Chapter Seventeen: Cry You Babies, Cry!

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I woke up in bed, the sweat beading down my neck chilling my body. Clutching my bedsheets, I was about to wonder how I got into my own bed when I saw Katlen sitting in a chair, looking a little tired. She blinked rapidly when seeing me awake.

"Ursula, sweet Kam. I was wondering if I was going to have to get a medic. I know you don't like people touching you. But I was starting to get nervous."

I rubbed my head, my black hair up in tangles. Great. Fantastic. It takes me forever to get it how I want it, and now it's ruined. My head slowly swiveled at the magi. "What happened?"

"I think you had a sensory overload," she said, handing me a glass of water. "It was scary. The plants all around us were being pumped by your magic. I could even feel the ground soaking it in. Then you passed out, whispering 'The Necromancer'. Which I thought to be.......odd."

Yes, even I'd find that odd. Sipping the water, I felt it refreshing my body. "Thank you for taking me here. I........couldn't handle the news of the new school program. The whole idea made me repulse." Thinking for a moment, it seemed as though Katlen wanted something else. "I'm unsure why I mentioned Ditto. This past week has been stressful."

Katlen nodded. "I understand. Next time I see him though, I'm giving him a piece of my mind."

Probably not fair to the outsider, yet I will do nothing to stop it. Another time for me to witness the man react to a magi force. Katlen is quick to anger. Let's see how it plays down.

"It's still the same day. When you passed out. Just late into the night." Katlen played with her green-striped hair, twisting it around. "And here's your pen. I polished it. Maybe that'll make you feel better about touching the dirty ground."

Taking the silver pen, my hand gripped it like a lover taking their partner's hand into their own. The reflection showed a woman of weary ideas. If my parents looked upon me now, would they reprimand me? 'Ursula, you dare soil our name like this? The flowers should have eaten you'.

Click. "Will you go to the announcement tomorrow?"

Katlen snorted. "Of course. General Jacro is coming. He's super dreamy. We'd be dumb not to go. But enough about that. Can you stand? Are you hungry? How can I be of service?"

"I'd like you back in time when life was simpler. Is that possible?"

"Once time magic is created," Katlen said. "Now, let me see you stand."

I nodded, tossing aside my dark red blankets and easily got on both feet. I walked around, eyes locked on my toes. They appeared fine, as did my legs and ankles. Good, that means I didn't hurt myself from the fall. The carpet floor stayed silent, keeping my thoughts in mind.

"Anything hurting?" Katlen asked, hand on her lip. She came near me, but not close. "Any noticeable pains?"

"I've appeared to have gained a slight lower back pain," I said. It tingled. "I suspect it will clear in a few days though. Pain medicine should do the trick."

"High Kam, Ursula, I forgot how tidy your house is." Katlen inspected my belongings. Or the few I had visible. My bedroom was bland. One doesn't need much to survive. In fact, I regularly get rid of objects that lose their purpose. Remembering what is worth keeping close to the heart makes a magi a better person.

"I'll see what I have in terms of food," I commented, leaving the bare room to the kitchen. Opening the fridge, there was only premade sandwiches. Well, I suppose getting out of order is fine if it means recovering faster. Taking two, I handed one to Katlen. "Hope you like pork."

"Bitch, I'd eat a horned behemoth right now." She ate it quickly, drinking water in great gulps. "I may summon beasts, but damnit they sure taste good."

I sat, placing the plate down. Oh, it mocked me so. "With such an important general coming, I'm sure the University wants us at our best."

"One could say that. Though this is last minute, and with the Sol Tourney starting, I'm sure tomorrow is the last thing on their mind."

The Sol Tourney. That was coming up, starting in just over a week. And soon Kal'en will have some of the greatest warriors appear to showcase their skills in fights hoping to spread their name. Aren't there easier ways to do this stuff? Aren't there easier ways to just fucking let loose?

Apparently not.

"Katlen, what will your topic be for the Sol?"

"Can summoning magic be transferred to magi or Hidden races, with the implication that one can summon a whole person out of thin air."

"Really? Seems kinda.......sinister yet bold."

She scraped her nails together, making a noise. She flipped back her hair. "So? You're writing on the Necromancer with what's going to be two weeks of data. I'll have a few months. If anything, your time management is sinister."

True, I did not have anything planned for the Tourney. It has always felt like a waste of time. Nature is reactive, proactive, active. It doesn't need to be shown off. Research is good and all, but where nature is concerned, it has to just live.

Now though I have something to work for. The Necromancer could not have been a better opportunity in terms of vast information. I suppose we do what we can to further the progression of finding what is good and wholesome. I clicked my pen, knowing that after he leaves, either I will be thrown to the side, or deemed a hero beyond belief.

Or maybe I'm overthinking. The odds of death don't seem particularly high, but who am I to say. Nothing is certain, now is it.

"Fair. I was not going to go originally. But the short amount of time is just an obstacle. We cannot do everything perfectly. I will get there though head held high. I do not plan on having my work be in the spotlight. Being noticed is fine. Not all strive for the lights of glory."

"Says you. I want to get those nice fucking bonus checks. We scholars can't participate in the actual battles. You and I know this." Katlen wiped her mouth, removing the food excess. I've always envied a woman who can do tasks as simple as cleaning without fear. Alas, change is hard for those without access to a clear mind. "So we have other ways of showing off. Like the Dinner of Tenacity. Which I heard will be hosting some minds all the way from Col'Srah. Professors with years of research. And then there's you. Who, for some damn reason, will be coming with what will look like a rushed class project."

"Not everyone needs infinite time to make greatness."

She scoffed. "You said moments before you're not making greatness."

"Oh." I scratched my head. "So, then I suppose that this is more a dream."

"Ha! Ursula, you look too much into things." Katlen got up and took our plates. For being a summoner, she could be so docile. How traits reveal themselves. I only wish my pain comes from a good place. "We of the living magics find ourselves always in the last. Who wants a summoner when a fire magi can create a elemental for ten seconds? Who needs a nature magi when a earth or water magi can ruin everything you tried to build." She sighed, soft features making me second guess the premise of emotions. "You and I. Haggar. Together we'll fight battles with no try at winning. And you tell me dreams are not greatness."

The tears welled up. Oh, what can a fool like us do? "I'm sorry to offend."

"I did not say that."

"Then what do want me to do? Unleash the dirty Necromancer upon those at the dinner? Ruin the festivities?"

Katlen said nothing.

"Fine. We'll see how this all goes then, won't we?"

"I'm going to talk to him. To tell him what happened here, and about the presentation tomorrow. You said he's staying at the Blue Hen right?"

I merely nodded. Hoping to find relief under the burning tension.

"Then I will go now. Because I still don't trust him, and don't trust this whole idea." It was as though a fire sparked in her. She cracked her knuckles. "And to let him know what happens if he fucks with us."

I clutched my hands. Sweaty. I could feel blood pulsing, the lifeblood of what I do for a living. Katlen brought up good points. Those who come back from the demon rifts scream of terror and death. Of horrors unseen and unspoken. What chance do we have?

Against it all, the weight of the sky and the sea? If rocks bend for only the elements, what are the tools that break them? Of course we suffer. Suffering finds its place in any home, because that's where it belongs. But how can we call ourselves survivors? My pen clicked, and clicked, and clicked.

Right before she left, I whispered, "Are the magi in the right?"

The door closed.

She had never stopped moving.

XXXX

Fuck cops.

Yeah, I said it. What are you going to do about it? Fight me? This is a story you idiot, so good luck with that. One with blurred lines (I know you want it). And desperate people. So stop being a bunch of weenies.

Halina and I were finally back in our room, resting from the enduring day. Oh, how time insults me with the harshest laugh and kindest grin. Imagine, can you for a quick second, a place that has true love and infinite objectifications. We'd live like kings and queens of a night with no end. To watch and wait and cry over the feast set before us, to find the crumbs the torture we deserve. Lord, can you see me weep now?

I let the pillow absorb my head as though a mother to a fallen child. Halina was drinking water, gurgling loudly. I looked at her. "Do you mind?"

"No," she said, shrugging. "Can you just shut your mouth?"

"No."

"Then don't ask stupid questions."

"You got me," I said. Truth be told, I felt bad right now. It's been so hard trying to keep it all together. My stomach was churning. My feet were cold. Colder than normal. My head pounded. It was truly like dying.

"So, what now?"

"I guess we wait until tomorrow, see if they can get someone here to help me." They better. We're running low on time, and myself on patience. "Ugh, I'm going to take a shower. I feel gross."

"You look gross," Halina responded with a laugh. "There's dirt in your hair."

"Whatever babe, this is just how I roll." Going into the bathroom, I stripped, letting the skin of society hit the floor. And how it yelled like a child. Getting the water nice and hot, it was almost soothing to feel the streams.

The shampoo didn't help the headache, but I suppose that was to be expected. Ugh, where is a good illegal drug when I needed it? You dumb humans, thinking drugs should be illegal. You can't make what people deem as an escape illegal. You can't be cruel. You can't be evil. What would the children think, watching as we adults suffer because the stuff we puff can't be bought with courage. Shame hits the eyes like waterworks.

My head leaned on the ceramic wall. My hair got in my face. Closing my eyes, and breathing heavily, the space around me shrunk, spinning rapidly. What can you do if you find yourself pressing your hand on the glass? And getting no response? Do you even have purpose if your breath hides behind a veil of delusions and morality?

I ask because when the time comes, we find our goals and feelings to be short sighted. Glasses help to see, but even they get blurry. Never doubt the truth. The saying that necromancers once laughed at. The truth was death, how could you not doubt it? No one knows what happens afterwards, just that you die, your body grows cold, and we mourn or cheer in sporadic bursts.

And as these thoughts pass through my head, one resounding thing stood out. If war comes, and I know the truth, is there even any reason to continue pretending like it's all okay? Oh, I let the false pretenses flow in terrible waves. We watch it all go to hell piece by piece. Together the end will destroy us in more ways than one.

Yet, if I really dig deep, I can sense a greater answer forming. That to sing of truth and peace and justice is stupid and futile. To follow the lies of our mouths is just an excuse to feed our lust for doing the right thing. When in reality no such idea exists.

God, I can hear you all bitching. As pathetic as it can get.

The water did a good job at tainting my senses, because the ghost was pestering me for a minute before I turned. "What?"

"There are two magi heading for this room." The apparition did a quick glance. "Actually, they are here now."

Shampoo got in my eye.

Getting out of the shower, wrapping a towel around my waist and throwing on a long sleeved shirt, I yelled at Halina as I kicked the door open. "Act normal!"

She looked up, then at the door. "Very well. I'll try."

"Not convincing," I said as I went and looked out the peep hole. Shit, it was two magi. What did they want? Breathing in deeply, the door screeched as I brought it to reality. "Hello, can I help you?"

The woman magi smelled of ice. She sure looked cold. And the big man smelled of fire. He sure looked hot. Interesting combination. The woman spoke. "Yes. Is this the residence of the Necromancer, whose location was certified by the Processing Council?"

"Sure. What's it to you?"

They exchanged a glance. She went on. "We're here because a murder was reported at the brothel Brad's Lovers. The murder of Brad and five of his personal guard. You were reportedly the last one seen there."

Oh no. My actions are coming back to haunt me.

Typical.

"And we have this video of you entering," the male said, holding up a tablet. Yep, there I was, with Halina, walking in. "So, may we come in?"

"Yeah, why not."

The two did, inspecting the room without much taste. The ice magi said, "I'm Officer Pok, and this is Officer Ivak. We're from the sixth precinct."

"Wow so amazing," I muttered. "Take a seat if you like."

Both sat were Halina was. Pok kinda reminded me of what a ferret might look like if it could ice skate. And Ivak if a pig could catch on fire.

"And you are....." Ivak asked Halina.

"Halina, a human."

"And what's your relation with the.......Necromancer." It was as though spitting venom.

"I'm a friend."

Pok nodded. "And what was your purpose for going to Brad's Lovers?"

Halina's eyes never left them. "Ditto wanted to make a quick 'stop', if you catch my drift."

Ah, thank you Halina. I can work with that for the moment as my hands were held behind my back. The spell would need a moment to charge.

Officer Ivak wrote that down. "So you went there, Necromancer, to make a sexual visit?"

"Yes. After all, Brad has......did have the best boys in town." I mean, I didn't want to kill him, but what choice was there? He betrayed me. He worked for enemy. And now's not the time for forgiveness. "Pleasant boys."

Pok tucked back her long white hair. "And did you see anything suspicious there?"

"No."

Eh, maybe that was too forced. Still, my hands rubbed together quickly and quietly. Ivak looked uneasy in his chair. As though nothing made sense. Yeah, makes sense.

"We read that you're here for academic reasons, correct?"

"Yep."

"Then why did you go to a brothel?"

"Uh, fuck you magi. But also, fuck you magi." Shit, probably shouldn't have said that. "What? Give a guy a break. You've already taken everything from me. I'm allowed to feel pleasure."

"How long was your visit there?" asked Ivak.

"About thirty minutes."

"Seems fast for a brothel visit."

I shrugged. "Got places to be."

Pok sat forward, causing me to fall back onto the bed. "So, were you aware that Brad was a seller of dark information? Information illegal by most."

Oh, honey. I know everything. "No. But now that you mention it, sure sounds right. He's always seemed.....sketchy."

That got a raised brow. Pok said, "You've known him before this?"

Damn. Let's see how fast I can move in a towel. Halina on my right. The two across the table. Gotta make it count........

"Well, actually--" I sprung forward, hands streaming black. Pok was closer, so my hand clasped her face first. And Ivak would have gotten me. His hands went up in flames, going around the table. Had not Halina thrown her book at him, distracting him for but a moment, I'd have been fried.

Getting his face, both could do nothing as I wiped their memories dry.

After the struggling ended, the two limp bodies fell without a sound.

"Oh my God. What did you do?" Halina backed away, shifting her eyes carelessly. "Did you....."

"No, I didn't kill them. Just wiped about two days worth of memories." I kicked them both. Out cold. Like rocks at the bottom of a pond. Magi, ever so dumb. "Not a full proof solution, but I'll fix it when I get the chance."

"I didn't know you could do that." The human knelt. A small finger poked the fire magi as if seeing he would do something in response. She rounded to me. "Uh, Ditto--"

Knock knock knock

"Hold that thought. Whoever that is, I need to deal with now." My hands lit up with more dark magic. "God I hope this isn't related to these idiots."

"Wait--"

But I again opened the door. And doused my hand flames in slight shock. "Ah, the one named Katlen. What are you doing here?"

She cocked her head, green hair masking her pretty face. Huh, her face was red. Blushing? Strange. "You--you're.......not wearing pants."

"You sure?" I felt down there, and found a handful of sweaty crotch. "Hey, your right!"

Apparently there was something worth staring at, because the magi wasn't turning away. I covered myself. "Do you mind? I'll get back to you in a second."

Reclosing the door, I went and found pants. "Thanks for telling me Halina. Now I feel stupid."

"Uhhhh......."

"Some friend." Jeez, you'd think you'd mention that. How impolite. "Come on. We can't talk to her in here. I'm not explaining the passed out magi on the floor. Come on hurry up we don't have all day."

She opened her mouth, but said nothing. Shrugging, I let her out first and then myself. Halina spoke before I. "Alright if we talk here? The room is a bit of a mess, and we're sorta embarrassed."

Katlen was still reeling, not meeting my gaze. "Sure. Whatever you say. It--it won't take long."

"So, what do you want?" Halina asked, taking the lead this time. "What's so important?"

Gah, the woman smelled of lust and shame. What kind of combination is that? Are you horny enough to want to fuck? Are you ashamed of those feelings of wanting to fuck? That makes no sense, I want to go at it all the time. I'm not ashamed. Though usually those thoughts shift from lust to near death because my life sucks and dammit I'm rambling again.

"Ursula and I just thought that you might want to know tomorrow at ten at the University Arena General Jacro will be holding an assembly to talk about the new magi recruitment program for the military. He's a big name. It's a big deal."

"Sounds important," the writer said. "Worth going, don't you think?"

"I don't know. High power magi and me don't usually mix."

"Really?" Halina cocked her head. "Why's that?"

"I'm impossible to control. They love control. Plus, I've heard of the arrogant Jacro. Considered the strongest magi of the century." Hmm, I wonder if that makes me the strongest necromancer of the century. Another opinion is needed I guess. "He'll spot me out, I'm sure."

"Blah! There'll be a large crowd. If he's so 'important'." Halina gave Katlen a wink. "Count on us to be there."

The flabbergasted woman nodded, then left. I sighed. "Shit. Now we have to deal with the other magi."

"'We'? No, you."

"Fuck. Pull your weight in this relationship."

She giggled. "People are good at finding you."

"You're right. This is tiring. Lord, it's become apparent I'm too great a threat to everyone." I paused for a moment. "The next few weeks are to build something that cannot be lost. These two magi will be useful."

Halina went back into the room, and I followed. The bodies laid there not stirring so much a twitch. "And how's that?"

"I'm a man of many talents. Possession is a skill that necromancers are king at." I squatted, examining the face of the woman. Older, probably why I got her. She was without a doubt a woman who I could use. "Necromancers are puppet makers. The Magi are puppet masters. When hands switch roles, who then is in charge?"

"Hey, as much as I'd love to stand here and listen to your little story, I'm going to shower. Your naked body has left me scarred," Halina said. "Just do what you got to."

She left me, singing silently.

Cracking my fingers, I felt a rush of joy. Very well, I will do what I wish. The King of Ghosts and King of Nothing shall add another title, and see how long it reigns true.

Strings might pull and bend, but they sure are good at reminding us who's in control.

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Dedicated to Just An Idiot With Ideas

Fuck you, fuck your opinions, and kiss my ass you piece of shit.