Mana Mutation Menace (Journey to Chaos Book 3) by Brian Wilkerson Page A

band playing holiday music on a glimmering winter stage.
    All of this was illuminated by the lights Eric saw
earlier. They were powered by mana or elemental light energy so the artists
could see their work without by-product heat melting it. Eric remembered elemental
light energy being a problem for him in the immediate past, but he felt nothing
against it now. This led him to conclude that the special darkness powers he
was polishing before Ceiha were inactive.
    "This is the Winter Blaze Festival. I'm surprised you
haven't read about it. Artists labor through the night to create works of art
to greet the Sun. It’s the formal start of Dormancy.”
    “Dormancy?”
    “If you’re not a follower of Fiol, then you call it
‘winter.’” 
    "Ah. So the fire in their hearts keeps them
warm?"
    Kallen nodded. "That's the idea."
    They stopped at the hot chocolate booth to warm themselves
and the fast food stands to sate their hunger. Eric bought one of everything
despite the fresh meat he carried with him. He felt more comfortable consuming
processed human food. On Kallen’s suggestion, he arranged a trade with one of
the merchants and it made him feel all the more human for participating in a civilized
act like bartering.
    With their drinks and food, they browsed the rows of ice
statues to admire them. There was a Xethras, a Cerci, the Tazul that attacked
months ago, and that giant monster worm that tried to eat Cutlass Bridge, among
others. Then Eric's gaze fell upon a monstrous human.
    It was rough but clearly female. There was a smooth bulk
about her neck and shoulders that could have been a mantle or a mane. Two lumps
extended from the back in, what Eric guessed were supposed to be wings. A third
line extended between them and lower on its body as the start of a tail. In its
right hand, it carried a club that might become a staff and, in its left hand,
it bared block fingers or claws.
    Emily stepped out from behind it wearing a heavy coat and
gloves like the other artists. Also like the others, she was equipped with a
chisel and a small saw. When she saw Eric, she stopped working, marched up to
him, and poked him in the chest with the chisel.
    "That's not you." She spun on her heel and
looked upon the statue with adoration in her eyes. "It's Kallen."
    "A labor of love?" Kallen herself asked.
    At once, Emily became red as a cherry. “B-boss!? I-I
didn’t see you there…! I…um…” She looked away bashfully.
    Kallen slung an arm around her shoulders and said, “It
looks good so far.”
    “You really think so? I…I was afraid it would offend you.”
    “Nonsense. I’m a chimera and a human and this unites both.
I’m sure you’ll win.”
    “I didn’t know you wanted to be an artist,” Eric said.
    Emily scowled at him. “I don’t, but first prize is a
ticket to the Mana Mutation Summit and their statue displayed as the meeting's
centerpiece. I’m going to be there to support Kallen."
    “I’m lucky to have you in my corner.”
    Suddenly, she was blushing again. "It's nothing
really." Just as suddenly, her face hardened again. "You'd better not
screw this up, Eric.” She grabbed his hair and pulled him forward. "Kallen
is counting on you. You are a beacon she will wave for all the world to see;
make sure you burn brightly, got it?"
    "Ow, got it!"
    "Good."
    She let go and returned to her beloved labor, and Eric and
Kallen returned to their browsing. Both of them were well known in Roalt and
received many greetings while others avoided them as much as they could.
However, Eric noticed that it was not fear that motivated them. It was the same
caution as before he mana mutated. Then there was a third group that picked up
on Kallen’s third identity and asked about the Summit. She responded that she
had good news to share with them. At first, she spoke of her research and then she
pointed to Eric and said, “Exhibit A.”
    Every time, Eric was horrified. The other person never was.
They expressed their