The council building’s inside was a stark contrast to the outside. While the building’s outer appearance was small, unassuming, and simple, inside was large, grand, and complex. Even the entrance was a stark contrast between the two, as the outer stone made way to a grand foyer and hall that led to a stairwell. Black stone paved the path forward as the air itself seemed to weigh down on those that came within, while the walls seemed to funnel people in and stretch longer than it could possibly be. The ceiling was more black stone, but while the floor had a small shine to it that illuminated the hall, the ceiling was a void. It was unsettling to look at for long, even for people that worshiped shadows.
Umi shuddered as she slowly trudged forward. Her body was weighed down by the sheer pressure of the atmosphere as each step felt like trudging through mud with weights on her arms and legs. The pressure was slightly suffocating, but Umi managed to bear with the pressure.
Vio was not spared from the entrance’s weird effects, but for her it was much different. For her, it was akin to a gentle but firm hand on her shoulder; not enough to impede her movement, but enough to be an obstacle if she attempted to go beyond her current position.
This feeling only grew as the two made it to the stairs, and Umi braced herself on the railing that led into the darkness.
“Why is the air so heavy?” Vio asked, more curious to what she felt, than annoyed at the weak binds.
“The council’s not in a great mood after hearing about the cracks. This is just a side effect.”
“Oh. . . so the funny feeling will leave once we explain everything?”
“I doubt it.” Umi said as she made it to the bottom where a heavy steel door sat. “Now, try to leave everything to me, okay?” She didn’t wait for an answer as she knocked on the door.
Vio still nodded as a booming voice came from the other side and the pressure increased, suddenly forcing Umi to a knee as she had to readjust.
“WHO DISTURBS THE COUNCIL NOW?”
Umi took a breath in as she stood to full height, projecting a small barrier around her to mitigate the aura’s pressure. “This is Umi, head mage for the Monolith research. We have news of the situation.”
“Good, I hope.”
“A little of column A, and a little of Column B.”
There was movement on the other side of the door as it unlocked and opened, allowing the two to enter into the inner sanctum. Unlike the suffocating dark that was the pathway in, this room was like a night sky of old. Dark blue light came down from motes on the ceiling, illuminating the council as they sat in basic chairs made of stone with silk cushions. Umi beckoned Vio to stay close as the voice spoke again, now placed with a large mountain of a man with a light presence besides his imposing size. This was Furis, who looked down to Umi as he sat, having closed the distance in mere seconds.
“SO WHAT, ehrm, So what news have you, Umi?” He asked, adjusting his volume as the council looked at her.
“There is no easy way to say this. . . but I have brought the Monolith here.”
The pressure that had filled the room had faded for a split second as the entire council blinked and attempted to process the information and fail miserably.
“I’m sorry, I’m gonna need you to say that again, in plain speak.” Furis said as the pressure returned in full force, smashing through Umi’s barrier and bringing her to a knee.
“T-t-the Monolith was a m-massive Void Stone. It’s reached its limit and now s-stands before you.” Umi stammered out, the pressure for the area now focused on her made it difficult to speak, let alone explain properly.
Yet the council failed to notice as the culmination of the recent events came to influence their power. This only became more apparent as the next member of the council made herself known. A snow-white, rabbit therianthrope clad in ice spoke in a low, even tone.
“You mean to tell us the child behind you is the Monolith?”
“Y-yes, Ma’am Lumi.” Umi breathed out as she attempted to focus and fight through the intense pressure to no avail. Vio noticed but held her tongue, even as the pressure started to bear down on her.
“Such a ridiculous proposition, but stranger thi-”
“Don’t tell me you believe this drivel!” A shout came from the center seat as a man clad in fire spoke. “She has nothing more of note, and wishes to cover up her mistake. It would only be fitting to take her from her position and send someone more FIT for the role.”
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“Niteros.” Lumi said his name once in a low voice, almost a growl. A threat was hidden there, yet only he could see it. His flames faded, yet the pressure continued to hold.
“Excuse me for my overstepping, but I will not apologize. The teams have been at the base of the Monolith for more than long enough to have at least given a report of what was happening, and all that we’ve heard until this moment was ‘we have no results’. This cannot be acceptable!”
Lumi nodded as she spoke. “This much is truth, but magic is a fickle thing. It is possible that the right scan was not done until now.”
“And it took more than two weeks from the supposed ‘brightest mages’ we have to offer to figure out the right spell? EXCUSES!”
A new voice cut into the argument before it could go much further. “What of the child? I remember every charge that resided within the shadow, yet I know not her face.”
The rest of the council turned to face the speaker, a dragon currently in humanoid form. She still had green scales and wings showing her nature, and weathered eyes that had been her much longer than the others.
“Umi should be ashamed of bringing such a pipsqueak here. I say punish her, Belera.” Niteros started. “As for the child, she should not be here. Get her. . . out . . .of. . .” He started to trail off as Vio made herself known with a pull on the air.
In an instant, the pressure that had filled it was gone from most of the room, now swirling around her and under her command. Her eyes gave off a dangerous glow as she focused on the pressure in the air, glowing lanterns to her that had come too close and now would have a new master.
“I won’t let you punish Miss Umi for the truth.” Vio tersely said as the power made her float and started to push the others of the council back. The seats became crushing as Vio pushed the council members into them, her hair starting to defy gravity as the council had to put up their own barriers against her.
Umi huffed as she was given space to breathe, before standing up and addressing the council properly. “As I was saying, the girl here is the Monolith, or rather, was. I can have the rest explained later, but there is a new era coming. One of light. I hope the council can take this in with clear heads, for we will need them in the coming days.”
A final unnamed voice spoke from the council, seemingly unfazed by the pressure exerted on him, even if he was unable to move from under it. “Your new charge is powerful. I expect you to let us know what they can do and soon.”
Umi gave a chuckle as she gave Vio a pat on her back, the motion disrupting the girl’s unrefined spellwork, the pressure in the air finally breaking as she spoke. “Of course, Sir Grev. Might we be dismissed?”
A group of nods ushered them out as the council looked to each other, letting the two leave without another word. The door to the council chambers closed and let silence reign over the five for a few moments.
“Well, that was interesting.” Furis gave a sigh as he leaned back.
“The child’s magic? I would agree.” Belera said with a nod as she moved to tend to her wings, the limbs having been pressed into the seat.
“I’ve not seen gravity magic like that for a few decades.” Grev added as he gave his shoulders a stretch.
“Do not tell me you suddenly believe all of that madness!” Niteros shouted back, his flames once more starting to heat up. Only for a cold dunk of snow to put him out.
“If I recall correctly, you said the same when presented with a blade that could absorb your mana.” Lumi said, her coldness hiding a bit of amusement.
“That-”
“And when told of Belera’s true form.”
“Completely different!”
“And an apprentice beating your record.”
Only grumbles came as an answer.
“This girl is a completely new existence, possibly from the one we revered the most. It would not hurt to back up and keep an eye on her.”
“This is a reckless endeavor and you know it.”
“Says the hot head that got us so on edge we were leaking mana.”
There was no answer for that.
----------------------------------------
Umi let out a deep breath as she rounded another corner to arrive at her home. “That. . . was a lot.”
Vio nodded as she looked up to Umi, before looking over the building. It wasn’t anything special on the outside, a small shack that seemed to only be a dozen or so feet in all three dimensions. It was another building more like a shack than a home.
Umi chuckled as she saw these thoughts go through her charge’s mind, before she unlocked the door with a spell and gestured her inside. It was a nice waiting room, with a door placed on the center of the floor.
“Is everything underground here?” Vio asked as she looked at the door.
“Not everything, but much of the important stuff.” Umi said with a smile as she opened it and led down into the basement.
This area was set up more like somewhere one could live as multicolored crystals gave off light and revealed an underground cavern spring. A few openings signaled different rooms, like bedrooms, a bath, a kitchen, and a lab.
Umi smiled. “Well then, you’ll be staying with me for the time being, so should get yourself comfy. I’ll be in my lab if you have any questions.”
“Just one:” Vio said as she looked up to Umi. “What was all that back there?”
Umi laughed. “Right, it’s only been a day, and I’ve yet to tell you anything helpful. I’m going to need to get you some water. This will be a while.”