The doors were heavy. Liris had leaned into them, pushing hard. As their equilibrium was overcome, the pressure had lightened, drastically and suddenly. The chamber, for you wouldn't dare stoop to refer to it as a room, was large. Not overly so, the long table and ornate chairs fit the space, but just enough to boast a dignified echo. Five figures were seated behind the table. Liris didn't recognize any of them besides Ingvoth. Cealia was also there, standing off to the side next to a pillar. Oh right, there were pillars. Three on each side leading up to the table forming an implied path. Stone was everywhere, as per usual. Besides a golden rug that led way between the pillars and stopped just short of the table, there was no color. That was, if you didn't count the finery the figures were adorned with.

All six heads turned sharply as Liris tumbled through the doorway.

Planting a foot on the rug to regain her stability only made things worse. It caught her weight to be sure, but the floor was very smooth. The rug slid away from her, bunching up. Arms extended, Liris balanced precariously on one foot as the doors swung shut behind her. That was how she discovered the echo.

Cealia tilted her head, expression unreadable. The others were very clear. Annoyance was the least offensive. Ingvoth seemed amused, was that better or worse? The two others wore disgust. Balance restored, Liris straightened the rug behind her with one foot. Or rather, she attempted to. Giving up, she stood still and tried to will the heat to leave her face.

"Esteemed members of the council, this is our newest Unique, Liris. As is present on the parchment before you, she was tested earlier today with quite an interesting conclusion."

Cealia gave the introduction without turning, still facing Liris. With a minute hand gesture, hidden from the council's view, she motioned Liris to draw closer. Each step along the rug felt much farther than it was in actuality. Stopping a short distance from the table, Liris caught a small nod from Cealia with her peripheral vision. As if she had reached a magical barrier, Cealia turned and bowed towards the table.

The man farthest on the left, dressed in a thick blue robe and silver circlet, waved his hand impatiently.

"Of course." A slight incline of her head. Gesturing to the one on the left, Cealia projected her voice. "Liris, allow me to introduce you. Treasurer Chareth..."

So that was the man in blue. He was old, or young with far too much stress. Silver specks peeked out from a full beard.

"...Strategist Anrsa..."

A cold, calculating face, all angles. Straight brown hair, pressed clothing in a style that felt sharp, even from this far away. Intensity radiated from her, even the council members didn't seem immune.

"...Guardian Nestor..."

At the center, he appeared far too lax, especially for a Telepath. His clothing was not any less ornate than those around him, but he wore it with an air of casualness that stood out all the more. He was young, though far older than she was.

"...Keeper Ingvoth, who I believe you have already met..."

So that was Ingvoth. Her mental picture matched perfectly. Loud clothing, rings on every finger, the definition of ostentatious. Was that all he was? Or was it just a front? If this was a persona then he played it to perfection.

"...and lastly my mentor, Empath Jarot."

If Chareth was old, then Jarot was ancient. His wizened hands rested on the polished table. In fact, that was also how he sat, merely resting. His face had been assaulted by the years, marred and sallow. His eyes however, were by far the kindest she had seen.

Without further elaboration, Cealia stepped back and returned to silence. Liris could feel the full weight of personality as she was studied. Dearly hoping they couldn't hear her heart pounding, she focused on the soft rug underfoot. Actually, that was a horrible thing to focus on. Instead, she stared above their heads and traced the edges of each stone block with her eyes. Chareth's voice shattered the trance and almost pulled them away.

"I suppose we might as well start." He leafed through several parchments and glanced at Cealia. "We have confirmed it is safe to proceed?"

"Yes sir. As far as we are aware."

"Very well then. Liris." Now her vision refused to be controlled. "Demonstrate your ability for us."

This is why she was summoned? To be their entertainment for the evening? Being commanded at a whim was revolting. She had half a mind to refuse and dare them to make her. However, from his expression and the rest of the council's, besides the bored Nestor, this wasn't a polite request. Not bothering to contain her heartbeat, she let it run free. The air was filled with perfumes and unknown scents, all threatening to drive a wedge into her head. Hands at her sides, she pressed them tightly against her legs. This was it, she had to visit the nightmare once more. Blocking out every sensation possible, she inhaled...and contracted that new muscle.

~,’~,’~,’~,’~,’~,’~

Empty again. As before, that was the first thing that touched her awareness. This time, she opened her eyes much sooner. Motes of colors danced in slow motion, deep in the void. She turned around. It was the same. Wait, not exactly...the specks of light were different. They drifted identically, but they weren't a copy. How far did it go? Infinity cast its shadow upon her in all its grandeur.

Trying not to collapse under its weight, Liris looked down. The rocks were there, was she expecting something else? Carefully, so carefully, she reached down and ran her hand across their ridges. Wait, were they identical? They hadn't been before, she was sure of that much. Was this an omen?

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Holding her breath, she picked one up and straightened. Such an odd shape. Two tall triangles sharing the same base. The points on both ends were sharp, dreadfully so. Even the edges were painful to touch. The material reminded her of glass, but clouded and devoid of color. Two drops of blood, maybe sharp was an understatement, rolled down one side. Fascinating, it didn't absorb the liquid.

She flung it away, over the edge. Yes, that unsettling edge remained. Liris ignored its slight, but obvious, contraction and expansion. The rock, shard...whatever it was, fell slowly. Come to think of it, she had never timed the rate at which strange rocks fell, but something felt off. It gradually picked up speed and disappeared below that 'breathing edge' Liris shuddered. This was not right.

Other oddities became apparent. Her head felt lighter. Actually, everything felt lighter. She swung her arms. Nausea crept up within. Everything was wrong. She crushed the space at the center of her mind.

~,’~,’~,’~,’~,’~,’~

Normality regained. If having a council member standing three feet in front of you counted as 'normality'. She jumped. So did he. Nestor recovered faster, taking a step back.

"Incredible." He turned to Jarot who was also now on his feet. "I assume you felt it as well?"

"Indeed. Most curious."

Liris gulped.

"Ah, what is?"

"Why, you of course. Or rather, your ability." Nestor silently tapped out a pattern with one hand. "Not to discredit Cealia, but we could hardly believe you would disappear from all our senses. Our first theory was a shielding or stealth ability that directly countered Empaths. I didn't sense you either so that rules that out. I even walked through where you were standing and felt nothing."

Anrsa joined in, elbows on the table supporting her hands, and as a result, her head. "Not incorporeal then. Or invisibility. Tell me, girl. How long were you gone?"

"I'm not sure. A few moments?"

"I need to know precisely. Think!"

"Uh...a minute at most?"

Anrsa's expression brightened, yet somehow not gaining any warmth. "So it is the same. Are you removed from existence? Time seems to run in parallel...another dimension? Though your perception wasn't affected...strange. How often and quickly are you able to vanish?"

"How would I know?"

"I wasn't speaking to you. Obviously. How could you know? You only just Awoke. Don't be stupid."

"I'm...sorry?"

"Are you positive you felt nothing at all, Nestor?"

"Not a thing."

"Hmm...and you said there were stones. Did you notice anything else?"

Liris stood waiting, as patently as she could. Anrsa was staring into her soul. Wait, was this an actual question?

"Me?"

"Who else?"

"Oh, um...the stones were different, sharper. And, I threw one off the side." Liris cringed in fear. Was that dangerous? Some unwritten rule they had failed to inform her of?

"And?"

"Well, it fell."

"Astonishing. Why don't you explain it to me in excruciating detail."

"Okay, so as I tossed-"

"Seriously?" Anrsa gestured to Liris's head. "Are you all-" She turned to Cealia. "Is she all there?"

Cealia was a statue. Withering under the insult, Liris jumped again as Ingvoth cleared his throat.

"Wonderful, wonderful. Really quite an amazing display and I'm sure you will be a boon to the Spire. I see bright days in your future Lirees, bright days. Come by my office sometime next week and I'll give you a few assignments, there is always much to be done around here! I have the utmost confidence you will soon grow accustomed to your new responsibilities."

A smile. He was in desperate need of lessons from Cealia. Responsibilities? She decided to tear the plaster off the wound.

"What do you want from me?"

Silence fell, even heavier. Cealia hesitated before stepping forward.

"Esteemed Ingvoth, we have not reached that point in our conversations as of yet."

"You haven't? Then allow me!"

"I'm sure it would be-"

"You see, Leers was it? You have joined the esteemed company of the Uniques! While there are many who manage various elements of keeping our city moving, Uniques play...well a unique part! Your skills must fit into the grand puzzle in some way or another. You'll figure it out in time. But, there's an even greater opportunity! War is approaching and the other cities are doubtless training their own Uniques as we speak. Take heart! You won't be standing alone!"

War?! Again? But the last one was only a year ago! Terror reached for her. No...they couldn't expect her to...no!

"I won't fight."

Had she said that aloud? By the shocked expressions on all sides, she most definitely had.

"Won't fight? That's preposterous! Do you wish for our city to be overrun? Our goods to be stolen away at cost? Chareth, explain to her the idiocy of such a statement!"

The implications...she would have to fight? Had they looked at her? Strength was as far from her as the sun from the night. Cealia's aura of tranquility was cracking. A small comfort. It all made sense now. Outrageous stipends, lodging in the Spire, training. None of it mattered if she was to die soon. They couldn't force her that far, she'd rather fade into the Brume. Jarot intruded on her spiraling.

"Do forgive us, Liris. Ingvoth often allows his mouth to run ahead. Allow me an attempt."

She could feel herself trembling, she nodded all the same. Surely it couldn't get any worse.

"This city was built by many, long ago. It stands and protects those who will build the next. Every building requires care to maintain its strength and that is what we ask of you. It is not a light burden to bear, but it will not be carried alone. Time is also on your side. You are young, fate moves strangely. Perhaps your ability is unbecoming for battle. Trainers and aids are still important. Think also of the ones you hold dear. They do not wish to be ruled by outsiders any more than you or I. The difference lies in wherewithal. Here you are, able to stand when they are not. Will you stand well?"

What could she say? This was base manipulation...but also true? If her life was to be used beyond her control, was it not better that it be used for a good cause? A war...she would fail miserably and cause a cascade of misfortune. She was sure of it, down to her core.

"I'll do what I must." And not a fraction more.