Loopbreaker

Stenson’s face was like stone.

Francis had seen this expression multiple times in all his deaths, but this particular one was different. There was nothing more than a tiny narrowing of the brows, just barely brought closer, and the general’s lips curled in slightly. His jaw didn’t show the tightness it sometimes held; instead, it barely reflected anything beyond teeth held together.

It was moments like this that Francis had been sent to the Spires, or when he had been told to attempt something new, that had resulted in leaps of improvement.

“How long do these conversations go?” Stenson asked. “I mean, I think they must get longer each time.”

“I try to keep them as concise as possible,” Francis replied. “Over a few thousand deaths, one learns what’s important and what’s not. Still, we’ve been talking for almost two hours, and you’re at the point where the questions you ask often repeat, or occasionally a new one comes along. Each time I mention a new skill or how these last few major fights went, I’m not always certain what you’ll say. I could try and repeat them as exactly as possibly, but I think I get more from you when I don’t. Kind of like how I mentioned how you shared your life a little and the conversations you had with the others from different kingdoms.”

“That might be why I am thinking what I am,” the general said. “Tell me, Francis. Have I ever mentioned you going to the other kingdoms and training there for a while?”

“As in actually going, like right now or later at some point?”

“Right now. I'll get you some gear, and we’ll tell the King you need to travel to the northern kingdom of Tules to help us and them win against this enemy.”

“We had discussed it,” Francis said, standing. “You’re not wanting us to go back and fight this same battle again and see if we can’t figure out what killed Baxter?!”

“Calm down and sit,” Stenson said.

Francis started to open his mouth and protest, but stopped, his mind reminding him of all the times the general had asked him to do things that seemed weird and yet they had paid off. Sighing, he sat down and waited.

After a moment, the older man grinned and then chuckled. “Francis Lancaster… you are an exceptional young man. I–”

“You give this speech a lot,” Francis interrupted. “I’m exceptional, you’re impressed, can’t believe what I have, think I’m the future to save us.”

Grunting, the general’s smile became a frown.

“And you usually curse,” Francis stated.

“Well fuck me… now I’m really unsure what to say.”

Francis laughed and shrugged. “The real question you’ll ask yourself is if I didn’t say what I did, would you curse or not?”

Both eyes started to dart as the general thought for a moment and sighed. “I don’t have time for this esoteric shit,” Stenson said. “You need to go to Tules. I’m not sure how long you’ll make it before you die, but every time you do and restart here, tell me I said you should do this.”

“This is about the skills you’re hoping I might acquire there, isn’t it?” Francis asked.

“You mentioned I talked about things of legends… when you get to Tules, I’ll have a letter for you to give to whoever greets you. They will take you to meet Glitvall Stormrend. He’s the war chief of Koldrak and will help you on this next part of your growth.”

“Wait, I’m sorry, you’re telling me I can’t stay here and get strong enough to defeat what we’re facing?”

“I don’t think so,” the older man replied, frowning.

“But you told me it might take ten thousand deaths or more. Why change it all right now?”

“I can see how I thought that,” Stenson replied. “But this loop, as you call them, I believe I was foolish. You need to go and see what a true warrior can become in an environment like Tules. Besides, it will also give you a chance to see what that army is facing and learn new ways to fight. Eventually, you’re going to have to learn a skill like mine. You need a way to reach beyond the length of your blade. I think with your Warrior’s Resolve, you also need to learn how to heal your own wounds, and only one kingdom is said to have ever produced a skill that could bring a warrior from the brink of death on their own.”

“So… every time I die, you just want me to open up with this?” Francis asked.

“I would. It might not seem like much, but it will save hours. Learn what’s important that I need to hear. If you need a break, take it. Find a way to enrich your life. Perhaps you can find a warm body to spend time with over there.”

“Wow… not the advice I was expecting,” Francis stated.

“You’d be surprised what the right companion can add,” Stenson said. “A good night filled with a different kind of relief sometimes last weeks in raising one's spirit.”

Francis started to chuckle and nod.

“Did we have this conversation before?” the general asked.

“No, but I might have done that once. And… you’re right. I was a bit happier.”

Stenson slapped his knee and then stood. “Good, now then, let’s get the king informed and get you prepared. I’m looking forward to the next time we talk.”

***

Baxter’s fingers were interlaced, and the King was staring at the two of them.

His wife squeezed his arm and coughed.

“They’re being honest… or at least Stenson is.”

The king’s red eyes narrowed, and he glanced at his wife.

“She can’t read me with her magic, my King,” Francis informed them. “I can stop her threads and if I wanted, could injure her for trying, but I don’t wish to do such a thing.”

Baxter’s attention snapped back to him, and the large man stood. “You can resist magic and hurt the caster?!”

The general and Francis nodded as the booming voice assaulted them.

“He can, and yet when I say he must go to Tules, know that I understand the potential ally Sage Francis is,” Stenson said. “I swear by my oath, my sword, my life, and the life of my daughter that what I am telling you is the path I firmly believe must be taken if we are to win this war.”

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“But… he can see the future! He knows so much and to toss that away–”

“Means nothing if the other kingdoms fall before we win our battle.” Stenson’s words cut off the King, whose frown slowly faded.

“Wise words as always from the man I am fortunate to have by my side and leading our army,” Baxter said. “Very well, what do you need from me?”

“Priscilla will need to send him, and you and I should both send a letter to Glitvall. While I believe mine might be good enough, yours would carry even more weight and help in getting him before the war chief. Beyond that, he could use another sword. I have already gifted him with the one you gave me.”

A grunt came from Baxter as he nodded. “I saw that on his hip and for a moment felt slighted, but now I understand why. And we won’t be giving him armor, will we?”

“Why wouldn’t I get armor?” Francis asked. “I thought we discussed giving me armor.”

“I think it would be good for him to show up in armor,” Stenson said. “Lessons like that are best learned through experience, I always believe.”

Both men laughed, and Francis glared at the two of them. “I swear, I’m going to be upset if you two are doing something nasty.”

“Trust me, Sage Francis,” Queen Auri said as both men continued to laugh. “They are giving you a life lesson that is best learned hands-on. You will understand it and it will cause no real harm.”

“No real harm,” he muttered.

Baxter clapped his hands and moved to where Francis was and held one out. “I shall draft this letter. You go with Stenson, and he shall have access to my vault. Are we… going to give anything else?”

The general shook his head. “No.”

“I trust your wisdom. Good luck, Sage Francis. Return soon, and may we one day drink in celebration of this war being over and us having survived.”

Having shaken the oversized hand of the King, Francis bowed and followed the general out of the tent.

“What else would you give?” Francis whispered once they were outside.

“Just wait, you’ll see, and I’ll explain later.”

Later wasn’t long, and Francis struggled to look at the items on the table before him.

“Magical rings, bracelets, belts… why… why don’t I get these?”

“Well, first, they are not common.” Stenson replied.” Ask me how many enchanted items I have.”

“How many?”

“Three. Only three. And they are nothing compared to what lies before you. These will not win a war or a battle; they will simply aid you in being able to fight longer, strike harder, and provide other advantages. Had I given you these in previous times, you wouldn’t be where you are. You’d be dependent upon them, and I doubt you’d have half the skills you do now.

“Magical items work… differently. For whatever reason, the rules we live under make it so that using them limits our growth. One cannot have a ring that provides extra strength and expect to wear it daily for every task and expect it to grow stronger. In some ways it would do the opposite. Nothing is designed for everyday use. These items are for moments when one must eek out the last bits of luck and power they can, knowing that tomorrow may mean death if they don’t have just a slight advantage than before.”

Sighing, Francis nodded. “So had I used these with every loop, I’d have gained almost nothing. And the rings I trained with?”

“Those are so rare you cannot imagine how much they would cost to replace, if that were even possible,” Stenson replied. “You remember what they gave?”

“I do.”

“Those are over three thousand years old. The power inside them is different from what is made today. Had you worn them out of that training area, you would have died. Even now, if you tried, they would most likely make it so you could barely move. Some sort of magic set within them is limited to training areas. I cannot tell you why or how, but that is just how it is.”

“And those boots and bracers?”

“Similar in age and power. Those are gifts passed down to kings to prepare them for battle. One can only get so strong in a training square, and there is a desire for the King to be one who can fight.”

“I guess my dreams of being outfitted in magical equipment are just that… dreams,” Francis said with a sigh.

Stenson patted Francis on the shoulder and nodded. “You’re far more without them. Learn that first. A crutch is good while one heals, but if you keep using it after your body has recovered, it will cause more harm. You’ll never walk right again.”

“So this sword?” Francis asked.

“Is nothing special. The only magic inside it is the strength of the blade. It will not shatter or break unless something so powerful it could level a city strikes it.”

Nodding, Francis accepted the blade and followed the older man out of the tent they were in, wondering when the day might come that he would potentially wear those.

***

“Sage Francis, leaving already?” Priscilla’s tone was one he knew far too well, and he ignored her attempts at causing frustration.

“I am. The gods have ordered it. Now, if you don’t mind, open the gate and don’t be foolish enough to try and use a spell on me as I leave.”

Her blue eyes widened, and she started to open her mouth, but Francis held up his hand.

“Don’t. Lying doesn’t suit you, and I know the bonds you’re bound with from the Concord. Believe what you want, but I know far more than I have time to speak of right now. Time is valuable and I have things to do in Tules. So, summon the gate.”

She stood there only a moment longer, blinking a few times before she bent her neck slightly. “As you wish, Sage Francis.”

The light traveled along the ropes, and a gate appeared before him.

“Keep the King safe, and be careful walking the line you do between both sides,” Francis said before stepping through it. “I’ll return and perhaps one day be able to free you from the bond you’re under.”

She said something, but he didn’t hear what it was, having already entered the portal.

When the light faded, he found himself in a room made from ice. A puff of white came with his breath, and it took only a moment to understand what Baxter and Stenson had just taught him.

God, it’s fucking cold!

The chain suit of armor started to absorb the coldness of the room he was in, and the thin layer of cloth between him and it did little the longer he stood where he was.

“A visitor!”

He turned and saw a massive woman wearing multiple furs and armor that looked like a patchwork of animal skins, studying him. Her blonde hair and blue eyes stood out against the black paint band across her eyes.

She was easily seven feet tall and made him think the gods had been unkind in making him so short.

“I have a letter from King Baxter and General Stenson from the Kingdom of Reevotort,” Francis said. “I need to see War Chief Glitvall Stormrend.”

She scoffed as he pulled out the two letters, each with a seal on it. “Bah, a waste of time. We’re not coming to aid them!”

“I’m not here to ask for aid,” Francis replied with a grin. “I’m here to give it.”

Her eyebrow rose as she looked him up and down. “What could a man such as yourself hope to offer us? Can you cook and clean?”

“If you want, we can fight, and I’ll prove my worth.”

She grinned and laughed, the ice-covered room causing it to echo all around. “Well, at least they sent someone with balls and perhaps no brains, but let’s go, boy! To the Warchief, before I get to kick yer arse all over the snow!”

Final Stats - Book 1

[ Status ]

Francis Lancaster

Age 17

Strength: 47

Endurance: 49

Agility: 48

Wisdom: 28

Perception: 37

Magic: 10

Skills

Swordsmanship (Common) - 71 Elite

Shield Use (Common) - 58 Advanced

Tracking (Uncommon) - 11 Basic

Stealth (Uncommon) - 11 Novice

Traps (Uncommon) - 3 Basic

Rock Throwing (Common) - 7 Basic

Mental Resist (Uncommon) - 45 Advanced

Blood of the Undying (Unknown)- 100+ Sage

Fast Learner (Epic) - 1 Basic (Locked)

Mace (Common)- 11 Novice

Horseback Riding (Common)- 11 Novice

Horseback Handling (Uncommon) - 6 Basic

Pain Resistance (Uncommon) - 58 Advanced

Poison Resistance (Rare) - 45 Advanced

Power Strike (Rare) - 54 Advanced

Brawling (Uncommon) - 38 Proficient

Strong Bones (Rare) - 56 Advanced

Magic Resistance (Rare) 53 - Advanced

Magic Feedback (Legendary) - 21 Novice

Quick Attack (Uncommon) - 44 Proficient

Guarded Stance (Uncommon) - 31 Advanced

Riposte (Rare) - 36 Proficient

Thick Skin (Rare) - 27 Proficient

Night Vision (Epic) - 38 Advanced

Iron Wall (Rare) - 26 Proficient

Dual Wield (Rare) - 42 Advanced

Flurry (Rare) - 22 Novice

Battle Sense (Epic*) - 15 Novice

Warrior’s Resolve (Legendary) 5 Basic