The thick mists stir on the other side of the room, swirling madly about the two bright blue eyes that stare our way. With my much-improved mana senses, which have developed greatly over these past few days, I can see that the body of the mist itself is thick with controlled mana. Active magic of some sort, but it feels different to what I’ve seen before.

The swirling flows don’t seem to be indicative of a spell withheld, so much as some magic maintained. Something this creature is holding onto.

“What is your reason for coming here? Do you seek violence?”

“Why do I get the feeling this thing is criticizing me?” Eshya grumbles, glaring at the bright blue eyes in the distant mist as she folds her arms.

“Life must be hard for a battle manic.” I say, patting her shoulder and stepping out ahead of her. Eshya might take the lead in fights, but in a conversation, I’d rather take the lead myself, and this creature seems willing to talk.

“Hello, we’re… tourists, I suppose. You’re… not a wild beast, right?” I ask.

“That’s the way,” Eshya says with an amused snort. “I’m sure accusing it of being a beast is a great introduction.”

“Shush you. I’m practicing my diplomacy, when we get into a fight, then it’s your turn to take the lead.” I reply, turning to address the giant beast. “I’m Kyra, I mean you no offence and if you aren’t going to start a fight with us, then we have no intention of getting violent with you.”

“That is good then.” The large creature replies, the mist shifting around until it takes the form of a large wolf. It’s still not quite solid, the wall behind it is not quite clear, but it’s still visible. The thickening mass of mana however is somewhat more intimidating.

“Battle is such a bloody affair, I’m not sure I still have the heart for it.” The creature says, the voice radiating out through the air. “Do not mistake me however, I still do hunt the lesser beasts that bother the villagers near here, and if you cause trouble I’ll do what I must.”

“It’s fine. We’re not here for a fight.” I look back at Eshya. “I mean, we’re not here to pick fights with sapient peoples. If there’s bothersome beasts around, we’d be happy to help deal with them.”

“That’s good, then. No one should want for a pointless death.” The creature says, it’s growling voice growing a little more quiet as it settles down.

“Do you have a name we should call you by?” I ask, stepping a little deeper into the room, and closer to the creature. The cavern is surprisingly empty, the flower being the only other thing here beyond this creature of mist. I imagine something has been clearing away the weeds, else this room would look more like the others.

“Call me as you will.” The creature says. “As you can see, I’m not limited by forms as your kind are, and names are equally as pointless. I am simply who I am, unattached to names and shapes.”

“Well, since you’re being so mystifying, how about Misty?” I suggest, earning a chuckle from the creature.

“As functional as anything I’ve been called. Truer than most other names, while I may choose any shape, my mist is one part of me that won’t ever change.” Misty says lifting his wolfish head thoughtfully.

“If I might ask something.” Adler says stepping forwards as she nervously twists her hair. “Are you known to the Unified States? Should we avoid making mention of you?”

“I am already known to them.” Misty replies, “I follow the rules, and not merely by the letter. It is the spirit of such things that matter after all. What of you? Do you not follow the rules?”

“We follow the rules as well as any other.” I say, watching the living mists closely. If it’s truly on good terms with the Unified States then we should be a little more careful about what we say. Speaking openly can have rather dire consequences in authoritarian societies like the Unified States.

A worry that should probably extend to Thresh too, but with her the risk is at least meaningful.

“Do not worry yourselves. I rarely have occasion to meet with those who would represent the rules of your civilisation, and I find no reason to seek them out for this.” Misty says soothingly. “Though there is some value in those rules worth consideration.”

“Well, I’m glad that you’re not going to talk about us behind our backs.” I say, relaxing a little as I look over the creature once more.

Chip is hesitantly considering Misty a he, but I can feel that it’s more based on my own impressions rather than Misty himself. I don’t think he really has anything like a gender. Chip does have a way of sweeping such things under the rug in order to ease communication.

I’d still do well to understand these aspects of Chip a little better, if for no other reason than avoiding nasty surprises. I’d really rather not get into flirting with a girl just to find a little extra meat down below…

“So you say. May I ask why you have come here?” The wolf says, resting its large head on it’s crossed paws, the large blue lights forming its eyes still staring intensely at us.

“The flower.” Thresh speaks up before her voice chokes off. Her greed for the flower is only enough to inspire a brief flash of confidence, quick to flee under the gaze of the powerful creature guarding the flower.

“We’re here to do some alchemy.” I say, “Thresh is training to become an alchemist, and us soldiers. We’re protecting her as she goes about her work.”

“An interesting exercise,” Misty hums thoughtfully. “You wish to use my flower in some tincture?”

“I… yes.” Thresh says, her eyes flicking between the flower and the creature.

“Could we perhaps find a trade?” I ask. “Unfortunately, we have little to offer, though perhaps Thresh can brew you a potion?”

“Yes, I can do that!” She cries extatically, earning a few chuckles from Vii at her side, still watching the tunnel at our backs.

“I have little need for such things.” Misty replies, instantly sending Thresh’s shoulders sinking. “The idea, in essence, is not offensive, however. This flower will only be in bloom for a few days more until it will wither and die.”

“Really?” Thresh asks, standing up taller as she meets the creature’s eyes. The promise of the flower enough to reignite her courage. “It dies after reaching crystal stage?”

“Yes.” Misty replies, “A natural aspect of it’s life cycle. In exchange for greater power, this species of flower sheds its mass to condense its mana. The process leaves its flesh broken, unable to survive beyond blooming.”

“Interesting.” Thresh mumbles, her eyes still focused on the flower.

“I’ve heard of plants and animals like that.” Vii cheerfully chirps in. “It’ll shove all that mana into it’s seeds to try and make more powerful children, sproutlings for this little guy, I guess.”

“Indeed.” Misty replies. “I’ve watched this flower grow for many long years, and finally its time has come. Its seeds are ready to drop, and its life will soon be over. So tell me, what would you make it into? What purpose could you give to it, that would be greater than withering where it now stands?

“If your answers satisfy me, then I will allow you to do as you will with the flower, so long as a seed is planted in its place.” Misty’s gaze is stuck upon the alchemist, waiting for a reply.

The alchemist doesn’t immediately say anything, stepping closer and peering down at the flower with analytical eyes.

“The dew upon it’s petals would be added to a base that I’ve already brewed. A revitalising potion, to bring energy back to those who’ve worked themselves to the bone.

“The petals… I think a quenching fluid would do. They have the power of frost locked within and I think it would give the mixture the perfect counterbalance.”

“That’s not what I had meant ask.” Misty says, looking down upon the flower with a familiar tenderness.

“I’d like know what you would become.” Misty says, pacing along the room without getting too near to us. I feel it’s more likely that the creature is worried of scaring us away, rather than the threat we might pose to it.

“What I would become?” Thresh asks, not quite understanding.

“If I give this flower to you, will it be another potion stored away in a warehouse, lonely and forgotten. Or will it be a pavestone easing your step towards a greater future goal. Would your hands ruin this beautiful flower, or craft something more beautiful and meaningful from the parts of it?”

Why do I feel as if we’re receiving lectures from a lonely hermit philosopher?

“The second one. It’d help me become something greater!” Thresh shouts. “Using this, I could distinguish myself from the others in my class, I’d get access to more ingredients. Maybe it could even get me closer to completing my Skill!”

“What future would that bring you to?” Misty asks. “What would you become? Where is the end of this path that you want to walk?”

“I’ll become the most talented Alchemist I can be.” Thresh replies, standing a little more proudly than a moment ago. “I’ll reach the peaks of what I can be and create the best potions that I can without ever wasting a drop of mana.”

“A goal not uncommon.” Misty says, chuckling without looking down upon her. “Yet it is not a dream to be looked down upon. I’ll allow you to harvest this flower, but you must plant a seed back into the ice you take it from. You may have the rest of it, but I would raise one of its spawn.”

“Of course!” Thresh replies, rushing closer to the flower and looking over it. She’s not yet reaching for her equipment, analysing the flower as closely as she can without touching it.

“What of you, Kyra and company? What would you become?”

“Me?” I ask. “I’m not the one after your flower.”

“No, but I’d like to hear your answer if you would give it.” Misty says, floating about the room and shifting in shape. One minute a wolf, then a dragon, a lion, and a horse, finally returning back to a wolf. “Find it in yourself to humour this old soul.”

“What would I become?” I ask, “Ruler over my own domain. I want to become strong enough to protect those I care about.”

“Protect them? What measure of strength would be enough to satisfy that end?” Misty asks, looking between us.

“How dangerous is this universe?” I ask. “When there’s no longer any enemies strong enough to challenge me, then I’ll be satisfied. I’ll hide away in a luxury palace where I can raise a family and have a wonderful life without anyone else daring to strip me of that family, and that happiness.”

“I see.” Misty says, voice low and quiet. “A path filled with conflict and suffering, and one I’m not unfamiliar with though my struggles were more selfish. I hope you find the peace that you seek.”

“What’s with this questioning?” Eshya grumbles. “You sound like my parents, asking about my life plans.”

Misty’s form is disturbed as he moves, looking closer at our warrior.

“I’m merely curious.” Misty replies, relaxing back into the form of a wolf. “It interests me to hear of the struggles of others. Many dream of success without ever truly reaching for it, refusing to take the steps needed to pave the path towards their goals. It’s nice to see an alchemist not simply drooling over a mana rich ingredient but looking to see how it may be used to reach closer to her final goal. I hope that it does as you want of it, young Thresh.”

“You don’t have a goal of your own?” I ask, settling down near to the alchemist as she takes out a few tools, writing down a few notes and looking through the liquids and powders she has with her.

“Me?” Misty asks, “I suppose the question is fair. I am… without goal. Once upon a time I was a violent beast, the sort that would have torn you asunder without pausing for a moment to consider talking instead. At that time my goal was the same as any other wild monster, I sought to grow stronger than anything and everything. The same as your current goal but with only my own survival in mind.”

“It’s a fine enough goal.” Eshya says, glancing back into the tunnel behind us. “I don’t see why you’d stop.”

“It was not my own will.”

“You were collared.” Adler says gravely.

“Precisely.” Misty replies. “My freedom was taken from me and I was forced into obedience. Even so, I do not begrudge my captors. They introduced me to many things, ethics, morals, and even my ability to think expanded in my time as a collared beast.”

“Really?” Vii asks, jotting down notes in her little red book. “It wasn’t something awful and painful?”

“In many ways it was.” Misty admits. “Though the suffering forced upon me was nothing compared to the suffering I inflicted on myself. In the care of their tamers, I grew and I learned. I learned the value of a life, and in time I came to realize that I am a murderer.

“Before I was collared, I would travel from village to village, consuming the people living peacefully just so that I could steal the mana from their corpses. I… remember killing so very many people, but I cannot recall any of their faces.”

Even Thresh grows still, her examination of the flower coming to a pause as she listens and thinks.

“I’m glad.” Adler says, a distant smile on her lips as she looks down at the flower rather than the mist creature before us. “Not about the killing. I’m glad that you’ve learned from it and become something better since.”

“Adler.”

“This is what I wanted.” She says, meeting my eyes. “It’s why I became a welfare officer. Even wild beasts, even the omega, can become perfectly decent people if given the chance.”

“Not all are like me.” Misty says, “Not all want to know of the sins they carry. I’ll admit, it is easier to live as a wild beast.”

“I’m glad you chose the more difficult path.” Adler says, a distant smile on her lips. “I… may I ask a few questions. I’d like to help others like you, but… I no longer believe in the welfare officers. I think that we can all be better people, and I’d like to help others on that path.”

“I cannot promise to answer every question, but I will listen to your request.” Misty says, his shape blurring but his gaze unfaltering.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Skills & Stats

~Mana Form:

Current mana density: 1664 units

~Mana distribution:

Catagory Current Max. Defence 0% 66% Offense 0% 60% Mana Sense 92% 92% Recovery 0% 35% Gluttony 0% 29% Misc. 0% 42% Efficiency 92% 100%

~Favourited Skills:

-Chip Shredder

-Multi-mind

-Tag

-Mana surge movement

-Reactive defence

-Fire burst punch

-Annihilation magic

-Charged casting (Annihilation)

-Mana form flow fixer

-Branching magic

-Swimming