The Pillar of Enera

[Chapter 17 part 3] Light - The Wall of Legends

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…

“Airships aren’t permitted to fly above the Isle’s surface.” Lily boasted. “This craft is an exception.”

“What a horrid method of transportation.” Dawn mumbled.

Pitying his sister, Light then considered their makeshift plan to hide their identities. Before it’d been an opportunity to indulge his favorite fiction, but now it was a chance at redemption. He’d teach his siblings to impersonate ninjas flawlessly. It’s the least I can do.

Soul patted him on the back, “We’re about to visit Enera’s most famous attraction. There’ll be time for self-recrimination later.” He’s right, and I’m sure he’s condemning himself too.

“What’s this visit for anyway anyways?” Dawn asked.

“To meet Siegfried.” Lily answered.

Siegfried? THE Siegfried? After reaching the peak of all immortals, the man had been invited to become the HEAVENLY DAO’s champion. Whenever the deity wanted its voice heard, it sent Siegfried. Meeting him is near the top of my ‘coolest things ever’.

“We’re almost there. By the way, see those two ponds?” Lily said. “Bear them in mind.”

The entrance was a forty feet wide pathway covered by an equally tall rectangular arch. The crowd looked up in surprise as Lily piloted through.

“Welcome to the Wall of Legends!” Lily proclaimed, slowing their pace. Pathways and suspended stones stretched out across a blue sky. This really is a separate space. Turning back, the Isle of Dreams appeared a transparent mirage rising from a distant sea of clouds. “You’re no longer on Enera.”

Wait, where’s the light coming from? He looked up to see the sun. Is that real? What happens when it sets?

“It follows the same day and night cycles as outside, minus the weather.” Kate said. “The Shrines of the Lost is the same.”

The pathway ended in a wide square plaza. It’s fortunate there’s no wind since there’s no railing of any kind. The crowd was staying far from the edge, with only a few intrepid visitors cautiously peering over. One suddently leapt off and plummeted into the endless fog below. What!?

“Someone fell!” Silver shouted. He’d barely finished when a couple holding hands followed. A double suicide?

“Oh no.” Dawn gasped.

“Everyone calm down.” Lily smiled. “No one can die here. It’s normal to see jumpers.”

“What happens to them?” Hope asked.

“Remember the ponds? That’s why there were people splashing in one of them.” Lily gestured behind. “They get dropped there. It’s cold, muddy, slimy, and disgusting, but otherwise harmless. For some people, this is an unmissable thrill.”

“Another one is about to jump.” Silver chimed in.

“They’re utterly mad.” Dawn said. It’s not for everyone. He’d have to come back later.

“Have you done it, Lily?” Hope asked.

“Yes, long ago.” Noting Dawn’s incredulous stare, she shrugged, “I was the regent of the Isle and fifteen. It was practically a requirement.”

Recalling something, she added hurriedly, “On a side, but critical note, if you feel the urge, only do so once. The HEAVENLY DAO tolerates a single dive, but afterwards there are consequences.”

“Consequences?” Light asked. It felt tragic to limit himself.

“You get dropped in the other pond, the empty one. It has the foulest stench. An odor from hell which lasts for days. The Rose Palace has a standing order to bar anyone with that scent. Jump twice, and you’re on your own.”

“What happens the third time?” Free asked.

“You end up outside the Isle, someplace perfectly safe yet exceedingly inconvenient. How far away depends on the HEAVENLY DAO’s mood.”

They halted over the plaza. An immense marble block hung over the far edge. Its surfaces were inscribed with hundreds of names arranged in an indecipherable order. Skimming, Light recognized many. I must learn the rest.

“What’s the logic behind the arrangement?” Free asked.

“It alternates.” Kate answered. “Some days it’s alphabetical in neat columns. Other times they’re scattered randomly. Even the shape and size of the block can vary.”

Discovering ‘Lily Morgana’, Light was disappointed, “Titles aren’t included?”

“Since immortals acquire so many,” Kate answered, “it’d create too much clutter.”

“Thank heavens for that.” Lily added. “’Living artillery’ is one thing, but I gave myself a few monikers that’d be mortifying etched in stone. I can’t believe how juvenile I was back then.”

“Why’s Arther’s name still there?” Rose asked.

“If it updated immediately, it’d be ‘abused’.” Lily explained. “For instance, knowing exactly when Arther died would be very helpful, which is why the HEAVENLY DAO withholds the information. They mostly disappear after funerals.”

“Are those the Walls of Saints on the left?” Rose asked.

“Yes,” Kate nodded. “Notice how there are steps down? Height in this place corresponds to status. The path of the living gets lower much faster compared to the other side.”

Kate gazed right at the black granite blocks, “The Walls of the Fallen… They greatly outnumber the living at every level. Be prepared for a trek to find a name which didn’t belong to an immortal or a saint.”

“We’re attracting attention.” Hope commented, peering below.

“They’re speculating on who’s inside.” Lily said. “Don’t worry, the glass is tinted. Anyway, we’re done here.”

They rose. Why? There’s nothing above… Yet, Lily was studiously scanning the heavens. “There he is.” She said. It took Light a moment to locate the tiny platform. On it sat a spear-wielding man with one leg dangling. Two in one day…

The man rose to greet them. Lily opened the gondola and waved, “Hi Siegfried. Could you make the platform larger?” She’s awfully familiar with him…

“Hello, Lily.” Siegfried answered. The stone beneath him tripled in size.

“That was wonderful.” Dawn said “Can you make it even bigger?”

Siegfried chuckled and the terrace doubled again, “You really hate heights, don’t you?”

Dawn pretended not to hear, “Thank you. It’s easier to forget we’re hovering over a void.”

Once they’d disembarked, Lily addressed the immortal, “Why don’t you introduce yourself to these eight?”

“It’s nine, Lily.” He corrected gently. “I’ve never met your daughter, Kate.” Not missing a beat, he bowed majestically, “I’m Siegfried Royal. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

“What?” Rose asked.

Siegfried smirked, “Omniscience. It’s a perk the HEAVENLY DAO grants its agents. I can share its ‘sight’, spectate Enera from the perspective of any human, including their thoughts. You wouldn’t believe how entertaining this can be. As to why I’m aware of you… Let’s just say the HEAVENLY DAO makes recommendations.”

“So it communicates directly with you?” Free asked.

“Yes, constantly up here.” Siegfried tapped his head.

“What does it sound like?” Free pressed. “Is it a female or a male voice? Or does it vary? Is it loud? I’m dying to know.”

Siegfried laughed, “I’ve no idea. No one does, because it doesn’t work that way. I don’t hear what the HEAVENLY DAO says. I ‘remember’ it. It’s like how you might recall what was said in a book, but you obviously don’t know what characters sounded like.”

“Come on. Even then, there must be some features——” Free trailed off, stunned. “Did I just——”

“Yes,” Siegfried confirmed. “It spoke to you.”

“WHAT!?” Lily burst out, radiating indignation. “I’ve been the regent for eons, and the HEAVENLY DAO has never spoken to me! And it’s technically my boss too! Siegfried, what’s the meaning of this?”

Siegfried held up a hand, “You’re overreacting. While the HEAVENLY DAO does speak to someone every few decades, it never says anything of import. It’s always a meaningless whim not affecting anything. What’d it tell you, Free?”

“Suddenly ‘THE HEAVENLY DAO SOUNDS LIKE THIS’ went through my head. It was unreal. Nobody was talking, but it was too clear to be a stray thought.”

“So what’d it sound like?” Light asked.

Free pondered seriously, “Capitalized, I’d say… Don’t ask for more than that.”

“Why’d it chose to speak now?” Lily asked. Her anger was gone, replaced with a seriousness not meant for a child.

“Because it’s particularly involved in this narrative.” Siegfried revealed. “While it follows thousands at any given moment, occasionally some capture its full attention. What began when Simon Black crossed the arctic is one. The last time it was so excited… Sorry, I’m not at liberty to say.”

“Was it Sola’s tale?” Lily asked.

“Truly, my apologies. I can’t answer.” He seemed genuinely saddened. He’s laboring under restrictions.

“Is that so…” Lily waved Rose over and maneuvered her right in front of him, uncovering her face. “What’d you think of this?”

Siegfried winced, “I’m just an agent, a spokesman at most.”

“Don’t be coy with me. You’re the official mascot. The one it parades around when it wants to impress people. Besides, that god doesn’t have a physical body, and it’s really unsatisfying to yell at thin air.” Lily ranted. “It’s been two thousand years. Isn’t it about time to let me grow a little?”

“Must we go through this every visit?” Siegfried said lifelessly. “Can’t you plainly state what you want?”

“Both of you have long known my true desire. But if that’s impossible, I’d like you to guarantee the safety of these children.”

“That’s too much.” Siegfried replied regretfully.

Lily didn’t back down, “Let me ask you, HEAVENLY DAO. Did one of my doppelgangers just happened to survive by chance? I think not. As if trapping me in this body wasn’t enough. Now…” Lily pointed at Rose who wasn’t enjoying herself, “I’ll have the added pleasure of constantly seeing what could’ve been! Not to mention the murder of Arther… You owe me!”

Siegfried remained quiet. He’s discussing with his deity. “Alright, they’ll be safe from the Laughing Man while on the Isle. Satisfied?”

“For now,” Lily said. “It’s what I came for. Also, forgive the aggression, Siegfried. I know you aren’t the one at fault.”

“Don’t worry.” Siegfried smiled. “As the avatar of god, I’m used to enduring curses for all the world’s wrongs. For what it’s worth, I enjoy your theatrics more than most.”

“Glad to entertain.” Lily retreated to the gondola. “Let’s go.”

Everyone was silent on the return. Unsurprisingly, Silver spoke first, “I didn’t realize it was that easy to make a deal…”

“If it was ‘that easy’, do you think I’d be stuck a child?” Lily shot a glance brimming with venom, before weariness took over. “The conditions have to be right. Luckily, that was the case this time.”

“For the record, what are the ‘conditions’?” Rose asked.

“The first step is befriending one of its agents since the HEAVENLY DAO doesn’t answer prayers. That gets you to the starting line. From there, your standing comes into play. No one does favors for those they dislike. As much as I’m loathed to admit it, the HEAVENLY DAO loves me. Which reminds me, having been wronged in some way also helps. Finally, the real trick is asking for something it already wants to give.”

“You heard Siegfried: you’re ‘main characters’. Allowing you to be killed off early goes against its interests. That’s why I was confident in extracting this guarantee.”

“With this, Astra owes me.” Lily docked at the Rose Palace. “Kate, take everyone below. No detours please. I must recondition some birds.”