The Pillar of Enera

[Chapter 26] Astra - Kara

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At a desk on the second floor, Astra twirled the pen-sized keystone. The small room was lined with shelves and drawers filled with crystals. A vault of memories, he called it. These were the type which stored vast quantities of information, either by recording events or capturing scenes from the mind. Which is why this place makes no sense. Archives were meaningless for someone who could never forget. Why did you do it, Arther? Was it for me to inherit?

Astra fingered the keystone Miki had given her. It was bonded exclusively to her. When did he set this up? While soul binding provided a virtually unbreakable security, enchantments risked becoming inaccessible when their last authorized user passed away. The solution was the instrument in her hand. With it, she could access Arther’s crystals as if they were her own.

Astra was sorting them one by one, skimming their contents, and replacing their bindings. It’s unpleasant. Some were from before the Dark Age. She’d been seeing visions of a world long lost and people long gone. It must be done. These were tools left for her. I just wish they were arranged discernibly.

Astra sought information related to the Tartarus escapees. She knew it was here, but the organizational scheme had eluded her so far, leaving her searching blindly. She’d considered summoning Silver to help, but decided against it. They have enough on their plates.

BANG. Sparkling rocks clinked as the room trembled. Something struck the residence. Astra wasn’t concerned as the building was made to take abuse. Still, the impact wasn’t ordinary. Saints and immortals regularly leapt across the Guild without disturbing her. BANG. Another shockwave reverberated.

“Kara…” Astra muttered tiredly. She was the only one with the motive and audacity for such a ruckus. The wild immortal had been pestering her for a sparing match. As if I have time for such nonsense. To her dismay, she’d learned the ‘Beast of Sanrune’ was relentless in her pursuits. Everyone of notable strength on the Isle had been strong-armed into a ‘friendly fight’. Only Radin escaped that fate.

BANG. Astra made her way to the upstairs lounge. Kara stood on the balcony. She’s huge. The curving tattoos across her body were heaviest on the outer-facing portions, each symbol distinct from the others. They gave her a spotted look, enhancing her feline appearance. It’s not ink, Astra remembered. Kara’s skin had been etched with the blood of her people.

At least she’s hitting the goldstone rather than the glass. This consideration was strange considering the obnoxious knocking. Wait, that’s not it, Astra realized. Striking the solid part was the most efficient means of shaking the structure.

Light’s motionless body was lying outside. No, she didn’t… Astra threw open the doors, temper rising.

“What did you do to my son?” She demanded coldly.

Not intimidated in the least, Kara said in sinister, provocative note, “I saved him.” The meaning and manner spoken clashed so starkly it threw Astra off.

Extending her senses, she quickly confirmed her son was asleep. “What happened?” She asked, fury fading.

“He tailed an assassin. I was bored so I followed. They had a fairly entertaining bout. Your son prevailed, but he was about to fall into an eternal slumber.” Everdusk. The poison was often applied to blades.

“Since it would’ve been a pathetic end, I stepped in and closed the wound.” Kara smiled aggressively. “Also, I figured you’d owe me.”

“How did you heal him? I though your talent lay in aura magic.”

“I also have my bloodcraft.” Kara beamed. “It can do amazing things.”

Using blood as a medium to draw spells… Bloodcraft was a powerful if obscure branch of magecraft. It’s rarely employed since it’s difficult to cast mid fight.

Astra sighed, “Thank you for saving him.” I know what’s coming.

“Then how about my sparring match?” Kara suggested eagerly. What a battle freak… She reminds me of the Chaos Knight.

“Alright.” Astra relented. “But after Arther’s funeral.” There’s too much to do before.

“Good.” Kara seemed satisfied. “This was worth it after all.”

The cat-eared immortal jumped, disappearing into the night. Alone, Astra studied her foolish son. I should’ve predicted this. Considering Light’s crush and disposition, there was no way he would’ve stayed inactive. If I wasn’t so busy, I would have.

After bringing him inside and leaving him on a couch, she walked over to the room’s projector. An image of a small girl at a cluttered desk materialized.

“Lily, still awake I take it?” Astra asked.

“Yes, I’m catching up on work. What’d you want?”

“I have a question. Doesn’t Fayla know everything that happens in the Inner Palace?”

“That’s right?” Lily answered perplexed.

“So if my foolish son went off and nearly got himself killed, you’d know about it?”

Lily’s mouth dropped. She turned aside anxiously, “Fayla?”

“Light left forty minutes ago. Was I supposed to stop him?” Although unseen, the fire sprite could be heard just fine.

Lily’s eyes went wide, “This isn’t——.”

“Could you join me at my residence?” Astra cut in. “Now.”

There was silence, “I’ll be there right away.” The call ended.

Astra knew Lily wasn’t entirely to blame. That said, I can hold her partly responsible. As she waited, her mood slowly sank. He’ll do it again, won’t he? She vaguely understood the workings of her son’s mind. Unless Lily imprisoned him, tonight might become a repeat occurrence. Or worse…

Astra reached for the projector. A minute later she found what she was looking for. This should keep them occupied for a day at least.

Just then, Lily barged in. Seeing Light, she immediately declared, “It’s not my fault!”

Amused at the panic, Astra’s anger was dulled. She recounted what’d happened, finishing with, “Don’t worry, I mostly don’t blame you.”

“What’d you mean ‘mostly’?” Lily asked apprehensively.

“You should’ve been aware of Light’s absence. If he’d died, we wouldn’t have found out until morning.” Astra stated.

“That’s… true.” Lily admitted miserably. “So what’d you want me to do?”

“From now on, have Fayla keep track of whenever my children head out late at night. If they’re late in returning, either look for them or send me a message.”

“So I should let them go?” Lily asked surprised.

“It’s their lives. They must take responsibility for them. They’re nearly adults, and I don’t have time to babysit.”

“On another note,” Astra continued. “Except for Hope, I’m sending them on a quest tomorrow. It’s a ‘B’ rank mission to clear the Field of Graves. They’ll leave early on my airship and should be back before nightfall. Please let them know.”

“Is that wise?”

“It should be fine.” Astra said. “Hope is the one targeted. I’ll find someone from the Guild to accompany them.”

“Even so, a ‘B’ rank mission to the Field of Graves… That’s virtually guaranteed to become an ‘A’ rank. There’s too much freedom to manipulate open situations like that.”

“I took that into account. If the HEAVENLY DAO increases the difficulty, it’s also more likely to insure their survival. You know, for fairness. Besides——” Astra pointed to her son. “It’s dangerous here too.”

Lily was quiet, “It seems an unnecessary risk…”

“I want them to experience the Fractured Earth.” Astra explained. “Right now, virtually no one knows of their existence. Cedric Grinfield is still missing. This might be the last opportunity for them to leave the Isle. Once their identities are revealed, it won’t be safe.”

Lily absorbed the words before gradually grinning, “Dawn isn’t going to like the twisted lands.”

Astra smiled in agreement, “No, she won’t.”