Soriya said softly, her eyes wide with wonder as she took in the sight. “Next dungeon it is… good leadership, Saintess.”
Lakshmi was looking around in awe. “Well now we know where at least some of the energy is going! The air is cool and fresh!” She started waving her detector instrument around again. “Astonishing, the energy flows-”
She cut off as Daniyel pulled her back from the edge of the railing just before she was about to walk into the void.
“A thousand pardons, princess, but it is wise to watch your step in this strange environment.”
“Just look at this place…!” Soriya was slowly spinning in circles, her arms outstretched.
“Is this… ancient technology?” Eshaan said hesitantly.
“Well what else could it be?” Soriya said.
“Not that.” Lakshmi said decisively. “The Ancients’ worked with orichalcum, bronze and red-gold. This is…” She waved at the expanse of black and silver. “Not that.” She finished quietly.
Eshaan nodded emphatically.
“So…” Soriya tapped her lips. “Some faction of the Ancients’, perhaps? Is there any way to tell how old these ruins are?”
Lakshmi shook her head. “Not without a week’s worth of work in one of my labs.”
I cleared my throat. “Then perhaps we should explore a bit?” I pointed at the open door behind us. “I did expect the door to close after us with a suitably ominous thud, and yet it didn’t. I think… we’re being invited in. As guests, of some sort?”
The group shared a look. Soriya scrunched up her brow. “Is that even possible?”
I shrugged. “Sure, why not? You can always leave a dungeon before you finish the questline, just almost nobody ever does, because they packed all the potions and gear they need. At least, they do if they have money.” I smiled brightly. “Which we do!”
Lakshmi shared a look with Eshaan. “Is she… always like this?” Lakshmi said.
Eshaan grinned. “Most of the time, yep.”
“So, which way?” Soriya gestured to the shining black ramps lit by floating orbs of white light. The lamps became a spiraling line of white motes that slowly curled their way downwards into the darkness below us.
We looked at each other blankly, then Lakshmi said “Uh… well there are interesting readings from both directions, but I guess the flows are stronger heading down?”
We looked at the two ramps leading into the darkness, lit by the twinkling lights. I fished around for a zeni, and pulled it out. “Ok. Heads we go left, tails, we go right. Any objections?”
Lakshmi muttered quietly “So unscientific.” Daniyel gave her a tolerant look, then turned back to me. “I believe that to be a most reasonable course of action, Miss Lilyanna. And as you are our leader, it is fitting that you be the one to toss.”
I twitched a half smile at him, and tossed the coin into the air. It landed on the black surface and chimed softly, wobbling to a stop on heads. I turned to the left, and stepped towards the ramp.
Eshaan reached out and grabbed my arm. “Lily, wait! I know you’re the leader, but you’re not front line combatant! Let me and Daniyel go first. We don’t know what’s down there!”
Daniyel nodded. “The plan is sound; we should listen to young Eshaan.”
Eshaan bristled. “I’m seventeen! I’m not a kid!”
No one said anything, but the looks on Soriya and my faces could have written a novel.
Daniyel said gravely “Indeed not.” He bowed his head to Eshaan. “My apologies for the offense. Please lead on.”
Eshaan smiled and nodded agreeably. I rolled my eyes. How can he be so easily tricked?! I swear…
Our little party trundled down the ramp. Overhead, small floating orbs of white light lit the pathway at an even distance.
The first encounter was considerably more and less than I had expected. Glittering motes of light floating in the air suddenly coalesced into swirling vortex shapes of purple-black and gold-white.
Soriya gasped. “Elementals! Light and Dark elementals!? Together?! Do you have any idea how- YIEE!” She yelped and leapt backwards as the two elementals spat bolts of Light and Dark energy at her, scoring small patches of discoloration on the paths where she’d been standing a moment before.
I pulled out my staff and hurriedly cast {Barrier}. “Scholar later please! Fight now!” I chided Soriya.
The fight was instructive, but quick. It turned out that when you have one mage who specializes in Light magic and one who specializes in Dark magic, you can defeat their Elemental opposites very easily. Though it was a bit embarrassing when the Light elemental phased right through my {Barrier} to deliver a brutally vicious attack to Eshaan.
Right, ok. Good to know… if a bit obvious in hindsight. Light elementals don’t care about barriers made of Light energy.
Soriya’s quick thinking, and even quicker trigger finger quickly obliterated the Light elemental, while the Dark elementals fell to careful applications of a {Heal} and {Cleanse}. I didn’t quite dare use {Holy White}.
With my luck, it will summon a pillar of light, destroy the universe, and then put it all back again.
We regrouped as the last of the twisted energy that made up the elementals vanished into dispersed threads of mana.
Lakshmi dashed forward and picked up the small glittering crystals that fell out of the cores of the Elementals, picking them up with a little triumphant squeal.
“Elemental crystals! This is amazing! You only ever get Elementals-“
Soriya picked up her thread and took over “-in the middle of really thick and stagnant Elemental pools! And to have Light and Dark elementals-“
“-in the same place means this structure must focus and amplify the threads-“
Both girls chorused in unison “-this place must focus and contain elemental power of every type!”
I blinked slowly, then turned to Eshaan with a small smile on my face. “This is getting out of hand.” I remarked dryly. “Now there are two of them.”
Soriya shot me a mock glare. “Don’t be like that, or you’ll get Eshaan a laser sword.” She perked up and said “But really Lily, this is astonishing! This whole structure-“
I held up a hand. “Wait. So, there are going to be more of the elementals here?”
Soriya deflated a bit. “Well I suppose there must be…”
Daniyel said gravely “Then we should prepare our tactics as such.”
Eshaan tugged on my sleeve. “Lily, what’s a laser?”
I sighed. I really should have known. “Something from another world. I’ll explain when we’re not in an ancient ruin of mystery.”
We discussed our tactics for dealing with elementals, and worked out a rough plan. But the next thing we found as we descended deeper into the structure wasn’t a monster. Instead, a glass sculpture of a person stood in the middle of the pathway, motes of ever shifting multicolored lights swirling and glowing within.
I couldn’t actually make out much in the way of details, but the whole effect was shockingly beautiful, and yet it sent chills up and down my spine. Something was just… off about it, for all of its alien beauty.
“We should keep clear of it.” I said uneasily, as Lakshmi and Soriya scrutinized every inch of it. “Does it even show up when you use {Study}?”
Soriya took a step back and shook her head. “That’s the fascinating part. No, it doesn’t. Not like it should. The System just… doesn’t seem to know what to make of it! I only get question marks, and guesses!”
“So… what are you telling me, this object isn’t made of anything the System recognizes?”
Soriya grinned energetically, peering at the statue intently. “I suppose!”
Lakshmi shook her head emphatically. “No, that’s not possible. The System covers the whole world, it can’t not know something!”
Eshaan nodded in agreement. “I’ve never even heard of something like that.”
I waved at the statue. “And yet, here it is. Creepy and real.” I shook my head. “Look, if we don’t understand it, we really shouldn’t be messing with it!” And worst of all, I have no idea what the heck it is! This isn’t part of any plot I know! Unless it’s just going to attack us, but then it should show up when Soriya uses {Study}!
Daniyel nodded. “I believe miss Lilyanna has the right of it. Until it presents a provable danger, we would be better served to focus our efforts on other issues.” He gravely pointed a finger into the darkness. “For example, I believe those are elemental sprites approaching us.”
We all spun to face the direction he pointed. Sure enough, small flittering motes of elemental energy were floating towards us, a quartet of the classics, fire, earth, air, and water. Unlike the Light and Dark elementals however, they all looked like animals. Animals composed of twisted knots of elemental energy, shifting form like…
Almost like that statue… I looked back at the statue, and scooted a few steps further back. It remained stubbornly unthreatening, and utterly creepy.
Eshaan stepped forward, drawing his blade. “Well, now we know there’s more than just Light and Dark elementals here. These I’ve fought before. Come on everyone, we’ll give them a thrashing!”
The fight was quick and decisive. Our plans worked, to my utter shock. The elemental beasts disappeared as the elemental energy that made up their bodies unraveled under our attacks. They also dropped crystals, which Soriya and Lakshmi excitedly scooped up. We took a moment to get our breath back, and I found myself musing again on the oddity of the direction my life had taken.
Of all the things to be grateful for, it remains odd to me that the best part of fighting for my life is that I don’t have to have the headache inducing swirly combat transition scene! I picked my way forward, and looked around cautiously. The statue remained an enigmatic lump behind us, and far down the path the curious dancing motes of color…
Well I suppose those would be more elementals. And… maybe more of those statues? I shivered.
“Are you cold, Lily? I have a scarf somewhere…?” Eshaan started to rummage in his equipment.
I had to laugh. “No, silly, no. I’m just…” I rubbed my arms, feeling goosebumps all over my flesh. “It’s creepy, that’s all. I can’t pin it down. Like something’s not right here.”
Soriya laughed. “We’re in the middle of a dungeon where {Study} doesn’t work. What could possibly go wrong!?”
“Actually-“ said Lakshmi. “-study works just fine on those elementals. Even on the path and those lights ahead. It’s just the statues that are funny.”
Eshaan frowned and stroked his chin. “Who would create statues just to leave them in the middle of the path?”
Soriya pointed ahead. “And it looks like there’s more of them.”
I frowned. “Ok, this is really starting to worry me. Everybody… stay extra sharp.”
Lakshmi tipped her head to the side. “I’m a little surprised. I figured you’d want to leave if you’re so scared!”
I glared at her and stomped my foot. “I am…” I stopped. I was scared, and it was obvious.
But this is the plot. This is the direction it goes. And I’m pretty sure the Sparrowhawk is down here… along with plot critical information.
“Alright, yes. I’m scared. I admit it. But I think who or whatever took the Sparrowhawk is down here. The Sparrowhawk itself is probably down here! And I’m fairly sure we’ll be ok. Mostly.”
“Well… I guess that makes sense, yeah.” Lakshmi nodded with a puzzled frown. “But if you’re scared-”
“We keep going.” Eshaan declared.
I looked over at him in surprise and a little hurt.
He looked at me and offered and apologetic smile. “Sorry Lily. I just… I know you. You’re scared but you keep going. You’ll keep going here. You think there’s something we need to do or know down here, and I think we owe it to the…” he stumbled, clearly wanting to say ‘princess’ but holding it in. “We owe it to Captain Lakshmi to get her ship back. She rescued you, and got us here, and…” he trailed off as I tapped my finger on his lips, smiling.
“Ok, ok. Enough. Yes, we keep going.” I turned to the others. “For all the reasons Eshaan said. There’s something down here. Something important. And we need to know what it is.”
The others looked at each other, then Lakshmi said “Well, if you’re going down, I’m coming too! There’s a mystery here and you’re going to need me to unravel it!”
Soriya nodded. “There’s no way I’m missing an adventure like this! Or the plot!”
Daniyel simply nodded in agreement. “You already know that where Captain Lakshmi goes, I will follow.”
“And of course I’m coming with you, Lily!” Eshaan enthused. “So lets go!” He lifted his sword into the air dramatically. It was promptly hit by a bolt of energy from one of the flickering elementals that darted in and out at the edge of the paths. Eshaan yelped and dropped the sword, rubbing his hand in pain.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
I smothered a giggle with my hand, and then took his hand in mind and cast a {Heal} to restore his injury.
“While I am very impressed with your energy, Eshaan, please try to avoid hurting yourself with grand gestures?” I said, my voice trembling with repressed laughter.
Eshaan gave me a hurt look, then bent down to pick up his sword. “How was I supposed to know it would do that?!” He complained.
Soriya tapped her lips thoughtfully. “Perhaps by engaging in basic observation and deduction?”
Lakshmi giggled. “Now that’s really asking too much, Soriya!” She said.
Daniyel frowned and said gravely “That is unfair to Sir Eshaan. His boldness and bravery has served us well, and was a key element of our plan to rescue Lady Lilyanna.”
Lakshmi reached up and swatted Daniyel on his shoulder. “Spoilsport.”
Eshaan beamed. “I dunno, it’s kind of nice to have someone to stick up for me! Otherwise I get bullied by all the girls.”
I rolled my eyes. “Chiding you for your foolishness is not bullying.” I said tartly.
He looked at me and grinned. “Po-tay-to, Po-tah-to, same thing.”
Huh. I didn’t know potatoes were a thing here… oh… they’re kind of not! How odd…! Hm, I should make them all… right!
I clapped my hands together. “Then I’ll make potato soup for you all when we get home!”
Eshaan cheered, and even Daniyel brightened up slightly at that announcement.
“Truly, a great reward, suitable for the most daring of Air Pirates.” He nodded gravely to me. “I shall look forward to this repast.”
We headed down the spiraling path of black onyx. As we descended, the encounters with the elementals grew more frequent and more and more statues started to appear. At first, they were single statues standing alone in on the path, but soon they appeared in groups of two and three. Shortly thereafter, the path reached its first destination, coiling to the edge of the sphere, where a dizzying array of what looked like housing of some kind were stacked against the edge of the structure’s walls, spreading out across the wall in all directions.
Peering cautiously into an open doorway, we found more statues, these in large groups, their hands lifted as though they were gesturing or… or holding something?
I felt a chill run all over me, and rubbed my arms.
Eshaan looked at me in concern. “Lily?”
“There’s no dust anywhere. Have you noticed? I just… I had a thought. What if… these are people. Or were people.” I said nervously.
Soriya and Lakshmi looked at me and then at each other. “Why would you think that?” Soriya said seriously.
“I dunno.” I waved vaguely. “Plot? The creepiness of everything?”
Soriya shook her head. “Light magic is the only thing that affects bodies, and Elemental magic would be needed to turn them into stone like this, and then Entropy magic… the scale of the ritual would be…” she trailed off, slowly looking around her.
“Like something that could make a city inside a sphere that drinks energy?” I said with a brittle tone.
She was quiet.
Lakshmi turned to Soriya in concern. “Soriya…?” She asked nervously.
Soriya rubbed her arms up and down. “I think… Lily might be onto something.”
Daniyel spoke up. “The statues have offered us no harm. If they are the inhabitants of this city, do you think we are in danger?”
Eshaan snapped his fingers. “Wait! I’ve got it! Lily, you use white magic, that means you can cast {Sleep} on them! Or {Heal}, or… well if they’re people, you can affect them! Maybe you can even bring them back to life?!”
Soriya peered skeptically at one of the statues. “Eshaan, they’re stoned.”
Ehsaan shook his head. “I have faith in Lily! If anyone can do it, she can do it!”
I frowned thoughtfully, and stepped forward, reaching out my hand, pulling the weave of light mana towards me. Soriya suddenly stepped forward and grabbed my hand just before I could touch the statue.
“Wait.” She looked at me gravely. “Doesn’t this seem like a flag to you?!”
I stopped, my eyes widening. Come to think of it… yes it really does seem like a flag!
Soriya felt me stop resisting her grip and let go. I let my hand drop to my side.
“A… flag?” Eshaan frowned. “I don’t understand?”
I turned to him. “It’s… it’s a Seer thing? If I touch them, or try to affect them, I think something really bad will happen.” I bit my lower lip in frustration. “I do want to help them! I really do! But… but something did this to them. Something that might still be around.” I gestured around us.
“And, unlikely as it is, they might have actually wanted this outcome.” Soriya said.
I giggled from the stress. “Are you suggesting they like being stoned?” I said to her.
Soriya grinned at me. “Well they didn’t want this party to be a bust.”
I groaned, and flailed a hand at her. Eshaan, poor boy, looked clueless.
Lakshmi groaned as well, and said “Alright, if you’re done being weird, can we keep going? A city on the side of a building is weird enough, but I really want to find the Sparrowhawk!” She punched her fist into her palm. “And then I’m going to have words with my shipnapper!”
We backed out of the strange maybe party, and continued along the path, which spiraled out and away from the wall descending down and down into the depths. As we went, the wisps of elemental energy grew stronger and stronger, the steadily increasing difficulty of the elementals a testament to the thickness of the energy inside the structure.
“I wonder how thick the energy was when it was just the top of the dome showing?” Soriya pondered. “Assuming that the dome is absorbing the energy and manifesting it as elemental threads, of course.”
“Well what else would it be?!” Lakshmi said.
Soriya shrugged. “I don’t know. That’s rather the point of our exploration, isn’t it?”
Lakshmi hmphed, and folded her arms angrily.
The elementals grew stranger as we spiraled downwards, more powerful but also taking increasingly strange forms, mythic beasts, humanoid shapes, and stranger things. The path reached the wall at regular intervals, and now the glass statues were a regular occurrence, gathered into groups in buildings, clustered on the path, some standing near the edge as though to look out into the void of swirling colors and lights in the center of the structure. I was increasingly becoming certain that these were indeed people. Perhaps even still were people. The hairs on the back of my neck remained erect from the pure creepy thoughts this eerily silent and beautiful place evoked in me.
I wasn’t sure if this was good or not. If touching the statue was a flag, shouldn’t there be a battle? Or was it maybe a midboss? Or… or maybe I should have touched it… I chewed on my lower lip. Eshaan put his hand on my arm and patted me.
“I know that look. Lily, you’re doing the right thing.” He said
“But how do you know I am?!” I said plaintively.
He grinned. “Because wrong or right, you made a decision and we’re following it. Standing still and debating only means you never choose at all. That’s always the wrong choice.”
I glared at him.
“What, it’s true? Good military tactics!” He defended his advice.
Daniyel said “Young Eshaan is correct. You cannot know the results of your choice, but so far we have not encountered enemies that wish us ill. Perhaps it is best that we comport ourselves as guests in this place.”
Lakshmi huffed again. “I dunno, I’m getting a powerful urge to Air Pirate here. I mean, have you seen the stuff in those houses?!”
I nodded unwillingly. The buildings did have outrageously luxurious furniture, exotic and rare items that looked… well, valuable. And all eerily clear of dust or the grip of time.
“It’s like somebody had the biggest party in the world, and then time stopped.” Eshaan mused.
“Exactly!” Lakshmi said. “Nobody’s gonna miss a few items! I mean, how could they, they’re fucking glass, right?!”
She reached for an obviously magical item resting on a nearby ledge, and Daniyel moved with that eerie grace of his, so quickly it seemed like he wasn’t even moving, grabbing her wrist and stopping her movement.
“Perhaps it would be best to refrain from acquisitions until we have secured our method of exit and transport.” He said with unflappable calm.
I breathed out a sigh of relief as Lakshmi slowly lowered her hand, giving him a sullen look. “Oh, fine, spoilsport.” She said, crossing her arms again.
Eshaan gave her a sympathetic look. “I know how you feel, Princess. Er, I mean, Captain! The stuff in here… I bet I could get an Imperial scholarship just for one of these things! I’m itching to watch you take one apart!”
Lakshmi turned to him, her expression brightening. “I know, right?!” She said with excitement. “The techniques used to build… anything in here…! It’s a physical itch! Even one of these light globes!” She pointed at the hanging globe lights overhead.
“Come on, you two. Let’s find out what’s down at the bottom… and maybe we can scratch that itch, ok?” I said with a tolerant smile.
Lakshmi and Eshaan continued to discuss the possibilities of the structure, with Soriya chiming in occasionally. At first, I was glad that Eshaan had something to occupy his mind with. But as we descended, I realized that I was starting to feel jealous of all things!
Oh this is ridiculous! It’s nice that he can let out his excitement! Don’t be such a baby, Lilyanna! I thought angrily. It didn’t help though. I still felt the insane irritation that somehow Lakshmi was stealing him from me!
Outrageous! When I got here, I couldn’t stand him, and now I’m worried about losing him?! He’s the hero! I couldn’t get rid of him if I tried! I groused internally. And my how the tables have turned. I glanced over at Eshaan’s animated features as he discussed some obscure Ancients’ fact far beyond my understanding. My expression must have been obvious, as Soriya patted my arm.
“If you keep making that face, it’ll stick like that.” She teased.
I huffed. “I know, but it’s so… petty of me to care! And I’m such a hypocrite too! I swore I wasn’t interested!” I said angrily.
Soriya shrugged. “You’re the heroine, he’s the hero… and he’s very sweet and very cute.” She said quietly.
“I know, I know. I’m still not resigned to this, you know!”
Soriya just smiled at me. “We can always make our own paths.” She hefted Diaboli meaningfully.
I just shook my head to that. We could… but there was a Shadowme that was tugging at the shape of the Plot, twisting everything out of order!
As we proceeded deeper into the city, we could measure our progress by how curved the walls around us were, compared to the pathway… street?... we descended, and as the path flattened out, it was obvious we were coming to someplace important. A glittering confection of silver and black rose from the center of the structure, the exact center point at the bottom of the sphere it described. There were signposts and signs everywhere, and I couldn’t read a single one of them. Even Lakshmi and Soriya struggled with the task.
“It’s so old!” Lakshmi said in hushed tones as she slowly ran her fingers over the script.
“But what does it say?” I said nervously.
“Well… I think it says ‘Capitol Building’.” She said.
“Then in we go.” I nodded. “It’s certainly got an obvious entrance, as befits a public building. I just hope there’s no metal detectors.”
“Why would they want to detect metal?” Eshaan asked curiously.
I looked at him, and then shook my head. “You know, I think that’s a part I’m happy to leave behind.”
Eshaan sighed and frowned at me. “You’re far too mysterious!” He complained.
I smiled at him a little wistfully. “Never mind. Just a sadness from my other life. It’s better gone.”
Soriya nodded somberly. “Trust us on this.” She said to Eshaan.
We mounted the steps to the grand building at the bottom of the structure. As we reached the top flight of stairs, a pair of doors opened, and a boy about my age with white hair and amber eyes stepped out. An oh so very pretty boy. I could feel my mouth water just looking at him.
Oh my oh my… what a fine looking view that is! I slapped my cheeks and shook my head angrily. Stop it, Lily, stop it! Focus!
I looked back at the boy, forcibly pushing aside my prurient interests and taking a closer look. He wore ancient formal clothing, all in black and silver. It was well cut, but oddly androgynous and impersonal. He wore a silver pendant around his neck and a small pin on his chest engraved with a superimposed crescent on interlocking gears. Aside from that there was very little personality to him. He stood stiffly. Strangely upright and too still.
I wonder… That hair and those eyes… hello named character! Oh! Is he our new party member?!
“Welcome to the Capital of Nocturnus.” The pretty boy’s voice was androgynous as well, though slightly shaded towards a lower register.
Or perhaps that’s just my new tastes speaking? I thought wryly.
His voice, too, was curiously neutral, sounding oddly flat and quiet in the emptiness of the city.
I twitched a smile. Well, we know we’re solidly on the Plot rails, with a name like that! I thought wryly.
“It has been many years since this city has had guests.” The boy continued quietly. “I was concerned that you would prove to be invaders like the others, but I am pleased to see you are not. My designation is Camaxtli. I am the designated point of interaction for the Capital while the Nocturnus Jubilee continues.”
Soriya broke into a broad smile, and exchanged a glance with me. She took a pace forward and asked “Just to be clear, what would have happened if we were considered invaders?”
“The city’s automated guardian systems would have activated to escort you from the city.” The boy… Camaxtli… replied.
I breathed a sigh of relief. “Then we are extremely glad to be counted as guests.” I said. “Though in truth, we came in… well we came in because you opened the door for us, and because we are missing our airship.”
“That’s right!” Lakshmi said heatedly. “Where’s my airship, you, you… shipnapper!”
Camaxtli blinked slowly. “Airship?” He said slowly. “Are you the owners of that primitive sky raft that was left outside Nocturnus?”
“Primitive?!” Lakshmi shouted angrily. “That ship represents years of my life! It’s my best work so far! There are things in it that nobody has done yet!”
Camaxtli turned to look at her, his whole body pivoting as he did. He tipped his head to the side, and said “Curious. Technological degradation? This was unexpected. Are you part of the Alliance’s System?”
We were silent for a moment, then Soriya said “We do use the System, yes. But there is no ‘Alliance’ that we know of.”
Camaxtli frowned, and I could see twinkling lights sparkling behind his eyes for a moment. My eyes widened. Is he…! A bunch of separate intuitions suddenly clicked together in my head.
“Excuse me!” I said. The lights in his eyes stopped, and he looked at me, frowning. I felt awful for interrupting his train of thought, but I just had to know. “I’m sorry, please excuse me… are you an android?!” I asked excitedly.
Camaxtli blinked slowly, turning to me. “Android…? I am unfamiliar with this term.”
I looked to the others, but only Soriya seemed to understand the word. I turned back to the boy and explained.
“Android is… is an artificial being. A sapient machine, not created inside…” I squirmed uncomfortably, suddenly aware that I was where new humans were grown now! “Not born from another human.” I finished awkwardly.
The boy nodded slowly. “Android… an unfamiliar but fascinating word. It suffices to describe me, though my creators used the term ‘Runeborn’.” The boy tipped his head to the side. “Are runeborn no longer created on this world?”
Inwardly I was spinning in circles clapping my hands. Oh boy, oh boy! An android from the ancients!? This is so our new party member! This is going to be so cool! And he’s super-hot! I stopped, wincing mentally. Ugh! I reprimanded myself. Stop it, Lily! Think how Eshaan would feel!
Reminded, I turned to look at the others. Lakshmi looked as though she was having a religious experience. “You’re… you’re a machine?! A thinking machine?!” She stepped forward as though in a trance.
Camaxtli turned back to her. “It is incorrect to say that I am a machine, though the term might apply if you consider that your race is a collection of chemical interactions in a water medium… thus, a chemical machine.” He replied solemnly.
Heh, he could give Daniyel a run for his money with that deadpan delivery. I thought with a smile.
“Oh my god…” Lakshmi looked like she was about to hyperventilate, stepping forward and taking the boy’s hand in hers, her eyes wide with wonder. She started examining him, lifting his arms, and circling around him.
Camaxtli frowned in confusion, pulling away. “Please desist. This is improper behavior for a guest.”
Soriya coughed. “And weren’t we trying to get our airship… err, ‘skyraft’ back?” She said.
Camaxtli pulled away from Lakshmi’s persistent poking and said “I can lead you to the … the ‘airship’… but I’m afraid it is partially deconstructed. It was deemed dangerously incomplete and lacking basic functionality. It is currently being repaired.”
Lakshmi stopped trying to poke at Camaxtli and pulled back angrily. She put her hands on her hips, looking him up and down. “Now you wait just a minute! That sounds like you tore my poor Sparrowhawk apart to put untested weird tech into it!”
Camaxtli shook his head. “That is incorrect. All technology being added to your vehicle has been rigorously tested and is fully compliant with Nocturnus current safety regulations.”
I couldn’t help myself and burst into giggles. “Lakshmi, I think that means you just got a free upgrade! Look at it this way, you’ll get to tear it apart again and learn all kinds of new things about it.”
Camaxtli said “In lieu of disassembling the craft, may I suggest that I provide you with an updated user’s manual? I will have it adjusted for the current primitive state of knowledge on the world.” He turned away and walked towards the Capital’s doors. “Please follow me.”
The expression on Lakshmi’s face suggested that she was trying to decide if she was going to have a heart attack, found a new religion, or try to twist Camaxtli’s head off. Or maybe all of them at the same time. I grinned at her as I trotted up the stairs to follow Camaxtli. “Come on, if we’re nice, maybe he’ll even let us watch his workers put it back together. Don’t you want to see how the civilization before the Ancients did things?”
Lakshmi hesitated about a nanosecond before giving in to what I could see was a raging curiosity in her, and we hurriedly followed Camaxtli inside before he vanished entirely.
To me, the inside of the Capital building was almost painfully familiar. Right down to what were clearly some sort of magi-tech metal detectors. I felt a little of myself die seeing them there.
Camaxtli said “This is the security section. Normally, we would need to do a full sweep for weapons, but as I am the only active occupant in the building, and all others are currently outside in the Jubilee, there is no need.”
“When you say ‘Jubilee’…” Soriya asked hesitantly. “Do you mean… are the glass statues outside… are they people? Is there a party?!”
Camaxtli stopped and looked back at her, his frown obvious. “Glass? The participants of the Jubilee are not composed of fused silica.” His frown grew deeper. “I see that the technological slide is more severe than I had calculated. I will elaborate.”
“The majority of the occupants of Nocturnus are currently in animated stasis. They live in a longer timeframe than we currently occupy. To them, one year of normal time is one second. The decision to prolong the Jubilee was made after the System Alliance’s goals became clear and it was obvious that Nocturnus could no longer persuade the Alliance on an alternate course of action. The Jubilee will end when the System has shutdown, or been eliminated from the etheric matrix of the world.”
“Wait, everybody in this city turned themselves into glass to escape the System?!” Lakshmi stammered.
“Again.” Camaxtli’s voice was calm but there was a faint edge of frustration in it. “The material that composes their bodies is not ‘glass’, but a complex organopolytide fusion of metastable chronotons.”
Lakshmi blinked several times then said. “Wow. I have no idea what you just said.” She turned to Daniyel. “Is this what it’s like talking to me when I’m busy working on a new device?”
Daniyel tipped his head to the side thoughtfully, then said solemnly. “I believe the experience to be comparable, yes.”
Lakshmi crossed her arms and chuffed. “Well that’s just unfair.” She said sulkily.