Chapter 12: West Gate part 2: Melancholy

Giant chains slowly rattled against the surface of an ancient tower. Vibrations all throughout the forge shook them loose. Weightless, they plowed effortlessly through decades of worn-down structures. Telling where they had come apart was hard to tell. The sounds like a localized storm right over their heads. Tall archways fanned, guiding the way deeper through the West Gate. Tobias stayed back to take in sight of the gate and the surroundings. The way it was set up seemed deliberate. Roads, paths and trails planned long ago had already been built. With the wall built here…

Damn it. Overthinking this. Doesn’t matter much right now. Tobias thought. Fallen to a knee he gently junk. The entry way was cleaner of clutter than the rest. He called over to Grant who had been largely quiet, stewing most of the morning. Welding him at this side he knelt next to Tobias.

“What’s going on partner? Find something juicy in this beautiful trove?” Grant asked.

Delicately drawn symbols and faded lines graced the little light of day. Tobias brushed the dirt aside and studied it for a moment. Nothing familiar he had seen before. With a long pause he sighed and raised his brows at the gate with a glare.

“Being on the other side is a trip. Recall as kids we were always afraid of its sight. Not like we could get closer. Had those massive barriers, since removed.”

“Oh, I remember. Why I usually stayed back. Can’t be going around showing my chicken feathers now can I.”

With a light chuckle Tobias kept his eyes on the gate.

“Think any of the tales are true? This place really gives off that aura.”

“Are you kidding me? Course the bloody bastards are real. With our very own eyes we have seen some real messed up pieces of work. Plus…” Grant said trailing off. Focused on the gate as well, Tobias noticed him shaking when the silence went on too long.

“Forgemaster order you to keep your lips sealed or something?”

“Wish that was the case, but no that ain’t it. Those nightmares have got me shook. The West Gate was in one. Everyone currently here, including Kain, Mathias and Helix were butchered. All of our bodies spread out all over the gate. Our guts hanging out and all. Onyx, you, me…” An assuring pat on his shoulder stopped him from continuing.

“I get it. No need to replay it all.” Tobias said.

“Wish Solace were here, you know? We could all get a rise and laugh at him. All in good faith. He would understand, least I hope.” Wrinkles formed under his eyes and Grant drove a beaten glove over his forehead.

“He would be pissed off. Probably cut us off for a bit. Then come back all smiles and join in.” Tobias demeaner drained. The hilt shook violently as he grabbed it. Grael’s words filled his mind laced with urgency, but he zoned out. Revenge and rage on his agenda. Smoke rose from his eyes and nose, an inferno erupting to the surface. Tightly a seal blocked them. Decompressing for another time.

“We will take care of Xeanoss and Avaron. First though, if any trace of that Archveil creature is down there, I’m going to lose it.”

“Amen brother. Whoever ok’ed it, will taste the bottom of our boots” Grant said.

Higher up on the oppressive gate, limbs began to stir. Circuits and switches coming to life.

Archways now falling out of sight behind half destroyed villas and plazas, murmurs filled the group. Communication was down. No signal, not even to the I.C.H.N. This latest attack must have severely damaged the networks. The Forgemaster said they would find out rather quickly. Soon the Hallowment would greet their footsteps. If operations were still going, that would at least give them a glimmer of hope. Maxwell held tight to Melaine. Under her own power she appeared to be in better condition.

“Hey Max. We need to chat.” Melaine said. Slightly sarcastic in tone.

“No kidding. Want me to take you back to the old station? If its safe, I could attempt to contact Grengraw and the Planetary. Get you sent towards your parents.” Maxwell said. Fatigue ate away. Lots of energy was used after the lovely time off. Finally able to rest some.

“So, you can go on a suicide jot? I don’t think so. Feyanna could still be alive too? No sir, I think. We brought her in as our own family. Wayward younger sister.”

“It’s just that there so many dangers. Coming out of the woodwork that we may not see coming.”

She nudged him in the ribs. Feet tangled as they both stumbled forward. Both getting a laugh out of it.

“I’ve been with you knowing your job would be dangerous. Those lonely and frightful times, knowing you could be dead. Out here at least I know what’s going on. We could go together that way as well. If things get uglier than they already are.”

Maxwell did not reply. His head sunk and he replayed the scene at the hospital in his mind. This time it had just been her in the middle of the room. Reaching out for anything. Alone she choked on the miasma. Curled up, disease taking her. Lastly and most painful of all, a gun to her head surrounded by beasts. Alone surrounded by ash. He cut the reel short. Reality was bleak in front of him. Expanses of things that could have been. Things that had been. This place was not proper for reminiscing. Mouth muscles tightened, then laxed into the sincerest smile he could muster. Maxwell finally nodded in acknowledgement. Bringing her in closer as if the next step would be their last.

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Eralar sighed as everyone was in deep talks with one another. All the damage was a lot to take in. Duneweave was the first thing she correlated to. Ruins stretching on to the horizon. The tides rolling in to conceal the dead. She hustled up to the Forgemaster waving away the trail of cigar smoke. This time at least she wasn’t alone in the sand. Under the bodies of her friends, fellow ritual picks. With monsters scavenging the remains. Taking point Metlock marched ahead of the group. Gruffly he cursed the surroundings. Shadows played tricks on his mind, cast from the West Gate. Not even the slightest hint of a breeze flew by. Relieved at this, he zoned out looking to the northeast. Abandoned ships and shuttles had crashed into beam. Groves and layers for skyscraper like buildings sat unfinished. Hundreds of feet up some held firm, others loose enough to fall any second.

Blown out buildings revealed many human-like bodies. Some had been “asceneded”. Ironic now they were grounded permanently. Cold soulless bug eyes watched vigilantly nearby. An Idol one. Something that had not been brought up in a minute. They had been mostly absent against the awakening of Archveil beast. With the rise of all the other creatures, why did they still slumber?

Onyx, bewildered by Lydon zig zagged in front of him. Silver flame charred the already beaten equipment. Fires scattered around the area like brushfire. Only ever staying lit for more than ten seconds at a time. In the reflection of broken and scattered mirrors. Onyx quietly approached. Tongue out in excitement, helped extinguish some fires. Something in the light caught his eye. The silver abruptly turned into an ice sheet. Puzzled with head to the side, he poked at the ice. From below vapor seeped through, orbiting him. Covering him like a blanket he sat in a small circle of silver flames. Four silhouettes from the ice emerged as the vapor cleared. Pure black, white, gray and a mix of three. Encircling him under the ice, paws and claws danced. Trying to look at each one.

“Onyx boy come on. Your old man will have me on a stake if anything happens.” Lydon said. Flame no longer flung haphazardly from his fingers.

Snow fell on his nose. Decorating his black coat. Dwarfing him tall bridges of ice surrounded him. Some bridges to the sky. Whiteout conditions flew by at blinding speed. Onyx whimpered and endured the flurry. White above and below, all directions he carefully tread. His visitors came out of the howling winds with speed. Each rushed through him in a different direction. He spun trying to trace them until he fell. With a whimper it was hard to stay awake. Heavy panting slowed; slumber awaited. Flame melted all the ice in sight. Two gentle hands on his face, the sun radiant far in the distance.

Tobias knelt holding Onyx’s face up. Eyes wide feeling his face and pulse. Softly he began reciting older lines from the Thara. Mostly compiled as songs. Tunes he had sung to since birth. Licking his face, Tobias asked if he was alright. Apparently so as he got a puzzled look in return. Before he could pick the pipe, he snatched it and made a mad dash to The Forgemaster, of all people. Vigor reignited him after the stumble. With one resounding bark, he waited for him to catch up.

“May want to put that down for a bit.” Tobias said with a smile, their destination had come.

The Forgemaster took a deep breath. Steadily a red light came off and on. Steps of stone, marble, wood and granite carved the way into a giant. Thirty feet high, giant circles came together to form a giant door. In the middle of this waste, it was a true oddity. The red light atop it like a buoy. Not as if it was needed, easy enough to see as is. Attached just behind it was a large clock tower. The remains of one. Looked to have been bombed or hit by heavy artillery. Miraculously the bell remained. Tilted to the side, blown apart and dented. A quarter of the bell detached, lay filled with holes enough to have several vehicles fly through at once.

Eralar moved to the gate, mouth agape. She traced a finger along smooth, delicately cut stone that formed into waves. She had seen another like back home in Duneweave. However, it resided in a cavern in the dunes. Replicated, or made by the same hands, was impossible to tell. Four figures with mask on stood side by side. Etched deep into the wood, they stood guard at the highest circle. On the left most ring stood man and beast. The right, just a single beast.

Chains rattled off in the distance. The ground shook dust and debris kicked up in a straight line. Through the lens of a rifle scope, someone had eyes on them.

“Great looking door you have here. Want some security installed? I work for BALLISTIC.” Lydon said. Approaching the door, he looked up hands in his pockets.

“Appreciate the offer. Could use some back at the boat. Here? Naw. This place is off limits save for me and handpicked scientists from the Planetary defense.” Said the Forgemaster. With a quick strike of his foot the remains of a cigar were put out. Lydon couldn’t get another word in. Tobacco lazily floated to him, another cigar was lit.

“I want to be in and out as quick as possible. We have got loads to deal with and I hate this place.” Iron struck against iron as he tapped the giant key. The area before them grew red as the light steadied.

“Come now don’t be shy. Get close. Doesn’t stay open long.”

Gathered next to him, the doors creaked open. Several shot right underground. One rolled to the side and another straight up. The way was now open. The stairs awaited them before the broken bell.

Tobias and Lydon slowed their pace. While the others began the decent.

“Another door. Gateway to who the hell knows, ready for this?” Tobias said.

“No. Worried about friends and family. The family isn’t here right now yet having our coms and the I.C.H.N down gives me a knot.” Lydon replied looking at the bell sullenly.

“I hear you. Have not heard from Helix in some time either. Man has he missed a lot.”

“Boozing it up I bet. Sure, he is getting plenty of work on that boat right now.”

Suddenly with a jolt, the hilt flung itself to the ground. Grael emerged. Black and white flames burning bright along his scales.

“Everything ok, Grael?” Tobias asked. He reached out to touch the dragon’s head. Some of the flame being absorbed.

“With the state things are in, ok as I can be. I’m going to stay out. My warning clearly did not reach you. Something is here from that place, the Grievous wound as your friend called it. The whole area reeks of it.” Grael said. Accepting the touch to his scales.

“I know I asked before, but got any tips how to fight these things? Will take anything we run into them.” Tobias said.

Grael stood on his hind legs. Reaching back his body swayed. With a furious burst forward, he shot a torrent of black and white flames to the ceiling. Mouth slightly open, flames flowing out.

“I’ve never been in a form like the ones you inhibit. Have always been a dragon. So, I cannot help you using the sword. How does some fire breathing sound? That should be doable. Both of you vessel my power.” Grael said.

“Absolutely! You kidding me gramps? Look, this is all I can do right now! Don’t even know how I did it in the first place.” Lydon said. Snapping his fingers once more, small bouts of flame sputtered.

Grael responded with a hoarse laugh. The flames tickled his throat.

“Of course. Before that, lets go so we don’t get locked out like fools, yes?” Tobias said. That startled the other two. Mechanical clicking like a stopwatch and shouts to hurry from down the stairs came. Faint sounds of a single bell toll reverberated. The passage closing behind them.