It seemed a bit contradictory that one without affinity could safely contract with a strong spirit, but the more he thought about it, the more sense it made. Since he had no affinity, he and Demitra weren’t sharing mana. If they had been, he’d already have imploded in some fashion.
’Though I wish I knew the risks before accepting her contract.’
Ash and the princess continued their conversation, familiarizing themselves with each other and their predicament.
Primarily, they discussed how the princess’ pursuers would show up inside the seal with them sooner or later.
Afterward, they went over what it would take to break the seal.
Then, it was time for something Ash dreaded...
His eyes began to feel heavy.
How in the world was he supposed to sleep knowing he could fall through the world at any moment? He might have been safe from plunging as long as his sandals and tunic remained somewhat intact, but he could very well roll over and bury his head in the ground.
Perhaps because of their contract, or merely natural intuition, Demitra seemed to have sensed his unease.
"While you sleep, you may lay your head on me."
’Ergh...’
"Very well."
Despite his reluctance to depend on anyone, Ash accepted.
After all, it was easy to rationalize it. She was bonded to him and an extension of him at the moment.
With that, the princess and Ash settled in for some much-needed rest while Demitra kept a watchful eye over them.
Thus ended Ash’s first night in Rite of Ruin...
And when he awoke, he’d begin his first full day.
And a long, full day it would be.
***
An unknowable amount of time passed before Ash and the princess awoke, yet the hours had gone by peacefully. No roaming monster had stumbled across them, nor had her pursuers entered the seal. Most importantly, Ash’s head had not slipped off Demitra’s comfortable pelt.
In preparation for the long day ahead, the princess finally revealed her hand as well. Her explanation also placed into perspective why she was considered "cursed."
Being a spirit healer, despite what the name suggested, did not mean one healed only spirits. Rather, it meant one healed every aspect of a being — including their spirit. This was why she was able to heal normal wounds.
However, the true curse lay within the abilities she’d been born with.
According to the princess, she currently possessed two passives, [Sprite] and [Spirit Aura], and two actives, [Spirit Heal] and [Surge].
[Sprite] strengthened her soul, allowing it to withstand her own healing. It also made all nearby spirits recognize her and become docile, while granting her a high affinity with water and ice spirits. Finally, it allowed her body to break down others’ mana and absorb small quantities of it.
’But... what exactly is mana?’
It was easy to overlook, as mana appeared in a lot of games. It was even the primary resource in Mythic Dominion. But since this was reality — or at least a convincing imitation of it — mana had to possess its own underlying laws and reasons for existing.
’I’ll think on it later.’
[Surge] was somewhat out of place among the spirit-themed abilities, but it allowed her to summon and control water.
Then there was [Spirit Heal].
[Spirit Heal] allowed her to heal the very essence of a person — every aspect of their existence. It was a potent heal capable of mending even the most dire of wounds.
However, there was an insidious catch: no matter what she did, she couldn’t restrain its potency.
That might not have sounded particularly dangerous until one learned that the ultimate form of life was a spirit: like Demitra had said, "a being born of the world’s desire."
Much like what would happen if one contracted with a spirit they possessed an affinity for, yet lacked the strength to withstand, one’s body would be unable to sustain the strain her immense heal placed upon their soul. Even in her current relatively weakened state, anyone she healed had a high chance to pop like a balloon.
’I wonder how scary that ability would be if the goddess version of her used it.’
Worse still, she experienced the effects of the heal herself whenever she used it on another, preventing her from casting it repeatedly in rapid succession.
Once again... it was only a curse if she activated it. So, it wasn’t too much of a problem.
The real issue was [Spirit Aura].
This ability existed as an invisible providence around her, constantly applying a weaker form of [Spirit Heal].
While those with powerful spirits could survive the aura, anyone unawakened to mana would perish the moment they entered its range. Those who had awakened, meanwhile, experienced varying reactions. Their souls could explode, they could fall gravely ill, or they could become incapacitated in some other form. Rarely did a "fleshed" one receive the positive effect of a regular heal.
’It was also the reason spirits flocked to her... They enjoyed the feeling of that healing aura.’
Considering Ash was unaffected, however, he didn’t have to worry too much about succumbing to her aura.
’I guess I have a strong spirit.’
He only needed to worry about whether she ever felt the need to betray him. Thankfully, as Ash understood it, she couldn’t kill him with [Spirit Heal] unless he used [Focus].
But now, knowing what he knew...
’Perhaps I was mistaken about passive healing using mana. Maybe that’s unique to her.’
Beyond that, her aura presented another problem. She was somewhat of a detriment in battle, since the minor heal from [Spirit Aura] also affected enemies. And monsters — "beings of pure mana" — were impervious to its negative effects.
’Not to mention, the wolf said she had to conserve her power, so she needs to keep her impact to a minimum.’
His allies were useless.
No, they were worse than useless.
They were actively slowing him down.
Ash sighed to himself.
"Nothing I’m not used to."
The princess tilted her head in confusion as she tightened a belt around her waist.
"What was that?"
Ash stretched out his hand and willed himself to grip the pike within his inventory. As he pulled his arm back, nothing followed. But eventually, the weapon began to form in his hand, its shaft settling neatly into his palm.
"I was just thinking that having to fight while your ability heals the enemy is going to be annoying."
The princess stared at him while adjusting the tunic she wore, having opted not to put on the metal armor and bake alive in this oven of a world. Though she had stripped the outfit for some essentials.
"Hey, do you have to be so blunt?"
"But it’s the truth."
"..."
Ash shrugged and turned away from the the Obsidian Temple and toward where the chains were coming from.
"Well, let’s head out. You said we should start with that chain, right?"
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