Chasmfall (The Weirkey Chronicles Book 4), page 26
"And you promptly destroyed everything yourselves. I actually liked your world, but you know how it goes. There's only one way this can all end."
"Your traps are failing. You are limited and we will exterminate your minions. No matter what you are doing, it will unravel." Otherworldly as the voice was, the deep rage was undeniable.
"It's true that you've done a good job hiding your kind away. But do you think I'm limited to these tools? Perhaps it's time for war to sweep across all of Fithe... continents will be cast into the sea and empires upended. I can set it all into motion so much easier than you understand, alien as you are. Soon you'll see just how little you've accomplished."
When the figure struck, it abandoned all semblance of a human form. The cloak burned away and an abomination of tentacles and teeth streaked out toward Vistgil. And, for the first time that Theo had seen, Vistgil actually dodged. He slipped through the air, evading the tentacles and striking back with a golden sword that formed from his hand. Though he managed to cut apart the tentacles, they collided with actual force. Much of his cloak was torn away, revealing an angular face with a wry grin.
If the fight had taken place closer to Theo, or continued in the air, he might have died as collateral damage. But the leader of the House of the Lost managed to grasp hold of Vistgil and hurl him upward, then streaked after. Even from so great a distance that they were invisible, the earth shook as they struck one another.
"We need to go." Though the weakest among them, Nauda was the only one not entranced, so she pulled them away. Theo knew she was right, but he still stared, burning the memory into his mind.
First he remembered the cantae that had flowed within the being fighting Vistgil. It had been unusual, but still comprehensible to him. The only way he could understand it... if a first tier soulcrafter's cantae moved like gas, and an Authority's flowed like water, this cantae had been utterly solid. That power might stand high above him, but he understood it. He'd seen someone actually fight Vistgil, so he knew the heights he needed to aim for.
Second, he had seen Vistgil's face clearly. Apparently ordinary, human but not exactly from any world, bright golden eyes. Theo repeated every detail until the face was seared into his memories.
Only once he was certain he remembered did he let the others pull him away. The battle still raged overhead, but he had a feeling that it would not end easily. Other soulcrafters were beginning to leave the Chasm of Lamentations, either competing with one another or simply fleeing. This was their only chance to reach safety ahead of the retreat.
Theo barely thought about any of that and simply stared skyward until they fell through the distorted mists.
Chapter 27
When they staggered out of the Chasm of Lamentations onto Fithan soil, Fiyu had been afraid that they would be unable to survive further attacks, or even a dust storm. But they didn't need to stumble far before House Blacksilver soulcrafters arrived on chariots to take them to safety.
Even though she had been the weakest of them, Fiyu had somehow emerged the most intact. Friend Nauda's soulhome had been dealt terrible damage, and Fiyu grieved with her without being able to express herself fully. Friend Theo had not been injured, yet the battle at the end had seemed to capture him in a way that scoured his mind clean. Perhaps his relatives had never guided him on how to protect himself near overpowering opponents, or perhaps he was simply consumed by thoughts of revenge.
She wished that she could have spoken with her companions about their experiences in the Chasm. So many events had occurred, she felt as though she struggled to contain them all in her mind, and speaking would have helped. Yet they remained mostly silent, only relating the events to their allies with quiet words.
The chariots took them to a secured location, and it was less than an hour before the Authorities emerged. Though Associate Dhan was carrying Associate Karchibol's unconscious body, all three appeared to have survived intact. As soon as they arrived, they traveled back to Norro Yorthin by weirkey, finally escaping all the terrible forces within the Chasm.
This time, returning to the city was even more of a relief than before. Fiyu wished that she could take her friends back to her room, turn out the lights, and simply rest. Unfortunately, they were brought into one of the main halls along with the Authorities to speak to the leadership of the House. All of it passed her by in a haze that she struggled to keep up with, but at least none of them tried to touch her.
As a whole, it seemed that House Blacksilver was pleased with how it had performed in the Chasm. Many other Houses had lost members there, and the Asplundat Movement was largely seen as chastened by the loss of a Stronghold. When Fiyu and her allies revealed just how many sublime materials they had collected, the others were even more enthusiastic. Fiyu felt as though her soul had already been scraped raw, but allowed the Authorities to extract all the unnecessary materials from within her.
While they counted up the value, Fiyu ignored the numbers. She would gladly have given up all of it for Friend Nauda to be uninjured. If only she had another chance, she could have spoken differently with them, suppressed her impulses fully, and then protected them from the chaos. They could have all emerged alive and happy.
"You must realize that the three of you are now among the most valuable young members of House Blacksilver." One of the non-soulcrafter leaders, practically a stranger to her, spoke loudly to get their attention. "Your monthly salaries will be increased, and we will expect great things from you. In addition to your share of the profits, we want to offer each of you an additional boon from the House."
"Can anything be done about the damage?" Friend Nauda spoke up in a ragged voice. All her muscles were so slack, so lifeless... they seemed to strain just to raise her head and look around her. "Parts of my soulhome collapsed entirely... so much of the rest is shattered. Does House Blacksilver have anything that can repair it?"
"Well... you sustained your injury in service to the House, so of course we will do what we can. Perhaps your boon can be a restorative material, though the Authorities will need to research what. And if things don't work out, please rest assured that the House will care for you."
It was the worst thing he could have said, and even those who couldn't feel Friend Nauda's hands clench realized it was a mistake. Fiyu considered putting a hand on her back to try to comfort her, but wasn't sure if that would only make things worse. The official hurried onward, as if he could outrun his mistake.
"What about the two of you? Surely there's something you've had your eye on?"
"You have something called an Esoteric Chisel," Friend Theo answered. "I want it."
"My... the value of that is a bit high, but given what you've accomplished... yes, we'll give it to you, free of merits."
For a moment, Fiyu experienced a surge of anger. It felt wrong that he could simply ask for something he needed when Friend Nauda was in such dire straits. Yet she noticed the tension all throughout his body and knew that there was more to it than that. Friend Theo had fought alongside them at every turn, had even abandoned the scepter in order to save her. He understood that he was fighting a war against a terrible opponent, one that she had now seen with her own eyes.
Some time later, Fiyu realized that they were trying to get her attention. She blinked in confusion, knowing that they must be asking her about a boon but unable to pull her thoughts together. To her surprise, it was Associate Dhan who saved her.
"Perhaps her boon can be one of the sublime materials we won from the plain," he said, withdrawing what appeared to be a jagged piece of metal from his soul. "This is subliminalsteel, powerful enough to have a place in even my soulhome. But given her techniques, perhaps it would be even better utilized in hers."
Everyone except Fiyu agreed that this was a very good decision and she took the metal quietly. It did feel powerful, but she didn't want to think about it now, much less try to absorb anything into her creaking soulhome. Instead she held it on her lap to ward off anyone who tried to talk to her too much. Unfortunately, no one gave them permission to leave before the others started to discuss the future.
Most of it appeared to be local politics, conflicts between Houses. Fiyu only listened to the parts about the House of Burning Leaves, wondering if they would begin a vendetta, but the Fithans did not seem to think it was such a betrayal. She had almost forgotten the conversation entirely when Friend Theo spoke up.
"What did you say about Tymetron?"
They didn't answer his question immediately, shifting uncomfortably, but they couldn't ignore it after praising him so much. Eventually one of the officials spoke up. "Some of the other continents sent representatives, including Tymetron. One of their soulcrafters was apparently assassinated after leaving the Chasm, and they have vowed revenge. It's said that they have a truly terrible soulcrafter against whom no one can stand, who-"
"Myths and legends." Associate Karchibol sat limply and looked pale, but he was strong enough to let out a snort. "They tell stories about castles made of gold on other continents. Whatever House exists there, it will not cross entire continents and seas to deal with this matter."
"Maybe not," a different official said quietly. "But the House of the Lost and the Asplundat Movement are both roused and they might take action. House Crimson is actively expressing willingness to part with Norro Yorthin. If someone did push in from outside..."
"That is a matter for the far future." Associate Dhan brought a fist down onto the table. "It would take years for any outside pressure to work through local conflicts, and we have wars with the mud Fithans to deal with. Norro Yorthin must be concerned for itself first."
Some nodded in response, and Fiyu agreed with a much more restricted version of his statement. Whatever wars or foes the future brought them, all that mattered was her and her companions.
Epilogue
The bodies of the titans cooled slowly as the shadows stole their heat. It would be days until the remains became indistinguishable from the rest of the environment, particularly in such an unnecessarily lit landscape. All the demon flesh lay stretched across the path, skin glistening in the very light that had helped draw them.
Guchiro walked across the torso of one of the titans and extended his hand toward what had been its chest. When his fingers curled, great spears of darkness flowed from him, penetrating deep into the unnatural skin. A single twist cored the demon, allowing for smaller tendrils of darkness to extract the dark mass that served for a heart. He examined it carefully with all his senses, confirming what he had expected: it was not a useful sublime material for himself or his ward, but it would be worth trading.
Of course, fighting the titans had never been anything but a tertiary objective. As soon as he had retrieved the second heart, Guchiro slipped both into his soulhome and turned back toward the city. He considered berating those in charge for allowing titans to form, but they would not accept such words from a stranger.
The guards stood in the light of the torches clutching their spears, as if either could protect them. They were not, however, responsible for the policy that had allowed such a breach of demonic standards, so Guchiro floated to them without expression.
"Thank you for your assistance, traveler." One of the guards, an Archcrafter with a meager soulhome, bowed to him. "How can we repay you?"
"I will accept monetary compensation from the leaders of the city," Guchiro said.
"Yes, of course." The guards immediately relaxed, presumably having feared that he would claim it was altruism and thus obligate them to treat him familialy.
Instead of imposing on them further, Guchiro floated over the wall of the city. This was little more than a waypoint, since it was exceedingly improbable that his ward could be in the location. He had only ventured into the Shadowpale because it was said to contain a gate to another realm, and he could not allow his search to be limited to the worlds he could most easily search.
There was one other advantage in the city: a distant relative of relatives named Hanemo. Her home was marked with several heat sigils familiar to him, so he easily tracked them to their source. Though the inhabitants would be obligated to assist him, he had no intention of remaining for long.
When Distantkin Hanemo opened the door, she was revealed to be a middle-aged woman with pale eyes. "Authority Guchiro. Do you require the assistance of relatives?"
"Only indirectly. I require direction toward the gate rumored to be in this region."
"It exists, but I do not know it. I have a relative who could give you the precise location, but he is currently working outside the city." Distantkin Hanemo examined him closely with a conventional heat sense. "You have not yet found your ward?"
"This is the reason I seek the gate."
"If she was lost in unfamiliar territory, then surely her survival is unlikely. I know that we would all prefer to believe that our relatives are in good health, but given the circum-"
Guchiro frowned. "It has not even been three years. I will continue to search, with your relative's assistance."
"Of course." Yet Distantkin Hanemo regarded him without fear, which was unusual for a first tier soulcrafter who knew him. "I understand that you have never lost a ward. Given your age and the improbability of the loss, no one would condemn you for the tragedy. There are other children among our relatives who require a-"
"No. I will return at a later hour to converse with your relative."
As Guchiro rose into the city, he attempted to leave behind the words of Distantkin Hanemo, only partially successfully. He reminded himself that he was not being remotely stubborn, since a three year search was standard even under ordinary circumstances. It certainly had nothing to do with his "record" of raising children and everything to do with how deeply he valued his newest ward. Of all the young soulcrafters he had guided, she had formed the deepest connections.
All that despite the short years they had spent together. Far too few. He had only been half-way through his intended program of study that would have made her capable of traveling any environment on Ichil. That priority had seemed unimpeachably sound, and would have been if not for the unusual circumstances.
Theory meant nothing, however, and the fact was that he had never even guided her to a brighter world. As much as he believed in his ward's resourcefulness, the sudden light would have been crippling, even if she emerged in a less dangerous environment. His travels had left him almost completely certain that she had not been cast elsewhere in Ichil, so all conventional methods of contacting him would be ineffective. That was another argument in favor of further searching, since his ward would also need to travel to survive.
Except that all of that logic was predicated on the idea that she had not been lost between worlds. Given the extensiveness of the disruption, the outcome was not improbable.
Three years. Guchiro could never allow himself to stop until he had searched at least that long.
Floating over the city, he considered his alternative paths. He could consult with the city leaders regarding compensation for his work, trade for more corporeal materials, or analyze activity outside to find Distantkin Hanemo's relative. Only the last appealed, and after so long, he did not realistically believe that it would bring him closer to his ward.
Noticing the glow of a Biolumin Relay, Guchiro decided to visit it instead. Though his ward would be unable to leave a message, his encounter with distant kin reminded him that he did have obligations to other relatives. Some of them quite treasured, if not in his care like his ward. One of them could potentially have sent a request or even provided information. Few had over the past years, but he was required to check on the possibility.
When he landed beside the Relay station, he saw that there was a small line. Though he prepared to wait his turn, a Ruler-tier soulcrafter emerged from the second floor and gestured to him. Preferential treatment of that sort was unusual, but it was possible that they separated their services between locals and travelers. No one seemed disturbed, so Guchiro floated to the second floor.
It was austere except for the core pulsing relay and a small desk. The soulcrafter had the decency not to ask unnecessary questions. "Sending or receiving?"
"Receiving. Here is my biolumin signature." Guchiro handed over the identification plate and waited, fortunately not for long.
"One message. It will emerge."
A message sphere popped from the lumin current, intended to drop into a receptacle on the table, but Guchiro intercepted it. He relaxed his defenses enough to receive the message contained within, replacing his biolumin signature in his robes with his other hand... which froze as he recognized the voice.
"Relative Guchiro. I am well. I have been taken to the city of Norro Yorthin, on Fithe. It may be found by traveling to the gate near the source of this message. I am held by an organization called House Blacksilver, and controlled by outsider traveling companions. I will not be able to speak honestly in person."
Ward Fiyu. Her voice was distorted in places, as if the message had been damaged, but it was unmistakable. The construction of several of her sentences was not exactly characteristic, suggesting that her ability to send him a message was limited, perhaps by the false companions who were controlling her. If she had sent her voice indirectly, that would explain the distortions in the message.
Slipping the message sphere into his robes for safe-keeping, Guchiro paid the official as quickly as possible and stepped from the Biolumin Relay. He remained in the air for a short time, considering the message again. This city of Norro Yorthin was unfamiliar to him, but his ward's instructions had been clear. Technically he had obligations to distant relatives in the city, but Guchiro dismissed them as irrelevant.
Instead he drew his weirkey and went to find his ward.
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