The Pillar of Enera

[Chapter 33 part 1] Silver - Werewolves

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So this is the Pillar of Enera. Silver stood on a miniature island before a beam of solid light. Behind him, the sun was setting on the Blue Abyss. Above, three miles of city was brightening as the sky dimmed. The crowd flowed around him from glass bridges.

There was a massacre here not long ago. The Laughing Man impersonator had attacked late at night, striking everyone down with golden spears. No trace is left. He peered upwards. A week later that same villain crashed an airship into the pillar.

Even after those tragedies, the place remained busy. It’s to be expect. This was the legendary artifact which had saved and reshaped the world. One that still plays a vital role. Without it, there’d be no warping, and Enera’s global information network would be lost.

The base was forty feet wide and perfectly circular. No indication of any entrances. He approached and placed his hand on the tangible light. It’s hard, but warm. Using his aura, he tried getting a feel for the material but failed. Indestructible from without.

“And Hope can open this…” Silver murmured.

“Hope can what?” A voice said behind him, startling him. Who?

A tall girl was staring curiously. She wore a flower-patterned tunic, her long hazel hair in a pony tail. Behind her, Kate was shaking her head. After splitting earlier, he’d gone to the pillar while she waited for her friend. So this must be Yvonne.

“Let me explain.” Kate interjected herself, discretely stomping on his foot. Deserved. “Silver’s sister is an amazing enchantress. He’s under the delusion she can do anything, but, obviously, that’s not really the case.”

“I see.” Yvonne studied him intensely.

Silver did his best to remember the intelligence Kate had shared. Yvonne Singer was her oldest friend and the daughter of the Noaranian ambassador. Her magical ability was average, but her combat sense was extraordinary. She had wood affinity, using bows and quarterstaffs. Extremely intelligent, she loved to pry and had a fondness for gossip. Kate, why is she so problematic? They’d settled on keeping most details secret, especially the bit about doppelgangers. This wasn’t off to a great start.

“Hate to break it to you, but this——” Yvonne knocked on the pillar. “——is god level construct. No one, not even an immortal, can alter it.” Hope doesn’t need to, she already has permission to enter.

After proper introductions, Yvonne leaned close to Kate, “You didn’t mention he’s one of those ‘mysterious ninjas’. Come to think of it, you haven’t told me much of anything lately. What’re you hiding?”

“Yvonne,” Kate reproached. “You promised to behave.”

“You can’t really hold me to that!” Yvonne complained, backing down. “You’re my inside source for palace chatter, and you’ve gone dry on me.”

Kate sighed, “Let’s head to dinner. I’m sure I can scrounge up something to satisfy you.” Interesting relationship…

As they crossed to the Level 3’s main floor, Yvonne clicked her tongue, “I still don’t care for these bridges.”

“Nervous?” Silver asked. He was surprised to find someone else with that phobia. Shouldn’t she have grown out of it?

“No, well, a little.” Yvonne struggle for words. “I’m normally fine with high places. It’s the glass I have issue with. I strongly believe the ground should be visible. It doesn’t feel solid otherwise.” That sounds like something Dawn would say.

“This——” She stamped her foot. “——is damn near transparent. It’s as if your walking on nothing.”

Silver looked down. Below the Isle’s last two miles, two skyrivers whirled together towards the Blue Abyss. Further still, Spiral City was illuminated by a fading light bloom. I enjoy the view personally.

“I hear this is why they colored the handrails.” Kate chimed in. “Too many were complaining.” The top two inches were tinted blue on both sides.

“What about you, Silver?” Yvonne asked. “When did you overcome your fears?”

Silver frown. Was I ever afraid? He must’ve been, but the memory had vanished. I can still answer. “I lost my fears when I was ten.”

“About normal,” Yvonne nodded, disappointed. Kate and Silver exchanged glances, but said nothing.

On the far side, Yvonne’s interest in ferreting out information redoubled, “So, anything exciting happen lately? I mean, besides becoming a couple.”

This soured Silver’s mood. “Something exciting is happening right now.” He said wistfully. “And we’re missing out.”

Kate glowered, but he didn’t care. Part of him was still mopping. I couldn’t back out since I pestered Kate about meeting her friends.

“And what’s this?” Yvonne pursued diligently.

“A confrontation of egos.” Silver said cryptically. Vanessa was one of the topics they couldn’t discuss.

Yvonne pivoted to Kate. “Explain. You know there’s no keeping it.”

With a last resentful glance, his girlfriend sighed, “A new ninja arrived today. She—”

“The yellow one?” Yvonne broke in. Vanessa hasn’t participated in any matches. How does she know?

“Yes, the yellow one.” Kate confirmed. “Anyway, this newcomer is prideful, believing herself the best. Problem is——”

“She got into a fight with the white one. Am I right?” Yvonne interrupted again. “Rumor is that Dawn’s strength is backed by a great deal of confidence.”

They both stared in wonder. Yvonne buckled under the pressure, “Oh, come on. The mysterious ninjas are a hot topic. Of course I’d know this much.”

“You’ve got the gist of it.” Kate continue. “They’re having a private match right now. Silver is upset at being unable to spectate.”

“If Dawn loses, it’d be so satisfying though.” He protested.

“But consider what might happen if she wins…” Kate countered. True, that’d be awful.

“Who’d you think will come out on top?” Yvonne asked.

“I’m not sure… Dawn maybe?” His sister won too often to bet against.

Reaching the restaurant, they ceased the small talk. Silver didn’t bother with the menu. The place is famous for its meat lasagna, and I’m hungry. A friendly waiter took their order and brought their food. For Silver, who’d been spoiled by instant gratification, the few minutes this took was agonizing. Fortunately, his meal was delicious. It’s worthy of being added to Lily’s ‘buffet’.

“So, heard any good rumors lately?” Kate asked once they’d finished. She’s going on the offensive.

“Yes, I have.” Yvonne smiled. “One which relates to you. Apparently, yesterday a white Kunoichi went around inquiring about Emerit Blaze’s fears and dislikes. Any idea what this was about? Does it have to do with your recent quest? I’m still waiting for a report on that, by the way.” And it backfires.

They talked for nearly two hours, dodging awkward questions like broken glass. Most was idle chit-chat, but the last part was interesting. Kate had eventually succeeded in switching the topic to Yvonne’s homeland.

Noaran was famous for shapeshifting, with a near monopoly on that particular magic. Those seeking to change who they were traveled there from around Enera. Tricksters too. While Yvonne wasn’t a shape-shifter, she had all kinds of crazy stories from back home. Her life had been pretty hectic and prank-filled until she’d learned to recognize souls.

We know this too. Everyone capable of channeling had a ‘spiritual sense’ or ‘field of reach’ which allowed them to feel the world around them. It was in this space that objects were materialized and manipulated. With this sixth sense, it was possible to recognize souls, same as enchantments did. Excluding rare exceptions, every one is unique. Astra had them master the technique.

“Was that a good idea?” Silver asked once Yvonne had left.

“Well, she was pushing hard. It was either introducing you to the rest of my friends or letting her meet your siblings. I chose the lesser evil.” Kate reasoned. They’d invited Yvonne to the Rose Palace for a get-together in two days. I see much potential for trouble.

“Incidentally, Dawn won.” Kate added.

“How’d you…?”

“I checked my messages under the table.” Kate smirked. “If you make the screen small, no one notices.”

So she won after all. At some level, this was a comfort. He wanted to be there the day his sister finally lost. I just pray this doesn’t make her worse. If she started emulating Vanessa, life would be miserable.

Silver had met Light’s new coach ——she’s going by Emelia now—— at the Stone Coliseum. After their clean sweep yesterday, they’d earned later time-slots. Four of them had lost, including himself. The only undefeated were Light, Free, Soul and Dawn. The three strongest and Light who was fighting his first afternoon match. Soul and Dawn would probably keep going until they reached the evening bracket.

We’ll catch up once fame kicks in. Yvonne had made it clear they were becoming known. The ‘mysterious ninjas’. Dawn especially had captured attention with her bizarre one-sided wins. Everyone had noticed that the excellence of her martial arts did not match her magic. He’d heard the whispering. It’s because she isn’t using ice.

“We should go.” Kate said. “They’re waiting.” Silver nodded, and they traveled East towards waterworks.

Although assassins were essentially invisible, the Isle had many eyes. Wandering the city yesterday, Rose had employed Wise as a barometer of ‘shadow sightings’, mapping where they were densest. She’d deduced they were traveling to level 3 and crossing over to the stairwells behind the Isle’s hydrodam. Unfortunately, the trail had ended there.

Silver looked down at the poorly lit, chaotic Undercity. While the top three miles had been meticulously planned by various stewards, everything below had been an afterthought. The wall of elevators didn’t extend past the Level 3. Instead there was a mismatch of lifts on the service floor one layer down. Which is why the assassins switch over to the waterworks.

“Found them.” Kate said. There were two ways to pass the falling skyriver: the curving glass bridge on the exterior and the dark passageways on the interior. Everyone was at the intersection between the two, with only Dawn and Hope absent.

“What’s up?” Silver asked.

“We’re ready to begin, except for that issue.” Rose pointed to the golden ninja sitting dejected on a bench. I’d imagine she’d be in a bad mood. Dressed in black as always, Light was hovering nearby awkwardly. Perhaps he’s struck by guilt. His brother had orchestrated the showdown.

(continued in part 2)