by J. Cee
“Look, near the gates,” Ceph whispered to the others.
The Word was speaking with three other Everborn. Ceph looked around for the Word’s demon but didn’t see it anywhere. As the group watched, an Everborn approached the gateway. The gateway had no physical door. Instead, a sheet of fire stretched between its crystalline frame. It reminded Ceph of the Firewall.
The Everborn placed his palm close to the entrance. As his palm brushed against the sheet of flame, blinding sparks of energy erupted at the point of contact. The Everborn whipped back his hand, crying out in pain. The Everborn’s red aura had dropped to about a third of its original intensity from that brief contact. He exchanged a worried look with Aeri. There was no doubt that the gateway was lethal to the wrong traveler.
The Word hadn’t spared the other Everborn a glance but had continued conversing with those around him. Ceph saw the Word turn his head and followed his gaze. Another Everborn dragged a trembling city guard forward. The Everborn was talking with the Word, but Ceph couldn’t make out the words at this distance. Then, the city guard started shouting. Those without auras in the area took a step away from the upset guard.
The Everborn holding the shouting guard changed his grip and threw the man over his shoulder. The guard struggled, flailing his limbs to no avail as the Everborn walked over to the gateway. The scene would have been comical if not for the likely fate of the unlucky guard.
“What are they doing?” Ceph asked in a low voice.
“Probably trying to figure out the entrance requirement,” Zeudah whispered back. “Strength of an immortal, frailty of a mortal. It’s not a bad idea, although I doubt it works.”
The Everborn with the still struggling guard stood before the gateway for a minute, as if unsure how to proceed. The Word barked at the pair, and the Everborn crouched before leaping at the sheet of burning flame. Sparks showered all around the gateway with such intensity that Ceph had to turn his eyes away. Accompanying the flashes of light was a mix of crackling and sizzling sounds. When the gateway was once again calm, Ceph saw an unrecognizable mound of black ashes at the base of the gateway. It was about the size of two grown men.
“That looked effective,” Zeudah murmured from Ceph’s right.
“We’re sure that we meet the requirements, right?” Ceph asked.
“I… I think so,” Aeri said.
“You think so? Geez,” Ceph said. “Are you sure this artifact is important?”
“I’m positive,” Aeri replied in a more confident tone. “We have to get the artifact. We can’t let it fall into Jexaka’s hands.”
“It’s possible Jexaka already failed the challenge,” Zeudah said. “Or she couldn’t get past these Everborn either. When did you last see her?”
“One day ago,” Aeri said.
“We saw the Word two days ago,” Zeudah said. “Hm. That doesn’t rule out anything. He could have been here before or after Jexaka.”
“We need a plan,” Aeri said.
“Agreed,” Zeudah said.
Ceph looked at his companions and back again at the two ash piles in front of the entrance. He couldn’t forget the devastating price the cultists had paid the last time Ceph had avoided this challenge.
“There’s no way we can beat all of these Everborn,” Ceph said. “We need a distraction.”
“Or we could wait and see if they give up,” Zeudah suggested.
“We can wait, but not for too long,” Aeri said. “Not while Jexaka’s still out there. Don’t underestimate her.”
“That reminds me,” Ceph said. “I never had a chance to ask before. Didn’t we kill Jexaka during the tournament? If she’s a Onceborn like us, how did she come back? She can’t get past the gateway if she’s not a Onceborn, right?”
“She’s a Onceborn,” Aeri said. “As for how she came back from the dead… when we spoke, Jexaka hinted that she had learned a way to overcome death.”
“Is that possible?” Ceph asked in amazement.
“It must be,” Aeri said in a strange tone. What else did she know?
“I wouldn’t trust her,” Zeudah said. “Whatever Jexaka’s learned, it can’t be good.” He touched the mark on his neck.
“Any ideas for a distraction?” Ceph asked.
“We can keep watching a little longer,” Aeri said. “See if there’s any pattern or opportunity.”
“If we circle around to the other side, can we run for it?” Ceph asked. “Reach the gateway before the Everborn stop us?”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Zeudah said. “The Everborn have fairly high ranks. We don’t know what speed and mobility skills they possess. We need a way to divert their attention.”
Ceph and the others watched the scene in the clearing for a moment in silence.
“We’ll have to split up,” Zeudah said. “One of us distracts them, while the other two head into the gateway.”
“Who’s staying out here?” Ceph asked.
“I was going to volunteer myself,” Zeudah said.
“It makes sense,” Aeri said. “We don’t even know if you meet the quest requirements. Anything involving Jexaka is abnormal.”
“Myrtle said the same thing,” Ceph added. “She called her a mistake of mistakes.”
Ceph also wanted to point out that Zeudah would be avoiding the bulk of the danger by staying outside. Zeudah could easily run to safety afterwards, unlike the other two, who would have to fight Jexaka, deal with the challenge, and escape the Everborn when they exited the Glass Vaults.
But Ceph didn’t say anything. Fighting for the artifact was his responsibility, and he wouldn’t push it off to someone else. Not anymore. Ceph also remembered Aeri’s warning about Zeudah. He admitted he would feel safer with Aeri at his side. He noticed Aeri giving him an expectant look.
“I agree,” Ceph said. “Zeudah distracts the Everborn from here, while Aeri and I circle around and run for the gateway when it’s time.” He gauged the distance from the lip of the depression to the gateway. It was longer than he wished. “Too bad you lost the Rush boots,” Ceph mused.
“We’re in agreement, then,” Zeudah said. He unstrapped the sword from his waist and handed it to Ceph. “Take this. You’ll need it more than me.”
Aeri leaned across Ceph to receive the weapon instead. “I’ll take this one.” She returned the weapon Ceph had given her earlier. “You know the weight of your weapon better. I’ll use Zeudah’s.”
Maybe he was judging Zeudah unfairly, Ceph thought. Zeudah hadn’t let them down yet. “Any idea how you’ll distract them?” he asked.
“The usual,” Zeudah said. “Lots of noise and lights. The more experienced Everborn will be harder to distract. Luckily there’s plenty of others to stir up.”
“They’ll come for you,” Aeri said. “You’re sure you can escape?”
“I admit I have less practice running than fighting, but trust me,” Zeudah said. “I was the Pit Champion. I probably have more combat experience than the entire group down there combined. I’ll make it.”
Ceph grinned. At least he’s as humble as Aeri. He smoothed his mouth before anyone could see him smile.
Zeudah continued without noticing. “You two should circle around to the other side and wait. I’ll need about ten minutes to prepare.”
“How do we know when it’s time?” Aeri asked.
“Look for blood,” Zeudah said.
Ceph raised an eyebrow. He didn’t like the sound of that.
* * *
It took five minutes for Ceph and Aeri to sneak over to the opposite side of the clearing’s edge. They were much closer to the gateway, but it would still be about a twenty meter run once they jumped down to the level of the hollow. To Ceph’s surprise, the other side of the gateway was identical to the one he had seen before. The gateway wasn’t a physical entrance. It presumably served as some kind of transportation device. That made Ceph even more nervous.
Ceph and Aeri crouched and waited for Zeudah. They stil
l weren’t sure what to expect when a city guard came running down the embankment on the far side. The man raced towards the Word, who was standing to the side of the rocky outcropping. Ceph strained to hear the conversation but could barely make out the words. Aeri cupped her hand to an ear and pointed to another spot on the clearing’s edge that was closer to the Word. They shifted to the new location. The acoustics of the outcropping and sunken hollow let them eavesdrop from their new hiding spot.
The panting guard rested his hands on his knees as he spoke. His face was pale. “I have a message.”
Ceph tensed at the guard’s words. Aeri placed a steadying hand on his back to keep him from doing anything rash.
“What is it?” the Word asked.
“There’s an Everborn man waiting over there.” The guard pointed to the far edge of the clearing. “He says the two outlaws you want are here. He said he knows how to capture them, and what the secret of the Beastspawn is.”
Aeri’s hand gripped Ceph’s shoulder hard before relaxing. “Sorry,” Aeri whispered.
“What’s going on?” Ceph whispered back.
Aeri shook her head in silence and motioned for him to keep quiet.
The Word’s voice rose in excitement at the mention of the Beastspawn. “Why send you? Why not come himself?”
“He said that the outlaws forced him to breach the city headquarters recently. He wants to make sure he’s pardoned for any offenses.”
The Word gazed at the far edge of the lip overlooking the clearing. Ceph also searched the edge, but couldn’t see Zeudah.
“He’s not betraying us, is he?” Ceph hissed at Aeri. “What do we do?”
Ceph expected Aeri to turn on Zeudah. She surprised him. “You trusted him,” Aeri said. “Wait.”
The Word spoke. “Bring me to him.”
The guard bowed in apology. “He insisted on these conditions. He said if you agree, you should send a Soulstrike into the air.”
“If I disagree?” the Word asked.
The trembling guard’s face became even more pale. “He said you would kill me.”
The Word’s eerie laugh filled the air. “I approve.” He sent a Soulstrike into the air, its bright violet light flying as high as the eye could see until it disappeared.
A matching Soulstrike shot into the air from a point on the other side of the clearing’s lip.
“There,” the guard said. “He’ll be waiting there.”
The Word pointed at two of the other Everborn. “You stay here. The rest of you, come with me.”
The Word and the other Everborn headed towards the far side of the clearing. Two Everborn with red auras still stood near the rocky outcropping with the crystal gateway. A number of ordinary guards also patrolled the rest of the clearing.
“Should we go for it?” Ceph whispered. “There’s only two left.”
Aeri shook her head. “Wait.”
Ceph gripped the hilt of his sword in frustration. The Word and the other Everborn were almost at the other side of the clearing. Zeudah could betray them in the next minute. This was their best chance. He grabbed Aeri’s hand and pointed towards the gateway.
“No, Ceph, wait!” Aeri mouthed to him in silence.
Ceph was going to argue, but he saw a flash of light in the corner of his vision. A streak of violet shot out from the clearing’s edge towards the human, auraless guard closest to the gateway. The man’s body burst in a shower of dark fresh blood. Look for blood, Zeudah had said.
The remaining Everborn near the gateway turned towards the Soulstrikes. Another streak of violet smashed into a second human guard. The Word and the other Everborn shouted and pointed at the source of the attacks.
Aeri tapped Ceph. “Now!”
The two Onceborn dropped down from the steep edge into the sunken clearing. They raced towards the gateway, but one of the nearest Everborn had noticed their descent.
The Everborn was on the opposite side of the rocky outcropping, but he leapt ten meters into the air and landed right in front of the gateway on Ceph and Aeri’s side. The violet light of a Soulstrike formed in the Everborn’s hand.
“Don’t stop!” Aeri yelled. “Keep running!”
Deflection Shield. Interference Shield. Ceph cast both shields and saw the telltale glow across Aeri’s body as she did the same. He adjusted his trajectory to guard Aeri’s front with his own body. The first Soulstrike pinged off his Deflection Shield. The second stung as it pierced his Interference Shield, removing a good chunk of Ceph’s blood pool.
“Together!” Aeri said. “Hit him together!”
Ceph stepped to the side so that Aeri and he would crash into the Everborn at the same time. The Everborn looked behind himself at the wall of flame and realized his danger.
“Oh shi–”
Their combined momentum slammed the Everborn into the gateway with an explosion of sparks. Ceph shut his eyes and pushed himself forward with all of his might, casting a Deflection Shield again for good measure. There was a mild resistance and a sudden relaxation, followed by Ceph tumbling in a somersault. He had fallen through the gateway.
Ceph pushed himself to a crouch, waving away the residual smell of burnt flesh. To his left, Aeri had managed to remain upright. The ground beneath him was made of a hard transparent material, with a black void underneath. All around him were haphazardly overlapping layers of the same thick clear glass. Embedded within the glass walls were countless tiny spheres glowing dimly with every color imaginable. The tiny spheres were the only source of light. The varying angles of overlapping walls and the kaleidoscope pattern of colored points hurt Ceph’s eyes.
They had made it. Ceph and Aeri were inside the Glass Vaults.
Behind him, a faraway sound caught his attention. It was a roar of fury. When Ceph turned around, though, there was no gateway, only more walls and lights. There was no going back.
Chapter 29
“Which way do we go?” Ceph asked as he kicked one of the glass walls. A thud echoed through the Glass Vaults, but the wall held firm.
Aeri peered in all four directions. “I’m not sure. Pick a direction and start walking.”
“I have an idea.”
Ceph cast a Soulstrike at a glass wall. To his surprise, the ball of violet energy bounced and ricocheted off several more walls before hitting Aeri. Aeri made an irritated face at Ceph.
“Sorry.” Ceph rubbed his hair, doing his best to look apologetic. “I guess we should be careful with Soulstrikes here.”
The two Onceborn chose one of the many glass-lined passageways to follow. Ceph led the way. The piercing glare from the hard lights embedded in the surrounding walls prevented his eyes from adjusting to the otherwise dark environment. Squinting didn’t help. The lack of night vision coupled with the glass walls wreaked havoc on any sense of depth perception. Ceph ended up bumping his way through the maze-like passages, punctuated by Aeri’s giggles whenever he stumbled. Aeri had the benefit of following in Ceph’s footsteps, saving herself from a similar annoyance.
After minutes of wandering through the Glass Vaults with no sense of progress, Ceph turned around and pointed at Aeri.
“How about you try bumping your pretty nose against these walls?”
“That’s sweet. You think my nose is pretty.”
Ceph waited while Aeri stepped to the front. He chuckled when Aeri bumped into a wall after taking ten steps.
“See?”
After a few more collisions, Aeri stopped. “This isn’t working.”
Ceph threw up his hands. “Are challenges always this irritating?”
“Depends. Usually there’s a clue or trick. We need to think.”
“What about the lights?” Ceph tapped a green light embedded in the glass wall next to him. “Do they mean something?”
“It’s possible.” Aeri began looking into the distance.
Ceph tried looking for a pattern to the lights as well. “Maybe we need to look at them a certain way. Line them up.” He rotated h
imself in a circle, then crouched to lower his eye level, and repeated the circle.
Aeri copied him. “I don’t see any patterns.”
“Or the sequence of colors along the wall?”
“Worth trying.” Aeri began tracing her right hand on the glass wall while walking. Ceph followed.
“Red, green, blue,” Aeri called out as she passed each light on her right. “Green, yellow, green, red, red.”
“Maybe we’re supposed to follow one color? But which color?”
“I’ll try red.” Aeri walked towards the first red light she could find and ended up bumping into a wall again. She tried again. “This way.”
It was clear that they weren’t making any progress. They stopped again. Ceph punched a wall in frustration. “Do you think Jexaka could figure this out? If she’s here?”
“I don’t know, but we need to hurry.”
Leaning back, Ceph gazed upward. “There has to be a pattern.”
Ceph couldn’t see anything above the walls except blackness. How high did the walls go? Ceph had thought to climb over the walls of the maze early on but had dismissed the idea as unlikely to work. Unless…
“I want to try something,” Ceph said. “Get a shield ready just in case. I’m going to cast a Soulstrike upwards.
Ceph raised his hand over his head and sent a Soulstrike vertically into the space above them. The Soulstrike traveled about ten meters before bouncing off an invisible ceiling. Ceph cast a Deflection Shield that absorbed the attack without any harm.
Aeri grabbed Ceph’s hand. “What’re you doing? If Jexaka’s here, you gave away our position.”
“Would that matter, in this maze?”
Aeri dropped Ceph’s hand. “Fine.”
Ceph pointed at the ceiling. “I think it’s tall enough. I’m going to try climbing.”
“But the ceiling keeps you from climbing over the walls.”
