The Fool's Freedom

Alan felt like a villain who had come to dish out his own form of justice. He didn’t want any more trouble with his fellow humans. Death was around the corner and the world was larger than ever, holding wonders beyond one’s imagination. Petty squabbles for small localized control should’ve long been left in the dust. Who cares if tier-one beings were killing each other after all? What could they do if a single tier two like him decided to wipe them out?

He was sure he would struggle, if only because his attack skills were somewhat lacking, but his new class and his new state of being were still a step up from before. It was not just about bigger numbers. It was about quality.

“Are you… placing everyone important under your control?” Rosalyn asked and Alan laughed out loud. She had been quiet and fidgety the past couple of minutes after they had left Mayra’s place. They were walking toward Walter’s home now as it was finally time to sit down and have a chat with some old friends. Alan didn’t care much about Tim and he frankly couldn’t remember anyone else apart from the rabbit mask guy whom he owed a handshake at the very least.

He wondered about Walter’s missing arm, but it was probably too late for any of the healing elixirs to help, no matter how potent.

“Why would I do that?” he asked.

“To be the ultimate leader of this place? I can relegate the position of leader to you, it’s not… it’s not like I like it.” The latter part of her words came hushed as if she was ashamed to admit them, and Alan stopped in his tracks.

He reached out and draped one of his hands over her shoulders – a transgression he was sure he wouldn’t have been allowed in another life. Now though? Meeting so many powerful beings and being certain that death has come made one unable to care about small things such as embarrassment.

Rosalyn didn’t react nor did she push him away.

“Listen, Rosie. You’re perfect for the job because you’re a good person. I’m not a good person, and if you give me the position of a leader there will be a lot of blood,” he said. “I’m no good at diplomacy and I don’t care about it. Plus, I’ve got a lot to do once I take a breather.”

That seemed to surprise her. “You do?” she asked.

“Yep. Quite a lot.” I need to find Ash, kill some stuff and level up, clear up that pesky dungeon… what else? Yeah, kill more stuff and figure everything else out. I have a legacy, a bloodline, a new class, and skills to advance. He was already missing the sensation of leveling up and growing stronger and there were quite a few things he wanted to attempt with his new skills. Plus, there was the whole Spirit Domain skill locked in the Tome he was yet to try out.

However, another meeting with the spirits so soon, even if it was Enid, wasn’t something he was looking forward to. There was something about them that struck him as odd.

“We could… use the help of someone like you,” Rosalyn said. She was sounding mighty shy, but Alan laughed away the thought. It was certainly not because of him… could it be? He was… what was he? Huh. Am I still suffering from low self-esteem? After everything and the way I act. Come on, get a grip buddy.

Alan laughed again startling Rosalyn. “Sorry, sorry,” he said. “I just realized I’ve got a lot more growth to do. I’m not going anywhere anytime soon, hopefully. I don’t want you to miss me after all. What can I help with?”

Rosalyn seemed to ignore his comment but she looked away almost bashfully. “You’re very different…” she took a breath, “The screechers have taken on humanoid forms, and the Echidnas have grown stronger too. They’re evolving and so is the forest. So is the whole world. Top Rabbit’s groups are our best scouts but even they’re afraid to go too far nowadays. There are things in the forest… stronger than all of us combined. They don’t move around but… their very presence is unnerving. Without the System’s protection, the Sanctuary is very vulnerable…”

Alan nodded. He had felt a few presences that could give even the current him a run for his money. Something inside of him wanted to meet them, to face them, to test himself. However, he was not that much of a combatant as much as he was… a weird combination of skills. He chuckled again. He was like a wrench fate threw toward those it wanted to fail, and Alan’s sole job was to ruin plans and days.

“I plan on looking around. I need the exercise,” he said.

“Is it… is it very different?”

“What do you mean?”

“It feels like… like you’re better than me,” Rosalyn said then waved her hand and shook her head, “No. Not like stronger, which is obvious, but like… a higher existence.”

“I feel like myself although a lot has truly changed. Everything is just a tad more real, more defined, and more… there for the taking. Taking the next step is a gift that keeps on giving. Even my attitude has changed somewhat, although what I once was still remains strongly dug up and refusing to let go. Not that it’s a bad thing, but… Ah, I’m just often confused nowadays.” Alan explained. He appreciated voicing his thoughts out loud to the woman. Her presence was comforting and pleasant, and he was sure it was not her skills this time.

Rosalyn didn’t respond to him as his words seemed to have made her fall into deep thought. The two quickly traversed the shifting paths of the Sanctuary. Alan found it quite depressing, especially for a world full of magic, but it was practical and made to withstand attacks. He wondered if the other Sanctuaries still had their protection, and how they were doing.

Perhaps visiting the elf-eating elves could be an enlightening experience.

Walter’s new home wasn’t much different than the old one, although it was larger. It was at the base level and the door was of some sort of very heavy stone. It made sense considering that almost everyone had superhuman strength nowadays.

Everyone seemed to be able to tell when someone was at their door, not that Alan had given Cole and the gang the same chance.

Walter opened it and stared dumbly at Alan before his gaze roamed to Rosalyn and back.

“How are you doing old friend?” Alan asked. The man’s left hand was still missing, but there was a strange construct of wood and something akin to leather in its place. There were many parts to it and it looked more like a weave of fibrous barks and strips of leather than anything else. There was a small mana crystal embedded at the elbow, but it was dark and devoid of charge. The artificial limb hung limply to his side.

“Alan?” Walter asked, his eyes opening wide. He looked much the same, but it was certainly not due to good living. At least the System took care of some of the effects of stress.

“The very same.”

The older man lunged forward and for a moment Alan almost moved away by instinct, but he suppressed the feeling and let himself be embraced in a hug. The artificial arm came to life and some light swirled in the empty mana stone. The hug lasted a couple of seconds before Walter let go and turned around. “Em! Emerson! Get your ass over here!” he yelled.

There was a pause during which the two only stared at each other with silly smiles before the form of the large Emerson appeared from the darker depths of Walter’s home. Alan felt some of his joy leave his body, as the man looked much the same as he had in the fractal. There was pain and fear on his face and the shadow of death seemed to follow in his wake.

Dying so many times… I wonder what that has done to him. From being manipulated and almost brainwashed by a servant of a foreign god, to being thrown in the meat grinder, Emerson had it bad. Hopefully, that was the end of it.

“Nice to see you man,” Alan said and moved forward on his own. Emerson’s eyes welled up with tears and he too embraced Alan. The incredible strength of his body could be felt through the touch, but Alan was sure the man wouldn’t hurt him. It lasted a long while and it was pretty awkward, but Alan let the man have it. No one interrupted them.

“Thank you, Alan, thank you.” Emerson sobbed. “Thank you.”

“Don’t worry buddy, I’ve not done anything special.” I should’ve gone for him sooner. I should’ve tried to save him earlier. Fuck. The bitterness reared its ugly head but Alan suppressed it before it could affect the reunion. He had been much weaker, and way different during his first days in the fractal. Even the current him wouldn’t have the power to do anything against the Deathless Plate hold.

“Come inside, come inside. Let’s not stand out here. It’s not safe…” Walter said then eyed Alan and Rosalyn. The latter seemed to avoid his gaze.

“Don’t worry,” Alan said but still followed and used a hand to drag the hesitant Rosalyn along. “If someone comes knocking, I’ll make them reevaluate their lives.”

Walter threw a look and seemed to reevaluate him. “You’ve gotten spookier,” the old man said, making Alan laugh.

The group entered the inside. It was much less barebones than the previous times as the room was littered with furniture and even some simple decorations and plants. There were actual doors leading to other rooms. The lack of windows didn’t seem to be an issue anymore as perfectly natural sunlight was coming out of a simple lamp hung on the ceiling.

“Mr. Muge’s invention. The guy’s killing it and has become one of the most valuable members of our Sanctuary.” Rosalyn explained from the side.

The group settled on a few chairs covered with animal furs and Alan sighed. Walter soon brought out a few bottles of chilled beer too, and Alan grinned.

“Brewing is going well, eh?”

“There are quite a few [Brewers] around. Some drinks can give small time boosts but I don’t know if it’s worth the after-effects. Booze has gotten strong enough to affect people with high attributes without tasting like gasoline.” Walter explained.

“Unfortunately, many of the crafting classes move toward more combat-oriented paths,” Rosalyn said from the side.

Alan took a sip and sighed. The taste was reminiscent of beer from the old world. He noticed Walter throw glances at Rosalyn, but decided to ignore it for now. Whatever differences may have arisen could wait or be smoothed out when the time came.

Emerson sat to the side, silent, but a small smile played on his lips. Alan remembered how chatty the man had been before, but now it was as if he was a shy boy just happy to be included.

“How are you doing, Em?” Alan asked.

Emerson looked up and nodded. “Good, I think. Good.”

Well, that doesn’t sound good. The old Emerson would’ve gone on a tirade.

“Will you be joining me outside?” Alan asked.

That got everyone’s attention as Emerson visibly paled. He had grown even larger during his time in the fractal and now towered over almost anyone else Alan had met at close to two meters and a half. However, his expression was that of a little lost child at the moment. Alan felt his heart clench. There were very few people he would call friends, especially after the end of the world, and Emerson was on top of that list.

“It’s alright Em, if you don’t want to fight you never have to do so again,” Alan quickly said. He would make sure there was a safe place.

“It’s not that…” Emerson said. “I’m afraid. Death… I’ve died many times. I’m still trying to remember all of you and what connects us, but I remember all of my deaths. And if I die again, it will be permanent…”

Alan nodded. It was only natural for Emerson’s experience to leave lasting damage.

“Let’s not dwell on such things. Do you want to tell us a bit of your adventures?” Walter interrupted, trying to lift the mood.

I wouldn’t call them adventures, but… “Sure. Where do I start…”