SOREN

Hurry now. There’s not much time. He approaches.

Tipping into a steep dive, I went face-first into the blackness. The wintery wind battered my face.

A seemingly endless drop through the great chasm greeted me. My wings tucked into my body, arms stretched out in front, as I plunged ever deeper into the heart of the world. Not bothering to open my eyes, I used my other sight to steer me through the other flying bodies. Downward and downward I flew; a star fallen from the surface world.

The harsh transition of the bitter snowy cold of a Luradian winter to the radiant heat of the forgotten reaches under it was not a pleasant one. The rapid temperature change made my limbs feel like they were catching fire.

Still I dove, flying straight past the hundreds of floors and caverns to the deepest part of the known world.

The Source Chasm.

Soren, came her call again as I passed underground fields of lichen, clanks of metal being refined, and the thunderous sounds of hammers being driven into stone. I flew past the floors that contained the markets. Contained the mines. Contained homes.

But I passed them all as fast as gravity would take me. There was only one place I wanted to be.

I snapped my wings open right where the chasm met its end. My body tipped parallel to the floor as I glided to the grand doors of the council chamber. Though I had been here several times, I couldn’t help but expand my sight one more time to the beautiful room around me.

The bottom floor, called Tier One, was as large as any castle the humans had ever built. It was a dome-like space with one section walled off in intricate crystal and stone. Fifty-foot doors guarded the private entrance to the council chambers. Similar doors stood across the space, leading to the Empire chambers. The apex of the domed space was open all the way to the surface miles above. A small stream of sunlight trickled in from above.

My feet made the barest whisper when I touched down in the inner council chamber, still not bothering to open my eyes. I rarely used them anyway.

Nonetheless, I saw everything.

Soren. Welcome home.

Empress Tiradel’s voice, strong yet gentle, whispered across my mind as I stood sentry by her side. Bowing my head, I placed two clawed fingers over the base of my throat. As per our custom.

How may I serve you, Empress?

In the same thought, I pressed into my Sight. Not the inferior physical sight as surface-landers used, but my Source Sight instead. A gift that I was very proud of. Even among my kin it was a rarity.

The energies of the walls and the very air itself spoke to me. And I spoke back to them, allowing me to see everything.

The wood and steel council table in the center of the room.

The Nadurat Guard stood with me in the corners, silent as shadows.

It even told me the way the torchlight danced across the stone and wood. The pale glow of the crystals reaching from floor to high ceiling near the door.

But most important of all, my Sight showed the Empress. She was seated on her throne as if nothing were more natural.

Her head swiveled to me, silvery hair braided in a coil at the base of her neck. Clouded gray eyes stared out beneath curved black horns from either side of her skull. She was dressed much the same as her Nadurat Guard. Reinforced black leather armor, source steel bracers, and a bow laid across her lap like a loyal pet. A quiver containing Source arrows was leaned against the base of her throne. The weapons showed signs of their former use. Small scratches and dents were littered across their surfaces like scars. Still, like their mistress, they were beautiful.

I frowned as I focused on her more fully. I could see the tension in her no matter how she tried to hide it. It had been growing ever since the message from Skywater came that the King would be coming to Fonte Shiata.

Her voice rang in my mind again.

Have you found the other scouts from the surface?

I shook my head.

No, Empress. My apologies. I know only rumors from my own journey.

Her grip tightened on her bow.

Which are?

Hesitating I chose my words carefully.

The humans are said to have made a weapon, Empress. A weapon capable of wielding Elemancer power. And-

I stopped myself, mindful of what my report may cause. Empress Tiradel’s mouth formed a thin line.

And… she asked. Not a question. An order.

And the King is preparing for war, Empress. His armies gather, and Elemancers and Deified alike are dying.

She narrowed her eyes.

Are they not immortal?

I tucked my wings behind my back, seeking the heat of the stone wall.

They are supposed to be, but apparently, there is one who can overcome that barrier.

Fighting the urge to fidget, I shook my head and clenched my hands behind me.

But these are only rumors from a mere day of scouting. I have my doubts that they are true.

She didn’t answer me, her attention instead snapping to the grand door at the entrance to the chamber. Less than a second later I knew why.

The King of Luradia had finally arrived to Story One of the Source Chasm.

Why were Surface-landers so loud?

Metal armor clanked along with heavy footsteps as they finally entered the chamber. I pulled my sight back to hold off the pounding in my head. Even those among my kin who were completely blind would know they were coming.

Empress Tiradel leaned forward on her throne, her brow creasing.

This wasn’t the king.

A female Elemancer stood at the head of the group along with a human man, a mixture of guards bearing the royal sigal behind them. Their faces were all pale as they glanced back at the thousands of stairs they had used to come down here. Their legs were shaking with more than fatigue though. No doubt their surface-lander eyes could barely see anything down here. Hands clenched their strange weapons of fire and steel. Some wore swords at their back, but all had the barrels of pistols at their belts.

“Well then,” Empress Tiradel said with an amused glance at the Elemancer female, “The king of Luradia has a few more curves than I expected him to have.”

The Elemancer narrowed her eyes at my Empress, clearly unamused. Her long white hair seemed to glow over her black skin. And yes. Those signature eyes the color of fire coals burned white hot.

She too wore the royal sigil, a flame encased in ice. But instead of armor, hers was embossed on a steel gray cloak. Another symbol of a winged black horse was fanned out on the back. Her skin bore the distinctive tattoos of Elemancy power, scarcely visible above the cloak.

The man, like the guards, wore armor under his matching cloak. He gave a singular look to his lead companion, who lifted her chin.

She cleared her throat.

“Your king,” she began with a weighted look at my Empress, “Sends his greetings to you, Councilwoman Tiradel. I am Suhin, Councilwoman and Elemancer emissary of Skywater.”

She waved to the human man next to her. I wondered if he had some beast-kin in him because he resembled a white bear more than a man with his thick white beard covering most of his face.

“And this is Herald Surak, Hand of the King.”

The man’s only response was a curt nod.

I was happy for my concealment in the darkness of the edges of the room. The Nadurate guard and I bristled as the arrogant female spoke, not missing the emphasis on her use of “Councilwoman’ instead of “Empress”.

Thankfully, Tiradel did not react to the slight.

She leaned back in her throne, staying relaxed as she gazed at the visitors.

“You, a member of the High Council, deign to descend the True Mountains? This must be important. What an honor, it is,” Tiradel replied with a hint of sarcasm.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

She sent them a close-lipped smile before continuing.

“So, what does the king of Luradia’s emissary party want with me?” she asked politely. Her voice sounded so strange aloud. It was so much colder than the telepathy our people normally used.

“Your shipment of source steel is late, and we require it. Now,” said the Elemancer bluntly, standing to her full height.

A low laugh came from Empress Tiradel.

“It's a pity then” she began, her fingers drumming lightly on her bow, “that the royal family has not signed our trade agreement.”

The Nadurat guards were moving now, fanning all the way around the room. They were so swift and silent that even I had trouble tracking them. I stayed by the Empress’s side, still unseen in the darkness.

Herald’s thick beard twitched down, his eyes hard. Suhin’s tattoos glowed for a slight moment.

“It is not trading if it occurs in his own territory,” said Herald, speaking for the first time. Even his voice was like a bear. Every word was a growl.

Empress Tiradel’s brows raised.

“Oh? Did he discover his own Source mine then? Surely you do not speak of my city.”

Suhin stepped forward.

“Must we speak of this again? Your request to secede was denied. You dare to claim this miserable hole as your city, Tiradel?” she asked, tattoos glowing a bright red now. I didn’t dare to breathe as the Nadurate guard closed ranks around the visitors. Their gazes remained locked on the Empress, oblivious to the danger mere inches from them.

Tiradel nodded, raising her chin.

“My apologies. I have failed to communicate effectively,” Empress Tiradel said. Her tone was light, but every line of her posture was hard. Her bow creaked in her grip. Her spine was straight.

“I was notifying your king, from one monarch to another, that we are seceeding. I was not asking for permission.”

“Treason!” hissed Herald, his hand grasping his sworn. Suhin curled her fingers like talons, the tattoos pulsing with energy. Sparks began to glow at her fingertips.

They were too busy to see a hand go around one of their guard’s mouths, sharp nails piercing his throat. His eyes widened as he was silently drawn into the shadows.

“So all pretenses of keeping the treaty your people set in place are gone!” said Herald, his shoulders bunching as Suhin continued the trail of sparks at her fingers.

Tiradel’s smile turned feline.

“Promises made by my forebears mean nothing to me. Especially when those promises condemn my people to a fate close to slavery,” replied Tiradel in a lethal quiet.

“Calm yourself, Herald,” said Suhin, though fire now encased her fingers, “We should not waste breath trying to teach a Gray Eyes about honor and duty.”

We all jumped as Tiradel let out a full laugh now, her head going back.

“Ha! I will not be lectured by a race that enslaved humans until recently. You'll have to do better than that,” she said leaning her head into her hand.

“Tell me. What was it like to lose a war with the humans? Of all the races!” she said with a few more low laughs.

Another guard was pulled into the shadows. Then another.

“You tread a dangerous line, Tiradel,” Suhin fired back, “This is an act of war.”

She mounted a single step toward the throne.

“The next time you see us, there will be an army at our backs.”

Another step. Her head was above Tiradel’s now. My Empress didn’t move an inch, instead gazing at the Elemancer like she was nothing more than a spoiled child having a tantrum.

“But if you drop this charade of becoming independent, then we can all put this behind us. Submit control of Source Chasm to the High Council, and all will be forgiven.”

I tensed. Suhin could reach out and touch Tiradel now, her hands still aflame. The light nearly reached my hiding spot. I curled my fingers, the nails elongating into claws, and prepared to strike.

No, came Tiradel’s voice. That alone stayed my hands.

The Empress took her time gazing up into the Elemancer woman’s face. Her head was still leaning on her hand.

“War? An army?” Tiradel asked, and as she did, her gaze lingered on the singular entrance to Fonte Shiata miles above. She seemed to take in the thousands of feet of open air. A daunting drop for anyone not blessed with wings. Then her eyes strayed to the much-abused stone stairs which spiraled up the space. They were built nearly a hundred years ago specifically for visits from surface-landers, but they were used so rarely that little effort was put into maintaining them. They were only wide enough for one person, and several of the stairs had fallen sections out of them.

The thought of an army storming the place using only those pitiful stairs…

“You can try,” said Empress Tiradel with a patronizing look at the Elemancer, who flushed. The flames in her fists grew bigger. Herald ascended the stairs as well to stand beside her, sword still in hand.

“Well, since you are a confirmed traitor,” he said and, without taking his eyes off the Empress, signaled the other guards to attack.

He didn’t even get to finish the gesture.

“I have three questions for you,” said Tiradel before he could draw his sword fully. He paused, some amusement entering his eyes.

“Oh?” he asked.

Tirade raised one finger.

“Question one. Has the king suddenly stopped needing Source Steel? This mine will not run without me,” she said, reclining in her throne.

A second finger went up.

“Question two. Are these not my chambers and my guards?”

Taking the cue, I and the Nadurate guard stepped out of the shadows. Suhin and Herald jumped as they saw us for the first time, seeing how outnumbered they were.

A third finger.

“Question three. Where do you think your guards have gone?”

Herald and Suhin growled quietly as they glanced throughout the room. Not a single guard was left standing.

“Now then,” said Tiradel, standing at last, “Do not insult my intelligence by further deceptions. You and I both know the true reason you are desperate to keep this territory under your thumb.”

She leaned in close to them as if explaining a secret.

“And it has nothing to do with steel. You seek something far darker, and far fouler from my realm.”

“We serve the crown of all life, and the crown alone!” cried Suhin. The light of her flames reflected in Tiradel’s eyes and cast a red glow on her horns.

Tiradel raised a brow at her and then glanced at a single Nadurate guard.

Thud.

A body landed in the middle of the council chamber. A body clad in a matching cloak to Herald and Suhin. The winged black horse emblem was soaked in blood.

“You and your cult will not be tolerated in my city anymore,” said Tiradel as Suhin and Herald stared fixedly at the body.

“I have grown tired of your ilk trying to break into places best left forgotten. No matter how many we kill, you keep trying,” Tiradel said, all amusement gone. She waved at the body.

“No more. Tell this to the rest.”

They settled into silence, Herald and Suhin looking at Tiradel with the deepest of loathing. Finally, Tiradel smirked at them.

“You may both go. I suggest you return to your king before this pretense of trading in Source Steel runs thin. If you surface-landers wish to tear yourselves apart with war and betrayal, then by all means, do so. But leave my realm out of it.”

She gestured at the bottom of the thousands of stairs leading to the surface.

“And do be careful on the steps. I hear the fall is quite unforgiving.”

A final glance at the body.

“Just ask your friend.”

Her voice echoed in the hall, the clink of Herald’s sword and the crackle of the fire the only sound. Suhin and Herald’s eyes met, and something seemed to pass between them. We tensed, ready for anything.

Then, as one, they turned to go. Some of the Nadurate Guard trailed behind them.

Soren, came her voice as the visitors ascended the first steps. I bowed my head again with two fingers at my neck.

You spoke of a rumor of a being capable of killing Elemancers and Deified. And then there’s this weapon to consider.

I nodded, tucking my wings further behind my back. Every muscle in my body felt like a spring.

Find them.

I went still.

Empress, my sight has limits–

Then allow me to extend them.

She turned toward me, placing a hand over my heart. She closed her eyes, and suddenly I felt her sight extending toward mine. They met, and the energy I felt was unlike any before. Suddenly I didn’t just want to see. I had to see. I had to know everything. Right now. This very moment.

Laying a hand against the smooth stone at my back, I reached out with my Sight again. My Empress’s and mine.

Further.

Further still.

More Gray Eyes flew in the cavern. I soared past the sight of Suhin and Herald panting their way up the stairs. I flew past Gray Eyes gliding in the caverns, creatures hiding in twists and turns of the corridors. I reached to the energies themselves, asking for the source of the chaos.

There had been a shift in the balances of the world. Some struggled. Some dominated. I felt it before, but now I saw it. Like stepping into another world, invisible under our own.

And it was terrifying.

Cords of twisting energy coiled before me in every color imaginable. All dazzling.

An invisible web once hidden to even me.

There! A thread lay hidden among the masses. But instead of giving off a gentle glow, this one throbbed.

I tried to push into it further but recoiled. This thread was old. Very old. Trying to identify it was like touching a fire to see how hot it was. An ancient energy, long since sleeping, now awakening.

I paused, furrowing my brow as I tried to make sense of the chaotic patterns of energy ebbing and flowing. Even with the Empress’ help it fought me. Shying away like a wounded animal one moment, then charging and forcing me to retreat the next.

My breath hitched as I finally was able to follow its rhythm.

My knees shook, and I fought to stay on my feet. I snatched my hand back from the wall as if it were a viper. But Tiradel’s hand crushed over mine, forcing it back. Sweat broke out of my skin.

It is hungry and…angry.

Track it, Soren.

My body nearly failed, but I pushed farther. Grabbing hold of that cord and using it to guide across country. Across the True Mountains. Across the Yari. Across field and cattle. The snow was so vivid that I could feel the chill of it. I forgot where I was, giving myself fully to that thread.

And then, finally, it veered toward a town near the bending river. I even saw the town’s sign.

Tumblend.

But it veered again.

I followed it into a forest of tall trees. Thunderwood trees. An Ethereal forest.

I had never been able to see this far, but the image was so clear.

The thread led to a clearing in the forest.

A man with red hair, Elemancy tattoos trailing up his arms, stood before two graves side by side. One seemed freshly dug, the ground still uneven where he had pressed sod in. He was using a chisel to carve words on the arch marking the second grave. I even saw that.

Rowena McAlister.

1821-1855

But someone was coming. The thread was pulling further. Further. And-

My knees buckled. Sweat now soaked my skin, and my Empress sank with me. And then I was back in Fonte Shiata. I felt hands on us both, supporting us and helping us back to our feet. The Nadurate. Everything around me was a haze. I needed to rest, but Empress Tiradel’s voice whispered across my mind one more time before we both fell unconscious.

Bring him to me.