The Pillar of Enera

[Book II Chapter 69] KATE: Infiltrating the Grey Kingdom

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“You sure this is safe?” Kate asked.

“Don’t worry, I’ve done this a thousand of times before.” Silver said, leading them down a corridor shaped of fog. A storm of chaotic colors beyond the insubstantial walls lit the way.

Kate peered ahead. “How are you sure this won’t connect somewhere dangerous?” They’d traversed several realms so far, but hadn’t encountered anything too fierce. Still, Kate was aware of the horrors which lurked in the Ether.

“When forming passageways, a summoner can sense the type of place they are linking to.” Filia offered.

Kate glanced at her companion who seemed far more at ease. “Do you know how to etherwalk too?”

“I’m familiar with the basics.” Filia answered. “However your boyfriend is far more skilled than me.”

Kate scowled lightly, swallowing her doubts. At the Isle of Dreams, Silver had barely used this side of his talent. They’d been partners in mastering their auras. It was unsettling seeing him wield a foreign magic so proficiently.

When they exited to a forest clearing, a swarm of fairies flew over and accost them. “This is Elysium field.” Kate said in wonder, watching the small figures fluttering about. The atmosphere had an otherworldly calm about it.

“I thought you’d enjoy it.” Silver smirked before addressing the fae greeting them. “We’re searching for the Celetect Vortex. Could you show us the best place to reach it?”

“This way.” One sprite declared proudly, dashing off through the woods. They crossed giant roots over a verdant wetland and arrived at another portion of the veil. Silver approached and raised his hand. The amber crystal hanging on his wrist glowed a bright orange.

“There it is.” He mumbled happily.

Thanking their fairy friends, they entered another misty hallway. Shorter this time, it ended at a black pit, and sandy gusts assaulted them as they neared.

“I hate this place.” Filia grimaced, staring into the void. “Even with cici, I’m still as blind as a bat. It’s too windy and dark.”

Silver burst into flames, sending Kate into a panic. Then she saw his confident expression and felt embarrassed. I am going to make him show me all his fusions after this!

Unaware of her irritation, Silver dropped several balls of fire to light a stone platform below. They jumped down. Giant electricity rings swirled together in an unending chaotic fashion above them.

While summoners could open portals anywhere on Enera outside of protective wards, returning was more complicated. Relying on tethered realms was regarded as too unpredictable. Instead, etherwalkers used beacons, magical power spots so great they left a disturbance in the Ether. The Celetect Vortex was one such beacon. Given the neverwhere ruin’s location deep in the Raging Sands, few had studied it and no one knew its purpose.

Silver and Kate blocked the sand with their auras, and Filia fused a rockmight, growing a foot and turning to stone. With a compass as their only guide, they crossed the pitch-black dunes avoiding the howling twisters wandering around them. Their journey took them out of the subterranean desert, through miles of chalk caverns, and then down to the mountainous landscape below.

Silver finally brought them to a stop in a quiet sunlit valley. “We should wait for nightfall to approach Ransas. Also, this place is far enough from the cities wards to open a portal. We’ll make it our extraction point if something goes wrong.”

Catching her breath, Kate raised an eyebrow, “Extraction point?”

Silver winced, “Sorry, it’s military lingo I picked up. I was often part of reconnaissance teams in the Flux Planescape.”

“No, it’s fine.” Kate said. “I’m just amazed how you got us here without getting lost.” While proud, part of her missed the awkward energetic boy from the Isle. The new maturity and competence would take some getting used to.

“I’m the one who proposed this mission when mother told me about Hope.” Silver continued “She wasn’t thrilled at the idea, but she recognized the opportunity. The Grey Kingdom expanded too fast, and, in many low priority regions, they’ve only set up a rudimentary scrying network which can’t detect the presence of saints. That’s how we’re sneaking it.

“I suppose your mother is also expecting you to bring back other intel?” Filia guessed.

“Yes, since communication with this branch of the Adventurer’s Guild has been cut off.” Silver agreed. “The promise to do so was instrumental in getting her to agree.”

With the discussion over, Filia went off to cultivate, and Silver turned his attention to her. “So, what did you learn from Kara?” He asked.

Kate spent the rest of the afternoon showcasing the results of her training. While it was pleasant throwback to their time on the Isle, she was secretly relieved when Silver struggled to replicate the more advanced techniques. At least she could retain an edge in this area, at least for now.

Their infiltration was effortless. Ransas was still an open city, whose wards weren’t enchanted to require a token for entry. For saints like them, they could simply hop over the walls. The only danger was someone recognizing them, which is why they’d waited for dark.

They skipped across the roofs and used a key to enter the top floor office of Nicholas Farsight, the head of this branch of the Adventurer’s Guild. Inside, a tired middle-aged man sat behind a desk. Recognizing them, he directed them to close the curtains and have a seat at a nearby table. As he joined them, Kate noticed the bushy tail peaking out from below his jacket and the two doggy ears atop his heap.

“Oh, I forgot to mention, but Astra told me canine feature are common in this region.” Silver looked over apologetically.

Kate rolled her eyes. “I’ll just stand out a bit more than usual.” So he hasn’t totally gotten over his habit of blurting out whatever’s on his mind. She was secretly happy about this.

“Coming here was riskier than you realize.” Nicholas begun. “We’re lucky king Saren wasn’t in town.”

Kyle Saren is the saint who rules over Ransas, Kate remembered from the briefing Silver had given. He’d inherited the throne after the recent death of his father. Not much else was know about him except he was renowned fighter.

Silver frowned. “What dangers didn’t we know about?”

“Kyle co-operated with the Grey Kingdom, welcoming them in.” Nicholas explained. “As a reward, he was assigned two gloom shinobi, both saints. One always stays close, but the other patrols the city. If you’re spotted and don’t flee before they lock down the wards, it’ll end badly.”

“Fortunately, we’ll have left by morning so it shouldn’t be an issue.” Silver said. “Now to the reason of our visit: have you heard anything about my sister?”

“I have.” Nicholas sighed. “She’s been transfered to Cloud Fortress Omega Nine. Rumor is Argon Blast has taken an interest in her.”

For the first time, Silver seemed uncertain, “Who’s Argon Blast?”

“He’s a barsal immortal who defected.” Kate jumped in. “You’d already left the Isle when we received the news.”

“Exactly.” Nicholas agreed. “Argon’s mobile fortress is military powerhouse filled with war machines of all types. It’s manned by a crew that’s handpicked and fanatically loyal.”

Silver scowled. “Where is it right now?”

“Somewhere on the front lines, likely surrounded by a fleet of ships.” Nicholas shook his head. “My advice is to give up. Rescue is impossible. Diplomacy too if she’s really attracted Argon’s attention.”

“I see…” Silver said slowly. “Thank you. Simply knowing her location is a relief.”

The quiet which fell over the room was broken by Filia, who addressed Nicholas. “You appeared stressed when we arrived. What’s the cause?

“The King has a new adviser named Finley. Since he arrived a couple of months ago, people have begun disappearing. Some bodies have resurfaced showing signs of torture. This trend has gotten worst with our isolation from the outside thanks to Grey Kingdom’s offensive.”

“Isn’t this the type of situation adventurers rush to investigate?” Kate asked. Exposing crimes and bringing villains to justice provided plenty of fame and renown.

“Adventurers are among the missing.” Nicholas responded. “Besides, Finley is a saint and has King Saren’s confidence. It’d take an immortal to confront him.”

Nicholas leaned back. “Every day I deal with relatives of those taken, and I’m powerless to do anything. It’s draining. That’s not too mention the other problems——”

There was a tapping on the window, and everyone tensed up. Nicholas motioned for them to be still and got up. Peering through the curtains, he frowned and opened the door.

A petite black-haired women in her early twenties slipped in. She sported wolf ears and a tail, and her worn leather gear marked her as an adventurer. Anxiety shone in her blue eyes.

“This is Sana, one of those who went missing.” Nicholas explained. “Could you tell us what happened to you?”

Sana fidgeted awkwardly before finally mustering her determination. “A week ago, some men came to our inn and told us to surrender. Margaret said they were too strong to fight, so we were taken away.”

“I was separated from her and locked up. After several days alone, I escaped and ran here.” The girl looked up, desperation on her face. “You have to help, Margaret is still there!”

Silver waved Nicholas close. “Is she alright? She speaks like a child…”

Nicholas wavered. “I’m not sure, Margaret always did the talking whenever they visited. What I do know is she’s an A-rank adventurer, so she can’t be mentally disabled. Perhaps it’s the stress from this ordeal? In any case, there’s something I must verify.” He faced Sana again. “Can you tell us about the place you escaped from?”

Sana nodded vigorously. “It’s deep underground, much deeper than this. It’s one of those places with purple plants. I can show you the way if you want!”

“What did it look like?” Nicholas continued. “This is important.”

“Four big square buildings.” Sana answered. “All white with no windows.”

Nicholas grimaced. Without a word, he returned to his chair and collapsed. “I understand what’s happened, but I wish I hadn’t.” He spoke softly.

“What’s that place?” Silver asked.

“Frieden, an underground facility near here.” Nicholas revealed. “It serves a controversial purpose. As I’m sure you’re aware, for nobility, marrying high ranked adventurers is key to maintaining their rule. When forming these alliance, certain sexual preferences are undesirable. That’s where Frieden comes in. It changes people.”

“Soul manipulation?” Filia spoke up, aghast.

Nicholas nodded.

“And this was allowed to go on for how long?” Kate asked. Beyond the ethical, procedures which alternated the soul had a history of going horribly wrong.

“Several centuries I believe. All the patients went there voluntarily and there were no mishaps, so it’s been quietly tolerated. I was sure they’d have shut down with dark age, but…” Nicholas trailed off, then took a deep breath.

“Ten days ago, Finley raided a certain district. Ransas is famous for being accepting, and those of a certain inclination flocked to the city. All those taken are likely in Frieden.”

“This is disastrous.” Nicholas continued. “Soul manipulation is a delicate procedure under normal circumstances. With unwilling participants, during a dark age… It’s madness, yet what can I do?”

“If we were to rescue them, could you ensure they reach safety?” Filia asked. Wait a minute… This was the first time her companion had taken the initiative and proposed a course of action. Kate didn’t know what to make of it.

Initially thrown off too, Nicholas’s eyes focused. “Yes, if you could lead them somewhere south of the city, I could arrange for them to be picked up by a transport.”

Filia looked to Silver who pivoted to Kate. He wants me to decide since its Filia’s idea. “Why are you so gun ho about this?” Kate asked.

“I can’t risk dungeons right now.” Filia said calmly. “This is a means to do good and gain experience. Do you really want to turn back having accomplished nothing?”

“Are you going to help?” Sana asked excitedly. The girl had been so quiet Kate had forgotten she was there.

With everyone staring at her, Kate sighed, “Alright, let’s do this. What could go wrong?”

“Thank you so much.” Sana grabbed Kate in a big hung. I hope I didn’t just agree to get ourselves killed.