Loopbreaker

The sound of the morning bell rang.

"It's earlier than usual," Michael grunted as he sat up. "What gives?"

Francis didn’t reply, simply sitting up slowly.

He couldn’t talk. His mind was struggling with what had happened and the notification before his eyes.

[ Magic Feedback Gained - Legendary ]

[ Magic Resistance - 2 ]

“You okay?” his brother asked. “You look like you’re drunk or… I don’t know. Still asleep?”

Francis nodded and smiled at Michael. “I’m good. Really good. Sorry, just thinking about someone.”

“Oh… is she pretty?”

“Well unless you're interested in Trina, who is your half-sister…”

“Woooaah! Let’s stop that line of thinking right now,” Michael protested, holding up his hands. “How… why are you even thinking about her?”

“Weird dreams, and not those kinds,” Francis replied. “Just remembering that there is someone other than you that I love.”

His brother snorted and shrugged. “As long as I’m still the favorite, I guess I can let it slide. Now, hurry, we’re going to be late.”

Francis snorted and grabbed his boots, getting ready as he read the description.

[ Magic Feedback ( Legendary ) - This skill reflects magical spells back at the caster. A percentage of the damage is redirected and can cause the caster to suffer a negative effect, limiting or preventing casting. Feedback damage, chance, and time of negative effect increase as skill increases. Skill is always active unless the owner chooses to deactivate it. ]

Stenson is going to flip!

***

For the tenth time, Stenson cleared his throat, his jaw clenched tightly.

“Do you need me to get you something to drink?” Francis asked.

“No… it’s… I know that I would have assumed that in time, you would have acquired the Magic Resistance skill. Honestly, I’m a bit… surprised at how quickly you managed it in so few attempts. Did you discuss this technique with me last time?”

“Uh… maybe… yeah, I mentioned a certain trainer with a flair for pain,” Francis replied.

“Yes, Oidrun has a panache for that. Still, a legendary skill is… at your age… at any age, and all of this,” Stenson said, waving his hand at him. “Hard to take in. You’re on a path that seems far faster than I must have anticipated.”

“Still, someone tried to kill me,” Francis said. “I have four women to choose from and I think… well, I assume I know who it would be, but the truth is I don’t.”

“And they struck at the perfect time,” the general stated. “It’s not a coincidence that they waited until you had acknowledged that you had acquired the skill. I doubt it would have gone unnoticed but whoever sent them, your father, Avelis, or someone else. They were ready for that moment. The problem now is that when someone finds out you have the Magic Resistance skill, you will be a threat to every mage in the Spires. That’s even before they learn about the other.”

“And you didn’t think to mention this to me before?” Francis asked, flabbergasted at the new problem.

“I didn’t think you’d acquire it so soon!” Stenson protested. “No one does what Oidrun recommends! And if they do, they don’t do it every day for a week or more. People get tired of pain. You… you already have the skill and are higher than many who have acquired pain resistance. You keep forgetting that most of us don’t run headfirst into a battle and willingly suffer for it. None of us wants to die. And it appears I didn’t realize the true mental fortitude you have.”

Francis sighed. Suddenly, the whole training in the capital had just gone sideways. A single skill had changed everything.

“You mentioned a list of skills and we’ve talked about them some,” Francis said. “I think I’m getting close to the Quick Attack and may have figured out how to sense magic also. I think I might be able to figure it out completely in time. I know riposte comes next, then what?”

Stenson leaned back in his chair. “Power Strike can turn into Crushing Blow. There is also the Flurry ability after Quick Attack. Most don’t acquire it, but Guarded Stance will be acquired if you focus on defense for a long time. Some try to do that one and Riposte at the same time but the records point to working on multiple skills being harder to achieve.

“Guarded Stance is powerful because you can get Iron Wall, which helps to defend against attacks for a bit. The real dangerous one every wants is Reflective Barrier but that one is rarely achieved.”

Stenson’s voice changed at the end.

“Is that the one that caused you to lose your arm?” Francis asked.

“Yes,” the general said softly. “I still can’t believe he had that ability. The truth is, most don’t believe or want to admit I have what I do. But most haven’t trained as long as I have.”

“Hundreds of years,” Francis said.

“Correct,” Stenson replied. “You’re already further ahead than most can fathom. That is why they believe you are a Chosen. Everyone would assume that at some point, one of the gods will inhabit you and you will become an Avatar, going forth and slaying our enemies.”

“And yet they want to strike me down before I do that,” Francis pointed out.

“Not everyone wants the war to end with us winning,” Stenson replied. “You already mentioned how Avelis reacted to that news. There is no secret; one side wants us to lose and is willing to let the kingdom and potentially the whole continent suffer to achieve that end.

“Then, toss in the fact that you would be an Avatar causes a shift in politics as well. While the gods often don’t involve themselves in those things, knowing there is an Avatar in the world would make some hold off on their plans, not wanting to draw their ire.”

“Such a stupid thought,” Francis said. “When’s the last time the gods have done anything? I mean, we’re here, and the only time I’ve seen their power is when that priestess killed me.”

Stenson nodded as he frowned.

“When the great war between the four kingdoms took place over a thousand years ago, the gods became involved. Records point to Avatars fighting other Avatars. The destruction they caused remains. While I know you have never seen the flatlands where the mountains all end and the four kingdoms are separated, there are almost a hundred miles of mountains still missing.

“One belief is that the gods have agreed, like the grandmasters, to stay out of most affairs since that day. Whatever gifts they’ve given us with our skills and abilities, no one has seen actual evidence of them beyond the priest or priestess occasionally channeling their presence.”

“So what?” Francis asked. “These new… beasts and whatever god or parasite or whatever the thing is that inhabited me… The priestess or god recognized it. How can they sit back and do nothing if they know it's here?”

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“I’m not sure if they do,” Stenson replied. “I wanted to ask you at some point to go back to the tent and meet with the priestess but I also didn’t want to risk you and this ability. I’m just thinking that if they knew you had it from that moment, they would seek you every time you were reborn.”

“So, then the gods aren’t all knowing or all powerful… similar to the idea that Queen Auri mentioned.”

“It would appear they are not,” Stenson replied

“Now what? How do I deal with the spire?” Francis asked. “If I show up flaunting my legendary skill, I doubt I’ll survive long. But we both know I need to find a way to increase both it and the Magical Resistance while working on trying to acquire physical skills.”

“I’m hoping you’ll at some point also work toward the abilities of legends,” Stenson said. “Things long lost and believed not able to be gained anymore.”

Francis felt his heart quicken and leaned closer, saliva forming in his mouth at that thought. “Like what?” he asked.

Shaking his head, the general grimaced. “I’m not sure that in all the other times we’ve talked, I realized your resolve, Francis. To have endured the pain and agony it took to acquire Magical Resistance goes far beyond ordinary willpower. You set your mind to the task and suffered no matter the pain.

“That is the path you will have to take and all I know is there are moments in battle where one survives and death is just a breath away, where skills are gained. Stories speak of warriors who became grandmasters because they gained an ability that allowed them to continue a path others couldn’t walk.”

“Similar to my ability to come back to life?” Francis asked.

“No,” Stenson replied. “They could heal in battle or sometimes could form a… barrier or sorts by channeling their own life and mana together. No one knows the names of such things, but I believe you, Francis, might be the first to acquire one in thousands of years. You could… travel across the seas to the other side of our world and visit the places where creatures of legends live that we haven’t seen in thousands of years.”

Francis felt his mind struggling to absorb what he was hearing. “Wait, isn’t the world flat? Like the seas just end and they drop into a never-ending hole?”

The general’s laughter filled the tent as he shook his head, smiling.

“Forgive me… I… I forgot you haven’t had that education yet. No, Francis, there is more to this world than just our small piece of land. Consider for a moment if that were true, where does all the water come from that keeps our seas from running out?”

Francis frowned and tried to ignore the way he felt Stenson had mocked him, realizing that he had never considered that before.

“Uh… yeah, I guess that does make sense… but then what? I mean… I know there are a few other places like ours in the sea, but when you say world… that means what?”

Stenson stood and moved to a table, grabbing paper and a pencil. He sketched for a moment, pausing occasionally as he continued to work on his drawing.

“What are you waiting for? Get over here,” the older man said.

Quickly joining him, Francis stared at the circular shape on the paper.

“This is our world and this small area of land is the continent we live on. Over here are and here are the two other ones you most likely have heard of, right?”

Nodding slowly, Francis couldn’t take his eyes off the four different spheres the older man had drawn, and the crude shapes that were sketched upon them.

“This one is still traveled to if one heads east. But on this large section of land I’m talking about, men don’t go past this place anymore unless they desire to never be seen again. The last record of any ship reaching and returning from there dates back more than five thousand years.

“I’m a poor artist, but this shape is the only version I have ever seen,” Stenson continued. “King Baxter has a single map hanging in his private study which is so old it rests in a magical box lest the very air destroy it.”

“But that place is like ten times larger than our land!” Francis exclaimed.

“And far more dangerous,” Stenson replied. “I won’t start to fill your head with things you’re not ready for and please do not ask your instructors about it. Discussing the war is a problem enough, but asking questions about this place isn’t often taught. If they have proven worthy of the knowledge, there is a chance someone at the Spires will .”

“Yet another way they keep it for the few,” Francis muttered. “So, what, you tell me this, why? I mean, you know I can’t reach it or talk about it.”

Stenson chuckled and took the paper, holding it over a flame and letting it burn close to his fingers before dropping it to the floor and stepping on it.

“To give you something to reach for, Francis,” the older man said, putting his hand on Francis’ shoulder. “You are so focused on the right now. Every day you think about just the obstacle before you. You want to save your brother, so you fight to find a way to save him. When you realized it was harder than you originally thought, and you knew you needed help, you reached out to me.

“With the knowledge you now have of what is taking place behind the scenes, you threw yourself headfirst into getting the skill you think you need. But then what?” Stenson asked. “What comes next if you can’t die? What happens if the day comes, the war is over, your brother is safe, the kingdom finds a way to work together and you have achieved a place of greatness? Will you be continent to meditate in a cave somewhere? Start a family that grows old and dies while you live? Pick up a hobby or skill and master a crafting ability or perhaps magic?

Francis tried to think of something to say but he was stunned at how far the general seemed to be looking.

“And what happens when you do die?” Stenson continued. ”If you’re reborn and say a thousand years have passed, will you then have to repeat it all? Will your mind be able to handle that strain? If I’m honest, my mind struggles to comprehend how you have managed to stay sane and the only answer I can come up with is that you are short-sighted.”

“Did you just insult me?” Francis asked.

Shaking his head, Stenson sighed. “No. Sometimes, its best option is to attack what is right before us. A farmer planting a field must focus on getting the soil tilled and the seed in the ground. But he must also consider harvesting and keeping enough seeds for the next year. Then he must ensure that he rotates fields so that he doesn’t deplete the soil of all its nutrients. Sure, he could hire a mage to come and help infuse the ground, but that would be expensive.

“And what if a drought comes or a giant rainstorm that washes everything away? Did he prepare for the future by putting food away? Did he save money for those moments to purchase what his family needs to survive?”

Francis winced, clenching his eyes shut for a moment and rubbed them. “So… you want me to think about… what happens if I find a way to solve all the problems we’re trying to overcome? And what… plan for that?”

“No,” Stenson replied. “I want you to see that this world has other things for you to consider and perhaps pursue. I have no doubt you will visit the other three kingdoms eventually.”

Francis frowned. “Why would I want to go there?”

“Because of the kind of person you. You’ll realize that just defeating the enemy we face won’t be enough to stop the threat to us. Eventually, if a single kingdom falls, those beasts can focus on one or all three even more. Then what? You’re back to the same problem as before.”

Sighing, Francis nodded. It all made sense. He had been bashing his way through whatever stood before him and hearing the truth of how long this conflict would take sapped some of the joy out of acquiring those two new skills.

“Don’t be sad,” Stenson said. “Use this as another log in the fire inside you, Son. Know that if you… When you help defeat this threat for all the kingdoms, your name will be written down forever. Who knows what else you might achieve along the way.”

“But what if I finally defeat this one side and we can’t beat the other?” Francis asked, his soul feeling a momentary pang of despair. “I just keep dying and trying? Even if it takes a thousand deaths? Five thousand? Is there a way to stop this loop from happening?”

Stenson shrugged.

“I’ve been fighting the same battle for a year now. Sure, it changes each time we go out and fight, but the truth is that life often repeats itself over and over. We live for the good moments and you, Francis, get to have more than anyone else. Maybe one day you’ll find a way to end the loops. I personally pray it doesn’t happen till you find the path that allows you to keep your brother safe and help defeat our enemies. But returning to the previous point, how did it feel when you got the Magic Resist skill?”

Francis closed his eyes, took a deep breath and then grinned, remembering how pumped he was at seeing the notification. “Yeah…” He said, trying to accept that Stenson couldn’t answer all of his questions. “I get it. As for what it felt like… it was amazing.”

“And the Strong Bones or Pain Resistance?” Stenson asked.

Francis chuckled. “I get it… I do. Unlike everyone else, including you, I’m getting to enjoy moments most will never experience or hope to. Sure, there are some really painful and bad moments. Yet knowing I get to come back, attempt it again, all while trying to find a way to save Michael… I hear what you’re saying. So now what?”

The older man rubbed his chin and then grinned.

“Why don’t you go kill something?” Stenson said. “Take a quick break and just go wreak havoc in the enemy army. Shoot, you really want to have fun? I’ll get you outfitted and you can go before the first line of troops and approach an army alone!”

Francis coughed and saw that the general wasn’t joking. “For real? You want me to go out first? Without anyone else?”

“Want? Part of me does and part of me doesn’t. But ask yourself, Francis. Why not try? Imagine how much fun it will be the next time we talk after you die and you tell me how much I was either an idiot or a genius. Best of all you get a break from what you’re dealing with now. There’s a voice inside me that also wants me to tell you to try choosing a different path, maybe for a few deaths. If you really wanted it, I could write a letter to the Spires, where all you do is craft. It’s going to cause problems no matter what I send you over there for, but at least you could try something different.”

“Well, I have been kind of itching to kill something,” Francis said, grinning. “Besides Derrek and my father.”

Stenson roared with laughter. “Maybe that will help diminish that rage a little. So tell me, what do you want to do, Francis? Return to the Spires or go kill some beasts?”

Francis didn’t have to think about it. “Just as long as I get some good armor and a weapon, I’ll gladly go face the enemy alone.”

The older man nodded and motioned to the tent flap. “Come, let’s get you outfitted for a little fun.”