Mirrond: So… we have finally finished creating Veles family tree. 55 people to name and describe… NOW I REALLY WANT TO KILL THEM IN THE MOST BRUTAL WAY POSSIBLE.
Resus: I have ambivalent feelings… I kinda like them now since I was the one to come up with 70% of their backstories… although searching for their names was hell… So yeah, let’s just kill them and forget all about it.
Mirrond: No more than 50% I’d say.
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Resus: Few days passed since the above and I think we can both say that… it’s going way better than expected. After we finally managed to give all those characters names and ages… they are starting to gain life of their own. Their stories just unravel themselves to us and the fable for the future happens by itself… I can honestly say that we finally have reliable and long term plans for most of the main characters.
Mirrond: And I have serious mental trauma after thinking of few… events. I nearly cried after one of them ;_;
Resus: Yes! We are horrible human beings! But the story is going to be glorious!
Mirrond: “We”? xD Are you even a human to begin with? I refuse to acknowledge humanity of a person that during holidays gets fully nocturnal (“well, sorry, but I’m going to bed, I am too sleepy to think” at one o’clock p.m. EVERY SINGLE F***KING DAY) and is a My Little Pony-loving fanatic. You goddamn pink vampire ;_;
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Chapter 8: Out of the frying pan right into the fire
Shapes and colors transmuting and transcending in one another swirling and dancing all around me and straight through me at the same time above and below me reversing time after time changing the volume from screaming to whispers back to screaming again over and over and under and around through the ground to the sky back and forth whiteness of everything interchanging with the dark and black and gray and sweet and sour hour by hour day by day from big to small but not smoothly anymore and more step by step jumping from one to another and the other by other…
I suddenly open my eyes. Holy f… what just happened? I think I just had the most crazy… something… of my both lives. I raise my upper body and visually check my surroundings. Nothing strange in sight. I clearly remember… talking with Shadow, at least if that pointless banter can be described as ‘talk’. Fortunately now I know how to open my interface… oh and that there are some rules I’m not supposed to know. Of course there’s also the most important information - that Iverie killed with some Super-Awesome-Poison-Of-Doom. I really can’t wait to have my revenge.
I asked Shadow to leave effects of poison in my body. Now I just have to make someone discover them as soon as possible. But how can I do that? I guess I’ll have to use some acting to persuade Gavlan that I felt weird yesterday evening after the feast… It’s about time to leave my bed.
I try to do it… but my attempt is interrupted by a sudden headache. And it’s not just a regular one - IT REALLY FUCKING HURTS! Instantly I‘m bent in half and violently vomiting, and because of that sudden movement I fall from the bed.
I can feel my consciousness drifting away and the last thing I see is Gavlan entering the room, and a sudden panic written on his face after that is only darkness…
* * *
I feel pain, much duller this time and not as strong. It’s actually a step forward from not feeling anything… I guess. I can even think straight, and moving any part of my body is impossible. I’m in a state similar to sleep paralysis I once experienced.
I hear people talking, but I have problems understanding them. Though my hearing is perfectly fine, it’s just… too damn hard to concentrate on their voices. It takes me some time to adjust.
“So?” I think it’s my grandfather speaking.
“He is very lucky by the look of it.” Unknown voice. Female and adultlike, that’s all I can say. “Really, really lucky. He will survive.”
“Really? Are you sure he will be fine?!” Oh, that’s definitely father. His voice is… emotional. I can’t blame him, he lost one son, and then - nearly - the second one within just a few days. It’s hard to say if he’s more relieved or still shocked.
“Yes. And it definitely was poison. Pretty special one at that. It’s called Dream Resin. After ingestion it kills when the victim sleeps and mimics a natural cause death. The only source of it are Corrupted Lands, and it requires considerable wealth to acquire any quantity of it.” There is a second of silence while everyone’s digesting these informations and then woman - a doctor or alchemist I guess - continues. “However, judging from the current state of his bathroom he must have expelled most of it in the evening and the amount that already got into his blood wasn’t enough to kill him. He is young and healthy, so there shouldn’t be any long-term effects, but getting back to his healthy state may take a year or so. He is going to feel as if he is partially paralyzed, and suffer from headaches and weak hallucinations. Temporary amnesia is also a possibility. There is also… another matter to deal with.”
“Yes?” Grandfather I think.
“All Res alchemists and herbalists like me are obliged to report all cases in which the usage of this poison was discovered directly to the Temple. There is said to be an underground organisation in the city that is suspected of using Dream Resin for assassinations. You should expect a visit of a few Templars later today.”
“Ah, I think I heard of this organisation recently. But why should they try to kill Varth?”
“I don’t know, and frankly speaking I don’t care. It’s not my problem. You should speak about this with the Templars. Now, about the rehabilitation…”
I can’t keep my focus anymore. And… once again I fall into darkness. After all those times I’m getting used to it...
* * *
I wake up. It’s a middle of the night. I feel my body, but can’t really move any part of it except my head. Yet when I try to look around I get a funny feeling in my neck, so I decide to avoid overdoing it. But even without moving it, I can see that I’m in my brother’s room.
Well, I guess it’s logical in a way. This must be next night, so my room might still need some ventilating after me vomiting. And this room is very close to mine… and empty. I don’t feel like I am able to call someone, so I decide to spend some time on thinking.
There’s only one explanation of what happened to me. Shadow overdid it. Heavily overdid it. Or simply his understanding of ‘detectable traces’ is different than mine… I mean, they are REALLY detectable. By anyone with his eyes intact. So theoretically I shouldn’t even be angry… but I am. Shadow, you FUCKING idiot…
Well, I guess when you’re doing business with an Evil God you really need to specify what you want. So in a way I’m just as responsible for this mess.
I just really hope that my Health Points will speed up my recovery. Well, it’s not like I believe I’ll get my actual health back before my fifth birthday… only three days left until then, though it’s not really that bad. All my birthdays until now were barely even noticed by people around me, only nanny gave me additional sweets, really nice of her by the way.
There’s nothing else for me to do, I guess. I would open the interface window and take a look into the options, but in my current state it’s possible that I wouldn’t be able to close it, as it requires reaching with your finger all the way up to the title… I’m still unsure whether or not others can see it, and getting discovered by nannies or Gavlan with a strange thing floating above me would be… inconvenient. Besides I’m not even sure if I’d manage to open it in the first place! I decide to go back to sleep.
* * *
Once again I wake up. It’s bright outside, so it’s some time during the day. I still can’t move any of my limbs… and the weird thing is that I’m actually wearing different set of clothes than last time. Gavlan stands by the door, he sees that I’m awake and comes closer to my bed.
… damn, if I were fifteen years older this whole situation would seem like an intro to a bad gay porno. And now I hate myself for having this idea…
“You’re awake. And you woke up rather early. The herbalist your family brought to help you, said that you’ll be asleep for at least a week.” It must be the effect of my Health Points. It would be great to have more of them… and regenerate them faster.
“That’s good.”… is what I try to say. What leaves my mouth is unfortunately utterly incomprehensible gibberish. Damn. My vocal chords aren’t working as they should. I repeat what I tried to say but this time I speak really slowly and carefully pronounce every letter. It’s slightly tiring but at least he can understand me.
“Now that you’re awake I must inform everyone about this. You have no more than few minutes to prepare yourself.“ He smiles wryly. Really? Did Shadow possess him when I wasn’t looking? I’ve never saw him smiling before. If he was born as a catman, without any doubt I’d start calling him The Grumpy Cat. And now - this. Ok… my enhanced intuition screams to me that there’s something bad going on. What is it this time?! I could certainly use a little rest… FOR A CHANGE!
Gavlan leaves the room and soon after I can hear him talking with someone. He said that I don’t have much time to prepare myself, but for what? He was smiling so it couldn’t be about those, so called, Templars. I mean, people don’t smile when they are supposed to be interrogated… I also doubt that Iverie would come here, fall onto her knees and beg for forgiveness while expressing her eagerness to abandon all worldly matters and become a priestess in the Temple.
Damn, I’m in no shape to do such thinking. I’m really hungry! At least I’m clean… but it means that someone must have washed me after my vomiting. Now that I mention it, I’m in different clothes, hmph. Nannies must have done that. Wait… didn’t I already thought about this? My head really is in a bad shape… I don’t even know just for how long I slept. Wait… is it possible that today is…
My inner monologue is interrupted, when Gavlan enters the room again and with him is one of my nannies, carrying what looks like a trail with a small meal, and that’s good news all in itself. Gavlan is standing near the door, while nanny feeds me one spoonful at a time as I’m in no condition to eat by myself, it’s actually pretty humiliating but my throat is slightly numb and swallowing is a challenge. At least it gives me time to think about questions I want to ask him.
I’m nearly sure that today must be my birthday. And while I think that me waking up from almost-a-coma should be great news, everyone is acting weird. I’m sure Gavlan reported everything to that herbalist and/or my father, but now his behavior strongly suggest preparing me for something… and I really have bad feelings about this whole situation.
When the meal ends, nanny leaves the room. I turn to Gavlan wanting to ask him some questions, but before I muster enough strength he tells me to wait for a bit… and leaves too. Oh for fuck’s sake, what sort of slave are you! … be more useful, please.
Few minutes I can hear Gavlan welcoming someone. I think I heard that new voice somewhere… ah, it must be the herbalist from earlier.
The woman that enters the room soon after that is a human. No more than thirty-five years old, short brown hair. No collar. On her face there is a look that can be translated into “Oh, why are you even bothering me with this”. Behind her - Gavlan enters, most likely making sure she won’t stab me or something. Constructive paranoia, I guess, if you consider what happened to me.
She begins examination with a pretty iritated attitude, but it disappears rather quickly. She must have expected a false alarm or something - after all I woke up much faster that I should - but now she understand that it’s not the matter. The examination (mostly checking my responses) quickly reaches it end.
“Well, he must have ingested much smaller ammount of poison that I previously anticipated.” She says to Gavlan. “It’s safe to move him, but don’t overdo it. He is still very weak.”
“I’ll try to not… break him.”
* * *
Only few minutes ago I was still enveloped in blissful ignorance regarding my current situation. But now… Now I finally understand what made Gavlan so annoyingly happy. Something truly terrifying. Something straight out of a horror story… or slice of life comedy… And the worst part is that I can’t do shit to stop it. I’m currently sitting on a wheelchair, or to be more precise, because of my current condition, I’m tied to it. And while I understand that it was necessary or else I wouldn’t be able to sit straight, I still think of it as demeaning as fuck…
Gavlan pushed me into a room… full of people. All of them have typical Veles traits, but I’ve never seen them in the mansion before. They’re looking at me. Why did no one told me we were going to have guests?! It’s not like I could do anything about Iverie poisoning me, but at the very least I would be mentally prepared for what’s going to happen!
There are four people in the room, excluding me and Gavlan. Initially my sight catches an older woman sitting in a big, stuffer armchair. She’s seemingly similar age as grandpa. Long, curly, hair in a deep shade of dark blue are partially gray. Unfortunately she may not be aware of her actual age… because that cleavage is way too deep for an older woman like her. She emanates an aura of an eccentric old lady who knows how to distil all the fun from life and not be bothered by what’s left. I guess it’s Shadow’s blessing speaking…
On the right side of the armchair is a similar looking sofa. Two more people are sitting on it. A girl my age dressed in a white lace dress, waving her legs in the air. Next to her is a middle aged man with no distinguishing traits, her father if I were to guess. Lastly, further in the room, next to the window opposite to the door, on a simple chair, sits another girl. She’s holding a book but she’s looking at me. She looks slightly older than me and wears a similar dress as the first girl. Only hers is black and without lace. I think she’s surprised… or annoyed. This staring contest with everyone’s attention focused on me lasts for about a second before the door to the adjusted room goes open and woman with black hair enters and speaks.
“Oh, he’s here already. I thought it would take longer and just put Damit to sleep for his midday slumber.” Wait… what did she say? ‘Damit’? Is this a name? She used it like a name… HOW CAN YOU NAME A KID LIKE THAT?! That’s brutal. And funny, hahaha! Oh dammit… Damit.
Oh, now that I think about it, they don’t speak English. So for them it’s not ridiculous.
“Maybe it’s better for him that way, dearie. He’s only two and our nephew here is in no condition to entertain him.” Said the Crazy Old Lady. Hey, I am still in the room, you know? I can hear you! “Speaking of which…” She turns back to me. “Little Varth.” LITTLE?! “You look so much more grown up than when I last saw you. It’s been four years since then. We all heard what happened to you. Can you talk?” Oh… fuck them all! Wrrr.
I try to speak, but once again it’s not easy. It takes me two attempts to say “Yes, I can.” clearly enough for them to understand.
“Mother, maybe we should postpone this whole meeting?” So… Crazy Old Lady is this man’s mother. And, if I was correct earlier, grandmother of the girls and… Damit… That name… I don’t care if they don’t know English. IT’S STILL RIDICULOUS!
“Nonsense Paforth. It’s his fifth birthday and you have only one fifth birthday your whole life! It’s not like we’ll torture him. Besides we really should at least meet him. After all, he’s going to spend plenty of time with some of the people in this room.” She laughs a little, while I wonder what the hell is she talking about. “He doesn’t even have to talk much. It’s mostly for him to get to know us.” Paforth looks like he wants to add something, but he’s too late. “Now that we are talking about fifth birthdays, do you remember your own? You were so adorable back then, that day you found my undergarments…”
“Mother.” He doesn’t look all that shocked so I guess he must be used to this. I feel sorry for him.
“Oh puss. Of course, how rude of me. Introductions go first.” I just noticed it but… on the small table right beside her armchair is a half empty bottle with a transparent liquid - I’m damn well sure it’s not water - and a glass… “I’m your aunt, Varthia Veles. Your grandfather, Naharius, is my dear older brother. This embarrassed little boy is my second son, Paforth. Yes dearie, I can see you chuckle. Adorable isn’t she?” She actually feels a bit familiar - I think that one of my ‘Earth’ aunts was a bit similar. A bit - she didn’t drink alcohol, at least not in that quantities…
“Mother.”
“Yes, yes. She’s my daughter-in-law, Ferke Veles. Paforth’s adorable wife. And what are you blushing for dearie, it’s true. Don’t give me that look son, he’s not one of those with sticks up their butts. Not yet at the very least.”
“Mother, please. Not in front of children.”
“Children, yes. My grandchildren actually. Damit’s asleep but his sister is here. Come on Meritri, stand up and introduce yourself to your cousin.”
At that the girl in white lace dress slides of the sofa. Despite her previous curiosity she looks slightly nervous. She take both sides of her dress between her fingers, lifts it slightly and, with newfound determination on her face, performs a… curtsy. She’s blushing now, why the hell is she blushing?!
“M-my name is… M-meritri Veles” ...am I THAT scary? I’m tied to the wheelchair, how can that be scary?!
“Calm down Meritri, he’s not going to eat you. That was great curtsey for a first time. You can sit back now, and calm down.” I can hear amusement in my aunt’s voice. “I believe it’s your turn now?” She says to the girl reading a book next to the window.
The girl sighs and puts the book down on the table next to her. My sixth sense tells me that it won’t end well. The girl stand up and similarly to Meritri performs a curtsey…
“My name is Ni’ren Veles. It’s a great opportunity to finally meet my problematic cousin. And now, if I’m allowed, I’ll go back to reading.” Veles truly are a bunch of lovely people. Ok, maybe she isn’t exactly… nice, but at least she’s not giving me the same kind of bad feelings as Iverie.
“Ni’ren! I know that your parents aren’t here, but you should behave yourself.”
“Yes grandma, I’m sorry. Can I go back to my book now?” Not waiting for an answer she sits back and with another sigh opens her book and resume reading. Ha, she has a problem with her manners and is a bookworm. I think it’s a bit familiar. We will find a common ground… probably… sometime in the future… in different universe… or something. Well it’s not like I intend to beg her to be nice to me!
“You’ll have plenty of time to read and learn starting tomorrow.” Varthia seemingly decided to ignore Ni’ren… or maybe forgot about her, as she’s already drunk. “Oh, right. Varth, you probably don’t know but your cousins are here to stay in our family mansion for a few years to get tutored together and - my brother’s words - ‘get to know each other’.” I think I heard this somewhere already… déjà vu, eh. However, this time it can actually be beneficial for a change! I mean, spending several years in books - while being completely alone - would bore to death even someone like me.” I personally think it’s a great idea, but I might be biased since it also means that I’m going to spend some time in the city instead of that boring countryside. Even if our family here is struggling against that deadly plague of a... “ Suddenly I can hear doors opening behind me. On aunt’s face I can see an disgust, on Paforth’s - open hostility. All the while I feel Shadow’s blessing kicking in and screaming that there’s someone really bad behind me. I know only one person who gives me that feeling... “Speak of the devil…”
“It’s great to see you too aunt Varthia.” Urgh. Having Iverie stand behind me isn’t nice, especially when you can’t even move. On the other side, it might actually be a good thing… because even though I’m only just five years old I would probably try to stab her with something sharp. Grrrr. “Uncle Naharius wishes to see you. He made it sound urgent. So wrap up your fun little conversation and go to him, hurry.” And with that, she leaves the room. Phew…
“Stupid bitch thinking she’s so important.”
“Mother…”
“What? You know I’m right.” My aunt seems to be quite direct person. I’d think higher of her if she didn’t just drink a solid sip of particular transparent liquid straight from the bottle. Well, at least it looks like she and her branch of the family are possible allies against Iverie… it’s something, right? “Gods damn stuck up b… puss! She wouldn't recognize fun even if it went straight up her arse…” Well, I can’t argue with that… Now I’m only curious what the hell does that ‘puss’ mean? “Gavlan was your name? Take little Varth back to his room, we will continue some other time.”
I just need to survive long enough to get back to health and start learning useful things… Oh joy…
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Resus: This is a very important message… Unless you’re reading this when there are 50+ chapters already, in which case - this is not a very important message. Anyway, the first arc of our story - the early childhood, first five years of MC’s new life - just ended. If that’s not a good time to ask for comments, rates and reviews then I don’t know what is… Yes! I am begging for attention! And yes - I do realise that our story is one of most successful ones at this stage of development… But still. My soul is screaming for more! So, if it’s not too much of an inconvenience, please - leave a comment and rate and/or review our story.
Mirrond: Eh, and just by the way - there will be a short break in publishing new chapters, because I have a few exams… and, let’s say, I have more important things to do than writing this (yes, Resus, there ARE things more important than writing Re:v). But when they will end, I will be able to spend twice as much time on this, so new chapters should come out faster than now.
Resus: One last thing. It is possible that chapter 09 will be published some time during that “break”. It will probably be shorter than our usual ~4000 words. But it will just be a prolog of sorts for the next (much longer) story arc. And a little something for you to think about:
Current number of users…
:P
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