The Pillar of Enera

[Chapter 21 part 2] Wise - Assassins

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…

“Do they sell wrystals there?” Hope asked.

“No, we’re going down to Level 2.” Realizing this meant nothing, Kate expanded. “The Isle is five miles high, and the city goes all the way down. It’s broken up by main floors, one mile apart ——We call these ‘levels’ for some reason——. So one mile down is the first one, and everything above is Level 1. Level 2 is the heart of commerce.”

“I don’t like the sound of this.” Dawn said. “Can’t we make our purchases up here on the flat part?”

Kate shook her head, “It’s way too touristy. Everything costs an arm and a leg.” Dawn might not mind.

Beyond the Guild, crowds wandered between white buildings. So many people… Wise had hoped to explore after getting acclimated. Once something was familiar, it wouldn’t trigger his ability. This would never be true for this ever-changing mass. When will I be able to stroll around freely?

Near the entrance, a fairy swooped down to inspect them before flashing away. “It was making sure we were guild members.” Kate explained. “A normal person could get hurt.”

What happens if a tourist tries to enter? After a warning, they’d get zapped. The Lightning Core’s sprites were more than messengers. A single fairy could incapacitate a grown man. A swarm of them could take down a saint.

Inside was one big room with a bottomless chasm in the north half. They arrived in time to see a square platform, with several people on it, plummet into the void.

“What was that?” Dawn asked.

“A high-speed rail lift. It’s gravity-controlled, like airships. It goes three miles down, to the base of the pillar, and comes back up.” Kate explained. “There’s four, and they’re always running. We’ll take the next one.” Wise examined the wall-mounted tracks. Lifts ‘fall’ up and down those.

“Aren’t elevators supposed to be enclosed? There were only railings on two sides!” Dawn was outraged.

“About that… It’s so people can hop off.” Kate sensed this wasn’t going to go over well.

“What?” Dawn snapped.

“They only stop on the main floors. If you want to get off somewhere else, you must… jump.” Kate continued quickly as Dawn glowered, “Don’t worry, we won’t be doing that since Wise and Hope aren’t strong enough.”

“It’s here.” Silver observed. A slab of rock zoomed up, braking at the last moment and clicking into place. We have fifteen seconds to get on.

“Why’s it so thick?” Free wondered.

“It’s to absorb the impact of people landing.” Wise offered.

Besides him, Dawn gripped the handrail. I hope it’s sturdy. “Just a heads up, there’s a brief period of weightlessness.” Kate said nervously.

Dawn glared back with venom. Then they fell. This familiar sensation… After a few seconds, they reached top speed and gravity returned. Floors flew by. Too bad no one joined us. It’d have been fun to see someone disembark.

Cold! Ice was spreading from Dawn. As Wise inched away, their weight doubled, and they came to rest.

“It’s over.” Dawn whispered.

“Actually, this is level 1. We’re going to level 2, so…” Kate apologized. Dawn pursed her lips.

“Do people really jump off?” Hope asked incredulously.

“I’ve done it myself,” Kate told them. “by using my aura on the wall to slow down. Honestly speaking, leaping on a rising lift is far more dangerous. There aren’t any tricks to soften the blow.”

Wise studied the metal rails while they dropped. There must be tremendous wear and tear… What are they made of? Hardened Cardium. Is that enough to last centuries? It was. The HEAVENLY DAO made everything last longer on the Isle.

“This world is designed to torment me.” Dawn muttered as they got off. I’m not the only one feeling ill. It was nice to have company.

“That was awesome.” Light exclaimed.

Another sprite zipped by. “Do they patrol the entire Shaft?” Free asked.

“No, only the main floors.” Kate answered.

“What about those in between?” Free pressed.

“The other entrances are discreetly hidden twenty feet above the ground.”

They reached a busy street. It’s the Guild’s commercial sector on a larger scale. The ceiling was a hundred feet up, and advertisements cluttered the space between the tall buildings. The wall they’d exited was lined with elevators as far as could be seen. Opposite, a beam of light shot up through the Isle’s hollow core.

“Let’s check out the view.” Kate said.

A seven foot transparent barrier safeguarded the edge. They pressed against it. Spectacular. On layer after layer, the city encircled them. From its base far below, the Pillar of Enera stretched up and illuminated the metropolis. I want to come back at night.

“Those bridges connecting to the side port… They’re made of glass?” Dawn asked.

“Yes, the theme of Isle City is white stone and glass.” Kate explained. They’re made of stalsheet, magically reforged quartz.

“And those things over there?” Dawn continued.

“High-speed glass elevators.” Kate answered dutifully.

“What about that?” Dawn continued.

“It’s a glass ferry. They taxi people.”

Dawn said nothing more, hissing softly. Heights are everywhere here. His sister was destined to overcome her fears. Just as I’m fated to learn necromancy. It wouldn’t be fun.

“We should get going.” Soul suggested. So he noticed. While this had been a nice distraction, his condition was worsening.

“Alright, the shop is four layers up.” Kate agreed.

“What’s wrong with the ones here?” Dawn demanded.

“The prices are still too inflated.” Kate stated dismissively.

An elevator ride, a few blocks, and a courtyard later, they reached a building-sized magitech shop. Wise waited at the entrance. Otherwise my head would explode. Everything inside would trigger his curiosity.

A woman exited and disappeared around the corner, causing him a sinking feeling. What happened? Kate’s wrystal was pick-pocketed by that person. What? Focusing, Wise scanned the future, and his fears were confirmed.

The others walked out, and Silver raised a bag, “We’ve got your——”

“Kate’s wrystal was stolen.” Wise interrupted “Assassins are about to attack. It happens in a minute.”

Kate glanced at her wrist, “When?”

“Just now.” He answered.

“What type of assassins?” Free asked.

“Not a type!” He frantically explained. “You know how Light is a ninja? These people are assassins. It’s their identity.”

“The Assassins’ Guild?” Kate paled.

“Exactly.” He answered. We can’t call for help. The wrystals they’d bought weren’t set up yet.

“How many and how strong?” Rose asked.

Wise reflected, “Twelve. Around your level, but a few are as strong as Soul.” What’s most important to convey? “They’ve made a pact with Yondil. This makes them emotionless like Silver, except more so. The threat of death means nothing to them. They’re dangerous.”

Yondil was the God of terror and madness. To those who pledged themselves to him, he granted freedom by severing their attachment to all things. They essentially became machines devoted to a purpose.

Seconds ticked by as they deliberated. “Let’s make our stand in the courtyard.” Soul said. “We can’t fight with bystanders around.”

“Yes,” Wise agreed, “Also, elevators are a bad idea. Assassins run on walls like ninjas.”

Soul and Dawn iced off the entrances while the others cleared out passerbys. Good thing this didn’t happen on the main floor. Emotionless assassins would have an advantage in a crowd.

“Are there stairs nearby?” Rose asked.

“Too late, they’re here.” Wise answered.

They came from the west and east, emerging on rooftops as if from nowhere. Their stealth is unworldly. Garbed in black and masked, seven men and five women dropped down and rushed forward.

“I’ll take the ones to the west.” Dawn said. If she handles those six, we might get through this. No rational person would anticipate her absurd strength.

The assassins opened by throwing dozens of knives. Light responded with shurikens, knocking some from the air. Soul and Free dealt with the rest while Rose counterattacked. Silver and Kate ripped up the pavement, hurling it at their assailants.

On her side, Dawn summoned a wall of ice. As knives bounced off, she took a step, planted her feet, and punched. The barrier shattered, and a frozen shockwave sent her opponents flying.

Wise and Hope hung back. It’s frustrating, but we’d be in the way. Metal coiled around his sister impatiently.

If the assassins were surprised by the resistance, they didn’t show it. They spread out and charged in. Everyone readied for close combat. Then the ground gave out under them.

Why…? How’d I not see this coming? The courtyard was collapsing onto the service floor below. The drop was… thirty feet. Rose grabbed his collar. With her other hand, she released a jet of flame to slow their fall. Where’s Hope? His sister was above, suspended by strings of metal.

They landed violently. It hurts, but nothing is broken. As the dust settled, everyone got up, and Free collected Hope with her roots.

Unfortunately, the assassins had also avoided injury. They clearly weren’t expecting that either. They appeared uncharistically shaken. Why the hesitation? They suspected that was interference from the HEAVENLY DAO and that their mission might be doomed.

Eventually, one pointed and yelled, “That girl is a metal bender. She’s Jenna’s clone.” Instantly, they dashed forwards. Hope is their target! As they moved to intercept, Wise’s foresight flared. An assassin had risen from the ruble behind them, darting at Hope.

His sister sent out metal spears. No, they don’t care about their own lives! The assassin parried three and let the others hit. Hope’s mouth opened in surprise when he kept running while impaling himself.

Just as he entered striking range, the man’s legs sank into the wreckage. He barely had time to register surprise before an enormous stone block smashed down, squashing him flat. Where’d that come from?

Everyone froze at the impossible events. The assassins drew back and looked at each other. Then, in something resembling resignation, they raised their weapons once more.

“Why don’t you stop there?” A voice echoed. Siegfried was above, standing on his small platform.

“That was a warning.” His spear pointed towards the stone block. “Back off or die pointlessly.”

The assassins fidgeted. They were unwilling to accept this unjust development. Siefried sighed, “Jenna’s clone is not allowed to die that easily. Your chances today are zero. However, you may enjoy greater success at a later date. Now leave, before the HEAVENLY DAO loses patience and gives me permission to end you.”

The assassins retreated, disappearing as swiftly as they’d arrived. Everyone sighed with relief.

Rose addressed their savior, “Thank you——”

“That’s not necessary. I am but an agent.” The immortal looked up. An airship was descending from where the courtyard used to be. Isle Security. The vehicle’s design was simple: a rectangular platform with benches at the back and a podium at the front. Two men in white were surveying the scene apprehensively.

“What happened here?” One asked.

Before they could response, Siegfried spoke, “Good timing. Please escort these nine back to the Adventurer’s Guild. Drop them off without questions. Then forget this incident.”

“Ah… That’s… I’m not sure we can do that…” The officers clearly knew who stood before them but were struggling. “How would we justify honoring such a request?”

“The HEAVENLY DAO is the sovereign of the Isle of Dreams, and I’m its voice.” Siegfried stated. These words proved satisfactory. They were quickly ushered on, and Wise collapsed at the back, eyes closed. It’s over for now.

As they departed, Siegfried’s voice boomed from below, “A caution, not from the HEAVENLY DAO, but from myself. Don’t believe yourselves safe because of today. I know from past experience… This story has too many characters. This means anyone can die.”