The plague spread even further as days passed. After Matt’s visit, it became this wasn’t wasn’t the usual affliction. This was a plague that threatened a pillar of our current society. Magic’s one of the component keeping us safe. It’s what keeps this world from falling into the abyss. Science and Magic had intertwined ever since we came to know of the Otherside. Miracles weaved into weapons or utility. Magic’s accessible because the Otherside Bureau wants it to be.
It was an age where it’s needed. When that very cog keeping the world afloat is endangered by an affliction that robs you of magic. Panic comes in. Most of the civilized world had a achieved a balance. Third-world countries who do not have the same access to cybernetics so they rely on magic. Making them havens for practitioners.
With the mage-flaying plague spreading. Most of these countries are in a state of panic as the magic they rely on to keep the monsters of the Otherside at bay is fading. It’s all over the news. Scenes of practitioners flaying themselves as if their skin was a bother. Priests who also use the miracles are doing the same. Skinning themselves, making everyone wonder what it all means.
The affliction consumed and empowers magic. It swallows it and then throws it up into this malignant miasma. Changye’s afflicted by this plague and now everyone wasn’t sure. Without talismans, charms, and even the workshop weapons, how will humanity fight back against those that guns and cyberware can’t harm?
Changye had once again turned to this place where you can only pray that everything will be alright.
It hasn’t been long. This body is really melancholic, and there are just times where it’s just hard to accept to live in a world that seemed to take being always soaked in despair.
It’s like a worldwide case of Stockholm syndrome, where they’re so used to this suffering that they treat it as another storm they must endure.
I do admit they are trying their best. But this was not living, this was just surviving.
I was never the kind who was fond of fights. I disliked how some supplement their lives with action and violence. It’s an unavoidable. This world’s coated in despair. They think it’s alright to live like this and that this is all okay.
I understand this world had already ended. The age they cherished had long passed and learning of the Otherside had caused the world to pick on them like ore for digging. It’s fascinating how you can view the state of the world as a reflection of how humanity is.
Cybernetics replacing what humanity has lost and magic and miracles as the one keeping them alive. It’s like an unholy combination of science and magic. A man would prefer chopping his arm off than getting it healed, since he thinks it’s alright for him to do so. It is the most correct thought. Humans of the past would have loathed the very idea of taking their arm. They’ll keep it even if it’s a bother. Arms are replaceable here and flesh crafting made it possible for them to regain their arms if they liked to.
It’s because of this they can live without worry. Limbs are easy to replace and that is why they are so reckless. I wonder how they’ll react if a virus makes their cybernetics obsolete?
Magic blooms on those who desire it. To do magic, one needed the proper words, gestures, and materials. Some are naturally talented, there are others who can’t fathom magic. The farther you were from science, the most natural you are at magic. Only when belief’s internalized that they function; it’s the same with miracles. The difference was that the touch of divinity mixed in.
The plague ‘devours’ the magic in it and leaves only the touch of divine that disperses once consumed. It’s so comical that despite all these sciences and progress. We’re in a world where both humanity and monsters live.
We fight them for dominance and yet as we succeed, we still are so vulnerable to the very things we can’t fight easily. And the chaos around me proves that this was true. With the magic unstable, most of the people were worrying. Even the preacher I used to find every morning was weeping and asking God why they have forsaken them by giving this affliction even to his faithful.
Those who are steadfast in their fate believes this is God’s trial upon them. And they believe those who got flayed simply lacked faith. Having an epiphany, those who tried to resist the flaying simply had their skin melted, the overbearing magic breaking their skin.
They just think that those who failed lacked faith in their chosen deity. It became a test, and many believed that to the point of spreading it.
You lack faith, hence, why you died.
For the Mages it was an issue they couldn’t simply put as simple as the Priests. Humanity had been living with magic and although there are cases where magic gives illness. Normal medicine could treat them.
But an affliction born out of magic. That had ascended individuals and flayed those who couldn’t handle the power it brings. The Demis were different, as they have found a method.
Anyway, the world’s facing its first magic plague. In their arrogance, thinking there are no drawbacks to magic, had not thought of it… or perhaps those who came to know of the Twelves Demis knew and simply hid it. It’s a plague that had existed and now the world finally knew it. The Mages, though some are genuinely afraid of it, the rest of the Mages were practically euphoric at the thought of this. Thirsty of knowledge, and I’m sure some of them are brilliant enough to understand the implications of this. Surviving the flaying means you will get an increase in power. Matt was so sure about that and I think it won’t take long for them to notice this.
***
Cindy contacted me. I got into her office and found her presence lacking.
“Did you do something?” I asked.
“I sealed myself. I had to seal my magical powers while the plague’s around. Losing my powers would be a blow.”
On her neck was a plug connecting her to a computer. It didn’t look like the ones you can find in their office. Not that the Redmonds have this kind of gear lying around.
“So back to being a gear-head for now.”
She studied me carefully and placed a hand.
“You don’t look right. Ah, I did he Matt contacted you already. Did that lich give your office a hard time?”
“He got info from us… so how much do you know?”
“Just enough. Sato and I know he’s been around. I bet the OB’s calling him right now to explain his side. It’s a global phenomenon and everyone wants a piece of information.”
She hesitated. Then loosened her shoulders.
“You and Kei are loosely part of the OB.”
“No shit. It’s easy to believe that when we got so much progress.”
It’s suspicious how we were so successful without roadblocks from the OB. I don’t believe for a second that she can rise without compromising on one thing. Kei would do anything to achieve her freedom, but I think she also knows it isn’t really true freedom. True freedom is feral and rabid. She’ll have to play by the rules and also act in the best interest of those who will give her freedom.
“It will be difficult for your office to operate. Right now, anomalies, though appearing in tandem with this plague, are beyond your control either. Besides, we have a bigger problem.”
“I am confused, Cindy.” I said. “This plague, this disease, isn’t something the OB is keen to just let other people find out about. What changed?”
“You know it. Graded Agents are the defense line. And when the Otherside brings trouble… when our old enemies are creating man-made Gods… we’re bound to have trouble.”
“Did Vultan affect the line?”
“Of course. It might have been a man-made God. But when a god takes a step into our realm. The firmament warps to accommodate said God, even for a moment, a God remains a God.”
“So, that’s it then? The change empowered this?” I asked.
“No. It strengthened the anomalies,” she said. “Leading to this plague to get empowered. The vampire who made that god seemed to have acquaintances in places.”
“I assume they took care of it?”
“Of course they do. The Graded Agents have been working hard to defeat the anomalies beyond our comprehension, beyond what your office can handle.”
If Kei’s office handles the street-level. Then the Graded Agents are still the ones who keep most of the world safe. It’s only because Kei’s good at taking care of the anomalies that appear that she got the right to hunt them down. The Bureau doesn’t allow anyone to interfere in affairs unless they had thought about it. The OB rules the world because it’s the only force that could still stand up to the might of the Otherside.
There’s one truth that prevails in this world. The Otherside’s appearance causes misery and the Bureau’s the only one who could stop it.
It’s a shitshow world that I have to be in.
“So why call me?”
“Just to inform you that the plague is spreading.”
“And?”
Her smile was uncanny. Like she has this under control. I hate her truly when she uses this face.
“I hate this one.”
“Well, we have to wear masks. The Bureau will take care of the problem. It will get worse and perhaps magic will collapse some defenses of Changye.”
“You make it sound like the world’s ending,” I said.
“Don’t you know? We’re in a constant state of the world ending. An anomaly could break our world any second, and we’ll be none the wiser. I’m sure you think the same way. This is merely surviving, not living. We struggle to hold this broken world together.”
She looked away.
“It’s a sad world, but it’s the only world we know.”
I crossed my arms. “And yet here you are at the most comfortable place in the world. Be careful, Cindy. If people hear the word ‘surviving’ coming from your mouth. They’d think you’re mocking them.”
“Indeed, some might call it good living what I have. But position like this comes with the responsibility too.”
“No, you’re just curious,” I said. “You’re not driven by survival, just plain old curiosity. I guess there’s a reason a nut job like you can reach this position.”
She laughed. She gave me a data stick.
“This one contains some data Matt gave us. We’re partners, so we’ll keep in touch.”
“And you told me a while ago we need to stay still.”
“I still need your office to keep on trying. I had you two come here to know.”
“Could have told me on the call. Do you realize how bad it was to travel here? I had to go through many checks.”
“It’s one of those things that can’t be on comms. I’m sure you understand.”
I looked around.
“And if they bugged your office?”
“I’ll know. It doesn’t matter. Most of the Redmond Mages are well-informed about this situation.” She pointed out. “Personally, I just want to see your face.”
“Not confident about something?”
“Something like that.”
I turned towards the door. She stopped me.
“I am curious. Do you actually like working for Kei?”
“She’s alright.”
“Going to give her your name?”
“You should rest, Cindy. All this work has made you forgot some things.”
She looked at me seriously.
“I see. I wonder how she worms herself in someone’s heart. Makes me jealous somehow. Anyway, if the world ends, I hope you text me your name. Kinda unfair to remain nameless, you know?”
“Please, you saw my files.”
“I did. You know my real name, but I don't know yours. Anyway, think about it, okay?”
I loaded the data she gave me and saw the rate of how the plague was spreading.
The plague spread even further as days passed. After Matt’s visit, it became this wasn’t wasn’t the usual affliction. This was a plague that threatened a pillar of our current society. Magic’s one of the component keeping us safe. It’s what keeps this world from falling into the abyss. Science and Magic had intertwined ever since we came to know of the Otherside. Miracles weaved into weapons or utility. Magic’s accessible because the Otherside Bureau wants it to be.
It was an age where it’s needed. When that very cog keeping the world afloat is endangered by an affliction that robs you of magic. Panic comes in. Most of the civilized world had a achieved a balance. Third-world countries who do not have the same access to cybernetics so they rely on magic. Making them havens for practitioners.
With the mage-flaying plague spreading. Most of these countries are in a state of panic as the magic they rely on to keep the monsters of the Otherside at bay is fading. It’s all over the news. Scenes of practitioners flaying themselves as if their skin was a bother. Priests who also use the miracles are doing the same. Skinning themselves, making everyone wonder what it all means.
The affliction consumed and empowers magic. It swallows it and then throws it up into this malignant miasma. Changye’s afflicted by this plague and now everyone wasn’t sure. Without talismans, charms, and even the workshop weapons, how will humanity fight back against those that guns and cyberware can’t harm?
Changye had once again turned to this place where you can only pray that everything will be alright.
It hasn’t been long. This body is really melancholic, and there are just times where it’s just hard to accept to live in a world that seemed to take being always soaked in despair.
It’s like a worldwide case of Stockholm syndrome, where they’re so used to this suffering that they treat it as another storm they must endure.
I do admit they are trying their best. But this was not living, this was just surviving.
I was never the kind who was fond of fights. I disliked how some supplement their lives with action and violence. It’s an unavoidable. This world’s coated in despair. They think it’s alright to live like this and that this is all okay.
I understand this world had already ended. The age they cherished had long passed and learning of the Otherside had caused the world to pick on them like ore for digging. It’s fascinating how you can view the state of the world as a reflection of how humanity is.
Cybernetics replacing what humanity has lost and magic and miracles as the one keeping them alive. It’s like an unholy combination of science and magic. A man would prefer chopping his arm off than getting it healed, since he thinks it’s alright for him to do so. It is the most correct thought. Humans of the past would have loathed the very idea of taking their arm. They’ll keep it even if it’s a bother. Arms are replaceable here and flesh crafting made it possible for them to regain their arms if they liked to.
It’s because of this they can live without worry. Limbs are easy to replace and that is why they are so reckless. I wonder how they’ll react if a virus makes their cybernetics obsolete?
Magic blooms on those who desire it. To do magic, one needed the proper words, gestures, and materials. Some are naturally talented, there are others who can’t fathom magic. The farther you were from science, the most natural you are at magic. Only when belief’s internalized that they function; it’s the same with miracles. The difference was that the touch of divinity mixed in.
The plague ‘devours’ the magic in it and leaves only the touch of divine that disperses once consumed. It’s so comical that despite all these sciences and progress. We’re in a world where both humanity and monsters live.
We fight them for dominance and yet as we succeed, we still are so vulnerable to the very things we can’t fight easily. And the chaos around me proves that this was true. With the magic unstable, most of the people were worrying. Even the preacher I used to find every morning was weeping and asking God why they have forsaken them by giving this affliction even to his faithful.
Those who are steadfast in their fate believes this is God’s trial upon them. And they believe those who got flayed simply lacked faith. Having an epiphany, those who tried to resist the flaying simply had their skin melted, the overbearing magic breaking their skin.
They just think that those who failed lacked faith in their chosen deity. It became a test, and many believed that to the point of spreading it.
You lack faith, hence, why you died.
For the Mages it was an issue they couldn’t simply put as simple as the Priests. Humanity had been living with magic and although there are cases where magic gives illness. Normal medicine could treat them.
But an affliction born out of magic. That had ascended individuals and flayed those who couldn’t handle the power it brings. The Demis were different, as they have found a method.
Anyway, the world’s facing its first magic plague. In their arrogance, thinking there are no drawbacks to magic, had not thought of it… or perhaps those who came to know of the Twelves Demis knew and simply hid it. It’s a plague that had existed and now the world finally knew it. The Mages, though some are genuinely afraid of it, the rest of the Mages were practically euphoric at the thought of this. Thirsty of knowledge, and I’m sure some of them are brilliant enough to understand the implications of this. Surviving the flaying means you will get an increase in power. Matt was so sure about that and I think it won’t take long for them to notice this.
***
Cindy contacted me. I got into her office and found her presence lacking.
“Did you do something?” I asked.
“I sealed myself. I had to seal my magical powers while the plague’s around. Losing my powers would be a blow.”
On her neck was a plug connecting her to a computer. It didn’t look like the ones you can find in their office. Not that the Redmonds have this kind of gear lying around.
“So back to being a gear-head for now.”
She studied me carefully and placed a hand.
“You don’t look right. Ah, I did he Matt contacted you already. Did that lich give your office a hard time?”
“He got info from us… so how much do you know?”
“Just enough. Sato and I know he’s been around. I bet the OB’s calling him right now to explain his side. It’s a global phenomenon and everyone wants a piece of information.”
She hesitated. Then loosened her shoulders.
“You and Kei are loosely part of the OB.”
“No shit. It’s easy to believe that when we got so much progress.”
It’s suspicious how we were so successful without roadblocks from the OB. I don’t believe for a second that she can rise without compromising on one thing. Kei would do anything to achieve her freedom, but I think she also knows it isn’t really true freedom. True freedom is feral and rabid. She’ll have to play by the rules and also act in the best interest of those who will give her freedom.
“It will be difficult for your office to operate. Right now, anomalies, though appearing in tandem with this plague, are beyond your control either. Besides, we have a bigger problem.”
“I am confused, Cindy.” I said. “This plague, this disease, isn’t something the OB is keen to just let other people find out about. What changed?”
“You know it. Graded Agents are the defense line. And when the Otherside brings trouble… when our old enemies are creating man-made Gods… we’re bound to have trouble.”
“Did Vultan affect the line?”
“Of course. It might have been a man-made God. But when a god takes a step into our realm. The firmament warps to accommodate said God, even for a moment, a God remains a God.”
“So, that’s it then? The change empowered this?” I asked.
“No. It strengthened the anomalies,” she said. “Leading to this plague to get empowered. The vampire who made that god seemed to have acquaintances in places.”
“I assume they took care of it?”
“Of course they do. The Graded Agents have been working hard to defeat the anomalies beyond our comprehension, beyond what your office can handle.”
If Kei’s office handles the street-level. Then the Graded Agents are still the ones who keep most of the world safe. It’s only because Kei’s good at taking care of the anomalies that appear that she got the right to hunt them down. The Bureau doesn’t allow anyone to interfere in affairs unless they had thought about it. The OB rules the world because it’s the only force that could still stand up to the might of the Otherside.
There’s one truth that prevails in this world. The Otherside’s appearance causes misery and the Bureau’s the only one who could stop it.
It’s a shitshow world that I have to be in.
“So why call me?”
“Just to inform you that the plague is spreading.”
“And?”
Her smile was uncanny. Like she has this under control. I hate her truly when she uses this face.
“I hate this one.”
“Well, we have to wear masks. The Bureau will take care of the problem. It will get worse and perhaps magic will collapse some defenses of Changye.”
“You make it sound like the world’s ending,” I said.
“Don’t you know? We’re in a constant state of the world ending. An anomaly could break our world any second, and we’ll be none the wiser. I’m sure you think the same way. This is merely surviving, not living. We struggle to hold this broken world together.”
She looked away.
“It’s a sad world, but it’s the only world we know.”
I crossed my arms. “And yet here you are at the most comfortable place in the world. Be careful, Cindy. If people hear the word ‘surviving’ coming from your mouth. They’d think you’re mocking them.”
“Indeed, some might call it good living what I have. But position like this comes with the responsibility too.”
“No, you’re just curious,” I said. “You’re not driven by survival, just plain old curiosity. I guess there’s a reason a nut job like you can reach this position.”
She laughed. She gave me a data stick.
“This one contains some data Matt gave us. We’re partners, so we’ll keep in touch.”
“And you told me a while ago we need to stay still.”
“I still need your office to keep on trying. I had you two come here to know.”
“Could have told me on the call. Do you realize how bad it was to travel here? I had to go through many checks.”
“It’s one of those things that can’t be on comms. I’m sure you understand.”
I looked around.
“And if they bugged your office?”
“I’ll know. It doesn’t matter. Most of the Redmond Mages are well-informed about this situation.” She pointed out. “Personally, I just want to see your face.”
“Not confident about something?”
“Something like that.”
I turned towards the door. She stopped me.
“I am curious. Do you actually like working for Kei?”
“She’s alright.”
“Going to give her your name?”
“You should rest, Cindy. All this work has made you forgot some things.”
She looked at me seriously.
“I see. I wonder how she worms herself in someone’s heart. Makes me jealous somehow. Anyway, if the world ends, I hope you text me your name. Kinda unfair to remain nameless, you know?”
“Please, you saw my files.”
“I did. You know my real name, but I don't know yours. Anyway, think about it, okay?”
I loaded the data she gave me and saw the rate of how the plague was spreading.
