The Accidental Archmage - Book Five, Edmund Batara [best way to read ebooks txt] 📗

Another time, Tyler promised himself.

“Your questions?” the being started.

“It’s about the nature of this world within an artifact. Is this common?” asked Tyler. “Adar being what it is, I am bound to run into similar items and really wouldn’t want to be drawn into an unwanted reality.”

“Artifacts are focal points of power, First Mage. Usually, the situation you’re worried about happens only on a limited scale—a dark and dank cave, a large room, a blasted wasteland, or a ruined city. Differences abound. But never on the scale you see now. This reality is a world, possibly the size of a small moon. With enough power—and that means the immeasurable kind—you might even be able to manifest it in your reality. Though I wouldn’t suggest it. A lot of pantheons and empires won’t be happy.”

“You mean this event, this present situation, is unique?”

“I believe so. This is not a normal result. Though under the right ritual and the wrong hand, artifacts also find use in this world as a gateway to somewhere else.”

“Wrong hand?” asked the mystified mage.

“You heard right. There is presently no god nor mage on Adar who could direct where such openings will lead, and such gates are usually two-way. The Void Lands would be an excellent example of what I am saying. Rumpr’s memory thankfully does not show any such successful venture. Though it appears a lot of mages, mad or otherwise, have tried to twist powerful arcane objects to their own ends. All such attempts ended dramatically. In a lethal manner, of course.”

“But why this particular staff?”

Birki looked at him and smirked.

“Good thing my sole allegiance is to you, First Mage. The weapon, magical as it is, started as one of the many powerful artifacts in this world. But something in you changed its very nature, imbuing it with the power of creation. Though that’s not enough. To give effect to such a power, a different, vastly greater energy was required. It appeared you had both. Though I personally doubt if the deities knew that. Rumpr, Hrun, and Wilan might have suspected, but it didn’t matter to them. Gullen could have suspected it too.”

Tyler’s mind was furiously racing.

I did keep the staff close at hand. Some Elder energies could have entered it. But for some reason, it prevented Hal and X from detecting the existence of the world inside the staff. At least for now, it serves me and provides shelter for the young energies under my wing. And what did Birki say about the possibility of the staff being corrupted?

“Given what you told me, we do have to keep the staff inviolate and avoid the entry of beings of an opposite alignment. Correct?” he asked Birki. I sound like I’m talking about an RPG game.

“I believe that’s what I told you earlier, First Mage.”

“You think you have enough power now to prevent such an occurrence?”

“I am young in matters of power. Above the level of a minor deity, I would find it difficult to fend off such an assault, even with the help of my young wards.”

“Now that’s a problem. The kind of foes we have encountered are already beyond that level. What do you need?”

“Energy. Only magical energy would help us grow,” said Birki.

“Can I give you some from my reserves? And if I can, how do I do that?” quickly replied Tyler.

“You have reserves? That’s quite a trick. I don’t think any entity on Adar could say the same. But about your question, it’s quite simple, really. Focus on the energy and throw it at me. Just energy, mind you. Don’t include anything else. Otherwise, I’ll be burned, decapitated, melted, or incinerated where I sit,” warned the small being.

“X? You heard?” asked Tyler.

“Yes, sire.”

“How much do you think should we give Birki?”

“A quarter of one of our reserve compartments, sire. He has to get used to the sudden increase in his power. We’ll add to it incrementally every time you visit,” answered X. It’s never a good idea to grant power to a hand that cannot handle it, or to a mind that does not understand what had been given.

“How about the younger energies?”

“Too soon, sire. The correct handling of power also requires a degree of maturity. Let Birki teach them first and then we can improve their energy levels.”

“Right as usual, X. Thanks,” replied Tyler.

“As usual only?” teased the guide.

“Yes. As usual. Saying ‘always’ would be tempting fate. And I wouldn’t be surprised if Fate is indeed an entity in this world,” the mage laughed.

“Get ready, Birki. I’ll be giving you a bit more power,” he told the waiting being.

“Do it, X.” For such a simple task, Tyler knew the AI could perfectly manage it once the command was given.

A bright light momentarily filled the space between Tyler and Birki.

“By the smelly mountains of Banna! If that was a bit, then I doubt if I could handle a tiny amount!” exclaimed Birki after he got his breathing back. The energy had pushed into him, leaving him pale. For a second, Tyler was even worried the amount was too much as Birki appeared to have stopped breathing and the eyes had closed. Then Birki started hyperventilating.

That removes any possibility of using my energy on the children. It appears it’s too strong for them.

“Let’s cut down on the dose next time,” advised the mage. “Though what’s Banna?”

“Yes! Let’s lower the amount of energy next time! That was a bit much. I thought it was the end of me. My thanks, First Mage! This means a lot to me. Not only as a being of power, but also in my ability to handle my brethren. Good thing I still have hair to pull out. About Banna, it’s that large forbidden island north of Skaney and Ymir’s Domain. Though I doubt if one could call land almost as big as Skaney an island. Even Ymir’s minions don’t set foot there.”

“Rumpr has visited it, I presume?” inquired Tyler, though he admitted to himself that he wouldn’t be surprised if that