Both Kalesi and Mevi had woken up early, but to Mevi’s senses what defined as early or any point in time at all was confusing. The Barge seemed to have no designated night, or any sort of regulated time. All things simply were, within the Barge. The people were filled with a sense of now, and most seemed accustomed to resting only when there was no work remaining. At least that is how Kalesi explained it.

Kalesi had prepared simple dress for the two of them, pure white robes with the symbol of Kalesi’s Household on the front. The symbol was that of a blooming red rose with crystalline stars hanging above it, its roots intertwining to form the circular border of the unique icon. It was a beautiful statement to wear, and both sported it with pride. It was the first time Mevi had something to truly identify with, she was barely even able to identify with her own house from Baes, and she clung to the inscribing identification greedily. Their robes were otherwise simple, close to form with baggy sleeves and legs that layered on top of itself. It was not flowing as their more formal attire was, and these sets were obviously meant for moving with the best mobility.

Kalesi spent extra time, while Mevi gawked and awed at her new icon, to fit herself into what she called ‘wargear’ that she wore under the robes. She readied herself with tight rubbery plates that accentuated her every feature and pulled her tight to herself. Each of her well defined muscles shone through the gear that automatically adjusted itself to fit as snug to her form as possible. The armor looked like a second layer of skin, dyed with red in the softer and more mobile regions while it was black with hard rubber-like material protecting vital organs. She bore her two silver gauntlets, as well as a holstered projectile weapon fastened securely to her hip. She wore her white robes overtop the armor, concealing the protection well enough that it was easily forgotten if it were there or not.

When the two had finished adorning themselves into their outfits, Mevi was left to equip her own tools. The two blue gloves fit snugly, as if they were measured against her exactly. As the gloves were placed and secured, they tightened slightly and their white gemstones pulsed into a dim life. Mevi then secured the silver necklace to her neck, and it shrunk to fit her perfectly. In the same fashion, the larger gemstone on the necklace pulsed to life, attuning to the gloves. In a beautiful display, Mevi was framed by the dull light illuminating from the gemstone. The feeling when she wore the items was familiar in some way, and without realizing it she had instinctively doused the light they produced. The gems dimmed and then deactivated to an empty state. Kalesi was surprised at the interaction, but both she and Mevi assumed it was simply just as intuitive as the Artificer’s Emissary had explained.

The two were fitted and as ready to leave as they might ever be. For a time Kalesi dreaded that Mevi had no protective wargear, but she eventually conceded to lead close to Mevi and protect them both. After they were finished, they left and delved into the murmuring crowd of the city.

The City of Light never sleeps, as Kalesi had explained. Yet Mevi was still surprised to see how many people packed the walkways and roads. The sheer quantity of robed and masked bodies were similar in presence to the towering structures of metal and stone. Their bodies, shapes, clothes, and forms were as diverse as the architecture around them. Indeed, when Mevi was not holding onto her mentor’s sleeve and avoiding eye contact, many forms were alien or strange. Murano, by comparison, was quite docile compared to the fanged, furred, scaled, and towering figures some creatures on the street postured.

Their travel on the roads wasn’t long. Kalesi was seemingly following a path laid out to her by something or someone. At the end was an open clearing in the jungle of metal and stone. They arrived at a platform that was moderately busy, several shuttle-type vehicles landed or flew away in a constant stream. Less creatures were entering this platform compared to the nearby streets, but those that did seemed important or adorned with jewelry and fanciful masks. Near the center of the platform stood the similar styled sentinels from the encounter with the Lord Councilor Tukas Korius’s emissary. Their gray armored skirts with metallic skin stood imposingly while flanking the entrance to a small, hovering, transport that was similarly gray without insignia.

Kalesi led Mevi up the platform and interacted very briefly with one of the sentinels. With the short interaction, cut short by the sentinel stating they were to leave immediately, both Kalesi and Mevi entered the transport. The two armored sentinels sat directly in front of their two passengers. The transport was a fraction of the size of the emissary’s own. Mevi could easily reach out a hand to touch the door that closed tightly as the vehicle took off, and only six medium sized humanoids could fit in the hold they were all stuffed into. For a few moments, as the door was shut tightly, there was darkness inside the transport. Suddenly, after several elongated moments where the vehicle started flying, a red light lit up overhead to illuminate the small cabin. Strangely Mevi wasn’t put off by the flying, mostly because she couldn’t see the outside, but the intimidating blank glare of the two sentinels made her feel uncomfortable. After a few, dreadfully long, minutes one of the sentinels spoke in a gruff and gravelly voice, “Our destination is The Edge, bordering our Lord Artificer’s territory. Several groups of the Rusted have infected nearby Pipes populations, supplying a stream of Rusted into our Lord’s territory. You know your task, we will drop you off at the outskirts of the Rust's influence.”

Kalesi responded quickly, she adopted a serious tone, “Our job is simply to infiltrate and evacuate correct? I will not subject us to fighting without need.”

The sentinel scoffed, “Of course… Flee if you so choose.”

Mevi wasn’t sure what their mission was, but gathered that Kalesi somehow negotiated the two of their roles to be less combative. Mevi could handle evacuation, she assumed so at least. The Pipes are not a place she has been to yet, and Kalesi had mentioned it very little or only in passing. Mevi wondered what this ‘Rust’ was, as it couldn’t possibly just be actual rust.

As Mevi silently pondered their situation, the transport rumbled as if passing through turbulence. Mevi grabbed onto a nearby strut close to her seat, and the rumbling only got worse. After a minute or two the transport felt like it coasted to a stop, but the cabin shook slightly even while the vehicle tried to stabilize. A green light shone, replacing the red tint around them, and the side doors swung open. A whirlwinding gust billowed into the cabin, blasting Mevi with dust and particle debris.

As the wind gusted into the transport, and Mevi became more accustomed to the sudden change, Kalesi gathered up her pupil then jumped out of the transport. The two soared out of the vehicle, and Kalesi slammed into the ground with a ringing impact onto metal. Mevi looked up, startled by the sudden change in elevation, and saw the vehicle fifteen or twenty meters above them. Kalesi had somehow fallen a height that should kill a normal individual, or at least shatter bone. Kalesi quickly recovered as if nothing happened, yet still holding Mevi, while they stood on a wide metallic surface that curved at the edges. The metallic road looked almost like a massive pipe, and Mevi assumed this was where the realm got its namesake. As Mevi looked around with curiosity she noticed where Kalesi had landed there was now a heavy indent several centimeters depressed, like a Kalesi-sized meteor had made a crater in the metallic surface.

The transport quickly left, after a few moments of the glowing shape hovering in place. Kalesi put Mevi onto the ground, and pulled a hood over Mevi that she hadn’t even noticed was present in her garb. Kalesi did the same, and the two were hooded in a billowing miasma of dust, material, and metal flakes. Where Mevi’s skin was exposed she received small cuts, and she quickly learned to cover her face and skin with the excess fabric that dangled closely to the robe’s form. The minimalist attire had many baggy sections that were tucked into itself, deceiving eyes into thinking it was very thin clothes. These baggy sections seemed purposefully featured so as to adjust against the dusting debris.

The two adjusted and fixed their clothes, with Kalesi helping Mevi here and there, until they were properly bundled against the outside winds. The two quickly made their way across the metal pipe-road, only barely able to see ahead of themselves. Kalesi seemed to know her way around, or maybe could see better in the thick dusty mist, and led them into what looked like an abandoned hovel.

The two made their way into the old, rusting, hovel. The door was strewn to the side, and Kalesi rammed it back into place with sheer strength. They were protected from the outside for a few moments. As they sat down Kalesi removed the cloth mask covering the bottom half of her face, and Mevi copied her mentor. Kalesi shook her head, dislodging a large quantity of accumulated dust, and spoke up in a serious tone, “Mevi, I didn’t have much of a chance to explain what we are doing, because the Lord Artificer’s request came in as we boarded the transport. Normally I wouldn't accept such a last-minute request, but the situation and client are not what we might call ‘normal’. First off, are you alright so far?”

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

Mevi was shaking her own head, while listening to Kalesi’s words, and paused to speak before she dislodged more dust, “Of course Kalesi. I was surprised at your jump, it was amazing how far you could fall uninjured!”

Kalesi chuckled at the odd compliment, “Well, it is in part because of the wargear I wear. The suit helps enhance my body’s natural strength, while providing a great deal of protection too. When you are trained, and accumulate some muscle, we’ll get you a set as well. Speaking of training, how do you feel with your Maige?”

Mevi had to focus for a few moments, suddenly recalling the gemstone devices, “I think they are fine? They haven’t done anything since I turned them off in the apartment. I am still not sure how to activate them.”

Kalesi thought for a few moments, putting hand to chin in contemplation, “Well… I have seen some Magicae use it, but never in situations like this. Some say a type of prayer, others like Murano just make things happen without sound or words. I have seen them make light, heal, and even move things with a Maige before. While we walk to our destination, try to practice with making light or moving things. But that is hardly advice, since I don’t even know how you would start a task.”

Mevi was curious about her new tool’s properties and abilities, but Kalesi’s words caught her current attention, “Kalesi? Where are we going, you mentioned evacuation on the transport. Am I allowed to know our mission?”

Kalesi smiled, “Good, asking questions is good. Our primary objective, according to the request, is to train your abilities and return testing data regarding your Maige’s usage. Our secondary objective is reconnaissance and evacuation where possible.”

Mevi was not certain she knew what that meant, “What is reconnaissance? And what people would we evacuate, I can’t imagine living in a place like this. I can imagine even less that a place like this even existed on the Barge!”

Kalesi thought to explain, but suddenly a loud creaking of metal scraped across their ears. Without hesitation, Kalesi grabbed her pupil and both bolted out the door of the rusting hovel. As they exited, they both covered their faces as fast as they could manage. A few moments passed and the hovel they once sat in slowly shrank down past the metallic road’s surface and fell into the abyss below.

A cloud of red-iron dust billowed around them. An electric sound vibrated to life suddenly somewhere behind them. Both turned to see a figure darkening the dust cloud further up the metal road, and a gleaming energy pulsed as a blade at the figure’s side. An evil red thrummed against the metal clouds causing static discharges to arc in the air, creating an intimidating sound of miniature lightning striking the electrified surfaces around the blade. Several other figures emerged from the clouds, pulling and clawing themselves up from the sides of the massive metal pipe-road. The duo were suddenly surrounded by imposing figures brandishing crude weapons of pain.

Kalesi instinctively moved Mevi behind herself, but it did little to protect the girl as there were minions of malice behind them as well as in front. The creature holding the red blade moved forward, several of the figures around them beginning to cackle or chuckle to themselves as if very pleased. Kalesi held her left hand against Mevi’s shoulder, and her right as if to fight. The red blade was waved in large arches meant to intimidate and strike fear, striking the ground and throwing sparks into the air that blistered into red energetic electric explosions. The figure stopped three or four meters in front of the mentor and pupil, and it called with a hiss in its voice, “Ohh~! How lucky for us, two idiots stumbled into our territory. Two beautiful idiots, I'll add.”

Kalesi shot back with a venom Mevi hadn’t heard before, “You’d do well to leave us be scum. This won’t end as you assume it might.”

The figure took a few more steps forward, his features becoming full view in their scaly terror, “Oh, but you entered OUR territory! We are the victims here! You and your little girl are mine now, and if we need to fight then you’ll just be a bit bruised is all.”

Kalesi looked around cautiously, and whispered low enough that Mevi barely heard, “Mevi. I will clear a way behind us, you will run until you can’t see me anymore. Stay close to the ground.”

Mevi began to object, but Kalesi moved with a speed that was superhuman. Suddenly Kalesi disappeared, the suction of wind being the only sign to where she once was. The figure with an electric blade was kicked backward, and in the same instant two of the minions behind them were thrust to the ground, bouncing against the hard metal. Kalesi appeared next to Mevi, and she simply instructed “Run.” and Mevi shot into the dust cloud with as much haste as she could manage.

Mevi darted between the two figures who were violently thrown against the ground. A call was heard as she tried to escape, several figures moving towards her only to be equally incapacitated. Mevi couldn’t count the dark silhouettes around them, there had to be at least thirty or more. Mevi trusted her mentor, and her apparent superhuman abilities, but still worried for her safety. Regardless she did as she was told and continued running along the metal pipe-road.

She ran while occasionally looking back, she was told to go until she couldn’t see Kalesi anymore but she could hardly see her in the first place. She ran until most of the dark figures were cloaked by the heavy misting dust. At which point she sprawled against the ground to stay low, and kept herself as small as she could. There were no obstacles or objects along this part of the pipe she could hide behind, so she made herself like a rock. Her dust-soaked robes might serve as a sort of camouflage if she stood still enough.

Her theory was about to be put to the test. One of the bandits that assailed them had followed her, not being noticed or somehow escaping Kalesi. The tall figure was a bulbus collection of limbs in the idea of a humanoid shape. Mevi counted at least four sets of arms, and maybe two sets of legs. It was a creature she could only have nightmares about, and yet it was still considered a person in some monstrous regard.

The large creature cautiously clattered its way in Mevi’s direction. As it searched the ground around it, glancing back and forth, Mevi prayed to be invisible. To not be seen. As she did, she could feel a shroud suddenly fall over herself. The area around her tinted into a colorless hue, and she startled herself making a short yelp. But even her own voice was muffled and didn’t seem to escape the periphery of a meter or two. The sound dissipated into nothing as soon as it escaped her throat. Mevi panicked, and looked around herself, then she noticed her gloves glowing in a peculiar way.

Her gloves, emanating from the gems on the top of her hands, were seeming to absorb the color around her. Where the gemstones rested there was nothing but a black pit that defied her understanding of vision. Rather than seeing a real black pit, it was more like complete emptiness. She looked down to her chest, and the necklace produced the same effect. She realized, almost instinctively, that it was her command to become invisible that triggered the effect. She sat up, testing what her instinct told her was almost perfect camouflage, and the many-limbed minion walked directly past her. Not even bothering a cautionary glance of curiosity in her direction. What was stranger, was Mevi’s complete confidence in what was happening and that it was her own doing. Somehow the gemstone was responding to her immediate internal desires.

Mevi wondered how this power worked, and how far it might be stretched or manipulated. Kalesi mentioned the device being able to create light, or even moving objects. If she could master becoming invisible, could she do those things as well? She was overcome with curiosity, and the feeling of using the Maige was exhilarating. She felt her veins pumping quickly with excitement and emotion. She experienced the fear of the figure that was hunting for her to a higher degree, and at the same time she felt the extreme excitement at unlocking some strange ability. All her senses were heightened along with every motion producing an immense amount of stimuli that she could analyze at a speed entirely beyond what she remembered possible. As the smell, sound, feeling, and emotions flooded into her all at once, she could feel a dull headache pulling its cloud over her. Her first instinct was danger, that this sign was an omen of worse effects to come.

Disregarding the omen, Mevi was overcome with exhilaration. She planned her next thought, her first true command, and demanded that the cloak be dropped. As she thought to command the Maige, it responded instantly and the colorless hue dissipated allowing vibrance to flood back into the world around her. As if suddenly aware, the monstrous humanoid jerked its head back, as Mevi was now behind the cretin. She stood to her full height, and pushed a hand out as if to grasp something, and the lone bandit turned fully to face her. The creature grinned a sickening expression of glee, as if he had already won against her. As he fully faced her, Mevi summoned light. She commanded light to shed in a star’s radiance to blind or stop her enemy.

A brilliance shone from Mevi’s glove that could not be compared to any light that had shone by any artificial means. A light rivaling a star’s embrace engulfed the vicinity around her, and shone with overwhelming brilliance beyond her adjacency. Despite the show of light, Mevi could still see perfectly well. The bandit writhed as it immediately covered its eyes in pain. The flare was over as soon as it began, a single flash like a sudden explosion of power. The creature fell to the ground and dropped its crude blade as it clutched at its eyes in pain.

Mevi stood triumphant, the exhilaration of streaming stimuli overpowering her normal senses. Yet as the effect dissipated, she realized what she had actually done. She was overtaken by excitement, almost an unconscious desire or command to use the Maige. Looking down to her arms in the realization of the power she displayed, she felt fire in her blood. Ripping away at the sleeves of her robes, her skin blistered and popped in agonizing bubbles of blackish tar. Dark veins streaked up her arms, and blistering welts formed around where her glove contacted skin. As her enemy clutched in pain, so did she as she remembered some primal instinct of fear. She had used too much of herself, she didn’t know how she knew that fact but the truth was bare across her arms. She fell to the ground, becoming overwhelmed by the sensation of pain, writhing in an agony of her own making.

Mevi began to crawl back to her mentor, her last instinct remaining was to return to her. The overwhelming pain had begun to fry what little was left of sense, but Kalesi could make it better. She would know what to do. Mevi could almost see her master’s form, darting around in the haze of dust and wind. If she could only reach her, everything would correct itself again.