The Pillar of Enera

[Chapter 16 part 3] Silver - Landing in the Rose Palace

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“Next is that open green area.” Kate said. “The North half is the ‘Tomb of Legends’. Famous immortals are buried in that park, including memorials for those whose bodies were never recovered. It’s where Arther will be buried. I really hope they find the rest of him by then… The south half is Monument Park. It’s filled with statues of prominent individuals like the seven heroes.”

“Moving on, see the huge sprawling building? That’s the Endless Library.”

How to describe what I’m looking at? Imagine a toddler playing. To a big ten-story block, he haphazardly glues seven-story blocks and five-story blocks. He then repeats the process, sticking smaller blocks on each additions. It’s artistic in a messy-finger-painting way… At least the facades are elaborately crafted in a unified style.

“Chaotic, isn’t it? In reality, the layout is irrelevant as the outer form doesn’t impact the interior space. All exits lead to the same entrance hall.”

“There’s the Stone Coliseum, the second most popular destination. Anyone can sign up, but most choose to spectate. Fights go on around the clock. It may be open air, but the weather never reaches inside.” We’ll experience it first hand tonight.

“Nearby is the Hall of Wonders. It’s hidden behind the Pillar from here, which I don’t mind. If you care to witness an obscene amount of treasure you can’t touch, then feel free to visit. Personally I don’t see the point.”

The Hall of Wonders was another ‘separate space’. Or rather confusingly, a ‘separate space’ within a ‘separate space’. Millennia ago, The HEAVENLY DAO shaped a dimension from the Ether called the ‘Celestial Workshop’. It slowly staffed the place by recruiting top tier craftsmen. Aided by the finest tools, they labor to produce ‘rewards’ to furnish Enera’s dungeons. These undistributed ‘prizes’ accumulated in an immense treasury along with rare bounties collected by the deity.

The Hall of Wonders was the series of glass corridors suspended above the ‘Celestial Workshop’, allowing a glimpse of the riches below. If lucky, one might even see artisans at work. It sounds entertaining enough.

“Next, around the Hollow ——that’s what we call the interior—— is Isle City. It’s mostly a large commercial district filled with shops, restaurants, and the likes. Ordinary residents live in the Lower City.”

“The Lower City?” Hope asked.

“Ah, sorry.” Kate apologizes a lot. “It’s the living area built into the rock face of the Hollow. Even further down is the ‘Undercity’. As with a lot of places, nicer portions are higher.”

“Speaking of upscale, across from us to the right is the rich district.” Kate pointed to an area beyond the city obscured by trees. “There are ridiculously gigantic mansions over there. Also, huge gardens, private ports, pools… It’s opulent.”

“It’s strange hearing you say that considering where you live.” Free noted.

Kate looked back at the towering pink marble edifice sheepishly, “I can’t help it. It’s been fifteen years, but I’m still not used to the place.” So she’s averse to wealth? Silver wondered about her background.

“Anyway, embassies are over there on the opposite end, which isn’t by accident. Entertaining dignitaries is what Lily dislikes most.”

“On the South side, we have three famous outdoor attractions. There is Calin’s Keep, which you can’t miss. It’s the sinister castle with a dark cloud covering it.”

Before Sola, Calin had been considered the greatest villain of all. Another mad necromancer, he’d caused untold deaths with the horrors he’d unleashed. He’d also earned the HEAVENLY DAO’s respect in the process. So when humanity was on the verge of bringing him to justice, the whimsical deity saved his life by drafting him into service. As its agent, Calin was tasked with deploying traps and beasts in its dungeons. Adventurers curse his name to this day.

“See the two large streams of people along the Isle’s edge? Those are the entrances to the Shrines of the Lost and the Wall of Legends respectively. Since both are their own dimensional spaces, there isn’t much to see from here. That’s about all…”

“What about those?” Light asked, pointing to the nearby row of rising rocks suspended in place. Some touched the cliff below the terrace.

“That’s the Helix.” Kate noted. “It starts at both ends and coils upwards around the Pillar. They go on for miles. Like the Skystream ——that’s the Isle’s skyriver——, it’s a visual flourish the HEAVENLY DAO added, just because. It’s fun to climb every once and while. Great view.”

“You CLIMBED that?” Dawn was shocked.

Kate nodded happily, “Twice a year there’s an event called ‘Ascend the Helix‘. Airships catch anyone that falls, and they give prizes to those who travel farthest. It’s a blast.”

As Kate was admiring the hovering rocks, she didn’t see the horror on Dawn’s face. I guess scaling suspended stones high into the sky doesn’t appeal to her. Who could’ve guessed?

“What’s that person doing?” Light asked. There’s someone sitting on the Helix. They were a quarter mile away facing the pillar.

“No one should be there” Kate said.

“It’s against the law?” Soul asked.

“Well, not technically. They’re loitering far enough away——the phoenixes would chase them off otherwise. Tourists sometimes climb the Helix. It’s dangerous without lookouts, but maybe that person can fly. The panorama is pretty sweet up there.”

“I’ll go check.” Light announced. You’re just glad you found an excuse. Silver confessed it was tempting.

“Count me in.” Free chimed.

“No, you can’t.” Kate panicked.

“Why not?” Rose asked. “You said yourself the view’s nice.”

“Are you really going, Rose?” Soul asked. She’s normally on the responsible side of things.

“If Light and Free are going, then yes.” Rose affirmed. “The Adventurer’s Guild should be visible from there. Also, I’m fine with heights.” She couldn’t resist a dig, huh.

“Listen to me, it’s not safe.” Kate was frantic. “The rocks move when you jump on them. Also, if you land on one that’s lighter than you, it’ll fall.”

“So stay away from small rocks?” Light interpreted.

“Stay away from all rocks!” Kate shouted.

“Kate, why are you freaking out?” Rose commented nonchalantly. “Two minutes ago, you were fondly selling the experience.”

“Yes, it’s exciting, but it’s risky without spotters.” Kate went on, “If something happens to you, Astra and Lily will kill me!”

“So you’ve never climbed those solo?” Rose pressed.

“Once or twice when I wanted to be alone, but I knew what I was doing.” Kate answered miserably. “Please don’t go.” Honest to a fault, Silver noted. Seeing how upset she was, he’d already decided to skip the excursion. Besides, if Kate wasn’t going, he preferred to stay.

Free placed a hand on Kate’s shoulders. “Calm down and look at me.” She did so. “We grew up under a ice fortress which was twenty stories high. This is familiar territory. Light, hop on that wall.”

In a flash, Light was standing horizontally twenty feet up. “See? He’s a ninja, skilled at leaping all over the place. Now, look.” She walked over, picked up a chair, and threw it over the edge.

“What are you——” Kate began as roots shot out at lightning speed. A second later they came back carrying their prize.

“Understand?” Free said. “Even if someone falls, I’ll catch them. Can you cool down a little? We’ll go up there, meet that person, admire the view, and come back.”

“Promise to return right away? And not go higher?” Kate asked.

“Yes, we do. Right, Light?” Free said. Her brother nodded. “So?”

“I’m still against it, for the record.” Kate grudgingly relented. “However! If you take too long, I’m calling Lily. Also, keep your faces hidden!”

“I’ll go too.” Soul volunteered. “to make sure they come back safely.”

“You’re all crazy.” Dawn threw up her hands, walking away. “I’ll go keep Wise company.”

Light, Free, Rose, and Soul dropped down to the closest rock as Kate, Hope, and Silver observed. The four then leaped their way up, keeping to larger platforms.

“This is making me jealous.” Hope said bitterly. “Some of those jumps are too far for me, or I’d be there too. I’m going inside.” This left Silver and Kate alone.

“So, what type of magic do you use?” Silver asked. There’s no way I’m letting this opportunity slip by.

“Aura magic.” Kate said, raising her arm. Silver recognized the yellow glint of a force field.

“You’re kidding. So do I.” Silver raised his own, displaying the same phenomenon.

“That’s an amazing coincidence. Aura magic is pretty… rare…” Kate slammed her forehead. “Of course you do… You’re Arther’s clone! I’m slow sometimes.”

“That’s fine.” Silver laughed. “Between Astra and the eight of us, it’s a lot to take in.”

Kate examined him closely. “Can I ask you something? How’s it like being a doppelganger? Do you ever feel pressured trying to live up your original?”

Silver smiled, “Actually, we only discovered our origins yesterday. We haven’t exactly had time to grapple with deep issues. Besides, the bounty on our heads has drawn most of our focus.”

“Oh, ah, sorry…” Kate looked lost. I honestly didn’t mind.

“Don’t worry about it.” Silver chuckled. “But, on the topic of awkward questions…” Silver shifted his gaze up. “Why do you have four ears?”

Kate stared for a second, then understanding flooded her face. Sighing, she reached up and touched the protrusions, “I don’t know… Ask the HEAVENLY DAO. In this world, some are given extra characteristics based on where they’re born, and I was one them.” She fingered the feline extremity. “I guess it’s still better than the red skin and horns people receive in the Demon World. You’ve never seen anything like these, right? Do they bother you…”

“They’re charming and captivating.” Silver replied.

On hearing this, Kate’s human ears went red and the ones on her head went flat. Silver couldn’t look away.

“Kate, call Lily right away. Right away.” Wise came barreling towards them.

That’s bad. Whenever Wise panicked, something terrible was about to happen. If Silver could feel fear, a chill would’ve ran down his spine.

“What’s wrong?” Kate activated her wrystal.

“That’s the Laughing Man over there!” Wise shouted, pointing to the Helix.