[Chapter 11] Soul - Departing Ice Fortress

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Soul yawned, slouching on the bench lining the oval cabin. In front of him, atop the stairs, was an elevated island with a built-in chair. The cockpit. On its back was more seating. A glass dome sealed out the arctic, and a rear door led outside. The deck was nondescript except for the floodlights. There isn’t even a railing.

It’d taken hours to ‘unsort’ Hope’s stones. She’d then fluttered about while they carried everything. Driven mad by the frustration, she’d dragged Silver and Dawn out of bed to help. Rose would’ve been drafted too, but she wasn’t in her room. Only Wise got a good night’s sleep.

I’m not the only one up early. Free was busy ‘euthanizing’ her plants. Her word choice has uncomfortable implications which I won’t dwell on. More were awake by now, finishing preparations. As for Soul, his focus was ahead.

So are we homunculus or kidnappees? And what’ll be the impact? Fretting was his principle pastime. Not very heroic, but necessary. To prevent more disasters, he’d anticipate what he could. If I’d retired without checking on Hope…

After all these years, his aspirations hadn’t changed. He’d been confused when his siblings mocked them at first. They’d interpreted ‘want to be a hero’ as a shallow longing for fame and acclaim. That’s gallingly wrong. Admiring Astra and her comrades, he too wished to save those lost in despair. A cause worth pursuing without regrets… It appealed to the romantic in him. And I enjoy aiding others. When his mother had steered him in Ethan’s footsteps, he hadn’t resisted.

Back to business. Chief among his concerns were Light and Free. Specifically, what they’d do on the Isle. Light will race across rooftops, and Free will craft monsters. At least Rose had that rational side to counterbalance her ambitions. Silver was a wildcard. His mischief is difficult to predict. He could see Dawn mouthing off to an immortal, which wouldn’t end well. Hope’s the least worrisome. Her troubles were refreshingly simple. Like packing.

And there’s what Astra will reveal. As if on cue, Rose climbed the stairs and waved, “Hope really took everything, didn’t she?”

Soul bristled as she plopped down. Something isn’t right. Rose is… cheerful?

“What’s wrong?” He asked.

Rose laughed, “Really, how’d you jump to that conclusion?”

Now she’s being coy… “Seriously, why so happy?”

Grinning widely, she leaned forward and whispered, “I know.”

“Know what?”

“What Astra has kept hidden.” Rose continued normally. “I figured it out after you left and visited the library for confirmation. I finally know.”

That explains the mood. Soul sighed, “So?”

“It’s… something everybody should hear together, right?” She smiled brightly. “I shouldn’t spoil the surprise.”

I dislike this new Rose. He was worried how she’d gotten drunk from power so easily. Perhaps sleep deprivation was contributing. I can’t leave her like this.

“I won’t press, but are you certain? I mean, we both expected the truth to be alarming, yet you’re upbeat. Giddy even.”

”I’m never ‘giddy’.” Rose quibbled, excitement draining away. “You have a point though. It’s nowhere near disturbing enough…”

She crossed her arms and grumped, “So I guess there’s a piece missing. Thanks for bringing me back down to earth.” There’s the bitterness we know and love.

“You’re welcome.”

“Still, I have the most important part.” Rose beamed. “And you don’t.” There goes any guilt I felt.

“You’re taking way too much pleasure in withholding information.” He stated.

“Ouch, that hurts.” Rose turned sour, but only briefly. “Let me have this. It’s hypocritical, but I want to lord over this, at least for a bit.”

Hope came up looking sleepy and cold, “Going outside first thing in the morning is terrible.”

“Hi Hope! How’re you doing?” Rose asked buoyantly.

“Better.” Hope shed her outer layers. “It’s nice and warm in here. I’ll not miss the temperature…” She froze and stared at Rose, who smiled back innocently. She motioned, “What’s this?”

“That’s Rose when she’s happy.” Soul said. “Yesterday she discovered Astra’s ‘secret’.”

Rose nodded, “I did.”

“Also, she plans on ‘lording over this’. Good luck getting anything from her.” Soul added.

Hope grimaced, “You’re kidding? After yesterday, I want to know fairly badly…”

Ignoring this displeasure, Rose turned to see who’d walked in. Her face dropped seeing Wise.

“Yes, I know too.” He then faced Hope. “Sorry, I can’t. She’d never forgive me.”

“Dang it, Wise, this was a rare chance to redeem yourself…” Hope whined.

Soul scooted to the far side and stared out. Behind him, his siblings entered one by one, greeted by ‘cheerful Rose’. Sorry, I failed to prevent this…

When it was almost eight, Soul felt a tremor. Simon had landed on deck. He’ll have an update.

“Good morning.” The necromancer said. “Astra is busy with her other guest but will be here shortly. She’d like everyone to stay inside so we can depart immediately.”

“Other guest?” Rose asked.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

“The Mask of Xarst.” Simon answered, “Sola’s Legacy will be well-guarded.”

“What?” Light leaped up. Not good. Soul blocked the door while Rose positioned herself atop the stairs. Light glanced between the two, debating who to challenge. Hope grabbed his arm and ordered, “SIT.”

Light reluctantly complied, “But this chance might never come again! I have to see it.”

The Mask of Xarst… Created eons ago by the Black Citadel’s first leader, it’d been passed down from necromancer to necromancer every hundred years, its power growing with each owner. Just what Light loves. Today, it was feared as the most powerful artifact in existence. The one who wore it was Xarst’s undefeatable champion. And Nero committed him for three years? That was a hell of a favor.

“There they are.” Simon pointed. High on the ramparts, Astra conversed with a figure in black. It’s him.

Soul enhanced his sight. That doesn’t resemble a mask. His mother spoke to a ghostly white skull. So it covers the head? Or does it transform the wearer’s features? Or is it illusion? Suddenly, his hair stood on end as panic washed over him. He felt dread at nothing in particular. It’s the damnedest feeling. Soul pivoted away and noted his siblings doing the same. Simply looking does this? When it’s not even hostile? How’s mother facing that thing?

The airship trembled, and Astra entered, “Everyone here? Good.” She nodded to Simon. “If you’d please…”

“Understood,” He hopped into the pilot’s seat, and a low hum filled the air.

“The rest of you, have a seat and enjoy the view.” At Astra’s signal, they accelerated smoothly, the walls around speeding downward. Soul caught a glimpse of the Mask of Xarst as they flew by. Too fast! In seconds the fortress had shrunk to an outline.

Simon switched off the floodlights and dimmed the cabin, “I hope you don’t mind, but I’d like to savor this sky a while longer.”

“That’s fine.” Astra acknowledged. “Now, it’s finally time for answers.”

“Actually,” Hope interjected. “Rose believes she knows already, so we should hear from her first. It’d be humiliating if she was wrong.” She keeps her petty grudges.

“Seriously?” Astra asked.

“Yes,” Rose said with all the smugness she could muster. “We’re clones, aren’t we?” That seems familiar…

Astra smiled wryly, “So, that’s what you deduced?”

“It is.” Rose said confidently.

“What’re those?” Silver asked.

“They’re genetic copies of existing organisms. In our case, we’re the seven heroes.” Rose explained. Now I remember. Mother mentioned it once in biology. “Dawn is Astra. Soul is Ethan Skyfell. Silver is Arther Bard. Hope is Jenna Crystal. Wise is Nero Ebonwood. Light is Barsal Farran. And I’m Lily Morgana.”

This explained a lot… Wait, the numbers don’t add up. Everyone looked to Free, who asked, “What about me?”

Rose’s triumph faded, “You’re the clone of Sola Delore. Hearing about her self-taught healing let me puzzle it out.”

CLAP. Soul jumped. Besides him, Dawn had slammed her hands together. “So that’s why… She’s Sola. It all makes sense.” She nodded contently, as if experiencing an epiphany. You might be the most abnormal.

Dismissing her existence, he refocused, “Is she right?”

Astra nodded, “Mostly. You’re doppelgangers, a special type of clone only Sola could create.”

“’Doppelgangers’?” Light repeated. He likes it.

“Yes.” Astra said. “You see, affinity isn’t genetic. While some rare magics are tied to bloodlines, for the most part potential can’t be passed on. This is a source of endless frustration for Enera’s immortals, but that’s another topic. Sola could do things with souls that no one has been able to reproduce. As doppelgangers, you’ve inherited the raw talent of your originals.”

So that’s the truth. The silence was broken by Hope, “I just wanted to say, no matter what, you’re still our mother.”

“Thanks,” Astra smiled. Damn, I should’ve considered that. This had to be hard on her too.

“Why’d you keep this for so long?” Rose asked. That’s right, the missing part.

“Sola fashioned all manner of servants to fulfill her objectives.” Astra began, “You saw some yesterday. Doppelgangers were her most despised creation. She’d make clones of her enemies and gift them knowledge with necromancy, tainting their soul in the process. These infiltrators caused untold tragedies. Wells were poisoned, defenses sabotaged, troops led into ambushes… Everywhere, fighters were back-stabbed by their ‘trusted friends’. Some even replaced their originals, acting as spies for the war’s duration. Their mere existence spread paranoia.”

“Sola only released a single duplicate per target to better piggyback off their original’s fame and renown. As soon as one fell, she’d replace it. I personally killed ‘myself’ seven times…”

“Dozens survived the Fracturing and kept slaughtering. Those who’d been undercover revealed themselves, committing atrocities. Once they were all hunted down, we thought the issue resolved… but it was just beginning.”

“As a last revenge, Sola let loose all remaining doppelgangers before unleashing her cataclysmic spell. They spread across Enera, mixing with refugees. These escapees were not, at least initially, insane. Many lived decades in remotes corners without discovery. Sadly, Sola’s taint was on them, and, as it spread, they turned on their communities in horrific ways.”

“Many attempted to rehabilitate those captured. If they could be cured, they’d be valuable military assets. These fruitless efforts lasted fifteen years until a particularly powerful double of Barsal Farran broke out and went on a murder spree across five nations. At that point, world leaders deemed them unsalvageable and placed a bounty on their heads. The last was wiped out two centuries later.”

“The bounty still stands, even now. Getting it rescinded would necessitate revealing your identities, which raises its own complications. Older immortals will loath your existence. I used to be one of them. Even if told you’re untainted, they’d prefer to be rid of you rather than take risks. That isn’t mentioning the geopolitical struggle which would ensue as nations vie to recruit you.”

Strangely, this was a relief. Mother was justified after all. “So this is why you raised us yourself?” He asked.

“Yes.” Astra sighed. “Had I made you known as babies, the world might’ve dispatched you swiftly rather than deal with the headache. If you’d been allowed to live, you would’ve either been confined somewhere remote or divvied up as future war potential. In both cases, you would’ve had less freedom than at Earth’s End.”

So how would they react? Light’s probably delighted. Dawn’s ego is too strong, and Silver isn’t vulnerable to upsetting news. Hope likely anticipated it. The last three were the concerns. Rose will meet her original soon. Wise was perhaps the most fragile. He was broken once before. Free was resilient, but the burden of this fell on her. Discovering you’re a copy of the most despised villain can’t be good for your psyche. He’d have to check on her.

“How’d you find us?” Dawn asked.

“Fifteen years ago, Earth’s End was raided, as happens every so often.” Astra said. “Except this time, it was a grander affair. Three sizable groups attacked simultaneously at different points, each succeeding in sending smaller teams past the dragons. They’d plotted to overwhelm with numbers.”

“I killed those nearing the fortress then focused on the fleeing remainders. When I returned, I was shocked to discover a breach.”

“A fourth party had tunneled under the ice. Normally the dragons would’ve sensed an underground infiltration, but they’d been distracted. I still don’t understand how they burrowed so far so fast. Cracking the seal in my short absence was equally astounding.”

“I immediately dug down and followed into the building you saw yesterday. Inside were thousands of tanks. Recognizing the names on some, I deduced they contained doppelgangers. No one was there, and the doors were locked. When I checked the controls, I found them hacked, their data downloaded and erased. From what was left, I’m confident resurrection remains safe, so that’s one silver lining.”

“I assume you haven’t shared this with anyone.” Simon said from behind.

“There was no way to report it without alerting the world,” Astra motioned them. “Only Nero knows. I left tracking the culprit to him.”

“Anyway, that’s when I noticed eight tanks were on-line, and everything got complicated.”

“Something’s strange.” Rose said. “If the facility predated the Dark Age, why was there a clone of Lily? She would’ve been seven or eight.”

“Besides immortals, there were world leaders, saints, and well-known prodigies. She must’ve just made the cut.”

“So only we lived?” Free mused, “what are the odds…”

“Surprisingly high.” Simon chimed in. “It’s no accident the ‘most interesting’ survived until last. The HEAVENLY DAO undoubtedly kept your life support going long after it should’ve failed.”

“On another note, we’re nearing the arctic’s edge. You’re about to have your first look at Enera, our Fractured Earth.”