[Book II Chapter 127] SANA: Chancel
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Sana stepped out of the lift. The small lobby was deserted other than the pair of guards in power armor flanking the exit. One stopped her when she tried to pass through. “Your card, please.”
“Again?” She asked timidly, presenting her adventurer card. They’d already checked her credentials before sending her down.
After a quick inspection, the man waved her through. “Welcome to Chancel. Stay out of trouble.”
The cool, subterranean air outside felt refreshing. Around her spread out skyrises, metallic and pristine, lit by a myriad of colorful projections displaying advertisements and company logos. Sana glanced up at the rocky ceiling far above. I’m actually here, at the base of the five towers…
From the moment she heard about Chancel, the dark heart of Neon, she’d wanted to visit. Unfortunately, Margaret had never found the time to take her. I bet she was afraid I’d pilfer something and land us in trouble. She worries too much. I’d never get caught.
Sana hoped atop the nearest building and glanced back at the tower she’d exited. The letters GUARDSTONE glowed vividly on its surface. As part of the mega company’s long relationship with the Adventurer’s Guild, saints were allowed take an elevator down to this level. Normally, access to Chancel was tightly restricted, with only those selected by the ruling corporations given permission to enter. Also immortals, of course.
Four nearby rectangular buildings caught her eye. They looked similar to Frieden, only four times the size with more connecting passageways. Strips of lights covered the dark, windowless exterior. Sana stared confused before her eyes lit up. That must be the Great Crystal Databank, Guardstone‘s treasured repository of knowledge. There’s nothing I’m interested there.
Lucy had made her promise not to steal, and she’d intended to abide by her word, mainly because of her chaperon’s warnings hinting at dire consequences for any failure to do so. However, a gnawing compulsion had grown by the hour, reaching a maddening fever pitch within her. Recognizing that resistance was hopeless, she’d resolved to purloin one single item. This show of restraint would surely earn her a mild punishment. If I’m limiting myself to one, then I must make it count.
Sana surveyed the rest of the cavern’s giant interior. To one side, Sofix’s tower was part of an enormous sprawling building. Playland, an entertainment complex with all kinds of activities. She’d seen the ads multiple times. Anyone could buy an admittance ticket, but access to the rest of Chancel was strictly restricted.
Further out, a series of white, modern building stood out close to the Raylock’s tower. These were the Ketamine Clinics, where dehumanizing augmentations occurred daily, replacing body parts with enhanced artificial versions. As Enera’s largest private weapon manufacturer, Raylock possessed a vast pool of enchanting and Magitech talent, a large portion of which resided in Chancel.
Several casinos bordered Gaveld’s tower, their boisterous presence standing in contrast to their austere surroundings. The mega corporation specialized in ‘high-value services’, such as selling insurance and running stock exchanges, all of which was alien to Sana.
Finally, She found her target, Viacore. The mega corporation trafficked physical goods from around Enera, the most valuable of which ending up here in Chancel. Far off in the bedrock wall, daunting metal walls housed its impregnable vaults, but today she wasn’t after the priceless artifacts safekept within. No, her focus was on the majestic structure at the base of the tower. Viacore’s Platinum Hall.
Sana quickly made her way across the city and entered. As she’d expected an auction was taking place, and she slipped in, relieved when none of the scary looking guards attempted to stop her. This was her treat to herself, a means to find a treasure precious enough to satiate her cravings.
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She watched patiently as enchanted weapons and extraordinary materials were sold one by one. The prices thrown around sent shivers down her neck, but she did her best to ignore them. It wasn’t monetary value she was after. Something had to strike her fancy.
An attendant wheeled out a cart with a sheet draped over it, and the entire hall went quiet. The whispers around her peeked Sana’s interest. Then the sheet was drawn back, revealing a crystal ball sitting on a velvet cushion. This is it… She stared in a trance as a frantic bidding war began. The otherworldly aura enveloping her was like nothing she’d experienced before.
It was only when the ball was covered again that she returned to her senses. She immediately left and went to find the desk where winning bidders collected their new properties. Trying to remain calm, she took a spot in line. Behind the desk, staff were busy assisting patrons while well-dressed guards watched from either side of the room. Even several feet away, she could tell that an impenetrable force field protected the pick-up area.
As she wondered how to proceed, the black-sheet covered cart appeared. An attended removed the crystal ball and placed it in a small brief case.
Can I? Not sure it’d work, Sana decided to try anyway. She concentrated and willed as hard as she could. Despite this, nothing happened, causing her to grow restless. I really, really want it though… Her heart jumped when she felt something in her hand.
Acting as natural as possible, she left the premises and sprinted across the city. Stopping on a dark isolated rooftop, she drew out her prize. Inside the crystal, a transparent petal hovered, suspended. She gazed mesmerized.
“That doesn’t belong to you.” Said a soft voice. Sana jumped and turned to see an elder man addressing her. Behind him was a younger man in magenta cultivating garb. Not good, I must——.
“Stop.” The old man said firmly. “Don’t move.”
Sana froze, not daring to move. The old man approached and reached out. “Hand it over.”
Without hesitation, she did as instructed. The old man cradled the crystal ball carefully, sighing with relief. He then studied her. “You’re the type who is accustomed to following the directions. It’s been a while since my silver tongue worked so effectively.”
“You’re fortunate I noticed Panacea’s aura passing me.” The cultivator said. “Let’s get rid of her quickly. This place isn’t safe for us.”
“Patience.” The old man said. “I have been frequenting Chancel for decades, and no one has been the wiser. Your worry is overblown.”
He then pointed to the ring on Sana’s finger. “May I borrow that?”
Sana panicked, struggling against the compulsion gripping her. This was the precious catalyst she used to create her shadow weapons. “It’s mine.” She managed to eek out weakly.
“I promise to return it.” The old man offered gently. The last of resistance broke down, and she complied.
The old man closed his eyes holding the ring. “I possess one of the rarest gifts: psychometry.” He explained. “It lets me read the history of objects, learning the tales etched into their essence. Through this I can know others even better than they know themselves.”
He smiled, looking up at her. “You’re wonderfully broken, with so much untapped potential. Ah, how I wish I could mold you myself.” He held out the ring, which Sana grab quickly.
“Aren’t you done yet?” The cultivator pressed anxiously. “It won’t be long before Platinum Hall puts out an alert and half of Chancel is searching for this girl.”
The old man turned, his congeniality disappearing, replaced by a bottomless darkness. “Since when were you allowed to question my decisions?” He said coldly. Although the comment wasn’t directed at her, Sana almost fainted from fear.
The cultivator went pale, backing away. “My apologies. It won’t happen again.”
The old man resumed his relax demeanor, focusing on her again. “This young lady has a very troublesome guardian. It’s in our interest that she doesn’t have a reason to investigate what occurred today.”
“Does that mean you’re letting me go?” Sana asked, clutching on the fain hope. Her instinct told her there was no escaping these two.
“Can you promise to keep our meeting secret?” The old man asked.
Sana nodded vigorously. “I do.”
“Good girl. Also, remember not to steal anything else. We don’t want to give Lucy a reason to pry.“
Hearing the name uttered so familiarly sent a chill down her back. Curiosity got the better of her. “Who are you?” She asked.
“My identity?” The old man regarded her intently, a smirk forming on his lips. “Why, I’m Salazar Rook, High Priest of the cult of the White Dragon.” His grinned widened. “But that means nothing to you, right?”