Chapter: 29 WIP
“Demi, are you SURE this will work?”
Steriya asks me, as she carries me in my little glass.
Demi - “Definitely! Regina said that this is what she was doing to conceal Terminal. So I wanted to try it myself. Besides, it gives me a chance to see Ryleth for myself, AND investigate the Princess’s disappearance.”
Steriya looks around for a moment, then down at me again. “Honestly, I’ve looked everywhere I could possibly look, I have no idea where she could possibly be.” She says, as she looks around for people who might be staring at her.
Now listen up everyone, this place is amazing!
I look around, at the interior of this great kingdom. We’re currently on the 36th floor, and walking along the outer edges of its hanging paths. The areas near the walls are covered in all kinds of buildings. The Kingdom itself is built up as about eighty different floors, with the castle being the top floor, and largest building. Back to the floor we’re currently on. This floor is one of the commercial districts, above this floor is an industrial district. And below it is a residential district. Between every two Commercial Districts, there’s an industrial district. These three districts are then placed within two residential districts, which is then placed in between two commercial districts, which are then between another two industrial districts, which are then between ANOTHER two commercial districts, and then another two residential districts, and I think you get it now. Housing is kept at a safe distance from industrial districts, but close enough for everyone to get to work.
Pollution is a bit of a problem here, but they’re working hard towards dealing with it too.
At the bottom of the kingdom, deep underground, is the prison, where they keep long time criminals. Precincts are of course outfitted with holding cells, so they can transport the criminals when needed. Above the prison is an industrial district, which is covered by a filled in district, so there’s no escape.
Hanging a distance above us, at the center of Ryleth, is the Royal Crypt, a massive building hanging in the middle of the city, with multiple bridges from select districts that lead to it. The main bridge being the one that leads from the fortieth district. Bridges extending from nearby districts lead down to the primary bridge too of course. To be honest, the Royal Crypt seems to also serve as a good way to get between districts.
Surrounding the Royal Crypt itself are hanging rivers that snake down from the top of Ryleth to the bottom, they’re used for parades, because they’re super easy to see from each district.
Moving on, everywhere you look, you can find an aqueduct, and fountains. Pillars themselves are decorated with glass to hold in rushing water, that’s used as further decoration, ornate designs line the free space left on them as the last bit of detail. The railing that lines the hanging paths are also decorated with ornate designs, adorned with bowls that sit on little stands holding up the railing. The fountains are majestic marvels of impeccable design, they’re beyond anything I could have ever imagined. I could stare at just ONE of them for hours! On top of that, you can even find beautifully implemented water based architecture. From simple waterwheels, to cascading walls of water, to jet fountains that keep the ground with a thin layer of water.
There’s a lot of people here too, mostly sea-demihumans, but some of them are even normal sea creatures in glass tanks, carried by either robots, or some other means of transport.
“Hey Demi, look at this.” Steriya says, grabbing my attention- She’s looking at some sort of mural. “Who’s Demi?” Somebody new says- It’s another demihuman, they’re a piranha demihuman. “O-Oh-” Steriya manages to get out, but before she can really say anything, the Piranha person speaks up- “Why’re you carrying that glass of water around for? Are you doing Hermi’s challenge?” They say, confusing Steriya and I for a moment- “S-Sure. My friend told me to give it a try, but I’m not really quite sure what it is.” Steriya says, pretty quickly as a matter of fact. “Nice. There’s this famous YouViewer named Hermi, she lives here in Ryleth, and made this little challenge. The idea is that you carry it around with you, without spilling it at all. Magic that stops it from spilling is cheating.” He says, surprising us both further. “Ah, I see. I’m glad you told me then. My friend didn’t say anything about using magic, so I wasn’t sure. Of course I didn’t, because yeah, I agree it’s kinda’ cheaty.” Steriya says, trying to seamlessly add to her alibi. “I’m Steriya, it’s nice to meet you.” She says, holding out her other hand. “Oh, yeah, I’m Zilber. It’s nice to meet you too.” Zilber says, taking her hand. “So… What brings you to Ryleth? I rarely see anyone who ISN’T from Ryleth down here, and Earth Elements are even MORE rare.” He continues on, making conversation I guess. “Oh, I’m just visiting with my family. I’m a Porcelain Elemental, to be more specific.” She says, as I finally decide to put my attention on the mural.
The mural seems to be damaged, a little paint is damaged or scratched off here and there, and the wall it’s on is worn, this thing really needs to be repaired. The art piece itself is a drawing of a woman in a large dress holding an orb. In the orb is a baby, in the fetal position. She’s surrounded by a golden bird cage, with two streams of water flowing from her eyes, down her cheeks..
“Hey, can you tell me anything about this picture?” Steriya says, looking back at it again. “Oh, of course. That was Queen Regelask, she was a part of the Lask family. I think she was the queen that was dethroned and killed during the rebellion that happened near the end of the Puddle Kid Event.” He says, as we all stare at the mural. “Yeah, not sure what species of Demihuman she was, but it’s pretty cool it’s still here. I doubt she was Human, haha.” Steriya and I stare intently at it for a moment, until I notice her hair-
Demi - “Wait, I think Sirius was right- Look at her hair, it looks similar to Sirius’s, just bigger.”
Steriya’s eyes snap open, as she leans in a little to look closer- “Oh.. You’re right.” She blurts out loud. “Yeah, haha. Can you imagine? The last Ocean Kingdom was once ruled by HUMANS- Well actually, that would explain some things-” He says, surprising Steriya. She hadn’t realized she was talking out loud… “Y-Yeah..” She manages to get out, as she begins to walk away from the painting. “Well, it’s been nice, Zilber, but I should get going already.” Steriya says, as she waves him off.
Demi - “He was nice.”
Once we’re out of sight, Steriya lets out a heavy sigh. “I was starting to think that would never end…” She says, as she rests against the railing.
Demi - “Heh. At least it’s over now, and we may have just found that missing link between Sirius and his ancestors.”
“Yeah, that’s good for him I guess. But we’re still no closer to finding the Princess.” Steriya says, as she begins to pick herself up.
Demi - “Well.. This place was built right? Who constructed it? Are they still around? Is there schematics for the layout of this great kingdom?”
Steriya’s eyes widen slowly in realization, and she looks at me. “Huh… That’s a good idea, if there’s schematics, I could probably find areas I didn’t even know existed here.” She says, as she teleports us away- We appear at the top of the kingdom, staring at the great castle of Ryleth. A royal guard walks over to greet, but not after telling his buddy to go to the Queen. “Welcome, Miss Steriya- If I am correct?” He says, as he kneels down to our level. “Yes, Demitallis too. Thank you.” She says, surprising the guard, as she shows off the glass.
Demi - “Sup.”
He just stares at me, a melancholic yet accepting looking on his face.. “It’s… It’s so tiny… How can something so deadly be so tiny?” He says, just staring into my abyss.
Before I can say anything though, the door opens, and the Guard calls us over. “Ah, looks like we have to go.” Steriya says, and waves him off as she walks past. We enter into the visiting hall of the castle, and then into the next room with the throne, and the Queen sitting on it. Men and women enter and exit the room like ants, going about their daily tasks for the kingdom, while multiple servants stand at the Queen’s beck and call. “Welcome. You must be Steriya Genesis, I believe?” She says, greeting Steriya only..
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Demi - “I’m also here, your highness.”
She’s surprised, she looks around for a moment, until she spots the glass of water that Steriya is holding- “O-Oh, that’s very clever, Demitallis! Very impressive.” She says, as she claps. “Thank you, your highness. We were however wondering if you were aware of any schematics for Ryleth. We believe your daughter may still be somewhere within the Kingdom.” She simply nods, and looks to one of her servants. “Bring everything you can find on it, thank you.” She says, causing the aforementioned servants to run off, after grabbing two of the others to help them.
“So.. You’re certain my daughter is still here, in the kingdom?” She says, leaning closer to us. “Not completely, but this is the only place we can really search with hope of finding her, we don’t know where they would have brought her in such short notice, without being spotted.” Steriya says, causing the queen to rub her chin, then looks at some of her other servants. “I want some of you looking over records of everything going in and out of Ryleth, not one thing left out.” She says, ordering around more of her servants.
Her servants return with multiple stacks of papers, and present them to her. “These are all 80 of the current floor plans that make up Ryleth.” One of them says, as she motions us to come over. “Alright, well lets see what we have.” The queen says, staring at the first one in the pile.
Each floor plan has obvious open spaces that have been blacked out. They must have been filled in with material. “Well, at least I know there’s a lot more places for me to look- Here wait.” She says, as she places me on one of the throne’s armrests. “Uh…” The Queen says, staring at me.
Demi - “I don’t know-”
The servants just kind of look around awkwardly, until Steriya returns with Sari- “Where have you taken Sari-” Sari says, as she looks around. “I need you to copy these for me.” Steriya says, pointing at the stack of schematics.
“Are you a Sea-Bunny Demihuman?” The queen says, staring at Sari, and grabbing her attention away from Steriya. “Oh, uh, yeah. Sari guesses her species must have gone extinct at some point…” She says, looking away a little dejectedly. “Ah, I’m sorry. I guess that was a little insensitive. Can you please help us out?” The queen says, bringing Sari’s attention over to the servants. “Oh, yeah, of course Sari can.” She says, as she grabs each stack of papers, and a table bursts from her back- What the- She places the papers on the small table, and steps back. She aims an open palm at the table, and her eyes start to glow. A bubble extends from her palm, and encapsulates the table with everything on it- She holds an open palm to the other side, and everyone makes room- Another bubble appears, with two rings, and another two rings on the first bubble. “Alright, now Sari just has to copy and paste~” Sari says, as the rings begin to revolve around the surface of both bubbles. After a moment, material begins to appear in the new bubble, until it slowly replicates the table.
“Alright, Sari has completed the duplication process.” Sari says, as the glow in her eyes begins to fade. Sari walks over to Steriya, as Steriya just stares at the table, her mouth agape. “Come on, Sari has other stuff she wants to do.” Sari says, as she pokes Steriya’s arm. Steriya returns from the trance that Sari’s ability left her in. She teleports Sari away, and walks over to the new stack of paper.
Demi - “So… Duplication.”
Steriya just stares at it, with wide eyes. “I knew Sari was good, but I never imagined a spell with that level of complexity...” Steriya says, as she grabs the new stack of schematics. “We better get to work then, Demi.” She says, as she approaches me. :Your highness, when do you think we should check back? For word on the kingdom’s visitors.” Steriya says, picking me up again. “Oh, yes, of course- Come back tomorrow, there’s lots of entrances to Ryleth itself, so it’ll take some time.” She says, as Steriya simply nods and bows.
We teleport outside of the castle, and onto one of the floors of the Kingdom. Steriya takes a deep breath, and leans against a wall. “Good lord… Why did I ever agree to this?” She says, as she presses her fingers against her forehead.
Demi - “Well, I’m having fun.”
She just looks at me. “Yeah, ‘cause now I have to carry YOU” She says to me.
Demi - “That’s right~! How’s it feel~?!”
She rolls her eyes, you can hear the stone eyes lightly slide. “Like a feather.” She says, as she begins to look around. She pulls out one of the schematics, and it’s instantly drenched in water- “Oh shit-” She says, as the water simply slides off of it…
Demi - “I guess it would be kind of silly, if the paper we were using could get soaked this easily, and fall apart.”
“Yeah, hahah.. I guess it would…” She says, with a relieved laugh. “I wonder how they made it like this, must be a lot tougher than normal paper.” She says, as she starts taking in the vast details of this floor.
Demi - “Yeah, it would probably be hard to tell though. It’s probably not so tough, that we could find a difference though, relative to our own strength. Isn’t that interesting?”
“Huh-” Steriya says, as I pull her attention away for a brief moment- “Oh, yeah, I guess. I’ve never really thought of it that way… Now that I think about it, our world itself is kind of physically weak…” She says, as mana charges in her foot, and she slams it into the floor, causing a massive shockwave that tears through the hard stone. “Yeah, look at that, it falls apart so easily. And yet, it’s made by us, to hold us up… Enough of that, I should get back to the schematics-” She says, as she starts teleporting us around into what seems to be walled off rooms, sealed areas with no entrance, due to their lack of necessity.
I remember when I first learned that these kinds of rooms existed, when I was younger, and not a living puddle of water. It was such a revelation for me, as silly as that sounds. I guess it’s because I had never really thought about it before, it brought the concept of things that aren’t meant to exist, actually existing. It’s like how you don’t tend to consider people moving outside of where you spend the majority of your time, you never really tend to realize that the world is moving around you… Or well, you do, but it’s like, you kind of forget about it, until it comes to slap you in the face again…
I guess the empty walled off room is like, it’s something that isn’t supposed to exist, but it does, and I find that super interesting.
Steriya continues to teleport us into random rooms throughout Ryleth, finding all kinds of weird things... Even a skeleton! That one may have made us jump- “Alright, so no luck on THIS level…” Steriya says, as she folds up the sheet of paper, and places it in her pocket. “Alright, let’s try this one next.” She says, as she teleports us into a more populated area.
Steriya teleports us into an empty room, before anyone can notice us- “Oh my god, I hope nobody saw us. This stack of schematics would look really sketchy, and I don’t want people seeing them. Not to mention the ramifications of what could happen, if the guy WE’RE looking for, saw US with them.” She says, as she rests against THIS wall. I guess this stuff stresses her out...
Demi - “Are you okay?”
She sighs, and pulls out the paper she’s looking at. “Yeah, I’m fine. It’s just, I don’t want to make anything worse. Ryleth is packed full, so information would probably spread like wildfire. There’s so much that can go wrong here…” She… I brought them here… They’re following me…
Demi - “Steriya, if you need a break, that’s okay. I’ll manage on my own. I DID build that layer under the golden kingdom, for like, a week. Wasn’t spotted until we had finally dug our way out. So yeah, I’ll manage on my own.”
Steriya just stares at me, then sits down. “Yeah, I guess I could use a break… Thanks, Demi.” She says, as she starts scanning the schematics. “Alright, right here has a nice large area for you to use, and it’s surrounded by a few abandoned structures. I’d advise looking around, to make sure that no construction is being done. Just in case of course.” She says, as she teleports us, and leaves the papers on one of the boards that holds the walls up.
Demi - “Alright, thanks Steriya. Come back here and wait for me, once you’ve had enough time.”
She simply nods, and teleports away, leaving me all alone… Well, let’s get started. I slip through the seems in the walls, and explore. And just like she said, these buildings are abandoned, they haven’t been used in years. I seem to be in a residential district, so there’s a moderate amount of people. Each home is heavily personalized, with walls of water separating some, while others keep to a particular aesthetic.
Roads for cars are nonexistent here, since getting to most places requires vertical movement. The hanging sidewalk is just like all the other ones, watery floor and all. Looking to the center, I can tell what layer I’m on, using the Royal Crypt as an anchoring landmark.
Stalking and listening to people like a real creeper. You might be wondering: Demitallis, how are you staying hidden, can’t they see the blob of water walking around?! Well, there’s no need to worry! For I can flatten myself! Like a pancake! So I just look like the rest of the water coating the floor.
…
Alright, so it doesn’t seem like there’s any construction planned near there, from what I’ve been able to eavesdrop on. But I’ve also not heard anything stating OTHERWISE...
I guess everything should be okay then.
End of Chapter 29: “Onwards and upwards, Ryleth ascending!”
Thank you for reading.
“Hey, thanks guys!”
“Oh, th-thank you.”