Buttopia
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Chapter 266: Cards, Chaos, & Change
🕑 Added 2025-11-21 06:16:46 +0000 UTCAlex
“You’re sure you don’t want to join us planet-side?” Yorela asked.
It hadn’t been the first time she had asked, and I had turned her down each time before. As interested as nearly everyone else was in Vidack, I just didn’t see the appeal. It was one more delay in our hunt for William. While I did understand why we had to stop, I couldn’t bring myself to take in the sights, not when there was time for more training.
“No, thank you, I appreciate the offer. Just keep John and Maud out of trouble,” I answered.
“Suit yourself, but if you change your mind, don’t be shy. It will be good for you to get off the ship,” Yorela said before leaving the room.
I doubted I would. Instead, I quickly made my way to the training room that had been used for sparring against Mel. I wanted to catch the man before he had a chance to disembark. I needed one more training session before he left.
There had been something about the atmosphere here since we landed. It felt stronger than anywhere we had been so far. There was something resonating through me and into my mana orb, and it just felt right to put that to use before we left again.
I found him floating in the center of the room, a dozen halberds surrounding him. His eyes were closed, not that I was sure that meant anything. His physiology was still the most unique I had encountered, so what he actually needed for his senses or what those senses were, I had no real idea. Did Dad even know?
Each of the halberd’s tips glowed a different color as they started to rotate slowly around him. Small flashes of light, matching the radiances let off by the weapons, danced on the tips. It was nearly hypnotizing to watch.
Just as I felt my eyes start to grow heavy, the rotation stopped. Shaking my head slightly, I regained my focus only to see the weapons vanish, all of their energy discharged into Mel, and then flowed out of his body down through the small sapling I hadn’t noticed before.
It was the potted cloudtree Cecile had given Mel before we left. Was Mel helping it to grow with the energy, or was this how he rejuvenated his own body? One of the leaves on the tree vibrated just slightly as the energy transfer finished.
Mel’s eyes opened, and he looked directly into my own for nearly a minute before speaking. “Not gonna head down ta the planet?” he asked.
“No, but I was hoping to talk to you, and possibly try a fight before you left. There’s something about the energy of the world that seems to be interacting with my mana orb. Is that normal? I know Earth had a weak mana flow. Is that just what happens in places with a strong one?” I didn’t think that was the answer, but I didn’t even know the right questions to ask.
“Not really my area of knowledge. Pretty sure chaotic space and mana flows don’t mix right normally at all, though that may just be about forming the orbs. Been a while since I heard anything about that. What’s it feel like?” he asked, his eyes narrowing slightly as he looked me over.
“Like something is singing, but I can’t quite make out the words. It almost feels like a dream that you don’t quite remember. Does any of that make sense?” I didn’t think it did. Even as I said it, it sounded like nonsense, and I was the one experiencing it.
“Use your mana orb,” Mel instructed, still giving me the odd look.
The only mana skill I had unlocked so far was Radiance. I had put all five ranks I had managed to gain into it. As I triggered it, I felt my core energy surge from my body. It wasn’t the first time I had done so, which was why I could easily tell the difference.
It burst out of me much more forcefully than it should have, blanketing the whole room with the energy. The singing I couldn’t entirely hear before erupted all around us. A harmony of sounds filled the air.
“That’s the sound!” I yelled, trying to get my voice heard over it.
“Yeah, kinda figured that out already!” Mel yelled back.
As the effect started to die down, a System notification popped into my view. It was one I hadn’t seen before. I smiled.
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Mana Orb Rank Increase <Tropical Rainforest>
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My own smile hadn’t been lost on me either. The field the mana skill had created had done something more to calm the rage inside of me. I almost felt like my old self again, but I couldn’t let that hold. Not yet. Not until William was safe.
“The rank increased on my mana orb,” I said, no longer needing to yell.
“Yeah, not sure at all what’s going on. I’m gonna go find Squidlen or Yorela and see what they know. I ain’t worried, but this seems too strange to leave alone. Which means yer getting yer ass off this boat, so come on.” As he spoke, Mel’s tone had gone from wonder to that of a gruff father, not that that was what my father sounded like.
No, that was closer to my mom. The thought of Mel as my mom almost made me laugh. It seemed I couldn’t shrug off the effects of the burst of radiance as easily as I thought I could. Was it really such a bad thing that I couldn’t?
“Alright,” I said, giving in. The potential for growing my mana orb even further was more than enough reason to finally drag me out of here.
Maud
“Oh my god! John, do you see how pretty the skies are?” Maud yelled as they stepped off the ship. She had seen some amazing sights so far, but nothing compared to the distant horizon she was currently looking at.
What looked like mountains floated above the land. Sparking waterfalls cascaded down from several of them as strange flying animals flew through the falling water. Maud knew that if she could make them out at this distance, they had to be huge. As great as her vision had become, it hadn’t progressed far enough for any other answer she could think of.
“I do. I wonder how the mountains float like that. Is the whole planet like this?” John asked, turning his head to Squidlen.
“Yeah, there’s something in the core of this planet that protects it from the usual danger of chaotic space. Part of that leftover mana flow produces the wonders you see around us,” he answered.
“And you said they all use card magic here? Why not mana orbs if the mana flow is so strong?” Maud asked, still curious what card magic would even look like. She had been stuck on images of a certain red-eyed thief who threw exploding cards since she had first heard it mentioned.
“Chaotic space and mana orb formation don’t mix. And when I said they use card magic, I didn’t mean they only used card magic. There are gonna be plenty of people using the same magic you’re used to, but be careful. Things aren’t the same as the Spiral out here. Lots of people in chaotic space are running from something, and the ones who managed to make it here alive, they’re usually the type you don’t want to get involved with.” Squidlen gave Maud a stern look as he said that.
She didn’t know why everyone assumed she’d be the one to cause the problems. That was almost always Dave! She just asked questions, a lot of questions. Questions were important. It’s how you learned things!
“Excuse me, are you Maud?” a hooded figure asked from the pier Maud was climbing onto. She forced herself not to curse out loud, even as she heard John laugh lightly beside her.
“And just who you be? Don’t believe I’ve ever met you before, can’t imagine the girl has,” Squidlen asked, taking a quick step in front of Maud.
She was impressed at how quickly he had moved to protect her. His words had also cut off John’s laugh. Maud had seen that look on John’s face before. Squidlen’s reaction to the question had spooked him.
“Apologies, Captain, no harm intended,” the figure said, bowing slightly on the word captain, exposing a head that reminded Maud of a goat. “I do not actually know Maud. I just know that my master gained a quest yesterday that they were to meet with a new Inheritor who would be arriving today on your ship. The only information they had was that the Inheritor would be named Maud, and accompanied by a primal mana beast.”
“Oh, oh!” Maud said excitedly. It had been so long since she had gained the quest for her class, she had almost forgotten about it. Was this the world that the Jritotle had settled on in chaotic space?
“I take it by that reaction that this lines up with something you already know?” Squidlen asked, turning back toward Maud.
“Yeah! Um, I’ve got a special quest too. Is it okay if I break off and head with this guy?” Maud asked, intending to go even if they said it wasn’t. Maybe. She wouldn’t want to endanger the rescue mission. But this was the first sign of completing her quest she had found in ages.
“What guild do you represent?” Squidlen asked, returning his gaze to the newcomer.
“The Awakened,” they replied.
“Ah, well, I suppose that does explain a bit. Really, a quest to be an Inheritor? Should have led with that when you asked for passage. Though it makes me question again what insanity you’ve managed to get me tangled in. But I suppose that wasn’t the question you asked. Not only should you go with him, I think it would be a terrible idea if you didn’t,” Squidlen replied.
“Wait, really? No, 'be careful?' Or that 'it’s dangerous too go alone take this?'” Maud asked, a little surprised. Mel and Pryte would never have let her wander off on an alien planet like this. She was really starting to like Squidlen.
“Well, I’m guessing they aren’t going to let your husband come along. There are some pretty strict rules about who the Awakened allow into their halls. Lucky for you, we just happen to have three of your companions right here that they’d be glad to allow entry,” Squidlen said.
“Huh, why can’t I go?” John asked, worry in his voice.
“The Awakened are a guild that specializes in mana beasts. Quit being vague, Squiddy, you gotta remember these guys are still brand new to all this. They aren’t even really used to the Spiral yet. But yeah, he is right, you can’t go, John,” Yorela answered, shaking her head at the captain as she spoke.
“I forgot how much you liked to ruin my fun,” Squidlen replied. “John, just stick with the guys picking up supplies. You wanted to hunt down some food to cook anyway. Maud will be fine, I promise.”
“Honestly, there isn’t a lot I could do to help her if she were in danger anyway. She’s the powerhouse between us,” John said with a smile. The worry had vanished from his voice.
“Aww! Alright, come on, guys, let’s go meet more animals!” Maud said as she walked up to the person who had asked about her. “Where to?”
“Follow me,” they replied.
“Bye!” Maud called to the others before she started after him, the animals coming up behind her.
Sanquar
He was surprised Squidlen had let Maud go off on her own like that. It wasn’t something he thought Pryte would have allowed, and he wasn’t sure how Mel would react when he learned of it. But Sanquar didn’t know chaotic space well enough to argue. No, that wasn’t correct. He didn’t remember what he knew well enough.
Since that coating had been removed from inside himself, he was getting a better idea of his memories. He could feel things finally starting to line up again, but it would be time before those nodes fully ordered themselves. Right now, most of his attempts to sort through what he could remember resulted in a random assortment of images, most of which he couldn’t figure out how they joined together.
He didn’t think he had been to this planet before, at least. Because Maud had certainly been correct in her assessment of its beauty, and that didn’t seem like something he would easily forget. Then again, had any of his lost memories come easily? How in hell had a sapient black hole ever been involved there? No matter how strong he may have been, there was just no way he could imagine himself stronger than that kind of monster.
Mostly, he had been focusing his mind on trying to find what he could recall of card magic, and so far, it was very little. He was sure he had met at least one person who had specialized in it, but who they were or where that meeting had occurred was still locked away. Somehow, he was managing to keep that frustration under control, though.
“You sure it was a good idea to send John off with the crew? Maud is one thing. She seems to thrive in chaos. John is a bit more orderly,” Yorela said.
Sanquar found himself agreeing. He liked both of them a lot, but John hadn’t taken to their new existence quite as well as Maud had. That had surprised him initially, considering how well Dave had done. That was until he realized Dave hadn’t actually done all that well.
Dave had spent his initial experience in the Spiral off in a training world learning, and somewhat encapsulated from the worst of it. And despite that, Sanquar had learned how badly the man’s own anxiety had plagued him for almost the entirety of his stay. It was a Dave able to return to Earth and save his family that he had tried to compare John to, and that hadn’t been fair.
“It’ll be good for him. It’s not like things get safer from here out. Better he starts getting used to things before all of everything, not only can, but actively want to kill us,” Squidlen answered.
“How long has it been since you’ve been here anyway?” Yorela asked.
“Couple of decades. Not too long. Our friends should still be around. Doubt anyone from the Spiral has caught up to them yet.”
“Considering how quickly things are starting to fall apart there, I would be surprised if anyone catches up to them ever. I’m not even sure the Spire has any kind of real bounty hunters left,” Yorela added.
“Yeah, it’s turning into a sad sight, that’s for sure. If there isn’t another expansion soon, the brewing faction war is going to tear everything apart.”
“What are your plans if that happens?” Sanquar asked, joining the conversation. Unlike the majority of the friends he had made recently, Squidlen had a choice. He could avoid the Spiral until whatever mess it became fixed itself. Though that did assume it ever would.
“No idea. There’s a lot of money to be made if something like that happens, of course, but at the same time, ain’t exactly safe to stick around. But those are decisions I’ll make when I see how the wind is blowing. There’s a good chance I’ll be long dead before that happens anyway,” he answered.
“You always think you’ll be dead, never seems to actually happen,” Yorela added.
“If I stopped hiring such an ugly crew, death might be more willing to take me.” Squidlen suddenly stopped walking. “Looks like they’ve added another floor.”
They had come to a halt in front of a large, strange building. Considering half the building was floating at least a few hundred feet above the other half, Sanquar wasn’t sure if you’d consider it one or two. Near the only door, Sanquar could see floated a sign that read “Card Emporium”.
“What exactly am I going to have to do to learn card magic?” Sanquar asked. This wasn’t the first time he had done so. But every other time hadn’t gotten him an answer other than to wait until they got here. They were here now, and he wanted to know just what was about to happen to him.
“No idea, but the people who do know are inside. Well, they probably are. If they’ve chosen this decade to actually decide to get off their asses, I’m gonna be pretty annoyed.” Squidlen’s answer did little to settle Sanquar’s mind.
While the captain answered, Yorela had knocked on the door. “What’s the password?” a voice asked as a panel slid away near the top of the door, revealing a set of eyes.
“Don’t got one. Tell old man Dane that Squidlen and Yorela are here to see him,” Yorela replied.
“Dammit! I told you to stop calling me old. Who the hell taught you your manners?” the voice asked with an air of actual annoyance to it.
“Oh, just let us in already, Dane. Got a problem and need your help,” Squidlen said, rolling his eyes.
“Fine, get your asses in here already,” Dane replied, the door creaking open to reveal a large grey-haired Yeti on the other side.
The Awakened Guild is rumored to be a core chain in the liberation of primal mana beasts, as well as other awakened mana beasts from the Spiral. It is also believed that the Paladins of Conservation have worked closely with them to free some of the creatures captured by the more powerful factions.
If this is true, it does raise the question of who exactly is the head of the Awakened. It would take a powerful channeler to be willing to stand up to the might that some of the factions possess. These connections have long been investigated, but as the guild has moved all of its branches into chaotic space, the Spiral has fewer resources to pursue the matter.
For now, it seems it will be on the individual factions to deal with their lost resources as they deem fit.
Orders, Both Secret and Public of the Spiral by Qquauqq
Comments
The Grey One
“Wait, really? No, 'be careful'? Or that 'it’s dangerous to go alone take this'?” Maud asked -- need to make the quotes... well... quotes :)
rcm024
"I ain’t worried, but this seems too strange not to leave alone." -too strange to leave alone "Mel and Pryte would never have let her wander off an alien planet like this." -wander off on an alien planet "Considering how quickly things are starting to fall apart there, I wouldn’t be surprised if anyone catches up to them ever." -I would be surprised if anyone ever catches up to them
viperfan7
Is it weird I picture squidlen as squidward?
