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story:chapter_8 [2026/03/09 13:32] – davenportstory:chapter_8 [2026/03/14 19:02] (current) – Ged -> Geb davenport
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-====== Chapter - 8 - GEB - The Ruins and Sacred Beasts ======+====== Chapter 8: Geb; The Ruins and Sacred Beasts ======
  
-Will woke up feeling very refreshed, almost as if the day before there had been no 'jump'. He took a long deep breath, drawing in the various energies of Ged. 'It felt so much like mist, Will thought, 'only more wild and untamed.' Turning, he noticed Jack had already left for his morning scouting. Will wished Jack had at least offered to take him along, there was so much to see.+Will woke up feeling very refreshed, almost as if the day before there had been no 'jump'. He took a long deep breath, drawing in the various energies of Geb. 'It felt so much like mist, Will thought, 'only more wild and untamed.' Turning, he noticed Jack had already left for his morning scouting. Will wished Jack had at least offered to take him along, there was so much to see.
  
-Taking off his covers he noticed a slight chill and quickly changed into his clothes. He'd need a new outfit; the jeans he'd worn from Earth were in need of a good cleaning. It would also be nice to see what other options he'd have for clothes on Ged.+Taking off his covers he noticed a slight chill and quickly changed into his clothes. He'd need a new outfit; the jeans he'd worn from Earth were in need of a good cleaning. It would also be nice to see what other options he'd have for clothes on Geb.
  
 Walking down the stairs into the main eating hall, he saw that Kadde was sitting enjoying a few nuts and a hot drink. Kadde was glad to see Will up so early, there was still so much to discuss. Walking down the stairs into the main eating hall, he saw that Kadde was sitting enjoying a few nuts and a hot drink. Kadde was glad to see Will up so early, there was still so much to discuss.
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 "So where are you headed? What is your team looking for?" Will asked as he finally had some of the tea. It was a bit hot, but not bad. Will had never had much taste for tea, it all seemed to taste the same to him. "So where are you headed? What is your team looking for?" Will asked as he finally had some of the tea. It was a bit hot, but not bad. Will had never had much taste for tea, it all seemed to taste the same to him.
  
-"I found some new information a while back, and it's been a dream of mine to learn more about Ged's 'World Clock'. I mean, I've seen the clock and all, but I want to find more about its origins." Kadde explained.+"I found some new information a while back, and it's been a dream of mine to learn more about Geb's 'World Clock'. I mean, I've seen the clock and all, but I want to find more about its origins." Kadde explained.
  
-"What is the 'World Clock'?" Will asked. He had another piece of toast and settled into his chair a bit. " The clock itself is a marvel of ancient engineering. It keeps track of the hours, days, weeks, months, and years of its entire operating life. It tells time, obviously, but it also records all the arcanic activity of Ged. "Truly amazing!" Kadde said excitedly. "I've always wanted to know more about how it was made. Who made it? and Why?"+"What is the 'World Clock'?" Will asked. He had another piece of toast and settled into his chair a bit. " The clock itself is a marvel of ancient engineering. It keeps track of the hours, days, weeks, months, and years of its entire operating life. It tells time, obviously, but it also records all the arcanic activity of Geb. "Truly amazing!" Kadde said excitedly. "I've always wanted to know more about how it was made. Who made it? and Why?"
  
 After a little while Miila and Julia came down stairs and joined Kadde and Will. "I take it 'Vul' will be digesting today?" Miila asked 'matter-of-factly' After a little while Miila and Julia came down stairs and joined Kadde and Will. "I take it 'Vul' will be digesting today?" Miila asked 'matter-of-factly'
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 "Hey Will, feeling better?" Julia asked with concern. She knew, that for better or worse, she needed Will to help get her back to Earth. "Yeah. Much better. You?" "Hey Will, feeling better?" Julia asked with concern. She knew, that for better or worse, she needed Will to help get her back to Earth. "Yeah. Much better. You?"
  
-"Still getting used to the whole 'another world' shock, but otherwise not bad." Julia said nervously. "Oh, you'll be fine. Just act like yourself and you'll be okay. With so many different cultures and peoples on Ged, most don't mind the everyday weirdness." Miila said as she stretched out and looked for something meaty on the menu.+"Still getting used to the whole 'another world' shock, but otherwise not bad." Julia said nervously. "Oh, you'll be fine. Just act like yourself and you'll be okay. With so many different cultures and peoples on Geb, most don't mind the everyday weirdness." Miila said as she stretched out and looked for something meaty on the menu.
  
 After a nice conversive breakfast the group finally got down to the day's business. "It'll be 3 days before Vulgurutt is up for the next leg of the journey. After a nice conversive breakfast the group finally got down to the day's business. "It'll be 3 days before Vulgurutt is up for the next leg of the journey.
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 Will took a moment to think over the mechanics of his shield spell. At the academy, his instructors had always emphasized the size to be big enough to protect other people from injury, but the efficiency of spells was left to advanced combatives; reserved only for Myrah's select corp of secret police. Will took a moment to think over the mechanics of his shield spell. At the academy, his instructors had always emphasized the size to be big enough to protect other people from injury, but the efficiency of spells was left to advanced combatives; reserved only for Myrah's select corp of secret police.
  
-"Since Ged can be a dangerous place at times, versatility is highly valued. How about this; project your shield again, but only use one hand. A smaller projection point." Kadde explained as he took some paces back. Will relaxed and just focused his energies through one hand.+"Since Geb can be a dangerous place at times, versatility is highly valued. How about this; project your shield again, but only use one hand. A smaller projection point." Kadde explained as he took some paces back. Will relaxed and just focused his energies through one hand.
  
 The shield spell activated, though this time it felt a bit lighter. The strain was half of what it used to be, and Kadde threw a small stone at the shield. The stone connected with the repulsing energies and outlined an area about the size of Will. The decrease in output also made it easier for him to hold the shield in place. The shield spell activated, though this time it felt a bit lighter. The strain was half of what it used to be, and Kadde threw a small stone at the shield. The stone connected with the repulsing energies and outlined an area about the size of Will. The decrease in output also made it easier for him to hold the shield in place.
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 In the distance the sun was starting to dip bit-by-bit as the afternoon began to pass. They both took their seats on a few large rocks and discussed the various techniques Will could use for increasing his arcane arsenal. Originally Will had thought his selections of spells was quite nice as it was, but after listening to Kadde he knew that there was so much more. In the distance the sun was starting to dip bit-by-bit as the afternoon began to pass. They both took their seats on a few large rocks and discussed the various techniques Will could use for increasing his arcane arsenal. Originally Will had thought his selections of spells was quite nice as it was, but after listening to Kadde he knew that there was so much more.
  
-"On Ged alone, there are at least 200 different known spells for elemental magics alone. Not to mention various non-elemental types of energy bending, magics used by creatures, or even the sacred beasts. That's the wonderful thing about being a scholar; you never stop learning about all of the surprises life has in store."+"On Geb alone, there are at least 200 different known spells for elemental magics alone. Not to mention various non-elemental types of energy bending, magics used by creatures, or even the sacred beasts. That's the wonderful thing about being a scholar; you never stop learning about all of the surprises life has in store."
  
-After a while of discussing arcana and its nature on Ged, Kadde had convinced Will to try his attack order again. "Remember, two fingers, one hand up should reduce the output to a much smaller number." Kadde said from behind Will. He didn't want to be in the way.+After a while of discussing arcana and its nature on Geb, Kadde had convinced Will to try his attack order again. "Remember, two fingers, one hand up should reduce the output to a much smaller number." Kadde said from behind Will. He didn't want to be in the way.
  
 Will did as Kadde had suggested and allowed the energies to flow through only two fingers on his right hand. Only 5 small orbs could be seen. Will selected a single target, a rough rocky lump, and directed his spell at the lump of rock. Will did as Kadde had suggested and allowed the energies to flow through only two fingers on his right hand. Only 5 small orbs could be seen. Will selected a single target, a rough rocky lump, and directed his spell at the lump of rock.
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 "I guess you could call it that. We look for ruins and information concerning the ruins. If there's some thing of value though, it's usually handed over to the institute where Kadde works. They pay well for the trouble of finding their trinkets." Jack answered. "I guess you could call it that. We look for ruins and information concerning the ruins. If there's some thing of value though, it's usually handed over to the institute where Kadde works. They pay well for the trouble of finding their trinkets." Jack answered.
  
-Will tried to wrap his head around the different facets of Ged. It was likely a world older than his own, or at least it seemed like it. Myrah had some ruins, but the ruling elites had done so much to erase any relics that might have told a different story than the one they wanted to tell. 'Victors write the history books.' The Earth phrase came to mind.+Will tried to wrap his head around the different facets of Geb. It was likely a world older than his own, or at least it seemed like it. Myrah had some ruins, but the ruling elites had done so much to erase any relics that might have told a different story than the one they wanted to tell. 'Victors write the history books.' The Earth phrase came to mind.
  
 "Jack, how is it you can change color? Is it magic or something?" Will was curious if Jack had a special skill or art to change his appearance. "Jack, how is it you can change color? Is it magic or something?" Will was curious if Jack had a special skill or art to change his appearance.
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 "Yeah. We naturally can change our skin color to whatever shade or texture we need. Very useful for stealth work." "Yeah. We naturally can change our skin color to whatever shade or texture we need. Very useful for stealth work."
  
-"What about the other races of Ged, what can they do?"+"What about the other races of Geb, what can they do?"
  
 "Well, the Animal traits are usually obvious. Flight, senses, healing factors. But, there are a few races I'm not too sure about. Sprites and Dark elves are generally very secretive about their gifts. Some races actively avoid contact with eachother." "Well, the Animal traits are usually obvious. Flight, senses, healing factors. But, there are a few races I'm not too sure about. Sprites and Dark elves are generally very secretive about their gifts. Some races actively avoid contact with eachother."
  
-"Forgive my prying, Will. But, how and why did you come to Ged?" Jack asked, but Will by this point was very tired and was starting to slip into a deep rest.+"Forgive my prying, Will. But, how and why did you come to Geb?" Jack asked, but Will by this point was very tired and was starting to slip into a deep rest.
  
-"I... want... to... understand. Myrah, Mist, Earth, Ged.... I don't understand yet."+"I... want... to... understand. Myrah, Mist, Earth, Geb.... I don't understand yet."
  
-That night Will could swear he felt a cold presence in his room as he slept. Eyes from the shadows, scurryings in the walls. The smaller ones didn't bother him, but tonight some thing was there. It was the same aura that had tried to push Will away from Ged before.+That night Will could swear he felt a cold presence in his room as he slept. Eyes from the shadows, scurryings in the walls. The smaller ones didn't bother him, but tonight some thing was there. It was the same aura that had tried to push Will away from Geb before.
  
 The feeling lasted mere moments, but Will could have sworn it had been there half-the night. Finally after getting back to sleep he heard its voice. It had to be its voice, he was asleep! The feeling lasted mere moments, but Will could have sworn it had been there half-the night. Finally after getting back to sleep he heard its voice. It had to be its voice, he was asleep!
  
-"Much weighs upon your mind, child. Too much, alas. Ged has too many secrets for you to find peace, Will. You have much to learn, and so little time. Rest for now...."+"Much weighs upon your mind, child. Too much, alas. Geb has too many secrets for you to find peace, Will. You have much to learn, and so little time. Rest for now...."
  
 The voice sounded deep and old. It was like a chilly winter breeze, with clasping hooked fingers. Will tried to resist, but soon he drifted into a dreamless sleep. The voice sounded deep and old. It was like a chilly winter breeze, with clasping hooked fingers. Will tried to resist, but soon he drifted into a dreamless sleep.
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 "What is a 'monster' exactly?" Julia knew of various creatures back on Earth; Dracula, Wolfman, the Mummy, the recent rash of Zombie movies and T.V. shows. But, they were all just fiction. "What is a 'monster' exactly?" Julia knew of various creatures back on Earth; Dracula, Wolfman, the Mummy, the recent rash of Zombie movies and T.V. shows. But, they were all just fiction.
  
-"Guess I should clarify a bit," Kadde took a deep breath before beginning. "The term monster usually refers to 8 specific creatures that inhabit Ged. They are very unique and much of our world's magic history involves them.+"Guess I should clarify a bit," Kadde took a deep breath before beginning. "The term monster usually refers to 8 specific creatures that inhabit Geb. They are very unique and much of our world's magic history involves them.
  
-It is said that when a person dies on Ged, their soul will be reborn into a monster. It is a cycle of birth - death - and re-birth. A second chance to help keep the balance of Ged."+It is said that when a person dies on Geb, their soul will be reborn into a monster. It is a cycle of birth - death - and re-birth. A second chance to help keep the balance of Geb."
  
 "Why would your soul return as a monster?" Will asked. Curious about its reasons. "Why would your soul return as a monster?" Will asked. Curious about its reasons.
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 "It was said, there is a King of the monsters. There isn't much besides some old references, but it states he is their lord and ruler.... "It was said, there is a King of the monsters. There isn't much besides some old references, but it states he is their lord and ruler....
  
-"When life began on Ged, eons ago. The first man created the first spell of Arcanic arts. Giving rise to a multitude of millenia of mystic forces. When he died, he was reborn as the first monster."+"When life began on Geb, eons ago. The first man created the first spell of Arcanic arts. Giving rise to a multitude of millenia of mystic forces. When he died, he was reborn as the first monster."
  
 "Kadde, you read too much." Miila said from nearby. "Kadde, you read too much." Miila said from nearby.
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 "I'll agree that 'monsters' don't intend us any harm. Behemoths and Leviathans could easily level cities if they wanted." Miila noted. "I'll agree that 'monsters' don't intend us any harm. Behemoths and Leviathans could easily level cities if they wanted." Miila noted.
  
 +"Why would your soul return as a monster?" Will asked. Curious about its reasons.
 +
 +"I'm not 100% certain, but a good point made is that 'monsters' don't intentionally harm people of any race. They are like the silent protectors of life.
 +
 +It was said, there is a King of the monsters. There isn't much besides some old references, but it states he is their lord and ruler...
 +
 +When life began on Geb, eons ago. The first man created the first spell of Arcanic arts. Giving rise to a multitude of millenia of mystic forces. When he died, he was reborn as the first monster."
 +
 +"Kadde, you read too much." Miila said from nearby. "Snark it you must, but it is a possible explanation," Kadde returned.
 +
 +"I'll agree that 'monsters' don't intend us any harm. Behemoths and Leviathans could easily level cities if they wanted." Miila noted.
 +
 +"Behemoths, and Leviathans?" Julia asked. These words were familiar to her home world.
 +
 +"As the name implies; very large things with immense power." Kadde said. "Though, they tend to mind their own business. We simply are of very little interest to the large ones."
 +
 +"What about 'creeping shades'?" Miila asked.
 +
 +"Well, they seem to need us as much as we need them. Shade for the creepers and they watch out for potential threats.
 +
 +"But, Last night I felt a terrifying aura. Was that a monster, too?" Will interjected.
 +
 +With a great sigh Kadde finally came to the point he'd hoped to avoid.
 +
 +"There is one, one that I don't like even going into details about... A Nightmare." Miila shuddered at its name and Kadde's feathers bristled.
 +
 +"Very little exists that even mentions them, they are rare and terribly mysterious. No one is even sure what they look like. Something about a protective 'glamour' that is imbued in their bodies. They take the form of what-ever the seer fears most. Its a very powerful illusion, made nearly unshakeable by their natural fear-inducing aura.
 +
 +Add to the fact that they actively avoid any human type species, they are simply incomprehendable." Kadde ended.
 +
 +It had occurred to all of them that as Kadde ended his explanation, Will had most likely been visited that night by a nightmare. A very ghostly honour indeed.
 +
 +"It spoke." All of them looked at Will as he continued. "He... He spoke. It was a male, if they have genders. Something about the questions I have. He sounded... sympathetic, like he understood something."
 +
 +"Amazing. He spoke!" Kadde would have asked a hundred questions but Will cut him short. "In my mind. It explains why Jack didn't wake up."
 +
 +"I can't shake the feeling that all of this is happening for a reason." Will said calmly. "When I left Myrah, I had no desire to return to it. The journey I've taken thus far is my own, but it is showing me so much. I think 'he' understands something I don't and he wants me to continue." All were silent for a while.
 +
 +The trees and grasses wavered in the light mid-day breeze. "Arcana, Magic, Magi, there is so much to it all I want to understand." Will said in a slightly tired voice.
 +
 +Julia was starting to see how this was all troubling Will greatly. From her conversations with Will over the past weeks she'd learned much about Myrah.
 +
 +How a select elite controlled the majority of an entire world and its civilization. Used their gifts to benefit only themselves and maintain an iron-grip on the world's culture and history. 'Deplorable' was the best she could come up with for words. She just hope Will would be able to find his own conclusions to his questions.
 +
 +"Those thoughts aside, we will be ready to leave in one-more day. Vulgurutt is starting to wake again and will want to be on the move." Kadde announced.
 +
 +"Miila my dear, would you be so kind as to help our new travel companions prepare?" "Certainly!" Miila said as she hopped to her feet. Both Will and Julia, uncertain what to expect.
 +
 +"We're going to teach you to fight. There are some nasty creatures out there that will think you may be tasty. I'm going to give you the basics... best we can do in two days time." Miila said this while she pulled two long batons off of her back guard and fit them together into a quarter-staff.
 +
 +She then pulled a wooden sword out from her travel pack and handed it to Julia. "I hope you don't mind. Everyone has to have some training." Julia took the practice sword, unsure what to do next. "Will, your staff at the ready, okay?"
 +
 +//Continue to [[Chapter 9]]...//
 +
 +
 +
 +----
 +
 +//Author's Notes: //
 +  * Tweak: When Will is visited by the Nightmare and feels the freezing cold aura, have Julia wake up shivering in her room, or have her experience a fragmented, confusing dream that mirrors what the Nightmare is telling Will.
 +  * Tweak: When Julia is feeling anxious about her lost Earth future at the tailor, have Will inexplicably feel a sudden pang of homesickness or existential dread, even though he hates Myrah.
 +  * Tweak: Make the toll of Will's magic more apparent, and hint that Julia's proximity acts as an anchor. Perhaps when she stands near him during his magic demonstration, the physical strain on his body lessens, or she instinctively knows how to soothe his arcanic burnout without using magic herself.
 +  * Tweak: During the training, show that individually, they struggle. Julia is too defensive; Will is too reckless. But the moment Miila forces them into a 2-on-1 sparring match, they naturally cover each other's blind spots without having to communicate. They should fight as if they share a single nervous system.
 +  * Tweak: Have Julia express a thought to Miila about feeling "lost," and later in the day, have Will use the exact same highly specific phrasing when talking to Jack or Kadde. It hints to the reader that they are pulling from the same internal well.