by Mike Truk
“Your academy sounds truly awful,” said Emma.
“You’ve no idea,” I muttered.
“Second,” continued Imogen, “I think he senses how browbeating us would only drive us away. Stiffen our resistance. We’ve come too far, suffered too much, to allow a Morathi to force us into a course of action we reject. He might be painting us as weak, but we’re clearly strong enough to merit him putting up this whole act.”
“That’s something, at any rate,” said Brielle, frowning at the steaming waters of the pool. “I was about to slap that smirk right off his horse face.”
“Try to smack,” said Emma, turning to lean her hip against the table as she stirred her coffee and winked at Brielle.
“No, my smack is at least a Level 8 weapon,” said Brielle. “I’d get through.”
“What’s with the levels?” I asked. “Neveah’s blade - where is Neveah?”
We all glanced around.
“Here,” said the assassin, and there she was, leaning against the wall, nonchalant and reserved as if she’d been there all along.
Maybe she had.
“Right,” I said. “He said your blade was Level 6. Lizbeth’s crossbow is ‘only’ Level 3. Anybody know what he’s talking about?”
We all looked at Imogen.
“What?” she asked, sounding defensive as she sipped her orange juice. “Why do you all think I know everything?”
Brielle raised an eyebrow. “Do you know about these levels?”
“Yes,” scowled Imogen, lowering her glass. “Mankind loves nothing so much as classifying the phenomena of the universe. It’s a spectrum of power on which different artifacts can be placed. Level 1 being a light stone, say, or one of the Library Assistants back in Bastion.”
“Weren’t you the library assistant?” asked Emma.
“No. A Library Assistant is a band of enchanted wood that readers wear around their wrist. It turns the pages of older books for them, a basic form of telekinesis, so they don’t risk tearing the pages apart. But regardless. Other items range across the spectrum; amulets that ward against magic like psyche-imperium can possess differing levels of power, with the greatest of them resistant to even the most powerful spells.”
“So, Level 3,” said Valeria, glancing down at the large crossbow. “Not as impressive as I’d thought?”
“No, it’s very impressive. Artifacts are incredibly rare. Only wondrously talented magi can create them, and that’s if they dedicate their lives to the study. It’s an application of Alchemy, the other discipline of the seventh sanskara, Sahaswara.”
Valeria pursed her lips and nodded, mollified.
“So, if Neveah’s blade is Level 6, that means there are weapons out there that are… Level 10?” I asked. “Level 20?”
“By the Source, I hope not,” said Valeria. “At least, not if anybody else is wielding them.”
“I’ve never heard of an artifact ranked above ten,” said Imogen. “And there’s only one of those. That’s your blade, Noah. Shard.”
I startled, glancing down where it was strapped at my hip, then back up at her. “Shard? Level 10?”
I felt like a fool. Of course, it would be that powerful. It was the blade of the Savior, a gift from the Source itself. Why wouldn’t it be so perilous?
Luckily, I managed to correct myself before anybody had a chance to mock my surprise. “I mean, yes, right, but… how come it doesn’t feel that powerful? I can hurl beams of golden light, I can cut through a lot of substances, and it makes me a better fighter, but… that doesn’t feel like Level 10?”
It was Neveah who answered. “Shard’s power reflects that of its wielder. As you grow, so will its abilities.”
“Oh,” I said. “So you’re saying I’m, like, a Level 2 dude.”
Neveah’s mouth quirked into a smile, then she looked away. The smile remained, however.
“What about Victor’s blade?” asked Emma, looking down at where it was sheathed at her hip. “Does it have any power? So far I’ve just been using it like any other sword.”
“I would say it does,” said Imogen carefully. “Though as to what manner of magic and how powerful, I don’t know.”
“I’m getting so tired of this,” said Valeria, leaning her head back and pinching the bridge of her nose. Something about her tone - a hint of despair, or terrible fatigue - snagged my attention. “I knew this would be a slog, but… I hoped after Tagimron we’d passed the worst of it. To… never mind.” She dropped her hand into her lap. “I’m sorry. Just feeling worn out.”
“We all are,” I said, making sure I sounded confident. “Don’t doubt yourself because you’re feeling beat. Tagimron was…” I paused, searching for the right word.
“Brutal,” whispered Imogen.
“Sadistic,” said Emma.
“Verily it was fucked up,” said Brielle.
Neveah stayed silent.
“Right,” I said. “We need to make the most of this downtime. We need to rest up, eat well, and recover. There may have been some wisdom in what Emelias said about waiting. I know we all want to rush forward - mostly, I think, to get this over with - but I don’t think we’re ready. And I’m not just talking wards. We’re… I don’t know, run ragged? When we fought those guards, I didn’t even feel that worked up about the fight. More … numb? Like I was going through the motions?”
I saw thoughtful nods around the room.
“I think we pushed too hard in Tagimron. We didn’t have a choice, but we need to heal. I think we’re all at the point of breaking right now.”
“Can I interject?” asked Little Meow, raising a hand. “I’m a little outside your group - I mean, you’re actually all companions and Savior, while I’m just a friend? But I’ve been hanging out with you all for a while now, and… yeah. You guys need to rest. I’ve spent most of my life focusing on Anahata, and healing in general, and much of the focus isn’t on the body, but the wounds dealt to the spirit. Um. You guys are fucked up.”
I took a deep breath, resisting the urge to allow my shoulders to slump. “So, that’s our first order of business,” I said. “Healing. Regaining our spiritual strength.”
“Second order,” said Imogen, “is to remain wary of corruption. That’s all Emelias wants, I’m sure of it. And the way corruption works is, at first, it’s genuinely helpful. All this” - she waved her hand, taking in the pool, the banquet table - “is what we need right now. But just as the best liars tell as much of the truth as possible, so do Lilith’s agents try to prove as useful as possible while seeking to lead us astray.”
Emma stared down at her coffee. “So we shouldn’t be taking advantage of this stuff?”
“No, we should,” said Imogen. “Plus, I don’t think we have a choice. We just have to be vigilant against coming to trust him or being grateful for his help. No matter what he does for us, it’ll be to further his agenda.”
“Which is to destroy us,” I said. “Which I still don’t get. Why are they pussyfooting around their real goal? Why not simply kill us if we’re such easy prey? My death means Bastion falls, right?”
Nobody answered.
“It’s a good question,” said Imogen at last.
“You’re assuming they want you dead,” said Neveah.
Everyone turned to stare at her.
“Well, don’t they?” asked Emma. “Don’t they want Bastion?”
“They do,” said Neveah.
“Then what are you saying?” I asked. “You remembering something, or know something about all this?”
“No,” said Neveah simply. “But I’ve learned to accept who people are by what they do. The Morathi don’t seem to want you dead. But they still want Bastion. Therefore, perhaps your death isn’t the best way to accomplish that.”
“I still don’t get it,” said Emma after a moment of consideration. “What else is there? Corruption?”
“Always a house favorite,” I said.
Neveah shrugged.
“We d
on’t know,” said Imogen. “But I suppose we should be grateful. For now, we need to focus on gathering our strength and preparing for this new journey.”
“As long as there’s no dust like in Ghogiel,” said Valeria, closing her eyes again.
“This time we do them all together,” I said. “We don’t split up, and we’re not going into some psychotic machine of dream-dealing sadism whose sole purpose is to tear us apart at the seams.”
There were nods all around.
“All we have to do is kill things,” I said.
“And try not to get killed,” said Brielle.
“How can we get wards?” Emma sipped from her coffee again, but I could tell how nervous she was. “I mean, I just learned to start healing. It feels like a bit much to expect me to develop wards - but then again, maybe not? They’re both Anahata, right?”
“Right,” said Imogen. “Of all of us, you’ve got the greatest chance of developing that power, having tapped that sanskara already.”
“No pressure,” said Brielle with a grin.
Emma stuck her tongue out at her.
“We’re all going to need wards,” said Valeria tiredly. “You saw how formidable those guards were when they overlapped. We can’t fight from within Emma’s ward - assuming she gets one - alone.”
Pensive silence.
“One thing at a time,” I said. “I go speak to this regent, resist her attempts to corrupt me, and learn where we’re going. Then we regroup, review our new intel, and plan our next steps.”
There was silence again. Everyone sat in their own deep well of thought.
“Crazy thought,” I said at last. “What do you think are the odds Alusz Iphigenia isn’t as invested in all this Lilith corruption as everyone else?”
“She’s a Morathi,” said Imogen.
“Yeah, but when I said we were sworn enemies, her answer was less than… I don’t know. Fervent?”
“She’s Morathi,” said Imogen again. “There’s no common ground between us.”
“Agreed,” said Little Meow.
“Fair enough,” I said. “Just a thought.”
Little Meow rubbed her hands briskly down her thighs, then gave a little clap. “All right! Little Meow’s Massage Parlor is now open for business! We’ll be accepting reservations throughout the day, and attendance is mandatory. Hour-long slots are available, but I could possibly be convinced to do an hour and a half.”
With a grunt, Valeria sat up. “And I’ll lead folks through some stretching. Restorative stuff, nothing hard. Maybe this afternoon we can all work on sword forms.”
“Speaking of, I’ll lead a meditation later today,” said Imogen. “We clearly need to deepen our powers but could also benefit from meditation’s healing effects.”
“Actually.” I set my coffee aside. “Does everybody know the Vam Mantra? It helps with controlling your emotions, with taking the world as it is, and not as you wish it was or fear it might be.”
“I know it,” said Imogen quietly.
Everybody else shook their heads.
“Great. Vam’s on the agenda for today,” I said.
Brielle looked at Emma. “What are we going to contribute?”
“Um. I could practice my healing on people. Alleviate pains and help old wounds?”
Brielle scowled. “Fine. In which case I’ll…” She paused, thinking.
Valeria couldn’t help but smile. “Invite people to be mocked and insulted?”
“No,” said Brielle, then smiled sweetly. “But I’m willing to make an exception for you.”
“Valeria,” said Little Meow. “Um - would you be up for the first session?”
“Why me?” asked the warrior.
“You need it the most,” said Little Meow. “Sorry. It’s true.”
“I guess you’re right.” Valeria rose to her feet and arched her back, shrugging her way into a stretch before released it with a sigh. “Guess I can’t complain too much about receiving a world-class massage from a talented healer.”
“Knowing you? That would be right in line,” said Brielle. “See? And I’m just getting started.”
“In which case, watch me get the hell out of here,” said Valeria, and strode out of the room. I caught a glimpse of a small smile on her lips, however, and a knot of tension I’d not even noticed relaxed a fraction.
The rest of the day was almost dream-like in its serenity. After months of violence, privation, and despair, it was surreal to spend hour after hour simply relaxing; taking the occasional swim, receiving a massage from Little Meow, or working at meditation, teaching the others the ways of the Vam Mantra.
We gathered for a late lunch and ate in companionable silence. Valeria ran us through sword forms until we broke a sweat and were all warmed up, at which point we stretched and settled into a late afternoon nap. Everyone joined me on the huge bed to relax and doze.
The stained-glass windows darkened as the afternoon wore on. Servants brought in a light dinner, but as the meal progressed, my tension returned.
Imogen reached out to squeeze my hand. “You’ll do great.”
“Yeah,” I said, staring down at my plate. “Just… she’s mastered Sahaswara, right? What are the odds that I can go toe-to-toe with someone that powerful?”
“Just stick to your truths,” she said. “Don’t try to be clever or trick her. All her powers will fail before your faith.”
“Right,” I said, moving my sliver of steak across my plate with my fork, then back again. “Right.”
“She’s not joking,” said Brielle, expression intent. “You were able to see through the Manifold’s attempt to break me when I couldn’t. Without you, I’d have failed that test. You saw right through it.”
“And mine,” said Valeria, tone bitter. “I was seeing everything in terms of strength and victory. And somehow… you convinced me that one can win by not fighting.” She blew a lock of hair out of her face and gave me a conflicted grin. “Something I’m still not completely clear on, but there’s always room for growth, right?”
Emma set her fork down and leaned forward. “And in mine? How you were able to see through the fake world the Manifold put you in, where it was trying to prove you were crazy? Yet you had the faith to hold on to our reality, no matter how much crazier it seemed?” She gave a wondering shake of her head. “I almost feel sorry for this regent and her tricks.”
I raised both palms. “Hey, wait up, I wasn’t fishing for compliments.”
“Too bad,” said Neveah, and everyone paused, turning to look at her. She ignored the stares. Leaning in her chair, she pushed back on the rearmost two legs, lounging as if poured into the seat while still somehow managing to look ready for a fight. “You’re worthy of the title of Savior, Noah. More than Ilandro was. You have what it takes. You’re going to go all the way. To Malkuth. And there you will defeat Lilith.”
She spoke her words with absolute conviction, her gaze unwavering; the intensity behind them was unnerving. I didn’t move, transfixed by her stare until she dropped forward, the front two legs of her chair clacking on the stone floor.
“Unless,” she said, “one of your companions betray you.”
I waited for an outcry of anger or disbelief, but the other women flinched, remaining quiet.
“Wait, what?” I looked from one of them to the next. Imogen was studying her plate. Valeria had looked down and away. Only Emma and Brielle were able to hold my gaze, but even Brielle looked troubled.
“You guys aren’t going to betray me,” I said. “What is this bullshit?”
“I might not,” said Neveah. “I’d wade through balefire for you. But the thing inside me, if summoned…”
She shuddered violently, rose to her feet, and strode from the room.
Her departure was abrupt and shocking; I stared after her in disbelief, then turned back to the others. “Valeria? Imogen? What is this shit?”
Imogen shrugged one shoulder. “I will never betray you.” Her gaze remained fixed
on the plate. “But I’m not as strong, as good, or as… pure as I thought I’d managed to become.” She looked up with a sad smile. “I’m working on it, though.”
I shook my head. “You’re fucking amazing, and you’re doing yourself a total disservice. I can’t believe I’m hearing this.”
Her eyes filled with tears, and she reached a gloved finger under her glasses to wipe them away. “I’m sorry. What we underwent in the Manifold, what it brought up. I won’t pretend it didn’t hurt me, change me, in profound ways. But I swear I’m going to keep wrestling with it and make sure those changes are for the better.”
She pushed her shoulders back, sitting up straighter, and gave a firm nod. “Yes. They will be for the better. It’s just… I’m sorry. I had a moment of weakness. Of… self-pity? I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be,” I said. “You’re far, far stronger than you know. Valeria?”
The warrior sighed, bit her lower lip, then glanced up at me from beneath her golden lashes. “I know what you want me to say. But this - our circle - is a place for honesty, right? And I just don’t feel like I’m pulling my weight. Not since Tagimron. You guys can’t raise wards, but I can’t even throw a bolt of fire. And now my crossbow’s been shown to be ineffective, and I feel so angry, I want to smash Emelias’s face in, but I simply can’t, and…”
She curled her hands into fists and grimaced. “I’m sorry. I’d never betray you, but I could fail you in a fight. Let everyone down. I’m just feeling very frustrated.”
I reached out and placed my hand over her fist. “I understand. Trust me. I’ve spent most of my life feeling frustrated, most of my time at Bastion being terrified, and a whole chunk of Ghogiel feeling out of my depth. But you know who had faith in me first?”
Valeria slowly raised her gaze to meet mine again.
“You did,” I said. “You believed me in before anyone else.”
“Before even me,” said Emma quietly.
“Way, way, way before me,” said Brielle, and managed to elicit a snort of amusement from Valeria.