Tears of the Sun

by Jennifer McCormack

  “It certainly is impressive,” Jan said as they rode closer. “How did the Ancients manage to construct the building here? It looks almost as though the mountain is embracing the structure in its stone grasp.”

  Talon studied the architecture again. The monolithic tower leaned precariously toward them, but Talon saw no danger in it falling. As Jan stated, the Ancient structure was supported by the rock of the mountain itself. Furthermore, the tower must have been standing for many long centuries, possibly predating the Lost Era nearly two millennia before. Talon wondered what could have happened to cause the tower to lean. It appeared to be sturdy, as were all remnants of Ancient civilization.

  Looking on the landscape from a higher elevation provided a new perspective. That was when Talon noticed that the long, deep valley leading to Rahs Kitan ended abruptly in the distance, almost as though something had carved the trench in the ground—something massive. Talon returned her attention to the tower. Whatever left the deep furrow in the surface could have struck the tower with enough force to leave it in its current state, but something still troubled Talon.

  It was not uncommon for flaming rocks to fall from the sky in Astraeyu Nouvi, but one with enough mass to cause such damage would surely leave behind evidence of its descent. Talon saw no debris from such a collision, nor did she see any sign that the tower was struck by a large object. Talon again studied the tower. The deep ravine ended where the tower stood. It almost looked like the tower had been moved, but that was absurd. As advanced as the Ancients were, even they did not possess the means to transport such a large building.

  A thought suddenly struck Talon. Suppose the tower had indeed moved, but it was not a tower at all. Talon had seen Ancient sky ships. She had even flown one, although sky ships that were still operational were extremely rare and kept under heavy guard by Astraeyu’s Will. But none were even comparable in size or scope to the vessel that towered above her.

  It’s the Ark, it must be. It was all beginning to make sense now. A vessel as grand as this one could only be intended for the purpose of transporting an entire race. If that were the case, they should hurry. If the Firebringer actually existed, it would likely be found within the Ark. Talon decided to keep the information to herself for now, and to continue referring to the Ark as a ruin. She did not know if Jan knew of the Ancients’ sky ships. Much knowledge of the technology was lost throughout the ages, and Talon was sworn to secrecy regarding the information.

  As they approached the Ark, evidence of its age were more visible. Vines and lichens covered its surface, concealing much of its design from the casual observer. Talon wondered exactly how long this ship had been standing in the volcanic region, unknown to all but the few locals brave enough to approach it.

  “I don’t see any sign of the Coruscalli,” Jan said. “Do you think it’s possible they haven’t discovered the ruin yet?”

  “Unlikely,” Talon replied without hesitation. “I can’t explain it, but there’s an energy here. I can feel it. It chills me to my very soul.”

  “I feel it, too,” Beatrix said. Talon saw her whiskers quiver as she smelled the air. “Presence of the arcane is strong here. Do the Coruscalli possess such formidable abilities, I wonder, or is it something else entirely?”

  “The magic I sense does not belong to the Coruscalli.” Talon knew without actually knowing that what she felt was the truth. “It’s old, far older than anything I’ve encountered before.” Flashes of sunlight glinted off the glossy surface of the volcanic rock the Ark was partially encased in, like tongues of flame licking at the afternoon sky. Was this what the locals saw when they gave the mountain its name? Perhaps Rahs Kitan’s name originated from actual fire shooting from the top of the mountain. It was evident that the volcano next to the Ark had erupted at some point during the years. The rock covering the ship’s surface shone like black glass. It was in contrast to the dull metal the Ark was constructed of, giving the structure an otherworldly appearance.

  “Are all Ancient ruins so grand in size?” Jan asked. She shielded her eyes from the sun as she tilted her head back to gaze up at the tower’s height.

  “This is by far the largest I’ve seen.”

  “How are we ever going to find our way inside such a gigantic building?” Jan studied the tower. Already, Talon saw her brow furrow with concern. “Lava flow from past volcanic eruptions could be covering the only entrance.”

  “I’m sure there is a way in,” Talon said reassuringly. “I have a feeling the Coruscalli might have already found it.”

  When they reached the base of the Ark, Talon began to doubt her own words. The metal of the exterior was solid, without even the slightest crack or seam. Apparently, the Ancients had built the vessel to be airtight. There was no sign of a door of any kind. Talon’s heart sank when she noticed the ground bore signs of recent digging. Evidence that pickaxes were used to chisel away the layers of rock could be found around the perimeter of the tower.

  Talon was studying the pieces of rock and debris when she nearly stumbled into a deep trench at the side of the Ark. After regaining her footing, she investigated the furrow more closely. The trench was clearly manmade and not formed by nature, and it was dug recently, judging from the loose soil that nearly gave way when Talon set her foot on it.

  “Over here,” Talon called, motioning for the Arbiters to join her. “I’ve found something. Look at this.” She pointed to the newly dug furrow. “This is fresh. It likely hasn’t been here for more than a week or so.”

  “It looks like it’s leading into the earth,” Jan said.

  “I’ll bet the Coruscalli did this,” Talon said. “We should follow the trench, see where it leads.”

  Talon jumped down into the ravine, a cascade of soft dirt trailing after her. She offered a hand to Jan, who followed close behind.

  “Someone should stay here,” Talon said, “to keep an eye on the entrance in case the Coruscalli show. We don’t want to become trapped in the tower. There is likely to be all manner of traps and pitfalls inside.”

  “Your squad will remain at the entrance,” Jan said to the captain of the Arbiter soldiers. “Stand guard against the Coruscalli and any other threat that might emerge.” The captain saluted Jan and returned to her troops. To Talon, Jan said, “It will be better this way. If there are fewer of us trampling around inside the tower, the Coruscalli will be less likely to learn of our presence.”

  Taking only those in Jan’s inner circle inside the Ark also meant there would be fewer Arbiters to witness whatever secrets might lie within. Talon knew they would find secrets. If the Firebringer existed, it would be here, in this vessel that was left forgotten and undisturbed since the beginning of time.

  The trench led deeper into the ground. Talon wondered if the Coruscalli had tunneled right beneath the Ark when their progress was suddenly halted by a wall of metal. The ship extended below the earth’s surface, just as Talon had suspected.

  “How did the Coruscalli get around this?” Rhys asked as he examined the wall.

  “They didn’t.” Talon peered farther into the gloom, her eyes adjusting to the darkness and settling on a deeper patch of shadow. Upon closer inspection, she discovered that the shadow was a hole ripped in the metal exterior long ago. “It’s just as I feared. The Coruscalli found a way inside.”

  Jan ran her hand along the jagged ridges of the torn metal thoughtfully. Doubtless she was just as perplexed as Talon about what could have possibly ripped through the thick layers of metal.

  “Did the Coruscalli do this, I wonder?” Jan asked as she inspected the gaping hole.

  “I don’t think so,” Talon replied. “It looks like the tower was breached long ago, by a natural disaster, perhaps.” It was likely the damage was caused when the Ark struck the world after falling from the sky, but Talon did not say as much aloud. It was still difficult for her to believe that they had found the legendary Ark.

  “Well,” Jan said, drawing a d
eep breath. “Shall we enter?”

  Talon nodded, steeling her nerves for what was to come. She knew they would find the Coruscalli somewhere within the Ark, but she worried about what else they might discover in.

  Unlike many of the Ancient ruins that still remained across Astraeyu Nouvi, the magic in the Ark was still active. Talon could sense it as soon as they entered the breached outer wall. The Ancients were known for placing safeguards throughout their cities. Failing to notice one until it was too late could prove to be fatal.

  “Stay sharp, everyone,” Talon said. Her eyes darted back and forth as she took in every detail of their surroundings. “There could be any manner of hidden dangers waiting around every corner.”

  The passageways were mostly intact, a testament to the integrity of Ancient architecture, especially considering the partially buried state of the vessel. In some areas the corridors had collapsed, most likely during the event that caused damage to the exterior of the Ark.

  Beatrix used mage fire to light torches. With the ghostly blue light of the magical flame, Talon could make out several dark shapes in the tunnel ahead.

  “Don’t let your guard down,” she said. “There might be trouble.”

  As they got closer, Talon became aware of a tingling sensation, like her soul hummed along to the inaudible music. Talon tried to shake the uncomfortable feeling and stepped forward. The tunnel broadened slightly, opening into a small room. Talon held the torch toward where two of the dark shapes were sprawled motionless on the ground. The familiar red garments glowed in the light of the mage fire.

  “It’s the Coruscalli,” she announced, to no one in particular. “But I don’t think these two will pose a threat to us.”

  They were clearly dead, along with four others of their kind.

  There was no blood, no injuries.

  “What do you suppose killed them?” Rhys asked. “I see no signs of a struggle.”

  “This tower killed them,” Talon said. “Be wary where you step. I sense powerful magic here.”

  The tingling intensified as she stepped past the corpses littering the floor. At first she assumed all of the bodies belonged to the Coruscalli, but upon closer inspection she noticed that some were much older. A few were there so long they were no more than a pile of tattered rags and old bones.

  As Talon neared the outer perimeter of the chamber, the tingling became unbearable. Talon took a step back and closely inspected the doorway leading deeper into the Ark.

  “Whatever killed these people is right here,” she said, motioning to the archway curving over the door. Slowly, she inched her way towards it. The arch hummed. She noticed this part of the tower looked newer than its surroundings. It was likely that whatever security device was protecting the inner tower was installed long after the Ark itself was constructed.

  Talon unsheathed one of her swords and extended the blade toward the open doorway. When the tip of the blade reached the open space, it hit an invisible wall that shimmered and hissed, causing blue sparks to dance along the black blade.

  “It’s a barrier,” Talon announced. The energy generated by these types of barriers was powerful enough to stop an adult Garunti in its tracks. The Coruscalli and other misfortunate souls who attempted to enter the Ark didn’t stand a chance.

  “Stand back. I can disarm the barrier, but it will take some time and concentration.” Talon worked meticulously with the Ancient device, knowing that one wrong move could release a burst of energy strong enough to kill her and possibly the Arbiters. The Ancients designed all their safeguards in this way. If the one tampering with it did not know what they were doing, they would only succeed in bringing about their own death. Talon was troubled that there weren’t more of the Coruscalli among the dead. Did the cultists find some way to bypass the Ancient security?

  “Almost finished,” she said, disconnecting the wire supplying power to the device. “Now it should be inactive.” She again extended the blade of her sword toward the door. This time she was met with no resistance and the blade passed through the doorway unhindered.

  “Could the Coruscalli have disarmed the device, just as you have done?” Rhys asked.

  “It’s unlikely. Only those of Astraeyu’s Will possess knowledge of Ancient technology. However, the lack of Coruscalli in these tunnels has me concerned.” Talon did not want to think that someone serving Astraeyu’s Will could be helping the Coruscalli, but if the cult had agents hidden among the Arbiters, she was not ready to dismiss that possibility.

  “There could be another entrance somewhere within the network of tunnels.” Jan, perhaps sensing Talon’s unease, smiled.

  “And each one would be as heavily fortified as this one,” Talon said. “The Ancients were thorough in placing safeguards throughout their citadels.” It was unsettling for Talon to imagine that the Coruscalli managed to make it past the safeguards and enter the Ark. She did not know for sure if the Firebringer was inside, but any Ancient technology would be dangerous in the Coruscalli’s hands. “We should go,” she said, the thought of the Coruscalli gaining the advantage made her restless.

  Chapter Twenty-five

  JAN SHARED TALON’S awe at finding an Ancient citadel that predated any other ruin found before it. She also understood Talon’s reluctance to disturb such an old structure. The tower had been standing since before the dawn of time, perhaps even before the Lost Era. If not for the Coruscalli and its plans to destroy the world, Jan would have been glad to allow the tower to remain a secret, lost in the wilderness. Still, being able to witness such a discovery firsthand was an experience Jan would not trade for anything, especially when Talon was by her side.

  The interior of the tower was like nothing Jan had ever seen. Not even the texts written on the Ancients and their secrets of the Lost Era could have prepared her for this. The technology of the Ancients was unfathomable. Awed by the tower, Jan was also afraid to touch anything out of fear that doing so would cause some catastrophe to befall them.

  So enthralled by her surroundings, Jan did not see Talon stop until she nearly collided with her.

  “Be careful,” Talon warned her. “There are likely to be more security devices around every corner. The Ancients did not take protecting their knowledge lightly.”

  Jan followed Talon’s advice and stayed behind Talon as she searched her surroundings for anything that looked suspicious. Some of the bodies were so old they were reduced to no more than bones, but others were more recent. Jan assumed the newer ones were once Coruscalli, now victims of an attempt to disarm the Ancient safeguards gone wrong. Jan almost felt sorry for the Coruscalli. Their corpses were burned, charred, and even disintegrated by the magical energy protecting the tower. She did pity the other misfortunate souls who had fallen victim to the wards. It was likely by curiosity alone that they had ventured into the tower, but it was obvious the Ancients did not want their secrets falling into the hands of outsiders.

  Magical wards were not the only safeguards the Arbiters had to be wary of as they made their way through the tower. Traps were laid throughout the tower, strategically placed at defensible positions. Jan did not think the Coruscalli set the traps. The design was older, far more complicated than any she had seen before. At the heart of each trap was a puzzle, but if solved incorrectly, the consequences could be dire.

  “Wait here,” Talon directed Jan as they came upon a bridge connecting one part of the tower to another. The bridge was tiled in a beautiful, glowing mosaic.

  Jan peered over the side into the gaping abyss below. Darkness rose up to meet her, so deep that not even the light from the mage-fire torches could penetrate it. Jan swallowed hard at the rising fear that suddenly gripped her and stepped away from the edge.

  Talon apparently felt no such fear. She placed one foot on the bridge, the tile beneath her boot lighting up in a brilliant shade of yellow as she did. When nothing disastrous happened, Talon took a deep breath and moved her other foot to a matching t
ile. That was when Jan noticed the glowing marks on the tiles were symbols. The characters were unknown to Jan. She wondered if they were from the Ancient alphabet.

  Talon continued to press forward, slowly making progress. The tiles lit up beneath her feet, each one matching the previous one. As Jan watched, she began to make out a pattern. The tiles Talon walked on alternated between blue and yellow, while the others alternated between red and blue, or green and red. Talon was only a few tiles away from solving the puzzle when she stepped on a tile that lit up in bright red. A matching red light from overheard began flashing, disorienting Jan. She put her hand over her eyes to shield them against the harsh glare. Talon, who was still on the far side of the bridge, appeared to be stunned by the flashing lights.

  There was a slight rumble and the ground beneath Jan’s feet shook. She focused on the bridge and realized the narrow walkway was beginning to disappear, simply fading into thin air.

  “Talon,” she called, “get off the bridge!”

  At the sound of Jan’s voice, Talon began to run, but she was not fast enough. Talon was momentarily trapped on a single tile that remained in the middle of where the bridge once was. She looked as though she was debating on whether or not she should try to jump across to the other side. Then, the solitary tile she was standing on faded away. Talon dropped from view, disappearing into the impenetrable nothingness of the dark abyss.

  “Talon!” Jan shouted. She kneeled next to the edge and thrust the mage-fire torch into the darkness as far as her arm would reach. There was no sign of Talon. Jan waited for Talon to respond to her frantic calls, but there was no sound at all. Jan wondered if the chasm even had a bottom or if anyone misfortunate enough to fall into it would continue to descend for all eternity, trapped in a perpetual state of free-fall.