the stairs, the crowd went and at the shore, there was another splitting. Four different connections to shore were picked out to begin the combing of the isles. Everyone eyed the waters suspiciously. Those that flowed through the interconnected tangle of pathways ran smoother and calmer. Though not offering any better transparency between the dark depths. The mirror reflections of the sun crystals were brighter on this side of the second floor.

She focused on the Tapestry and searched the possibilities for any monsters that would cross their fates. Several contacts with the birds showed up, but nothing from the water that she could see. Frowning, Roseline tried different angles. Following one of the avian monsters on a whim found the answer. Its fate tangled with an otter and from there she was able to find the vague threads of those beasts. Since they didn’t interact with the Sixty everything was foggy, but the reason why wasn’t too hard to pick up.

“Malachi, all of the otters are staying close to the opposite shore,” reported the moon-eyed woman from underneath her hood. “These birds and beasts do not get along.”

The sword acolyte listened attentively and then nodded. Immediately called out the information to the three other groups on island duty. She was thrilled that her words were accepted so quickly. The insight had an obvious effect. The Sixty didn’t completely dismiss the dangers of the river, but their strides were more casual. Looking fully confident.

Her party chose a path that led to one of the larger isles. Ended at the only way up, carved steps that were steep enough to be considered a ladder. Julia went first and showed her brawn by scrabbling up quicker than a woman in armor should have. Silence played a couple of beats after she went out of sight before the Shieldmaiden called for the rest of them to come up. Malachi watched their backs as everyone else climbed up.

Roseline struggled up the stone ladder. Her fitness couldn’t compare to the others. Harken and Damien were casters, yet surpassed her in the effort too. She wondered if her physical state had changed in comparison to before The Pit. If not, as it seemed, the incipient seer was the only one. It was only her that needed the break they got while Malachi came up with the obsidian acolyte watching his back

Cautious, cautious, cautious, she reflected. Scanning the Tapestry if Malachi’s hyperfocus on safety would be an issue. Nothing gregarious stood out, so no nudges were needed there. At least as far as Roseline could see. Who knew what was lost beyond sight in the ocean of future chance?

Once her breath was steady again, the incipient seer cast her attention on monsters inhabiting the island. Finding them towards the center. Roseline concentrated on the flock of birds that were roosting in the treetops. Which wasn’t special information since anyone could hear them squabbling. Her sight did identify that eight birds were residing there. She turned to tell the party how the attack would come, but doing so instantly changed events. The words died as Roseline tried to figure out why. Only that caused the possibilities to revert. A creepy thought that The Pit was interfering to block her popped up. It was hard to shake that idea.

With a little effort, Roseline came up with a better and more comfortable theory. The issue was likely tied up with the level of detail currently available to her. These predictions just weren’t as strong for the monsters as it was for the Sixty. It seemed she was too used to seeing all the whys and whats because of that. That caused her to miss the difference and assume the birds were equally within her sight. In the end, the best she could do was pass along the number.

The party took their positions and the incipient seer stuck close to Harken in the center of safety. It was exciting to be here, but the lack of any real offensive or defensive power definitely felt daunting at moments like this. They moved into the grove, the birds went silent. One primarily shock yellow and pale green dropped through the leaves to take a look at them. It screeched in alarm before disappearing. There was a rustling above as more bird cries rose and in a flutter, the flock dropped down to the lower branches. All of the avian monsters began to scream at them. It was an odd display.

Malachi frowned with impatience. He turned to Julia and said, “Taunt them.” The shieldmaiden lifted her sword and with the flat of the blade smacked a tree hard enough to rattle the leaves. That did it. Enemy Mana flared and the birds sprang into action.

A dizzying array of elements came crashing down on them. Shields flashed into existence, by their tank, and some backup from Anastasia a moment later. It was immediately apparent why the support was needed when a green vapor melted through the first line of the defensive field. The blonde acolyte's barrier held up just enough to divert the bulk away from the party. Not all though. Julia hissed as some vapor grazed her bracer turning the metal liquid. Not that she flinched at all.

Yellow flames spread over the barriers and thick stony feathers bashed in an increasing number of cracks. Green arrows flew, skewering wings or knocking attacks askew. Lightning was already thrumming along the sword acolyte’s blade as blasts of fire sprouted from the tip rhythmically. Chanting, Damien built up a spell while spraying arcane shards. Harken began to glow. Each word of a spell brought greater illumination in a pulse of power. Roseline felt the tremble in the air when the spell aligned properly. Ready to go.

The priestly man raised his staff and slammed it on the ground, roaring, “Daunting Sanctuary!”

Pure and golden power rushed outwards. Securing the party in a dome and battering the monsters. Time slowed a beat or two beyond the translucent protection. The colorful birds flailed in jerky increments. It was mesmerizing to watch some of the avian creatures begin to catch themselves while others just tumbled toward the ground. She was stunned by wonder, but Malachi’s party treated it beneath their notice. Ordinary.

They instead dropped all defenses and prepared for an all-out assault.

Humming came from the obsidian acolyte as he elongated the last syllable of his spell. Gathering an enlarging armory of violet shards. The arrows in the prime archery’s bow stung the eyes with their deep brightness. The sword acolyte was a blur of power coalescing together from a series of spells cast in quick session. Dark blue Mana surged around the shieldmaiden like the heart of a flame. Beside Roseline, more light drew towards Harken as the top of his staff became a white sun.

No verbal communication was needed among them. So used to each other that they naturally picked out separate targets. The moment the dome dropped, there was a storm of power. Instantly lost, the incipient seer looked on open-mouthed at the battle. In a few heartbeats, the fight was over. Feathers flitted through the air over the mangled corpses of their owners.

It all happened too fast for her to play any role. She had felt up to the task of keeping up, but had just been bluntly forced to reconsider. Left behind, that’s what had happened to Roseline. Her glorious dream of directing the battle with foretellings was a no go. For now. The incipient seer even in midst of her wounded pride began to list out what she needed to catch up. To be useful.

Only knowing the one way to practice or prepare, Roseline dived into the Tapestry to review the battle. Scour it for the moment where her nudges could have been useful. That’s why she noticed a flicker of a monster’s thread still active.

At least I can help with this, the incipient seer thought at the same time she said, “The pink one is still alive!”

They gave her and the shredded remains odd looks. Not quite dismissing the impossible out of hand, but doubtful. Until it began to shake and the fleshed pulled back together. Like a zombie rising from the grave, the pink bird lifted itself up to hiss. Still stitching itself together as it coughed up a black bile in their direction.

A great rush of power fell on the monster in sudden and cooperative violence. Roseline almost felt a little bad for the pink thing. Though understanding that overwhelming force is generally the best idea with anything capable of regeneration. When every bird of the flock began to dust, that’s when the party relaxed for good. The island was cleared.

Damien studied the trees and with great glee announced that each was filled with a unique power signature. A stark difference between the two previous areas. The first being living containers or makers of Mana potions and the second plateau had trees that held vitality sludge for, in theory, health potions. The trees on this island had a scattering of properties that reminded Roseline of a chemistry set or alchemy in this case.

She kept her ear to all this, but mostly studied the battle through the Tapestry. Realizing that everything that happened was within her scope, but that keeping pace with everyone was the issue. Not just the Sixty, but the monsters. Her life was in a lot more danger than Roseline expected. What was lacking was her skill in Mana. Beyond the incipient seer’s natural ability there was nothing to draw. It should have been apparent on the stone ladder the gap that appeared between her and the Sixty.

Roseline began to plot out how to fix this deficiency. Looking at Malachi's party, she smiled. This was the right place to be. The secrets of Mana use would be hers. First Damien for the basics and then Julia for help with creating a Form. The shieldmaiden’s was extraordinary. Between the two of them she would catch up to be useful.

Deciding now was better than later, she walked over to the obsidian acolyte with questions. He was all too happy to answer every one of them. Two of them smiled with the pleasure of sharing knowledge.