Manifest Page 4

  He took all this in and more, it was breathtaking! Lily must be smiling down at him. Something awesome was finally happening to him! This starting zone was better than Gitch could have ever hoped for. The area was beautiful, and the glade was a perfect spot to set up a basecamp while he scouted the local area for quests and loot.

  The shimmering stream of gold certainly felt magical, and he assumed it would probably grant some boon upon consumption. Gitch dipped down, intrigued by what type of bonus he would be granted. He was really hoping for an increased leveling speed or a strength buff to help speed along his character progression. Gitch wanted desperately to level as quickly as possible so that he could catch up with his brother Tommy, or Croken as he was known in this world.

  Gitch bent his head forward and confirmed that the strange smell was indeed wafting up from the stream. He decided to just go for it, dunking his whole head in the beautiful, golden water. He took a good long gulp… and immediately started convulsing. His eyes and nose burned! He lifted his head out of the stream and immediately vomited everywhere.

  He fell to the ground, gagging repeatedly and coughing up the disgusting ‘water’. Between convulsions, he heard a loud voice that reminded him strongly of William Wallace. "Oi! Why the hell are ya drinkin’ me tinkle water?"

  Horrified, Gitch scrambled away from the flowing ‘tinkle water’ as fast as he could. He vomited a final time before deciding to find the source of the poisonous piss. Blurry eyed, he glanced behind him and his mouth fell open.

  It, no, definitely a ‘he’, was a giant! He was standing directly in front of a huge stone structure, and a small red dot floated just above his head. Past the structure, Gitch could see the western edge of the glade, which stood in direct contrast to the image of the forest he had first witnessed.

  Dead trees with spindly limbs made up the glade’s edge. In between the blackened trunks was an underbrush so thick, he could barely see through. A thin mist clung to the dead grass on the forest floor, and a dark shadow hung over the whole wood. He was not as enthusiastic about that side of the glade. In fact, he would be perfectly fine never stepping foot in a forest so obviously haunted. Nah, it would be east for him, but first he had to escape the giant. That was a rather large hiccup to his current plan.

  The giant was easily five times as tall as Gitch. Though bald, he had a bushy white beard and a large bulbous nose. His thick eyebrows scrunched together and a shocked expression was sketched on his craggy face. He was looking directly at Gitch.

  From what he knew of giants, they were stupid, quick to anger, and immensely territorial. You do not want to get on their bad side, and especially not on their home turf. Gitch was sure drinking the whiz of a giant would be considered taboo among their kind, at least if done so uninvited. He had to get out of there!

  He had just a few seconds while the giant was finishing up. It was an image he would rather forget, to be honest. The only cover in his immediate proximity was one of the glowing white boulders. It was narrow and only twice as tall as Gitch, but it would have to do. Still gasping for air, he stumbled over to the rock.

  Gitch hid there, trying to determine his next course of action. Talk about a bad life choice, he thought grimly. Lily wasn’t just smiling at him. No, she was laughing her artificial butt off! He had just drunk the piss of a giant, and she had probably seen the whole flippin’ thing!

  His eyes were burning and he could barely breathe. Gitch went to rub his eyes, but his hands never made it to his face. It was his turn to stare in shock, as he looked upon his hands for the first time. His very pink hands! Not a deep rose pink, more of a light salmon color, but what the hell?

  The color obviously threw him off, but what shocked him even more was the glow! Looking down, he could see that he wore only a tattered pair of brown pants and light brown tunic, but the rest of his body gave off the same pale pink light and tiny specks of luminescent dust were being released into the air. He glanced back along the direction he had run and saw hundreds of tiny specks leading to his current position, effectively cancelling out his attempt at concealment. Obviously, there was no on/off switch (he checked), but he could sense that some of his power was being sent outward for seemingly no reason.

  He tried mentally cancelling the expulsion of pink light from his body, and to his surprise, it actually worked! He was no longer releasing the seemingly radioactive particles, and his skin started to dim somewhat. Thankfully, there were no other immediate changes, besides his feeling a little gassy. He might just get through this encounter unscathed!

  He carefully peered around the white stone, but jumped back when three large fingers suddenly appeared directly above him! The giant simply picked up the boulder and tossed it nonchalantly across the glade. He just stood there, looking down at Gitch with a slight tilt to his head. He wore a mustard-yellow tunic, dark brown pants, and a thick black belt across his waist. His look was that of pure confusion. Well, Gitch thought with just an ounce of optimism, time to lay on the charm.

  "Oh-" Gitch began, but stopped abruptly. His voice was nearly as high as an old weenie whistle, though melodic, like that of a songbird. He had no idea what he was, but decided to trudge along before beardy got bored and stepped on him... or used his body as a luffa.

  "Oh, mighty giant!" he started again. "Massive are your arms, and great is your beard!" Oh yeah, that sounded pretty good. I bet he liked that, Gitch thought. He looked up in triumph, but saw the giant still held that same, confused expression on his face. Gitch continued on, but with smaller words on account of the giant likely having a case of the dumbs.

  “You is strong. Big. I help you? We friends. Ok?” Gitch said, convinced he got his point across that time.

  A spark of recognition appeared in gargantor’s eyes. He smiled a big, goofy smile while pointing at Gitch with a long finger. He then pointed at his own mouth and licked his lips.

  “No, no, no, no, no, no! Not that kind of friend!” Gitch said in a hurry while quickly backing away. The giant did not like seeing his new toy walking away. He lifted his arms and bounded after him. Gitch stood there on trembling knees and waited for the end. His first respawn, great! And then a terrible thought struck him. What if he respawned back here? The giant may just stick around, and then it would be a never-ending cycle of spawn killing Gitch. Crap!

  His knees gave out in fright, as he began softly crying. It was in this moment of despair that he heard a sound that was sweet music to his ears. Not pretty music, because hearing the giant laugh could not be described as pretty, but sweet because he wasn’t dead. Yay!

  "Hehe, I’m just screwin’ with ya!” the giant snorted, trying to get a hold himself but failing. He could barely say two words without giggling like a loon. “Ya got some oomph on ya lassy!" Gitch had expected he’d be more of a bass, given the giant’s large frame, but his voice was surprisingly high-pitched.

  "Well, stand up. I ain’t gonna eat ya, silly! I’m yer greeter!" He finally stopped laughing and gave Gitch a stern look. "That bein’ said, ya ever insult me intelligence again and I will use yer little stick body as my new toothbrush! I got some serious plaque, and ya look just about the right size to knock it loose! Hehehe!”

  Gitch blanched. "Yes, Mister Giant sir, I meant no disrespect. I am sure you are the smartest of your kind. The whole forest quivers at your insight!" He was not above using copious amounts of flattery to make sure that NEVER happened to him.

  "Nah, I just don’t like being reminded is all. Any who lassy, I need ya to stop calling me sweet self a giant. Giants be walkin’ arguments fer birth control, the dumb skulls. Nay, I be right proud to say you are in the presence of a gnome! Dwik, the hermit, ifin it pleases ya. I am the chief of this glade, as well as assistant chief, and assistant to the assistant chief. It’s a perfect set up for me, really! Anyway, who might you be lassy?"

  Gitch drew himself up to his full height, puffed out his chest, and declared boldly, " My name is Gitch, and I. AM. A MAN!" At least, he tried to so
und bold. It still sounded like a 10-year-old just finished inhaling some helium, which happened to negate any inkling of toughness he tried to impose.

  The ‘gnome’ was barely keeping it together. A poorly concealed smirk was peeking through his beard, and he was slightly bouncing from foot to foot.

  "Oooh, yer a fella’ are ya? My mistake, I just kinda thought, with ya bein’ pinkish and all…”

  "Nope, definitely a man. A mister, not a sister. What about you? How is it possible you are a gnome, anyway?" he asked. "I always heard gnomes were... ehh... vertically challenged. All due respect, but you are huge! And where’s your hat? All gnomes wear pointy hats!"

  "Quit yer racial prejudices. Not all gnomes wear hats, ya know!" Dwik huffed in obvious disappointment. "And size be a matter of perspective. If ya were a reeeeal man, I may only reach yer knees. You, however, are no man-". He gave Gitch a long, sideways glance before continuing. Gitch didn’t really care if Dwik wore a bag over his head. What a jerk.

  "-To be a man, you would need to be human. You, obviously, are no human," Dwik stated matter-of-factly.

  "Wh-what are you saying? If you are roughly two feet tall, that would mean I’m... No, no, no, that can’t be right! What am I?!?"

  "Oh aye," he chortled gleefully while resuming his foot hopping dance. "My guess ya be ‘bout four inches. Six, tops. Don’t ya worry, there are some positives to bein’ midgetly! For instance, if it rains, you are the last to get wet. Yer also less likely to be struck by lightning. You have that goin’ for ya, so don’t sell yerself so short!" Dwik gave a hearty laugh. Gitch’s mouth dropped again in shock, but Dwik wasn’t done.

  "Ya certainly got a sly look about ya too. Not evil though, from what I can tell, so I would rule out ya bein’ an imp. Nasty devils, always stealing my goats for their lewd rituals."

  "Umm, what was that?" Gitch interjected, but Dwik just waved him off.

  "I would also rule out pixie. Ya got a tad bit more substance on yer bones. Ya also glow, but pixies tend to sparkle when excited. Plus... they tend to be nicer. No pixie ever called me dumb," he grumbled sardonically. The gnome was obviously a little sour about Gitch’s previous attempt at communication.

  "No, I would say ya are a forest fairy. Don’t get their lot too often, seeing as they are all masters of hiding and trickery. That might just explain the sudden toadstool infestation. Also, yer wing style be a dead giveaway. Imp wings are more bat-like, and pixies have those nifty butterfly wings. You kinda remind me of... a mosquito."

  "My what?!?" This was a lot to take in all at once. He again turned his head and could just see the edges of four small wings.

  "I can fly?" Gitch asked excitedly.

  "I think you need to take a good long look at yer teeny self. Follow ol’ Dwik, I have a looking glass inside me house." He turned and started walking away, expecting his tiny companion to follow, which he of course did.

  As they walked, Gitch asked Dwik another rather important question. "So, my being a fairy, would that explain what I did back at the umm... back at the stream?" He looked up at the gnome hopefully. Gitch needed to try and build back some respect with this guy. Dwik was probably the one who would begin granting Gitch his first quests after all.

  "Well, I have heard that fairies have an acute sense for detecting magic. Maybe that led ya to me tinkle water in the first place. Gnome piss is highly magical. If ya want yer sword to glow in the dark, there ain’t nothin’ better for it! Still… I got no good reason for ya dunkin’ yer whole head in there. My guess? I think you may just be a twonk."

  Crap! He wasn’t sure what a twonk was, but it sounded very much like ‘idiot’.

  "Ok, well, I had my reasons at the time," he mumbled to himself. The stream certainly looked welcoming. How was he supposed to know he would spawn just as the only other sentient creature present was taking a whiz? Oh, maybe he would have known, had Lily been just a bit more forthcoming!

  Dwik’s powerful ears picked up on his grumbling. "And where ya come from, folks are known to drink the pee of others to gain special abilities?" He seemed genuinely intrigued by this notion.

  "Ehh, no... that is not the case where I come from either. It would actually be considered really perverted."

  "Well in that case, you are definitely a twonk fairy."

  Craaaap!

  Chapter 5

  Dwik opened the door of his hut and waited for his miniature guest to enter. Gitch hopped over the threshold and stood inside a large, but cozy room. It was circular with a massive white rug covering the majority of the floor. The walls were mostly barren, aside from a few windows and a rack of hanging tools. There was a fireplace along the western wall, with a large pot hanging above a small pile of fiery coals. Whatever he had cooking smelled delicious.

  "Give me a moment to fetch the glass from me bedroom. Feel free to take a look around. Normally I would warn ya against sticky fingers, but I doubt ya would be able to carry anything off with yer dainty little hands."

  Gitch looked to the ceiling, praying for strength. He wasn’t sure how being a tiny fairy represented his true character. What the hell was Lily thinking? Sticking him with this crazy gnome, and to send him through with no details...” Jerk-move Lily!” he said as he lifted his head to the sky in defiance. He waited a few moments, waiting for the bolt of lightning to smite him where he stood. When none came, he nodded to himself in satisfaction.

  Gitch strode over to the fireplace, enjoying the heat radiating from the burning coals. In front of the fireplace was a single chair, and a small wooden table. On top of the table lay a folded sheet of paper. Curious, Gitch jumped up for the paper and let it unfold in his hands. It was a map of the surrounding woods! Sure, it was hand drawn, but this was a huge find! He laid the large map flat on the floor to get a better view.

  The forest took up just about the entire map. Much of it appeared dark and desolate, with green lakes, sinister looking caves and copious amounts of dead trees covering all but a small bowl-like section to the far east. This apparent safe haven only bordered the creepy forest on its western border. The rest of the parameter was completely encircled by mountains, with an expansive sea on just the other side.

  This was the only section on the large map that appeared inhabitable, or at least, less dreadful. There were bright trees, vibrant valleys, several more meadows, and even a decent sized village set against a mountain at the southern border.

  A lone mountain, labeled Gurthaz Keep, stood just inside the bounds of the shadowed forest. There was a large lake at its base with no fewer than nine streams branching east across the bright forest. One such stream led north, leading to a patch of forest next to a small lake. Here, there was a dot that Gitch assumed might just indicate their current position.

  "Ah, I see you found me map! Quite a beauty, that is. Took me 15 long years of exploration to map out this teeny section of Mentira,” Dwik said proudly, appearing from the back room and holding a small looking glass in his left hand. His right held another object that was not immediately visible. The mirror was circular, with a ring of tiny emeralds, rubies, and sapphires lining its edge. It was beautifully crafted, but mega-ancient. Dwik set both items on the table and peered over Gitch to better look at the map.

  “Mentira? I thought you called this the Dufflin Forest?”

  Dwik looked down at him as he stroked his long beard. “Yer thicker than ya look. Mentira is our world!”

  “Oh, you mean Manifest!”

  “I sure as goat hooves meant what I said now didn’t I? I don’t know ‘bout any man-fests, but this world is called Mentira. There are 13 continents, hundreds of realms, but just the one Dufflin Forest. It’s a big world for a pocket-elf, such as yerself.

  Gitch pursed his lips, but didn’t respond to the barb. Dwik was starting to really annoy him. He counted to three before saying, "Nice map, Dwik. I can see why it took so long to sketch all this out. It’s a pretty large forest."

  Dwik huffed at the compliment. "Aye, twas mighty di
fficult, but I’m nothin’ if not stubborn. Here, I have two other items to show ya. Take a look at this, shorty." He pulled the circular glass off the table and offered it to Gitch. He reached for it and brought the mirror to his face. Dwik was right, he definitely wasn’t human. His cheeks sat high on his face, and his chin came to a sharp point. His eyes tilted upward, and he could see microscopic gold flecks imbedded within his violet irises. His wind-swept hair was golden and meshed well with his light red-alright, pink-skin tone.

  He instinctively placed his finger at the bottom of the glass and slid to the right, causing the image to swivel! He’d had a strong feeling the glass might be magical, and he was right! It felt good, especially considering the last time he thought something contained magical qualities... Friggin gnome piss!

  As the image turned, he got his first full look at his wings. Hundreds of golden capillaries were embedded within the pink membrane of each wing, which of course were not shaped like those of a bat, bird, or butterfly. Dwik had said they looked like mosquito wings, but that wasn’t right. These were more like dragonfly wings. There were two sets and felt sturdier than what he imagined mosquito wings would be like. They were actually kind of cool.

  Gitch swiveled the mirror back to the front. He didn’t have much in the way of muscles, but he seriously doubted he would be doing much melee fighting... unless he found a rat that was looking for trouble. He could probably take a rat.

  He gave a satisfied nod before trying to hand the mirror back to Dwik. The gnome stared at him quizzically, but did not stick his hand out to grab the ancient glass.

  "Did you just spend 20 minutes checking yourself out?! Ya know there are other features to the glass, right? How do ya think you are supposed to view yer stats and abilities? This glass shows yer true self and every representation that has manifested in yer person. Didn’t your examiner tell you all of this? Did guzzling down my tinkle water rattle your tiny midget brain?" Dwik stared at him, completely dumbfounded.