Chapter 12 - Arguments Ancient and New

The sound of pages turning distracted May from the low moans and grunts of effort, as the last of the rubble was overturned. All bodies and survivors had been rescued hours ago, but they were now trying to salvage what they could. Which wasn’t much… but there was a small pile of cleaning and day-to-day tools growing on the side, so it might be worth the effort.

May turned the next page, the words taking longer to process than she expected. The jump on the vocabulary necessary to understand the writer had been difficult 一 to say the least 一 but Kreacher had assisted with what they could. The iguana had been resting for a while now, sitting on the porch beside her and just enjoying the casual petting on the top of their new, scaly head.

Soft complaints under their breath as usual, but May was learning to not take it to heart. Plus, ignoring it made it a lot easier to not set herself as antagonistic to Kreacher 一 which was a must considering they were her only dictionary in hand.

Still, the first chapter was a small beast to tackle for her; and it didn’t take May long to understand why Kreacher thought it was necessary to have someone to discuss Isaias Melindrak’s views and explanations.

Titled “What is Mana?”, the pages contained descriptions that she couldn’t help but think were… dumbed-down. Something about the commentaries the author inserted sometimes made it all look as if he was talking to the stupidest person on the land and being entirely condescending all the while.

Nevertheless, he was still able to explain it properly 一 acid commentaries not-withstanding.

Mana, apparently, was considered the building blocks of Creation and was the only resource that truly mattered to those that walk the Path. Melindrak explains that mana is not only in everything but can also be refined by everything.

According to his words, objects and natural resources can slowly accumulate and process the energy around them for centuries, leading to different and powerful creations, while some beasts and sentient creatures can learn to both accumulate mana and properly shape it and refine it according to their wills.

He doesn’t say that’s what a Gift is 一 that would be explained in chapter three, “What is the Gift?” 一 but May was almost entirely sure that what she have been doing since that night in the slums is exactly that. Collecting and Refining.

Another interesting topic he presented was regarding types of Mana. According to Melindrak, in what May considered was the best representation of his writing style, he quoted: “…To try and catalog the entirety of shapes, forms, concepts and ideas that Mana might comprise is the most asinine of jobs one could ever be put to do. Not only is it a worthless endeavor, but it will also be outdated the moment it’s considered done 一 since there are always new ways of understanding and changing Creation’s favorite building blocks…”

After that, he went on a slight tangent by dissing something called The Council of Sages for an entire page because they stuck to the idea of the catalog for more than a decade; which to him, marked the group as “clothed moles pretending to be scholars while proposing utterly idiotic ideas forward, clogging the advancement of proper studies with their stupid obsession and stubbornness.”

May had to admit 一 the man knew how to drag someone with his words.

Still, there was a certain situation where he admitted it was useful to understand the possible types of mana. When it came to sorcerers and wizards, the Schools of Magic had easily distinguishable energies which allowed a better understanding of spells, components, and possible effects.

Maybe she would need to get some magical training as well? May had a few memories of the mages who worked at the palace, especially because Hector was always fascinated with them.

The sound of Bel-Alis’s limping steps came from the manor, the Priestess saying her last goodbyes to the employees and helpers. She had been working inside the walls ever since she was called by the knight in charge a few hours back, when the explosion of the artifact toppled a tree. There were no victims, thankfully, considering no one knew where the illusion mana was coming from and the knights were a little busier with the debris and victims.

To May it was a decision that showed incompetence on their part. Oh, their idea did benefit the trio that knew what was going on, since Bel-Alis wanted the information they obtained to remain secret, but the Order betting in the natural decay of the spell seemed… stupid.

The doll couldn’t help but consider what would have happened if, instead of a simple detonation to destroy the artifact, the last card the enchanter they had seen put on his creation was an explosion on par with the one that destroyed the manor.

More dead bodies would break Madam Leticia. The woman was already behaving like a wisp of smoke compared to the agitated bonfire she was when May arrived, trading her amiable smile and sharp eyes for an even more pronounced hunch and constant sighs.

Still, she had been firm when thanking May for the help rendered. Her hug had been so tight the doll had to ask to be released, and the pats on her head made May stutter for minutes after, her cheeks red with heat. The old siren even wanted to grant her a boon, but the doll knew not what to ask for, so they settled for a discount in the services of The Brimming Plaza.

And a promise. To aid May if she ever needed something from the matriarch.

The knights, in the meantime, kept to themselves. Their leader had talked to Bel-Alis, but didn’t engage with the goodbyes; too preoccupied with other affairs.

As such, when the Priestess managed to leave the manor, few approached them. May put Kreacher on her shoulder, hid the book in the waist of her pants, and hugged her doll body close. She had searched for it earlier, and the newly clothed and cleaned doll had reached new heights in terms of prettiness.

The artificial hair had been combed and had the dark locks in a slight bob. The porcelain skin was cleaned and dressed in a light blue dress, simple in its making, but that made her deep blue eyes even more lovely. May now had two bodies that were ready to serve her Master with all their might.

The satisfied smile on her lips was almost a permanent addition. As was the spring on her steps.

“I presume our visit took longer than expected,” May said, matching her steps with Bel-Alis’s limping gait. Kreacher had decided to rest on the doll’s shoulder, tasting the air with their never-stopping flickering white tongue.

“Presume? Where did you learn that?” Bel-Alis said, light laughter in her voice.

May puffed her chest… and Kreacher did the same from his place. “It’s on the book’s first page. Kreacher told me what it meant.”

“Ha. Indeed. Our wisdom knows no bounds.”

The Priestess scoffed lightly. “Yeah, yeah, Kreacher. And you presume correctly May.”

Bel-Alis couldn’t help but tease a little with the words, light laughter in her voice

“So what are we doing now?”

“We… will be visiting a friend.” Alis seemed to think for a moment. “Yes, that’s right. No reason to not keep to our plans.”

“Can we get something to eat before that? We’re craving a… salad.” Kreacher said, their eyes widening at the end. Something about their particular hunger had startled them, who only mumbled. “No meat? Not even bugs?”

Alis and May ignored their rumbling. “I’m hungry myself, as well. What about you, May?”

The doll felt her own body, and the pain of an empty stomach was absent. Not only did May feel satisfied, but it was also almost as if there was no need for it.

Lies. Deception. Careful. Dead. Body. No. Famine. The whispers said, stopping her from denying food from Bel-Alis, who gave her a quizzical look at her opening and soon-after closing mouth.

“Y-yeah,” May said, trying to process the advice. “I could eat something.”

“Hmm. Good. Let’s get something from the stalls near the Emporium. I’m sure they will have a bite for us.”

***

The longer May walked through the long and wide streets of Crystalia, the more she felt it was a place worthy of being her master’s home. After they left The Brimming Plaza, the return to the more populated area was smooth, if slow due to the time and the number of people going into the restaurants and bistros that occupied the area.

According to Bel-Alis’s explanation, the city’s quarter where they stood was known for its service shops. Restaurants, inns, theaters, and even healers were the usual businesses around the Plaza. The Priestess explained that most of Crystalia’s area was designed with intent; from its diamond shape to the sewers below their feet.

Due to the planning that went to Crystalia’s construction, the division of the areas remained unchanged through the centuries. At the northern part of the capital 一 at the top of the diamond 一 three areas were divided, and they were currently on the easternmost side.

The Sapphire Quarter.

When May asked if the name was related to the statue they saw at the Plaza, Bel-Alis nodded. The Priestess promised to tell the story later, but according to her, of the five larger areas of Crystalia, four were homages to heroes from the exodus.

The White Queen’s last gift to her most loyal followers.

The Priestess promised to tell her and Kreacher more, later. But by the time they had left the area surrounding the Plaza and returned to the streets they had first seen after rising from the sewers, instead of taking to the right as before, Bel-Alis guided them forward 一 deeper into the city.

If the Sapphire Quarter was where services could be bought, this area May was being led into was occupied by merchants trading their wares among plaques and banners. From small wooden stalls holding trinkets and food, to burgeoning stores filled with weapons and armor, the Onyx Strip 一 as Bel-Alis called it 一 extended from wall to wall as the commercial center of the capital.

The sight was astonishing, but more than that, there was an underlying tension within every person walking around the streets. May had noticed from the moment she stepped outside of the Plaza; that feeling someone was sharing covert news under their breath, too scared to outright comment on what had happened.

People looked over in the direction of the Sapphire Quarter as if their eyes could pierce through the colored bricks, the information regarding the attack making the citizens walk faster and quieter. As they got deeper into the Onyx Strip, it reached the point where the trio’s voices were the only ones present.

Bel-Alis must have realized it as well, for she looked at the stall owners with sadness in her expression, as instead of proudly showing their wares and calling for clients, they only… whispered.

Stopping at one of them, nearly halfway through their path according to the Priestess, May watched a man turning sizzling meat on a stick, coating it with butter as the fat dripped on top of the metal grill. The smell made her swoon in delight, and when Bel-Alis traded the skewers for a couple of copper coins, May’s mouth was already salivating.

She was about to gobble the snack handed to her when May remembered the warning. If her human body was dead 一 and she wasn’t feeling any hunger 一 then what about her other one?

Asking to stop at one of the benches around the streets, the trio relaxing under the shade of a tree, May bit her lips in thought, but the decision was made from the moment the whispers told her about the hidden depths of her Abilities 一 and its consequences. As such, she took a deep breath and deactivated [Skin Walking] for the first time.

Bel-Alis almost choked on her snack as she saw the human girl suddenly falling back from the bench, scrambling arms grabbing the body by the collar of her shirt.

Kreacher, in the meantime, cursed so loudly they would be the envy of many a sailor. From his place on the girl’s shoulder, the sudden lack of core strength made them experience the vertigo of slowly watching the world tilt as their perching place fell.

“May!”

“A little warning, youngster!”

The porcelain doll felt the change in her vision field with little to no awkwardness. The return to her body almost felt nostalgic to May, who moved her tiny hands and stubby fingers, testing their efficiency after a day of being unmovable. May took a moment to understand the words thrown her way, too impressed by the capabilities of her Gift.

“Ah, sorry,” May said, watching as Bel-Alis pretended to put her human body to rest, head on her lap. “Had to try something.”

“What is it?” The Priestess asked, whispering to a doll as if a day-to-day occurrence. A woman passing by eyed them and decidedly power walked away from the scene.

“I get hungry like usual with my Ability. Huh.” May responded, feeling the beginning of the hunger pains. It had been less than a day since she ate Kreacher’s body outside the bar, so it wasn’t downright painful yet, but it was starting to annoy her.

“You weren’t feeling it?”

“No, not really.” May considered what she knew and added. “It makes some sense. My body is alive 一 just… asleep, maybe? While I use the other one?”

Kreacher, standing on top of her human form like a king conquering new land, flickered their tongue. “That can be dangerous. What if you spend too long using your Ability and forget to eat?”

“Death, I think,” May said, narrowing her eyes with those black, fleshy eyelids her body hid under the porcelain. “I’ll keep a closer eye on it.”

“Humph. She talks as if it’s usual to almost starve to death.”

“Indeed, May. I’ve come to realize you really are braver than most. Almost reckless.” The Priestess remarked, not giving anything away. “You should be careful with some decisions.”

“Ah, what can I say,” The doll shrugged her white shoulders. “Fear has little hold over me.”

Bel-Alis hummed in understanding, fingers caressing the body’s hair… and cleaning it of some small debris still lodged among the thick curls. May, in the meantime, started to eat her skewer to ward off the worse of the discomfort brought by her empty stomach.

Stealthily, of course, as she didn’t want people to notice how unique she was. Being discovered as a new type of creature would be a hassle and a half to solve.

“Oh, look, Alis! She has fangs!” Kreacher called out as May was about to bite on the meat, her small, painted pink lips parting to reveal the rows of sharp black teeth and gums.

The Priestess, lost in thought as she tended to May’s other body, didn’t prepare herself for the sight of porcelain splitting to reveal a maw filled with black teeth munching on the skewer. “Oh, hells!”

May looked at both of them without understanding, but didn’t stop eating. She was even being polite about it 一 chewing with her mouth closed and all that.

“So…” May swallowed the piece of meat, making a pleased hum at the warmth radiating from her throat. “Who is your friend?”

“Oh… hum, Mirn. She works at one of the famous stores around here.” Bel-Alis seemed to reminisce for a moment. “I’ve worked for her boss at the store before 一 both as an appraiser and as an enchanter sometimes 一 and we just… hit it off, I guess. We’re both from races difficult to see around here, so that helped.”

Kreacher looked at Alis and tilted their head, yellow eyes blinking at her. They didn’t know anyone as rare as Alis was here in Crystalia, even if their bodies usually scouted the Outer City. “We never met her?”

“I… don’t think so. Never had the opportunity to introduce the two of you.” The Priestess responded, before turning to the still eating doll. “She is a sulphrite, May. You know what those are?”

“No.” The doll admitted, feeling a little less ashamed of her lacking than before. The lack of judgment from Alis helped.

“They are… people of hellish heritage. A lot more common in Belphegor 一 If I’m not mistaken, Mirn moved here with her mother after she married again.”

The doll considered what she could ascertain from Bel-Alis’s description. There was a children’s book with the Hells portrayed on it; multicolored, horned fiends bearing flails and swords attacking heroes. Some used dark magic, others…

“Does she spit fire?” The doll asked before she could even realize it, the words flowing from her mouth as curiosity won over her consciousness.

Bel-Alis guffawed at the prospect of Mirn spitting fire around and turning her boss’ perfectly manicured eyebrows into ash. The Priestess cleaned a tear of mirth from her eyes. “Ha. No, May, she doesn’t. Mirn does have quite the fiery temper, however.”

“Oh… that’s disappointing.” The doll deflated.

“I’m sure Mirn will be a treat for you to know.” Alis encouraged, half in defense of her friend and half wanting to raise May’s expectations. “If I know a lot about history, then she’s the one I’d go to if I ever needed to buy an item… or at least learn how to get it.”

“Are we going to buy something then?” Kreacher asked. “We could use some armor.”

“I… don’t think they have armor for your size, Kreacher, but we’ll keep an eye out. And we are buying what we need for the dungeon, and that includes a weapon for May, some potions, and 一 if Mirn has it 一 what we need for her Shaping.”

May finished her skewer, holding the wood stick with one of her hands. “Oh yeah, about that, I’m all ready for the Shaping now.”

“You used the rest of your Truth?”

“Yes.” She scratched the back of her head like she saw some humans doing. Bel-Alis didn’t ask why the doll was seemingly trying to tangle her own hair. “It just… sort of happened, but I’m happy with what I got.”

“Oh 一 that’s a relief.” The Priestess nodded with a sigh. “So we only need the Shard now.”

“The what?”

“A Shard, youngster. A Shard of Reality.” The lizard smiled with needle-like fangs, a grin so wicked that May narrowed her eyes in response. “Hope you’re excited about getting stabbed!”

***

The Translucent Emporium 一 May managed to read the name with her human eyes while Bel-Alis adjusted her robe and primmed herself 一 was a sprawling building near the center of the Onyx Strip. Two stories high that could have easily been four, considering how high up its ceiling was, the place had its name painted with golden ink on top of the glass door that led to its interior.

Too many windows allowed natural light to shine inside the open room that was the first floor, where the products up for sale laid on display on top of shelves or adorning mannequins, forming multiple themed hallways that were organized by small golden plaques that floated above the entrance to the hallways 一 each one carved with what you could find in its respective alley. Weapons of multiple types were perfectly arranged along the white bricks, golden hooks keeping longswords, daggers and more from touching the floor.

Racks of vials shining with multicolored hues occupied an entire alley, besides the ones that seemed to house more monstrous spoils. A jar filled with glistening, blue eyes, too-large insectoid wings pinned to a small board made of cork and set after set of fangs 一 each bearing a small plaque that explained where it came from, although May couldn’t read them from where she stood.

Shining deadly edges and polished blades and gems aside, the building didn’t fail to implement some of the themes May had seen around Crystalia. The white bricks portrayed images like all the other buildings, carvings that spread even to the glass windows and doors that represented a man constantly fighting against a giant beast, sword in hand; or looting a mountain of coins and chests filled with treasures.

The longer May stared at the depictions, the more she realized something was… odd. All of the drawings showed different scenes, but the man in them was always the same. A slim figure, holding a rapier and dressed in a vest and pants. Both his long, curled mustache and the feathered hat were easily distinguishable.

Before she could ask who that was, however, Bel-Alis took a step forward and opened the door, making the bell on top of it chime as it announced their arrival; though the sound was soon drowned by the voices coming from the inside.

“You can tell the Earl to shove his quill so far deep into his ass he will fucking taste the bird it came from!” A feminine voice argued. “But we will not pay any more taxes on the weapons!”

“Miss, please, these are funds for the war. Our soldiers fight on the front for our safety!”

“War!? War will be what happens when I slap my hand across yours and your boss’ face! You guys already raised the tax on alchemical supplies twice this year and limited the supply of metals to feed your forges. We are already bleeding money as it is!”

The male voice sighed, exasperation and exhaustion all conveyed in that single breath. May wouldn’t doubt they had been arguing for some time now. “Mister Dragonfang will pay his taxes if he wishes to continue selling armament. The decree has been made and it was sanctioned by King Joseph himself.”

The woman stopped for a moment, incredulous at the audacity before laughter followed the man’s statement. Entirely sardonic; loud and boisterous and winning. “Is that what you want to do? Strong arm us to comply? Do you forget who we are, Mister Tight Underpants? This is The Translucent Emporium! And if you think, for even a second, we will eat the shit you want to give us silently then you’re in for a fucking nasty surprise.”

“Oh, shit.” Bel-Alis whispered when they finally reached the back of the room, where a white counter served as the battlefield where a human man wearing greens and reds argued with who May felt certain was Alis’s friend. Mirn wore a red dress, tight against her voluptuous figure that when coupled with her also red skin made the woman look almost naked. Her hair was a shade of black so dark May thought they were strands of night itself, framed by the two large scarlet horns pointing at the ceiling.

Her amber eyes were decorated with black ink that made them look even sharper; the same dark shade that covered her lips and nails and the jewel in the center of her forehead, supported by a masterpiece made of thin black iron chains that was shaped like an inverted diadem.

In the end, May stared with wide eyes at the perfect figure, feeling that calling her enchanting would be a disservice. Mirn was simply… beautiful, in the truest concept of the word.

The man continued rambling 一 either used to the woman’s looks or uncaring 一 until Mirn put her hand down on the counter with a loud slap, her smile entirely predatory. “Let’s get done with it, shall we? I wonder what the Mining Lords would think of a more… profitable deal with us than with the crown. I heard you can’t possibly fight wars without swords.”

“You wouldn’t dare!” The man exclaimed, eyes narrowed at Mirn who only snickered.

“Dare? Please, we could do it with our eyes closed. Not only that, but taking those artifacts from Asseris out of the market would be easy for us as well.” She approached him, eyes narrowing into his own, that amber expanse shining like bronze. “The Minister of Coin does not want us as his enemies. Let him not forget that we’ve already been helping the crown’s war efforts for years now. You guys don’t get to ask for more!”

The man chewed his lips, pale at the threat. Puffing, he turned around and stomped out of the store 一 leaving Mirn with the satisfied smile of a cat that killed its prey. The smirk, however, soon turned into wide eyes as she noticed the trio arriving from between alleys.

“Alis!” Mirn left the back of the counter, hurried footsteps resonating loudly as her heels impacted the stone floor. In the blink of an eye, the woman was already holding Bel-Alis’s hands, kissing both of the Priestess’s cheeks in a display of intimacy that left May’s mouth agape. “My goodness, what are you doing here? You didn’t tell me you were coming.”

“Hi, Mirn,” Bel-Alis said, blushing at the exchange. She never got used to the sulphrite’s greeting. “We just got here. Needed to buy some things.”

“Oh, did you see all that then?” Mirn asked, lips pouting. “I’m so sorry for that awful display. But better to prune the weeds before they take over everything, right?”

May nodded from her place, agreeing with the idea. There should always be little space for greed when you were a servant, or you might end up coveting what is your master’s.

“But come, please, and introduce me.” Mirn turned on her heels, resting with her elbows on the counter as she looked at the trio.

“Oh, hmm, Mirn this is Kreacher…” The Priestess pointed at the lizard, then at the young girl following her steps while carrying a doll “And this is May. May, Kreacher, this is Mirn. My friend.”

“It’s a pleasure, miss.” May said, slightly bowing to the older woman. Kreacher remained silent, only flicking their white tongue as if an insentient iguana.

“The pleasure is all mine, sweety. And I do hope Alis has been treating you well enough. I know she can get a little… distracted at times.” The sulphrite’s small jest was followed by a light laugh that was entirely friendly as she leaned on the Priestess. Bel-Alis pouted, her lips silently forming a denial, but her cheeks darkened at the woman’s touch 一 so May didn’t think she was offended. “But, please, tell me, what is it that you wish for? The Translucent Emporium is known for answering all desires.”

“We are gonna need some supplies. Dungeon supplies.” Alis said, to which Mirn raised an eyebrow, but nothing more.

“Our dungeon or somewhere else’s?”

“The one here.”

“Alright then.” The woman got back to her counter, and from the back of it got a thick, leather-bound book, larger than any other May had ever seen. She began flipping pages, mumbling names under her breath as she quickly read words in what seemed like alphabetical order. “Here! Crystalia. The starter pack has twenty meters of rope, ten vials, two health potions, three mana candy, two stamina potions, two torches, a tinderbox, some paper, ink, a quill, and two hooks, perfect for climbing! Are you going below the fifth level?”

“It’s not in our plans,” Bel-Alis said, dealing with the barrage of information as if usual. “Just remove the writing supplies, the rope, and the hooks. I still have them from my first trip down there.”

Taking Kreacher to the Altar so they could rise to Wood-Rank had been quite the event in the months before.

“Gotcha. Anything else?” Mirn closed the book with a loud thump, a pleased seller’s smile on her face.

“Some weapons and simple armor. Second-hand would be enough.”

Mirn gasped in fake offense, hand on her chest. “Please, Alis! We sell quality here! I’d never let you leave with used products 一 although I do have some older merchandise if that fits your criteria?”

“Can you give me a discount?” Bel-Alis said, not afraid of probing for a little extra money. The potions would already put an extensive dent in her finances.

“For you, my love? Of course!” Mirn said, leaving the counter and prompting them to follow while showing her wares. “Do you have any preference for weapons? I do believe we have different blades, maces, and more different types as well. Maybe even a wand or two, though those tend to be sold pretty quickly.”

Bel-Alis touched May’s shoulder, letting the doll decide on her own weapon with an encouraging smile, and the youngest of the trio needed no more convincing.

Watching the multiple types of weapons on display around her, May 一 with Kreacher on her shoulder 一 went one by one through them. Her hand stopped at a spear, long and thin, the tip made of some blue metal that crackled like lightning.

Complex. Difficult. Much. Training. No. Time. The whispers said to her, warning May of her lack of skill. She needed something easy to use, or at least not too complicated.

Going down the many swords and daggers, none of them fit the criteria in her mind, requiring too long to learn how to use if May didn’t want to look like a stumbling fool while carrying the weapon.

Her eyes focused on a smaller mace, a weapon made for caving her enemies' skulls in. It would need little training, but the strength required… May feared she wasn’t muscular enough in any of her bodies to use the mace to its complete potential.

Biting her lips, May thought back at what she could do. It would have to be something easy to use, that required not too much training and little strength. A weapon more aligned with dexterity than brutality, perhaps.

But the longer she stared at the shelves filled with deadly armament, the less sure she was. May looked at the bows and crossbows on display but shook her head soon after; she wanted to fight close to her opponent. That savage part of her needed to see them bleed from up close.

It wasn’t a surprise then, that she felt so comfortable with her… claws.

Wait a second. May’s mind stopped all thoughts as she zeroed on that idea, taking merely an instant to remember the correct name she needed before quickly turning to Mirn, certainty in her eyes.

“You wouldn’t have clawed gauntlets for sale, would you?”

Mirn’s sharp, proud grin was all the confirmation May needed.