An Injury Leads to a History
The conspiracy theorists were right. The end was nigh. Past tense, of course, since the world has long since ended. Someone, somewhere, got fed up with there being so many nationalities, so he pressed a button and made there be two: The Survivors and The Sheltered. We, The Survivors, faced the end like humans always should; with dignity, grace, and a bare refusal to die. They, The Sheltered, were the conspiracy theorists or the children of them. They rode the end like a tidal wave, sitting cozy in their bomb shelters. Little did they know, though, that the end was a one-two punch. The nukes fell, yes, but they caused a seismic reaction, and the Earth split like an egg. Many of the shelters were ripped in twain as the Earth did the same, meaning The Sheltered are as few and as respected as The Survivors.
So, we live in a post-apocalyptic utopia, right? No, not at all. It turns out the religious junkies were right, too. Hell, in all its glorious forms, is real. And the only thing keeping it back was the crust of the Earth. And, in a final strive by some unseen hand to end the humans, the hell spawn bred with ‘normal’ Earth creatures. Then everything mutated. In short, it’s hell on Earth. Every day I fight for my life against demonic, mutated panthers, packs of wolves with a hierarchy based on head count, demonic goldfish, and hordes of the undead. It’s a miracle I’ve lived long enough to cower in this hole and lick my wounds. My name is Charles McGran, Survivor. On the fifth day of the second year After The Fall, I found a journal.
I had recently had an encounter with a pack of wolves, and I had spent my last shell on the last pack of zombies. Foolishly, I ran. Wolves, I now know, are the ultimate hunters. They chased me down, spilt my guts on the cracked pavement, then got into a fight with a mutated demon panther. Seeing this as my sign of good luck, I cradled my intestines and took off. You, the reader, may be wondering how I was able to do this. Let’s just say that I wasn’t untouched by the radiation. I found, on the first day A.T.F., that I had developed incredible pain endurance and strange regeneration powers. The regeneration was slow, but all I needed to do was keep things inside, like my intestines, and I would live. So I hoped.
But, I digress. I was running, intestines in hand, and found a hole in the wall of what must have once been a manmade river. It closely resembled a coyote’s den, but was clearly once occupied by a human. Just who this human was was told by his journal, in a satchel near the entrance. I bound my wound and, having nothing better to do, took a peek into another man’s life.
Journal One
10/31/10-My father has found out about my truancy problem. I haven’t been to school in weeks, so it’s understandable why he’s concerned. I just don’t see the point of wasting one fifth of one’s life just to spend three fifths working oneself to the bone attempting to acquire some miracle elixir. Enough of my ‘flawed’ views on society, though. The reason you’re reading this, and why I’m writing this, is because I’m leaving. I’m going to take my bow, a quiver of arrows, and a sharp knife and take off. If you are one David Costello, I apologize dearly. I know you trusted me to be there for you, but I’d prefer to avoid my father’s wrath. And, as anybody reading this may have guessed, I am most likely dead at this point, since I never leave my satchel behind. And, if you aren’t David, grant a dead man his wish and put these journals into his hands.
11/1/10 Today, I let my father think he won. He dropped me off at school, expecting me to actually go to class. Poor man. I’m already basically free, and from what I’ve heard, it’s going to be impossible for me to go back to school, since this school is shutting down. Of course, that’s been word-of-mouth, since I no longer have internet access, but I trust the little birdy who told me.
Being out of school for two weeks may just be the best thing that happened to me. I have been presented with four options, two of which are, put bluntly, retarded. The other two, however, are almost beneficial. The first, online school, fixes my problems with the social aspect of school. The second, accepting a GED and entering a community college, fixes my problem with the education. Of course, they both have problems. Online school will teach me the same old humdrum curriculum, will cost too much for a prodigious one, and I may be inclined to cheat with search engines. A community college will have the same stupid people, it may be too stressful, and I’m likely to be the youngest there, causing its own plethora of problems. Of course, I do have a third option, which is what I previously wrote. Still, I don’t think I can leave everything behind. For how scary my friends, the internet, my family, and my education are, they are just as, if not more, glorious. I truly am torn.
11/2/10-The proverbial shit has hit the proverbial fan, but I’m the only one getting covered, as of yet. My father asked that I lie to him no more, so I told him the truth. I told him I was a brony. If you are unfamiliar with us, we are fans of the newest incarnation of My Little Pony. Needless to say, he was furious. I was very close to bowing to the will of society, but I have straightened my back, strung my bow, and left. I suppose now would be a good time to introduce myself, my belongings, and my surroundings. I am William. I have left my last names along with everything else I deemed as ‘unnecessary’. I am a man of the age of fifteen, and am now running from the society I once considered myself a part of. On my person, I have four target point arrows with fletching in decent condition, solid nocks, and undamaged tips, my fifty five pound longbow, my hunting knife, my satchel, which carries these journals and a pen, a pair of jeans, sneakers, a bandana, and a pair of my infamous creation, the pantsleeves, these being the fourth incarnation. Pantsleeves are hard to describe, to put it lightly. They are a long-sleeved belly shirt stitched from pants. I got bored one day, and had recently ripped a pair of jeans. Instead of stitching them back up like I usually did, I picked up a pair of scissors. I cut of the left leg, which was the ripped one, then cut out the right pocket, following the line back to the rear seam. I decided to wear just these, the first incarnation, without a second sleeve. I put my head through where the pocket was, my left arm through the waistband, and my right arm through the right leg. They lasted for a good long time, but are now retired. The second incarnation was made with cargo pants instead of jeans, and were much too loose. On the third incarnation, I finally got the design right. I took it to the next level by stitching the left leg onto the waistband, making a second sleeve. However, it was extremely delicate, so I stitched an old ninjutsu belt onto the existing seam as reinforcement, and found it quite durable. Sadly, it fell as a casualty to a bleaching attempt. The fourth, and the current, was a duplication of the third, except I had no belt to stitch onto the other side, so I instead made a second, opposite-armed sleeve and wear it at the same time as the other. And, with the third being black and still being rather cool, the fourth and fifth, being blue, should be as cool, if not cooler. And, in Tucson, nothing could be more important. I plan to live the rest of my life in these washes and this desert, living as man once did. The cave where David and I would always meet has become my home, my base of operations. Of course, this is temporary. Mostly, it means that it’s something to keep me dry during the rains. And, due to how the floor slopes up past the entrance, it should work two-fold, since I also need to keep out of the raging river this bed becomes. So begins my life on the lamb. Let’s hope I don’t get hungry enough to eat the lamb.
Well, I caught lunch. It’s not too hard, and I’ve had experience. As such, I’m going to have far too much free time. So, I suppose I’ll find out where these washes go. Tucson is laced with them, so I shouldn’t run out too soon. In addition, they connect into a much larger river that flows down from the mountains, and who knows where beyond that.
Caught dinner and found a branch that runs past the large Wal-Mart center, then quite some farther. I believe this wash is called the Pantano. That Wal-Mart may be interesting if my pen ever runs out.
I feel so wild bedding down in a hole in the wall of a wash. Somehow, this makes the perfect analogy for my life. If the wash is society, then I have found the one spot where people, the water, do not tend to flow. It is here I dwell, here I feel safe, and here I hope will not be my deathbed.
11/3/10-Nothing is as satisfying as eating what you kill with your own hands raw. This morning it was a rattlesnake, and it does actually taste like chicken. It has a sharp tang to it, though.
Lunch today was rabbit. I hope I don’t wind up eating too many of those, since I heard that they don’t give enough nutrition to actually live on. I explored a large branch of the pantano, but didn’t find too awfully much.
I shot a quail for dinner. I can now understand why they are so expensive in restaurants. They are delicious, especially raw. I followed another branch, I believe the tanque verde creek, but I didn’t see anything too interesting. I’m starting to wonder just how many washes are out there.
11/4/10-Rattlesnakes sure are lazy in the morning, and are quite easy to kill if you can find them. These entries are probably going to get much shorter since there’s not much new happening any more.
I had an epiphany while hunting lunch. I left society because it was a boring series of days of never ending repetition, then I spend these days repeating the same task. I walk down one branch, then back, day in and day out. And, due to this epiphany, I am going to leave Arizona completely. I know not where I head, but wherever I go, I will keep writing.
I decided to head east, since north would be a bad idea with winter coming on, and Arizona is basically the end of south and west travel. Of course, east will still be cold, so I may need a jacket. Or at least something more than pantsleeves.
I found a pile of pants. I was hunting a javelina, then found this absolutely massive pile of nothing but pants. There was nobody around, so I took and washed them in a nearby creek. I had once theorized of a jacket made out of pants, but had never actually gone through with it. I could probably scrap one pair for thread, then use the rib of one of my meals as a needle. My only question is why I seem destined to make everything from pants.
Well, one rattlesnake later and I have stitching supplies. Of course, the sun’s going down, so I guess I’ll use these pants as a blanket.
11/5/10-I breakfasted on rabbit, then set immediately to the pantjacket, as I have dubbed it. I cut from cuff to crotch along the inside seam on two pair, then stitched their waistbands together, forming a skirt. I then stitched the legs together, forming a kind of poncho, sans arm holes. This hardly came to my waist, though, and my legs would probably get just as cold, so I cut three more in the same fashion, then sliced off the zipper, allowing me to open them and lay them flat. Then, I stitched each left leg to its right brother, then each piece of cloth to each other, forming a ring larger than the original jacket. Finally, I stitched the cloth ring onto the jacket, forming something resembling a really long shawl.I might cut the stitches on the front, though, so I can actually use my hands.
As I was hunting lunch, I came across a hiker. I had not expected any human contact, so this was a surprise. We chatted a little, he asked about my get-up, I asked him why he was out here, then we went our separate ways. It’s odd how I didn’t crave human contact until I saw him.
I may just start skipping entries on days that are extremely uneventful. If I do, these journals will lose a lot of their mass, but if I don’t that mass will be really boring. I guess I’ll sleep on it.
11/6/10-I awoke to the sounds of shouting. U.S. border patrol was arresting some border hoppers right next to the tree I was asleep under. I don’t speak very much spanish, but what I did catch made me very worried. They were trying to sell me off as their coyote, the person who helps them cross, but the gringos didn’t even see me. I did hear one ask another if they should ask the chicanos if they had seen a runaway named William. That made me even more worried, since that probably means that mom sicced the military on me. Damn that amber alert. Still, it’s been a few days since I went missing, and after a week, they start looking for a body, not a person. Looking back at the original entry, it has been five days. However, I slipped out in the night, so they may have only signaled the alert three or four days ago, which means I still have a while before they stop looking for me and start looking for my corpse. Then again, if they’re catching chicanos out here, there is the danger of being bundled up with them. I may be too white to be a crosser, but I’ve heard that many a man down on his luck becomes a coyote. I guess only living the future can tell me what may happen there.
Yes, live the future, I said. Now I’m living a future in the back of a truck. I couldn’t hide fast enough to avoid the Border Patrol, and they weren’t giving up the chase easy. Still, at least we’re still heading east, so we’re probably going to an outpost instead of a central station. Then we’ll probably await some kind of pickup back to a central station. Hopefully I’ll be able to slip away before then.
If this had been a video game, I would’ve just aced the level. I got away without even alerting them of my absence. Now to find dinner and reorient myself to east.
11/7/10-Somebody was nice enough to allow me to sleep in their home. I never thought I’d miss a warm bed and a hot shower so much. I did thank them, but they said they had made it their life mission to assist those in need. They changed my outlook on crazy religious freaks, I’ll say that much. I always saw those people that assist the needy as people who did that just to promote themselves, but now I know that the needy they help really appreciate it. They even gave me breakfast and ten dollars, so I can spend the rest of the day walking through Wilcox.
Boy did I get stares as I walked down the street. I don’t honestly blame them, since I am wearing a belly shirt and a cape. Did I forget to write that down? I have cut the front open, have it swept behind me, and I now have a cape. I dined in a cafe on the ten dollars the couple gave me, but only used five. However, I have no need of money, so I left before the waitress came back with my change.
I have left Wilcox in my wake, but I am following the interstate, since I saw on the map in the diner that I can follow the interstate to Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Bedding down under a bridge tonight. Too sleepy to write more, or more coherently.
11/8/10-Woke up to find evidence that humanity still exists. There was a paper plate and plastic fork with two eggs, a pair of bacon strips, and a biscuit with a healthy serving of gravy. While I ate, I looked back at the beginnings of my journal. I realized that the reason why I am dressed so may be confusing to some. The way I am dressed allows for air to flow and cool me off, essential in the desert, while still being warm enough to shield me from the frosty nights. Also, I find it rather stylish. To think that the first time I even wrote stylish without puking was after I left the company of any who cared.
I am being tailed by a coyote.
I killed a quail for lunch, and offered the aforementioned coyote some. He seems to have really taken a shining to me, so I’ll have another mouth to feed. Oh well, he’ll probably be of some assistance in the acquisition of food. I wonder, is it safe to feed animals cooked meat or can they only eat raw meat?
I have dubbed the coyote Feroz, fierce in Spanish. I learned that in school, one of the few things I even bothered with learning.
Feroz caught us many rabbits today. I lit a fire in one hole, and he caught three that ran out the back. I let him have one all to himself, had one myself, then jerked the last. I then bed down under a palo verde off the edge of the road.
11/9/10-Woke up to Feroz growling. Still bleary-eyed, I looked up to see some officer glaring at me. He asked me what I was doing, and began to explain that transients were to be detained and reformed. I kindly told him that he could take that idea and shove it. I then proceeded to leave him. He sputtered something as I left, but I didn’t care to listen. I can’t believe they have so much faith in their system that they’d wrangle those that have pulled the wool from over their eyes. Ate some jerked rabbit for breakfast.
I attempted to grill some prickly pear and their fruit to go with the rattlesnake I took out. It went well, except they weren’t actually grilled, just roasted, but it was still rather tasty. I might do that with the other snakes I catch, since they don’t have as much meat as other animals.
I chased a roadrunner for a good long while, finally taking him out with a well-led shot. It was definitely not worth it. The bird is so lean I had nothing for Feroz to eat. He did catch himself a rabbit, though, so he’ll be fine.
11/10/10-Another day, another mile. I’m going to stop keeping a food log, unless I catch something new, and start just putting my thoughts to paper. To start off, I don’t think I’m covering only a mile a day. Probably thirty miles, or somewhere near that figure. I still have no idea where I’m going though.
I’ve taken to using Feroz as a warmer as the cold moves south. He does a splendid job of it.
11/11/10-Harsh, biting winds swept the plains today. I’m going to take a small detour south, maybe even pass over the border. The Mexicans do it every day, so why not me?
It seems to me that all this endless solitude is taking a toll on my sanity. I caught myself talking aloud to myself. I am not sure if I should be unsettled by this, but I am always alone, so there’s nobody to care if I do talk to myself.
11/12/10-I caught javelina. So much meat. I ate heartily, and so did Feroz. Yet there was more. Enough to be jerked, and I did. I have my pockets filled to the brim with javelina. This’ll keep me fed for a day at least.
11/13/10-Entered Mexico today. I found myself in someplace called ‘Ciudad Juarez’. It’s a nice enough town, I suppose, but I had no interest in sticking around, so I moved on.
I crossed right back into the states without the border patrol looking twice at me. I’m not sure if I should be dissapointed in them for being so lax or if I should just be glad I separated myself from society before the border erupted into politics. I could’ve been on the news if I had stayed longer. The horror!
11/14/10-Stopped by border patsies. They didn’t arrest me, but definitely questioned me, and not for legal reasons. There was one in the group I could see my story inspired, and I was very tempted to ask him along with me. He’d probably have said no, though, since most people could never follow through.
I feel like the three states and one country I’ve been through so far are all the same. Rolling, dry scrubland as far as the eye can see. I’m hoping to cross over into some wetter state soon, since I am quite honestly tired of seeing creosote.
11/15/10-I am actually enjoying my descent into insanity. It’s not some dark, monstrous, tentacled beast like so many stories portray it. It’s like a highly polished wooden floor. You just slip a whole lot. Only, you never really hit the ground. It’s like a slip, which worries you, then endless falling. It’s really quite fun, though I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone who is keen on staying out of the asylums.
I found myself singing a new walking ditty today. It cheered me up greatly, though I’ve never really been one for music.
11/16/10-Some mountain looming in the distance. I imagine it’s Guadalupe Peak, though I can’t be sure. I only ever heard of it once, in geography class. Someone in that class had said it was haunted. Back then, I scoffed and called him a blasphemer, but now I wonder if he was right. Only one way to find out, right? We see how that turned out last time, though.
11/17/10-The more the days stretch on, the colder it gets. I noticed I’m feeling drawn along. It’s sort of like having a rope attached to your chest, and someone’s lightly pulling on it. I wonder who is, and where they are. Mostly, I hope they can put me up for the winter.
11/18/10-Arrived at the peak today. It was definitely Guadalupe, and it was probably not haunted. Not malignantly so, anyway.
11/19/10-Happy birthday to me. Sweet sixteen. I can finally get a license! As if I’d even want one, even if I were still in a society that expected me to. I won’t ramble on about how cars are the reason America is obese and the ozone is receding, though, because I’m sure you’re already aware of that problem.
11/20/10-My feet sure are wanderer’s feet. I found my nose pointing north today. I won’t fight it, though, just because this could be interesting.
11/21/10-Wound up in Jal today. Who the heck names a town Jal? Also, how does one pronounce that? Hall or Jall? Or Joll? Or is it something extremely strange like Hail or Jail? I don’t know, and even thinking about it befuddles me.
11/22/10-Walking ever onwards, I trudge. That sort of just popped into my head. It’s sort of poetic, and I’ve never been gifted in that field. Does that mean all poets are mad?
11/23/10-Started my day in Andrews. Boy, is it different from Arizona. I can look around and see more green than brown! There’s still some brown, though, so I’m not too overly enthused. Still exciting, but not world-shaking.
11/24/10-Caught myself singing christmas carols this morning. It’s really taking a toll on my emotional health, knowing I’m losing enough mental stability to sing carols in the desert.
11/25/10-Feroz walked on two legs today. I was just walking along, then he stood up to my shoulder. It was the weirdest thing, even though it didn’t last long. Looking back on it, though, I’m unsure if it actually happened or if that was just another symptom of sanity slipping.
11/26/10-Arrived in Big Spring. Nice enough town, but not one I’d want to live in, if I wanted to live in any. I suppose I could if I was forced to but it definitely wouldn’t be first pick.
11/27/10-Another day, another town. Colorado City. I actually asked around if I was still in Texas. The few answers I received were affirmative, but I still don’t understand why this town is called Colorado city.
11/28/10-The towns seem to get closer and closer as I go on. It wasn’t even dusk by the time I got to Sweetwater. Maybe the next one will be further away.
11/29/10-Entered Abilene today at dark. People always give me strange looks when I enter their town. So some guy in a belly shirt and cape wants to walk his leashless pet coyote at night. What of it?
11/30/10-I had to wrap myself in my cape today, since a western winter wind blew in. I was glad for the tailwind, but geez was it cold.
11/31/10-The wind died down at about noon, but it left a chill in the air. I vehemently despise the cold.
12/1/10-The turn of the month signals the time when I begin to freeze my cahones off. This walk just keeps getting worse. I hope there’s something at the end of this path I beat other than a frostbitten grave.
12/2/10-Slept in Weatherford around a barrel fire. Boy, bums sure are kind to their kin.
12/3/10-Made Fort Worth before the sky went dark. Got to watch a sunset while I wrote. Texas sunsets sure are beautiful.
12/4/10-Bedded down in Dallas. I feel like I’m some sort of vagrant cowboy who accidentally got shipped too far west and has to walk back to his home. I’m just glad I’m not brandishing a pistol at every possible outlaw.
12/5/10-Crunch, slide, crunch, slide. The endless march of six feet gets ever closer to their unknown destination. If I ever do settle back into society, I’m going to be a poet.
12/6/10-Another town in sight. Not really too excited. It’s like a kid gets seven lollipops a day. He’s going to become desensitized eventually. That or dead.
12/7/10-Got to Longview by noon, then slept on the outskirts of Marshall. I’ll probably get through it before the sun gets high in the sky tomorrow.
12/8/10-Another day, another state. Crossed the Texas-Louisiana line today and slept on the outskirts of Shreveport.
12/9/10-Walked East-North-East to Minden. Slept soundly on a discarded mattress that surprisingly didn’t smell of urine and feces.
12/10/10-Walked through the woods today. It was so beautiful. I even slept in a tree. Life down here must be nice, if it weren’t so cold.
12/11/10-Passed through Ruston and made Monroe by night. I find it strange that I can walk all day through the wilderness and yet sleep perfectly in cities. I suppose I can adapt to change.
12/12/10-I slept in Delhi tonight, but my dreams were plagued with strange messages. I saw myself enter a hut in the woods, where an old woman sat sipping tea. She rose to greet me, as if I were an old friend. It was then that the dream shifted, but when I woke the first dream still hung crisp on the forefront of my mind.
12/13/10-Entered Tallulah today and got told by every person I passed that I should go see Gretchin out in the woods. They said it in a joking manner, as if I wasn’t going to ask them where. They looked shocked when I did ask, but pointed me in her direction nonetheless. As I walked toward her house, I began to recognize my surroundings. I found my footsteps getting faster, my strides longer. I was running by the time I broke through the foliage to an all-too familiar hut. I was still out of breath when I opened the door and saw a familiar old woman sitting, sipping tea in her wicker chair. I was shocked when she rose and greeted me like I had seen just the night before. What shocked me more, though, was that the dream didn’t shift. She spoke, in a weezing, rasping voice that seemed older than she herself was. “You finally made it, child. I have been expecting you for sixteen years.” That couldn’t possibly be coincidence, that she had been expecting me for as long as I’d been alive. A cold draft from the still open door reminded to close it, but she spoke on. She said that sixteen years ago, when I’d been born, she’d felt a disturbance in the ether, the magical weave that connects all life. She said it felt as though an arch-wizard had been born. As I moved ever closer to her, she said she could feel it was me that was destined to be the arch-wizard. She then told me that she’d teach me the basics of magic, which would prep me for learning the other schools of magic. My first lesson, which was shortened by the day, was the tiers of magic. Basic magic was at the bottom, a prerequisite for the tier two magics, magic of word, reagent, movement, and sigil. The third tier combined tier two magics and tier four was shrouded in mystery. She told me that the fourth tier was reserved for those of highest magical power, and that it was extremely difficult to obtain, but if I was to fulfill my destiny of becoming an arch-wizard, I had to achieve the fourth tier.
12/14/10-Lesson two was all about where magical power comes from. It comes from emotions and mental capacity. She also told me that every arch-wizard that had ever existed had been insane, since insanity is the sudden rush of the mind expanding dramatically and your conscience being unable to handle the vast, open space. She had me practice drawing power, which was very taxing, but with nowhere to go it gave me a severe shock. She used her magic to heal me, and then informed me that she had not expected me to draw that much power. I’ll have to try again tomorrow, but for now I rest.
12/15/10-Woke to a strange thumping. My eyes creaked open and saw Gretchin scratching Feroz’ underbelly, and he was thoroughly enjoying it, thumping his leg against the ground.
Learned my first spell. It was a simple magic bolt, though it still left the dummy scorched. Magic takes a lot of energy, so these entries may become clipped.
12/16/10-Learned a spell that would stop time. It was very taxing to perform, but I used it to look like I was teleporting. It was very exhausting to do, but Gretchin was impressed. I don’t think I can disappoint her.
12/17/10-Learned about the nature of magical energy. It’s sort of like electricity, and behaves the same. As such, I theorized that I could create a current that could flow from me to any number of other living beings, theoretically amplifying magic power if they did the same. Gretchin and I tried it, and the simple magic bolt I learned the other day left not even a scorched dummy in its wake. There was no dummy left.
12/18/10-Learned a few simple summoning spells today. Mostly sustenance, including water, which came so easily I think I may have been passively casting the spell since I could remember, which would explain why I never need to drink very much.
12/19/10-I asked Gretchin over breakfast if it was uncommon for arch-wizards to have any innate spellcasting abilities. She said yes, which confirms that I probably have been able to cast the conjure water spell since I was small. We then spoke of arch-wizards of other races. A strange race called the Nyorn had an arch-wizard in training currently, who was my age, named Gnuk. She then rattled off a bunch of other races and names, but the only ones I remember were Gnuk’s, and the Equestrian arch-wizards. The current generation’s arch-wizard was Twilight, which didn’t surprise me, and before her was Starswirl, again, no surprise there. I really should have taken notes, which I guess I said aloud, because she told me that it was actually a good thing I hadn’t, because that which I remember on my own is what’s bound to be important later. Continuing in the manner of just simply discussing things, I asked about the way I would have to reach the fourth tier. She said that, as a preface, each world has magic, but no two worlds have the same magic, and no magic should be able to cross over. In other words, if I went to Equestria, my magic would be nullified, and if Twilight came here, hers would be nullified. But, to become an arch-wizard, I must break the current boundaries of magic, either by using human magic outside of Earth or by expanding upon human magic. However, she told me that the latter would likely be impossible, as I was the fifth arch-wizard since the last apocalypse on Earth. She said that every fifth arch-wizard experiences the end of their world at some point. And, with humanity so invested in the art of slaughter, it was unlikely that I would be able to stop it. Even if I could, though, the count would be reset, and it would be five arch-wizards before the next apocalypse. She then went on to inform me that there were shadowy groups that believed that if they cut down the arch-wizard before they reached the fourth tier, the apocalypse would be prevented. This, she says, is not true, but these groups are hellbent on killing me anyway. I may not have learned any magic today, but the revelation count is astounding.
12/20/10-I learned about spells that allow me to acquire knowledge. Basically, I put the magical energies into my mind and then use them to fill holes I find. The first time I tried it, it burned me, because I tried to learn more magic. I really wish she’d told me that some things are unreachable through spells.
12/21/10-I learned today about how magical energy connects all of us in a web called ‘The Ether’. This one fact about magic rings true across all worlds of magic. I learned to touch The Ether, to sense those around me even if I can’t see.
12/22/10-I learned to guide magic through my fingers without it coagulating into a bolt, and just burn whatever I touch. I can only wonder what the higher tiers are if this is only basic.
12/23/10-Learned to levitate. Took a lot of energy. Need sleep.
12/24/10-Learned that levitating can be used, not surprisingly, to slow your descent, almost like a parachute. She used some higher levels of magic to teleport us way up into the air, then had me levitate down so I didn’t die. She can be kinda crazy sometimes.
12/25/10-Learned to duplicate and destroy matter. Of course, magic can’t break universal laws of science, so I’m really converting oxygen on a molecular level into the matter I’m attempting to duplicate, then reverting it back to oxygen when I ‘destroy’ it.
12/26/10-I fiddled with the spell I learned yesterday, and created something out of ‘nothing’. Gretchin was not surprised that I could do this, because all wizards learn this eventually, but she was surprised I learned it so quickly.
12/27/10-I became the envy of alchemists worldwide today. More fiddling with that same spell, and I turned something into gold. She then burst my bubble by telling me I didn’t do it alchemically, but I still feel awesome.
12/28/10-I just realized I forgot Christmas. Oh, well, I wasn’t planning to celebrate it anyway.
For the rest of my stay, she wants me to just practice my magic. So, the next few days are going to pretty uninformational. I guess this is how you grow in magic, though.
12/29/10-Used the ‘obtain knowledge’ spell to learn to talk to Feroz. He says he hates being cooped up so, but really doesn’t want to go outside because it’s too cold. I made his fur thicker, and he bounded out into the snow, happy as a bug in a rug.
12/30/10-Stitched some buttons onto the front of my coat. I figure I’m going to have to go North soon, but don’t know why. I had to have Gretchin summon some buttons for me, since I had none of my own. I really need to get my thoughts in order.
12/31/10-End of the year! Back into my studies. I’m going to actually learn a few new spells. She said the past few days were my ‘break days’, which are actually required. However, today, we just talked. Nothing of importance, just talked.
1/1/11-Learned a spell to see into the future. It’s a lot like the ‘obtain knowledge’ spell, but more ambiguous, in that I send it out, instead of in.
1/2/11-Learned a spell that let me look into the past. At first I asked what good that was, but then she told me there was no limit on how far I could look back. This could be extremely useful in history class.
1/3/11-Learned a spell that can let me see for great distances. Pretty nifty spell, honestly.
1/4/11-My last sight spell. This one allows me to see through another’s eyes, so long as I can tap into their etherical energy, or their place in The Ether.
1/5/11-Learned a spell that allows me to communicate telepathically. Also, if the target is weak-minded or unconscious, I can control them. Neat!
1/6/11-I tried using the telepathy spell on a passerby, then overloaded his mind, and he passed out. Gretchin then taught me how to access his memories, and I piloted him home. He’s going to have to see a therapist about that one.
1/7/11-Gretchin let me loose on Tallulah. She said the best way to practice these spells is to go out into the world. My dad was big into ‘people watching’, but this was ridiculous. The things that go through people’s heads as they walk around town! One lady walked by wondering if she left her vibrator running. Then a man walked by, thinking to himself ‘He’s supposed to be in Tallulah somewhere.’ I quickly told Gretchin and she adopted a very somber expression. She said I can no longer go outside until my lessons are through.
1/8/11-She taught me a way to make my mind impenetrable to other’s thought-probing magic. I think she knows I’ll need it.
1/9/11-She seems to be getting desperate. I can sort of feel it. Not in a magical way, but more of an empathetical way. She taught me ways to deflect different magics, which involved her throwing a whole lot of magic at me.
1/10/11-I learned the final spell she will teach me. It’s a ‘memory bank’ spell. It needs only be cast once, and it will be there forever, even if I cross worlds. She helped me establish it in my mind, but had me design the key. It’s a complete secret, and I’m the only one to ever know it.
1/11/11-She said that I should be heading North in a few days. I can’t honestly believe I was right on that topic. I have to leave on the thirteenth, and I should store all my memories, meditate on what I’ve learned and all that whatnot.
Got most of my memories tucked away by the end of today.
1/12/11-Finished tucking my memories away. I’ve actually come up with an elaborate file system within my bank. First, I have years, then months, then topics. These topics are very broad, and house a whole lot of memories. It’s really quite amazing what magic can do.
1/13/11-I’m spending my last day talking over strategies with Gretchin. How I should proceed, what town I should be in in the north, who I’m looking for, how to combat those who plot against me. I don’t think I’m ready for the road ahead, but I’ve got to be.
1/14/11-Left before the sun or Gretchin rose. It felt kind of weird leaving that beautiful hut behind. I felt Gretchin say goodbye in my mind as I left. It was kind of sad. She said it in a way that conveyed all the worry she had for me getting cut down by the shadow agents, the hope that I would live on, the sorrow that I was leaving, the joy that she could say she taught the arch-wizard. It brought a tear to my eye, and it was only one word.
I’m probably going to spend these next days learning everything I could ever want to know. Today I learned how to tan animal hides.
This seems like a good place to end this journal.
Journal 2
1/15/11-Another day, another journal. I’m starting to stitch animal hides onto my cloak. It’s going to end up pretty patchwork since my meals are fairly varied, even with so many animals in hibernation. Still, I think it’ll be all the more beautiful.
Learned smithing today. As in, hammer, anvil, and forge. Could come in handy later.
1/16/11-I was ambushed by an assassin. He went down with my hunting knife in his gut. I conjured myself a cubit long short sword and scabbard that fit right up my sleeve. I also conjured a thick bar of metal that will strap to the outside of my sleeve. The purpose of this is that I can expand it at will to become a shield. I think I may need more weapons, but I don’t know what.
1/17/11-I figured out what other weapon I should have. A nice, bearded axe. It can feed right through the belt loops on the back of my pants, and I can draw it pretty quickly. I just realized how ironic it is that I’m learning magic yet I’m arming myself with very non magical weapons.
Learned German today. Such a beautifully brutish language. It’s so gravelly, yet so very pretty.
1/18/11-More walking, more learning, more paranoia. Boy, my life is fun. I finished learning Spanish, by the way.
1/19/11-Found a mirror, just discarded in the woods. I took a moment to admire myself. I apparently have a six-pack. Who knew?
Learned Chinese today.
1/20/11-My life sure is exciting, isn’t it. It seems all I do is walk and learn. At least I get to see things I’d never have seen back home, like forests. Forests are possibly the most beautiful thing about this side of the country.
Learned Japanese today. I always thought it’d be very similar to Chinese, but they have some very major differences.
1/21/11-I have completely lost track of what state I’m in. I can only tell I’m going north by the position of the sun.
Learned Korean today.
1/22/11-Tapping into The Ether is invaluable for stalking prey. I actually used The Ether to chance upon a hunter. We made some small talk, he turned out to be an assassin, and I killed him. I didn’t have time to draw a physical weapon, but my instantaneous shield seemed to catch him off guard enough that I was able to fry him with a bolt. I really hope I don’t start enjoying killing.
Learned Russian today.
1/23/11-Ever north, we trudge. My fur coat is coming along very nicely. I even stitched a hood out of a fox I hunted down. Note to self: Fox isn’t very tasty.
Learned Finnish today.
1/24/11-I tire of all this walking. It’s not a physical tiredness, but a mental one. It’s just boring the hell out of me. At least the scenery’s nice, and I can learn whatever I want.
Learned Swedish today.
1/25/11-Another assassin down. They seem to grow wiser of my tricks as they come. This could be a difficult journey.
Learned Danish today.
1/26/11-I had a swordfight with an assassin. An actual, semi-noble swordfight. It was exhilarating.
Learned actual swordfighting today.
1/27/11-I used The Ether to tap into the internet. Checked in on the bronies. Watched some YouTube videos. ‘Pinkie’s Brew’ will never be out of my head, I swear.
1/28/11-Being able to access the internet is so entertaining. I never thought I’d miss it so much.
1/29/11-And just like that, the internet has grown boring. I ran out of things to watch, and looked back at the scenery around me, and was almost sick. I am surrounded by such beauty, yet I indulge in the most asinine things online.
Learned capoeira.
1/30/11-I’m feeling a storm gathering on the horizon. A storm, not of clouds, thunder, and rain, but of armies, clashing swords, and blood. I grow more wary with every step I take.
1/31/11-The storm of men is just around the corner, I can feel it. I’m on the edge of my proverbial seat, and not in a good way.
2/1/11-I slept tonight within sight of a town. From that town, I could feel the malignant souls dwelling therein. I will not sleep easy tonight.
2/2/11-I walked into the town of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, to be met by an army. I don’t know exactly what I did, it’s all a red haze, but what I do remember is standing amid a grim smorgasbord of death. Some fried, some sliced, I walked in a red sea to retrieve my axe from the skull of a dead man. Then I noticed their stares. The innocents. I had scarred them. I could feel the fear, the hatred, the awe. I took the chance to speak. I attempted to tell them that I meant them no harm, that the ones I had killed were assassins out for my blood. I hardly got past ‘I mean you no harm’ before they erupted in cheer. Apparently the group had been terrorizing them, killing their children in hopes that they’d chance upon me in that crowd. They had a grand celebration in my honor, and my spirits were lifted ever higher.
2/3/11-Back to the road. The citizens were sad to see me go, but when I told them of my destiny, all they had to say was, ‘Come back sometime.’ I will, sometime.
Learned of all the worlds with intelligent life.
2/4/11-Entered Iowa city near noon. I was expecting another grand fight, but no such luck. I hung around and watched people until the day ended.
2/5/11-I kinda want to conjure myself some snowshoes. I almost feel like that would be cheating. Instead, I figured out how to warm myself with magic. I did the same for Feroz, and we’re all a little happier.
I passed through Cedar Falls, but didn’t feel like stopping.
2/6/11-I’ve run out of things to learn. I think. Sure is beautiful up here, but once you’ve seen one snow covered tree, you’ve seen them all.
2/7/11-Realized there’s an entire world of history to learn, so that’s what I’ll be learning the next few days.
2/8/11-Entered Decorah in the afternoon. I kept going, though, not really wanting to people watch today.
2/9/11-Learning history the magical way is so much more fun than reading it from a book.
2/10/11-I’ve officially covered all the general overviews, the battles, major and minor, the rulers, major and minor, and I’ve moved onto conspiracy theories. There are some really juicy ones, but they’re all too long to put down here.
2/11/11-Entered Menomonie in the late evening. Watched the people go by until I fell asleep on a rooftop.
2/12/11-It seems these conspiracies are endless. It’s delicious!
2/13/11-Well, the conspiracies aren’t endless. I’m kinda sad, but glad at the same time. Some were starting to make sense.
2/14/11-I checked in on David today. Watched his life from beginning to current. He sure had it hard.
2/15/11-Entered the town of Superior in the late evening. Again, I watched people until I fell asleep.
2/16/11-Walked for an hour or two up to Duluth. Asked for someone by the name of David Gutierrez. Everyone pointed me in the direction of his house, and I arrived before the sun peaked. He greeted me warmly, said Gretchin had sent word. We jumped right into my studies, but he said I’d need all my focus for the lessons, so I have to temporarily retire the journals.
3/20/11-Finished my training today. The magic of word is really just a language that you put magical energy behind, and whatever you say, in that language, happens. Of course, pronunciation is key, so it took longer for me to learn it than all the other languages. I think I’ll end the journal here. It’ll make it shorter than the previous one, but it feels right.
Journal 3
3/21/11-So, I was thinking on some of my lessons, and I remembered that David G. had said that I could inscribe the language upon my skin and forgo the speaking aspect of word magic. This sounds very appealing, albeit painful.
3/22/11-I’m definitely going through with the tattoo. I robbed a bank long distance, and I think I see a town on the horizon. I’ll likely be there by the morning.
3/23/11-I entered Grand Rapids fairly early, found a tattoo parlor, and the man’s practicing the design as I write. To be brutally honest, I’m a little scared. I’ll just use a numbing spell, it’ll all be fine.
That was excruciatingly painful. I couldn’t concentrate enough on the numbing spell, and once he had that inked on my skin, I was in too much pain to focus on activating it. For now, I sleep.
3/24/11-I slept late, but still managed to reach Ball Club before I slept. Who the heck would name a town Ball Club? Maybe it was a good idea at the time. Whatever.
3/25/11-I tried casting word magic using my tattoos, and the symbols glow whenever I cast that magic. Neat!
3/26/11-Passed through Bemidji, but I didn’t stop. I don’t know why I even bother recording the towns I pass through when I don’t even stop to look at them.
3/27/11-I learned juggling today, and juggled fireballs. It wasn’t very practical, but I’ll be damned if it wasn’t spectacular. Just glad I didn’t light the forest on fire.
3/28/11-Realized I never learned French. Never really had the desire too, but did anyway because I’ve got nothing better to learn.
3/29/11-Learned Arabic today. It’s an interesting language, I must say.
3/30/11-Learned Yiddish. It has some small similarities with Arabic, which I think is odd. Maybe it isn’t to most people.
3/31/11-I decided to pick up an instrument today. I tried the violin first, and lit the forest with a four string song.
4/1/11-Tried out the trombone. I didn’t like it as much as the violin. Not the way it’s played, just the sound. It’s a little abrasive for my ears.
4/2/11-Wondered if I’d like the trumpet any better and tried it. I think brass instruments just aren’t my cup of tea.
4/3/11-Turns out woodwind instruments rub me the wrong way too. Tried the clarinet, and gave myself goosebumps. Not the good kind, either.
4/4/11-Went back to stringed instruments and played the guitar. It was a nice break from the, in my opinion anyway, caustic sounds of the last three instruments.
4/5/11-I picked up cello today. Reminded me of my fifth grade crush, Natalie. Her last name escapes me, but I think it may have been Robins.
4/6/11-Walked into Williston playing the harp in the late evening. The stares I got were the most hilarious things I’ve ever seen. I actually read some of their thoughts, which I’ll record here:
‘Someone let the kooks out. Joy!’
‘I must be hallucinating.’
‘Dude, how strong was that weed?’
‘He may look weird, but at least he plays well.’
People amuse me to no end.
4/7/11-I picked up a chinese instrument, the Guzheng. Never before have I heard a more beautiful sound. I think this might just be my calling.
4/8/11-Started learning actual Guzheng songs. Beautiful pieces of work, from the mundane to the complex. I love this instrument.
4/9/11-Learned the last of the Chinese songs on the Guzheng, and I’m a little sad. I probed some more, and couldn’t find any other cultures that used instruments similar to Guzheng in their storytelling.
4/10/11-Probed a little further and found some new songs. I played these songs, from all different worlds, in a park in Glasgow. People actually stopped to listen and even gave me tips. I gave all my tips to a homeless man, though.
4/11/11-I put down my Guzheng and just listened to the birdsong for a while. I then learned to imitate that song, even to talk to them. Birds are quite chatty.
4/12/11-Couldn’t sleep at all last night. I just sat under the canopy, listening to the night song and watching the stars’ slow, neverending journey. I wonder if my journey will ever end.
4/13/11-I kept walking all through today, and I think I may have covered more ground than I usually do. Or maybe it was not sleeping last night that caused me to crash so hard this night.
4/14/11-Found myself humming a happy tune. Maybe it’s the onset of spring that’s cheered me up. Or maybe, it’s the onset of madness.
Slept in Havre.
4/15/11-Woke up with a $5 in my lap. I’m not sure whether to be grateful or shamed. I think I’ll choose neither, and be amused instead. Also, I’ll give the five to someone who actually needs it.
4/16/11-I got ambushed today. With all the peace I’d had, I wasn’t expecting it. Still killed all of them before they could nick me.
4/17/11-Replaced the simple bar shield with a pneumatically expanding one. Now, instead of replacing oxygen with steel, it’ll actually exert a force, meaning I could use this almost offensively.
4/18/11-I got ambushed again, but by a lone assassin. I can actually use the shield offensively, by ramming it in their mouth and expanding it. I’ll let the cops pour over how he died. It’ll take them a while.
4/19/11-Actually ran into some cops. They questioned me, but didn’t arrest me. I’m rather glad, since, while I could’ve escaped, it still would’ve been a hassle.
4/20/11-Yeah, man! 420 blaze it! Woo! I’m sorry, I had to. I’ve known too many stoners to not recognize this day, even if I’m not one myself.
4/21/11-Another day, another thirty seven miles. I actually used a spell to count.
4/22/11-I arrived in Polson, where I found Fernando de Von Braun. He’ll be teaching me reagent magic, and again, I must put down the journals for a while.
5/22/11-Summer is coming, and I’m out of class. Reagent magic is really just alchemy. And a whole hell of a lot of experimenting. My next teacher, my teacher for sigil magic, is in Becan, Mexico, way in the south. I figure I’ll stop by Tucson on the way and say hello to David. Costello, not Gutierrez. Ending journals after every major destination does seem right, so I think I’ll end this one here, and the next at Tucson.
Journal 4
5/23/11-I wound up in a town called Missoula as the day was winding down. Someone actually recognized me as the arch-wizard and begged that I join them for dinner. This may be the first time in a long time since I’ve actually had a meal at a table.
5/24/11-On the road again. Playing music with my friends. Can’t wait to get on the road again. I think heading south to warmer weather is getting to my head. I’m so happy, and I don’t know why.
5/25/11-Passed through Hamilton in the early morning. I noticed eyes on me as I walked the streets, but for once they were benevolent. I think I might be famous in some circles.
5/26/11-I actually may have developed a fondness for walking. It’s invigorating, yes, but it gives me joy, like candy does for some. It’s honestly quite amazing.
5/27/11-Finally wore out my old sneakers. Left them hanging on a tree branch with a note pinned to them saying ‘Arch-wizard William’s old shoes.’ It amuses me to think of some fan of mine finding them and being so happy. I had to thicken my foot skin because of that, but I don’t mind.
5/28/11-Walking barefoot is amazing. I feel a sort of connection with the ground, as if its energy is flowing into me. It’s amazing.
5/29/11-It was warm enough today that I opened my coat. It’s back to being a cape, and if my smile were any wider, my face would split. Figuratively, anyway. I don’t think your smile can really get that big.
5/30/11-The sun is shining, the Earth is warm, the birds are singing, and all is right in the world. On my side of it anyway. I’m sure somewhere, somewhen, somebody’s killing somebody else. Thus is the nature of the human race, I suppose.
5/31/11-Feroz actually complained about his coat being too thick today. I thinned it for him, but I’m really starting to think we’re getting more or less back into our element. And we’re still in Idaho!
6/1/11-Stopped in Blackfoot at about noon and played my Guzheng for tips. I made quite a bit, surprisingly, and treated three other vagrants to dinner. I may not be doing much good in the world, but the little I am doing puts a ‘warm fuzzy’ in my heart.
6/2/11-I got ambushed, yet again. I’m starting to wonder if these guys ever give up.
6/3/11-I hummed Tiny Tim’s ‘Living in the Sunlight’ as I was walking. Part of me was quite disturbed that I actually knew the song from start to finish, but the rest of me was too busy humming to care.
6/4/11-I’m officially insane. I caught myself talking to myself, and responding. I’m not scared of insanity, though, as it’ll give me someone to talk to other than Feroz on this lonely road.
6/5/11-Stopped in Brigham City just after noon to play my Guzheng. Some day I’ll be famous for helping all these poor folk. Not that I care about the fame, of course, it’s just a little tidbit.
6/6/11-I have apparently entered a metropolitan area, because not even a day later, I’m in a new town. Or new part of town. I’m not sure. Oh well, just another excuse to play and to feed.
6/7/11-I passed through Layton and Kaysville, played a little in both places, but didn’t stay for lunch.
6/8/11-I realized today that I’ve all but just forgotten about learning things to make the trip more interesting. Maybe it was the bitter north that made me unable to appreciate the beauty of nature.
6/9/11-Someone actually walked with me for a ways. I actually enjoyed their company. It’s nice to have someone to talk to besides myself and a dog.
6/10/11-Chanced upon a dying man. He looked like he had angered a bear, and was holding his intestines in with his hand. His eyes were closed like he had accepted his fate, but his heart yet pulsed. I healed him, but let him rest. I left a note beside him saying ‘If you want someone to thank, inquire about arch-wizard William’. I’m not sure why I left it, or why I healed him, but I did what I did, and I regret nothing.
6/11/11-I just realized I’ve gone full circle. Or, I’m going full circle. I started in Tucson, and I’m ending, albeit temporarily, in Tucson. It’ll be nice to be back home, though. I wonder if my dad will have forgiven me by then.
6/12/11-The longest path for someone bound by house and home is the one leaving it. The longest path for someone bound by way and wild, however, is the one back home. I swear, I should become a poet. Sadly, I’ve got my studies to attend to before that.
6/13/11-Nothing eventful happened today. I just talked to myself, to Feroz, hunted, ate, and walked. I’m actually enjoying this lull in assassination attempts.
6/14/11-Well, seems yesterday’s entry was a jinx, because I got ambushed today. Rather large army. Nothing like Mt. Pleasant, but still easily ten men. I had fun, danced with them a little. I must say, sword to board combat, like in the dark ages, is really quite invigorating and fun.
6/15/11-Feroz caught a rabbit all by himself today. It’s not like I didn’t doubt he could, but I’m still proud of him.
6/16/11-Entered my home state today. Played my heart out in a park in Page. And I’ll be damned if there wasn’t a different feeling to the sensation. Instead of being just enjoyable, the very air seemed to resonate that feeling. There’s magic in all things, I suppose.
6/17/11-I may be in north Arizona, not my real home, but there’s still something different, just in the air. Like a mother accepting her wayward son home even though she knows he’ll be off again before too long. Maybe I owe it to mom to stick around. Both of them.
6/18/11-I feel so much more energetic. The feel of real Arizona dirt beneath my toes is just awesome. Not even my home county, but I can still feel the home coursing through the ground.
6/19/11-I used to think Arizona was a hellhole, blisteringly hot from six in the morning until eight at night, then still too toasty for anyone’s liking. But now I see that is the real blessing of Arizona, because it tempers you, makes you immune to the heat. I tested the ground, it’s already breaking a hundred, and it’s barely even warm to my toes, and that’s with minimal magic.
6/20/11-I actually arranged a few cacti, using magic, to write out ‘I love Arizona’. Someone’s going to see that someday and think it’s such a strange cactus formation. Just the thought of it makes me chuckle.
6/21/11-Someone passed me on the road. Held a peace sign out his window as he flew by. I’m not sure if he actually knew who I was or if he was just a cool guy, but whatever the reason, it was pretty cool.
6/22/11-Entered Payson in the evening. Played again, fed people again, even slept in town.
6/23/11-I just can’t stop praising Arizona. I don’t know why I’m so very infatuated with my homeland, but I am and I love it.
6/24/11-I passed Phoenix. Reminded me of all the times I’d come up with my mom, God rest her soul, to see my brother. I miss both of them. He’ll be eleven tomorrow. She was forty four in January.
6/25/11-Arrived near noon in San Tan Valley. It’s a little town just to the east of the Phoenix conglomerate metropolis. Played some, fed some, slept some.
6/26/11-Arrived in the evening in Eloy. Played some more, fed some more, slept some more.
6/27/11-I seem to be linking towns together expertly, because I arrived in Marana in the evening to play, feed, and sleep. I know Marana is just north of home, and I am so excited.
6/28/11-I have been walking through Tucson almost all day and I feel amazing. I actually played in Reid Park, and there were more people than I had expected that listened. Neither my dad nor David were there, though, so I was a little disappointed. Not terribly, though, as I’ll seek them out tomorrow.
6/29/11-Found my dad, in the same house I left him in. The same house I grew up in. The same house I thought I’d die in. All he had to say to me was ‘You’re back. Why?’ I honestly had no answer for him, and I told him that. He scoffed when I did and closed the door on me.
My meeting with David went a little better. I met him outside his work, and scared the daylights out of him. Our conversation went like this:
Me, scaring the heck out of him, him slapping me.
Me, “Long time, no see!”
Him, “I thought you were dead.”
“I tried, believe me. Instead, I’m a wizard.”
Him, facepalming. “So, if you’re a wizard, prove it.”
Me, juggling fire. “Is that proof enough?”
“Yeah, I suppose. So, where’ve you been?”
“Everywhere. Mostly Tallulah, Louisiana, Duluth, Minnesota, and Polson, Montana.”
“And you walked everywhere?”
“Yep.”
“Barefoot?”
“Not quite completely barefoot, but for a good stretch, yes.”
Him, hugging me. “I missed you, you crazy, crazy man.”
Me, hugging him back. “I missed you, too.”
I then went on to inquire about his right hand, which was mangled and shredded. He said he got it caught in a machine, and hasn’t been able to use it since. I offered to replace it with cybernetics, and he obliged. I learned about them, then constructed him a hand. When I attached it, however, it blew up. Thankfully, he was numbed, so he only screamed in shock. It did char his arm up to the elbow, so I figured out the problem with the hand and rectified it in a full arm model. This one, thankfully, didn’t blow up and David now has one cybernetic arm, which is completely bad-ass, as the kids these days say.
He actually invited me over for dinner, which his family was more than happy to do. They’re strange. They’re rowdy when not at the table, but the table was silent except for the occasional ‘Pass the salt’. That didn’t deter us from having a great time after dinner, though. Honestly, if I wasn’t being promised arch-wizardship if I went further south, I would’ve stayed. I did stay the night, but left with the sun. And, I leave this journal ended. On to the next, I suppose.
Journal 5
6/30/11-To be honest, I’m going to miss Tucson. I’m not going to be coming back for a long while, probably. Oh well, it’s not like I’m leaving forever.
7/1/11-It’s strange, I’m actually feeling just a little homesick. Not for my home, with my ass of a dad, but for David’s, which I’d be happy to call home. To think, half a year on the road without homesickness, and yet two days strike me with it.
7/2/11-Entered Sierra Vista in the early morning. Decided to stay and play all day.
I was about to bed down when I realized I didn’t explain the problem with the cyber hand that blew up. It was simple, I just got some wires crossed. To think such a small problem could cause such a big catastrophe is mind-boggling, isn’t it?
7/3/11-I saw some border patrol agents cruise by. They waved, but didn’t stop. They probably didn’t think a Mexican would be dressed like this.
7/4/11-Wound up in Douglas in midmorning, and played on both sides of the border. I figured out how many pesos an American dollar is worth, and treated a few ‘good old boys’ to a few rounds of cerveza. I didn’t have any myself, since underage is still underage in Mexico.
7/5/11-Northern Mexico is a lot like home. Dry, hot, bare. It’s beautiful.
7/6/11-Ever southward. I’m actually really liking the feel of Mexican soil. It’s almost like home, but more resonant. Like I was really born here, kind of. I suppose I’ll never know, though, since mom’s gone.
7/7/11-I actually think I may find out if I was born here, and I think the answer’s yes. I can feel it, like some beating heart, just to my south.
7/8/11-Arrived in Nuevo Casas Grandes to a festival. A banner read ‘Welcome home, Guillermo’. I was shocked, but it felt right. I suppose that’s what mom meant when she said she was keeping secrets. I embraced my real father and mother, who said they had sent me north with some white lady after she stayed here a year so I could get a better life. I was crying tears of joy, and they were too when they heard I was the next arch-wizard. I performed for them, and we danced late into the night.
7/9/11-I spent today in Nuevo Casas Grandes to hear my own story. My ‘mom’, who I suppose is just another Samantha now, came down here on an extended vacation with her husband, my ‘dad’, who is now just another Everett. They attempted to have a child while here, but she had a stillbirth, so mi padre y madre gave her me, to take back to the States. She got a son, and we got a son that could get a decent education and make a decent living. It was really quite noble of them, but I had to ask how they knew I was coming. Apparently the village mystic had received word that ‘a long-lost, but never forgotten, son is coming home’. Mi familia of course knew immediately that he meant me, since I was the only lost son that had never been forgotten. We spent the rest of the day chatting, playing, just being a whole family again. They were, of course, heartbroken when I told them I had to continue on, but they understood.
7/10/11-This morning was like a soldier’s farewell. A big breakfast, your mother kissing you on the forehead, your dad crushing you in his arms and swearing he isn’t crying, your jokester brother just telling you not to get killed. I felt more of a connection with a group of people I had only met a few days ago than I had ever felt with my foster family. I suppose that’s the power of heritage, though.
7/11/11-Tried my hand at braiding. As I probed the knowledge banks on braiding, I found so many. I must say, this is going to be fun.
7/12/11-I’m still learning more and more braids. All sorts of them. From one into one to one into two, to six into one. It’s a crazy world of rope.
7/13/11-Finally learned all the braids. Still like to fiddle with them, though, as it gives my hands something to do.
7/14/11-Made Chihuahua with just enough time to sleep in it. I was kinda sad no one was awake, or else I would’ve played. Oh, well. As some people say ‘Que sera, sera’. Whatever will be, will be.
7/15/11-I figured, since I’m learning braiding, I’ll learn knots, too. Lots of them as well.
7/16/11-So many knots, so much time.
7/17/11-Entered San Francisco de Conchos near noon, still unable to tie a good chunk of the knots. I still sat down and played, though, for those that needed it.
7/18/11-Kept tying knots as I walked. A lot of them are starting to come naturally, which is really nice, since those ones get used in other knots.
7/19/11-Entered Ciudad Jimenez in the early morning, played some, and fed some. I actually got followed from San Francisco de Conchos, and the man actually applauded me for helping the poor with my music. I just told him it was the least I could do.
7/20/11-Only the toughest of knots escape me now. Soon, the world will bend at my command of knots. (Insert evil laughter here.)
7/21/11-Figured out every last knot in the known universe. Strangely enough, I feel kind of empty.
7/22/11-I started a project. I’m going to take a bunch of thread, braid it into string, then into rope, then weave a mat out of it and give it to mi madre when I am finished.
7/23/11-Entered Torreon with just enough time to make a bed to sleep on.
7/24/11-My fingers and feet weave, one and the same, though different designs they trace.
7/25/11-I would say I’m nearing a finished mat, but I think I’m going to forego that conclusion for the sake of a bigger mat and more to do.
7/26/11-This mat is rather small, right now, but I wonder just how big I’ll make it before I decide to stop.
7/27/11-The answer to yesterday’s pondering is never. (Insert maniacal cackle here.)
Boy, I’ve really lost it, haven’t I?
7/28/11-Found an unopened bottle of Sprite by the road. Popped it open, gave it a sniff, and chugged it. Never, ever, chug scalding hot soda. Worst idea I’ve had in a long, long time.
7/29/11-Uneventful day, more walking, eating, and braiding.
7/30/11-Entered Cedral at midday. Played for the poor, slept on the streets. These interim journeys sure are fun.
7/31/11-This mat is starting to get really big. I’ve actually had to make a rift to follow to feed the mat into. David’s going to wonder what the heck some mat is doing halfway in his room.
8/1/11-Happy August! That is seriously the most interesting thing that happened to me today.
8/2/11-Entered Tula a little after sunset, played a little, fed a few, slept a lot.
8/3/11-More walking, more weaving, more humdrum fun stuff.
8/4/11-I actually welcomed today’s ambush. It was something to break the monotony, even if it didn’t last that long.
8/5/11-I could just about where this mat like it was a cloak. If I didn’t already have one, I would.
8/6/11-I caught a whiff of the sea. That’s probably not the last time it’ll happen, either.
8/7/11-Entered Tempoal just before sunset. I joined a street mariachi band just for the hell of it. They said I sounded great alongside them.
8/8/11-Arrived in Tantoyuca at around noon. Played a little more, fed a handful, slept on a roof.
8/9/11-Walking and weaving. That could just about be the title of my autobiography.
8/10/11-Entered Alamo in the early afternoon. Did my usual routine.
8/11/11-More walking, more weaving. I’m starting to smell the sea more and more.
8/12/11-I lunched on the sea shore today. It was magnificent. Not particularly because the view was awesome, though it was, but just because I haven’t seen the sea in a very long time.
8/13/11-I’m really liking walking along the shoreline. It’s relaxing, and the sand feels great.
8/14/11-I probed the knowledge wells for the secrets on whistling. I figure, if I can’t play the Guzheng while walking, I can at least whistle.
8/15/11-Entered Alvarado by midmorning. My usual routine was punctuated by jovial whistling breaks. I do so enjoy whistling.
8/16/11-My three w’s: Whistling, Weaving, and Walking. It may not be exciting, but by Jove, it’s nice. Now just to find out where I picked up ‘By Jove’.
8/17/11-I prompted a flash whistling group, apparently. I was just walking along, and some people walking the other direction started whistling with me. It was like something out of a movie.
8/18/11-I think I may have come down with a minor case of bipolarism. Yesterday I was feeling fantastic, today I’m questioning why I even get up and go, let alone write about all the nothingness I’ve done today.
8/19/11-Arrived at Minatitlan around ten o’clock. Did my usual routine, but noticed it was definitely more somber than usual. So, good news! I’m manic-depressive. Except, it seems to rotate much slower than usual cases.
8/20/11-So, let’s recap. I’ve got MPD (Multiple Personality Disorder), BPD (Bi-Polar Disorder), and at least paranoia if not Paranoid Schizophrenia, but I have too much contact with my emotions for that to be true. I don’t think there has ever been a mad man to ever actually diagnose himself.
8/21/11-I did a mental test, and I was right! I am completely bonkers! I don’t know why I’m excited, but I’m just going to pin this on being another ‘manic’ day.
8/22/11-Reached Huimanguillo a little after noon. Usual routine, I shouldn’t have to repeat myself every time.
8/23/11-I can feel this tug on the ether. It’s like Chad, my sigil teacher, is attempting to pull me to him. Chad Benedict is his name, and I never would’ve guessed he lived in Mexico. He sounds like he’d be British.
8/24/11-The pulling stopped, and a voice in my head, not mine this time, said ‘Stop resisting.’ He didn’t sound very pleasant, so I kept on resisting. I suppose I get it from my ‘mother’. She was a stubborn old girl.
8/25/11-The pulling returned, but I keep walking as if I feel nothing. I don’t know who’s pulling me, but it’s not in the direction I want to go.
8/26/11-It’s too easy to make this pulling person angry. Every time I disobey his tug, he gets angry. He feels like a spoiled brat, honestly. If I were his father, I’d give him a sound beating. Hah! Watch me turn out to be his father!
8/27/11-Keep walking, keep weaving, keep whistling, now, keep resisting. I feel like that could be the motto of a weaver’s club that turned anarchistic.
8/28/11-Slept on the streets of the Escarcega Municipality. Didn’t get there early enough or I would’ve played. Oh, well.
8/29/11-I’m starting to think I should tie this mat off. I can’t see all of it, but I’m willing to bet it’s clogging up David’s room.
8/30/11-I bed down tonight feeling the tug of Chad. I can tell it’s him because it’s not malicious. Or so I hope.
8/31/11-Met Chad at noon. This’ll be the last place I’ll be walking to, and as such, I tied off my mat. It goes through the rift with my memories. Anyways, it seems that all higher levels of magic require me to put the journals down, so I’ll be back in thirty days. For you, the reader, though, it won’t even be thirty seconds. Books: Primitive time travel.
9/30/11-Sigil magic is probably the most useful. It can transport you anywhere in the universe, so long as you know the planet’s name. I’m going to be used it to teleport to China, where I’ll learn movement magic, so there’ll be another thirty day break for me.
Just one note before I go. Expect elasticity when teleporting. I almost lost my lunch as I was teleported.
10/30/11-So, movement magic is really just advanced martial arts. Of all the things I forgot to learn on the road! This school was the last of my training, but I’ve one more stop before I’m free. Every arch-wizard has a presiding Greater Being. Greater Beings are basically Gods, but come from all sides of the morality spectrum. No arch-wizard ever chooses theirs, but are chosen by the Beings. So much destiny talk. Anyway, off to the Hudson Bay.
10/31/11-I met with Lillian today, and she explained to me what I am to do. I am to sit in a room for as long as it takes until I am claimed. I am allowed to do anything in the room, but I may not leave the room.
11/1/11-So, anything also includes writing in my journals. Feroz had to stay outside, and I’m honestly a little lonely without him. I’m going to sleep for a little.
11/13/11-So, apparently ‘a little’ meant twelve days. I was claimed during this period, which is how I know the date. I was claimed by The Volatility of Words. He did give me his informal name, but I am not allowed to share it with anyone. However, I should probably document him. He is a Volatility, as previously stated, which means he could be good or evil at any time. Neutralities are similar, in that they don’t tend toward Good or Evil specifically, but Neutralities simply have no alignment. His domain is words, spoken, and written. I find it interesting that I was being struck by poetic outbursts and then claimed by the Being who presides over what makes them. I told Lillian I’d be off, and stepped onto a portal sigil. Back home, to pick up a mat, then to Nuevo Casas Grandes to thank mi madre for giving me a good life.
She loved it. It was a simple mat, but she said she’d hang it up on the wall just to remember me. It’s strange, I didn’t really ever know her, but I decided to give her the mat instead of anybody I knew better.
So, I returned home, again, to check in on my cyborg buddy. He said he’d love to have me as a roommate, and I settled back into society. I suppose I’ll break the journal here. I’ll keep it going, but this is probably going to be the last even remotely exciting one.
Recovered and on the Move
I kept reading the journals after he had finished his last class in magic, but it would’ve been incredibly boring to anybody that has ever held a steady job. I’ll summarize it for you: He got a job as a journalist, held that for just over five years, then got fired during a change in management. He got fired for ‘Not keeping his word’, so he swore he’d never have ‘an extrapersonal boss’ again. He kept to that, and a year later, he disappeared. I mean that in all seriousness. The journals just drop off one day. However, on the last page of the last journal was written something. It was written very differently. It said thus: “Believe me or don’t, but if you’ve read this far, I’ll guess you will. Magic is real, this we know. What you don’t know, however, is that I found Equestria. I kept trying out different words for the land, and I finally got one right. You’ll see it, it’s got ‘Equestria’ written over it. Godspeed and good luck.”
I took his advice and found it. The words were once written over a tunnel that collapsed, but I was able to piece the words together. I stepped through the hole and was immediately somewhere else, and almost lost my lunch. I had forgotten to expect elasticity. Whatever that meant. Then, a wave of magic, this one different from the last, washed over me, and I was a pony.
I knew then that this had to be Equestria, where William had fled, so I set out for the big city on the mountainside. It was just a guess, but even in wartime, it looked like someplace an arch-wizard would live.
