Irwin's Journey - The Cardsmith-Chapter 290: New lessons

"So… tell me again why you crawled into that smelly thing?" Greldo said, his voice warped and muted as he pinched his nose and kept backing away from Irwin.

"Because of this," Irwin said, waving the small, surprisingly heavy bit of Aurorium around. "Now stop acting like a baby, or I'll come over there and hug you!"

Greldo's eyes widened, and he vanished from his spot to reappear on the other side of the deck. "Try me! Also, you mean you are happy that you found metal that can absorb soulforce and destroy worlds?"

"This isn't even enough to drain my soulforce," Irwin said as he waved it around. "But yes, I'm happy. Because now I have an idea where to get more of it."

As he said that, he hesitated. Knowing where to get it didn't help much if it meant he'd have to somehow get rid of Oculithar, which was much bigger than this one. He thought about the massive one he'd seen that attacked the corridor he'd gone through and shivered. That thing had been enormous, dwarfing most harbor cities he'd seen. As proud as he was of his final card, it wouldn't even scratch such a demon.

"What are you going to do with the Aurorium?" Dahlia asked.

Irwin shrugged. "Nothing. It's too small. I'll probably just bring it along."

"Don't bring it into your soulscape! I've heard a story about someone who did that, and he never woke up again," Dahlia said quickly.

Irwin looked at the other smith and nodded absently. Dahlia had been acting differently for a while now, no longer as calm and collected as she'd been when he had picked her up. Ever since she had arrived at Eluathar, she'd talked more and opened up a bit. At the same time, the slightly self-assured look she'd had while they were traveling was gone. If he had to guess, she was feeling disillusioned. From what he knew of her, she'd always been treated as one of the best.

It can't be easy to find a world with so many potential great smiths, Irwin thought.

"I… Sorry, I'm sure you wouldn't do that," Dahlia muttered.

Irwin blinked, realizing he'd been staring at her while he thought, and he quickly shook his head.

"It's fine. I was just distracted," he said, turning to look to the front.

They were almost back at the harbor, and Zender and Boohm stood ready at the side of the ship.

I wonder how Basil is doing.

A few minutes later, he was walking across the dock toward Daubutim, who was standing near the first row of buildings. His friend was talking with Xi'kroak, and from the looks of things, it wasn't about anything good. La'suna stood behind her captain.

"Xi'kroak is on the warpath," Greldo said, walking beside him. "He wants to take Rohmin, that's who got the spear you made, and hunt the two Oculithar that got away."

"Can't blame him," Irwin said. "He lost a lot of his crew, and you know how he is."

As Irwin reached them, Daubutim looked up and nodded. Irwin thought he saw a tiny bit of relief in his friend's swirling eyes, but he wasn't sure. Daubutim was in full noble mode and focused back on Xi'kroak, who stood to the side. The Da'xi's faceplates were locked in place, the edges barely visible, making it look like someone covered in armor made of hand-sized interlocking plates.

"Captain Xi'kroak, let's continue this conversation inside. Smith Irwin will need to help Basil if he can, and after that, I am sure he can answer your questions."

Xi'kroak didn't answer but just turned and stalked to the door of a nearby building. La'suna, who had been standing behind him, sighed, and her face plates rattled softly.

"Please forgive him, but he has just lost his ship and seven of his crew," she whispered. "It will haunt him for a long time."

"It's fine," Daubutim said. "Please make sure he doesn't do anything stupid?"

La'suna nodded, then walked after Xi'kroak.

Daubutim turned to Irwin, and the corners of his lips twitched.

"You smell."

"See? I told y-" Greldo grunted as Irwin slightly elbowed him to make him shut up.

"Where is Basil?" Irwin asked. "How is he?"

"He's in the building Xi'kroak went into, and he's… well, he is stable, I guess is the right word," Daubutim said. "Lilinethe is with him, but she says there's little she can do."

"Let's go see him," Irwin said as he remembered the horrible state of Basil's soul-resonance.

"I'll stay outside and keep an eye on things here while listening to what you are all saying," Greldo said. "Just call me if you need me."

Irwin nodded before he and Daubutim walked to the building. It looked like a place meant for harbor guards, barely used but meant for when the harbor was bustling with people.

Whenever that will be, Irwin thought.

As they walked inside, a discontent sound, not unlike that of Hind's soulscape before he helped her, greeted him. Xi'kroak stood before a window, arms crossed and standing like a statue. La'suna was standing beside him, whispering to him.

A bed stood against the back wall while a table and chairs were shoved into a corner beside a square staircase leading up.

Irwin stopped and stared at the person who was on it, both his physical changes and the horrifying resonance from his soulforce making him shudder.

"Basil," Irwin said.

"Yeah, good to see you too," a gray-haired, gray-bearded Basil responded. The warrior's massive frame had shrunk slightly, still impressive but no more the paragon of fitness he'd been, while his skin had become blotchy with age. The only thing that had changed in any meaningful positive way were his eyes. Previously the dull, gleaming silver of someone far from filling their soullake, they were now radiating so brightly they lit up his face. A single look told Irwin that Basil's soullake wasn't just full; it was overflowing- which was probably one of the reasons his resonance felt so horrible.

"So… think you can help an old man out here?" Basil said, his voice dry and cracky.

A snort from the side made Irwin realize Basil wasn't the only one there. Sitting beside the bed was Lilinethe, holding Basil's hand in her own as they glowed dully.

"I don't know," Irwin said, shaking his head. "But I'll do the best I can. For now, can you tell me how your heartcard is feeling?"

Basil snorted. "Like one of those crystal windows after it falls on the ground. Just focusing on it for a moment hurts like hell, and I feel like soulforce is leaking out of my ears."

Irwin frowned, focusing on Basil. He tried to ignore the way his senses screamed at him to get away from the dissonant resonance that felt strained and wrong. It was like listening to something too loud and too off-pitch that tried to overload his senses.

It's not worse than Hind was, but the problem is, Irwin thought. Hind's heartcard had been horribly mismade, but it hadn't actually been cracked. Basil's felt like it was close to blowing up, parts having shattered as a soulforce far too large for his soulscape and soullake surged inside of him.

If I am to do anything, we need to drain that soulforce, Irwin knew as he thought of the tiny sliver of Aurorium in his pocket.

"I need to ask Dahlia some questions," he said before raising an eyebrow at Basil. "Stay here, alright?"

Basil barked a pained laugh. "Not going anywhere, Irwin."

Irwin forced himself to smile before he shared a quick, worried look with Lilinethe. Then he turned and walked out of the building. As soon as he was outside, he turned to Ambraz.

"His soullake is full… why isn't his soulcard forming? I can sense the dissonance, but it's because it's too full. If his soulcard had formed, his soulscape would have become stronger and might have been able to hold more."

"Because his soulscape is close to shattering, and his heartcard isn't much better," Ambraz said, sounding deeply worried. "Unlike with Hind, Basil's card is actually well balanced and could become a soulcard if it wasn't so damaged. The problem is that we can't shatter it like we did with Hind. If we do, his soullake will shatter, and he doesn't have another soulcard like she did. He won't survive."

"What if we put the Aurorium in his soulscape and let it drain the excess soulforce?" Irwin said as he looked around. His crew was still aboard The Concerto, and he slowly walked toward it to give himself more time to think.

"It might work, and I take it this is why you want to talk to Dahlia? She will tell you what I will. It's possible, but it will take a long time. The story she was talking about is just that, a story. Although the warning is sound, nobody really knows what will happen, or at least, it's not common knowledge."

Irwin hesitated but continued walking. Sadly, Dahlia just shook her head when he asked her.

"Besides the warning not to do it, Grandfather didn't tell me anything else," she said. "It was just one of many warnings he gave me about rare metals."

"Alright, thanks," Irwin said as he turned to walk back.

"Captain, we… Well, Sting and Sprig have an idea!"

Irwin turned to see Zender and Earila standing nearby. The small birds on their shoulders were staring at him with their piercing black eyes. He guessed Sting and Sprig were their names,.

Zender took over from his sister. "They say that one of the adult Leafarits could probably hold Basil's soulscape together while you do… well, what you did with Hind?"

"Are you telling me an adult Leafarit can interact with another being's soulscape?" Ambraz nearly shouted.

Zender flinched, then looked at the small bird for a few moments.

"Sting says it can only be done if the person in question is brought within their soulscape," Zender said.

Ambraz didn't respond, but Irwin saw his lips pursed.

So, does that mean Zegritar could do that? Irwin thought.

"Alright, can you go and find Zegritar and ask if he is willing to do this for us?" Irwin asked after a bit.

Zender and Earila grinned. "On it, Captain!" they shouted in unison before sprinting away across the gangplank and toward the exit portal.

"Kid… you do know that means you will also have to enter that soulscape, right?"

"I do. Why? Do you think Zegritar would try something?"

"No, I doubt that," Ambraz said. "What I meant to say is that your soulscape size and stability are intense for someone with only one soulcard. I am not sure Zegritar would be able to keep you there for very long."

Irwin sighed as he looked around. Dahlia and Boohm had been watching him, and as soon as he looked up, Boohm came over.

"How is Basil doing, captain?"

"Not good," Irwin said, deciding there was no use lying about it. "But there's still a chance to fix him."

Boohm nodded. "Well, if I can help, let me know!"

"I will, Boohm. I will," Irwin said as he waved at Dahlia before heading back.

Greldo was lying against Coal in the shadow of the building and merely waved, eyes closed as he passed.

When Irwin entered the guardhouse, he heard Xi'kroak and Basil chat.

"-you think he would help?" Xi'kroak asked, standing before the bed.

His face plates had loosened slightly, the tension less than when Irwin had left.

"As soon as I can move, I'll ask him," Basil said. "But from what I sensed from him, he hates Oculithar more than anything else."

Irwin moved beside Daubutim, who looked at him and raised an eyebrow.

"We will need to take Basil back on-world," he whispered. "There's a chance Zegritar can hold together Basil's mind so I can repair his heartcard."

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Daubutim's eyes swirled faster for a moment before he nodded. "Alright. I'll get things arranged to get him back."

"Lord Daubutim, I want to request that Basil talks with the Chaos Whale before he heads back," Xi'kroak said.

Irwin looked at Xi'kroak, than at Basil in surprise. "What? You can talk with the Chaos Whales?"

"It's not really talking," Basil grunted, scratching his beard. "It feels more like sharing senses and emotions. It's a bit hard to describe, but Scariander doesn't really talk."

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"Scariander?"

"Ah, right. That's roughly what his name is like if you'd translate it to words… well, sort of. It's longer and more complex and like a whole slew of emotions and things all together, and I might have shortened it a bit," Basil said. "But he's the only living male of his troupe. The others died fighting off the other Oculithar while he escorted the others through the storm. The rest are all too young to survive out there on their own. Apparently, there are way more than just Oculithar, who hunt things."

"How did you communicate with him?" Irwin asked, more than a little surprised.

"It happened when I jumped on his dorsal fin. He kind of understands intent? So when I wanted to kill those Oculithar, he approved and let me ride him into battle- which was incredible," Basil said, his eyes gleaming even brighter than before. For a moment, the age he'd gathered within hours seemed to fall away, and a bit of his previous self appeared.

"That was, until he started shoving energy into my soulscape to overcharge my card," Basil said, his grin turning ugly. "That was the worst thing I've ever felt."

Xi'kroak had been standing there, his faceplates turning more and rigid, and Daubutim hummed.

"To talk to him, would you need to touch him again?"

"I think so," Basil said before shrugging helplessly as he looked at Xi'kroak. "But I don't think I can move right now."

"I can carry you," Xi'kroak instantly suggested. "I just need you to ask the Chaos Whale if he can come with us to hunt the other Oculithar!"

"Him and Rohmin," Daubutim said calmly. "I don't think we can do that."

Xi'kroak's faceplates flattened so hard it creaked. "Why not!?"

"What would we do if one of those Oculithar returns while you are gone with our only means of fighting them?" Daubutim asked calmly.

Xi'kroak's face plates slowly loosened, and he let out a weary sigh. "You… are right. I just… My Zura'ix is gone, and seven people I've known most of my life, who depended on me to keep them safe… all-"

Xi'kroak let out a short hissing whine that made Irwin's arm hairs stand on end.

Daubutim took a step forward, his bearing calm and stoic. "And we will kill those Oculithar. There is no way we can leave them to roam here, but we need a plan. We need Basil healed-"

If possible, Irwin thought.

"-and we have to talk with Scariander and see if the younger Chaos Whales can do what he can. If they can, perhaps Irwin can create more of those weapons so we can fight back."

"Who knows where those monsters will be by the time we finally go after them," Xi'kroak said.

"It's not worth the risk of one doubling back," Daubutim said calmly.

Xi'kroak's face plates slowly relaxed, then fluttered. "You will let me hunt them then," Xi'kroak asked, sounding both calm and sad at the same time.

"If we can guard ourselves against any that return. Yes. I would have requested you do so if you hadn't suggested it," Daubutim said.

"And my second request?" Xi'kroak asked, sounding more hesitantly now.

"You may captain the Ruby's Revenge," Daubutim said, turning to look at Irwin. "If that is alright with you?"

Irwin blinked, then slowly nodded. "Yes. The Zura'ix is irreparable, I take it?"

Xi'kroak's shoulders lowered. "We will bring what remains of her back here. Perhaps parts will be able to get more of the ships we have in storage operational. But she will never sail again by herself."

La'suna put her hand on Xi'kroak shoulder, and for a moment, it looked like The Captain would slump down. Then, he seemed to forcefully pull himself together and took a step back.

"I- I will now go to what remains of my crew, and we will mourn."

"My condolences," Daubutim said, quickly followed by everyone else.

Xi'kroak turned and strode off, followed by La'suna.

"So… You can fix me?" Basil said into the uneasy quiet that was left.

Irwin forced himself to grin. "Not sure, but we have a plan. I might have to shatter what remains of your heartcard, meaning you would probably have to start over with filling it."

Basil snorted. "Even if I'd have to start again with all my handcards I'd take it. But, any chance I'll get some of my youth back, or am I going to have to learn to walk with this bloody hip pain?"

Irwin hesitated as a few ideas flowed into his mind. "I can't promise anything," he said. "But if you are okay with losing some of your current handcards, I-"

"You can take them all if you have to," Basil said. "As much as I love them, this pain and the idea of becoming some decrepit old man? No. I'd rather start over! Just… if you give me any new cards, can you make sure they are another armor and sword card? I'd hate to have to learn how to throw fireballs or whatnot."

Irwin grinned easier this time. "Let's make sure we can actually do this first," he said.

"Then I'll focus on getting him back on-world alive," Lilinethe said. "Lord Daubutim, would you mind getting someone out here that can carry him to the Portal?"

Irwin moved before anyone could speak, kneeling beside the bed and looking at Basil. "Don't move too much, okay?" then he straightened up, lifting the bed and Basil. Although the man was heavy, he weighed nothing compared to the crates of ore Irwin could log.

"I'll get him there," he said, looking at Lilinethe, who just rolled her eyes.

"Fine. Follow me," she said. "And don't break the door with this bed."

Irwin blinked, then grinned. "Greldo?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'll help," a voice came from outside.

--

It took a day for Zegritar to reach them on the edge of New Malorin and a few hours to convince him to agree. To Irwin's surprise, the massive bird appeared unworried when Ambraz warned him about Irwin's powerful soulforce. What did, however, worry him was Basil. It took hours to explain that Basil wasn't soulsick, up to the point that Irwin finally zoned out and let Daubutim handle it as he lay down in the soft grass below the tree line.

"Irwin?"

He jolted awake, blinking wearily and realizing both of his selves had actually fallen asleep. It shouldn't surprise him as it did with everything that had happened. Daubutim stood nearby.

"He agrees to help, but if he feels anything odd, he will kick all of you out of his soulscape," Daubutim said.

Irwin could see from his tight shoulders that he was worried, and he didn't blame him.

"If he kicks us out while I'm reforging, the consequences could be disastrous," Irwin said slowly. "Basil probably won't survive that."

"Yeah, I know."

Irwin looked to the side, noting that Basil had been laid down beside him at some time. His face was pale and sweaty, and his eyes pinched.

"It's fine, Irwin. Unless you know of another way…?"

Irwin shook his head. He'd tried to come up with something, but this was the only thing he could come up.

"Then, give me that metal, and I'll place it in my soulscape," Basil said, holding out his wrinkled hand.

Irwin grabbed the tiny piece of Aurorium. "Only move it to your soulscape when Zegritar is ready to move us into his. Alright? Also, be ready to take it back out if something goes wrong."

"I'll be careful," Basil said.

Irwin handed him the Aurorium before turning to Zegritar. The massive bird was standing just before the trees, watching him.

"Are you ready, smith Irwin?"

Irwin stuck his hand in his pocket and removed the six cards he and Basil had decided on. Although they might not need that many or any, it would be best to have them at hand.

"Ready," he said.

"Then I'll reach out to you two, so please don't resist," Zegritar said.

Irwin's eyebrows rose at that, and he was about to ask what Zegritar meant when he saw and felt a foreign soulforce ripple out from the bird. It was a pale green, and as it surrounded him like a thin cloud, he felt a tug. It was so weak he knew he would need barely any effort to resist it, but instead, he allowed it to tug on him. Zegritar let out an odd sound, and more soulforce rippled out of him.

So he can move someone in from a distance, Irwin thought. He couldn't wait to try this himself.

The world around him vanished to be replaced by a surprisingly large soulscape. A giant tree dominated the center, standing beside a soullake half the size of Irwin's. Smaller trees grew around it, covering every inch of the rest of the soulscape, with only a small area around the main tree free. The canopies were a mix of greens, from a pale, almost white, to some that were darker than Zegritar's own feathery leaves. The grass around the massive tree had an odd, golden hue to it that Irwin thought looked beautiful.

A smaller green bird flew beside him, wings cracking sharply as it hung in mid-air.

"Alright, we need to hurry," Zegritar said. "I might have underestimated the power you have."

Irwin didn't respond, though he knew Ambraz was probably chortling in his mind.

"Where do we go?" Basil's voice came from the side, sounding slightly worried.

"Here," Zegritar responded, flying to the clearing around the central tree.

Irwin and Basil shot after him, landing on what ended up being a golden-tipped grassy field.

Ambraz moved from his shoulder and changed into his working shape while Zegritar hummed.

"I don't sense anything odd from you," he said, his sharp eyes focused on Basil. "However, if that changes and I end up having to remove you and bring you harm, I am very sorry."

"It is fine," Basil said as he lay down on the grass beside Ambraz. "So, what do I do?"

Irwin summoned his hammer, surprised that everything in Zegritar's soulscape seemed the same as in the real world. Well, everything except for the super dense clouds of green-shaded soulforce drifting around everywhere.

"Just stay there and try not to resist," Irwin said.

Now let's hope this works, he thought, as he began focusing on Basil's soulforce and resonance.

--

Daubutim stood beside the tree, watching Zegritar stand like a statue. Only Greldo was with them, as Zegritar had preferred as few people present as possible.

I wonder why they are so distrustful, he thought, holding back his desire to start pacing. Instead, he tried to remain as calm as he could.

Time passed by, and he ignored Greldo, who had begun drawing his sharp nails across the tree he was leaning against.

Finally, fifty minutes and thirty seconds after Irwin and Basil had vanished, Zegritar slumped to the ground, and Irwin and Basil dropped to the ground beside him. Both weren't moving, and Daubutim rushed over.

“I’m… fine…” Irwin groaned, looking up before he got there, seeming barely able to push himself up with one arm. "That was far more intense than I'd expected. Greldo, take this and move it somewhere that nobody can find it."

Daubutim watched Irwin hold up the tiny bit of Aurorium he'd found, and as his eyes fell on it, he felt his power being drawn away.

Greldo knelt beside him, looking worried. "Where do I bring it?"

"The mines," Daubutim said. "Bring it to one of the empty parts, close it off, and warn Bronwyn. We will decide what to do with it later."

Irwin lay back down, arms wide as he drew in deep breaths.

"Yeah, that might work for now."

Daubutim looked at Basil, stunned by the changes. The man's hair had been black a few days ago, then white and gray. Now it was white and green, close to the color of Zegritar's. Most of the wrinkles were gone, but not all, and he'd gone from looking like he was mid thirty, to ninety, to being close to fifty.

"It worked," he said, knowing that was the only reasonable conclusion.

"Yeah… sort of," Irwin said with a grimace. "We also learned something."

Daubutim raised an eyebrow.

"Reforging a shattered heartcard inside someone's soulscape changes it to match the soulscape," Irwin said, closing his eyes and seemingly falling asleep.