Master Of None

2085  2085. Nicer Inside

There wasn't really a problem using the evil tree, but they all felt a little bad seeing that Remey was using the flames to cut through the roots that dared to bother them. But at the end of the day. There might be a raisin for this sort of path cutting. The evil tree might be able to live here for a long time, but if the genesis forces took this island after defeating the demon lord, then there was a major chance that they would need to ensure safety on and of the island. The evil trees would eb a risk for the forces that came here. For those that might need to come here so that they could travel to the elemental mana planes. There was a place that could be used to repair the bride to the elemental planes here. The space was closer to the elemental planes than any other place. Therefore, it made a lot of sense that this could be a very important location in the future. It also meant that the floating city would be needed to be blocked off to ensure that there was privacy for the angels' historical city. They would need to do that or they would have to move the now ruined and collapsed floating city. Both issues for another day and another mind altogether. When it came to the current situation though, Walker was keeping a careful eye on the changes in mana. He could sense where the mana was being passed around through the ruin forest. Each root that had a connection to the evil trees was almost glowing to his eyes. A big vibrant flash that told him that they were not plants and actually part of a monster. This was why Remey was able to fight so easily. Every root or branch that could cross in their way, was kicked away. She had Walker telling her every move. Every single warning was perfect for her to use minimal condensed fire mana. "We should be making our way up through the mountain that way, right?" Su pointed in to the dark cave that had once been part of the ruins. Stones were broken around it that had some evidence of carving. Not that they could be understood or explained. Too many years had passed by for them to have even a little bit of an appraisal other than an ancient rough stone. "We could climb the outside, right? There are trees and ruins all along the outside of the mountain too." Gil pointed up at the mess of green that was climbing the mountain. Trees, bushes, and other plants stuck out of the mountain. But along with that there were also pieces of the ruins underneath the green. "The only reason I don't' think we should do that is that the ruin aspect of that might shift. The plants have been growing on and around them for years. With our added weight, they might shift and stone might break and fall on us." Walkr definitely considered it. But he knew that there was too much risk. He also didn't think it wise to fly up there. The chances of them being attacked were high. They would also be an open target for anyone to attack. This would just get worse as they got higher in the air. Beyond that, he could lose focus and not be able to use wind aman to carry everyone up. "I don't smell anything." Midnight had been sniffing the rocky hole that was once some form of entrance. She didn't get a whiff of any monsters. Something that was also somewhat odd. "The roots don't go inside either. Just around and on the broken stones." Gil kicked a broken stone and saw that even the grass had not grown beyond a certain point.

"Then it might be a little more intact than what we were thinking on the inside." This could be a good or bad thing depending on what was going on. But this island and everything related to it was overall very odd. As they moved inside, the air felt much cooler. But a soft breeze flowed through bringing in some warmth from the outside. Surprisingly, there were no mildew or stagnant water smells. This made it even safer in a way. That meant there would be no plants or molds that could be poisonous to inhale. A good sign. n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Analyzing their surroundings, the party found that the inside was another surprise. The broken stones were still supported. Very faint runes were on the walls. Just strong enough to keep the main structures held up. They were the simplest of earth runes that allowed earth mana toi be brought in to the stone. It made the cave stronger that had been carved throughout the entire mountain. Similar simple wind runes were on the floors. It was why there were no piles of dust or other random things around the sides of the walls. The walls themselves were actually pretty flat where they had not cracked or pieces of stone ceiling had fallen in. It was the flow of manas at the core that made everything feel odd. The mana was not reacting to what the party would normally be able to do with it. Walker found that he couldn't call on any of the mana whatsoever. Fleur was even trapped within the spirit mark because the ambient mana was trying to push back at her. An entirely odd feeling. "I read about this before!" Remey laughed slightly at this. She saw everyone's faces turn in to a stunned expression. "Oh right, I'm just the alchemical brawler. My fists can't read. Nooooo." Her follow up response erased the stunned looks and replaced them with the same flat faced glances. "So you read about not being able to control mana even though it is literally all around us right now?" Since Gil was being pushy and actually asked, Remey began to explain. "I was reading about an herb called the magic block herb. It has these weird star shaped leaves and was written in an alchemy book about herbs that can be used for odd potions that many people don't make or can't make." "The magic block herb is useless until ingested. It stops mana from being used because of the way that its manas interfere with the mana in a body. But the issue with it was that potions made from it were very short shelf life. One alchemist made them useful though." "He made the potion in two parts. One that makes it in to a mist, then the other that when mixed activates the magic block herb. Therefore, mana stopping mist is made. But the same effects can happen when someone walks all over a large patch of these herbs. So there must be magic block herbs being walked all over in here." "You're saying that there are herbs in here somewhere that just got trampled. And those are stopping everyone that breathes it in from using mana for a while?" Now it was odd to see Su so worried. But she was worried for one reason. Walker was their whaler besides many other things. Without him being able to heal, they were limited to only potions. Walking carefully, the party kept pushing forward. "It has to be upward. That would make sense since the breeze is coming from that direction. Be ready for monsters or anything else." while Walker felt this would be a great natural defense to grow this herb. He also knew that it was much more dangerous now. They would all have to handle the facts that Beyond not being able to use mana, they were also not able to see as well in this dimly lit area. They were left to physical strength and that was pretty much it. Not that they were weak by any means. But Onyx was struggling. Technically he used mana to change the size of his body by hiding it in the shadows oftentimes. Now he was moving much slower.

"Brother." "I know, we will move faster." Walker allowed Onyx in his smaller form to take the usual spot on his shoulder. This was the best chance. With Midnight sniffing the air ahead, they began to follow the slightly grassy scent of herbs that they could smell after a few moments of moving. When they found the cut out stairway, it was just another sign of the immense mana control that those that built this place had. Yes, some of the stone steps were crumbling slightly due to time taking its toll, but they were still here and solid. They also had clear shapes spo that they could be used for every day use. Now they had a way up.  …

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Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!