“One of us will kick you if we need you for something,” Marl answered.
Okay, you have my full attention.
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Chuck counted to three before filling in the pause. This Structure? You make it sound like there are different Structures.
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Yep, easy to follow, standard hierarchy type of organizations or ownerships.
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Makes sense.
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So, Structures are bigger than one world—or at least most are—and power grabs include taking property and/or resources away from other Structures. It sounds like normal history—a minor comfort that Earth isn’t the only place with a common problem.
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Anyway, we pushed the loophole with you. Before you crossed the boundary to our Structure, we tweaked you magically. We only had a few seconds, so what we could do was limited. Based on your condition, we imbued you with the basic magics that you found yourself with—which also put you in a unique class state, one not fully defined. Which allows us some limited leeway for some direct interaction in the future. >>
I’m working on concentrating on what you’re telling me and fighting back on wanting to interrupt. Some of this is answering a few questions I’ve had from the beginning. You picked my class and abilities? If so, can you give me more info on them and what’s coming when I level up? Being unique reduces the availability of mentors.
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If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
Vassyn, Rahmys, and Whyth were following a productive line of thought, bringing in magic from outside the Structure. Whyth’s magic found you—what he told you about it is true—our involvement started the instant his magic locked onto you and began transporting you here. >>
So, what you’re doing now is confirming that I must take two friends in through the gate and open up the magic spring? And we have to do this to keep Crawtna from falling not just to the Bythnahr but the Structure they came from?
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Most of this I already knew or at least had been told.
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I can go home and not be facing a painful death?
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That alone is motivation enough, let alone the idea of helping my friends against the Bythnahr. They’ve made it easy for me to want to hurt them. Can I ask some questions that will take us down a diff…
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Crap!
Chuck jumped up, shouting the alarm. “More of the purple creatures headed our way. Three huge ones, along with an unknown number of what we’ve already faced.”
<
“Our Marnovian friends are going to help.” Chuck paused when the water bubbled and the purple mounds on the outer edge of the raft detached from the rest. “Seems like they’ve started.”
The mound beneath Chuck vibrated. A burbling voice grabbed his attention.
“Steady yourselves. We will separate from each other. The Marnovian you are riding on will communicate with each of you as needed. They will carry you where you tell them to go. We must attack the taachu before they kill us all.”
The remaining raft broke up within seconds, water splashing several feet into the air. Several individual Marnovians swam toward a frothy white line in the distance that grew easier to see with each passing second.
“That must be the taachu.” Whyth guessed.
Chuck stumbled when the Marnovian he stood on swam forward. “Hey, tell me before you start up like that.”
A wet voice, higher pitched than the earlier one, answered. “Apologies, land walker, we must join the cluster. To defend them and to defeat the taachu. You will assist?”
“All of us will. We want to defeat them, too.” Chuck looked over his shoulder, and the other three followed him. Weirdest surfing group ever. Wonder what a group of people surfing together is called?
Chuck dropped to his knees when a sudden lurch caused him to stumble. I think I’ll stay like this for a while.
“Apologies again, land walker. The surface of our water is restless, and it surged before I could adjust.”
“Thought so. What should I call you? You can call me Chuck.”
“I am known as Glyrgaph, in land walker speak. Well met, Chuck. Please prepare. I will now go faster.”
Even on all fours and prepared, Chuck had to grab the grass with both hands to avoid being thrown. Status check.
<< STATUS
Health: 74/78
Magic: 39/88 >>
Still low on magic—wish I had a spell that…Siibtis, now I just have to figure out how to kill a bunch of these things with direct contact.
Chuck's heart pounded as he watched the foamy waterline surge ever closer. The purple line of the first group of Marnovians advanced with alarming speed, just seconds away from a violent clash. The taachu swarmed in overwhelming numbers, outnumbering the Marnovians by at least four to one, an unstoppable flood ready to engulf them in chaos.
“Glyrgaph, there aren’t enough of you Marnovians. If you get me to the right side of the taachu line, I should help keep them from swinging around and attacking your cluster.”
A trilling sounded from below him, then Glyrgaph corrected course to head toward the right side of the oncoming monsters.
Marl shouted at Chuck. “You’re intercepting the uncovered side of the line?”
“Yes,” Chuck shouted over the wind and water.
Chuck heard Marl shouting out orders behind him. “Whyth, you try to place yourself in the middle of the line but hold back, watching for the big-uns or a breech. Rahmys, you come with me to help Chuck out.”
From behind the advancing line, Chuck saw three huge purple figures erupt from the water. He guessed each one stood at least nine feet tall.
“This does not look good.” He muttered to himself.