UnwillingEldritchHorrorofFortune
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Chapter 178: The Root of the Disease
🕑 Added 2024-08-18 05:05:21 +0000 UTCI had severely underestimated how much work a doctor’s job was, and might have promised a little too much to the mutated villagers here. I thought I’d just do a little bit of touch up work, maybe fix an aching back or some bad teeth, but these old people had a myriad of illnesses that strained my Luck Charges to the limits. All in all, by the time the last of the villagers were content with my procedures (well, more like Noe’s procedures, since I was basically just a host for her work), I was down to my last 53 charges. Whatever strange things Noe was doing cost a lot more Charges than anticipated, most likely due to their “unique” anatomies.
Now I had wanted to stop earlier to conserve my resources, but the looks of joy on these otherwise depressed old men and women was something that I just didn’t have the heart to deny. They’ve been without hope for too long, and just a simple visit by a doctor and some kids brought such a difference to their moods that I just couldn’t stop half way through. Sure, if I was looking at things purely as an Aspirant, I’ve wasted a lot of time doing something unnecessary here, not to mention cripple my biggest advantage, but I think it’s worth it. I was genuinely here to help these people.
“Thank you, Dr. Walter,” the last patient, one of the banshee sisters that was looking after Alice and Toby, said,” My throat’s never felt better! I sound like I’m a century or two younger, why, I think I can bring down one of those horrible Outsiders from a mile away with a screech now!”
I smiled and forced myself not to grimace as the sound waves assaulted my senses. “Now don’t go overboard, Agatha, we don’t want you to lose that lovely voice after fixing it!”
Well, lovely was one way to describe her voice. Where it once sounded like nails on a chalkboard, it was now so soul-wrenching awful that I had to insulate my ears with Noe’s help and my Xollon anatomy. No one else seemed to be bothered by her or her sisters, and once I convinced her that she certainly didn’t need to perform a nice song for me in celebration, the woman went back to the kid’s side, rejoining them in their game of tag.
The old man - who I just learned was called Filbert, not the most intimidating sounding name, I know - came over with a glass of water and a smile on his face. His conjoined twin, now looking a lot healthier after my treatment, was screaming as it flailed its tiny arms around in joy.
I took the offered drink, I swore that it was squirming in my cup, but drank it anyway. I was fairly certain that I was immune to all toxins and such with my soul title, and I was thirsty after all my work. The water tasted oddly sweet but was otherwise palatable.
“I must admit, Dr. Walter,” Filbert began, “I had initially been suspicious of your presence here, but your work… I’ve never seen its like before. You are most skilled, good doctor. Are you sure you do not wish for any recompense?”
I gave him a shrug and a friendly chuckle. “Like I said, it’s my job to help people. I don’t do this to earn anything in return, and I think of it as a chance to improve my craft. Your thanks and continued health are payment enough.”
Filbert gazed at the joyful villagers, some of whom were dancing and laughing - probably the first time that had happened in many, many years - at the sight of the kids playing, and a tear started to form in his drooping eyes.
“Perhaps you can help heal this village,” he muttered, “It has been so very long since I’ve seen many of my neighbors laugh, Many didn’t even have the physical capability to do so until your treatment, so you have healed not just their bodily maladies, but their souls as well. I thank you, doctor, this village owes you a great deal.”
I simply nodded, allowing the old man to enjoy this moment.
“I have already sent someone to inform the Village Elder of your arrival, while you were busy at work,” he continued after a while, “She has naturally agreed to meet you and the children, and has been busy preparing a meal for you after your services. Please, Dr. Walter, do not refuse this small charity on our part. We cannot allow our patron to go hungry, not after everything you have been through.”
I nodded slowly. Er, Noe, you can still mess with my senses, right?
“Affirmative, my Host.”
And there’s no way that I’d die from eating something strange, right?
“That is also correct, dear Walter. There is little in this stage of the Ascension process that can harm you, much less kill.”
Well, that settles it then. Plus, given the food in Hope’s Memorial, I doubt Alice and Toby would have much issues with anything they prepare here. Actually, could those two even eat here? I mean, they seemed more substantial with the moon here, but I had no idea how Molly’s charm worked. Well, I’d find out soon in any case.
“Well, alright,” I agreed reluctantly, “But you really didn’t have to.”
The old man gave me a hearty chuckle. “You are too humble, good doctor! We would be poor hosts if we did not even provide refreshments to someone like yourself. It’s been a long time since we’ve had proper guests, so think of it as a celebration not just for yourself. Our village may be small, but our chefs are still at the top of their game, we will certainly not disappoint!”
“Then I thank you for your hospitality, Filbert.” I turned to wave at Alice and Toby, “Come on you two, stop chasing the nice ladies and come over!”
“Five more minutes, Uncle Walter!” Alice shrieked as she skillfully dodged one of the flying ghosts trying to tag her. “We’re almost done!”
“No, Alice, the food’ll get cold!” I shouted, “The nice villagers prepared a feast for us, and you don’t want to miss that, do you?”
Alice perked up at the sound of food. It made sense since she’d been living off of the fixed menus from the cafeteria back home, so the thought of trying something new must have enticed the girl.
Toby, being the polite boy he was, had already stopped playing and floated over to my side. “I’m tired, Alice. Let’s listen to Dr. Walter.”
“Aw,” she pouted, but her hunger relented in the end, “Alright, I’m coming!”
“And don’t forget to thank the nice people you played with!”
She turned around and gave the ethereal villagers a polite bow. “Thank you for playing with me and Toby! We had a lot of fun!”
I nudged Toby. “Thank you,” the boy added quickly, still hiding by my side, but I hoped he grew out of his shy phase soon.
Filbert chuckled. “They’re fine children, send my regards to their care givers.”
“That they are.”
Once Alice had finally returned to my side, the old man nodded and gestured for us to follow him deeper into the village.
“This way, please,” he said, “The shift will occur again, so we must hurry.”
The three of us followed, but a question lingered on my mind. “Can you tell us about this shifting phenomenon? It’s quite strange, there’s nothing like it where we are from.”
“It is the remnant of the gift from the old god,” he answered in a reminiscing tone, “Back when the village was still a place of peace, the moon and its sustaining light would only leave the skies once a month, and only for a single day. That used to be called the day of the shift, but the term has changed in recent generations. Now, with the power of the old ones waning, so too is their blessings, and the shift becomes ever shorter and unpredictable.”
He sighed as he stopped to gaze at the crimson moon. “Only the strongest of us can survive in the fog that encroaches once the blessing is gone, and as the plague of the outsiders grows, the powers of our faith dwindles. There may be a day where the shift will simply disappear, along with everyone here. I fear that we do not have long left.”
I frowned. “But surely there must be something that can be done? Some way to restore the natural order of things.”
The old man nodded. “There is. On the night of the new moon, on the eve of the changing seasons, the village would hold a festival and ceremony to honor the old gods. This was what kept us safe for long eons in the cold night, but now, we rarely get the chance to complete these sacred ceremonies.”
“The outsiders?” I presumed.
“Indeed,” he answered bitterly, “They come on the eve of the ceremony every year, making it near impossible for us to focus on the duties that we must perform. Perhaps in years when they were small of numbers, we might have had a chance, but those occurrences have been rare of late.” He shook his head. “But we endure… we endure.”
“Then the ceremony is set for tomorrow?”
“It is,” he replied, “The Elder can tell you more about it, because I fear that this year will be especially trying. News is that we have the largest horde of invaders ever recalled approaching… I fear-”
“And that is precisely why I am here to help,” I interrupted before he could spiral into hopelessness, “This situation has gone on for long enough, which is why I am here. But I will need to know more about this ceremony and your gods.” I shook my head. “But those can be discussed later, with the Head. For now, please rest assured that I will do my duty as a doctor to excise the outsider disease.”
Filbert gave me a genuine smile now, “Thank you, Dr. Walter. I am not sure what you can do for us, but I no longer doubt your skills. Perhaps you can bring us salvation; some of the older folk still cling on to the rumors of the messiah coming at the time of our greatest need.”
Hm, interesting information. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve used some kind of prophecy to my advantage, but I’ll have to think about how to use that later. For now, I still need to figure out exactly what’s going on in this place.
“I can’t promise you that I am such an exalted being,” I said, “But I will help.”
With the mood somber once more, we walked the rest of the way to the village interior in silence. Even the kids kept their volume to a minimum, sensing the unease even if they couldn’t fully understand what was going on. The old man took us through seemingly random paths and winding ways, past decrepit buildings and old shrines of even older gods. I saw other villagers in the distance, but none approached us as we walked down those stoney paths. Before long, the forest around us became less and less dense, and on the horizon stood a single hut surrounded by ominous stone statues.
“That is the home of the Elder,” Filbert said, “She is expecting you.”
“Thank you,” I answered, “Are you not joining us?”
He shook his head. “I cannot. My duty is to guard the entrances, and I fear that the time of the next shift fast approaches. Without the protection of the light, the outsiders will make rapid progress toward the village, and I am among the few who can stall for time.”
I grimaced. “Good luck, and please stay safe.”
He chuckled. “I’ll be fine, good doctor, especially so after your treatment. The outsiders are usually weary on the first night here, and they will not become aggressive until closer to the ceremony. We still have some time for relative peace, for now.”
I frowned. “What do you mean?”
“The aggression?”
I nodded.
“I don’t know why,” Filbert answered, “But something changes in the outsiders as the ceremony nears, compelling them to assault the village in an attempt to reach the Temple grounds. It is as if they are commanded by some higher power.”
Well, I can certainly think of what that higher power was. If I was right, then there’s some kind of do-or-die mission that the Trash Matrix will implement soon. It made sense, after all, because if there wasn’t any way to force the Aspirants to come to this village, then the weaker individuals could theoretically hide out in the woods forever. My bet was that if they chose to do that, they’d be screwed on time as they’d never reach the required destination - it was something so like the Trash Matrix and the Overseer to implement.
“I see…” I muttered, “Then it is farewell for now, Filbert. I am sure that I will see you again before long.”
The old man gave me a wave and started his slow trek back to the entrance. It was now time for me to meet the person in charge of this village, and hopefully learn more about the situation before I tackled the immediate problem of the Aspirants.
