A Wizard's War - 40. Through the Mirror, Again

“I made this for you,” Daedalus squeaked as he held out a small leather pouch with drawstrings.

Simon smiled affectionately down at the cute little gnome to whom he’d taken a liking during his time in Meridiah. Observing the pouch, Simon knew exactly what the individual slotted folds of the pouch were meant to hold. He removed the quartz-like crystals from his pockets and placed them in the more secure pouch.

“This is genius,” Simon replied appreciatively, “Thank you!”

“Gnomes are skilled craftsmen,” Daedalus blushed, “My father helped me get it right.”

“Thank him too, then,” Simon smiled and noticed Daedalus looking at his feet, “I’m going to miss you too, little guy.”

“Will you be harmed?”

“According to Master Toufle, that seems likely.”

“You could stay here…”

“That is true,” Simon pretended to consider, “But it’s not every day you are asked by a god of death to save the world.”

“Vale is scary,” Daedalus agreed in wonder, “Can’t let her down.”

“I will do my best.”

“Are you quite done?” the giant rex rabbit, Pan Toufle, called with some annoyance from atop a nearby grassy hill, “We need to get going!”

“Yes, I’m coming!” Simon replied, “Well, duty calls, little buddy.”

Simon stooped down and hugged the little gnome tightly. He ruffled the wiry hair on Daedalus’ head as he stood up.

“Be safe,” Daedalus looked up with tears in his eyes.

“You too, mind your pa.”

Simon blinked and appeared at Pan’s side atop the hill. He showed the pouch to Pan who nodded with approval.

“Clever,” Pan spoke to Simon before shouting down to Daedalus, “Very nice work, Boy!”

Simon could see Daedalus turn bright red even from a distance. Then, Daedalus watched the pair of them disappear as they walked away from the village.

Simon knew he would need to return, but now that the time had come, he was terrified. Since he’d first learned about his unusual gifts and magic powers, his life had been a living, waking nightmare. Sure, he’d met a few fast friends along the way, but mostly he recalled dark times. His body raped, enslaved, and abused. For the first time, he’d been at peace in Meridiah and he felt true happiness, despite Pan’s constant lessons about his impending doom.

“It is normal to feel trepidation,” Pan spoke softly, seeming to read Simon’s thoughts.

“Can the rabbit read thoughts?” Simon thought, considering all the times the rabbit seemed to know too much.

“No, I cannot,” Pan answered definitively. Simon broke into a broad grin and then they both laughed. Pan had a goofy guffawing laugh which exposed his large front teeth, Simon was going to miss his teacher despite all the brutal lessons he executed.

“I wish I had more time,” Pan spoke reflectively, “There is so much more to magic that I could teach you, but our time is short. Your body cannot last forever without you.”

They walked on in silence for a while. Simon considered his first stop when he returned to the world of the living. He knew that Volox Ofoon was not far from Graymere Falls and his friend, Connor. Simon recalled sensing an ancient power lurking beneath the surface of the settlement and with certainty he knew it was responsible for the wolf-like transformations that occurred there. It was possible he’d find an ally and the first gift from the gods, the Moon Stone.

There were also the orcs to consider. They were a brutal bunch, but Simon had managed to acquire some influence over their leader. But the issue was his fragile state as a simulacrum, should any of the orcs be resentful of his influence over their new king, Tetlak, Simon could be in danger. He’d need his original body back as soon as possible. Simon had left it far to the north, being drained of life by Lord Crusnik. Yidian had remained, but in a severely weakened state.

“Things will come together,” Pan spoke softly, “Vale and the other gods are working in their small ways. They want you to succeed.”

“If they can do this much, why don’t they simply make it right? Why do I need to be involved?”

“Their involvement always yields calamity. If humanity is to survive, it must be by its own strengths and resolve. But you will never be alone in the fight ahead, remember all you have learned. The last Wizard War is nearly at hand, because if you succeed, there will be no more wizards. Magic will cease to exist in your world and as a result it can finally heal.”

“’The fate of all magic will be decided’,” Simon spoke the final line of the cryptic prophesy he had heard from the kind priest of Raigar, Zolgrim. He smiled recalling the passionate night they shared after the serpentfolk’s molting ceremony. Simon blushed as he heard Pan clear his throat.

“Sorry,” Simon apologized for his stray thoughts.

“I shouldn’t have been peeking,” Pan waved a hand as if the fault were all his, “It is a bad habit of mine. Telepathy is not a great skill to possess if I’m honest.”

“I mean…” Pan continued after they had walked on for a bit, “It takes so very long to master and then half the things you hear from others, you wish you could unhear. More of a burden, really.”

“Did you have family?” Simon asked, “Others like you?”

“Once,” Pan exposed his big toothy grin as he recalled, “When I was alive, there was a rabbit with which I had several litters of kits. She was so beautiful… had this little white spot on her nose. But not all your kits survive, you know. Life is hard as a rabbit, and you must use your wits to survive as long as you can. Outsmart and outrun your natural predators.”

“You were a normal rabbit?” Simon was surprised by this.

“Of course!” Pan shook his head disapprovingly, “Have you learned nothing? Just like the katydid, Saggy Molly. We didn’t become the figures we are today until we died and arrived in Meridiah. Your world is for the humans but here, Vale offers us a chance to become more.”

“Why didn’t your wife join you here in Meridiah?”

“Wife,” Pan guffawed again, “She had many more lovers and many kits. I do not know what became of her.”

“Must get lonely.”

“No,” Pan answered quickly, “Mine has become a journey of intellect and discovery. I do not miss the days of lust and survival.”

Simon felt shame wash over him that so many of his thoughts and memories were related to sex, and his abilities as the Seeded One were undoubtedly intertwined with more depraved acts. Despite his sudden regret, Simon managed to catch the cane that was aimed directly at the back of his head.

“What was that for?” Simon asked.

“Have I not drilled into your mind that you must rely on your strengths?” Pan growled as he yanked his cane free from Simon’s grip.

“All this shame and moping will get you nowhere! I have a different journey than you, it doesn’t mean that what you feel and what you experience is wrong. You have incredible gifts as the Seeded One and you will need to use them.”

“I know,” Simon answered reluctantly, “I just don’t want to lose myself to them either.”

“If you can embrace the powers,” Pan placed a reassuring hand on Simon’s shoulder, “Only then can you wield them, and prevent them from controlling you.”

Pan let Simon walk in silence for a while, hoping that this lesson he’d been trying to get across might finally stick. In time they crested a large hill that was overlooking a steep drop. In the valley beyond, was an immense crater. Simon had seen this same crater filled with snow and an icy palace. When last he’d glimpsed the crater in Meridiah, he’d seen the Lorall family farmhouse. Now, Simon saw a massive tent he recognized immediately from Kaska. The orcs were historically nomadic so they could move town to town raiding and pillaging, so their choice in architecture still reflected those old ways.

“I see what you see only through your mind,” Pan commented as he looked with Simon down into the crater.

Simon looked beyond the crater and saw the normally bright sky of Meridiah was roiling with bloated storm clouds which were blocking one of the three suns. The resulting overcast painted the distant lands in a sickening crimson hue.

“What is that?” Simon asked in alarm.

“The demons are coming,” Pan answered gravely, “They will reach the mirror soon. Vale does what she can to stem the tide, but their numbers are many. Another reason I could no longer delay your return.”

Simon turned his attention back to the tent below, considering Pan’s words before he had become distracted.

“I take it we all see something different, for me it has changed from a house to a tent.”

“It confronts you with something that aims to keep you here. A final defense to stop stray souls from escaping.”

“What do you see?”

“A giant carrot cake of course…” Pan sighed as he shoved his hands in his pockets, “And not the rubbish you bake.”

Simon studied the rabbit momentarily, uncertain if it was a lie, and then Pan broke out into a big toothy grin and began to guffaw loudly.

“A giant carrot cake,” Simon waggled a finger, “That’s very good.”

“Your face,” Pan laughed, “When you thought I was serious for a moment! Just a moment, but it was worth it.”

When they’d finished their bout of laughter, Pan blinked and appeared again in the distance by the crater. He waved a hand beckoning Simon to follow. Simon swallowed nervously, since he’d never blinked such a distance before, but he knew distance didn’t matter if he could see the destination. Any resistance he felt to the plausibility of the jump was only perceived in his mind and not the reality. Simon focused on his destination and closed his eyes. With a lurch, like falling, he reappeared again about ten feet away from Pan.

“Well done, my boy,” Pan congratulated, “You’re getting better. Now, construct a simulacrum.”

Simon produced a quartz-like crystal from the pouch Daedalus had given him and placed it on the ground. Focusing on the magic that comprised his own soul, Simon produced a crystalline replica of himself which refracted light in such a way as to mimic his every feature. The statue stood lifelessly staring ahead with its dazzling green eyes.

“Not too bad,” Pan stroked his chin, “I think the durability of this crystal is an improvement but be sure to construct another as soon as possible, should this one become damaged. Now for the tricky part, transferring your soul inside.”

Simon had yet to successfully complete a transition into his simulacrum. It was like stepping into an ice bath, everything about the experience was uncomfortable. The immediate reaction was to recoil since you were intentionally surrendering your very soul to an inanimate crystal structure. He hesitated nervously while the rabbit watched him impatiently.

“Shall we wait for the army of demons to arrive?” Pan finally asked.

“Alright,” Simon snapped as he moved closer to the structure and began to step inside. Simon gulped hard as he slid inside the simulacrum, his body becoming incorporeal as it passed through the structure. Soon he was standing stiffly, as if wearing a bulky suit of armor. He tried to move his arms and they gave a disapproving crack.

“You are not inside a puppet, controlling it from within,” Pan scolded, “The simulacrum is an extension of yourself and you must will it to move with your mind, using the strength of your very soul.”

Simon recalled the surrender he had to experience while blinking, the unexpectant faith in his own magical ability. He tried to summon that feeling again and with his eyes closed took a lurching step forward inside the simulacrum. Several more unsteady steps with his eyes closed and he sensed himself teetering at the rim of the crater.

“Well, not the most graceful,” Pan remarked with some distaste, “Remember what I taught you, rely on your magical senses to…”

Simon caught the whizzing cane with his simulacrum’s hand without ever opening his eyes. He opened them at last and smiled at the rabbit who nodded approvingly.

“I stand corrected,” Pan patted Simon on the shoulder, “I must let you go on your own from here. Down into the crater you must descend.”

Simon turned around and looked toward the tent below and then across the crater to the crimson sky.

“They intend to cross over?” Simon asked.

“If they have hosts to use.”

“Like the demon that has my body?”

“Your demon was summoned,” Pan spoke cautiously, “Its influence while your soul remains is limited. What Belothemid seeks is far more sinister than that. More akin to the vampire, where the souls have been hollowed out and the demon is free to act.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to just destroy the mirror now? Before they get here?”

“You forget the other three gifts from the gods,” Pan urged, “They cannot remain or more wars will be waged, and more lives will be lost.”

“The Moon Stone, the Siren’s Conch, and the Heart of the Sun,” Simon recited.

“When you’ve claimed them all, then you can return to destroy the Mirror of Souls.”

Simon tried to sigh heavily, but the simulacrum did not draw breath and an eerie vibration rumbled through its chest instead. He threw out his arms in disgust instead.

“Thank you for being my teacher,” Simon smiled at the giant rabbit and then moved in for a hug. At first Pan stiffened with unease before patting Simon gently on the back. Simon never realized how soft the rabbit’s fur was.

“I am not your pet,” Pan grunted, “Stop rubbing my fur.”

“Sorry,” Simon apologized as he released the rabbit.

“Be safe, my boy, and remember all the things I taught you.”

“I will,” Simon nodded, “I look forward to seeing you again one day.”

With that Simon turned and began to descend into the crater. He had a long walk ahead before he reached the tent in the distance. Progress was slow as he carefully learned how to walk again within the simulacrum. It was not normal to consider raising each foot and placing it back down with a conscious effort, but while within the simulacrum he had to picture the actions in his mind’s eye as they were occurring. Step by step, Simon began to make progress. He glanced back once as the slope of the crater began to subside and saw that Pan Toufle was gone.

Simon continued his progress toward the orc king’s tent. The barren ground of the crater held no hiding places, but Simon could not shake the feeling he was being watched. His eyes continually darted to the edges of the crater, expecting someone to be standing in the distance watching his progress.

“Did you have a good laugh?” A voice growled down from overhead.

Simon looked up and saw a large, winged creature swooping by so fast he almost couldn’t track the movement. Simon turned round but could no longer see the creature until it thudded on the ground right beside him. Turning in horror, Simon looked up into a familiar human face on a feline body.

“Did you laugh as I struggled to breathe on the ground?”

The sphinx was called Luxicrucifor, and Simon had not seen the creature since his first experience in Meridiah. At the time, Simon had attempted to get past the creature by answering its riddles, but when he’d realized his death was imminent Simon had used magic to turn the sphinx into a giant fish.

“Do you not answer, because your answer is incriminating?” Luxicrucifor purred menacingly as it battered Simon with one of its large paws.

“I’m sorry?” Simon asked with his mouth agape, “What did you ask?”

“Did you laugh when you turned me into a fish? Watched me flop on the ground, struggling for breath?”

“No,” Simon cleared his throat nervously, “Of course not.”

“I’m made of beauty…” The sphinx began to recite as it circled its prey.

Simon looked toward the tent not far away now and felt utterly foolish. How many times had Pan taught him? How many times had he shown him?

“I’m made of lies…” the sphinx continued.

Simon focused on the tent flaps fluttering in the desolate breeze.

“When you come to find me, your soul will die.”

Instead of answering the riddle posed by the creature, Simon closed his eyes and blinked to the entrance of the tent. He slipped inside as soon as he reappeared. Simon turned to see if the sphinx would follow him, but only heard menacing snarls from the other side of the tent flaps.

“You should hope, boy, that we do not meet again” Luxicrucifor hissed, “The time for riddles has ended and I will gladly kill you!”

“Not if I kill him first,” a brutish man responded behind Simon. There was a heavy thud on the ground as Simon sidestepped out of the way of a massive war hammer. Simon’s eyes traveled up the handle of the hammer, over the light green arms bulging with muscles, and rested on the orc’s face with three red lines tattooed underneath the left eye.

“Rom,” Simon gasped in disbelief.

“How dare you address me this way, slave!” roared the orc as he attempted to swing his hammer back in Simon’s direction. Simon backed away swiftly and continued to do so. as the former orc king made several more wanton swings with the hammer.

There was no time to hesitate, the dangerous mirror that had once played on his fears and regrets was now simply trying to kill him. Simon didn’t want to see any other horrors from his past, he simply wanted to get out of Meridiah and back to the world he left behind. He scanned the room and found the mirror in the back of the tent, hiding behind the orc king’s throne.

“No!” Rom cried with rage, “That world is not meant for you!”

Simon was bolting at a full sprint toward the throne as he heard the massive orc pursuing him through the small space. Grabbing the back of the throne, Simon vaulted around the obstacle and plunged feet-first into the silvery surface of the mirror.

Simon felt life, like glass stabbing him all over, and the sudden nakedness of his soul as it was locked inside its crystal shell. The water crashed in around him, but he needed to draw no breath. He saw only a sparkling shimmer on the surface above and the brilliant white of stone pillars beyond. He rose rapidly through the water to stand upon the surface and walked calmly out of the pool.

The vast, untapped magic potential of Meridiah was already fading away as he fell to his knees after a couple of steps away from the pool. The world around him felt so oppressive after being away for so long. His new crystalline body felt stiffer and more clunky than he at first believed. He had not understood, despite Pan’s warnings, how exposed his soul would feel without his body until he experienced it for the first time. He crawled forward struggling to orient himself.

In his confusion, Simon did not immediately notice the many butterfly-winged fae approaching him with their magic batons raised before them. Then the magic that controlled his simulacrum was ensnared by multiple batons. Simon felt the magic biting into him like fishhooks beneath skin that he did not have. No, he realized, it was far worse. Those fishhooks were in his soul.

“Souls are not meant to flee from the pool!” a fairy was proclaiming, “We must return it from whence it came!”

Simon let out a tortured cry of anguish as he struggled against the bonds trying to hold him. More fae kept adding their batons to the melee as they discovered he was not submitting easily.

“My body…” Simon spoke through gritted teeth, “Is still here.”

“Stop!” cried a young fae with black wings and their attacks halted for a moment.

“I belong here,” Simon spoke quickly, shaking with relief, “I was sent by Vale.”

There were mutters and confused glances amongst the gathered fae.

“We shall take you to Limue, the Inquisitor for the Volox Authority,” squeaked the one who had ordered them to stop attacking. Simon nodded gratefully, even though he felt he had no time for this nonsense.

Simon followed the fae willingly enough as he tried to recover from the sensation of many batons digging into his soul with their magic. He had not seen much of Volox Ofoon on his first visit, but he realized quickly that there were many such pools in the fae settlement. All the others were simply decoys built to hide the pool from which Simon had escaped. The barrier between life and death had to be protected and that was why the fae congregated there.

After walking a bit farther, Simon stopped dead in his tracks, his mouth hanging open in disbelief. The fae guards, following closely, had begun to fly into his back at the sudden change in motion. They poked angrily at him with their batons when he did not move. Simon stared across a courtyard with a vast pool filled with a deep inky liquid. Simon felt his world tilting as he watched two familiar, hulking orcs clamber out of the dark abyss.