Chapter 4: New Beginnings 4

Elania watched warily as the red-winged woman descended. The stranger landed gracefully, her piercing gaze fixed upon Elania and Yolani. Elania quickly scanned the woman with [System Analysis].

[Demi-Divine - Human - Level 1198]

“Are you one of the Four Towers?” Elania asked.

The woman drew herself up to her full height, wings flaring out behind her. “I am Ember, the Crimson Aegis,” she declared.

Elania struggled to keep a straight face. Were all demi-divines this dramatic? She couldn’t help but wonder if they were all just edgy teenagers in disguise, playing at being superheroes.

Ember’s eyes narrowed, her gaze boring into Elania. “I’ll ask you again,” she said. “What are you doing here?”

Elania held her ground, meeting Ember’s stare with a calm, even gaze. “We were just exploring,” she explained, gesturing to the surrounding countryside. “Enjoying the outdoors, you know?”

Ember’s expression remained stony, and her lips pressed into a thin line. It was clear that Elania’s answer had done little to appease her.

“Your actions have created panic and disturbance in the city,” Ember stated. “And every telescope in the city is probably pointed here at the moment, watching your little… frolicking.”

Elania’s cheeks burned. She glanced at Yolani, seeing the same emotions reflected in her lover’s eyes.

“Please understand,” Yolani said. “This is the first time I’ve been above ground. The outdoors just called to us.”

Ember’s eyes remained cold and calculating. “While Arlois may have granted you refuge, it doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want,” she said. “There will be a penalty for causing this disturbance.”

Elania’s eyes flashed with anger. “Now, hold on just a minute,” she objected, taking a step forward. “We didn’t mean any harm. Surely there’s no need for—”

“What can you do to object, Spark?” Ember interrupted, voice dripping with contempt.

Elania felt her power surge within her, the urge to lash out at Ember almost overwhelming. But before she could act, Yolani stepped between them, her hand coming to rest on Elania’s shoulder.

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Yolani remained calm and measured. “What would the penalty be? Surely we can come to an understanding without resorting to violence.”

Ember turned her attention to Yolani, her expression softening ever so slightly. “The penalty could be some hours of community service,” Ember said, appraising Yolani with a newfound interest. “I could use a Priestess of Artifice to assist with some work maintaining the city. That could serve as your punishment.”

Elania's hackles rose, but Yolani’s hand remained firm.

“As long as it doesn’t interfere with my duties to Elania and the hours aren’t excessive or disruptive, I would be happy to help,” Yolani said. “Even without it being a ‘punishment.’”

Ember’s eyes widened, surprise flickering across her face before she quickly schooled her features. “Very well,” she agreed, nodding slowly. “I accept your offer.”

Elania glanced at Yolani, a questioning look in her eyes, but Yolani merely shrugged, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips.

Through their conduit, she faintly felt Yolani’s emotions, a mixture of relief and excitement. Maybe this was an opportunity to learn and gain new information about Contia and its inner workings.

Yolani had made her decision, and Elania trusted her judgment. She just hoped that this “community service” wouldn’t put Yolani in any danger. If it did…

They would all revisit the issue.

“You will both return to the city with me before you can cause any more trouble,” Ember said.

“Are we banned from the surface?” Yolani asked.

Ember shook her head. “No, but until the people know who you are, you should remain less… conspicuous. Returning will require a reworking of the protections, which can’t be done easily. As it is, the entire city’s military has been forced to be on alert since you left. Now, let us go.”

The red-winged woman left no room for argument, and Elania picked up Yolani and begrudgingly followed.

“Excessive celestial flight around the city should be kept formal and non-recreational,” the Crimson Aegis stated.

Frustration surged within Elania at the oppressive rules, the weight of Contia’s expectations pressing down on her.

She glanced at Yolani, seeing the same resigned acceptance in her lover’s eyes. They both knew that they couldn’t simply do as they pleased if they wanted to fit in.

“Why is that a rule?” Elania asked. There had to be a reason for the restriction that made sense. If it was more bureaucratic bullshit…

Ember’s gaze remained fixed ahead. “Other demi-divine could attack,” she explained. “And since you’re not a Tower, it’s difficult for anyone to determine if you’re friend or foe.”

Elania mulled over Ember’s words. “Are the other Towers color-coded, too?” she asked without thinking.

Ember frowned, her eyes narrowing as she glanced at Elania. “There are four of us. You’ve already met our leader, Arlois, the Purple Wing. Then there’s Lyra, the Sapphire Shroud, and Elysia, the Emerald Mantle.”

As Ember described the other Towers, Yolani’s interest piqued. “Does the Celestial Engine power the city’s flight or is it some sort of artifice mana battery?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

A smile tugged at the corners of Ember’s lips. “It’s a mix of both. The Celestial Engine draws power from the people, which in turn powers the flight engines spaced throughout the city.”

Elania zoned out as Yolani and Ember delved into the specifics of artifice, their conversation becoming increasingly technical. Her thoughts drifted to the challenges ahead as they made their way back to Contia.