Shadow Clone Sorcery (Book 1 complete!)

The caravan suffered another attack the day before they were supposed to reach the Gray. Some ravines and canyons were too wide for the mages to construct ice or stone bridges across, and the storm had damaged or destroyed pre-existing structures. The navigators had no choice but to take the paths less travelled, and it seemed local monster territories had moved.

The diviners saw the attack coming. The crystalline creatures radiated strong arcane signatures, making them easier to detect. Their tactic of lying in wait under the snowy mounds didn't work. Long-range attacks assaulted the thick glassy extensions that grew on the monsters' backs. Their bodies cracked, but the damage didn't spread far beyond the surface. They were surprisingly durable.

Lukas took advantage of the Spell Sniper's Focus, launching long-range shadowsteel spikes pumped with sound magic. They whistled as they flew, leaving ripples in their trail. The projectiles boomed on making contact, leaving the giant crystals trembling. Chunks fell off, and the cracks went deep. The creature he struck was already falling apart by the time they rose out of the snow.

They resembled tortoises, except they were chunky, blocky, and angular. The creatures moved swiftly in bursts but were otherwise incredibly slow. Lukas guessed they relied on ambush tactics, suddenly rising from snowy dunes or rock piles to take out their prey. Now, they lumbered toward the caravan, each step slow and heavy. The caravan leaders, guards, and hired guild parties didn't seem worried. They whittled the creatures down, chipping away at their crystalline armor.

Penelope got involved, too. She launched an explosive fireball that shattered defenses and caused a couple to collapse. Then, once the third of them fell, the monsters changed course, heading toward the mountains and away from the caravans. Much to Lukas's surprise, everyone ceased attacking almost immediately.

"Wouldn't it be worthwhile getting their crystals or the essences and shards they contain?" Lukas asked one of the caravan's few mages.

"Why?" The woman asked. "We'd rather not kill them at all. The Syllicites stabilize the mountainside, preventing landslides, and the speedy, sneaky predators don't dare cross their territory, keeping them away from the Gray and connecting roads." She sounded and looked hostile as she looked at Lukas with narrowed eyes. "Why exterminate our best protection?"

Lukas threw up his arms in surrender and defense. "I'm just a curious tourist. A symbiotic relationship makes sense and is perhaps more beneficial." He paused, watching the Syllicites go. "They're incredible, really."

"And what do you know about symbiotic relationships and how we do things here? Tourists come here to profit, don't give much thought to our ways, and then disappear, leaving everything overturned and damaged."

"I read about how simple creatures can change an entire landscape. There is a story of how people reintroduced wolves to a landscape where they hadn't existed for more than a century, and were hunted to extinction by the old settlers.

"The elk population rapidly increased, causing irreparable damage to the vegetation, especially along the riverbanks. When the wolves came back, cascading events pulsed through the ecosystem. First of all, the elk changed their grazing patterns. Trees like willows that grow along the water enjoyed a resurgence. Trees and other vegetation like it followed. This benefited the beavers."

"Beavers?" The woman raised an eyebrow.

"They're river dwellers who chew down trees and build dams."

"Beasts that build dams?" She snorted. "Sounds ridiculous. Continue."

"The beavers' activity combined with the vegetation changed the waterways and borders, reducing erosion and changing the river and streams' paths. Water quality improved. Other wildlife, including songbirds and smaller herbivores, benefited. More food, fewer elk competing for it, and whatnot." Lukas returned his attention to the woman. "Fascinating, isn't it? Apparently, farmers and villagers were furious when their lord brought the wolves back. They feared for their livestock and children. But wolves have no reason to come near settlements if food is plentiful and easy to come by. It all worked out in the end."

"That was unexpected," the woman said. "Interesting but unexpected. Do you often go off on these kinds of tangents?"

"I wouldn't say often." Lukas laughed. "But it's been quite a while." He offered her a hand. "I'm Lukas. Lukas Zaun. Sorcerer in training."

"It's nice to meet you, Lukas-Lukas Zaun. I'm Liesel. Seismic mage of the Frost Phoenix guild." Her eyes paused on the Shadow Seeker's badge pinned to Lukas's coat. "I wandered over, thinking our magic might overlap. Your sonic attacks seemed similar to my magic. But I see now that your choice of company isn't as good as we assumed."

"Oh. You worry that I work with criminals and thieves?"

"No. You joined the watchmen. The union has your guild inserting itself on all raids and missions into the mountains, and limiting and watching us like hawks. The constant surveillance gets annoying fast."

"I'm more of an asset they use while I'm passing through," Lukas said. He nodded at Penelope. She stood by the lead carriage, talking to the caravan leaders and pointing at the slain Syllicites. "I prioritize my work with the Cold Fire Sorcerer and artisanal pursuits over the guilds' watchdog activities."

"That's good to know." Liesel smiled. It spread to her eyes. There was something mischievous about the look she gave him. "If you want someone to work with on vibration magic—they shouldn't be too far from sonic spells—I'd consider letting you pick my brain. It could be mutually beneficial."

"It could. Why don't you tell me where to find you once we're in the city? I don't think your guild will appreciate it if I just show up asking about you?"

Liesel pulled out a scrap of folded parchment from her coat's chest pocket. She pressed it into Lukas's hand, and he gladly accepted it.

"You came prepared?"

"You made an excellent impression during the snowmen attack. I don't know how you managed to defend the sorcerer for as long as you did against the assault. Her familiar is formidable, but not enough. You and—" She nodded at Shae. " —whatever he is, are mysterious and intriguing. We've been talking about you."

"And you want to bed me for my secrets." Lukas nodded. "Sound plan. I'm in."

Liesel laughed. "You're bad." She squeezed his arm. "Find me once you're in the city and settled."

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"Will do," Lukas replied as she wandered away, shooting him a wink.

Lukas didn't recall the last time he had been in such a situation. The clones often wandered into such incidents or manufactured them with ease. He rarely experienced them in person. His automatic reaction for years had been to avoid them, but now, perhaps because of Elvis's tryst with Kat, Lukas didn't mind as much. In fact, he thoroughly enjoyed it. He already knew how the clones would react.

"Your icy heart is finally starting to melt."

"You've always been a big softie. You can hide all you want, but everyone knows it."

"El-Prime is finally getting over Minarv! Goodbye celibacy."

Because of the alternate route and the interruption caused by the Syllicites, the caravan didn't reach the Gray at the expected time. They had to spend an extra night on the road, and Lukas saw the great city's lights well before they set up camp. It covered more ground than he expected. He had read that Tokyo was the largest city on earth and remembered enough images and videos to back up the claim. The Gray put the Japanese capital to shame, and he hadn't yet seen the subterranean sections.

It started near the middle of a snowy valley, bordered by a river on one side, and continued into and up the nearby foothills. The giant cavern entrances stood out, lined by bright silver lamps. Despite the distance, Lukas could see giant metal gates waiting to swing closed around them.

Orange and yellow torches flickered everywhere, punctuated by colorful, arcane lights, giving the city an almost idyllic appearance. The white smokestacks rising from the city and disappearing into the night sky only added to the beauty. Towering walls surrounded the city on all sides, not already protected by the river and cliff.

It reminded Lukas of the realm of the Mountainlord—a Lesser Being competing with the Greats. His ever-growing mountain fort and the value of the materials below his land kept them from waging endless wars and eliminating him. Lady Silverspine had considered sending Lukas on an assassination mission one too many times, but never followed through because any such action would damage supply lines. She needed the arcane materials to keep her comforts functional.

The Greater Beings were greedy—except for Minarv and the Bamboo Hermit, who focused on maintaining the balance over expansion—but most prioritized stability and comfort over war. They attempted covert or economic takeovers, but the Mountainlord always seemed a step ahead. Lukas had rumors that the mysterious entity wasn't one person but a council of individuals who shared magic and resources to extend their lifespan, grow and modify the mountain, and continue expanding their territory.

Excited chatter filled the camp. Many were disappointed about not getting to eat a homemade meal, seeing their people, and not sleeping on a mattress. At the same time, they were glad to see him, having survived the storm, and knew the journey was almost over.

The joy of home.

Lukas didn't recall the last time he had felt the sensation. It was probably before his first transmigration when he still lived on Earth. Going home from university would often fill him with joy. He missed seeing his family, eating home-cooked food, and relaxing in the garden with his father, usually with a cold beer or single-malt and a single cube of ice—apparently it was the only correct way to consume the beverage.

Following his arrival on Fracture and the loss of knowledge from the Realm of Greater Beings, memories of Earth had returned like a flood. The dam holding everything back had broken, but there were still bits missing, primarily the pieces Lukas treasured. He struggled to remember the faces of all the people he valued. They continued to linger as a blur. But the voices were back.

He recalled his grandmother calling him to the table for Sunday lunch. Lukas recalled his father's voice as he told him to grab another beer or check on the smoker. He could still feel his mother caressing his cheek and telling him everything was going to be okay after a bad breakup. Funnily, the only face that was clear in his mind's eye was that of the family dog. Bjorn's goofy husky face as he demanded affection and belly rubs during visits never left him.

Lukas still regretted not visiting often enough. Work and his course load had increased not long before the transmigration. He also had an argument with his mother about her trying to set him up with someone. She worried that he was becoming too lonely and comfortable in self-isolation. Instead of talking to her, Lukas had picked the path of avoidance. It was easier to live like he had no or few people than to deal with the rough exchanges.

"Are you okay?" Bass asked, settling next to Lukas. He was in his housecat form and placed himself close to the cooking fire. "Did the pretty blonde rip your heart out?"

"No." Lukas laughed. "I was just starting to remember my life before all of this."

"Before the Wyrmkin attack?"

Lukas nodded.

"Weren't you tortured and used as a blood bag?"

"They were the dark punctuations between otherwise pleasant memories," Lukas answered. "I also remember the pleasant times from before."

"Did you have someone?" Round feline eyes took Lukas in, studying him closely. They weren't filled with suspicion like usual. Instead, Lukas saw understanding and empathy in them. The familiar likely also understood loss. "I don't mean fake someone like your brother. I mean someone you loved."

"I did." Lukas returned his attention to the roaring flame. He found how they caressed the pot's base enchanting. There was something about the sight. "A best friend. A person to call my own. I loved her."

"What happened?"

"She changed. I changed. We both made decisions that there was no coming back from. We invested too much in us and then took even more from each other." Lukas shrugged. "I suppose that's just life. Maybe we were incompatible."

Bass's eyes narrowed. "You talk like an old man. Maybe this person of yours wasn't the right person. Perhaps she wasn't your fated."

"Fated." Lukas chuckled. "I don't think anything of the sort exists. There is no one person. There are people who are right at the time or for a while. People change, and if they don't do it together in a way that helps preserve their compatibility, they drift apart."

"Penny is my fated," Bass answered. "Maybe not in the same way you think of the concept. But our souls are meant to remain intertwined until we both perish."

"I'm sure you are, Bass," Lukas said, rising to his feet. Dinner smelled ready. "It's best if we don't discuss this further. Especially around Penelope."

"Do I make you uncomfortable? Is that why you're leaving?"

Lukas shook his head. "We'll be in the city by noon tomorrow. I'd like to eat, clean myself, and sleep. So when we roll into the Gray, I'm at my best and get to work straight away."

"What are you brewing?" The familiar asked. The question wasn't hostile but dripped with genuine friendly curiosity. It seemed that how Bass viewed Lukas had changed during the journey.

"I'm not sure. Success? Profit? Finding something big? We'll see when we get there."

What Lukas didn't admit was that he worried that the journal would burden him with a quest not long after arriving in the city. He wanted to set other plans in motion first. The arcane smithing clone needed to be hammering away in a workshop, Morph investigating someone or something, and a Spellweaver studying under an enchanting tutor. He also had a personal project that involved finding a way to upgrade the mage specialization or creating a more potent version of it. It was a far more complicated task than coming up with a clone who used an attunement or type of spell better than others, and Lukas couldn't yet figure out where to start. He needed help but wasn't yet ready to ask for it.

After parting ways with the cat, Lukas got a bowl of rich stew, thickened with crushed oats, full of thick chunks of meat. The cook also gave him a couple of pieces of bread laden with thick slices of cheese. Now that the journey was for sure at its end, the caravan leaders had turned extra generous with the supplies. They couldn't sell any of the food, after all. It would ultimately be divided between the workers and the guards. So, the final evening turned into a feast.

Someone also pulled out a bottle of clear, pungent spirits. Lukas accepted a swig for the sake of group merriment and not to stand out as an anti-social outsider. Meanwhile, Morph had no trouble inserting himself and having a merry time. Liesel smiled at Lukas from a nearby fire. When she waved him over to her tent, he didn't overthink things and followed.