Shards of Old

The first hour of my trip was quite uneventful. There was only one, damp, long path, filled with a wide variety of rock formations, so I didn't even have to be worried about getting lost. Still though, every now and again I was marking the way, scratching signs on the right wall with the rock I took. Earlier, I thought about using a fire spell and marking my way with burn marks, but I couldn't just depend on my crystal stump absorbing mana from the environment forever. Not being sure about how it works, really, could bite me in my butt in the most inappropriate time. Thinking about my predicament, I reached the first obstacle. The pathway was getting smaller and smaller, and finally I had to either crouch down or turn back. Sighing heavily, not wanting for this trip to be wasted, I got on all fours and slowly continued to make my way forward. After about 10 minutes I had to start moving some loose rocks and rubble that made my path even more annoying. Few meters later, I reached the end of the tunnel - an opening littered with rocks, ending with a fall. In comparison to the rest of the tunnel, it was quite wide. If I was to guess, it would’ve fit three people lying shoulder to shoulder without much of an issue. Moving some rubble away and sticking my head through, I sent the light orb that was following me all this time forward, to see what is on the bottom.

Below me, about four meters below, there was an actual tunnel. It was different from the path I was on up till now, it was a lot smoother. It wasn’t like the sides of the “bowl”, but more like someone took time and polished the raw rocks to the point they were almost reflecting light. Definitely man-made and most likely using magic to boot. Since the fall didn’t look too bad, I moved even more rubble out of the way and squeezed through the hole, lying on the ledge and dangling my feet off the edge, trying not to fall, which was not as easy as it sounds, especially with one functioning arm.

Taking a deep breath, I pushed myself off, and jumped down in an attempt to get down without breaking my neck or face-planting into the hard rock. Accompanied by a small avalanche of rubble I managed to get down relatively safely, although I think I barely avoided breaking at least a leg - I definitely felt the landing. Was not pleasant.

Looking around, I realized that the tunnel I found myself in was definitely not abandoned. It was clean and looked like it was maintained by someone. Besides the small pile of rubble I left behind sliding down, there were barely any other rocks in the eyeshot. To the left side, looking from the spot where the hole was, it snaked slowly up, while the right path was wider and led even more down. Looking up, to see the hole I got here through, I saw it almost at the ceiling of the corridor. It was pretty hard to notice in the darkness, but just to be sure I decided to cover it anyways while hiding my tracks.

-Visu wumu nuwo.

The small pile of rocks that was left after my fall slowly rose up, levitated by my spell. The rubble slowly plugged in the hole in the ceiling, leaving no trace at the ground level. If someone was even to look up, they would’ve now for sure missed the opening.

Happy with the results of my spell, I looked around once again. The path down looked like it was opening towards a cave, or some large opening a bit further down. I also noticed something akin to a dim glow, that was definitely not from my light orb, thanks to the reflective walls of the tunnel. Curious, I started following the path down.

The deeper down I was walking, the brighter the corridor was getting. After a minute I already had a good idea what I was going to find, and the sound of the dripping water that I soon started hearing confirmed the suspicion.

An underground lake. And infused one to boot - the glow was unmistakable. As the tunnel opened up and turned into the cave, about half way flooded with water. While it was pretty bright, it was not thanks to the strength of the infusion. The water was barely glowing, in comparison to the one I saw not too long ago above ground. It was just the walls and the ceiling that reflected the light so much, giving a different impression at the first glance.

Avoiding the water, I tried looking deeper into the cave, but that was the end of this path. In the distance I could see the other wall, albeit a bit darker - deeper in the polished walls were turning into regular, natural rock formations.

-Well that makes it easier to pick a direction - I thought, heading back the other way.

Back at the “polished path”, I started thinking about this place. Why would someone even use this tunnel? Path to the lake? No, why would anyone want to come here out of all the places, thanks to the leyline under the MIRE there are plenty of other infused water sources for sure. An old mine shaft? Couldn't be. Way too clean. Maybe the lake I found used to be a pathway somewhere further, but it got flooded? Maybe to the “bowl” itself?

In any case, I was sure of one thing - it has to end somewhere. If I was right about this tunnel being maintained, it had to lead somewhere above ground - somewhere with people.

Just as it wanted to confirm my suspicions, the pathway started to curve slightly up, and after about half an hour of walking I started to feel some air movement. Finally, after another while the breeze started to pick up, and by then I was pretty sure - the exit was close.

Not even a minute later, the tunnel suddenly started getting brighter and brighter - this time not thanks to some pool of infused water - it was the natural light. Soon enough, the tunnel opened into another, natural-looking cave, albeit smaller than the one by the lake or the river.

I was finally out in the open.

Stepping out of the cave I was greeted by a familiar sight - another forest. For a second I thought I somehow just looped around and ended back in the bowl, but one look was enough to notice a distinct lack of a massive mountain range ahead of me. The trees were a lot sparser too, but still the woods that were in front of me were pretty dense. The sun was already rising, so I dismissed my orb that still was following me all this time.

Mountains, forests, old ruins, all this didn't make any sense to me. However you looked at it, I couldn’t understand where the hell did I end up, but one thing was sure - nowhere familiar.

In any case, I had to find other people. Be it some random hiker or camper, they will at least be able to tell me where the hell I am. Obviously, the first thing that came to my mind was trying to fly. Just for the sake of it, I tried the spell again. This time it fizzled completely, not even a hint of wind came out.

Sighing heavily, I started yet another trek through yet another forest. This time it was a bit easier, since this one looked a lot more like an actual normal forest, not like some thick dark jungle. The light of day most likely helped with that.

To be honest, this trek was pretty pleasant this time around, it was reminding me of my grandparents and the times they took me mushroom picking when I was a kid. And when the forests were still healthy and big enough for that. Now the best you could get was a park in the middle of the city. Actually the biggest forest that was left was the one around our research center, thanks to the leyline and crystal leaking mana during some experiments, keeping it healthy. Or so I thought, before waking up in that jungle, and now traveling through here. It really felt like the old times.

Reminiscing about the past, I walked for a short while, before something caught my attention.

A green light, somewhere on the left, in the trees. I was lucky - since it was already pretty bright, I only managed to spot it thanks to the shadow of the canopy above me darkening the surroundings. Not even thinking twice I changed my direction. Light can only mean one thing - people.

A few minutes later I was able to recognize the source - a small house in the middle of a clearing. It was an unusual sight, considering what that actually was - a log cabin, surrounded by a nice and big garden with a wide assortment of plants, most of which I couldn’t even tell the name of. The closer I got, the more impressed I was. That large of a garden had to be pretty hard to maintain, and it was in a pristine state - not a single weed in sight, every plant neatly arranged. At the back of the house there was a small shack full of firewood, right near the stone well. The cabin itself was covered with a mix of moss and some kind of ivy. Above the door, in a wooden frame, there was mounted a large crystal, the size of a human head, glowing brightly with a green light.

Everything looked like it was from some picture. You would think that it was a relic from the past, that this place has been frozen in time, the only thing breaking that illusion was movement inside, and light that you could see through the window. Funnily enough, the window itself was also not made of glass. It looked like some green membrane, or a very thin cloth.

The resident seemed to notice me creeping around the garden - not like I was trying to hide, really - and soon enough the door slowly opened.

Before me, now standing on the doorstep and looking at me, a surprised old lady. She was dressed in a worn-out, patched up long gray dress, so baggy you’d say it belonged to someone else. She had short, about ear length hair, almost completely white. Her face was almost as pale as her hair. To be honest, if I was to meet her after dark, I’d think I’ve seen a ghost. A very short ghost.

She was holding a small candle holder in her hand. Instead of a wax candle though, she had a small crystal, similar to the one above the door, but a lot smaller - most likely the same light I saw through the window.

-Good day, Miss. I am very sorry to intrude, but I seem to be lost. I was looking for a way to the nearest city.

She looked at me with a mix of confusion and suspicion.

-Hello… - her voice was a bit raspy. - A city you say…

-Yeah, or any village if that is possible. You see, I've been traveling for a long while. I don't even know what day it is, so when I saw the light of your house, a pretty place by the way, I thought I’ll ask for directions.

-You definitely look ragged - she replied, looking me over. - To be completely honest, I am also unsure what day it is, there is really no point in tracking time in a remote place like this.

-Remote? Is it really that bad?

She laughed softly.

-Yeah, it’s been a while since I saw someone else in those woods… I have no idea where the hell did you come from, but I am afraid I have some bad news. There are no cities on this island. Nor villages. In fact, I am the only one inhabitant of this place.

-Oh.

That was quite a surprise. I expected something was wrong, but this, this is something else. An uninhabited island? Those even still exist? How the hell did I, along with the ruins of MIRE, manage to even get here?

-You really are an unusual person. What is your name?

-Oh, sorry in all this I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Mor.

-And I am El. It's nice to know the name of a person you're talking to. It helps in more ways than you'd think.

That was a strange thing to say.

-You really had to travel for a long time - she said, noticing my confusion. - Do you know where you are? Why am I asking, of course you're not. You are welcome to stay for a day, you have to be exhausted.

-Thank you, but I'm gonna stay outside if you don't mind, also someone to talk with is more than enough. I don't want to bring all that filth inside - I said pointing at my dirty and ragged clothes.

-I wouldn't worry about it, but let me at least bring you something to eat, then we can have a chat.

-You really don't need…

-But I want to. On the other side of the garden there is a nice place to rest, wait there for me if you don't mind.

Before I was able to protest more, she was already gone. Shrugging, I started walking towards the spot she pointed out. Sure enough, a few steps later there was a table and a couple of chairs standing in the middle of a flower patch. Of all the things I expected to see after leaving the underground, this place was not on the list.

Maybe a minute later, the old lady came back, with a kettle and, to my surprise, a small pile of sandwiches. When did she even have time to make those?

-This place is amazing… It must be hard to maintain all this by yourself - I said sitting down next to the table, along with the woman.

-No, not really - she replied, pouring the tea, and sliding the food closer to me. - Plants just seem to like this place.

-Interesting… - I said, taking a bite off a sandwich, encouraged by her gesture. - Say, has there been any commotion around here lately? From what you're saying it seems this place is very peaceful.

-Yeah, I never have guests. This is a nice change of pace though.

-That's not really what I had in mind - I replied, trying the tea she brought. It was pretty good, and surprisingly invigorating. She probably made that tea out of slightly infused water. It was quite popular ever since its existence was discovered. The warm feeling started spreading through my body. Strangely enough, it was also accompanied by a weird sensation in my side, something like itching, but not quite, but I dismissed it as it was probably just the shards reacting to the water.

After thinking for a while I made up my mind.

-That might sound insane, but have you recently heard something unusual here? Like an explosion perhaps?

-Oh my, no - she laughed. - I lived here for… well, always, and I never heard nor seen anything of sorts. Besides occasional earthquakes, nothing happens here.

-Earthquakes? Hmm… When was the last one?

-Ah, I don’t know… Last month? Last week? They come and go, there are a couple every year or so… I don’t really keep track…

-Uh-uh…

I sat in silence, drinking and thinking what should I ask not to seem too suspicious to get some more info, but her next question completely threw me for a loop.

-Why did you come here?

-Excuse me?

-Why did you come here? Were you looking for this place? Someone sent you here?

Her tone of voice didn't change, yet there was an urgency in those questions, and a slight hint of worry.

-I told you, I don't even know where I am, I was hoping to find someone, but no one in particular - I slowly replied.

-Why were you looking for someone?

This started to sound like some questioning.

-To learn where the hell I am. What's with those questions all of the sudden?

She didn't reply, instead, she started asking more and more questions.

-Someone from the capital sent you?

-Emmm… no?

-Are you affiliated with MIRE?

That name came as a surprise. I didn't really want to tell anyone that, but…

-Yes… I work…ed for them…

She visibly tensed up.

-Are you here looking for something?

-I told you, I was looking for someone to…

I asked - she interrupted - if you are looking for someTHING. Not someone. Again. Are you looking for something?

-No?

For a second she looked as confused as me when she first saw me, but that expression almost instantly vanished.

-What is my name? - She asked with a hint of panic in her voice.

That was the weirdest question yet.

-Are you insane? You already told me your name. You’re El. Right?

-Wisfe wowu, moho dimu!

Her voice changed. There was no longer even a hint of raspiness, it was clear and powerful.

-What in the…

Suddenly, all the plants around her started moving, and the closest rose bush shot its vines right for me. Before I could even react it tripped me and wrapped itself around me. Other ones soon joined in, and in a blink of an eye I was hanging upside down tightly wrapped in various roots, vines and thorny branches.

-Ouch! What? Why?

-Anyone from MIRE knows my name. I don't know who you are, but lying you just outed yourself.

She was still sitting in the same place, but this time in her hand was a glowing green gem, which I assumed she used to sick those plants on me.

-The hell… Let me down! - I yelled, but the plant only squeezed me harder, rose thorns poking me through the clothes.

-Stop acting. I know you resisted the spell, don't know how, but that doesn't matter. You will be hanging here until Il shows up and I can punish whoever slipped their tongue.

-I am not acting, you stupid hag! - then it hit me. - Wait a second. Il?

-Ha! I knew it! So you are after her! Those damn pests should choose their agents more carefully.

-I think there is a big misunderstanding…

-Sure, whatever you say. Doesn't matter. While you're up there why don't you tell me how the hell did you resist that? - she asked, now inspecting the plate with food. - Fake name then?

-The hell are you… - I started, but I noticed now what she was inspecting so carefully. On the bottom of the plate, there was a glowing runic circle. I couldn't read all of it from that position but I recognized a few words : truth, lie, prevent, enforce, punish, and my name.

-Truth Infusion? On a fucking plate? Shit… that’s clever.

-Ha, you didn't even notice before? But I applaud you, you know your stuff. Not everyone can decipher a spell just from one look. That means I was right to tie you up. You are going to wait here, this time you will not be able to lie for sure.

I realized that she is not going to listen to me anyway, so I replied mockingly:

-You think I am gonna be just hanging here peacefully?

-I feel you don't understand what situation you are in - she said calmly. - You think I would be that dumb? I already took my precautions. If you didn't notice that as well, you drank a certain potion that will make it quite hard to cast anything. You must be pretty bad at your job if you didn't even notice that.

Potion? That tea? I agree, it did feel unusual, but in quite an opposite way. I felt more invigorated than anything else and I was pretty sure I could burn those plants pretty fast and easy. The only question was, what then? I didn't know any spells that could pacify her, and I didn't really feel like beating up some old woman. Pretty lively and threatening old woman, but still. I either had to hope that her friend will be more cooperative, or act quickly before he even shows up. If I was right and it was indeed the same Il I was thinking of though.

-I still think you are making a mistake, but I don't think I am gonna convince you, am I?

-No - she stood up and started waking back to her house.

-Before you go, I have something to ask of you.

-I think you are in no position to negotiate - she replied, turning around.

-Think whatever you like. Will you and that friend of yours let me go, if you confirm that I indeed didn't lie to you, and didn't come here for whatever weird reason you came up with?

-Listen here, you little… - she barked angrily. - I know that you are still playing dumb, thinking you can get out of this with your stupid talk. But as soon as she gets here, you will not be able to lie and that is for sure. You will tell me everything you know.

You see, Il is an arcanist. I think you know what that means.

Arcanist? Here? That means she wanted to use a ritual to make me unable to tell a lie. That is some powerful magic, but with one certain drawback: for a while after casting it, the user cannot cast other kinds of magic for a long while. That's why she needed a second person - she would hold me in place, while the other one would be sure that I am telling the truth. Clever. But that also meant, even if it would come to the confrontation, the only opponent would be this old hag. Still, I was hoping it wouldn’t come to that.

-I already was doing that, you know that. But if information is the only thing you need, I guess I will wait. But in return when you will be inevitably proven wrong, you will tell me what I want to know.

-Is that a threat? - she laughed. - And an empty one at that. Just you wait.

And again she left for the house. As soon as she disappeared inside, I was left alone with the plant, wiggling on the ground and around me.

-Usc fi geksu - I tried summoning my fire orb. As I thought, whatever potion she fed me, it didn't affect me, at least not in the way she wanted. The orb appeared without issue and even was bigger than I intended. I instantly dismissed the spell, before it managed to set something ablaze. The plant didn't notice, or more likely wasn't even capable of that in the first place. Sighing heavily, I stared at the doorway she disappeared into and waited.

After a while a blue glow filled inside of the cabin, and seconds later it disappeared, and soon enough, the door opened. Accompanying my captivator, to my surprise, was a young girl - It was definitely not Il. Either of them. That would’ve been a small issue, that is if the kid was not shaking visibly in fear. Come on, I am not that scary.

-You really are a hag - I greeted her mockingly. - Now you're kidnapping kids just to deal with me?

-Very funny. She might look young, but she is the best arcanist around. Soon I will be the one laughing when you start talking.

-Of course. I am waiting then.

When they both started preparing the runic circle in front of me, I had an opportunity to take a closer look at the new arrival.

When I first heard the name Il, I instantly started thinking about Iloa. True, I’ve literally seen her disappear right in front of my eyes, but after waking up in the middle of, basically a jungle, surrounded by mountains higher than anything I’ve seen, crawling through the tunnels to some random cottage, I felt like it could be possible that she as well got tossed here along with me. I mean, it could also have been Ilma, but that was even less probable. And less helpful.

She soon noticed my gaze and quickly moved as far as she could, while still working on the runes. They were both using some shimmering dust to write them, most likely crystal dust, at least that was what we used, but ours was of pure white color, while theirs was purple. Runes were similar to those on the plate I saw earlier, but instead of my name there was another, smaller empty circle.

She looked like just some random girl, dressed similarly to El, or whatever her actual name was, she was wearing a long white dress - hers looked newer and cleaner, without any visible patchwork or decorations for that matter, besides a cloth belt. It was gray and tied on her back like some sort of ribbon, with one small sack on a side tied to it, from which she was taking out the dust and some other small utensils that helped them to make the circle. She had black hair, neatly styled in a bun. Funnily enough, she was almost as tall as the hag herself.

Suddenly, I heard someone walking behind me, and seconds later some tugging on my hair.

-What the hell!

Without response, the hag backed away and went back to her preparations. After a while she emerged from behind me holding a small flask with a few strands of hair inside and placed it inside the smaller circle.

-Everything is ready. Start up - she said to the girl, then turned to me.

-Are you ready to talk yet?

-I constantly am, yet you still are not satisfied.

-Tsch.

The kid took her place inside the main circle, and started silently muttering her incantation. Most likely on purpose, so I couldn't hear her. Though it didn't matter much, because every word she spoke was lighting up equivalent runes on the circle.

Doy niptuhu itvut qypove, nepe itvut me kyhotvu, fosy me wisup ey itvut nusvohove, no usfupet em wo voekp.

I am not so sure about the pronunciation of all that nonsense, but judging by the runes not fading away, I assume she got it right. As far as I knew, the translation would basically be something along the lines of “Every lie will be punished, mana will be the judge, speak truth or be culled, I command you such”. It was just a part of the larger incantation and the rest of the runes were either behind me or I just was not able to read them at the weird angle I was hanging at.

Right after the last rune lit up, and the circle got completed, the flask filled itself with white light, and was now like a small lamp standing on the ground. At the same moment, her eyes lit up with blue, similar to the runes, blue glow, and the ritual was now completed and active.

-Now then, let's talk.

I sighed heavily.

-Yeah, yeah, get on with it.

-Why did you come here?

-Here we go again. To learn where I did end up.

-Where from?

-The MIRE.

Again, she gave me this weird look.

-Were you looking for something?

Those weird, ambiguous questions.

-No, not anything in particular. Just way through I guess.

-Who sent you?

-Ah, finally some new questions. But the answer will disappoint you: no one. I am alone.

-And who am I?

So we are back to weird questions.

-I don't know anything about you, aside from what you told me today and that you like kidnapping travelers and apparently kids - I said annoyed, looking at the girl, still focused on the ritual.

-Your story doesn't make sense! - she said angrily, and I swear for a second it looked like she was about to stomp the ground like an angry kid, but she stopped herself. - I have no idea how, but you are lying. You have to be!

-Is it that hard to admit that you are mistaken? Come on! I've been telling the truth since I've gotten here, yet you go to such lengths for some reason.

She didn’t reply at first, just started walking in circles.

-You claim that you are from MIRE. And then you say that you don't know my actual name - she finally started talking, more to herself than anyone else. - You lied about yours. You obviously know magic and are dangerous. I have never heard about anyone being able to lie, even while being under the effects of this ritual. Oh, that's enough for now, child - she said to the girl, who all the time was looking at me with a mixture of focus and fear.

Come on, I haven't done anything to deserve those looks yet.

-So what now?

-Now, I will have to rely on more brutal methods - she replied with a grim expression on her face. - You know what that means, right? Don't get me wrong, I hate using blood magic, but this is a pressing matter.

Blood magic. Such a stupid name. To be honest, the official one wasn’t better either: reverse bio-binding. While with bio-binding, you tie the magical item to a person, so they can use it with more ease, the reverse binds a person to an item, or rather to a magical effect, and is just a very roundabout way of casting a spell on someone. You need some biological material of the person, like blood, hence the name to act as an anchor, like in regular bio-binding. The more… ehm, the harder to get, let’s say, the anchor material is, the stronger the bind, meaning you can technically make a very powerful curse, or a blessing if you are so inclined, if you were to use, for example blood. Definitely not anything you want to be on a receiving end if you don’t trust the caster. Technically she was using it before but with my hair, so why even bother saying that? Scare tactics, I guess?

-And what if I won't agree?

-Don't make me laugh! I already told you why you are defenseless and have no choice! - She started yelling, startling the kid.

I was not going to let some half-assed mage try their magic on me. Especially not that kind.

-Okay. That is enough - I said calmly. - I had enough of this bullshit. All this time, I wanted to resolve this peacefully. But if you are gonna threaten me with that kind of magic, I am forced to do this.

-Ha! Empty…

-Sophuk fi geksu, dosleyy nop, nus.

This time, I wanted to be a little more flashy, so instead of the orbs, I summoned a bunch of flaming rings, spinning around me, like planetless orbits. I was aiming to burn all my bindings, and scare them a little bit. It definitely worked: the plants binding me were instantly set ablaze. Including the one vine I was hanging on - meaning that I fell unceremoniously on the ground like a sack of potatoes. Not a very intimidating sight, to be honest.

I quickly stood up, tearing off the rest of the flaming pieces of random plants that were stuck to me and started walking towards my former captor. In this position, parts of the rings were now burning the ground, alongside the circle, as I was approaching the hag.

-Threats…? - I finished the sentence for her. - Are they really?

She did not say a word.

-I was trying to be a better person. But you had to make it hard, didn’t you? Even more, you wouldn't even do the dirty work yourself, you just love using this poor kid - I said, looking at the girl, now properly terrified. Well, now at least she had a reason.

Feeling a little bit bad, I dropped the spell.

-Can we please talk like civilized people, we were doing so well at the beginning.

No response. She was just standing there, clutching her green gem, looking at me.

-Look, I am not an enemy of yours. I am just passing by. If I knew that this surprise visit was gonna go so poorly, I would've just gone the other way. I am sorry for burning your plants, but I am not going to let random people just bleed me out just to satisfy their doubts.

Still no answer.

-Fine then. I am leaving then. Thanks for the food, I guess. You did spike it with some unpleasant things, but still, thanks. And sorry for scaring you - I added with a sour smile in the direction of the kid.

And I started to walk away.

-Wait.

Expecting another attempt to bind me I turned around, but I was surprised. The hag put down her gem on the table and was now looking at me with a mix of curiosity and disbelief.

-I don't know what the hell you are, but no one from MIRE would've just left. Especially without at least taking one of us. I can't make sense of you.

-Me neither. Well then, are we finally ready to talk? Without "distractions"?

-Thank you for your help, dear. Can you wait for me inside? - she said to the girl.

-That is not what I meant.

But she was already inside, shutting the door behind her.

-Well, whatever.

-So, what now, Mr. Mor Not-Mor?

-We are starting from the beginning. But I need to confirm something first - I replied, going back to the ritual circle and examining it closely.

It was broken, thanks to my flames, but parts were still readable. As expected, runes were the exact same as we used back at the MIRE. And in the flask were, of course, my own hair, used as an anchor that linked me as a target.

-Well then - I sat down nearby on the ground - Ms. El Not-El, you've been asking me some very weird questions. I assume this is not the place I left from a few days ago. And you are proof of that. Yet still there are some, hmm… inconsistencies. We are starting from scratch.

After a second of hesitation, I made up my mind, thinking that I might finally learn something.

-My name is, again, Mor and indeed, I am from the MIRE. This name made an, ah, impact on you. While I can think of reasons people might not like that name, what you were saying about it doesn’t quite add up. So I assume that your MIRE means something else. Am I right?

-And why should I answer you?

-Oh come on, I am trying to be diplomatic and clear up this misunderstanding. Can't you work with me on this one? What, you are mad about your plants? I wouldn't have done that but I think you went a little bit too far. And I am pretty sure that your stupid sandwiches still are working, cause I feel like talking still.

She pondered on my words for a long while.

-Let's assume I believe you. You are just a traveler, we had some misunderstanding, whatever. What matters now is that you still are a threat, it doesn't matter why you are here, you proved that you are a threat, you can't deny that.

-And yet still, that threat, as you called me, is now sitting peacefully talking, not burning anything to the ground, trying to be a civilized man. I can't blame you for feeling threatened. But I feel like I know what you are getting at. You want something in return for the information, isn't that right?

- If you are this, so-called traveler, you wouldn't mind telling me a few things as well then? Like how did you avoid drinking my tea?

-Answer for an answer? Sure, I can work with this. I don’t exactly know what exactly was in that thing though, tell me what it was supposed to do, then I will try to explain why it didn't work, because I did drink that tea.

-I don't think I am gonna believe that, but fine. It is basically a raw mana extract. Multiple mana colors used in it should overwhelm your own mana and start coloring it unpredictably, which makes it impossible to cast anything since you no longer have mana of your affinity.

-Wait. I thought that tea made me feel energetic. You just gave me an unrefined mana potion and expected me to NOT be able to use magic? I have no idea how different mana color would interfere in my ability to cast. Also, mana affinity? Funny. I am not an amateur, by all means.

-Amateur? The hell are you on about? - she looked at me, confused.

-What, you are that undeveloped? - I said, shocked.

-Hold on. Are you telling me you can just use any mana color? That is impossible. That would've meant that you can use any element! I am not gonna believe that bullshit!

Her outburst seemed genuine.

-You really are - I suddenly came to realize. - This is worse than I thought…

-You are either insane or stupid - she looked at me annoyed.

I didn’t pay much attention to the insults. I had a lot more important things to think about.

All these revelations - that was some good news and bad news. Good - that meant that my magic was more versatile than any other known here, and bad - I didn't want to go somewhere and start gathering attention just because of my magic. It was too late with her already, though. Besides that, there was also another problem. Could I, somehow, some way, I, along with the ruins of the MIRE, I ended up in another world? That was the only explanation that I could think of, besides the teleportation to some unknown part of the world that is - the overwhelming jungle, the unnatural mountains, the tunnels, this old-fashioned magic… I had a hunch ever since seeing those mountains, but I honestly did not want to believe it, but it technically either could be possible - the power of leylines has no limits after all.

I guess you reap what you sow. I should delay my judgment though, I just might be on some remote island in the Pacific or something.

-Listen - After a long while of silence I turned to the hag. - I suppose we are already past the point of no return, so against my better judgment, I will trust you. Look.

And as I did back near the ruins, I summoned all the elemental orbs.

-Yeah. Not that hard for me. Since you live over here in the woods, far from anything, I assume you also would like for this to stay between us to not bring some attention. Like from those people from that other MIRE apparently.

She was gazing, speechless, at the orbs floating around me.

-Hello, anyone there? - I snapped my fingers and waved towards her while dismissing the orbs. - You believe me now?

She shook off from that weird trance, realizing she was staring at me.

-Ah. Hm, yes. I see… - she said, her voice a bit shaky, hard to say if from fear or excitement, trying to regain her composure.

-Okay, you got me there - she admitted with a serious expression after a second. - If word got out about some element master just appearing out of nowhere right in my forest, I would never hear the end of it.

-Blame only yourself for that. If you didn't start interrogating me, I would've just asked about a few things, and then be on my way to the nearest town, most likely. And I am not some element master. I came from a place where this is normal.

-I don't think there are a lot of people like you in MIRE. Or any for that matter.

-About that. Where and what exactly is that MIRE of yours?

- Eh… - she started, seemingly tired. - It is a small village.

-So it is definitely not the same. Mine is an organization that I work… used to work for. And I have never heard of anyone using the same name for a whole village.

They want something from you I assume?

-They want a lot of things from a lot of people. But yes they do. And no, you don't need to know what. I would like this place to remain secret, so I agree that we need to cooperate for now, but that doesn't mean I am gonna just spit out everything I know. You just need to know that you do not want to get associated with them - she sighed. - Eh, it's gonna be a pain to get you out of here…

-What, you don’t have a port? What the hell. How do YOU leave then? Don’t tell me you “live off mother nature” or some bullshit like that.

-That is irrelevant - she said, obviously avoiding the subject. - Besides, the more important part. This place is surrounded by a barrier, it is literally impossible for someone to just walk out. Or in, for that matter - she looked at me with distrust again.

I shrugged.

-I have no clue about any barriers, I just walked in - I replied, trying to think of any signs of a barrier during my trip. - I don't believe I even encountered it, I think I would've at least noticed that I broke through something. Where is it exactly?

She looked at me, clearly suspicious.

-Oh come on, I already know about this place, why does it even matter if I know where it is or not. Not like I am trying to destroy it.

The look on her face said that it was exactly what she was thinking I wanted to do, but started talking anyway.

-Listen here. Whether you want me to believe or not, you can’t deny that I somehow got here without you even noticing. It is clear that there is some hole in your “security”. I am trying to be helpful and find it, as an act of goodwill.

-Fine, fine. It basically surrounds this side of the forest and some mountainside.

-Only some? If that isn't the hole I don’t know what is. And you said no one can get here?

-Listen, smartass - she puffed angrily. - No one is going through the mountains. If you have to know, it is dome shaped and ends halfway from the mountain peak.

-So what about the cave near the bottom?

-No, the cave is inside the barrier, I use it sometimes - her eyes narrowed suddenly. - Why are you asking?

-Well, I came out of it, so that's most likely how I bypassed your barrier.

-What?! I mean, that is a possibility, it does not stretch underground…

-I was traveling under the mountains and found a passage leading there. You might want to keep an eye on it, but I would be surprised if someone actually came through there, I did seal it.

-Good to know. At least that's the one thing taken care of. But that also means you can't just go back the same way you got here.

-And not like I would want to.

-I guessed that much. No one under normal circumstances would want to go through some dank caves. You must've been really desperate. Are you a dwarf or something?

-Verry funny.

She was right though. I could've either lived in a forest that was cut out from the rest of the world, hoping that my fly spell would work again and then travel through the stratosphere or went through some cave.

-I guess you could just use a portal, but that does not help with the issue of you appearing out of the aether…

-Wait, how can you just have a handy portal network hooked up out here and not mention it earlier, wondering how to get me out? Also, why are you so cooperative all of the sudden?

-I don't know what you are talking about.

I gazed at her in silence.

-But that means we only would be able to send you to Il’s house, and I am not going to just let some mountain hobo casually wander into her place.

-Isn't she like your granddaughter or something? I can’t see the problem, really.

-You don't need to know the details. But you are not that far off. She is my daughter, believe it or not. All you need to know for now is she is 14 and has issues speaking for now. Officially she is an orphan, living in a house owned by her parents that both died during a bandit attack on their carriage while they were traveling home from their trip to the neighboring city. Since the accident she has been living alone, mostly off her parents fortune.

-This is a very nice, touching story and all, but why are you telling me this?

-We will teleport you back to her home, and then we will sneak you out from the town itself, so you can come in as a regular citizen that is not associated with her in any shape or form. No one knows about her abilities so we should be in the clear.

-That is very nice of you all of the sudden. So you want something in exchange, isn't that right?

-Good guess - she smiled slyly. - I want you to apply for the position of a bodyguard.

-You what?