System Change

“You want to ask me a question?” Derek asked. “I’m pretty sure you know more about any of this than I do.”

“That may be so,” Dave said. “But this question… it is more personal in nature.”

“Well… go ahead,” Derek said with a shrug. “I’ll answer it if I can, or if it isn’t something that I don’t want to talk about.” He certainly wasn’t going to talk to Dave about everything that had happened with his family. Though he was pretty sure that Dave knew about all of that already. He’d already shown that he could listen in on things, and since Derek already told Alanah, and even the others to a lesser extent, his story, then Dave should also already know.

It really wasn’t the best feeling, knowing that someone was out there with such power that they could basically spy on him any time he wanted, but he’d come to terms with it. Besides, he had the Origin System and his evolution now, and those things had apparently made it much more difficult for Dave to see everything about Derek.

“Well…” Dave said, almost hesitating. “You just spoke to me about wanting to re-visit your home planet…”

“Yeah?”

“Do you have any attachments left there?” Dave asked. “Would you mind explaining to me how you feel about it?”

“That’s…” Derek started, then stopped. Do I have any attachments left on Earth? How do I feel about it? He asked himself internally. Honestly, he couldn’t think of much of anything. He planned to visit his cabin and maybe Silvi—if only to berate her for closing the portal on him. But, other than picking up a picture or two—if they were even still there—he couldn’t think of anything else. “Not really…” he finally answered. “There is almost nothing, or nobody, left there that I know. Those who are, I never knew well…”

“Then, would you say that this place… these people… hold a greater place in your heart and mind? Dave asked.

“This place?” Derek thought about all the connections he’d made. “Of course,” he answered quickly. If he wasn’t, then why would he worry about being able to bring his friends with him once he had to leave? “It’s not been long, but there are people here that I… know… better than almost anyone I ever knew back home.” Except for my sister… he thought, but didn’t say.“So… you would choose to protect this place and those people over your old planet if it came to it?” Dave asked.

“What are you asking? Is something going to happen to Earth?” Derek said.

“No, no, no…” Dave waved Derek’s question away. “Perhaps I asked the question incorrectly. Would you choose to protect those on this planet over those on… Earth?”

“I… would rather not have to choose,” Derek said. “But if I had to… then yes, there are way more people that I care about just in Cydaria than there are left on Earth. I can only think of two people that I have any kind of caring relationship with on Earth. And ‘caring’ may even be too strong of a word for what I feel.”

“I see…” Dave said.

“What does this have to do with anything?” Derek asked. “What are you getting at?”

“I don’t believe ‘Earth’ will have anything to do with anything, but… there is a slight possibility…” the elf sighed, then said, “I guess it’s time that I explained some things that you need to know before I ask for that favor,” Dave said. “So, we’ve already discussed there being multiple systems in the universe, and how the one which encompassed your planet—Earth—was the Universal System.”

“Yeah?”

“When you came here and had parts of the Universal System still accompanying you, we worked to suppress it,” Dave explained, and Derek nodded. “Well, the Universal System is still—was still—connected to you.”

“Was?” Derek asked.

“Yes, I am unsure if it is still connected, as the Origin System’s interference may have completely severed the connection, and if it didn’t, your traveling in the void could have destroyed the link as well. I honestly could not tell you,” Dave explained. “But that is neither here nor there. What I want you to know is that when you came here, and we interfered, it set many things in motion. Things that could end up being very rewarding… or potentially devastating to me.”

“What do you mean?” Derek asked. “What was set in motion?”

“The Universal System,” Dave said. “Noticing the interference, it set out to find the Davenresh System—to find you.”

“What… does that mean?” Derek asked. He had an idea of where Dave was going with everything, but he did not like what he was thinking.

“The Universal System is on a collision course with the Davenresh System, and will be here soon,” Dave said. “I had thought that I wouldn’t even need to ask of you this favor, because it didn’t seem like you were going to meet the requirements to advance before the systems collide, but, now, I believe you will, and you will well before the other system arrives.”

“So what you’re asking is?”

“Do not ascend,” Dave said. “Grow, unlock the requirements, but once you do, wait. The Davenresh System needs your help if it is going to overcome this collision. Your friends—if they are unable to go with you—will need your help. There will be plenty of time to ascend later.”

Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

“What?” Derek asked. “What can I do to help with something like that?”

“More than you know,” Dave said. “You will understand when the time comes. Things would have been easier had the siren not reached her limit—had she unlocked the requirements later. But, alas…” Dave clicked his tongue and shook his head.

“So… you’re saying that the other system is coming here… because of me?” Derek couldn’t really wrap his head around it. He’d just spent so much time making sure the world was safe for all his friends. Now he was being told that his past system was on the way… and it was his fault.

“Yes and no,” Dave said. “Yes, in the sense that the Universal System found the Davenresh System because of you, but I could have just as well chosen to… eliminate or ignore you instead of helping. The Universal System would have been none the wiser if that had happened. But I did not choose that option. So, the blame is solely on me.”

“Why?” Derek asked. “Why would you choose to interfere if you knew what would happen? You did know what would happen, right?”

“Of course I did,” Dave said. “You are not the first system traveler in the universe, and you won’t be the last. There are records, and… let’s just say that choosing to interfere was a very risky choice, but the results could be very, very rewarding.”

“What results? What is going to happen when the Universal System gets here?” Derek asked again.

“That… I cannot tell you,” Dave said.

“Can’t, or won’t?” Derek asked.

“Some of both,” Dave said. “But mostly… can’t. There are some things that the Origin System is very picky about when it comes to information given to lower tier beings. Let’s just say that this is one of those things. But, as I said before, you don’t have to worry. You will find out soon enough.”

Derek didn’t say anything for a long while, and the two just sat across from one another, staring. The only sound that could be heard was Silvi munching on a cake without a care in the world.

“And what if I choose to ascend?” Derek finally asked.

“Then it will be a big setback for me,” Dave answered with a sigh.

“A setback?” Derek asked. “That’s it?”

“That’s it?” Dave snorted. “Trust me, the setback would not be good for me. It may not be devastating, but it will hurt me severely. But it could be devastating for others.”

“And what about my friends?” Derek asked—in the event that he wasn’t able to take them with him. “Would it be devastating for them?”

“There is a chance that they would die,” Dave said. “It’s not something that I can answer. I cannot see into the future. The young ones… would probably be safe, but your lightning friend and the old earth sage would be in trouble. That is all I can say on that matter.” Dave looked up and clicked his tongue. “It seems that the Origin System is not pleased with me.”

Derek leaned back in his chair and sighed. It looks like I’m going to be here a little longer than I imagined, he thought. When he found out about the second requirement, he was raring to go, and imagined himself ascending shortly after. But, now that Dave had asked his favor, that was no longer the case.

“So… I just need to stay here until the systems collide, then do whatever it is that you need me to do?” He really wished Dave could tell him exactly what it was that he’d be able to do to stop an entire system. Wait a minute… he thought, and his eyes widened. Why would he talk so much about my attachment to people on Earth before telling me all of this? Choosing people here over those there? “I’m going to have to fight… aren’t I? People from the other system? People from Earth?”

“Who knows?” Dave said with a shrug, but Derek could see a half-smile on his face.

“Are they going to invade this world?” Derek asked out loud, but he knew he wouldn’t get an answer. “Is it going to be like the early days of the Universal System when it came to Earth? The other system is going to send ‘invaders’ here this time, but since it’s not a world without a system… they will be stronger, won’t they?”

Based on what he’d experienced with invaders before, it all made too much sense. The only thing he couldn’t figure out was what the overall goal was. If the invaders conquered, would the other system cease to exist? Would the Universal System swallow it? He wasn’t even sure what would have happened to Earth if the invaders had conquered it, either.

He’d always just fought them because they invaded, and they attacked first. That was all he needed to know to decide to fight back. He never even thought about asking any deeper questions. Besides, with him, Jace, Jiù Zhǔ, Big Jim, and the other top fighters on Earth, the invaders hadn’t been much more than a minor annoyance. They all grew stronger at a much faster rate than the invaders had, but if invaders came to his current planet, and they didn’t have any limitations… Derek gulped.

“I see you are piecing things together,” Dave said.

“I think I am,” Derek replied. “And what I’m piecing together isn’t good. Though, I don’t know the end goal…”

“Maybe not, but you understand the danger, it seems,” Dave replied.

“Yeah… I think I do,” Derek said with a sigh. “Fine, I won’t ascend as soon as I get the chance. How long until the other system arrives?”

“Not long,” Dave said. “I cannot say for certain, as I do not know for certain. But you have plenty of time to make your visit to your home world and to complete the second requirement. None of that should be a problem.”

“I see…” Derek said. “I honestly don’t know how I should feel about all of this.” Obviously, he was thankful that Dave—or whomever it was at the time—stepped in and gave him access to the new system, but because of that, it put probably the entire planet in danger.

“It all would have happened eventually,” Dave said, as if reading Derek’s thoughts. “The Universal System searches for other systems. You just sped things up by a few decades or centuries. And I believe that having you here will be a much bigger boon than a few more decades of preparation would have been.”

“You’re overestimating me,” Derek said.

“No, I don’t think I am,” Dave replied with a grin. “Remember, the Davenresh System is of higher quality than the Universal System. And you… you are beyond that quality. I believe I made the correct decision back then… that is… as long as you choose to do me this favor.”

“Like I said,” Derek replied. “I’ll stay. But after all of this, you need to think of a way to let me ascend with my friends if they want to go with me.”

“See,” Dave chuckled. “You are already looking past the collision. Not thinking about ‘what ifs,’ but instead, you are thinking of ‘when.’ If that doesn’t tell me that I made the correct decision, then I don’t know what will.”

“I guess,” Derek said with a sigh. Then he licked his lips and cracked his neck. “It has been a while since I had a good fight.”

“That’s the spirit!” Dave said, then he stood from his chair. “Unfortunately, our time is up. This has taken longer than I originally planned. That seems to be a theme with my chats with you. Please prepare, and remember the favor,” the mysterious elf said as he began to fade away.

“My cake!” Silvi panicked and began scarfing the thing down even faster.

“You may relax,” Dave’s voice echoed throughout the room now that his body had disappeared. “You won’t be sent out until you are ready.”

“Kay!” Silvi’s voice chimed, and she slowed her chewing.

“Mr. Hunt… no… Derek,” Dave’s voice sounded out once again. “Please do not let me down.”