Gacha God: Risks and Rewards (ch. 34) (Patreon)

"I'm going to become a wizard," Ned breathed in disbelief as we walked through the streets of New York. Naturally, the remark got a few glances from anyone that had been paying attention. Especially seeing as to everyone else, Ned was talking to himself. "Do you think I could learn to cast fireball?" He asked, glancing my way as we made our way to our destination.

"Probably," I answered, and that set Ned off. He looked about ready to start dancing in place. He just shone joy out of every pore, so visibly excited that it was clear as day to everyone around that today just might be the best day of his life. It felt good to set this up for him, even if I was wary of a price tag attached to it.

"You said I only had a spark of magic, though? Will that be… enough?" Ned questioned as I slid past a man that would have bumped into me, loudly talking on his phone.

To that, I offered a shrug. "A spark can become a flame if you treat it right, but I'll be honest with you -- you'll probably be locked out of the high level stuff," I told him, trying to temper his expectations a bit. "Which is the case for a lot of folks. There aren't many top class wizards in general and those that are… well, they're the kind that are born under a lucky star and spend a lifetime perfecting what they learn."

Ned nodded, still seeming every bit as excited as he had been. "So… could I… like, teleport?"

"Oh, yeah. That's basic stuff," I told him, making his jaw drop. "Sort of. They have something called a… shit, I forgot what it's called, but it's a ring that has the spell inscribed into it so you only have to feed a bit of magic to it," I explained. "The top level stuff is when you start playing with the loose threads of reality."

Ned just let out an amazed sigh, "I'm going to be a wizard." He breathed, earning a chuckle from me. Then he let out a small breath, a pep in his step before he stole a glance at me. "Sebastian?"

I glanced his way, sensing the shift in his tone. I cooked an eyebrow before I recalled that he couldn't see me. Or hear me, if it wasn't for his headphones that carried my words to him. "Yeah?"

"Would you answer if I asked you how you know about these guys? I mean… you said that these wizards are super isolated. And that most people in the world don't know that they exist. Or that magic exists. And that they want it to stay that way?" He tried, and there was a beat of silence as he waited for my answer and I considered what I should say. The question wasn't really about how I knew. It was about why I knew.

Neither Peter or Ned knew a thing about my past beyond vague mentions and the occasional hint. Nothing that they couldn't ignore or wrap their heads around. They understood enough that they didn't need to ask questions. But, I suppose knowing about an ancient magical cult was a bit beyond the pale. I wasn't surprised that Ned was curious.

"Well… these guys… their entire shtick is protecting the world. They do it from the shadows, and more often than not, the problem is nipped in the bud before anyone even realizes that there's a problem. Like Shield, without all the sucking at their jobs," I began, scratching at my cheek. "I know about them because… well… they aren't exactly my dad's biggest fans. Or fans at all. Actually, they hate his guts and they'd kill him a billion times if they could. So, I knew about them through osmosis because the feeling is mostly mutual on my dad's end."

Ned looked in my general direction, his brow furrowing in thought. "So… wait- are you sure that you should be bringing me to them? I mean, I don't want to get you in any trouble." He ventured.Ned really was a good friend to have. That's what he chose to focus on rather than what I had just passively admitted? Rather than the obvious?

That my dad was the enemy of people that protected the world.

"Eh, it should be fine. I mean, it's next to impossible that they don't already know that I'm here, and if it was a problem then they would have come after me already," I shrugged. "And if it's not fine, their beef with me shouldn't extend to you, so it should all be good."

Ned seemed to chew on that for a minute as I spotted our destination. 177A Bleecker Street, Greenwich Village. The New York Sanctum. I always thought, back in the day, that I would end up coming here. Back then, though, I never imagined that it would be under these circumstances. "This is one of the places that are protected," Ned seemed to realize. "From the teleporter."

"Yup," I confirmed. "The only way to get in is through the front door. So, we either get let in or we let ourselves in." I came to a stop in front of a tall old building. The kind that looked like it had been here since New York was. Several stories tall, white brick with a dark wood double door. Reaching out with a hand, I stopped Ned from walking away and headed up to the front door after pushing my hood back.

Grabbing the clacker, I knocked on the front door and waited. Ned was sifting from foot to foot, stealing g glances at me, the building, and the door. "So… are all the protected places wizards?"

"Dunno. I know here, Hong Kong, London, and a place in Nepal are all connected to the Sorcerer Supreme. No idea about the others," I offered a shrug. Frowning at the door, I knocked again. Harder this time.

"Cool. Sorcerer Supreme," Ned muttered, earning a chuckle from me. We waited another minute. I knocked again, putting some strength behind it. "Maybe they're not home?"

"They're always home," I muttered back. "Oi! Open up the door before I kick it in!" I shouted, before I started to knock to the tune of 'I'm a Barbie Girl' to make sure that whoever was on the other end of the door was annoyed enough to answer.

I got halfway through the song before the door swung open. The interior of the lobby was mice- marble floors, dark wood stairs and walls. It had an old timey feel to it. Standing in the center of the lobby was a large black man -- shaved head and face while wearing a loose fitted set of yellow robes. Before his hands were arcane symbols made out of wire thin fire. His expression was severe as he looked at me. "So… can we come in?"

"What are your intentions, creature?" The protector of the New York Sanctum demanded, his voice low and heavy. Oh, he was ready for a fight. I could see it in his eyes.

Most people in the world weren't prepared to die. Which was pretty wild when you think about it -- death could strike at any time, and people still weren't prepared for it. And by prepared, I'm not talking about the Hollywood version of taking a deep breath, closing your eyes, and waiting for the closing curtain of your life. That wasn't making peace, not accepting death. True acceptance meant at all hours of the day, when you so much as stub your toe, you were ready for it to kill you.

This guy? He was looking at me like a man who had accepted that this was how he died.

I opened the door a bit wider, "This is Ned. Say hello, Ned," I instructed while Ned gaped at the first blatant use of magic he had ever seen.

"Hello?" Ned echoed, offering a small awkward wave. The Protector of the New York Sanctum narrowed his eyes at Ned, making him drop the wave.

"Ned here has some talent for magic, and I was hoping the Ancient One would be willing to show him the ropes? And that maybe we could teleport to Kamar-Taj, if it wouldn't be any trouble," I said, leaning on the doorway without stepping in.

"And if I tell you to leave this place?" He returned with a growl, and I could see him dismissing the entire idea. Maybe he thought it was a lie. Suppose I couldn't blame him for that. Didn't make this any less convenient, though.

"Well… I suppose we'll…" I paused dramatically, and I could see every muscle that he had tense. He was ready to throw down. "Just leave," I continued on after a moment, smirking at the brief look of confusion that passed over his features. "But maybe you could do us a solid and pass the message along? Come on, Ned -- seems like lessons won't start today."

I think I would have felt less guilty kicking a puppy and clubbing a baby seal with how far Ned's expression fell. He didn't say anything, though, sensing the tension on the sorcerer's side of things. However reluctantly, he nodded, and started to step away.

"Do you believe that I'll allow you to leave now that you have delivered yourself to me, creature?" The Protector of the New York Sanctum questioned, a deadly edge in his voice. Hm. He was a hard ass. Well, I suppose that made sense. He would be put in charge of one of the key locations that protected the world from interdimensional baddies if he wasn't a hard ass about his job. Better taking it too seriously rather than not seriously enough.

I pursed my lips and leveled a look at him, "I mean, you could. I haven't been a problem for you in the year I've been here. I'm probably not going to suddenly become one just because you turned us away at the door. Or for you being a rude prick," I added, my voice decidedly even. "So, you could let us leave, take the message to the Ancient One, and that's that. It'll save me an awkward conversation when she asks why I painted the walls with you should you choose this rather unwise course of action."

Ned was looking between us with an increasingly nervous expression. The sigil before the Sorcerer flared and my yo-yo appeared in my hand.

"Enough," a woman's voice interjected, breaking the stand off. I looked up when the Sorcerer dropped the sigil, seeing a woman with a shaved head and ornamental yellow robes. She looked down at me, our eyes meeting for a long moment and despite never seeing her before, I knew exactly who she was. "Despite his heritage, the only danger he represents is to himself."

"Hurtful. Not untrue, but still hurtful," I remarked, my yo-yo vanishing from my palm.

The Ancient One smiled faintly, "The truth often is, Sebastain Galahad Stillwater." Oh, full name? There was a nice little flex. "Please, follow me. You as well, Ned. Kamar-Taj welcomes you both," she said, looking at her minion. He was visibly reluctant to obey, but he knew better than to refuse. With a wave of his hand, the barrier that he tried to get us to step through shattered like a rock through a mirror. Only then did I step inside the Sanctum.

"R-right!" Ned managed to get out while we headed up the stairs. I got a serious case of stink eye every step of the way, but soon enough the guard dog was left behind. "Thank you?"

"There is no need for gratitude. We welcome all who wish to learn. Most typically do not have the advantage of knowing someone who is aware of our existence, but that is merely a test to find those that can let go of their physical perceptions." The Ancient One replied with a smile before, with a flick of her hand, a shower of sparks grew into a portal. "Please, this way."

"Woah…" Ned muttered, following her and stepping through the hole in space.

"Ned. We have a portal too, you know," I felt compelled to point out.

"This one is cooler," he replied with exactly zero hesitation. I just shook my head, taking in the sights. And the immediate upswing on air quality. The portal led to Kamar-Taj, a temple built into a mountain. Any trace of modern convenience was gone, replaced with the cold unyielding gray stone. We landed before a courtyard where an odd two dozen people were dressed in robes and going through some tai-chi motions.

"I ask that you forgive Protector Daniel Drumm. He takes his duties quite seriously," the Ancient One continued, coming to a stop at the railing that overlooked the courtyard. Her gaze lingered on the students for a moment before it turned to us.

Ned glanced at me, and I just shrugged. "I don't take things personally."

That got a slight smile, "I am quite aware." Ohhh… mysterious one liner. "Ned, we have expected you, but before your tutelage begins, you must ask yourself what you seek from magic."

Ned seemed a bit caught off guard at being addressed, but his brow furrowed. "What I seek? I… I thought I was just going to… learn magic?"

The Ancient One smiled, "Alas, this is not Hogwarts, Ned. Magic is something that is deeply personal to each user. Texts can help pave the way, but for every user, they will reach a point where they will have to make their own path forward." She stepped forward, gesturing to those in the courtyard. "For some, it is a simple thing of wanting to fix what is broken. A spinal injury that stole their ability to walk. An accident that robbed them of their sight. Others pursue magic for the sake of understanding the wider mysteries. Some see magic as a weapon to be used against others."

She took another step forward, coming to a stop directly before Ned. "What do you seek? Why is it that you have come to these ancient halls to learn of one of the most primordial and untamable forces of the universe?"

I could see that Ned didn't have an answer. Or, at least, not a good one. I couldn't help him with finding one, though -- his answer had to come from himself. It had to be his answer.

It was a long minute before Ned spoke, "Do you… know about the internet?" Ned began, and mirth danced in the Ancient One's eyes.

"We have wifi," she replied, deeply amused.

Ned all but sagged with relief. "That- good. Um," he scratched at his cheek, searching for the words. "Since this thing with me, Peter, and Sebastain started, I've been on the Dark Web. A lot. And…." He trailed off, his brow furrowing and his jaw clenched. "You grow up hearing about it, but I never really thought about it -- like how you can buy drugs and guns and… people off the Dark Web. But, I've seen it now. Like, there's a human trafficking ring that I'm trying to break up in Thailand by crashing the domain."

I stiffened -- this was the first time I'd heard about that.

"It didn't matter though. They were back up in a day, no arrests were made, and no one was saved." There was frustration in his voice. And a stinging pain that told me this was a fresh wound.

"You seek to punish the guilty?" The Ancient One prompted, a slight tilt of her head. Ned hesitated for a moment before he shook his head.

"No. I don't think so. I just-" he cut himself off for a moment, his lips thinning. "I'm the guy in the chair. I find all the dirty secrets. I see all the people that we didn't save because I couldn't find them fast enough. I see all the people that we could have helped but couldn't because I wasn't good enough. We weren't fast enough. I just… when we fail to save someone… I don't want it to be because we didn't give it our all."

I scratched at the back of my head, caught a bit flat footed by the confession. That was one of the more genuinely heroic things I had ever heard in my life. I figured Ned would want to learn magic because he didn't feel special. I thought his motivations were selfish in nature.

It made it hard to hear in a way. Especially considering the fact that he considered me a hero when I was anything but.

The Ancient One hummed, "I thought it might be something like that." She seemed to approve wholeheartedly. "Kamar-Taj accepts your answer and your place amongst its halls," she said, offering him a small bow while a woman approached with a set of robes that seemed tailor made to fit Ned. He was bouncing when he accepted them. "Please put on the robes, and your first lessons shall begin." She said, her gaze sliding to me. I guess it was my turn to get a talking to.

Ned glanced my way and I shot him a thumbs up. The Ancient One didn't strike me as the type to cross streams, so to speak. If this talk didn't go her way, I didn't see her fucking with Ned in retaliation. So, with a lingering look, Ned nodded and walked away, already pestering the woman with questions as the Ancient One stayed behind with me.

"You don't know it yet, but you've done a fine thing this evening," she informed.

"Didn't do it for the masses," I shrugged dismissively. "So. You know who I am." I don't know how I felt about that. I was sure someone out there would know, but I didn't think they would have been so close at hand. It wasn’t a card that I was playing particularly close to my chest -- it was just one that I knew was going to be a colossal pain in my ass when the jig was up.

"Indeed," she nodded, sounding as if she was saying yes to all my unspoken questions with a single word. "I became aware of your existence the moment you entered this dimension."

Back when I only had a single item to my name -- the Time Turner. Meaning she could have squished me like a bug the moment she wanted to. And given her whole mandate of no illegal aliens, it was kind of a wonder why she didn’t want to.

I leaned against the railing, crossing my arms over my chest. Open air, in theory, meant that I could fly up and away. In theory. I didn’t doubt for a second that there were enough protections on the mountain to ensure that it was even more difficult to get out than it was to get in. “Enjoy the show?”

“I can’t say that I have. I’ve never seen anyone with such a complete disregard for their own life. You kill yourself for mere convenience,” The Ancient One said, and clearly she knew about my Time Turner. She knew about the jumps in the timeline and me leaving an open loop. Not entirely sure how she knew that, but when you were referred to as the Ancient One, I’m guessing you had some tricks up your sleeve that the average joe didn't. “The damage you’ve done to the timeline is growing with each use of that artifact. Much like a ripple turning into a wave -- only the damage shall be catastrophic when it won’t be only you that feels the consequences.”

I scoffed, “Preserving the timeline. That’s a bad joke. Fate, destiny -- if I gave a shit what they had to say about anything, then I wouldn’t be here in the first place. There is no 'meant to be' or God’s Will. It’s just us and our actions and the consequences of them.” I suppose I should have expected this lecture when someone found out about my habit of killing Past and Future Me's, but I really expected a very different lecture from her.

“Then you accept the consequences of what your actions shall reap?” She asked, and I feel like I got ‘gotcha’d’ in some way.

“Isn’t that true of everyone?” I hedged, not sure what exactly I just stepped into. That sounded a bit like a one liner before you started throwing hands.

“Some accept it with more grace than others,” she remarked lightly. “However, your disruptions are not what I wished to speak about. If you would follow me,” she requested in a way that told me it wasn’t really a request, before walking away. I considered just leaving, or trying to,, but I got curious on where exactly this conversation was leading so I started trailing behind her. Sorcerers bowed to her as we passed, even if they kept their eyes on me.

They knew as well it would seem. Meaning that they would tell Ned. Powerful sorcerers or not, everyone loved to gossip.

The Ancient One led us to a library of sorts. The kind that had a few books chained up in a very clear ‘restricted section’ kind of way, but she approached a pedestal that had a thingy on it. “This is the Eye of Agamotto. One of our most precious treasures. It is an artifact of immense power of the same ilk as the Scepter that you possess… The Aether… as well as the Tesseract.” She began to lore dump on me, and I wasn’t really that interested beyond the prospect of neat loot.

What I wasn’t expecting was for her to present the Eye of Agamotto to me, her expression severe. “This is better left in your care. I merely ask that when the time comes, you give it to the one that needs it.” That sounded like a vague as shit prophecy, and I should have been stoked as I took the thingy from her. It looked neat. Had some serious magic vibes, but… well… Sometimes the best part of looting was the chase. It was more fun to take something awesome than it was to be given something awesome.

“Why does it feel like this thing comes with a big price tag attached to it?” I asked as the eye began to open, responding to my will. Inside was a green rock that shone brightly. That was pretty cool, I guess. I think I’d take it, if only because it sounded like it was part of a set.

“Not in the way you anticipate. I’m entrusting one of the Infinity Stones to you because I know you will not use them. You possess the stones of Space, Mind, and Reality. Those three stones in conjunction… you could become a god in practice. Yet, you don’t. And you never shall for the simple reason that you don’t currently and will never want to.” The Ancient One was sounding pretty certain of that, which kind of weirded me out a bit. Like, there was confidence, then there was certainty and this felt like the latter.

“You never know. I could have a midlife crisis,” I felt compelled to point out. She smiled at me in a way that told me that poking doubts in this plan of hers wasn’t going to work. With a mental shrug, I tucked the Eye of Agamotto into my pocket. It was weird that she was giving it to me, but cool loot was cool loot. “Alright, fine. I’ll take it. So, what strings are you attaching to this?”

She didn’t seem surprised by how blunt I was. “A request. Despite our efforts, creatures from other dimensions are able to influence ours. Typically by sending a… representative to enact their will,” she said, sending me a pointed look. To that, I just shrugged. She wasn’t wrong there. “There is one in particular that I wish you to handle.”

I narrowed my eyes, not liking where this was going. “Do I know ‘em?”

“A demon by the name of Zarathos,” The Ancient One informed and that was a real punch in the gut. “He has existed on this plane for a number of years. We have tolerated his presence due to the fact that he has refused to obey his master’s will. That has changed -- he works to his master's designs, however unknowingly. I ask that you return Zarathos to his home plane.”

I let out a breath and promptly took the Eye of Agamotto from my pocket to present it to the Ancient One.

“Fuck no.”