Chapter Sixteen

Fragments

“Something is wrong.” I crossed my arms, looking over at Nalithor. “We’ve been traveling for how many days now, and still haven’t seen any wildlife or people? I struggle to believe the rot-rain would have killed everything off that fast. Even if it had, there would be corpses.”

“Which begs the question of where everything has gone.” Nalithor scowled, stroking the shaft of his spear with a thumb as if to comfort himself. “I believe I sense a ‘hole’ in the earth aether somewhere nearby.”

‘Earth aether…so somewhere I can’t follow?’ I tilted my head and brought a knuckle to my lips while I thought. ‘An absence of aether may indicate another elemental prison. Light and dark were near each other, so perhaps wind will be nearby as well? But, what if we come across the water prison? Neither of us has an affinity for that magic.’

“As Balance, our affinity shouldn’t matter,” Nalithor stated with a small smile and a sideways glance. “We are essentially impervious to the Lari’xan’s influence since they’re our bosses. While aether sickness remains a possibility…”

“Well, we don’t have much choice either way.” I shook my head. “If we’re going to do our job, that is. Which we are. Considering part of our job is to make sure other deities aren’t slacking off, we don’t have much room to neglect our other duties.”

“Yet you are tempted,” Nalithor stated dryly.

“Only because I’m not sure what we’re supposed to do with the prisoners from the elemental prisons,” I pointed out. “We don’t have Vorpmasian airships here to see to the captives this time. As I recall, it’s ‘against the rules’ to teleport from one place to another as well.”

“They will have to go to our domain and be cared for by the Vulin.” Nalithor shook his head. “We can’t bring them through Falrrsald with us during our search for the other prisons.”

“Could we have the Vulin transport them to our temple or Eormir?” I suggested. “Moving refugees from our domain to our temple doesn’t seem like something that would—or should—break any rules, even with them.”

“Either way, it will have to suffice. I am not keen on allowing guests of any manner to remain in our domain.” Nalithor made a dismissive gesture. “If you are not capable of entering the earthen prison with me for some reason, you will have to stand guard.”

“We should have the Vulin join us now, then. The flow of time in the prison I visited was different, was it not?” I watched him scowl again. “So, we may need to make camp in the chamber, or at least nearby.”

“Sometimes I wonder if we will ever have an opportunity for true rest and relaxation.” Nalithor sighed, his shoulders slumping.

“Not every little issue has to be addressed immediately,” I pointed out. “Some things can be allowed to develop. Aetheric prisons? Missing wildlife? Rot-rain? Missing demigods? Those are things that can’t wait, sadly.

“Maybe we can make time after we’ve dealt with those.”

“And the war,” Nalithor added, causing me to grimace.

It wasn’t long before Nalithor discovered an entrance to the subterranean tunnels. We both summoned small wisps of cobalt and blue-white fire to light our way before making our way into the network of tunnels. Occasional remnants of fires, scraps of fur, and other such items indicated that several tribes likely used the system as a hiding place in the past. All the traces of activity appeared months, if not years, old.

We walked for perhaps an hour before we began to come across remnants of ancient buildings sunken into the earth, much like I had found by the darkness chamber. Like then, the fragments appeared to out-date our civilization.

“I was under the impression that the Lari’xan destroyed everything,” I remarked, watching my nylziis as he ran his fingers over a nearby wall.

“From what I understand, they did,” Nalithor murmured. “I believe this is a victim of the Split. These markings are similar to Draemiran script, but I am unfamiliar with the dialect. If I had to guess, I would think that this civilization was stuck in a dimension with accelerated time. They could have risen and fallen in thousands of years prior to my fixing what had happened.”

“Yet we don’t have Devillians wandering around speaking an unknown dialect of Draemiran,” I pointed out, frowning.

“Mayhaps Draemiran is a recycled construction?” Yumeko poked her head out from behind a fallen pillar. “The Lari’xan are powerful, but they could have reused elements repeatedly when recreating the universe. A language alone is unlikely to ‘break’ the balance, yes?”

“In which case, pieces of past universes could have been displaced and buried on Avrirsa?” Nalithor tilted his head, considering it. “If former gods could escape destruction, then it wouldn’t be far of a leap to think other things may have as well.”

“The ruins don’t feel like they belong here, but they’re not ‘offensive.’” I shrugged, my tails flicking behind me. “Whatever they are, and wherever they’re from, they’re ‘inert’ as far as my instincts are concerned. They don’t make me want to smash them, so I suppose they aren’t linked to any of this world’s imbalances.”

“My concern is if artifacts from other universes still hold power.” Nalithor narrowed his eyes, bristling. “The ‘blank’ crystals we’ve found, perhaps that strange temple-city that appeared…”

“I see your point.” I nodded. “First things first though—that aetheric prison should be around here somewhere.”

“Shall I make camp here, Reiz’tar?” Yumeko motioned to a space clear of debris. It was tucked behind a multitude of broken buildings that would hide its presence from any angle.

“Yes, that will work.” I nodded again.

“I will begin work at once.” Yumeko bowed to me before pulling a small device from inside her kimono and hurrying off in the direction she’d indicated.

“I thought those little house-things were ‘emergency only?’” I looked to Nalithor, earning a chuckle.

“For our initial trip, yes. I had the Vulin fetch more from Draemir for us and make their own adjustments,” Nalithor answered with a satisfied smile. “They are looking into ways to make the Magitech reusable. For now, we are essentially creating hiding places dotted around Falrrsald should we find need of them.”

‘I have this sneaking suspicious we will…’ I kept the thought to myself and followed Nalithor through the ruined city. “Well, I’m not sensing any Lari’xan energy, are you?”

“No, nothing of the sort.” Nalithor shook his head. “However, the chamber could be sealed.”

“I think we can crack it open if so.” I summoned Eoraso and flourished it.

“Hmmm, I am inclined to have you remain here even if you are able to enter the prison with me,” Nalithor remarked, rubbing his chin. “Should we both go, Avrirsa will be without Balance for a time. I feel it is important that one of us remains should we be needed.”

“And I also have the Claws and Fangs to contend with?” I sighed. He was right, of course, but I didn’t like the idea of him going alone. “You’ve seen my memories from the dark prison, and part of yourself was trapped there, but there’s no guarantee it will be the same. You may need to untether yourself.”

I shot him a sideways glance when I saw him hesitate. With matters of Balance, there was no room for him to hesitate or be cautious. Though our approaches were different, he needed to be flexible.

“I am not fond of the idea…” Nalithor murmured.

“You’ll have to learn to control your own chaos at some point.” I gave him a look. “Sometimes our more bestial, primal approach is what’s needed for a situation. Hesitating won’t do you or anyone else any favors.”

“Says the one with no control over her freed self.” Nalithor snorted.

“I’m more controlled in that state than you might think. I’ve got practice and you don’t,” I shot back, shifting to prod him in the ribs. “If either of us can be fully controlled while in that state, it’d be you. That isn’t going to happen if you keep resisting your divine instincts.”

“I am aware.” Nalithor sighed. “I would rather not submit to that trance-like state when—”

“See, you’re looking at it wrong!” I huffed. “You’re not ‘submitting’ to it. That ‘trance’ is a tool for us to use like any other. It hones our senses for Balance and lets us use our power better. By refusing to use all the tools available to you, you’re potentially giving our enemies an advantage.”

“A tool…” Nalithor tilted his head and fell silent for a moment, but his gaze soon shifted to a nearby wall. “Through there. You believe you can cut through the vralsium—”

Before Nalithor could finish his sentence, I coated the sword in darkness and slashed through the wall several times like a hot knife through butter. The pieces of stone fell aside, the green metal falling with them.

“That settles that. No Lari’xan presence,” I remarked, striding toward the chamber. “Looks like it’s coated in writing too.”

When Nalithor said nothing, I glanced over my shoulder at him. An amused smile soon came to my lips. My nylziis looked furious. Perhaps, since he had an affinity for earth, the chamber and the prison likely linked to it affected him more than it did me. I wasn’t sure if he’d intentionally brought forth his trance, but I stepped out of his way all the same.

“Stay outside.” Nalithor shot me a sideways look as he strode past me and into the chamber. It wasn’t long before he opened a tear above the central point and disappeared through it.

Sighing, I dismissed Eoraso and crossed my arms. That was that. I turned on my heel and traced our path, soon finding Yumeko and a small group of Vulin. They milled about the ruins, carefully shifting pieces to further hide the Magitech cottage.

“Rely’ric has begun his work?” Yumeko asked, looking up at me.

“That he has.” I nodded to her. “It may be a few days before he returns here, so I will work on going through and replying to the reports my men have sent.”

“Very well. I have already moved the documents here for you.” Yumeko motioned at the cottage. “Would you like tea and lunch? Or perhaps I should draw a bath for you first?”

“I can handle the bath myself. Some tea and food ready when I’m done would be wonderful.” I smiled at her.

“Of course,” Yumeko spoke cheerfully. “I will see to that once I am finished with this lot.”

“What are you having them do, anyway?” I arched an eyebrow.

“Search for artifacts and crystals,” Yumeko answered. “With ruins such as this, there should be more than remnants of buildings here. We should find the remains of people, or at least traces of civilization. Rely’ric wishes for us to learn all we can about this place.”

“Good—keep me informed.” I waved to her and headed toward the cottage. ‘Now to wait. I hate paperwork…’

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