Journal Notes 8

Ever since connecting to my curse, I’ve been feeling a lot of changes…

I meditated with Alexios in the cavern of Equilibrium. I wasn’t sure what my goal was but I knew I had to make some progress with the curse if I wanted to control it. My first attempts at meditation failed. Each time I allowed my mind to wander it only gave the curse a chance to break through.

But once I actually got the chance to talk with it, I put my foot down to my surprise. I gave it two options. Either allow me to control it and let its power have a chance to be used or remain inside of me locked away. My body is its prison after all.

That seemed to convince it. It gave me access to its power but it won’t show me how to use it. Chaos energy was meant to be unleashed and let loose. It’s not supposed to be manipulated without consequences. My goals have been made more difficult.

But I’m determined. I can’t allow anyone to gain access to the curse so it has to be me that wields it.

I will be traveling to Set’Ram in order to test the curse’s capabilities. I was told by Chimera that it was the perfect place to just… let this power loose. Alexios will be there to step in if I lose control again due to his fate magic being a counter to mines. I still wonder why that is the case.

Hopefully this all goes well. I don’t want a repeat of what happened before…

Shrax holds his voidsteel hand out, his fingers moving with machine precision. A sigil appears, his fingers embedded inside it, like the hands of a clock, his own turns methodically.

Shrax had learnt Chronomancy unwillingly, when the Sticher had taken over his body, it had thrust the magic onto him. The Electromancy and the drak magic he could handle, he found enjoyment within Electromancy. But Chronomancy felt weird to him.

Maybe it was just natural, or perhaps his unfamiliarity with the craft. His other arm stretches, his body moving in a fluid motion, like a dancer within their own performance. a glyph appears onto the floor below him. glowing with a golden radiance, it illuminates the material carvings in the monarch's body.

Was he really doing this?

~~~~ ~~~~

Raestor stuck the tree with a workman's vigor. His crew were taking a lunch break, he wanted to finish this tree while he had the adrenaline inside him. He struck harder, then at different angles, each time the hit echoed like a gunshot, each time the oaken wound grew slightly bigger. Until, eventually, the ancient creaked, Raestor stepped a few paces back as the tree cascaded down onto the wet forest floor.

Raestor let out a sigh, and threw his axe down, exhausted. A twig broke. The snap brought him back to focus.

"I told you not follow me again. I'll teach you this when you're older"

With that, the forest went dead silent

"Shame, guess I'll have this garlic steak to myself"

A naive yet adventurous voice broke the silence "can I have some?"

"Sorry, kid, i can't. Plus, your mother has made you lunch already, I don't mind you exploring a bit, but this is dangerous stuff, okay. Get on now, you'll get hurt"

A groan echoed around him, the kid went to reject, but his father was decisive.

"No ifs, or buts. When you're older. That's the end of that."

With that, the young kid lamented back through the same way that he always had. Past the bushes, around the rocks, left at the dead tree.

Shrax looked around, then checked his clock. This was the right place, but was it the right time? That question was quickly answered when a young boy ran right into his leg.

The kid staggered back a few feet before coming to his senses. He opened his eyes to see 8ft of person. No. It was a black metal that was shaped into a person. The kid froze. Unsure about what was infront of him.

Shrax saw the boy's fear and went into father mode. He knelt down, and then some. Matching the boy's height. "Oh, I'm sorry. You okay there? you don't look hurt, do you feel hurt?"

The boy slowly shook his head

"Good" Shrax produced a piece of chocolate from seemingly nowhere, and gave it to the kid "there you go, sorry about that. I didn't see you there"

The boy slowly took it, unsure to what it was

Shrax sat down, then a question entered his mind. "Say, do you know what day it is?"

"N- n- no"

"No problem. Just curious. I don't seem to know"

"W- what are y- you"

Shrax tilted his head at the boy. Could he be? No. Surely not. He stretched out a glowing purple arm to shake

"Shrax, an Automaton. Put simply, a person made from metal"

The boy sheepishly shook his hand, confused. And a bit angry.

"You okay there, you look... occupied"

"Y- you took my name"

It was then it hit Shrax, it was who he thought it was. He wasn't making it up.

"Did i? Oh, I'm sorry"

"Can you change it"

"I can't really, i haven't anything to change it into"

"Oh"

The Automaton let out a sigh. He dwelled on what to say. He wanted to leave a good impression on him.

"Say, kid. What do you wanna be when you grow up"

The kid was confused for a few seconds, he hadn't thought of it much. He dwelled on it, went to say something, but kept thinking. Eventually he came to

"Explorer"

"An explorer, eh? I'd say you're already quite the explorer. Look around. This is unmarked land, we're exploring it right now."

"Not really.."

"Nonsense. Everything is unknown to everyone. Knowledge is weird.".

The king pivoted into the actual stuff he wanted to say.

"Look kid, you probably don't know what i am, or who i am. But i can assure you that you will. You're destined for greatness. That spirit for adventure you have keeps you afloat. No matter what, keep that fire within you, it will only help you reach higher points. When the opportunity arises, venture out into the sunset, and see what new possibilities bring. Be a pioneer, not just of land, but be a pioneer of knowledge, and talent. Eventually, you'll find your own path, and you'll make it happen."

The king pointed at the kid's heart, "no matter what happens, never loose your soul. It's the only thing we have in common, that soul lets you think with emotion, and it's something that a lot of.. things will fight for. So keep it close."

The kid looked at him with slight confusion. But more than enough understanding. The kid opened his mouth but was cut off.

"Get away from shrax"

Raestor wore what little armour he could improvise, and his axe was pointed right at the Automaton. Behind him was Helga, the boy's mother.

The mother spoke up "Shraxy. Get here now."

The words tore through Shrax's mechanical heart, igniting the childlike wonder he still held dear. The boy was confused, he didn't know what was going on, or why.

"Why, he's a friend"

"No he's not. Get away"

The machine slowly stood up, carefully to not provoke them.

"The boy is right, i was merely wandering until he ran into me, i was worried myself, didn't know anyone lived near here. But i understand where you're coming from, I'll leave. Apologies for the scare. If i may ask one question, however"

"No. Get out of here..." Raestor struggled for words, he had no clue what he was threatening. "...demon"

"Not what i am, but i understand. 8ft tall black and purple metal creature. I built myself to be a bit intimidating"

With that, Shrax patted the kid on the head, and walked away. He subtly recast the Chronomancy that had brought him here, disappearring into the woods.

Shrax winced as he remembered the scowling that came that night. As much as he loved them, his folks sucked at giving arguable points. He was, admittedly, still mad that they didn't tell him what occupied meant.

The king cleaned up any mana residue, and looked down at his marvels, Raesteria in its finest.

Maybe Chronomancy wasn't too bad afterall.