Viridos, Chapter 3

[Tegan]

The Shartan Labyrinth

When, at last, Ironblood answered Ash, it was in brief, hushed whispers that thundered like echoes in the towering pathways. "Before his crimes, he was a forest guardian tasked with removing the toxic blight from our lands."

Hours had passed, bringing them deeper into the Shartan Labyrinth. They had observed that though the path was winding, it was continuous. The bones of strange animals lay crushed under foot until they paved the road to hysteria.

"It is Ilium's will that we seek to understand and to coexist alongside all living things." The Undertaker and the Alchemist each carried small flasks suspended from web. Inside the flasks were dozens of maggots that glowed faintly.

"That is why I refuse to believe that even Amaltas is not beyond redemption." There was something else that Ash could sense from her tone. There was something else that she was not telling him.

"The Lady has always had a soft spot for monsters, Undertaker." Lapin took the lead, her lantern Aux blazing from her belt, but somehow gave no light. The nocturne's eyes were blinkless, her black pupils had dilated, covering the whites. This way she could see in the dark. "It's exhausting trying to convince her otherwise." She cast a look over her shoulder at Ironblood, flashing her a teasing grin.

Monsters.

It was a subject that both fascinated and frustrated the alchemist for decades. Despite countless hours researching all manner of organisms documented in the Tree of Life, memorizing the lines connecting cladograms and dendrograms—never had Ironblood found an organism with the classification 'monster' in its domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus or species. Until she could be presented with evidence to the contrary, Ironblood operated under the theory that monsters did not exist.

The Kindly One stopped abruptly, her nocturnal gaze cutting through the darkness. "There's something ahead." She reached for her blade, then stopped. "Mother." The nocturne was a blur of red and white, gone.

"Lapin, don't!"

The Undertaker chased after Lapin further in—

The forest sang around him as Ash galloped over fallen trees and dense undergrowth with sylvan ease. Sunlight filtered through the spotted canopy above, giving enough light to the sapling to grow. The lone survivor of its seeding brethren, who lay unsprouted in the shadows of the older trees.

 

[Wordsmith]

Z'tir - Central Hosia, Green

No one would ever listen to Z'tir when he tried to explain the spiritual side of the Prosperos. He tried to help the Seekers of the Alate succeed, but putting the multiple fabrics of time and reality into words was nearly impossible. Anxiety driven frustration began to build quickly in the mind of the mystic. He tried to work it out mentally over and over,"Khanaan and Chelena simply dismiss me... Carus seems to listen though will not act on mere words... GRRRrrrrr ... Words cannot be mere wind... Words must flow then sink deep... no, words cannot do it all the time -- it is time for courage and action!"


Fuming over his dismissive comrades, Z'tir remained relatively quiet for the ride into Hosia. As they neared the destination, mad visions of deja'vu began stirring in his mind's eye. Despite his conscience denials of the fight that was about to occur, the mystic still understood deep down that blood was about to be split.


When Chelena suggested visited the brothel, Z'tir sighed and immediately began to paddle towards the location. The bird Algah soared up into the branches for it hated to fight even more than Z'tir. The Tiger didn't want to peer deeper into Prosperos to know the outcome of upcoming events. Growling under his breath, paranoia took over as he scanned all around him waiting for things to pop off.


Lossing his head in mental thoughts he spoke outloud randomly, but to no-one, "...it will take place in this density I swear it..." A shiver ran down his spine making the brawny tiger shrivel and jolt. The deja'vu feeling was overcoming him again, "... today is a good day to die, but it may not be the right time or is the magnitude even correct? ... huuuuhhhmm... hm..."


Z'tir brain began to feel as if it had been whacked multiple times with a club.

 

[Saphen]

Ash of the Heartwood

Ash slowed his gallop, his hand gripping the heartwood staff that had coiled around his waist. The weapon straightened in his grip, the obsidian spear head a clear indicator of his profession. The weapon's tip glowed eerily in the dim light that pierced the canopy of the forest in order to feed the young child. It's leaves outstretched innocently, begging for the warmth of it's mother's breast.

The undertaker's heart pounded in his head, causing him to shake his antlers around wildly for a moment before pointing the spear at the plant once more.

What is this... he thought to himself as he watched the sapling wither, he blinked and the sapling was back to normal. A second later the sapling grew higher than every other tree in the forest, he blinked and the sapling was again normal.

"Cora?" Ash called out but he didn't hear his Aux, his legs quivered with the urge to flee but they didn't respond to his plea and after a moment he realized he wasn't walking at all. "Iron Child? Lapin?" every word he spoke received no response in return, the only sound seemed to be produced by the sapling. It's unspoken voice a high pitched tone that only grew louder in his mind before he realized that he wasn't looking at the sapling...the sapling was looking at him.

Ash couldn't figure out why he wasn't walking...why couldn't he move? He blinked and Cora was standing in front of him, her amber eyes empty of life but she pointed to his body all the same. Ash looked down to see that he was being placed into a tree...was he dead? Two Forest Kin hands, covered in pale white bark, pushed the motionless Ash deeper into the tree until he felt himself fuse with the heartwood.

It was the same ritual that he had some how known since birth and as the pale bark hands tried to pull out of the tree he found his hand gripping one of them without being commanded to do so. The slender hands struggled, clawing at his own for freedom but as they began to pull out they also dragged Ash's corpse with them.

The undertaker found himself pinning the Forest kin to the ground. She was a beautiful creature, a female kin with long black leaves for hair. Her entire body was pale white bark and her face looked so familiar...her face had four eyes. Even though the leaves were long and black they came out of many budding branches scattered on her head, again it was different but familiar all at once. The creature's heart glowed through her chest, the glow was all too familiar to him...it was their heart.

It was...Cora's...heart.​

Ash's eyes widened in horror as he watched himself press his body against the woman's chest, the undertaker was fusing himself with the woman. The female kin struggled and screamed but it was of no use...she found herself being pulled into Ash's body. "I'm not ready to die," he heard a voice say that was not his own...but it was coming out of his lips. Ash was now outside his own body watching the events unfold but the body that was his Crux did not look like he remembered. The face was similar but his skin was completely black with no antlers to be seen. It's legs were not deer like at all, instead they coiled around Cora's body like tentacles. Cora's hooves kicked at the tentacles but the prey was caught and her eyes became still in anticipation, she was ready for death.

Ash screamed out in horror but no sound would come out, he cried and shouted and wailed at the monster that was himself as he watched the black forest consume the white. Once it was completely devoured his body sat there breathing heavily, twitching and struggling for control as it suddenly looked at it's hands. An orange glow began to pour out from beneath the beast's skin and the monster looked on in horror as his body was set ablaze.

Ash's face screamed and twisted in pain and malice until it was completely consumed by the fiery inferno that came from within. After a few moments the fire died down, the body Ash was given laid where both of the Forest Kin had died. Ash grey skin was motionless until his Aux, her bark now brown and leaves a pink, slid from his body. She looked upon him sadly before sitting next to him...waiting for him to wake.

"Ash....Ash?!...ASH!!!"
​

Cora looked at him with concern, the head of the spear was pointed at her neck and Ash dropped the weapon instantly. "I killed you..." the undertaker said suddenly and the realization flooded both Aux and Crux alike. In moments every experience Ash had just felt flooded Cora's mind as tears streamed down her face. "That wasn't you Ash nor was the woman me, just because we were born from their decisions does not mean that is what defines us!"

Ash took a few steps away from his Aux confused "You...YOU KNEW?!" The accusation struck Cora visibly and suddenly she was gone, vanished back into his chest but there was no time to lament on the matter. Instinct told him that this place was dangerous, he picked up his spear and galloped once more. He needed to find Lapin and the Iron child before it was too late...

 

[Tegan]

The Silver Wings

Carus allowed himself a sigh of content when the scents of perfume, incense, and love making ensphered him. Even the brothel's entry way was a ceaseless tapestry of exotic silks and flesh of all color and pattern.

The Silver Wings, his floating paradise away from his floating paradise.

Carus had to remind himself that this would be his only floating paradise, if he didn't keep his mind (and hands) solely on the business at hand. He sharpened his thoughts to a single, honed blade and parted the beaded curtains that partitioned the 'sitting room.'

Upon crossing the threshold, Carus's face became immediately buried in the ample bosom of a red headed human. "Carus! You dirty birdie! Not even a national disaster could keep you away from me."

This would be his greatest challenge yet.

The avian flailed, despite the woman's caresses, and finally disengaged from her, gasping for air. "Bel...Bel..."

"Carus!"

Thoughtlessly, Carus turned towards the voice, only to be slapped by a nocturne dominatrix. The pale woman said nothing else as she passed, tugging a hulking draken on a leather leash behind her. Carus whirled from the strike, until he came face to face with the ferret-faced girl. He gripped her shoulders.

"Belphebe. I need to see Belphebe."

 

[Tegan]

A child watches other children playing together on the forest floor. Their bodies are aglow from the sun's touch.

"They can't see you like I can."

"That was a gift only for you, my eldest."

"Are you even here with us?"

"I am always with you."

"I see the way they look at me. I can't make them understand."

"Suffer the little children."

Kairos

(Screams in agony, falling to his knees, clutching his head. The sound echoes in infinite stone chasms. He smashes his head against the rock, splintering his horns.)

Ilium

(Walking backwards through the perfect darkness. There is no other sound in this place. She is the only source of light.)

My chosen.

Kairos

(Follows her through the darkness, disrobed and erect. It does not matter how fast or slow his pace, he can never match her teasing distance. He is weeping.)

Stop it! I don't want this! It's too much! It's too much.



Ilium

To commune with all of Sunne, that is a gift only for you, my precious Kairos.

(Stops.)

Do not fear this suffering.



Kairos

(Sinks into the dark like quicksand.)

Ilium!

Mother!

(He still reaches for her as he disappears into the black.)

 

[Asmodeus]

Hosia

He had gotten everyone killed.

It was the one thought that remained for Medwick. His arms were folded, concealing the slight glow of one of his rings, enchanted with barrier magic. Enough to push the guards aside, or repel the sea monster if they leapt into the water. It would have to be rapid, sudden. Would Shardis and Caoimhe react if he yelled "RUN!"? Would that creature below give chase? Would they even make it across the jetty planks before the minister's guards cut them down.

He had gotten everyone killed.

There had been countless thoughts before this one, as they left the shop of Madame Shekar, as they followed the fey creature over walkways and bridges, as they pushed into streets of the deeper slums and suffered the burgeoning crowds. Thoughts of abandoning their guide, running for the nearest alley, leaping to a gondola. The opportunities were there. Yet with each one the echo of Shekar's words - her insistence that the Green Realm would devour them without the aid of natives.

And besides... was this not the land of fate, of guiding spirits and hallowed paths? Was all this not meant to be?

Fatalism had taken him, and now he was here, in the hospitality of Teadoir, a man who had just fed another to an agonizing demise, with only one thought left.

He had gotten everyone killed.

No. Two thoughts. If this Teadoir was a minister of state then he was a corrupt one; a murdering one. What more could be expected from savages? Any appeal to the law would be fruitless. The only hope for Medwick's group lay within the rabbit hole of deviancy.


"No goods, Sir," he answered and sat down at the table with the minister, Shardis and Caoimhe at either shoulder. If Medwick was trembling, he hid it with pain, the trembling effort of bending his injured knee. He placed one arm on the table, the other low and hiding the ring, the old shoulder wound keeping it limp.

As fate would have it, the damage Medwick had suffered on his journey completed his disguise. Perhaps providence was not absent after all.

He smiled at Teadoir between beads of sweat. "We are here to buy."

"Buy?" the minister said it matter-of-factly, while leaning to wipe blood from his boot. Some of Dyfed's gore had reached him across the jetty planks. "And what can three sneezing Pegulians afford to buy from me?"

The house faces either side seemed to narrow, as if to crush Medwick. He continued the lie of former days, speaking words he had rehearsed while in Kessel's company - the stories he would tell if the pirates pressed him. "White Claudia. We represent a considerable number of sages in the Secret City. The Geologist Guild; the Order of Astrologers; the Anabaric Brotherhood. Demand is high for the hallucinogenic grown here on the Hosian Delta. It is an... excellent aid to inspiration... a scholar's best friend."

The tea was brought, a tray of silvered wood, pots of earthenware. Steam wafted between Medwick and Teadoir, rich with citrus. Neither broke eye contact.

"Normally, my network would source White Claudia through the Avarathi trade route. But no doubt you've heard of the border disruptions." He recalled what Glyph had told him. "The election of a new general in Kaustir; games in Avarath. Security has reached a point where it is no longer safe to conduct business."

He did not reach for the tea. He could explain one arm trembling, but not two. There were only so many injuries to cover his behaviour. "So we have come to you, Sir. We heard of Admiral Kessel's... sympathy for your affairs. With your blessing, Minister Teadoir, we would like to establish a new trading route: a smuggler's run from Hosia to the Dreadcove, and thence to Aldus, using Kessel's fleet. This will bypass the tolls of the Black City and skirt the west shore of Lake Kaikas, saving a week's travel in the Norsigal Mountains."

Blood glistened on the jetty in the morning sunlight. Medwick's crow huddled under his chair. Only the water and the steam of the Vilcacora tea were in motion.

Medwick almost prayed.

 

[Aschu]

Adelita Junodn, ORANGE

Adelita sighed inwardly as she dragged her fingers along the bumpy, uneven walls of the catacombs. "You do know those contain corpses, right?" Feren asked her. She groaned at him, signaling that she did. She was anxious, and her mood matched their situation pretty well. They were traveling through the dark catacombs, that were underground, away from any means of escaping a cave in, walking towards the once-great city's center. Not to mention her traveling companions were anything but the desired kind.

On their way there, she learned the names of at least two of them. The little girl's name was Keeva, and she was precious. Adelita had always liked children, they were ironically more understanding than most of the average citizens, and more pure. She had also learned the name of the lady, Nytashi, she was apparently "assigned" to. Whatever the heck that meant.

The woman who was "in charge" she supposed, was conveniently the woman who looked like she could kill all of them with a single glance. Yep. Karma was definitely being a bitch to her today.

She walked on and on through the tunnel with them, till the point that she was so tired of the only light being whatever the heck was in that little wooden box (she knew better than to ask the scary Avian lady what it's contents were) that she was willing to lite the entire fucking catacombs on fire. Which unfortunately Feren, who was playing her better judgement today apparently, sadly disapproved of. What they both wanted to know was why the actual hell they were heading to the center of the city! The only reason she was still with them is that Nytashi said that she should stay with some "adults".

"I bet it has to do with the city falling out of the sky," Adelita thought to Feren,"Why else would anyone be walking in the opposite direction of escape?"

"Hmm," he thought back,"You may be right, it is fairly strange, but I seriously doubt it. They may be searching for a family member who lives deeper in the city. The city only fell three days ago though, and I doubt our fellow Viridiosi would send the likes of them"

" They might not have been sent by them though! I think she might have been either the cause of it, and if that isn't it, she definitely knows more about it than she's letting on. Which isn't a whole lot" she thought, jutting her head in the scary Avian lady's direction. Who thankfully didn't seem to notice. Feren looked at her puzzled. Adelita mentally face-palmed. "Have you not been paying attention lately? All that negative energy around her is suffocating!" she exclaimed.

Out loud.

Which made everyone turn to her. Yep. Karma definitely wasn't on her side today. That was her only thought as she gulped down whatever confidence she had left.

 

[lynzy]

Even at the best of times Shardis had a short temper and this was definitely not a good time in her eyes. Ever since they left the snow and ice of home she had been told don't do this or that. Medwick had shook his head to her one too many times by her estimation and she was on her very last nerve.

The shop of Madame Shekar stank to high heavens and was crowded with lesser creatures. The mob of urchins had stayed clear of her on sight, thankfully. Although Shar had not taken any of the fabric items she had latched onto a tortis shell anima hair brush and shoved it into her backpack. All-in-all, she was very glad to be rid of the place when they left.

Now though, Shardis flanked her brother's right side and watched the two men talk. she, as always, understood the words BUT she knew she was missing the undercurrent of the conversation. She was not a political beast, she let her brother do that and right now she was beginning to get the creeps again, up her spine they crawled. Watching Galain's face she knew there was something she was missing and it set her on edge once again.

The words out of Galain's mouth was bull shit but sounded somewhat plausible, she had watched him do this many many times before and was wise enough to say nothing and just look dead-pan, like when they played cards as children. Only this game had very high stakes, their lives and their mission.

Shar made a mental note of who was in the room and who was in the hall adjacent to it when they had come in, what weapons they had and where. The odds were stacked high against them if this went south and she made a mental prayer to one of her favorite Gods, The Lord of Adversity, an imp that loved situations like this one.

 

[E.T.]

There was a fumbling as the girl steadied the stack of books and papers that filled her arms startled by the sudden pressure of Carus's hands on her shoulders. The girl appeared to have quite the nervous tick as she shifted her bare feet and re-straightened the papers in her arms, her gaze not quite reaching Carus's eyes.

"Th-the Madam is working, she should n-not be disturbed." she said casting a nervous glance over her shoulder towards a staircase flanked by guards. Carus had little time for negotiations, already more of the girls were becoming aware of his presence and they represented time that he could not afford but dearly wished to waste, so he was quick to pass a bit of silver across the girl's small palm. It was clear that this was the correct response as the girl straightened up and met Carus's eyes from the first time, with a newfound confidence. Stowing the bit of coin away ferret-face spun on her heel and gestured for the group to follow her down the hallway towards the guarded staircase. For one so small and so slight she moved down the hall at a brisk pace, her feet making soft plodding noises against the wood floors. For a building with only straight hallways it was quick the maze for one who did not know their way, and at the pace they were traveling door flashed by in a blur.

"This way!" she finally said turning down into a wider hallway where another guard stood in front of a pair of double doors. The guard let them pass after a signal from their guide, eyeing them silently with his hand on his sword, not threatening only giving a subtle warning. The girl approached the door and gave it several gentle taps before opening it a crack. Cautiously ferret-face stuck her head inside, and was greeted by her Mistress's voice.

"I asked to not be disturbed." Belphebe said not looking up from the papers that were piled upon her desk.

"Y-yes but there is someone-" The girl started.

"They can wait, the ball is in five days and I plan on being ready." Belphebe cut the girl off with a dismissive wave of her pen before returning her attention back to what she was reading.

Carus had heard enough to know that if he did not act now there was a very real chance that they were not going to be seeing the Madame anytime soon. In a few short strides he crossed over to the door and pushed it open striding into Belphebe's private chambers.

"Madame I wish to speak to you." He said standing confidently in front of her desk. The flash of anger that crossed her usually calm face was quickly replaced by cool interest as she recognized the intruder.

"Ah Carus I am surprised, usually you can hardly make it past the doors without finding someone to satisfy you. Although..." Here she peered around him to look at the nocturne that was currently being blocked from entering by a rather displeased looking guard. "It looks like you have brought your own this time."

"I am looking for your girl Nama." Carus was quick to speak, not entirely sure how Chelena would take the Madame's appraising stare. With a sigh Belphebe waved away ferret-face and the guard, the motion also inviting the rest of Carus's companions inside the room. Once the door was shut she pushed away from her desk and slithered around so that she could look them all in the eye.

"Now Carus my girls are my own, you know that, why in the world should I give anything to you? If she is avoiding you then that is your own fault." There were a few long moments of since before Carus took a deep breath and spilled out the entire story. The silence that followed was even longer before Belphebe broke it with a peal of laughter.

"Oh my dear, your night habits have finally clipped your wings." But as she spoke she moved back around her desk and plucking a key off of its polished surface she unlocked a chest that had been pushed up against the wall and pulled a few sheets of paper from within. Her movements were slow and unconcerned as she flicked through the papers with only a mild interest. The wait was starting to make Carus anxious and Chelena did not like all the standing around.

"You are lucky that I like to keep a few records. Nama in particular as she requested to sleep in a place of her own." Belphebe said waving a piece of paper in Carus's direction. However as he reached to take it she retracted her hand with a snap. "But whatever would it do for me to give you such information?"

"You wound me my Lady." Carus said taking Belphebe's hand in his own and brushing his lips against it. "A gift of one thousand would be a token on my gratitude for your help." With one of her hands still clasped in his own Carus held his hand out with his palm facing upwards and with a satisfied smile Belphebe handed over the sheet of paper.

"I would ask you to stay for tea but I suspect you must get going. Although I do hope you will visit soon enough." She said turning and folding herself behind her desk once again. With a smile she looked at Chelena. "Bring your friend as well, this place rarely sees girls that are not on my pay roll."

With an elegant bow Carus took Chelena by the hand and led her back out of the room. Outside ferret-face was waiting for them and she led them back through the maze of corridors to the front entrance. Now they had a place that belonged to the face that was alluding them, now perhaps they could find the object that had been the only thing holding Carus's home in sky.

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​

From her window Belphebe watched the group leave her brow creased with something that could have almost been called worry. Ree, sensing her Crux's mood, flitted down from where she had been resting amongst the rafters and settled upon her bare shoulder. There was a small knock at the door, the tone already reveling who was there before Ferret-face even entered the room.

"Is there anything you need Madame?" She asked. With a slow nod Belphebe turned and headed back to her desk, staring down at the papers scattered there while her mind whirled.

"Yes, inform all contacts that this Nama has been black listed, provide a description for those who need it. I would like to remind people that I do not like being lied to." She said shuffling through the papers that had been left behind after Carus had taken the address. Finding the one she needed she handed it to the girl and watched as she skittered out of the room. Once she was sure that the girl was gone Belphebe spoke again.

"Martos. I want two more guards on the night shift." The guard at her door nodded curtly, making a mental note to find the appropriate staff later. Belphebe did not see the movement as she reached down and plucked a letter from her desk. A long rambling note about the weather from an associate half the world away.

"Seems like the wind is finally picking up."

 

[Wordsmith]

Z'tir - Northern Slums - Hosia, Green

Waiting was a game that Z'tir was good at. Though his mind often screamed impatience, the Tiger learned to control his emotional urges. Sitting quietly on his one man boat, he refrained from words with Khanaan the Bull as they waited for Carus and Chelena. In the mystic's mind there was nothing to say anymore. No point in wasting his breath on trying to describe the unexpressable events of the Prosperos; even he did not fully understand the Prosperos.

"The Prosperos works in strange and mysterious ways... just like the physical tributaries of the river, reality spread on different paths when actions are made by the entities living on it... GRRrrr... Nonsense Algah, this river is alive, death is a part of life, the river is death also, and now it is time for that death... this existance... this time..." The deja'vu feeling of dread still consumed him, "Damned if I do damn if I don't... Illium give me courage..."

Z'tir's mind suddenly caught Khanaan's eye and the mighty blacksmith was looking at him strangely. The Tiger had forgotten his manners. Though he didn't want to speak much, some form of politeness was needed to work in groups, "Ahem, how are you feeling Khanaan? This is taking too long for me, no more words should be needed, it is time to leave," Almost as if on que with Z'tir's words, Carus and Chelena exited the brothel.

Calling out to the Seeker of the Alate, Z'tir face seemed half annoyed, "Very well Carus, it is time to go to the northern slums, though I cannot predict exactly where..." The mystic intuitively knew he had to go to the general area in the slums, but not exactly where. Obtaining the address from Carus, the river guide lead them through the physical river.

The scenery quickly changed as the group paddled forward. Hosia's slums were the exact reason that the Tiger hated civilization's cities. The crammed area was sickening to the mystic who spent a majority of life along the wild river. Shanties and hovels built on each other haphazardly was not what the Prosperos originally intended. Mortals had a way of messing with the natural order of things and the slums were a testament to that.

While others might have been worried about the shady characters running around the slums, Z'tir showed no fear. He tried to reassure the group, "None of these peoples will harm or impede us..."

As they neared the location, a wave of dreadful excitement went through Z'tir, "It's almost time to bring the ruckus," Parking the boats on the side of the river, the Tiger waited.

 

[ChojiYume]

Her heart pounded as they whirled their way through the canyon. Feeling it's beating in her throat, she was not used to being in the air, and this made it all the worse, with all the fast movement and debris. "My Buhnwanah! Be careful!" Her head was swirling as the bee moved left and right. Yet sill in all of this mess, all she could think about was how she was going to handle the Hydraroot. She barely thought about what she was saying as they flew through the wind tunnel, being tossed like seedlings towards their destination, or their death. She felt relieved though that it had not been the latter. With the wind whipping her hair around and twirling in the air like she was she felt her stomach drop with sickness. It was all she could do to not puke. "My Buhnwanah, please, just stay calm! Breath!"

Her hair was of no concern to her. Though it was a mess right now, and she probably looked like a horrid monster of myth right at this moment. What was more important was keeping herself and everyone alive. She gasped as she tried to gather herself. And realized what was going to happen. They were splitting up! What could she do? She couldn't let this happen. "Valkyrie, you can't! You're not fully recovered, you'll be killed!" She bit her lip, her nervous habit still there, maybe worse off because she was drawing blood. She watched in horror as she knew the Valkyrie intended to do whatever she wanted to do on her own. She couldn't let that fly. "Beekeeper please, we need her to finish this! Begis and I... we're, we're not cut out for this." She was starting do doubt herself again. Damn it all. She couldn't do anything, she felt so useless watching Kozoul rush back to the Valkyrie's aid!

She let Brrz do the driving which meant for a safer and less impulsive ride. The last little bit to the Hydraroot was surprisingly calm. This made Buhn nervous. "My Buhnwanah, take your time with this, please stay calm and take your time with this one!" Her heart about broke in discouragement as she saw how colossal the root was. Though not as big as the Riven tree, still big enough and wild enough to be daunting to any Architect. She was paler than the moon could ever be. She heard wings behind her and saw the Valkyrie and Kozoul behind her. Her heart soared, but only for a moment as she remembered the tree, what she had to do. She turned back towards the Root. She felt a reassuring hand on her shoulder, "Buhnwanah the Wild Flower. This is where you come in" Buhn gulped. Everything was riding on her success now. If she failed, she could get them all killed.

"I... S.. Stand back. I.. If I fail, I want to be the only one to get hurt." She gave them a half-hearted smile, and they pulled back and almost out of sight. Moving forward only just slightly, Buhn held her breath. Inching closer and closer until she was only about 2 yards away from the Root and the door. The tree seemed to move, and she took a step back. She bit her lip. She closed her eyes, she just had to ask it to loose itself from the door. She felt her inner core reach a calm that she hadn't expected. She walked forward, placing her hand on the root, which writhed angrily in response. She smiled, so alive, so real, even as its bark scratched her palm, she stayed calm. "Hydra, you have served your purpose, your protection has been well served.." She bit her lip to try not to scream in pain. The root wrapped its self around her wrist and up her arm with amazing strength and quickness. Her heart pounded. She could do this, it was trying to tell her to stop, to leave it alone. But she wouldn't do that. Never. "That's it My Buhnwanah." Maiin whispered.

She took a deep breath. "Take your rest elsewhere Hydra root, you have served your purpose, strike your root's into new grounds, and grow even stronger. The soil here is no longer healthy for you." She new that she was right, the Hydra looked frail, and tired. It needed a new home, a new place to root. But even if it was weak, it still had the capability to kill her. She braced herself as one of the roots came flying at her. She felt a sting and heard a crack as her feet came out from under her and her arm broke. Maiin shreaked in horror, "MY BUHNWANAH!" But Buhn refused to scream in pain. She would not loose her conection. She looked back at the group that was depending on her as if to reaffirm her statement, telling them to stay back. The Valkyrie looked as if she wanted to destroy the root, or come to Buhn's aid, or both, but she backed down. She knew it was not time yet to go in.

Tear's in her eyes, she stood back up. Taking a deep breath to make sure that her voice would stay steady. "I plead with you Hydra, please, you are dying here, find a new home, rest yourself in enriched soil so you can live for many centuries longer.... Please, let us pass, and let your soul live." She gasped as the root slowly unwind it's root from her wrist. It tentatively reached the tip of it's root to her cheek, wiping away a tear, as if it was apologizing. Slowly, it moved, it's root's undulating almost hypnotically, and letting Buhn relax. "You may come now guys, it will not hurt you." She coughed as she felt her body tense up. Her arm felt so bad. She refused to look at it. She smiled up at the group, though it was obviously fake. "I'll be fine." She bit her lip, she cursed at herself. That was the dumbest thing ever to say. "Buhnwanah, Thank you for all you have done. Rest well. You do not have to go any further if you don't want to." Buhn looked at the group around her. some of them seemed a little grossed out at the sight of her arm, of which she still didn't know the condition of. She shook her head. "I will join you, I fear being left here, not under watch, I might just faint." She chuckled lightly. Maybe they could do this. Maybe she could do this.

 

[Peregrine]

CHELENA-HOSIA, cyan

The Silver Wings was flooded with the colors of passion and lust. Even in these dangerous times the cries of the body could not be stifled. When the boat had come to a stop outside of Belphebe's brothel, Chelena had not even given Carus a chance to tell her to wait in the boat again. She had hopped out, spinning over to the door before coming to a rest. The people on the street didn't give her much room, but she swayed between them, her feet never moving, her shoulders never touching their bodies. She followed Carus in, reveling in the place, enjoying everything about it. Especially watching Carus getting molested by the various women.

No, Chelena was not the jealous type. She knew that she alone did not claim Carus' affections, and nor would she want to. She came to him because his touch on her body set off a riot of colors unlike anything she had ever known. And that was more than enough for her.

Nor was she the type to be upset by Belphebe's not-to-subtle comments about her. Chelena strongly considered worming her way around the guard, flipping her way over his shoulders or around his arms, if just because she could, but ultimately decided that it would be better just to wait. Carus had the situation well in hand, and, despite many of her actions, Chelena fully understood the severity of their mission. Even without the colors that showed her stiff self-control, Belphebe's reputation would have been more than enough to keep Chelena in place. She could probably escape anything Belphebe threw her way, but not without being forced to abandon Carus and his curious quest.

As they exited the building once more, Chelena clung close to Carus' hand. She may not be the jealous type, but that didn't mean she wouldn't take an opportunity to gloat a little bit over the things she, at least temporarily, possessed. But her thoughts also roamed back to Belphebe. Maybe Chelena would have to come and pay her a visit some time. She didn't plan on working as one of her girls, Chelena was far too interested in her own freedom for that, but "Nama" had given the Nocturne an idea. Not to mention that finding more people who actually wanted to touch her would be a fascinating discovery.

Chelena blatantly continued to ignore the two Anima in the boat on the ride to the location Belphebe had given them. She spent most of the time trailing her hand in the water, and even took off her face shawl long enough to stare the sun in the face for a couple minutes. Just to remind it that she wasn't cowed, even if she was wearing the shawls. She snagged something from the water with a quick finger, only to find herself clinging to a slimy eel-like-creature, which promptly slapped her in the face with its tail, bit her hand, and then spat some water up at her when she dropped it back into the river. Chelena shook her head, considering that an equal trade for getting to see it, even if the colors it offered really weren't all that plesant.

Chelena was jumping off the boat before the tiger even brought it to a complete stop, landing lightly on the path and taking two quick steps to make sure she didn't accidentally fall back into the river. However, she was polite enough to wait for Carus and the rest to get off the boat. She doubted that "Nama" would have returned to this place after her enthusiastic departure of the Aviary, but Carus was obviously expecting, or at least hoping, to find something here. She slipped in behind him, and together they made their way up to the door.

 

[Mundane Monster]

Nyashi ║ Avian ║ Courier, #5C3104

Nyashi narrowed her eyes at the fact that 'stingy-half-a-name-girl' was suddenly throwing around orders and being extremely rude. But she said nothing. She didn't need to waste her energy on running after the other girl and calling her out on her blatant disrespect. She could address the girl's atrocious comportment later.

Glancing down at her mother, she saw that despite her pain, the old woman's face was drawn into a stiff scowl. She had yet to speak, since she had been trapped under the remains of the house, but Nyashi could take a guess at the nature of the lecture that she would receive later.

Turning to her companion, she smiled at the dark haired and pale skinned girl. "I'm Nyashi, this is my mother, Fuuni." She said with a smile. "As you can see she's not in the best shape now, but please tell me you know a little bit about healing?" She hated having to ask for so much after just recently meeting the other avian, but right now she didn't have any other options.

As she waited for the other girl to respond, Nyashi set her mother down, propping her up against the wall.

 

[Tegan]

The Shartan Labyrinth

The forest dissipated around him, until Ash was once again dashing through stone corridors, overgrown with lichen and vines.

"Ash!"

The Undertaker slowed his pace.
"Wait!"

Ash stopped, searching for the source of the voice. Was it...?

"Iron Child?"

Iron Child

Iron Child

Iron Child​

Cora drew nearer to her Crux, peering about frightfully. "Ash, we shouldn't stop here."

There was a rustling in the dead leaves at his feet, like a fish under water, before feminine hands caressed his shoulders. A soft, naked body pressed into him from behind. It was Ironblood who whispered into his ear.

"Lay here with me, Undertaker." The hands slid down his chest, his stomach... Ash groaned as he was guided back to lie in the dead leaves. Cora was shouting something to him, but his senses were drugged. It was like trying to speak to someone buried underground.

"Stay with us, Ash. We need you."

In his euphoric haze, Ash could just see more feminine shapes begin to writhe in the undergrowth.

+++​

Ironblood did not dare call out for Ash or Lapin for fear of attracting the attention of the creatures that lurked in the dark. She could only hurry after them, though she knew it to be futile. Her legs could never match their speed.

Her world blinked between reality and memory. Though her mind was iron, the Shartan Labyrinth's magics were strong and she would succumb eventually. She just had to hope she could find her companions before then.

If I let you out of that cage, you have to promise that you won't kill anyone else.

Her hands found the lock. She waited for his answer.

The Lady bit into her lip hard enough to draw blood, forcing her from the memory and back to the present.

"What have we here?" The voice was a thousand death screams, its laughter the shattering of spines. "An Iron?" The smell of shit and decay was overpowering. Ironblood wretched, before covering her mouth and nose with her billowing sleeve. She raised her maggot-filled lantern, searching in the darkness.
"Show yourself." Ironblood put her back to the wall as she peered down either side of the passage. There was no one.

"A good little Clad."

"Afraid to kill, to get your pretty hands dirty."

Slowly, with her injured hand, Ironblood reached into her satchel, gripping one of her vials.

"That won't do you any good here, Iron."

Something snatched her robes from behind, driving broken claws deep into her shoulders. Ironblood screamed and dropped her lantern.

"The Shartan will have your sins, soon enough."

+++​

Ash could no longer feel except for the sensation of floating. He lost time as the nymph made love to him, draining his life away with each caress.

Ash

"ASH!"

Sunlight, sudden and hot, hit his skin, penetrated through muscle to bone, renewing the forest kin. "Cora!" Fueled by the sun, Ash's heart blazed, his flesh burning hot. His captor shrieked, throwing herself from him violently, rolling around on the floor in an attempt to put out the flames.

When Ash recovered himself, he saw Lapin standing before him, awash in Advent glow, half her face was blistered and raw. Her lantern Aux had been his savior. The nocturne had summoned the sun.

"Are you all right?" Sap and blood dripped from her black blade. Behind her, the body of a headless nymph thrashed. A scream answered Lapin.

The Undertaker and Kindly One bolted back down the passage, following Ironblood's cries.

+++​

The half'kin stumbled through the miasma of fear and decay. Her cinnabar robes had been shredded when she wrenched free of his hold. But the damage had been done. Already, her taxed immunity fought against the bleeding punctures in her shoulders. The wounds the necrotic mage had dealt were beginning to blacken and fester. Her body was ablaze with fever, the first she had ever experienced. Her mind was swimming with the onset of delirium.

"The road to Hell is paved with good intentions, alchemist." The Entropist's filth-ridden rags scraped the stone path as he followed the alchemist with a predator's leisure. The half'kin had collapsed, curling into a fetal position, and wept.

Swear to me, Amaltas.
"And your intentions are so good."

As she wept, Ironblood's body began to shrink, regressing to a pubescent girl, then a child. She disappeared inside the remnants of her robes, a baby's wails, then silence.

 

[Aschu]

Adelita Junodn, ORANGE

Grateful that the worst she received was a very, very judge mental look from the scary Avian lady, she was generally happy until Nyashi asked about her healing talent. "I know only a little about healing, my talent lies elsewhere," she said.

"Like blowing stuff up," said Feren, out loud, which earned him a well-deserved glare from her.

"But even with the training I have, it's clear to me that these injuries are well past my ability. I'm sorry, but you really need a professional for this" She could clearly see the disappointment on Nyashi's face, as well as her mother's, which made her feel even worse. She knew the pain of losing loved ones. What Feren had said was also the truth though: she did have a talent for blowing things up, purposely and accidently.

To focus her attention elsewhere than on the guilt she felt, she turned to her attention to the pair in front of them. Keeva and the scary lady she was now intent on calling RedDead. "Really? RedDead?"

"Oh shut up Feren, she's a red-head, and I'm pretty sure she's going to kill someone if she already hasn't"

"I think you might be over-thinking this" Feren thought. Adelita looked at him incredulously.

"Really?! Well, mister, you know what, I think-"

"Shut up" Crap, she spoke out loud again. Gods, she was going to have to get a handle on that. RedDead looked at her sharply. Adelita cowered slightly. If this woman didn't turn out to be involved I this "the sky is falling" shit, she would literally jump off a bridge and not fly up. RedDead then held up the box, which Adelita realized was now basically lighting up the whole corridor. Damn, her and her short attention span. They were now at the catacombs other door, it was old and rusted, like it hadn't been used for a long time. Which it hadn't, who would use underground tunnels to get around when you could fly. Apparently they did though. RedDead turned to them all. "We're here," she said.

"Where?" Adelita asked. No one still hadn't told her where they were going. As expected, RedDead glared at her like she was a burden to the earth. Man, she hated her.

"The Alate Staircase," Nyashi answered her. Adelita's eyes widened, and her panic melted with Feren's. She did NOT want to go back to that place, it was the equivalent to hell to her. She had almost died flying up those dreaded cuts of marble. She had fainted right on the spot after she had finished, and felt like she never wanted to fly again, and didn't for two years.

"Wait, what?! Why are we here of all places!"

"I don't really know myself, she just wanted me to guide her here" Nyashi said. Well, that answered nothing. RedDead just turned coldly back to the door with Keeva in hand.

"I think I've said enough" And she walked through the door.

"Really?!" Adelita exclaimed,"Because you really haven't!" And she ran after her, not even waiting for Nyashi and her mother's reaction.

 

[Pastor ćhoi]

The Shartan Labyrinth, silver

Crying.

Crying.

Gloating.

"You are an exquisite prize, iron thing. Fret not, your suffering will be the thing of myths, and the shartan will ring with the echos of your suffering. Under me, clad. Under me now and forever."

The claws found their prize, smoothing across tender baby flesh through the robes.

The crying stopped, the last wailing echo trailing off into the dark nothing.

The gloating didn't.

"Haven't had one as pretty as you in a long, long time. Monsters here, they be as ugly as whelps as they are now. If I'm gentle, If I'm tender you'll last me for sooooooooooo long. Now-"

Then it did.

Clanking metal. One at a time. Louder with each step, faster with each step. Harder with each step.

The mage thought about picking up its prize, thought better of it, then ran.

But it was too late.

Something big and black and long clamped around the the kin mage, and dragged him into the deep dark. There was a huge tearing sound, the sound a dog made when shaking a little rat it caught, only amplified to the peaks of thunder. Smaller sounds too, easily missed sounds: muffled screams, little snaps, lots of little snaps, a whinny of surprise, and then a thud.

And then crawling. Panicked, desperate crawling.

Answered by clanking metal.

One giant hoof found both knees, and there were no more knees.

Another giant hoof found his last working arm, and a more optimistic man would have sighed in relief, for he still had half his shoulder.

"Please!" A thousand screams was his voice, yes, but no longer in horrid exaltation. "We are kin! We are unseelie! I will serve you, unicorn. Find you food, lure them in, make them weak, kill for you-"

I can't kill you, much to our mutual dismay. The second voice was strangely grandfatherly, paradoxically mild and a baritone at the same time, but oddly displaced, like the echo of an echo of an echo.

Clanking metal.

A pair of great, white eyes came into the fringe of the lanturn's fireshine.

Then a giant horn coming into the light, followed by a giant snout.

He nudged the robes, sniffing it.

And froze.

You. The voice came from the horn. You.

A small hand, like an ant against his snout, touched his snout briefly. It was a soft thing, a fleeting thing, and above all else, it was arbitrary contact, flesh upon flesh; nothing.

Nothing at all.

The horn and snout returned to the dark.

There was a flutter of wings, and a moment later, the horn exploded in black advent light, and, for a time, the whole passage was illuminated in it's dark hue, and the truth of it was unveiled:

Statues. Statues dotted the whole place. Large and small, kin and beast, broken and whole, on the moss walls and rooted to the ground.

A gallery of the wooden damned. A forest of trees with tortured faces.

And now he added one more to their number.

The horn found the mage on the ground, and pierced him, and with one last wretched cacophony, he was wood.

His spell ceased.

 

[Saphen]

Ash of the Heartwood

Ash heard the sounds of hoofed feet in the distance, he shook his head in confusion. Perhaps it was the echo of his own feet he heard as he rushed towards the screams of the Iron Child. His skin was still caked with pieces of the vile creature that tried to seduce him, anger burned through him...turning what remained to dust. The undertaker was grateful for Lapin but he had no time to express it, their journey hung by a thread and only Ironblood bound the creature they sought with contract.

"We must save her, if she perishes we are doomed," Ash said to Lapin as he pushed himself into a full sprint.

aaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH ​

A second scream sent a chill of horror through Ash's bones, it sounded like a thousand blood curdling cries of suffering all at once.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH​

Dread filled Ash's very soul and he pressed on, unsure of Lapin was with him but he knew the nocturne could keep up. He would need her strength for what ever they faced as he turned a corner to see a spectral creature's horn impaling a robed figure.

"IRON CHILD!" shouted Ash, grasping his spear tightly in his hand and dashing forward.

STOP! Cora screamed in his mind and Ash slid to a halt, his spear still pointing at the creature. Cora stood at his side motionless, completely frozen, like a deer who had sensed a predator.

Why do you stop me Cora? Ash responded to her thought in kind, Cora's will urged him to look closer at the robe creature. His eyes narrowed slightly, his body ready to react if the creature came towards him but there was no need. Ash realized that the body was not the Iron Child and he lowered his spear looking around desperately...and then he saw her.

Sitting on the ground, bleeding from her shoulders, and her robes shredded. Ash rushed to her and lifted her robes to cover her vulnerability, he studied her for a moment unsure what had happened. Ash lifted his gaze to the creature, ahhh he remembered now...this was the defiler of bodies.

Ash stood up slowly, putting himself between Ironblood and the creature before he spoke.

"Tell me...Amaltas!" he said practically spitting out the vile that was it's name before he continued. "What has happened here? and choose your words wisely, I know of your contract with the Iron Child." The obsidian spear remained pointed at the four legged monstrosity. Ash could only hope that Lapin would help him engage if it came to that...he wasn't sure he could destroy it on his own. But even if it cost him his life he had to protect Ironblood at all cost, she was the only advantage they had left.

​

 

[Pastor ćhoi]

The Shartan Labyrinth, silver

Is this some jest from the above? Some belated taunt from the ministers and merchant lords? An iron and a tattletale? The Unicorn barked a harsh screeching sound from his real mouth; a laugh, a derisive laugh. I attacked her. I tore her modesty from her because I could. I struck a kin that came to help, returned him to wood. Now you may label me oathbreaker as well. He came into the maggotlight again, and he towered over the undertaker and ironblood the prone, for he was to a draft horse what a draft horse was to a pony, and the spear was suddenly a very small dagger.

What hungers for the faun, tattletale? He took a thunderous step forward. Ash held his ground, his cloven feet planted firmly, his spear remained up and forward, but did Amaltas just see the slightest tremble? Who amongst the black fey boasts the cherished qualities needed to bring a green stag down? The grimalkin, who hunger and prowl? Yes, but they have their prides, their numbers, and what prize can be shared amongst so many? The redcaps, the spriggans? Ha. The Unicorn? Could the lovely Unicorn run down the green stag? Another step, another quake. Do you want to put it to the test, tattletale? I'll count to 2. I'm numerically challenged, after all. Wasn't bred in a temple like the good preachers. One more, and the long snout came down low, inches away from the spear. His horn, as long as Ash was tall, looming above the undertaker like a guillotine beyond eager to fall. His breath smelled of burned wood. A pinprick. You think a pinprick will end what the shartan has not?

"Yes."

And that was when he felt the blade, the tiny, tiny blade against his neck. Along with the tiny, tiny nocturne that had crept onto him from the walls around. And along with that came the tiny, tiny hand that had now found its way around a little patch of his mane.

You think a slit throat will kill me? Your threats are ill-made.

"No. But that's the wrong question to ask. Here's the right question, you wretched beast: What's been released into the shartan recently and how many of them can fell a unicorn recovering from, let's say, a slit throat. Fatal? No. Deliberating? I would say so."

Nothin-

"A grimalkin pride. Think you can see the cat sith nursing that wound?"
I might.

"A child of the brood. One of her eldest. Ate one of the clergy. Might eat you."

I have my doubts.

"Couple of fetches."

This is not-

"A meanad."

Silence.

You're bluffing.

"That screeching you should have been hearing? Not fetch imitation. So now that I have your undivided attention, I would like you to sit down like a good beastie, listen to my friends, and maybe, just maybe, the throat stays whole. Understood?"

I repeat: You're bluffing.

"Your move then."

One tense moment.

That stretched on and on and on.

Ash kept the spear up, Lapin held very, very still. Amaltas did not so much as blink.

And the slowly, the unicorn lowered itself to the ground.

 

[Asmodeus]

The Aviary Gorge

He knew what must done; yet still he searched for alternatives. White-knuckled and pale-faced, Begis watched the Architect clear the hydraroot from the doorway, and prayed that something more presented itself. Something more than a single door on a cliff-side, locked by a maniac. The bridge and ledges around this entrance had long collapsed and the ground sheared to an unrelenting face. He would fall to oblivion, should Ilium forsake him.

The bee that carried Faina, Buhn and Kozoul pulled back, and the one bearing Begis moved no closer. They all knew: the wings of the bees would be too loud, and drown out his efforts. The healer would have to do this alone.

He sat high in the saddle, tucked his legs in, tensed his arms. Then he brought his feet up.

"Cloud mothers and maiden winds, guide true these wayward feet."

As thunder clapped he launched himself from the saddle, sailing through the air and colliding with the cliff-face. His hands found the iron handles of the door, his feet the paltry inches of doorstep that remained. He clung. Wind whipped around him, buffeting hair and clothes. He could hear the gasps of the others, the encouraging shouts of Faina lost to the storm.

He screwed his eyes shut, averting from the sight of the abyss below. Half groan, half snarl, Begis brought forth words and rattled the door with all his might. "ELIAS! ELIAS, LET US IN!"

Debris dropped his past him, jagged boulders scraping inches from his flesh. Lightning flashed. The bees were circling and dodging disaster, only Faina's daring to keep close to the stranded healer. They could not desert him; yet they could not help. His companions simply watched, helplessly, as Begis rattled the door and yelled.

And when his feet almost failed him... when his arms burned with acid... there came a muffled answer from within the mountain.

"Off with you, avian. I've said my piece."

"Master Elias!" Begis howled through the crack of the door. "Please! I can't hold on! Open the door."

"Best follow the others, boy. I've nothing for you."

"I'm not an avian. I can't--"

"Not an Avian? Then it's your own fault you're about to fall off a cliff."

"Please."

"Die quietly, will you?"

Begis felt tears streaming, half grief and half blindness. The wind snatched him like a phantom hand. His feet slipped out and left him dangling by the door handle. His heart raced as loud as the falling debris. He had to focus... he had to remember why Faina had chosen him.

His skills. His way with the labyrinthine mind. It was all that would save him.

"Master Elias Vunrii..." He got his feet back on the ledge, pressed his cheek to the door crack. "I'm a healer of Riven. The valkyries say you're mad, that you are in need of therapy."

Laughter bubbled behind the door. "Me? THEY'RE the ones who need therapy! I warned them of this very day. But I was just Tondeo, wasn't I? A broken bloodline! Why listen to a bird with mangled wings? Idiots."

"They told me you'd be cantankerous. That you went mad when your daughter became a whore. I'm here to stop you destroying the Aviary."

"DESTROYING?" The door almost shook with the inventor's outrage. "I am SAVING this city, you insolent child!"

"They told me you'd say that too. Please, Master Elias - stop breaking things. We have a home for you in the Riven Tree - a hospital where nurses can look after you. They can ease your addled mind."

"ADDLED MIND? YOU HAVE NO CONCEPTION OF WHAT I AM DOING IN HERE!"

"Be not shy. If you have soiled your bedsheets I will tell no one. You have my word."

"FALL TO YOUR DEATH, WOULD YOU? I DON'T HAVE TIME TO EXPLAIN MY WORK TO--"

"What?" Begis interrupted, "I can't hear you."

"I SAID - YOU HAVE NOT THE SLIGHTEST INKLING OF---"

"Come again? What was that?"

"Oh, by the twelve choirs!"

The doors flew inward, bringing Begis crashing to the floor of the workshop. The healer scrambled to safety and curled up as the wind howled after him. Meanwhile, the shadow of Elias Vunrii followed him and gesticulated wildly. "You stupid little tree-squirrel! Do you want to see what I am doing in here? I'll sh--" Elias stopped mid-rant and turned to look through the doorway.

A Great Bee, with a witch, an architect and a valkyrie, was hurtling towards him.

"HOLY FUCK!"

Hosian Outskirts

It was rangers to the west of Hosia who saw it first.

​

The storm clouds broke, and through them in fire and debris came the lower stones of the Aviary. Still clinging by gravitation to the main city, they painted shadows over villages and scattered animals. Some would watch in awe. Some would cry warnings.

And then the sun went out. The Aviary eclipsed the light and continued its inexorable descent. The lower rocks smashed into the canopy, tore through trees and blossomed into fire.

It was coming down, a straight collision course with the Prosperous Shore. The impact would decimate Hosia.

The rangers bolted eastwards, racing for the city limits, praying that they had time to warn the people.

The Stairway

On the underbelly of the Aviary, long spires stretched downwards through the clouds. The largest of these was the Staircase - a feature proud in the nightmares of children and the trials of adolescents. A hollow tube of stone, opening out to a murderous drop. And inside, on a metal wire, the enchanted birdcage where the Alate stone once sat. Suspended in the centre of the wind-tunnel shaft, the cage waited... for the hero above.

Having opened the doorway, which was no more than an elaborate trapdoor, Aerie stared down into the shaft and felt the suction of the winds. The climbing gear left by the thief still dangled, parallel to the metal wire. With Aerie's broken wing, it was perhaps her only hope now. She would not trust this task to the two behind her, who fussed now over the child and injured mother.

It was up to her.

"If I die," she murmured, perhaps to Adelita, perhaps to Nyashi, perhaps to the gods themselves, "I want my father buried alive beside me."

"AERIE!"

The shout came howling up the shaft, carried by the wind to collide with her. The avian reeled, then winced as an almighty sound of humming, like some infernal engine, blasted her ears. She squinted down and saw something coming up the staircase, from hundreds of feet below, its silhouette against the stormclouds.

"This is getting ridiculous!"

She scowled at the Riven Great Bee that was now crawling up the inside of the Staircase, clinging to the smooth sides with its feet. On top of it, roped into the saddle, were her next entourage of weird companions.

"Aerie Vunrii!" yelled an armoured avian - probably a valkyrie - from the middle of the saddle. "We are here to aid you!"

"Am I dropping breadcrumbs or something?" Aerie's retort was equally loud in the stone shaft.

"Your f-f-father told us w-where to find you!" The Bee's helmsman seemed very shaken by all this, and was more interested in steering the bee than being interrogated.

"And where the hell is my father?"

"With Begis."

The third passenger on the bee, a young tattooed girl, leant out from the saddle and added. "Having tea."

"Whut?"

"Begis was a little shaken, and your father wanted to explain something to him. They're still talking." The girl was chatty. Aerie hated her already.

The Great Bee came to rest at the mid-point of the shaft wall, its riders half-dangling from the saddle with their heads towards the Alate Cage. They were still over twenty feet away from it. But at least if Aerie fell she could aim for them and possibly earn a soft, furry, pollen-sticky landing. "That's wonderful. Can you go away now?"

"We're here to help."

"Oh shit."

Kozoul cast a light enchantment that wreathed the shaft in honeyed yellow. And while Buhnwanah kept the bee calm, Valkyrie Faina twisted from her straps and spread her wings in readiness. She peered up at Aerie.

"What do we need to do?"

Beyond the open bottom of the Staircase, the outlying villages of Hosia were coming into view. The shadow of the Aviary was falling over them.

 

[Saphen]

Ash of the Heartwood

Ash listened to the unicorn, his mind focused on keeping it busy and so he let it speak in length...like it always did. The undertaker remained silent, listening as Amaltas explained his story in gruesome detail. Monsters always loved to roll around in their filth and Amaltas was no different. Such taunts and jeers did not phase Ash, his instincts were strong and he kept his spear head well aimed. If the creature should pounce he would slam it straight into it's neck, but even forethought couldn't stop him from flinching when the unicorn stomped forward.

Ash poised himself for battle but in a flash Lapin had found solace behind the head of the beast, her weapon threateningly close to his neck. It only took a few moments but the Kindly One had subdued Amaltas, forcing him to sit down. Ash eyed Lapin, she nodded in return, and it was then and only then that Ash spoke.

"Your words are wind Amaltas, it matters not what strength you have in this life monster. You can kill me if you wish but death comes for all of us and you are no exception." His skin glowed, heat began to permeate from his pours, and his eyes became white.

"You will become dust for what you have done there is no escaping it. You twist those who seek solace in death and death will never forgive you for this. I take no word of Kin lightly, no contract of Ilium without thought but I vow this to you. You will pay in full for your treachery whether I live to see it or not. Death will trample you like the maggot you truly are!" Flames flared off his shoulders and neck like the mane of a lion, the prey had now become the predator. Ash stomped his own hooves as he stared at Amaltas with a hatred that had long since festered.

Once Ash finished his vow the flames subsided, his breathing evened, and his intent became clear. "But until that day Amaltas you will do something useful with your miserable life. You are going to help Ironblood with what ever she asks of you. And if you so much as think of harming her ever again I will personally burn a hole through your chest and rip out that puss filled filth you call a heart. Do you understand?"

Ash was not normally this angry, the undertaker was typically cool and collected but too much was going through his mind. The thought of him killing Cora was almost maddening and his Aux could feel his fury spreading like a forest fire.

She moved closer to Ironblood and whispered to her "Please...if you don't speak to him... he is not himself. He will try to kill this creature I no longer have any sway over him he has blocked me out." Cora stared at Ironblood the way a child would a parent, she had no other options...no time left.

Ash gripped his spear tightly, lowering his body as he began to walk towards the unicorn. Lapin flashed Ironblood a look of concern, she was unable to stop him she had to keep Amaltas from moving. Tension was thick in the air as Ash prepared to destroy the very life that he held sacred.

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