January 14, 2019, early morning.

The first thing I do, is stand up, brushing the grass off my onesie. With that basic bit of housekeeping accomplished, I turn my attention to improving my magic.

Since I have a quest that states it will reward me for unlocking elemental manipulation, adding an elemental flavour seems like a great place to start. I'm able to manipulate my mana, but there's no elemental aspect. I'm not sure if I'm limited in what I can unlock, but luckily there are only two elements I really want.

The first is fire. First off, no matter the lore, fire is always included as one of the elements. It's also beautiful, destructive, powerful and represents our mastery over nature. It drives away the cold. I feel like it's a reasonable place to start.

Plus, fire is badass.

Speaking of badass, the element I really want is lightning. Ever since we moved to Vancouver, I've missed the powerful thunderstorms that would roll in off the prairies. No clue what the weather here is going to be like, but if I'm able to work my way into throwing around a lightning bolt or two, well, let's just say I wouldn't complain.

The fact that Storm is the coolest X-man in my book is also a contributing factor. Though wolvie is a close second.

That said, before I try to emulate the best, I should start with the basics. So, fire it is.

Closing my eyes, I focus my mana in the palm of my hand then start picturing ways I can transform it into fire. I picture images of wood and gas burning but there's a disconnect. While I stand there, holding my palm to the sky, I realize the mana doesn't need an image of fuel. I already know there's an inherent potential within mana to bring forth fire. I felt it when I first held mana in my mental grasp.

Refocusing my mind on my palm, I circulate the mana there, emulating the feeling of heat. I start provoking my mana, exciting it, urging it to grow hot. I'm rewarded with a warm feeling on my skin shortly after. As I concentrate, the warm feeling continues to increase, soon reaching a level that's a little too hot to be comfortable. Opening my eyes to witness my success, I look down at my hand only to realize something horrible.

I've started a fire under my skin.

Taking my burning fire mana, I quickly form it into the only working rune I know. As I send it flying into the sky, I can't help but notice how visible it is this time.

"What the fudge was that?" I hear Josh ask, as I turn my attention to my notifications.

"Skill unlocked: Elemental Manipulation - Fire."

"Quest - Learn Magic updated: unlocked elemental manipulation - fire. Rewards: 1 iron rank integration point. Base class - pyromancer, unlocked. Updated quest. Requirement: 0/3 elemental manipulation skills. Reward: 3 iron rank integration points and variable class unlocks. Time remaining: no limit."

"Spell modification unlocked: Flaming Pierce. Would you like to make this the default version of this spell? (Note, this choice can be changed at any system integrated Nexus.)"

"Yuh-yes!" I shout at the last notification as I bring my spell menu up again.

Spell Name Scaling Effect Range Duration Affinity Flaming Pierce Yes Damages a single creature or object for light fire damage. Heavily damages and breaks through a single barrier. Much more effective from a barrier’s weak side. Has no effect on fire barriers. Weak against water barriers. Strong against ice barriers. Short Instant Fire

The most important change I see is that it damages objects and creatures instead of just barriers. It being useless against fire barriers sounds like a worthwhile penalty.

I'm a legit wizard now, thank you very much. I didn't even have to spend years at school with a bunch of crazy, but lovable, instructors. I will admit, that would be a whole other kind of awesome.

Spinning around, I fire off a few, (okay, maybe a lot,) more flaming arrows, all the while exulting in the flow of mana through my veins. And yeah, that's what they look like. Actual flaming arrows, with a pointy head and fletching and everything. They're exactly what I imagined they should be when I was young.

When my excitement dies down to reasonable levels, I realize I probably shouldn't just be throwing magical flares up into the air. But hey, at least I didn't aim them at the others or light the forest on fire.

I'm about to check my status when a strong force impacts my shoulder, sending me sprawling.

The accompanying words, "Hey Lex, congr…. Oh my God! I'm sorry." allow me to figure out some of what just happened. I'm pretty sure that Josh was just trying to encourage me, but for some reason he put way too much force into that pat on the back. Or maybe I'm just that weak? A result of having no health or my negative strength maybe? Testing will be needed.

Either way, I'm once again sprawled on the grass.

I turn to Josh, whose face is contorted into a mask of horror. Until he sees my giant grin.

I can't even pretend to be mad, flopping back into the grass, staring up into the sky with a great big smile plastered to my face. Casting spells feels so good. So right. It's like eating a triple decker ice-cream Sunday while watching the best Saturday morning cartoons while also spending an amazing Friday night out with Sab. All rolled into one. I think I'm in love.

I just need to avoid certain things.

Like accidentally destroying barriers that are protecting me from the tides of time. Or whatever. I also need to not light my hand on fire from within. Easy.

I just lie there, watching the clouds drift by above me. It's amazing how much this feels like I'm outdoors on Earth, even the clouds are the same. Tuning out the others, I continue staring up into the sky as I check my status screen. Even though I shot off at least twenty Flaming Pierce spells, I'm only down two mana and no focus. It's basically free. Raising my hand to the sky I watch my status as I fire another arrow straight into the air. My mana decreases by 0.1 but that's it. No focus.

So why did it take focus when I was creating the constructs earlier?

Deciding to investigate, I create the familiar bow and arrow construct I've been using, but I create it one piece at a time watching my focus. When I finish creating the construct my focus ticks down by 0.1. Firing it out of my finger, it produces the same nearly invisible shimmer my unmodified pierce spell did.

This is amazing!

Okay, I can still cast the basic version of my pierce spell, though it takes longer while costing me focus. This means I can use my spell slots for my favourite spells, but I can still do freeform magic. I feel pretty silly for complaining about only having three spell slots. If I can cast whatever magic I want, so long as I have focus, then the spell slots are just icing on the awesome cake that is magic.

Sitting back up, I'm prepared to continue experimenting when a deep, rumbling roar shakes through the clearing. Looking to the north, I see a flock of birds taking to the sky, understandably fleeing the source.

I gulp, hoping that whatever that is, it didn't see my flares. I mean, there were only twenty of them. Even if it did, the clearing will protect us. Right?

"So, the child gets to throw magic around, potentially drawing every predator within miles to our location? Does it seem fair she has magic while we don't," the old man questions Beth, who even now has her rifle propped against her shoulder. The one she made with magic.

Beth doesn't respond to him immediately as she keeps her gaze focused northwards. When he attempts to continue speaking, she raises a single finger, causing him to stop in his tracks.

After a few seconds, Beth turns to him gesturing at her rifle. "There's more than one way to do magic here. It was very intuitive. I'm surprised you haven't discovered yours, neighbour. Both our younger companions have figured theirs out."

Wait, what?

Forgetting Beth and the other guy, I stare at Josh, who's standing close by my side. He actually blushes when I look at him. Which given his dark complexion, I only notice because his blush is so damn bright.

How did I miss Josh's magic?

I can hear Beth having a mostly civil conversation with the old guy. But I'm still staring at Josh as though I'll figure out his magic just by observing him hard enough.

As if understanding my desire to see, he holds his hand out in front of him. As I watch, little stems weave their way out of his robe, encircling his hand. The stems then sprout rose petals and thorns. The petals fold over his skin, covering him until they form a glove. The petals then continue laying over each other in layers until his glove resembles a gauntlet.

The thorns appear to be decorative, except for two notable exceptions. The first is a long, curved thorn that stretches past his middle knuckle, running parallel to his hand. It extends at least ten centimeters past his fingertips before narrowing to a deadly-looking point.

The other thorn extends up from the back of his hand. It's only a couple centimeters high but it's covered in jagged ridges. There's a lack of symmetry to the finished gauntlet that adds to the beauty of his new rose glove. Josh demonstrates how flexible the gauntlet is, flexing his fingers with ease.

"Thu-that is so cool," I exclaim, as I glance back up at his face.

I hadn't realized, but apparently what I think matters a lot, because Josh's entire body relaxes at my words. He smiles then steps back holding up a single finger, saying "check this out."

Closing his eyes and scrunching up his face in concentration, the stems start expanding, shooting out to cover his entire body.

Less than a minute later, he's encased in a fully armored suit of rose petals and thorns. Even his eyes are covered by transparent petals as his transformation finishes. The surprising thing is how very Metal he is. I'm willing to bet that if most people start walking around in a literal rose suit, they're likely to look weak or frail. But Josh is a wall of pain. I admit, the wicked thorns at his shoulders, knees and elbows do help with that impression.

Man. If we were an adventuring party we'd almost be set. We've got an incredible wizard, a badass tank and a deadly damage dealer. If Beth isn't a rogue, I'd eat my hat. The only thing we need is….

a….

I turn towards the guy who looks like Mr. Edwards, my thoughts frozen. He's still talking with Beth, but he's much calmer now.

As I watch, he brings his hand to Beth's knee, his eyes focused. Beth doesn't react, so I'm guessing she's expecting this.

They both just stay there. There's no sign of what they're waiting for, but I have an idea. After a few more seconds, he exclaims in excitement before reaching to pull Beth close for a hug. Which is apparently a mistake.

I'm unable to register exactly what happens, but suddenly instead of hugging her, he's lying on his back on the grass behind her. Meanwhile, as if a man sprawled at her feet is the most natural thing in the world, Beth is standing there calmly.

"Sorry, bout that. Reflex," Beth apologizes, reaching a hand down to help him back to his feet.

Josh whistles beside me, the sound echoing strangely from inside his rose petal helmet. I’m expecting the old man to be livid, but when he sits up then looks around, he just has a confused expression. Then he sees Beth standing comfortably on her leg. For the first time since I've met him, I see a smile on his face. His smile remains in place as he takes Beth's hand. Not the reaction I'd expect after being thrown on the ground. Which is what I thought happened, but maybe I'm wrong.

"It worked, it actually worked," he exclaims inspecting Beth's leg. I'm not 100% sure what's going on, but I suspect it has something to do with him being our team healer.

"Sure did Doc. Thanks."

Even as Beth thanks the old man, I unconsciously take a step back, shaking my head. I was hoping we'd have a healer. Now we do.

Which is a good thing, I remind myself. As I'm looking back up, Josh gently places his hand on my shoulder, to give me a reassuring squeeze.

However, having that thorn-spiked gauntlet suddenly appear in my peripheral almost gives me a heart attack. Not going to lie, Josh is not having much luck comforting me today. Luckily, I don't jump or do anything silly, so he doesn't realize he just about put me in cardiac arrest.

When I glance back over, Beth is already walking towards us, her stride smooth but with more of a bounce in her step than before. "Apparently, Dr Roberts here has the ability to heal. And not just this weird health resource either. He just restored my bad knee. Which I've had for over a decade."

Past her, I see the old man sitting with his legs crossed in the grass. He doesn't seem to be doing anything, but he has that same focused gaze he had when interrogating me or healing Beth's knee. Luckily this time his eyes are closed. Since he doesn't appear to be doing anything momentous at the moment, my attention returns to Josh and Beth.

Which leaves me gazing into two blinding emerald eyes from half a meter away. Eyes that cause my thoughts to stutter to a halt.

…..

When my brain starts working again, I realize Beth asked me a question. "I'm suh-sorry, could you repeat that?" I ask while trying to shake off the strange feeling. It was like I was suddenly trapped before an apex predator, while all reason left me. If the old guy's attention feels judgy, then Beth's feels dangerous.

"I said you may want to get yourself looked at friend. You appear to be suffering some ill effects yourself," Beth explains as she glances back to him, missing my reaction.

My involuntary shudder is so violent I almost lose my feet, but I grab Josh's arm to steady myself. Somehow, he keeps any of his thorns from stabbing me in the side. I do tear a small rip in my onesie though.

"Nu-no thanks. I'm uh-okay. Reh-really." I force out while avoiding looking at the doctor. Even if he could heal me, there's no way I could handle him focusing on me the way he did with Beth. It might not be the smart thing, but I'm hopeful I'll figure out a way to fix my temporal dissonance myself, with a little time.

"Okay. If you change your mind, I'm sure he'd be happy to help you kid. He seems like a decent sort," Beth decides as she steps away. "I've got a couple more things I want to try with my umbra, but I think I'll be ready to set out exploring in a little bit here. You two are welcome to join if you like. The doctor said that he needs to stay here for a bit since he was successful.”

“Very successful." she adds a second later, glancing over at him once more.

"Hey Lex," Josh whispers to me when Beth steps away.

"Hey," I reply while keeping my eyes on the ground.

"You gonna be okay to work with him?" he asks, nodding at the doctor.

I finally let myself glance back at the doctor, I see he's still sitting with his legs crossed and eyes closed. Almost like he's a monk who's meditating. The pajama suit ruins the effect a little.

"Yuh-yeah," I whisper back. I just need to not have him look at me like that then it'll be fine. I think.

"Okay," Josh replies, offering his hand again.

I squeeze it once, before calling out to Beth, "Uh-I'd like to go with you." As much as I want to stay here to keep experimenting with my magic, something tells me the safest spot is next to Beth currently. I don't know why, but Beth feels more dangerous than our dinosaur neighbour and whatever else might be out there. Besides, I trust her more than this magical barrier.

That's not to mention that my stomach is starting to bother me. That mustard salad yesterday wasn't enough to satisfy me when I made it. Now it's a day later without any breakfast. I could eat an entire four cheese pizza. With extra bacon. Hopefully we can find something to eat in the nearby forest.

While I've been ruminating on breakfast, Beth has figured out a way to access another part of the interface.

"Beth has invited you to join her group. Do you accept? Y/N?"

Yes. I think at the notification, feeling the link connect to my interface in response. Opening the party page, I see the menu for my party. There's a blurring on the page before Beth's resources appear under the name Raven Queen.

RAVEN QUEEN RESOURCE CURRENT/MAX [EDGE] (REGEN) Health 85/85 [4.7] (46)/day Stamina 75/75 [5.2] (41)/day Mana 98/98 [6.0] (55)/day Focus 101/139 [9.6] (83)/day Matrix Umbra 28/35 [2.4] [0.9] (21)/hour

That is such a cool call sign.

Beth is more balanced than I am, I realize as I check her resources. When I focus on her matrix resource, Umbra, I'm able to tell that her Edge is reduced so long as she has the rifle. I'm unable to tell anything else about her umbra though. It feels almost as if it's hiding itself from me.

A moment later Josh's resources appear. His call sign is, amusingly enough, Rose.

ROSE RESOURCE CURRENT/MAX [EDGE] (REGEN) Health 110/110 [8.9] [18.9] (64)/day Stamina 89/89 [5.3] [10.3] (49)/day Mana 19/19 [-0.7] (9)/day Focus 12/12 [-0.4] (6)/day Matrix Petal 14/26 [2.0] [1.0] (15)/hour Thorn 5/10 [0.7] (6)/hour

Wow, his stats must be the opposite of mine. He has less mana and focus than I have health. Well, total health. However, unlike Beth and I, Josh has two matrix resources. They even share a theme. At this point, I'd say he's more in sync with his matrix than I am with mine. He even matched his call sign to his matrix resources.

When I focus on his Petal resource, I get a defensive feeling, similar to my health. He can use it instead of his health when he takes physical damage.

Like Beth with her rifle, while he has the armor formed his Petal edge is decreased. However, I'm able to discern that the armor increases his health and stamina edges. Even if his Petal resource is empty the armor will remain, so that's awesome.

His Thorn resource has a wicked retaliation feeling to it, so I quickly pull my focus back, as it feels as though I would be punished for inspecting it too closely.

Dropping the interface, I see Josh is doing some stretches in his rose-thorn armour while Beth is staring off into space.

Beth said we'd still have some time before we set out, so I decide this is as good a time as any to see if I can harness lightning.

I mean what's the worst that could happen, I get struck by lightning?

……

Upon consideration, maybe I should wait until I'm not sitting at zero health with no defences before I try lightning magic.

I decide to work on something a little saner, like a magical barrier that can protect me, since I have no health. Maybe from said lightning strikes. Flipping my mental notebook open, I go to the page with the basic runes on it.

The circle rune feels like the best choice to start with, but I'm not sure how to complete it.

My first thought is to make an all-encompassing shield, but I imagine the mana cost for a shield like that would keep me from using it for very long. Instead, I settle on the idea of a small floating shield. Thinking back to the creation of my pierce spell, I start by imagining myself standing while holding a small handheld shield. The closest I've ever come to holding a shield is a pot lid, but that feels like enough to start with. I shouldn't need to propel my shield, but I'll need a way to tether it and direct it. Ideally, I'll be able to set it up to block incoming strikes on its own, but that's something to work on later.

My first several attempts at creating a shield spell end in nothing more than collapsed constructs and lost focus. The problem I keep running into is that I need to connect the tether to the line inside the circle, but I can't cross the circle, or I disrupt the construct. Once the circle is disrupted the whole construct becomes unstable then falls apart.

I keep trying to get my mana to connect through the circle, making my lines finer and more precise when I get another notification.

"Skill increased: Mana Manipulation (5)"

This encourages me to keep improving my lines. I'm even able to get my mana manipulation up to six but I still can't get the shield spell working. I'm ready to give up, when I remember what I did to figure out my pierce spell. Taking a moment, I step back from the circle then inspect it. I feel like the solution is practically staring me in the face, but I don't see it.

Maybe if I had more time before we left, I'd be able to work it out, but with a quick glance I see Josh and Beth are waiting at the east side of the clearing.

So much for my shield spell. Which means I need to suck it up then talk to the doctor.

As if reading my mind, Beth stops me.

"Why do you have no health?"

I stare at Beth, trying to think of something easy to say.

"Thu-the time-freeze," I stutter out.

"Don't you think you should let the doc try to heal you kid?"

"Buh-but," I start, as she holds up her hand, interrupting me before I can say that's what I was doing.

"I don't think it's a good idea for us to go exploring with you at zero health. If you're not going to be healed, you should probably stay kid."

"Uh-of course" I reply resentfully, as I turn towards the doctor. I try to step towards him, but I can't. Not until Beth steps up beside me, raising her eyebrows. Under her watchful eyes I approach him.

You can do this, Alexis. You can.

"Uh-uhm," I start but I lose my voice when his dark brown eyes open, his gaze flicking up to meet mine.

"Could you take a look at her," Beth asks for me, to my relief and embarrassment.

"Of course," he replies, standing up next to me. I'm shaking as he holds his hand out. But I put my hand forward which he takes, humming to himself.

I don't see it, but can feel something wash over me, my headache receding while my health returns to full. But my regen remains at zero.

After a few more seconds, I can't help myself, so I ask, "suh-so?"

"There doesn't appear to be anything wrong, other than the stutter of course. But I'm still learning," he smiles at me as I quickly draw my hand away. Seconds later my headache returns.

"Thu-thanks," I squeeze out. Try to be polite Alexis, he's your healer, I remind myself.

I turn to Beth, who looks at me, then sighs. "Let's go kid, just," Beth pauses as she rubs her chin, "just be careful okay?"

I nod as we prepare to head out.