Chapter 2a - Invulnerable Bones of Stone

[Krul]

As you enter the office of clerks within the city, the Head Clerk calls someone from the clerks who are working.  A white-haired man with purple eyes and vestigial feathered wings at his back approaches and bows to those present. 

 

“Excellent, Clerk Crow, if you would take their Lordships to the deep regions where everyone has been falling unconscious, they are going to look into it.”

 

“Of course, sir, I will see to it.   This way, your Lordships.”  He waits a moment until he’s sure you are all following and over the next hour descends deeper and deeper into the depths of the undercity, passing less affluent areas, then the strange colored sub-engines, the hum of the sorcerous engines of Ysyr grow stronger as you descend deeper and deeper into the mountain upon which the city is built.  Soon enough you pass deep enough that no one else but you and your guild are present, and he stands up straighter, the lines of age fading away and his wings vanishing.

 

Xia immediately moves between him, Lan and Liora.  “Who are you?”

 

“You’re about 2000 years too late to be able to contend with me, child of the dragons.”  He responds, as his manner and bearing completely changes from the subordinate one he had before, his manner one of power and authority now.

 

“As to who I am, you may call me Reflective Crow, I’m old friend of you cousins, from his previous life, though I am not sure how well he remembers me, it’s good to see the Diamond Visionary in the world again.  And I am glad that no matter what was done to keep the Solar’s from returning by my compatriots, they should have known the Mask wouldn’t keep them, but then, I always thought the Bronze path lacked vision, but then, there is always an Ending.  And don't worry, I am not about to interfere with your actions here, in fact, I support them, but I do have a message or two for you, just as there is always an Ending, a Secret has been placed in Lan's household, Niisa is quite capable of taking care of herself, but I would appreciate you working together."

 

Xia remains warry as she watches him.  

"Anyway, here we are, the entrance to the Diamond Visionary's laboratories, though the defenses are active since your mate, Erin  went in and went to sleep in stasis, waiting for her mate's return.  It's locked, but you have the key"  He pointed at the amulet that  Liora carried.  "So you can at least get in the front door, but I expect you'll have to fight whatever outer defenses are active."

 

Spoiler

Tag: Lan & Liora

 

Edited November 16 by Krul

[Shameless]

Alot of things happened at once for Lan.  Crow's transformation was unexpected, but not something he'd not seen any number of Sorcerer Princes do before.  The revelation of his age, and more when he spoke that name, an onslaught of memories assaulted his mind, enough that even he was forced to steady himself against the wall for a moment, as he tried to make sense of the memories, and how they correlated with what he'd said.
 

"You knew me before, back when..."  His head ached, trying to recall that, it was still too much for him now.
 

"So there's someone in the family beyond Xia and Heiyaoshi, they're like us but different, if I understand you correctly."  Internally he wondered if maybe there was something within the Huo family bloodline that could be traced back to the first age, something that might have left them predisposed to Exaltation.
 

Standing where they were, his hand upon the wall, he remembered.   He remembered the steady thrum of the massive engines, the stone warm to the touch, a smile curling his lips as he thought how this place had changed the world, and would change it even more in the coming centuries.
 

He came back from the memory, and looked to Crow, "I do know you."   he was indeed familiar,  but beyond that feeling, he couldn't say how, or remember their bond further than that.
 

"I apologize, I said that, but I cannot remember everything, and the memories I have, they're still jumbled, and some only snippets.  I will try to recall more, as time permits."

Then his thoughts turned to something else, "Wait, you mentioned someone waiting for us, a mate?  How could they be waiting so long?"

[Nina]

Liora

 

Liora listened and watched, her silence was pure caution. A Sidereal, endings and secrets? The weight of Crow's words settled heavily on her shoulders as she processed the implications of his presence and his cryptic message. The revelation that Lan had a mate waiting for him in stasis within the Diamond Visionary's laboratories left her feeling a mix of emotions - curiosity, concern, and a deep sense of responsibility.

 

Her gaze shifted from Crow to Lan, observing the whirlwind of memories and emotions that his encounter with Reflective Crow had stirred within him. She could see the struggle in his eyes as he tried to piece together fragments of a past long forgotten. With a reassuring hand on his shoulder, Liora spoke softly, "We will navigate this together, Lan. Whatever lies ahead, we will face it as a team."

 

Turning her attention back to Reflective Crow, Liora's voice was steady as she addressed him, "Thank you for guiding us here and for sharing your knowledge with us, Reflective Crow. We will unlock the defenses and retrieve Lan's mate from stasis. It is clear that there are deeper forces at play here, and we must tread carefully."

 

As she said this, other words he had spoken harkened back to her. Liora glanced behind at their entourage. She cursed herself, as a Sorcerer-prince she had been taught, had it drilled into her mind, that only they counted. And because of that role in society she had discounted those that always accompanied them. Servents, courtiers, guards, even her own sword-bearer. As the Architect of Ysyr, she cared deeply for those who made up the bulk of their society but even she was prone to hubris. And one among Lan’s house was a Secret, someone called Niisa.

 

Niisa

 

Crow had not fully prepared her for being revealed, especially in such a setting. Niisa wondered if this was simply his way of being humorous. At that thought she allowed herself a half smile. She stood with the entourage, her Resplendent Destiny, that of a chronicler of deeds, her robes were of Lan’s house colors, her short hair covered by a scribes cap, a pair of spectacles which were simply for show completed her disguise. Tucked Into the crook of one arm was a board with several sheets of course paper and a quill attached by a clasp, a stoppered ink vial was set into the board, in her other hand what looked to be a simple walking staff. She looked the part even if she did lack Reflective Crow's, experience at playing someone else in public, she was much better at simply staying unseen.

 

She felt the Architect of Ysyr’s eyes rove over the entourage and waited.

[Krul]

The revealed Sidereal chuckled for a moment as he continued to explain a few things, starting with Lan’s question.  “The Lunars call it Bear Sleep Technique, and for those who have managed to reach the apex of its capabilities, it also stops all aging while they enter hibernation.  It is very similar to a Veil that Holds Back Time, but doesn’t’ require any artifact, they can simply sleep centuries away and wake up without aging a single day.  Erin, the Silver Lynx, Lady of Shifting Moon, Queen Consort of Gralon, didn’t take your death all that well at the end of the first age, she stayed with the Silver Pact for a while, long enough to take on the tattoos of the Changing Moon, but after that she went somewhere deep in there, pledging to wake only when her mate woke her up.  It’s a bit of a shame, since her aid might have been appreciated during the Great Contagion.   But then, Muse of Elegant Intuitions, didn’t take your death well either, one of the few of Auchtonia’s chosen remaining that we were aware of, she might have been able to do something in that period, and we’re not sure where she vanished too, she might be down there as well.”

 

Xia spoke up again.  “Why not go down and find out yourself before this?”

 

“I cannot, not without destroying the engines that Diamond Visionary built, we still don’t understand what he did, the engines are some mixtures of craft and sorcery that was his masterwork, the control system is down there and protected from interference, a gift to Salina’s vision, the Zenith of your circle.  The way is sealed to all save to who is Diamond Visionary reborn, though underground, the geomancy rejects all that are not with one of Solar essence, only the Chosen of the Most High can open the way.” He pointed to Lan.

 

“And who carries the Key is also needed.”  He pointed to the Artifact Liora was wearing.

 

“And, while Niisha is acceptable as part of your retinue, a young Sidereal in your service, Erin certainly would not accept the presence of an Elder Sidereal, even one of the Gold Faction, upon her reunion with her reborn beloved.”

 

He then turned and walked forward toward Niisha, his hand reaching out to brush a strand of hair behind her ear and put an affectionate hand on her shoulder.  “Take care, my student, in time, perhaps I will take on some of the others here as students, should they prove themselves.  The mortals will not remember me very long, as anything other than a clerk who brought everyone there and then disappeared” 

 

With that the Elder Sidereal transformed into a Crow and then flew away, perhaps leaving more questions than answers. 

 

Xia spoke up again.  “Well, that was interesting.  So, where do we take the Key to open things up?”

[Shameless]

Lan listened as Crow spoke, followed him as he revealed his student, and said little.  He was thankful for the answer to his questions, and the idea that a powerful First Age Lunar awaited them, awaited him, was one that weighed on him.   He was not Diamond Visionary, and while he was brilliant, there was still so much he didn't know, so much he'd yet to experience. That would change, he silently vowed to himself. 
 

He had no truly great accomplishments to his name, and more, Erin was the Queen Consort of Gralon.   That was the name of the entire island that Ysyr called home.  It implied Diamond Visionary was the actual ruler at one point, that his masterworks, the Essence Engines were a true Wonder of the First Age, something no other Solar had achieved.  The responsibilities on his shoulders had grown larger, the expectations would as well.   
 

The mention of another ancient Exalt, this one Auchtonia’s chosen, He understood the significance, even if he couldn't perfectly recall the reasoning.  There were mysteries and wonders awaiting them within the hallowed halls of a bygone past.  
 

Those halls remained untrodden for centuries, but now, together with Liora, he would open the way, and walk them not as Diamond Visionary, but who he was now, Lan Huo.

He looked to his cousin, and nodded. "Right then, to business."   he turned to Niisa, and nodded.  "Welcome to our company, Niisa.  If you ever have something to add, don't hesitate to speak up.   As i'm sure you've observed, I don't stand on formalities much unless I must."
 

He turned to Liora, and smiled.  "May I borrow your amulet to open the way within for us?"   He was fairly certain she would agree and he knew that like any key they would be able to remove it and return it to her once the door was opened.  Behind him, and something he'd already spotted while listening to Reflective Crow, there was a hole in the door, shaped similarly to the amulet, something that had been obscured until Crow moved from in front of it. "This is where the key must be placed."

Edited November 25 by Shameless

[Nina]

Liora

 

Liora's fingers instinctively went to the amulet hanging around her neck, its weight feeling significant and comforting. She held Lan's gaze and saw a fierce determination mirrored in his eyes, reminding her of her own resoluteness. Without saying anything, she unclasped the amulet and handed it to him, its delicate design glinting in the light.

 

"Stay vigilant, Lan," she whispered. "What lies beyond this door is ancient and powerful. We must tread carefully."

 

Niisa

 

Niisa had observed Crow's dramatic exit and couldn't help but smile. It would have been considerate of him to inform her about the situation beforehand, but she also couldn't deny that the thrill of the unexpected was part of the excitement. She made a mental note to make him pay for it later, when they were alone.

 

Niisa's eyes flicked towards Lan as he reached for the Architect's key and began to unlock the door. She left the rest of the retinue behind and walked towards the doorway, gripping her staff tightly in her hand.

 

[Shameless]

As Liora entrusted the amulet to Lan, he nodded, and looked to address the others there, the retinue that followed him and Xia.  "I know you are sworn to aid me, to serve at my side and attend the two of us.   What i ask of you now I do so knowing all of that.  We three are heading into a potentially unknown situation.  There could be powerful defensive measures that will try to impede our paths.  I ask you to remain here, until we know it is safe.  Your lives have value beyond simply being our shields, as some use their retainers.   I would have you remain here, to prevent any from following us.  Still if your hearts are set on following us, I will not refuse you.   However, you must obey every order without question.  As I said the way ahead is unknown, and likely perilous."

When the retinue, as one, stood to attention, signaling their desire to accompany him,  Lan nodded.  "So be it."

With that he turned back to the door, and placed the amulet within the recess, and felt the familiar thrum of powerful essence energies activating.

[Krul]

As the Artifact is placed into the keyhole, it spins in place and the humming of the sorcerous engines increases for a moment, the amulet was then ejected from the keyhole of sorts,  ad a wall at the end of the corridor vanished, exposing an extremely large cavernous  and extraordinary room, you could fit a dozen elephants in here and still have room.  The room is a fortune in magical materials, the walls, floor and ceiling are made of Blue Jade, seven blue crystal spires of Adamant  rise to the ceiling, glowing with blue light, Orichalcum is everywhere adding a greater opulence to the room before you.  Energy pulses flow up and down the Adamant continually, and a hum of power seems to resonant with your very bones, and your skin feels as though a thousand humming bees landed on it, though after a moment the sensation fades.

 

 

"Most High have mercy" whispered one of the mortal attendants as you took in the sight before you, only Niisa had seen anything like this, and that was in Yu Shan, the Heavens, not upon the mortal realm of Creation.

 

"Scanning, Exalted Essence detected... identified: Solar Twilight, identified: Sidereal Secrets, identified: Exigent Architect, identified: Dragon Blooded Air Aspect.. assessing Databanks"

 

The mechanical sounding voice seemed to come out of nowhere and everywhere throughout the room.  

 

"Data assessment complete, Twilight Essence recognition complete, Greetings to the Heir of the Diamond Visionary, Slayer of Mardukth, Who Holds in Thrall, The Mountain and the Beast Upon it, of the Circle of Chain Breakers, High King of Gralon, Architect of Dreams, Master Builder.  Query: Are you here to face the trials?"

 

Edited Thursday at 08:18 PM by Krul

[Shameless]

Lan was not surprised by the gasps of those of his retinue.   The splendor of the First Age was simply beyond anything the people of Creation were prepared for now.  It had passed into legend and myth, and they barely understood many of the most commonplace principles of that time.  More than that, the more learned among his retainers recognized several titles, and had just learned the young master they served was indeed heir to so much more than a house that had produced many Sorcerer Princes.

That wasn't to say the splendor of this place didn't impress Lan, but there was a lingering familiarity.  Deep within, he was proud that something his previous incarnation had built was still so intact.  When this was done, there would be so much to learn from it all.

  He had to answer, and there could be only one to such a query.

"I am Lan Huo, The Azure Flash of Striking Steel.  I will face the trials if path leads to setting right what is wrong.  Rushing in headlong was something he did when excited, as Xia knew all to well, and surrounded by just this much, she knew her cousin was excited, just as she knew he counted on her to wary.  

"I do not come alone.   Xia Quin, My cousin and fellow Sorcerer Prince, Niisa, Chosen of the Maiden of Secrets, Liora, Adamant Reflection of Truth, and a number of my most trusted attendants and retainers are here with me."

Lan didn't know if they would be allowed to be a part of the trials, but it felt wrong to not announce their presence as well.  Of course the voice, whatever it was knew they were there, but in this instance, Lan felt it proper to recognize their presence himself.