I take a seat upon a feathery bed at the back of the west end of the Tower’s arcade. Next to the bed is a nightstand with a Church in Light bible and a ‘clock’ that shows 10:09 PM. Set to either side of the bedstead are boxes with writing that reads food, winter clothes, books, and miscellaneous. Between all this is a birdcage with a small finch singing within it.

These things are here because I invited someone to move into the Tower. So, while I wait for that person, I fiddle with Fey’s kiln. Her flame has grown more robust over these past weeks. I think with a few more nights of scraping at her shell, all the contaminants will have been removed. Soon, I hope to meet both her and her Interface.

A pair of small burlap-wrapped feet appear in front of me. There’s a squeak as Earl’s lantern sways. “Query: Is the Mistress going to allow a fleshie to occupy the Tower? Statement: This one has been observing some of the fleshlings in the Pantry, and this one is concerned the fleshie may egest all over the Mistress’s Arcade.” [1] Earl shakes her head. “It’s disrespectful to the Mistress.”

I hold Fey’s kiln toward Earl. {Thou dost not need to worry about that. They are not like the beasts in the Pantry.}

Earl takes Fey’s kiln with a raised eyebrow. “Statement: When next the Mistress returns, if there is fleshie slop all over the walls, just remember that this one warned the Mistress.”

With a roll of my eyes, I reply, {I shall remember.}

Walking away, Earl carries Fey’s kiln through a pipe at the edge of the room.

At the south end of the arcade, there is a rustling behind a white curtain as a porta-potty door swings open. From behind the curtain, Scarlett walks out bundled up in several layers of clothing. Her eyes gawk at the inside of the arcade in awe. Kicking a box, she stumbles. I jump to my feet and catch her before she hits her head on the bedstead.

“God in Light bless you, Fairy,” she says with a stiff chuckle.

Leading her to the bed, we both sit. Reaching over, I take the deputy clippie tablet and scribble a message. “Scarlett, how much of thy things remain?” the tablet’s voice asks.

Scarlett looks at me with a smile. “How am I supposed to know? I can’t see what’s here since it’s not made of glass or haze, remember?”

I nod. ‘...That’s true.’

Sighing, Scarlett asks, “Fairy, are you sure it’s okay for me to move into the Tower’s arcade? I can manage on my own.”

“Here, surrounded by the glass, thou can see most things as normal.” I look up at the towering skewers of glass that lead all the way up to the Mistress’s Chamber. ‘Mayhaps I may use some of the space to give her a better room someday soon.’

She runs her fingertips across the smooth glass walls. “Honestly, I see the Tower’s glass better than I’ve ever seen anything else before in my life… But I can manage on my own. I can’t stay in the Tower’s arcade forever after all.”

“There is no one using the arcade, so it can be thy dwelling until there is another room here for thee.”

“Another room here?” Her eyes widen, and she places a hand on her chest. “Are… are you devising some kind of house plan with me in mind?”

“House plan? I have never devised nor had such a thing before, but I suppose? There is a lot of room inside the Tower that I have nothing to do with, nor many I would trust to reside within it.”

“T-trust? ...Me? Really?” She hesitates. “Well, you shouldn’t be changing your plans just for me. But, also, I’ll be honest, before the whole spider, turtle thing, I thought you were pretty ambivalent about me. I-I know we’ve since had the opportunity to talk, and we’ve shared some recent experiences, but…?” She freezes with her mouth stuck half-open. Sighing, she whispers, “I don’t know….”

I re-adjust the tablet in my lap and then write. “Ambivalent? What is that word?”

“It’s when you have conflicting feelings or opinions about something or someone.”

“Oh.” My pen pauses as I pick through my words. “I admit I may have had a touch of misdirected contempt at one point. But, through thy own actions, thou hast shown me that thy heart is well-meaning. Though recent events could have been handled with more finesse. And thou shouldst know that me stating something should have been undertaken with more finesse is quite remarkable.”

I reach into the pouch at my side. Inside is a greater token I have been keeping with me since I awoke from hibernation. It’s a transparent coin with a glass purple and gold flower petal, and the number ‘1’ all cast inside. On the token’s exterior, I added a rim of vermillion glass so Scarlett can see its shape.

Taking her hand, I place the token in her palm and then write. “I hope thee wouldst do me the honor of accepting this belated token. This is the most coveted token amongst the Pilgrims, and I believe thou hast earned it.”

Scarlett’s thumb rubs at the smooth surface of the token. Shaking her head, she says, “I really appreciate it, but if this is the top token, it should be given to someone you genuinely think deserves it. Not a half-blind girl who tried to kill herself just to take a spider down with her. I’m sorry, but I don’t want this just because you pity me.”

I make an ‘X’ with my arms and then write. “Wrong. In my mind, it can belong to no one else, for it is not pity I feel for thee, but confidence. I have confidence in thy capacity to overcome adversities, and in turn, blossom into something mightier. Confidence that thou shan’t deliberately bring about evil. Confidence that thy spirit shall keep thou going, and in turn, help keep my own from failing.” She looks up and gazes back at me as the last words echo from the tablet. “For our convictions are much the same, and so, I trust thee to live here and entrust thee with the most sought-after token.”

Her hands shake, and her fingers curl around the token. “I don’t know what to say….” She exhales a warm breath into the cold air. “I guess all I can say is, I’ll do my best not to betray your confidence.”

My pen slides across the tablet’s surface as I write. “Thou couldst only betray my confidence if thou betrayed who thou art as a person. In other words, do not betray thyself, and I will not lose confidence.”

Scarlett shakes her head and watches the floor. “G-geez, Fairy, come on.” She wipes a tear from her cheek. “I was trying not to cry, but you just keep coming at me.”

‘Why is she crying? ...I was simply explaining why I am not concerned about her betraying me.’

Placing a hand on the bed, Scarlett lowers herself to the arcade’s floor. “Fairy, can you see a box with ‘photos’ written on it in gray marker?” she asks.

Near the edge of the room, I find it, a worn box with faded gray ink. “I see it,” the tablet’s voice says.

“Drag it closer!” she says with a slight giggle. “I want to look through an old photo album with you. It’ll be fun, I swear.”

I tilt my head and nod. “Aye, I am free until the ‘grand opening’ in the morn.”

Her eyes widen. “Oh yeah. There’s a ceremony tomorrow before the first Pilgrims are set to go in. Do you need help with a speech or anything? I used to deliver sermons when I did missionary work, so I can give you pointers… Well, on your word choice, I guess, since you don’t speak and all.”

Opening the box, I remove a thick book with “Scar with ❤Mommzini & Dadguinee❤” written on the cover.

I look at her and nod. “Aye, thy help would be welcomed.”

She smiles and then glances away. Rubbing the token in her hand, she says, “B-but first, can I ask you about something? Something about tomorrow… and you can say no.”

We spend time chatting and looking through her ‘photos.’

7th day of January 0 A.E. ~ Grand Opening

Terra, or I suppose, Galtry and I stand off to the side of the Hotel Casale ballroom. At each corner of the room are four Syndicate guards and four Army soldiers. The carefree atmosphere that we took for granted mere weeks ago is gone, perhaps forever.

At a long table in the center of the room, the Pilgrims listen to Kenneth lecture on the capabilities of the messenger orbs. There are around three hundred Pilgrims in attendance; none of which have a greater token. They are all prospective candidates.

{When are you planning to award the latter half of the greater tokens?} Terra asks with a flat expression.

{I do not know. Before, the problem was that there were not enough qualified Pilgrims.} I glance at the Pilgrims gathered around Kenneth’s table. They cling to Kenneth’s every word and peer at the messenger orbs with firm gazes. {Now the issue is that there are too many that deserve them. So many Pilgrims displayed great bravery during the Maw’s attack, and they have begun to take things more seriously. They all merit one, but there are thousands of them.}

Terra nods. {As time goes on, we’ll make the lesser tokens usable for Tower entrance.}

{Then we shall need more lesser tokens as I intend to expand Fairy’s Pantry soon.} A chandelier at the far end of the ballroom sways back and forth as Earl appears atop it. She kicks her legs while humming and watching the events below. {I spoke to Earl, and the next expansion shall triple the Pantry’s size.}

Shaking her head at Earl, Terra responds, {That’s good because we’re running precariously low on ways to keep people warm. The warming tents I had erected were mostly destroyed. I do have lumber stored away, but the warehouse is near where the Maw was last seen. So I’d love it if we could start hauling out wheelbarrows of Hot Flint from the Pantry.}

{If I am frank, I do not know if that’s possible. Though I will try to make it so if I can. Speaking of which, has there been word of Chance’s whereabouts or any of the other missing Pilgrims?}

{No. Of the original seventy thousand Pilgrims that were unaccounted for as of a week ago, forty-five thousand have trickled back in, while twenty-five thousand remain missing. They’ve probably taken shelter somewhere else or attempted to escape the city altogether. Either way, they’re too afraid to come back to the park after what happened.}

{...That is unfortunate, but I dare say we are not in a position to do anything about it beyond searching the areas closest to us.} The Army soldiers drift closer to Kenneth’s lecture and listen in. {What of General Riddick?}

{As a gesture of goodwill, I notified him I’d be willing to give him every other heliotrope canister we siphon, with the stipulation that they provide the canisters. He informally accepted without saying too much. I’m not sure what’s going on in his head; though, I’d guess he’s in talks with his superiors. But he hasn’t put a rifle to my head yet, which is nice.}

Six Army soldiers walk into the ballroom: Sergeant Saxe, Specialist Brooks, and four unfamiliar soldiers. They do not carry their usual rifles but swords with pistols at their hips.

Saxe and Brooks wave at me as I raise a hand in greeting. {At least the General still intends to send his soldiers into the Tower for training. I presume that means he does not intend to abandon us to the Maw.}

{Yeah, I guess so. Though, I seriously doubt they’d just abandon us. After seeing them struggle against the spider colossus, I understand why they made a deal with us in the first place. Desperation. From what I saw, they don’t have a way to kill or even harm it. With or without heliotrope, they’re in a dangerous spot.} Terra glances around the room. {Is Scarlett not here yet?}

I shake my head. {Scarlett is meeting with Nick’s parents. They have finally been found after weeks of searching. I meant to meet them myself, but she insisted. She shall be here afterward.} Gesturing toward the ballroom stage, I ask, {By the way, art thou not interested in coming into the Tower with us?}

{No. There isn’t anyone that can fill my shoes yet. I’m also planning to secure another arm of the Syndicate before our movements are further restricted by the monsters and Maw. ...But, more importantly, I have the Helping Hands making me something. Something that, if I’m right, will allow me to use Hex Magic at a higher level. I’d be too excited knowing it might be ready while I was stuck inside Fairy’s Pantry.}

{Is that so? Thy Syndicate?} I massage my fingers and continue, {Prithee, be cautious while I am gone. Remember, I shall assist thee if needed, so just wait for me!}

{I know, I know, if I could use your help, I’ll wait.}

I nod. {And what about thyself? Art thou well?}

Hearing someone quarreling in a mixture of German and broken English, both of us look toward the ballroom’s entrance. A Pilgrim in rags argues with Mrs. Jäger after walking through the body scanner.

When Syndicate Guards encircle him, he draws a knife and points it at them. “Stay back! You thugs are just as guilty as her!”

A Syndicate Guard hits him in the back of the head with their firearm. He drops his knife and is seized by the guards.

“Where’s that psychopath! Where’s that murderer!” He screams as they drag him out of the room, “Where’s Galtryyy!”

The Pilgrims glance at Terra but quickly look away.

With a sigh, Terra answers my earlier question, {I’m fine, I guess. The Pilgrims run away from me, sometimes literally, and the conspiracy theories have become rampant amongst the gossipers. That’s all normal for Galtry, though. At least no one has tried to shoot at me yet.} Her gaze drifts to a child asleep in her father’s arms. Narrowing her eyes, she continues, {What’s really been gnawing at me is the thought that I need to hurry and rescue the Hex Church’s children. Except, I feel like I’m spinning my wheels when it comes to understanding the Bishop’s abilities. We just can’t do anything to them safely, and the more I learn about them, the more of an enigma they become.}

{Did Emily mention anything about the children before she was released?}

{Emily told me that her sister, Finn, and the other children are still laughing and healthy.} She crosses her arms. {The younger children are probably okay, but the older children, like Lorelei, Vincent, and Finn, need to be freed sooner rather than later.}

{Aye, and together, I am certain we will find a way to free them.}

Kenneth finishes his presentation to the Pilgrims and then waves toward Terra and me. “Alright everyone, the Fairy will be giving a quick speech, and then the first Pilgrims will enter the Tower.”

I pick up a canvas bag at my feet and then turn to Terra. {It’s time for my speech, and then it shall be a week before I return.}

Both of us walk across the stunning floor toward the stage as the Pilgrims gather around it.

{Just be careful. The BDP Camp is there with three escorts guarding it, so you can run there if things get too dangerous.}

I nod as we step up the stage’s stairs. {Aye. I feel guilty for going into the Fairy’s Pantry right now, but… I also feel that it’s important for me to experience what the Pilgrims experience.}

{Well, that certainly makes you more approachable to your average Pilgrim. Which is always good.} She moves toward the side of a podium. {And, I’m interested in hearing your speech. I heard you and Scarlett rewrote the one I gave you.}

Taking a position in front of the podium, I reply, {Aye. Scarlett said we had a ‘girl’s night,’ but all we did was write a short speech. Frankly, girl nights are not that enjoyable.}

In the corner of my vision, I notice Terra’s expression stiffening as she suppresses her laughter. Several more people push their way to the ballroom’s stage. Nyle, Ethan, Ayameko, Kenneth, and three other Pilgrims walk onto the stage and join Terra in standing by my side.

I hear the soft clap of Earl’s hands, who is sitting atop the chandelier. “Encouragement: This one supports the Mistress.”

Glancing at Earl, I say, {much obliged}, before returning my gaze to the crowd.

The room’s atmosphere is stiff, nothing like it was several days ago. No one is making quips, no one is giggling, no one is whispering, and no one goggles at me like I am royalty. Today, it feels as if I am addressing a battalion of knights preparing for war.

My pen hits the tablet with a faint tap. Without looking down, I write while peering into the eyes of the Pilgrims before me.

“Eight days ago, while we naively celebrated, evil found its way to our doorstep. It came down upon us with wickedness, and frankly, it broke us. Every single one of us here has been broken.”

My gaze drifts across the scowling faces within the crowd.

“And that was the greatest blunder our attackers could have ever made. For now, our shattered egos lie strewn across the salted earth, jumbled together and indistinguishable from one another. Here today, we pick up the first slivers of our old selves to rebuild!”

Thirty more greater token Pilgrims join us upon the stage.

“Yet, we will not rebuild what we lost, but what we know we can be. We shall abandon our brittle weaknesses to the hands of nihility, and we will bring our greatest selves together. Together! Not as a collection of individuals, but as one unbreakable people.”

I point behind me where the stage’s red curtains drift apart.

“But to do so, we require the mightiest of materials, the most unyielding of spirits, and the grandest of challenges.”

The People’s Gate bursts to life.

“With the unsealing of this gate, the mum bell knells. Our rebirth is nigh.” [2]