Ashlyn emerged from the breakfast room, feeling satiated and eager for the day ahead. Marta, now assuming the role of a personal maid, was by her side as they made their way towards the hotel's grand entrance. A rented carriage awaited them, a necessity for their planned visit to the manor. The resonant had learned that using Tess's modest cart would be a breach of the Hold etiquette she was still struggling with.
Discovering that the basic carriage rental was 20 charges for the day barely fazed her; the torrent of exorbitant costs she had encountered recently had dulled her shock. However, a small sense of accomplishment crept in as she contributed to the rental expense, having successfully charged ten of her rings. Her progress in mastering the art of charging was a welcomed source of confidence. She pondered over her potential earnings – fifty charges a day could yield a substantial sum over a month. Still, the prospect of dedicating every waking moment to this task was not appealing.
As Ashlyn laid eyes on the carriage, her appreciation for its cost increased. It was a marvel of ringtech, operating without horses and accompanied by a skilled driver. The interior was a blend of beauty and utility, equipped with ringtech lighting, a temperature regulator, and a tasteful tea set. The sophistication of the technology justified the expense in her mind.
Crossing the river that separated the residents' district from the more affluent citizens' area, they entered a realm of wealth and danger. The driver maneuvered with professionalism, avoiding any mishaps or social faux pas. Despite the smooth ride, Ashlyn couldn't shake a growing tension. The ornate carvings adorning the walls of the Houses they passed provided some distraction but did little to ease her anxiety.
She observed more ringtech as they progressed, though nothing significantly more opulent than what she had seen in the wealthier parts of the residents' part of the Hold. This observation solidified her understanding of the disparity between the smaller Houses and the richer residents. Their wealth might be comparable, but their social standing was worlds apart. This, she realized, was likely a driving force behind Houses like Akehurst taking pleasure in belittling those from the residents' district.
The carriage's abrupt halt shattered the calm of Ashlyn's journey, the sound of a teacup crashing onto the floor and breaking into pieces echoed through the confined space. Apart from the spilled tea, there was no other immediate damage. But soon, Ashlyn's ears picked up two distinct sounds: the driver's voice, fraught with apologies, and a distant, more ominous shout signaling the onset of a robbery.
Instincts honed by hard-earned experience sprang into action. Ashlyn crouched low, swiftly maneuvering towards the carriage door. She was caught in a dilemma, the carriage providing a semblance of safety but also restricting her movement. Peeking through the windows would be a novice's mistake, offering her head as a target to any attacker waiting outside. With limited knowledge of the situation beyond the carriage's confines, Ashlyn had to make a swift, calculated decision.
Propelling herself through the door, Ashlyn's gaze darted across her surroundings, taking in everything that had been hidden from her view inside the carriage. Mid-leap, she spotted three masked figures menacingly pointing their weapons at the driver. Landing smoothly, her eyes quickly identified at least two more assailants lurking in nearby corners.
Neither side of the carriage offered refuge from potential ranged attacks; the front was especially treacherous. While retreating inside the carriage would be safer, it would also make her a sitting duck, trapped and waiting for her attackers to close in. She calculated her chances against the two hidden assailants, confident in her ability to block or dodge their attacks. After all, she had played that game with her father many times. Deciding on her course of action, Ashlyn sprinted towards the back of the carriage to take cover.
As she moved, her left hand summoned her rings, glowing with readiness, while her right hand reached for the QS knife concealed at her waist. The knife, a product of her natural ring, was both tough and exceptionally sharp – inconspicuous, yet perfect for emergencies like this.
One of the attackers near the front let out a curse, urging his companions to confront her. They flanked the carriage, advancing with a slow, measured pace that allowed Ashlyn to track their movement. The two lurking figures remained stationary, much to her relief. The worst-case scenario playing in her mind involved being simultaneously targeted by ranged attacks while fending off the approaching assailants.
Her mind raced, calculating each move with precision. The knowledge that exposing her 'Materializing' technique could be risky weighed on her, but she relied on the obscurity of her skills and the Neuroenhancer's assurance that few would recognize such an advanced technique.
The one on the left was advancing slightly ahead of the other. Recognizing her window of opportunity, Ashlyn stepped out to intercept him. He wielded a knife longer than hers, but her attack was swift and precise, striking him in the side before he could fully react. His attempt to slash at her arm was met with her prepared ring, which transformed the blade's edge into a shower of shimmering QS silver dust. The beauty of the sparkling particles was sharply contrasted by the man's agonized scream. Ashlyn didn’t linger; she pivoted smoothly to face the second attacker coming from the other side of the carriage
The second assailant, a woman, brandished an unfamiliar weapon, her hands moving to trigger it. Ashlyn didn’t hesitate; she ducked, weaving to the side while bringing her natural ring between her and the incoming attack. Training had taught her the dual nature of her ring's defensive capabilities: transforming incoming objects into silver dust or, when deciding on a target was not feasible, materializing a thin but robust layer of QS material from thin air as a shield. The latter was an energy-intensive maneuver but necessary when time and visibility were against her.
These techniques, while powerful, were not widely known or understood. The term 'Materializing' might have been a misnomer, focusing more on the creation of something from seemingly nothing, but in essence, it was a transformative skill.
When she ducked, a brief pause ensued. Ashlyn considered attempting to pinpoint a target, aiming to conserve her ring's energy. With numerous enemies around, conserving every ounce of power was crucial. But, unable to spot a viable target, and to prevent the situation from deteriorating, she swiftly linked the first ring to the air, concentrating on manifesting a temporary 'shield'.
In the tense air, Ashlyn's instincts honed by her parents' teachings took over. She had been raised with a fighter's mentality, understanding the necessity of decisiveness and strength in moments of danger. This was not the time for hesitation or mercy; it was a battle for survival.
As she approached the woman, Ashlyn's movements were swift and measured. The assailant, still recovering from the shock of Ashlyn's unexpected defense, was too slow to react. The QS knife plunged into her abdomen, eliciting a pained moan as the woman crumpled to her knees, her weapon falling from her grasp. Ashlyn's heart raced, adrenaline pumping through her veins, but her mind was clear, focused on the imminent threat.
Knowing that time was of the essence, she sprinted toward the front of the carriage, her breaths short and rapid, hands trembling from the intensity of the moment. The sound of the enemy's cries faded into the background as she prepared for her next move.
The lead robber, witnessing the swift downfall of his comrades, understood the grave mistake they had made. They had anticipated an easy target – a wealthy individual, perhaps, but not someone with formidable combat skills. The presence of a resonant was expected in this part of the city, but they had not prepared for someone of Ashlyn's caliber.
Realizing the futility of playing unringed, he fired the shocking gun at Ashlyn, already deeming the attack a failure. Dropping the gun, he summoned his own rings - his natural ring materializing first, followed by the first and second rings, each glowing with golden energy. As the rings came to life, Ashlyn knew that she was facing an entirely different kind of opponent.
In the brief moments that spanned the distance between them, she sensed the distinct presence of his interference field. Its essence was different from that of the Akehurst boy, yet bore a strong resemblance. The familiar notes of corruption lingered, but they were overshadowed by a pervasive sense of instability that infused the entire field.
The man's eyes widened as he focused his energy, and she could sense the raw power emanating from him. In moments, his movements became a blur, a clear sign that he using ‘Speeding’, enhancing his physical capabilities to a level beyond her own.
Ashlyn's instinctive reaction was to brace for the imminent clash. Her QS knife clashed against his dagger, the collision sending a jarring sensation up her arm. She stumbled back, recognizing the futility of matching his enhanced speed with brute force. Instead, she had to rely on her rings' versatility.
The assailant lunged forward, his dagger aimed with lethal precision. Ashlyn, undeterred, focused intently on summoning her ring, targeting his weapon. The dagger's blade met her flesh, cutting into her extended palm, but she didn't flinch. With a burst of energy, the blade disintegrated into a cloud of shimmering silver dust, leaving the man wide-eyed in shock.
Seizing the moment, Ashlyn retaliated, her knife striking his arm in a swift, if somewhat clumsy, motion. The cut was superficial but effective enough to send the man reeling back in panic. Shouting 'retreat' to his accomplices, he dashed towards the nearest alley, fleeing the scene at frightening speed.
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Ashlyn made a brief feint to pursue but quickly reassessed the situation. The initial assailants were incapacitated, one struggling to stand, the other dragging herself painfully. The two hidden attackers emerged, hastily assisting their fallen comrades in their escape.
Exhaustion washed over Ashlyn as the adrenaline faded. She felt dizzy, her energy reserves dangerously low from the rapid succession of ring casts. The pain in her palm was a sharp reminder of how close she was to losing. As she watched the robbers disappear into the alleys, relief mingled with a sense of vulnerability. She was just a few ring casts away from collapsing, her body crying out for rest.
Swiftly, but still careful, she transformed the blood from her wound into a makeshift, rigid bandage made of QS material. It was a crude but necessary solution. She then meticulously converted the remaining blood splatters on the ground into silver dust, a precaution against leaving any trace behind. It might seem paranoid, but in a world like the Hold, one could never be too careful.
The resonant couldn't distinguish her blood from that of the leading robber, so she decided to erase his blood as well. She was thorough, leaving no evidence of the battle behind. The driver, who had witnessed the entire ordeal, was visibly shaken, his eyes wide with fear and reverence. His reaction made her uncomfortable, prompting her to hastily collect the peculiar weapon discarded by the leading attacker. The other weapon, unfortunately, had been taken by the fleeing robbers.
Once inside the carriage, Ashlyn instructed the driver to proceed, her voice firm despite her trembling legs. The adrenaline that had fueled her during the confrontation was now receding, leaving her physically and emotionally drained. The reality of what she had done – engaging in actual combat, injuring others – was sinking in. It was one thing to train with her parents in controlled environments, quite another to face real danger in the streets of the Hold.
Marta, who had been sitting in stunned silence throughout the encounter, was now contemplating the implications of what had just transpired. Initially feeling guilty for not aiding Ashlyn, she quickly realized that as a personal maid and retainer, her role was to assist in daily matters, not to engage in combat. That was the domain of a resonant. Yet, witnessing Ashlyn's display of power and mettle, Marta's perception of her Mistress shifted. Maybe, just maybe, House Quinn had a chance to thrive under such a formidable young woman.
Breaking the tense silence in the carriage, Ashlyn inquired, "Should we do something? Tell someone?" Her voice revealed a hint of uncertainty.
Marta cast a worried glance at Ashlyn's bandaged hand. "I don’t think so, Mistress," she replied. Noticing Ashlyn's incredulous look, she elaborated, "Disputes among residents aren't a concern to others; conflicts between residents and citizens are one-sided; and issues between Houses are settled in court or by etiquette. The specifics, however, are beyond my expertise." Her explanation reflected the complex and often ruthless nature of the Hold's societal structure, where power and status dictated the rules of engagement.
Ashlyn's remark cut through the tense atmosphere in the carriage, "I might be wrong, but I don’t think robbing is part of the etiquette, right? Should I assume those people are part of some House? Maybe I shouldn’t have stabbed them."
Marta's expression seemed conflicted, prompting Ashlyn to raise an eyebrow. “Mistress," Marta began cautiously, "there are some lawless groups in the Hold. They've been known to target citizens, though their exact motives are unclear."
Ashlyn responded with a hint of humor in her voice, "I’m pretty sure their goal was to 'take possession' of our valuables. Let's hope they don't come looking for revenge. By the way, do you recognize this?" She held up the confiscated weapon, its ring-shaped sockets indicating it was ringtech.
Marta peered at the object, "That looks like a ringtech weapon, typically used by guards or the army." Her tone was uncertain, having only seen such a device holstered on guards but never in action.
"The guards?" Ashlyn echoed as she examined the weapon from every angle. The origin of the weapon and its function filled her mind with questions, and she became absorbed in her examination.
The journey resumed in silence until the driver announced their arrival. Marta quickly disembarked and extended her hand to assist Ashlyn. The resonant, appreciating Marta's diligence, accepted the help, albeit with a slight discomfort.
Before them lay the manor, nestled between a peaceful lake and a towering reddish wall that dragged one’s attention. The main walls of the manor, crafted from common grey stone, bore the marks of time, with patches missing and a general air of neglect.
The open gateway, devoid of its original gates, offered an unobstructed view of the land. Dominating the view was the central tower, rising five stories high with its sleek obsidian facade, strikingly well-maintained compared to the surrounding structures. The tower was encircled by four interconnected buildings, each exhibiting varying degrees of decay, creating a disconcerting contrast with the pristine tower at their heart.
Ashlyn stepped forward, her eyes carefully tracing the architectural features of the main building, noting its once grand windows and the faded remnants of intricate carvings along its edges. The three other buildings, while smaller and only two stories high, shared a similar aura of neglected grandeur. The small building near the lake, likely a former stable, stood the most battered, probably due to wood being used in the construction.
As they explored, the buildings revealed their battle scars from the relentless acid rain, with gaping holes and collapsed sections marring their facades. The absence of gardens or thriving vegetation, save for the stubborn wild grass and a few resilient, though nearly lifeless trees, confirmed her speculations about rings warding off the corrosive rain.
Reaching the central yard, they found themselves amidst the rubbles of what once must have been a picturesque garden. Ponds and stone structures, now worn and crumbling, encircled the obsidian tower. Unlike its surroundings, the tower stood unscathed, a testament to its magical nature.
Ashlyn retrieved a golden key, its weight significant and craftsmanship exquisite, carved with the emblem of the fallen House Bauer – a boat. According to the excentric legal consultor, this key was not just a tool to unlock the tower but a symbol that should grant access to something far more valuable within the tower. Allegedly, the key only held power in the hands of a resonant.
Fitting the key into the lock, she felt a click but was met with resistance as the door refused to budge. Undeterred, she considered the next option – utilizing her rings. With caution, she began to summon her natural ring, halting before completing the cast. She was careful not to inadvertently transform the key or lock, pondering the mystery of what lay within and how her unique abilities might unveil it.
The moment Ashlyn's ring made contact with the lock, a ripple of energy traveled over the tower's obsidian surface, reflecting a prismatic dance upon its glassy coat. Caught off guard by the sudden surge, she felt an invisible force pushing against her hand, a silent challenge issued by the ancient structure itself.
Driven by an innate desire to assert dominance, Ashlyn poured her energy into the ring, focusing intently on the underlying concept that had always been instinctive to her. She delved deep into her perception, tapping into the delicate equilibrium of Consistency and Alignment, harnessing the force that resonated from her interaction with arcanite.
As her willpower collided with the tower's resistance, her unyielding energy prevailed, quelling the opposing force. With a final turn, the key yielded, and the door's seal relinquished its hold.
The exertion, however, took its toll on Ashlyn. She staggered, her strength waning rapidly, but Marta was quick to her side, offering steady support to prevent her fall.
"Mistress!" Marta's voice echoed with concern, but Ashlyn could barely muster a response amidst her exhaustion.
Regaining a hint of color and composure after a brief moment, she reassured her retainer, "I'm okay now. Just drained... I'll be better soon." Despite her words, the lingering dizziness suggested otherwise.
As Ashlyn steadied herself, she sensed an unexpected connection with the tower. The structure, which had initially resisted her, now seemed to acknowledge her as its rightful Mistress. This mysterious edifice, now subdued and compliant, beckoned her to enter and uncover its secrets.
Seeing that her lousy excuse couldn’t curb the retainer’s worries, Ashlyn reassured, "Marta, I’m truly alright now," her tone bouncing between impatience and appreciation.
Marta relented with a nod, her eyes still reflecting a trace of worry. "I'll be right outside, Mistress."
Suppressing a sigh, Ashlyn acknowledged her with a nod and turned towards the mysterious tower. Crossing the threshold, she stepped into a realm of utter darkness, as if plunging into an abyss. The door shut behind her, vanishing into the enveloping blackness. Yet, she wasn't scared; a sense of command over the tower maintained her confidence.
Summoning her rings, she ignited a constellation of lights within the tower. It was as if she had been transported into a celestial space, surrounded by a galaxy of twinkling stars. Her ring resonated with the tower's structure, sending ripples of energy through the obsidian walls.
She let her consciousness seep into the fabric of the tower, exploring its intricate design. The experience was mesmerizing. As she delved deeper into the sleeping rings inside the tower, Ashlyn began to grasp the tower's purpose - a monumental amplifier for her rings. It seemed to focus and magnify her cast in a unique symbiosis between the resonant and the structure.
Ashlyn felt the field of her ring being both concentrated and expanded, an intriguing paradox. The obsidian walls didn't stifle her power but rather propelled it, refining and enhancing it into something greater. She realized this could be the secret behind the Houses' ability to create powerful rings capable of warding off the destructive acid rain.
Curiosity guided her hands as she modulated the ring's power, this time focusing on tracing the interference field as it spread throughout the structure. The energy traveled up to the tower's peak, then vibrated downwards, digging into the ground and forming concentric circles within the land itself. Slowly, she realized that the tower was merely the visible part of a much larger, subterranean mechanism. Damaged, incomplete, but still strong.
Her mind buzzed with the possibilities this discovery could unlock. Even in its hampered state, the tower held potential. She withdrew her ring, feeling a twinge of eeriness as the structure promptly returned to lifeless obsidian.
Extracting a currency storage unit from her pocket, she initiated another experiment. Casting a zero ring with the 'Assemble' technique, she let it resonate within the tower's structure, then directed it towards the storage unit. Despite her efforts to manage expectations, anticipation bubbled within her. Seconds ticked by, and at the 42-second mark, the ring vanished, adding a charge to the storage. A triumphant "Yay!" escaped her lips.
But the true revelation came moments later. Ashlyn noted with surprise that her energy levels were unusually high. Within only five minutes, she felt rejuvenated enough to cast another charge. The efficiency of the tower could subtly improve her ability to generate currency.
For the next two hours, the tower became her laboratory. She meticulously tested the limits of her charging capacity within this unique space. While the changes weren't earth-shattering, they promised a meaningful improvement in her financial situation. Each successful charge, each shortened recovery period, was a small step towards the stability and prosperity of House Quinn.