[Chapter 36] Free – Debra Sunder

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“So no advice?” Free had been dissatisfied with her performance the other day. Her roots had struggled against the werewolves. And I’ll likely face them again.

“Sadly, nothing comes to mind.“ John Lavinda apologized.

Free clicked her tongue. A minor increase in my roots’ fire resistance won’t be enough. Despite her daily mentoring and rising fame, she had no confidence against a foe that’d overwhelmed her.

I bet necromancy would prove of greater use. Radin had undoubtedly already given Wise a countermeasure. And I should be able to do anything he can. How frustrating…

Catalysts were a dead end as well. Astra had forbidden these magical instruments to ensure a level playing field at Earth’s end. Not that we had any, but Hope could‘ve fashioned some. Free doubted the restriction applied here.

As opposed to the Hope’s one-time enchantments, catalysts required the injection of magic. They came in two flavors: casters and amplifiers. Casters deployed predetermined spells, such as fireballs. While their speed and simplicity was attractive, it’d been the second type she’d been searching yesterday at the commercial sector. Amplifiers offered a straight up power boost.

Regrettably, I couldn’t find one which meshed with my roots. Amplifiers had specific scopes, and their response time lagged unless in tune with their user. These downsides were mitigated in the highest grade catalysts, such as ‘Crimson Shaft’ Lily had wielded yesterday. I want my own legendary weapon.

“To lighten the mood, why don’t we study deceases?” John offered.

“Finally?!” She’d been dying to get her hands on some nasty germs, but everyone at the Guild was too healthy. Damn enhanced immune systems.

“I assume you’ve mastered your quantum ring?”

“Absolutely.” Free fingered the silver band on her right hand.

I pity the fools who research with microscopes. With training, a person’s spiritual sense could examine the world around them. At Earth’s end, Free had proved adept at this, studying cells and bacteria. However, John had gifted her a small catalyst which had raised her ability to the next level, and she could now observe at magnifications which bested Barsal’s electron microscopes. Unearthly materials are particularly fascinating.

John lead them below the medical center, stopping before an ashen door on which he placed a hand. After a moment, it sunk inside, ripples spreading out.

“Close your eyes or it’ll sting.” John mentioned before plunging through the liquefied doorway.

A disinfecting seal, Free understood. All microscopic organisms will be destroyed. A chill hit her when she stepped through. Slightly below zero. The square room was lines with shelves of glass jars. John invited her to sit at the table in the center.

“I teach at the campus.” He explained. “These are samples for those classes. You’ll find every major non-magical malady.”

So they’re teaching aids. The process of treating infections was relatively simple. After identifying the germ with a quantum ring, the correct spell circle eradicated it from the body.

Free touched the crystal pendent around her neck. Another present, it contained the ‘cure’ to every diseases. The only ailments medicine struggled with were those of magical origin or relating to old age.

Free’s wrystal flashed, but she switched it off. I’m not interrupting this. If it was really important, they’d call John. Instead, she scanned the shelves. Some names she recognized, most she didn’t. Her gaze came to rest on nine labels with black borders.

“What’re those?”

“They are the deadliest viruses known to man.” John dismissed with a glance. “For now, let’s start with the seasonal flu.”

Free kept her eyes on the marked jars. I need those. Since receiving her ring, she’d been itching to design pathogens. If only something could distract John for a bit.

As he put down his selection, John’s wrystal flashed. Frowning, he excused himself, “I have to take this.”

The instant he stepped out, Free shot to the shelf. One by one she opened jars and dipped a root inside, scratching the frozen content and then stabbing herself. The others would think me mad, Free chuckled silently. She wanted samples, and self-infection was the only means of transporting them through that door. The risks were minimal since non-magical deceases didn’t stand a chance against her immune system. It’ll be hours before I show any symptoms.

She’d regained her seat by the time John walked back in. “We’ll have to put this on hold. Lily is summoning you.” John said. “She also says to answer your calls.” So it was important.

Free wasted no time. I got what I wanted. All she had to do was draw some blood later. She was giddy with anticipation.

Speeding across a runway, she calmed herself and reflected. This isn’t about Silver and Kate. Lily would’ve mentioned good news in that department. The two had been missing since yesterday, kidnapped by the Beast of Sanrune. If only they’d been able to fly, it would’ve given Lily a chance to intervene. They were presumed deep in the Darklands, well out of range of any crystal network. Kara was spotted purchasing provisions in Spiral City, which means she probably doesn’t intend to kill them. That didn’t mean they were safe. Whatever ‘training’ the deranged immortal cooked up would surely be hellish.

It must be related to Cedric Grinfield. While the clone hater had reported back, so far their identities hadn’t been leaked. Instead, Astra and Lily were called before the World Council in two days time to explain the breach at Earth’s End.

Free scanned the news as she passed the gatehouse. Still nothing about us. She’d been wrong in her suspicions. I guess Lily would’ve called us below if it was dire. With Cedric exiled from the Isle and few others brazen enough to barge into the Rose Palace, Lily had deemed the place safe for now.

Free entered the conference room to find she was last. Lily was glaring daggers. I can’t blame her grouchiness, she’s had a rough morning.

Astra had been upset about Silver and Kate. She’d visited in the early hours to hear the details. According to Lily, it’d been ‘stressful’, but she’d ‘avoided the worst case scenario’. I wonder what that was.

“With everyone here.” Lily’s stress on the ‘everyone’ couldn’t be missed. “Let’s get to the matter. Debra Sunder, the queen of Calonia, is waiting in the lounge. She’s an immortal and one of the top summoners on Enera. We’ll soon go greet her.”

“Why’d you agree to this?” Rose asked suspiciously.

“Politics.” Lily admitted. “Calonia is a member of the World Council, and Debra pledged her support if I introduced you. It’s too attractive to turn down.”

Politics… Free wasn’t a fan. In fact, she founds rules in general to be troublesome things. Her built-up anticipations receded, replaced with a sense of foreboding. This’ll be tedious.

“Wise, what’s she here for?” Rose asked. He’s really a cheat.

“She’s here to see Free.” What?

“For Free…?” Lily muttered before cursing. “I know what she wants. I should’ve predicted this…”

“It’s too late to back out.” Wise stated.

“Right…” Lily agreed. “Let’s get this over with…”

Confused, Free followed the others. She considered dragging Wise aside, but the meeting Debra appeared unavoidable. And I’ve an inkling of what it could be.

Debra Sunder sat cross-legged on a sofa wearing a slim, elegant, emerald dress around her shapely figure. With her long black hair, she was striking. She rose to greet them in a melodic, naturally-seductive voice, “Thank you for bringing them to me.”

“I trust you’ll uphold your part?” Lily said tersely.

“Of course,” Debra strolled over, examining them carefully. She stopped at Free. “Would you mind showing me your face?”

No point in hiding it. She unmasked herself.

“Sola’s doppelganger.” Debra whispered with a smile.

“The name is Free.” She specified. “What do you want with me?”

“In Cedric’s report, he mentioned three unidentifiable ‘ninjas’. This got my hopes up.” Debra explained, ignoring her. “Knowing the HEAVENLY DAO, if six were clones of the seven heroes, then the odds were high I’d find the one I was looking for…”

“Why were you looking?” Free persisted despite the obvious answer.

“There’s someone I want you to bring back.” Debra admitted.

I knew it… Half of humanity perished, yet there were those who’d learned nothing. “The last resurrection nearly ended the world. Doesn’t that register at all? Aren’t you a queen? How can you risk your people for a selfish desire?” Free vented.

Debra’s smile deepened, “You’ve never lost someone, have you?”

“No…” She admitted. But would that really cause me to lose all reason? She doubted it.

Debra looked down understandingly, “My late husband, Calumn Sunder, was a true hero. He would unhesitatingly throw himself into danger wherever there were people in need. It’s this courage and valor that I fell in love with. Over the centuries, he saved millions.”

“He died fighting the White Dragon. He and Kara were the first on the scene when the Barsal Empire unleashed that horror. They bought the time needed, but it cost him his life.”

The immortal summoner trembled, clenching her fists, “I’ve always regretted letting him leave alone that day. As a responsible queen, I told myself couldn’t partake in such brash heroics. My duty came before saving distant lands…”

She shook her head. “I was a fool, not realizing what it’d cost me. Had I been there, I could’ve saved him or at the least died by his side.”

Behind Debra, the air wriggled and twisted. Faint outlines could be seen moving about the room. Her summons are responding to her distress. Enormous monsters hovered at the edge of reality, waiting to be called forth.

“If there’s a chance of returning him, no matter how small, I’ll take it. Yes, it’s a selfish wish, but bringing back someone so selfless could never be an evil act. You’ll not convince me otherwise.”

“I’m fifteen and untrained in necromancy.” Free protested weakly.

“Yet you’re Sola’s clone and your mother controls Earth’s End.” Debra countered back. “With the secrets buried there, there’s no doubt what you could accomplish. After millennia, resurrection is once more a possibility.”

“The strength of an immortal is needed for that kind of magic.” Lily declared. “There’s no point in pressuring her now.”

“I’m aware, thank you.” Debra turned to Lily. “While I’ll lend my support as promised, a warning for you, Regent. The Northern Emperor has begun campaigning against you. The cajoling of his agents might be useless against me, but others may be prove more pliant. Don’t be complacent.”

As Lily groaned, Debra faced Free, “Should events take a turn for the worse, remember you and your siblings will find safe harbor in Calonia. My homeland is on the other side of Enera from the Northern Empire, far from its influence. You’ll find no safer refuge.” I see…

“We’ll keep the offer in mind.” Lily said flatly. “Now, if you’ve said your piece, I believe it’s time for your exit.”

Debra nodded. Departing in an assured, regal pace, she offered a parting comment, “It may not be in Enera’s best interest, but I am one of those hoping young Free follows in predecessor’s footsteps.”

Lily spoke afterwards, “Such requests will be the hardest to refuse. My advice is not to concern yourself. We’ve far more pressing matters to fret about.”

Free was grateful, but she couldn’t dismiss this so easily. Just because I hate politics doesn’t mean I can avoid them. Today drove home that point. How many more will approach me once our identities are known?

“Free, this may sound unbelievable,” Wise seemed to doubt his own words. “but you’re about to fall violently ill.”

Oh right, I’d forgotten about that. “How soon are we talking?” She asked.

“Less than an hour.” Wise responded.

Was my time frame off? Perhaps it was the large initial doses. Whatever, there’s no time to lose.

“Thanks for the tip. I’ll head to bed to recuperate.” With that she rushed off, leaving everyone bewildered.