CHAPTER 28: Another One Rides The Bus...
With a calm mind and an empty mug I rejoined the others inside, “Arthur, I found a good spot, pack up let’s get moving.”
“Woof!”
“Indeed! But, to do what?” Asked Brenden.
“Arthur had something he wanted me to ask The Manager. I didn’t ask you guys before we went in. I’m sorry for that. If there’s anything you want to know, we can figure that out as well. When I looked at the map earlier I saw plenty of those robot guys scattered around.” I explained.
“There’s only one question I have... When will mom return?” Brenden said without stuttering in his normal voice.
Pain was evident in his eyes as I tried to reassure him, “We’ll figure it out, one way or another.”
We packed up as we went over the plan for the day. I enjoyed another cup of coffee, this time not having a mental breakdown, flashback or anything else.
We walked to an area that I found on the side of the still smoking Manager building. There was a flat dirt square where a house use to sit.
“Go ahead pup.” I pointed to the ground.
He was a little dust devil as he moved, kicking up a storm of dirt as he wrote down one word.
“Resurrection?” I read.
Brenden remained silent, unsure what to make of our situation, but he knew with this topic it was best to avoid any witty remarks.
I thought about why my dog would be curious about resurrection and it hit me like a train. The noise he’d been making wasn’t moaning because he was sad or upset, he was humming a song.
It was one of our road trip playlist songs by the band Queen. She chose this song in particular before pulling off due to the lyrics about best friends.
It was also one of the many songs I refuse to play since losing her, the memories too harmful to my weak mind. With my eyes locked on Arthur I could finally see the depth of sadness hiding behind his light brown eyes, and I realized it was selfish of me to keep everything from him like I had.
Honestly, I didn’t think he would remember her. Thinking back though, she did tell me that she went to hangout with him every day after work until we were able to take him home. She did a good job keeping the secret, she told me she was working overtime hours until the surprise was revealed.
I don’t know how he remembered these moments. I guess she just had that effect on people.
I took a knee and Arthur ran to me with a wagging tail, “I’m sorry buddy. I don’t think that’s possible.” I said as I pet the length of his back.
I had to remain strong for him, but also honest.
He turned and wrote in the dirt again.
“Why not? I think it was too long ago bud.”
I read out loud as he continued, “I hear voice. Night you return from toom. She woke me. She say, ‘Dad Need Help.’” He finished writing and looked up to me.
I froze for a moment, thinking about the memory I had in Shu’s Labyrinth, “I—I heard her too... When I was lost in the tomb, her voice snapped me out of a trance somehow... I don’t think it’s possible, it’s been years but we will try, and we will get answers. Trust me, I would do anything to have her back.”
Arthur nod his head as determination set in to my eyes.
We set off on our journey South, stopping to fill our water bottles at a stream. I poured a small bowl of the Sanctified Water for Arthur. Brenden picked up some rocks from the stream, storing them in an empty coffee container.
I gotta make him a little satchel to keep on his side. If we were back at Conviction I could whip something up quick, I suppose it has to wait for now.
“Keep practicing while we walk, keep throwing, use your wrist a bit more to flick them out. You’ll get it.” I tried to help Brenden as we continued South.
We had a quiet morning walk until we got on the highway, Brenden put his new skill to use when we ran into a new type of flying mutation. These weren’t crows like before, but smaller faster birds. A pack of mutated Finches classified as “Radiant Glarefinch” all above level 15.
They darted as one.
Brenden threw a rock into the center of the bunch and wings flit as they easily avoided the rock, but they didn’t get far enough away. Brenden snapped his fingers and the pebble shattered. A burst of concentrated Mana blew most birds from the sky while some were completely eradicated.
The remaining birds let out some type of blinding light strike that burned on impact but did little damage. I assumed in packs they likely shredded opponents. We just had their weakness on our side, Brenden and his area damage.
After slapping the others out of the air with a few wide gusts of wind, Arthur chomped them up and we were on our way.
“Good fuckin’ throw B-Rend.” I said, trying to build his confidence.
“Why thank you Sire, not bad yourself.” He said throwing a pebble at a mile marker and missing it by a foot.
“Keep on throwing. New loot! Here ya go.” I handed a third of the rare ‘Irradiated Feathers’ to Brenden then Arthur.
“Hmm, Crafting material? What could one craft with a feather?” Brenden pondered, tapping his chin like the regular old cartoon character he was.
“Arrows, additions to armor. Hmm... Probably a bunch of stuff if you just use your, imagination!” I said creating my own imaginary rainbow in the air with my hands.
Brenden caught the reference and laughed, “Aren’t you too old to know that one?”
“What?! No way! That’s from my childhood, not yours. Don’t you young ones try to claim the Great Bob.” I said with mock affront.
“Okay, all yours!”
We had an uneventful walk for most of the day, only running into a couple packs of Spriggans and stray transmogrified Undeads here and there. We reached our half way point by midday.
I started a light jog to work on Brenden’s conditioning and he didn’t complain one bit, surprisingly he pushed himself way longer than anticipated.
I was glad to see him taking everything seriously. Disregarding the act he put on and the way he presented himself, I could tell he cared about his survival, growing stronger, and those around him.
Toward the end of our jog Arthur started his humming again. It took me a bit to figure out the song because he hummed so quietly but once I figured it out, I knew it immediately. It was one of her favorite songs after all, like so many others around that time period.
Hoping that it would help him through whatever, I decided to jump in once he reached the pre-chorus.
“We were just kids when we,” I continued singing through the sappy song, Arthur raised the volume of his hum to howls.
“Dancing in the!” Brenden joined in on the chorus.
We continued to jog, singing our lungs out as we traveled the abandoned highway, passing another group of destroyed vehicles.
Arthur’s tail was wagging just like it use to as we went, I could tell he was happy when we were singing.
I reminisced on the nights she would drag me away from my work and play that song or any other popular love song. I would follow her to the middle of the living room and we would slow dance like an old couple who already shared decades together. I would just hold her afterwards, never wanting to let go. I wish I never did.
I cleared my throat and look down to Arthur, “She was perfect.”
“Woof!”
Brenden jogged to my side and whispered, “Do you mind if I ask, of whom do you speak?” Sounding almost scared while asking.
“My wife. Arthur’s Mother, we lost her years ago. I’ve haven’t talked about her much since it happened. I think it’s time I change that, for him.” I pointed to Arthur who kept pace in front of us.
“I’m s—sorry for your loss. I’m sure she was gr—great.” He said in his normal voice, stuttering again.
“Thanks, she was. Arthur didn’t get as much time with her as he should have.”
“Well, I would love to hear some storrrries if you ever feel inclined to share with a lowly Squire.” The accent returned like a slap in the mouth and I couldn’t help but laugh out my emotions.
“Sure thing B.”
While jogging up a long hill on the 3 lane highway I noticed a school bus in the distance. Seeing the vehicle wasn’t odd, but the fact it was fully intact with no damage on the front end, made it very odd.
Arthur growled backing my suspicions.
I called the boys in as I used Scout Gaze to try to clear up what we were seeing.
We were still at a good distance, so it would be plausible if our eyes were playing tricks on us.
With another class point into Scout Gaze I could clearly see the full sized yellow and black school bus. It was parked in the middle of the highway where the lanes merge. The stop sign for children to cross was sticking off the side of the bus.
As I looked for anything out of the ordinary, I finally noticed something under the bus.
It was like the bus knew it was made as the cracked hood suddenly slammed shut. As soon as I witnessed it move, a health bar appeared.
[Big Yellow—Level 25]
[Lesser Demonic Reconversion of the Second]
It looked like something was hanging from the bottom a second ago but I’m assuming that’s because it’s a mimic of sorts? What a confusing goddamn tag.
I couldn’t make out what was hanging under the bus from our distance, but it looked like random parts falling off the bottom of the vehicle.
I relayed the information and Brenden did some Sherlock Holmes deducing, “Reconversion implies it’s already been changed once before. So, my assumption is, this was a normal transmogrified human who was then merged with a lesser demon, or perhaps possession.”
“Makes sense. So it’s going to have some tricks and probably nasty magic. Wanna fight it?” I asked Brenden and Arthur.
I was going to fight it regardless because it was tagged as a demon, but I wanted to give them the option to jump in.
“I don’t know Sire, ‘tis a high level.” Brenden contemplated.
“Ruff,” Arthur hit me with a strong hushed answer.
“Mini-boss fight?” I asked.
“You are indeed crrrazy Sir. Very well, you have my stones. Let us plan.”
“Alright, maybe don’t say I have your stones. Sounds, iffy... Start with a big flashy open? Arthur can cast Fissure and his new Escalator Solution from behind the bus. I’ll try to dodge and parry tank as much as I can with my sword and shield until I get some damage built up. Any other ideas?” I said trying to come up with a plan on the fly.
“Where do I throw my Arcane Projectiles after the opening?” Brenden asked.
“Split to the left, keep your distance and fall behind me if you draw aggro. Arthur, once you hit the back, swing around and fight on my right, quick in and out that way Brenden can make it rain on the back of the bus. Sound good Bugaloo?”
“Woof!” Arthur took his ready stance and equipped his armor with adorable head protection for this fight.
“Verrry well.” Brenden agreed slipping his armor on and somewhat looking the part. The Spriggan armor was very good for it’s low tier, despite the fact that it was like plate armor made of solid wood branches like the Spriggans themselves, it allowed him plenty of movement as the branches rolled and twisted with his movements.
We set off on a light jog up the hill to close in on the bus. Once closer I used Scout Gaze again to see if I could get a better view of what we were dealing with.
Again, the outside looked like a regular old school bus. I focused on the parts that I saw dangling underneath moments ago and they were completely gone.
I called out, “Something is off, slow up!”
About 100 yards from the bus we reconvened to chat but the bus started moving toward us, the only sound were the rolling tires on the road.
“Oh, it drives. Neat. Stick to the plan and get ready to run to the side.” The bus picked up speed as Brenden and Arthur split off to each side, Brenden pulled a pebble from his pocket and began siphoning Mana into it.
“Yip!” I yelled as the bus closed in around 45 miles per hour. At least that’s what the ever trusty eyeball test told me.
Brenden and I closed our eyes for a brief second. Arthur started us off with a Flash Step, if the thing had eyes it couldn’t see anymore, I opened my eyes to see Brenden throwing his Magic Pebble at the front of the bus.
The rock hit the ground just under the front end.
The explosion from Brenden’s spell lifted the front wheels off of the ground and for a brief second, I saw under the bus.
“Brenden, run!” Piles of ashen limbs and sharp smiles were packed within the undercarriage.
The bus drove straight toward me, I wasn’t confident in my new plan but I couldn’t think of anything better on the spot. So, I rolled with it...
With sword and shield in hand, I leapt toward the missing windshield. I landed inside the bus and groups of the small creatures latched onto my legs and attempted to pull me under.
Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
Most of the floor in the bus was missing, in its place were the small devils hanging by steel pipes, ripped seats, and anything else they could get their sharp little fingers on.
I swiped down with Conviction’s Claw severing multiple hands and arms threatening to pull me into the mass of charred bodies.
Once free, I climbed on one of the broken seats pushing my new balance to the limit. As soon as I adjusted the bus put on the breaks, stopping instantly to eject me and the seat through the windshield.
The ground beneath the bus burned as I tossed the seat at the front of the bus in frustration. Arthur must have leveled up his Fissure spell as Lava ignited the inside of the bus and burned some of the little bastards inside.
The four foot tall demons dropped from the undercarriage, rolling away from the flaming bodies in droves as the bus began changing into what I can only describe as a knockoff Decepticon.
[Craver—Level 17]
[Hellspawn- Summons of the Second]
Brenden was positioned on the far side, tossing rocks and yelling incoherently at the Bus Mimic. Each explosion sent torn pieces of yellow and black sheet metal through the air.
Arthur’s claws went to work with my own, creating a red mist that filled the air between us. The Cravers swarmed with suicidal impetus. They scrambled over their fallen kin with mechanical indifference, using the piles of limbs and bodies as launch pads to leap into the meat grinder.
The Cravers swiftly fell but not before leaving their own marks. Some attacked with baseball bats, metal and composite, while others held long steel pipes with brake rotors and other parts welded at one end. One of the brake rotors connected with my armor leaving a deep dent that forced constant uncomfortable pressure.
A small group of Cravers gathered the shrapnel from Brenden’s blasts, creating a pile of scrap on the back line for others to throw at me and Arthur. We easily dodged the scrap but the annoyance of doing so created openings for the melee attackers.
As the fight carried on some of the Cravers began attacking others, starting a messy free for all.
A large brake caliper with mount attached sailed overhead from the back line. I watched it land with a sickening crunch on the head of the Craver directly in front of me, rupturing his skull and crushing brains. Just like smashing pumpkins the night before Halloween...
I stored the gagging aside for later as Arthur and I fought side by side.
My sword amputated limbs and heads like a well practiced surgeon, as Arthur bounced through a cluster of demons. His light blue armor turned dark crimson as he ripped off arms and legs with his claws or sunk his teeth through necks with ease. A few of the bites I swear I saw smoke rising from the wound but there was no time to investigate or ask questions, he didn’t seem bothered.
He was fighting like a true Hellhound.
I trusted Arthur to finish the summons so I disengaged, “Brenden, switch! Get behind Arthur and toss over head to help him finish the fuckers in the back. I’m going to get big guys attention!”
I charged the bus as Brenden crossed behind to back Arthur. I switched to my mace, hoping the Necrotic damage would take effect, although, I didn’t see flesh while it was transforming.
My 5 class points into Two Step were shining through as I dodged flying tires, axles and exhaust pipes, all the while striking at the body and anything else that fell within reach.
My mace cracked bolts with every parry, sending bus parts flying off in every direction as I weaved back and forth between transforming parts.
“I don’t think you’re hurting it Sirrr!”
“No shit! I don’t see any weak spots. You?” I yelled back in response.
“No my Good Sirr!” Brenden said throwing another rock that connected with the head of one of the Cravers in the back causing an explosion of brain matter like a small town fireworks show on the 4th of July.
“Why the hell did you say anything?!” I yelled back, narrowly avoiding the buses passenger side frame rail that crashed down from the standing steel monstrosity. The strike left a gouge in the Earth and blasted asphalt fragments through the air peppering my legs and shield.
“What kind of fucked up unfair magic is this?” I said to myself as I was bulldozed by a rear axle.
I rolled with the massive blow, tumbling backwards. Somehow the bus was standing on it’s rear end with the underside facing me. The cab and engine compartment sat high on top, looking down on me as the face of this steel dragon. It was like an evil scientist from Cybertron sent his screw ups to Earth so no one would figure out his genius plot to disfigure the Autobots.
As soon as I managed to stand up steaming hot oil burst from the upright undercarriage, covering my left side in thick smoldering oil. I grit my teeth through the pain, trying to clean the oil from my body as I continued dodging.
The hood popped open showing a pile of bodies melded into each other. The only discernible body parts were feet and hands popping out of the black oily flesh. Some feet wore cleats and a few hands wore batting gloves. The appendages poked out of the jiggly collection of flesh in every direction. In the center of the mass was a thick exhaust pipe aiming straight down.
The bus started making a revving sound, only it wasn’t the normal revving of an engine. It sounded like a bunch of teenage boys making revving sounds with their mouths. The pile of flesh moved back to give the pipe breathing room.
I was too focused on cleaning the oil and dodging the random parts when it attacked.
I lifted my shield but it was no help, as it too was coated in oil.
Thick flames spewed from the exhaust pipe, and my world turned to fire.
My health plummeted to critical within seconds. I screamed in pain but somehow I was still on my feet as my vision left me. I immediately removed a health potion and splashed it at my open mouth just before my health hit Zero.
The potion attempted to mend my burning flesh but with the fire still roaring my health was stuck at 25% while the 2 forces battled.
I released Retaliating Wind fighting through the pain to focus the cast back under the hood of the Bus at the mass of bodies. The gust extinguished some of the flames letting me see out of my right eye again once it healed but the oil still burned with sickening intensity.
The hood slammed shut in defense but with all of the damage I endured, my spell did not disappoint.
A channeled violent gale ripped a hole through the hood and the flesh below.
My health was rapidly falling again and I was out of potions. I looked to where the oil was thickest on my leg. The skin and muscles dripped from my femur like hot wax.
Brenden finally saw me melting in the middle of the road and yelled, “Catch!” as he threw a potion my way.
I didn’t have the ability to concentrate through the catch and I couldn’t see out of my left eye, so I moved back as fast as my burning body allowed to let the vial shatter against my head. The potion cascaded over my body repairing flesh and putting out the flames on my head. Luckily, it mixed in with some of the oil to wash it away.
“Thaanes.” I tried to yell my gratitude but my voice was hoarse and unrecognizable.
I’m pretty sure my cheek and lips are missing on one side.
My health climbed to 30% as the Bus fell forward from its awkward standing position. As it fell, I took a moment to stop, drop, and roll the fuck out of the way.
My charred cloak was already repairing as it helped drown out the remaining flames on my legs.
I rolled as fast as anyone ever had, but still didn’t make it out of the way before the bus slammed to the ground. The shocks caught the fall, but no shocks are stiff enough to stop a falling bus completely. The bumper crashed into my shield, smooshing me beneath and shattering my arm before springing back up.
Hacking for air I fought to my feet. Brenden threw a pebble from the side and I immediately ducked back down.
Snap.
The Pebble exploded right above the hood taking a good chunk of health from Big Yellow and tearing my small opening a bit more.
The bus started revving again only it sounded much more sinister this time.
The ball of flesh under the hood screamed, the revving sound made up of all the different mouths yelling, “DieeeDieeeeeDieDDDieDieeeDiiieeeeeee!” like revving motorcycles.
I switched for my Spear and started thrusting quick shots into the small hole. Each connected strike caused a black oily substance to spurt from the hood.
The front crossing gate slapped out from the side, clipping me in the leg with the flat sharpened metal. I felt my titles flare as my health dipped to critical and I put the stat boost to work.
After a few sharp pointed thrusts I had the buses health critically low as well. I cast Retaliating Wind to slowly work my health back up.
“Oh no. Sir!” I heard Brenden as I dodged another broken seat ejected from the front windshield.
“Grrruff Ruff Ruff!” Arthur sent another Fissure to work.
I looked over when I had the chance to see Arthur’s spell tear the ground asunder beneath all of the Cravers. Their body parts were crawling back together and some were already standing. They looked completely fresh.
“Gimme a minute, I have an idea!” I yelled back.
My plan wasn’t great or thought out but the bus kept sending scrap parts flying out of the windshield at me while it scream-revved continuously. I believed it was trying to charge up another burning attack and I really didn’t want to go through that again and couldn’t without dying.
I jumped through the windshield again, this time spinning 180 degrees and driving my spear through the dashboard.
I saw the health bar drop a bit so I backed my spear with Mana and drove it in behind the steering wheel over and over again. I had it down to 5% but it seemed as if my strikes couldn’t finish the mimic.
Or the mass of flesh moved elsewhere...
Another seat flew at me, steel legs first. I jumped into a cannonball position behind my shield, letting it absorb the blow and bounce me out of the bus. Before I landed the bus started transforming again.. I looked for anything that would help finish it.
I had no good ideas but I knew what was coming so I ran to the side hoping to get out of the spells trajectory. Burning hot oil blasted in my direction as I slid to the side barely avoiding the splattering of liquid.
As the hood opened, I sprang.
I timed my jump a bit off and landed just beneath the compartment. Another small hop put me face to face with the engine. It wasn’t really an engine but rather a mix of random parts covered in black ichor.
I pulled a Spriggan arm from my inventory and shoved it into the opening of the pipe. It wasn’t big enough unfortunately so it just fell in, doing absolutely nothing to help.
With no other options, I placed my shield over the pipe and pushed against the incoming pressure with all of my strength.
Big Yellow released the spell and I felt my shield start to heat up.
I fought through the pain and heat, willing my shield in place.
The pipe turned red hot as the hood slammed on my head repeatedly, but I refused to move. The longer I held my shield in place, the further the cherry heat traveled down the pipe into the shrieking mass of flesh attempting to shrink away.
It smelled like a real fucked up barbecue at a diesel gas station.
The ball of burning flesh charred and melted as clanking and hissing noises came from the rest of the bus.
I leapt away as my shield shattered into pieces. The top half of the mimic blew up in a beautiful fireball accompanied by dying squeals. I landed hard on the ground, health critical once again and cloak on fire.
Arthur ran over and dropped a health potion on my chest. I drank as he pawed the flames out. Once finishing the delicious treat I struggled to my feet, exhausted but ready. Most of my burnt flesh healed as pieces from my broken shield were magically pushed out of my body. The potion worked overtime with the healing of Retaliating Wind to repair me. The magical fruity drink only lifted my health to 40% but it was enough to get me back in the fight.
I started running toward the battle with the Cravers, only for my vision to clear up and see Brenden walking around looting small piles of ash.
“Wha appened?” I asked, my voice still a wreck but able to make the words somewhat understandable.
“As soon as you killed the giant yellow, ‘Ma-Cheen’, these fellows tumbled away into piles of ash. I believe ‘twas due to them being summoned. Grrreat job sir!” Brenden answered looting more piles.
I fell into a heap as I croaked, “Huh, gooh news for once, Eh?!”
“Dost thou come from Cah-Nahdah” Brenden poked fun while tossing me another potion to help heal me up.
The potion did it’s job as I asked, “Dost who what now?” My words came easier.
“What sir?”
“Who.” I continued.
“I have no clue what’s going on right now sir, perhaps you need another potion.”
“Neither do I GOOD SI—HuAckk!” I tried to yell but my throat had another idea as I started coughing and choking. My mind was suffering from the adrenaline crash and melted bits of brain.
Yeah, that’s what it was.
I walked back to the burning bus, only moving as close as necessary for the loot box to pop up.
The loot from the mimic handed us some new items. A pair of shoes, finally, and the other item was some sort of mineral that I originally thought was made for Brenden as it was a small red rock.
I pulled up the description on the boots first to look them over.
Big League Greaves
Rare
15 Armor
+15% Fire Resistance
+5% Movement Speed
Grants Skill—Steel Cleats
With at least one foot on a solid surface gain—50% Bonus to Accuracy.
“Brenden, take these and equip them, great drop for you.” I said while inspecting the ‘Steel Cleats’ mod.
[Steel Cleats—Negate all Knockback effects—Apply “Adhesion”—Cling to any stable surface within contact range.]
“So cool.” I said handing them over, only a little jealous.
I pulled up the second item and although I wanted to give it to Arthur, I had the perfect way to put it to use.
Pyr Rune
Epic
Socketable Item
Imbues item with a random Fire effect
I really wish it showed more information but I have to use it.
Holding the stone in my hand I felt the power radiating from it, also the heat. I stored it in my inventory and looked down to see the burn mark it left on my palm.
“Your spoils sir.” Brenden said getting my attention then handing over 2 health potions and a new crafting item. I took the items and pulled up the description.
Hellspawn Ashe
Common
Crafting Item
Hellspawn Ashe is known for its use as a catalyst in many different crafting professions.
“Have any clue what it’s for?” I asked Brenden, our lead Alchemist.
“I have a few ideas. However, I would need to sit down with my kit to be positive. Some of the items I found on our prrrevious escapade seem like they would work well with this, A-she.” He went into a long rambling hypothesis of what his mixture of items could possibly yield.
“Right. Arthur you get anything cool?” I asked.
He answered with 2 short barks, “Next time!”
“Woof!” He happily agreed.
We crashed on the side of the road to let our health regenerate and watch the bus burn for a while. I really didn’t want any burn scars on my face so I downed one of the potions to reach 100% once close enough. Once the random forest beasts started showing up to our bonfire, we grabbed the extra experience then cleared out.
I read through all of my notifications, also checking the separate tab for the Safe Zone to make sure everyone was still safe.
All of the fighting from the day gave us each 2 level ups. When I checked my Class Skills I was excited but baffled to see a new category with a new spell. So far I had Physical and Ranged, each with just one skill. According to the others, this was very different from their set up as they had dozens of skills to choose from but had to level up their Class to learn the more intensive skills.
Brenden had three categories with his Rare Tier Class, while Arthur started with 4 trees originally. His four were Physical, Earth, Fire and Light, until he ate the larynx and opened his fifth tree, Dark.
My new category was just plain ‘Magic’. Although the new skill didn’t give me anything to blow bad guys away with, I was still excited to dump my skill points into it, and I did as soon as I read it.
Manasight—Epic—Level 2—3 Mana Per Second—Allows the caster to view different Mana variations in the environment.
I cast the spell for the first time as soon as I closed my HUD.
“Ooo… Ahh…” I exclaimed, only half way joking.
“Ruff?”
“Yes, Rrrruff indeed Arthur! What is it you speak of. The great long uphill rrroad in frront of us that we have been traversing for what feels like hours now!?” Brenden joked, although, anyone could’ve heard the annoyance in his voice about our long boring walk.
I laughed and answered, “No, the colors. I somehow got a new Class Spell called Manasight. I just used it for the first time and the world is somehow, even more beautiful... I can see the wind moving through the sky like an almost clear white haze, but it doesn’t take away from our beautiful blue sky high above, it just adds depth. Even the dirt is more, brown... I’m not great at describing things, give me a break.”
“I see... However, how is this a useful spell?” He asked, genuinely curious.
“Honestly, I’m not sure yet. But, there are times when I can feel the Mana or power from something. Maybe this will help show us who to stay away from? Or hidden treasure? I don’t know. I’m gonna find out though.”
I continued gazing at my surroundings, taking in the vivid colors and new motions of the world.