-Capital…?

For was just as surprised as I was.

-What…? But… wasn’t she supposed to be kidnapped from there…? - asked Kon.

-I thought so too - I nodded.

-Does that mean that he found her…?

-…

-I think last time I checked she was… somewhere near Kalkano… - I said, trying to remember exactly. - I am not sure though…

-Yeah, weren’t you in the party that was supposed to be looking for her…?

-Yep. We know how that turned out, though.

-Are we sure that was not just some elaborate plan to… get rid of you? - asked Kon. - I mean…

-You think he’d fall that low…? After all, she is supposed to be his wife… to just ditch her like that…

-I mean, who said he ditched her? - I asked. - There are multiple ways for him to just use that for his own purposes…

-Like what?

-Easiest one? It’s just that he thought that I was going to lead him to her and then he would get rid of me.

-But you didn’t find her.

-Not to my knowledge. But, if she is indeed in the capital, it’s possible that meanwhile he organized another group that went ahead of us and found her for us. As he learned that the task was done, he started the second phase and…

-And collapsed the cave.

-More or less - I agreed.

-I feel… like that’s too elaborate - said Kon, not convinced. - I mean… why would he even do that if he had you literally on a silver platter…

-Elaborate? - I chuckled. - Ha. That was on the low side of “complicated” I’d say.

-Really?

-Sort of. But honestly, I was thinking that that whole kidnapping might have been just an elaborate hoax.

-What, that he staged EVERYTHING? Along with attack?

-Okay, let’s not get crazy. Of course, that is a possibility, but I honestly don’t see him cooperating with elves…

-Yeah, I can agree with that - nodded For. - They have… some disagreements to say the least.

-Sure… But that doesn’t mean he could just stage the kidnapping and use the attack as casus belli.

-A what?

Kon was clearly not up-to-date on terms of warfare.

-A way to justify an act of war - explained For quickly. - And that makes a lot more sense than him cooperating with elves.

-Right. Use your enemy.

-Would fit a smart man like him - she nodded.

-But that leaves us with a question… If all that was staged and Melle is safe, how are we going to make contact with her…? Even if we manage it somehow, how do you think we can convince her to work with us against her own husband? - asked Kon.

-And who said we have to convince her? - pointed out For. - Mor still has a contract with her. Making her talk wouldn’t be that hard, right?

-While you are correct - I nodded - I don’t intend on using that if I don’t have to. I have to remind you that we are there to TALK, not fight. I want to clear up all that misunderstanding, hopefully without needing to toss spells at each other.

-I know, but the more I think about it, the less possible that sounds…

I was not going to argue with that.

-In any case, we have to first get there - I pointed out. - So far we’ve been talking and talking and nothing came out of that.

-Well, we did clear up some things…

-More like we started spitting more and more assumptions. We can’t confirm any of those unless we get more information.

-Yeah, yeah, I get you. To the capital then.

-Yeah.

-But first, where exactly should we land?

Kon asked the question that I was wondering about for a while.

-For, what anchors do you have with you?

-Well, I do have all the major cities on the continent… plus some minor…

-I was asking about those to the capital.

-Well, those too. But those lead straight to the palace. And I think that is not the best idea in current circumstances…

-Yeah, no shit. Anything else?

-Closest one is Kalkano… - she replied and pulled out the books that contained all of the anchors.

-Really? That’s annoying…

-I can check, but I am not sure… I think maybe something has…

And she started going through the pages, checking every single one of them.

-Kalkano is not good enough? - asked Kon.

-Well, it would work for our needs, but I’d rather skip the travel time. Sooner or later we would have had to move to find Melle.

-And she is in the capital? Not somewhere around?

-I know, the map is not that precise - said For from behind the book - but it’s not that bad, come on.

-Yeah, the flame was right there - I agreed. - At worst it is somewhere in one kilometer radius, so…

-Okay…

-And besides that - I added - I do have some… memories with that town. I’d rather not revive them.

-R…right… the zombies…

-Come on, they were not that bad… Besides, aren’t they gone? - asked For.

-Yeah, but I was more worried about something else… Well, nevermind that, I can handle it.

-We might not have to - said For. - I found something.

-Another anchor?

-Yeah, but this one… Is a gamble… It’s not a regular anchor… I don’t know if that’s going to work…

-”Not a regular anchor”? What’s that supposed to mean?

-I can’t really…

-”You can’t”? - I interrupted her. - Aren’t you supposed to be the keeper of that?

-Yes, but…

-And all the anchors weren’t supposed to be used without your precise knowledge? And same with creation?

-Exactly. That’s why I am worried.

-Why would you even consider using it? How do you even know where exactly it points to?

-Because I can tell, okay? You already said that you can’t see those differences, but I can!

True. I was pretty oblivious to the differences in mana of different anchors, and so far she was able to tell that without a mistake.

-And you know that this leads us somewhere near?

-Yeah. If I was to say, it would lead us somewhere between Kalkano and the capital.

-You can tell that much?! - Kon was clearly impressed.

So was I, to be honest.

But instead of admitting that, I asked a more important question.

-What if someone planted it? To lure us… wherever else.

-It’s not! Just let me explain!

-See, this anchor doesn’t exist…

-You what?

-...YET.

-What, you want to make one? You CAN make one? Don’t you need an item from that place?

-Precisely. And I have a whole book of those. It’s like this… portals use mana from the anchors to… “hook” onto a place of interest, right…? So… what if we used two of those at once…?

-That’s possible?!

It was Kon. Him being that surprised was not a good indicator. After all, he was supposed to be knowledgeable on that subject

-Yeah. I used it already… I mean, Jacob did - she precised. - It might have been my idea, but…

-I feel like that’s not as easy as you make it sound.

-It is. But that’s not the problem. The problem is, that the spell is then so imprecise that it would essentially be like we’ve used a broken portal.

-As in a random teleport? It doesn’t sound too bad…

-What about precision? - I asked. - How far is “random”? I heard that those can differ quite a lot.

-That is true… But it shouldn’t be that bad. From the limited experience I had, the margin of error is the distance between the two anchors.

-That is too good to be true - I pointed out. - That is exactly what we would want right now. Why didn’t you say so sooner? It would’ve been useful before.

-What do you mean “useful”?! - she said, stunned. - Do you enjoy being stranded in a forest? Do I need to remind you how dense and deserted the lands on the continent are!? We’d have no idea where we were, nor where we would be supposed to go!

-Well…

-I mean, finding a direction wouldn’t be that hard… Even without knowing where we are, we could just use Melle as our direction, right? - asked Kon.

-That’s one way to do it - I nodded.

-That’s… actually a good point… - agreed For. - But there is still the problem of distance… and…

-Oh come on, it’s not that bad! If you’re saying that it’s at maximum the distance between Kalkano and Arbo, then even with a group of normal people we’d be more than fine!

-”Normal people”?

She squinted at me.

-Am I not normal for you?

-No you are not. And I don’t mean you’re an elf… or at least something elf-ish. I mean all of us. None of us are normal.

-Somewhat, but what does that change?!

She was still not happy with my comment.

-It changes that we are able to travel further and easier without preparation. All of us can run exclusively on mana if we have to! - I explained. - Plus, in the worst scenario, we could always just teleport out without an issue. You have more anchors, right?

-Well… I suppose you are right… Wait. What does that mean that we all “run exclusively on mana”?!

-Exactly what you think - I shrugged. - I thought you realized that by now. Since you have an Origin Crystal, or at least piece of it with you, you shouldn’t have the need for food any more. Nor water, as a matter of fact.

-I… we can’t eat!?

She seemed more worried about that fact.

-I never said “can’t”. Just don’t have to. You’re not like me yet.

-”Yet”?

-I know what you mean, but I don’t have an explanation. So far nothing has changed, but I still think that sooner or later the crystal will take over. Or at least be a larger part of you.

-That means… we’re going to be able to drain mana just like you…?

-Kon can already do that, somewhat at least - I nodded. - So yes, it would seem that way.

She went silent, thinking.

I could tell she was concerned. I am not sure if that was about the fact that she was part crystal remnant now, or maybe just because I told her that sooner or later she’s going to be only able to eat ash.

Honestly, it could be both.

-Okay. Let’s try then - she finally said. - Let’s go with that.

-I mean, I am up for it, but Kon, are you sure you can do something like that? - I asked, not convinced by her earlier explanation.

-I… I suppose so… - he replied weakly. - I never tried something like that though. But… if you say that it’s possible.

-It definitely is.

-Hm… ILMA, what can you say about that method? - I asked.

-Searching…

Both of them jumped. Was that just me or did they forget about her already, even though she was standing right there with us?

-Results inconclusive. Local database does not contain enough information about portal magic.

-Of course… - I sighed.

-Never has any answer when we need it, huh…? - mumbled For.

-Not her fault. Most of her knowledge is not here - I shrugged. - Anyway, how are you even supposed to do that? If we are to try you need to explain that to Kon. And I would be lying if I am not curious about this method, too.

-I thought you don’t know how to make portals? How would you even use that then?

-I mean, I have to start learning from somewhere - I shrugged. - And better sooner than later.

I said that, but I was already past that point.

Since I’ve landed here, I have used portals multiple times already. And every single time, maybe besides the first ones, I’ve tried paying attention to the way that the incantations were formed and how the mana was used. I was hoping that that way I’d be able to learn how to make a portal myself, so I wouldn’t have to rely on someone else.

It’s not like Kon wouldn’t listen to me or something, but after him being knocked out last time, I’d better have some contingency plan.

It’s not like that would be immensely hard either. I already have seen how portals look from either side, or at least the mana signatures of a portal, so trying to replicate that shouldn’t be that hard.

-Well, I don’t know what to say to you… - she started. - It’s going to be weird. I never did that myself, since I can’t use portal magic, but I can explain that from the outsider perspective…

-Right… it was Jacob who did that…

-Yes. But don’t worry - she added immediately - I was the one who figured out the method, so if he was able to do that, so why wouldn’t you.

-I suppose…

-Of course we’re going to help you - I nodded.

-Don’t know how much you can help not knowing how to use portals…

-May I remind you that you just said that you can’t use them either? And yet here you are, explaining how he should portal us?

-Fair… Well, okay.

Her explanation was as brief and as simple as you’d expect.

According to For, he was supposed to use both of the anchors at once, and to accomplish that he’d have to divide his attention into two mirrored spells.

It didn’t sound very complicated. Even the two spells at once was something I’ve done before.

-Can you do something like this…?

-I am unsure… doesn’t sound too bad… But two spells at once is not something I ever tried…

-Shouldn’t be so bad. It’s the exact same incantation but you have to be focused on a different object.

-I get that, but that still doesn’t make it easier. How can I split attention into two? It’s like looking to the left and to the right at the same time!

-You can just go cross-eyed. But jokes aside - I added immediately - I think one of us can help if you don’t feel like experimenting yourself.

-No, it won’t work! - protested For. - Mana has to come from the same person, or we’ll just get two portals.

-I never said I was going to cast a spell for him… I just can help directing the mana for him.

-How…?

-See, I’ve done something like this already. Maybe not with portals, but still. That time that was me and Iloa, but I don’t see why I can’t do something similar with you.

-You mean a combined spell? Like back when you appeared in Red Edge, when Odar and Jacob attacked you?

-Something similar.

-Nope. Not going to work. As I said, you need the same source, not just combine two spells from different people. If that was the case, there would be no problem and that method would’ve been used a lot more widely by now.

-And what, Jacob is so talented that he was able to pull that off? You think then we can’t?

-I never said that! - she protested. - I know that you two are powerful…

-So let us try it!

-You want to risk even more?!

-Risk what, wasting an anchor? Come on, if it won’t work then it’s going to be as you said, we’re left with two portals.

-And one dead Kon! - she yelled.

The awkward silence was deafening.

-You are worried about that? - I finally said, stunned.

-And you aren’t?! - she asked in disbelief. - Do you have any idea how much mana portal uses?! He already used it once today, and now you want to make him open two at the same time?! That’s enough of an effort, and to combine those is draining, too! Do you want to kill him!?

-Let’s not…

But I wasn’t able to even finish my sentence.

-When Jacob used it, and he was completely fresh back then, he collapsed on the spot! I had to spend a whole month trying to resuscitate him, and Eise had to even use some of our old artifacts just to save his life!

I was speechless. For her to be worried so much about Kon…

I mean, sure, it was some experimental magic, don’t get me wrong, but she was clearly underestimating the power of the Origin Crystal.

And Kon knew it as well.

-Excuse me… - he finally said softly. - I am touched that you are worried about me, but he is absolutely right. I have more than enough mana, and I can’t see myself running out. Even if I was open ten of those in a row.

He smiled.

-I know that the Crystal and its power is relatively new for you, but he is going to be fine. I would be more worried about wasting anchors.

-Oh, I don’t care - she waved me off. - I have more. But that is reckless! And pointless! Are you both sure about that? It’s not like we HAVE to teleport like that. We can just use the Kalkano as the target and be done with it!

-And we will. That is if this experiment fails - I assured her. - You just said that you have some spares.

-And make Kon open even more?!

-As he said. He still is full on mana - I shrugged. - And if that helps calm your nerves, I can still let him borrow mine for the spell. Right Kon? I’ll just gather mana for you like I showed you, remember?

He gazed at me for a second, thinking.

-I think… I can manage that - he agreed. - But what about that help you said?

-For says that you have to focus on two places, right? So I am just going to be assisting with the targeting. But first, I am going to gather mana at one singular point and we’re just going to use it together. Since it will be the same source you’ll just have to focus on the incantation, while I will be directing the mana flow to the anchors. Sounds simple enough, right?

For, listening to my explanation was still unsure, but finally realized that there was no point in trying to stop us.

-Eh… do what you will. While your theory does indeed sound correct, I still have a bad feeling about this.

-If you are worried, you can help too - I pointed out. - After all, you can see mana now, so you can tell us if something goes wrong.

-And how would I even be able to tell? It’s not like I’ve seen a spell like this using this weird… sight.

-Fair point. Use your feeling then.

-What?

-You said that you have a bad feeling about this. If you're going to have another “bad feeling” when we are going to be casting, tell us.

-...

-What?

-You know that doesn’t work like that - she sighed. - But whatever. Go. Try it if you want. Can’t go that bad, can it?

-Here’s to hoping…

With enough words exchanged, we finally made up our minds.

For pulled out two pages from her book and gave it to Kon

-Everyone ready?

Both of them nodded, and so I began.