Unbound

They settled into a study of sorts. A fireplace sat behind them, cast out of iron in the likeness of a curling, serpentine Dragon. The interior of the fireplace, however, was filled with more books. As was the mantel, which had a number of dog-eared tomes beside a collection of small ivory monster skulls. The walls were lined with built-in shelves filled with yet more books, along with glass cases filled with dust-covered oddments and baubles. Pedestals and platforms crowded the space, same as the rest of the house, save for around the small, low table and the three high-backed chairs.

While the rest sat, Felix remained standing, his eyes taking in the eclectic panoply around him. On the wall leading back to the entryway were two iron beams, and between them, held up within a shimmering glass case, was a section of another wall, this one made of stone and no more than three feet wide. The edges of it were crumbling, as if it were removed from some ancient ruin. On its surface was a weather-worn bas-relief sculpture of a winged beast and a figure astride it. According to the plaque bolted to the glass case, it was a part of a structure in Amaranth that was believed to have been a communal meeting hall.

That’s definitely a tenku.

There were many other things, strange and mundane. A rusty iron key hung up on a hook, surrounded by a copper cage and an elaborate warding array. There was no description for it, no plaque, and Emperor’s Vigilance was unable to pull anything from it. An uncommonly strong resistance imbued the key, which made it all the more intriguing.

There were notebooks, gilded and plain, inscribed with names of authors Felix had never heard of, held in special cages on the shelves. Along one wall, there was even a collection of bells, descending in size and tone, each one marked with a single glyph, spanning the elements from light to shadow.

Most unnerving was the triptych of mirrors that hung just above the fireplace mantle. They reflected the room they were in, but each one showed something slightly different. In one, the center one, Felix could see himself and his friends, yet the others were not present, and even the rooms were furnished differently, the rugs colored or textured in new ways, different chairs, and in one, it was practically empty. Emperor's Vigilance called it a Whetherglass, an enchanted item using illusion to fashion potential scenarios for whatever it reflected.

Eerie.

There was also a two-foot-tall glass case containing a swirling cyclone of red sand. The plaque beneath it labeled it as "Corpsewind - Crimson Sand - Scorched Expanse." A second plaque was drilled into the pedestal below the first, reading only “UNIQUE.”

Emperor’s Vigilance!

It was indeed a magically preserved piece of the dust storms that once ripped through the deserts of Ahkestria. Felix could even feel a resonance from it, and he knew without a doubt that there was Primordial Essence within it. A small amount, really, but enough that his Hunger roused.

Food.

Later. The Corpsewind was held in stasis by the case, but he had no clue what other sorts of magic might be holding it secure. Besides, Felix figured he should at least talk to the mage before eating his stuff.

"Tea?" the old Elf asked, making a gesture that initiated some rustling in another room. "I've found it helps to fortify oneself for difficult conversations."

The rustling quickly resolved into strange metal constructs that walked into the room from another slanted archway. They looked like suits of armor, though far sleeker and thinner than any living creature could wear. To Felix, they appeared as skeletons made of armor, though they lacked any head at all. The constructs carried silver trays with delicate ceramic cups and a steaming kettle.

"They're Golems?" Felix asked as one proffered a cup and saucer. Another construct reached over and dropped two squares of sugar into it.

"Nothing so complex," Tern said. "They're simple puppets controlled by my Will, Intent, and Affinity." The metal men moved smoothly, as if their joints were liquid rather than hardened steel, navigating around the complicated terrain of the study with impressive grace.

"You control them directly?" Felix asked, letting Sonata of Dominance rouse within him just enough to grasp a semblance of understanding. He smiled. "You are. Metal Mana. Steel, specifically."

"Impressive Perception, young chanter. This is called shaping magic."

Felix smiled. "I've heard of it.”

“Truly? A passing rarity. Most of my students aren't aware of anything but the standard Skills, even as they approach Master Tier."

"I've had a rare education," Felix admitted.

"Then you're aware that it is not like other Skills.”

“How do you mean?"

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

"Seizing direct control of elemental Mana bypasses the convoluted patterns foisted on us by the System. It is a relic of the original etheric arts, learned at the feet of the elementals, it is said.”

ha! elementals? weak creatures.

"Shush,” Atar admonished. He looked at the Elf. "You said original etheric arts. What does that mean? Higher-rarity Skills of some kind?"

"Something like that." Tern took a sip of his tea. "Ah, quite hot. Are you aware that the System has not always existed?"

All of them except Zara leaned forward eagerly. Felix folded his arms.

"I see you are not."

"No System?" Alister asked. "That is inconceivable."

"It is theoretical," Zara said. "There is no proof."

"The Chanters think the same as I," Tern said. "Don't try to deny it.”

“We believe the Grand Harmony is the origin of all things, the System included."

"Bah! I never claimed otherwise. But you're correct. There is no proof. Any record of any worth has long been expunged from the realms. The Ruin has ever been the bane of honest scholars."

Alister set his tea down. "I couldn't agree more."

"Mhm. Where was I? Ah, yes. Shaping magic. It's an echo of the Grand Harmony. We're seizing the mana around us, but it is a brute force method, dependent on strength of Will. Once there were better ways, more efficient, stronger." He sighed and sipped his tea. "Now, it is a rare few that ever manage to learn a shaping Skill, let alone advance it to any substantial degree."

Tern gestured with his cup. "These are curiosities. I once used them to impress my students, but they're good for little else. For all my research, I evolved Steel Shaping too late in life. It is little more than Adept Tier."

"They're still impressive," Felix said.

"Flatterer. You've taught your apprentices well, Zara. Now, tell me why you've interrupted my peaceful evening."

Zara twitched her skirts, smoothing them over her knees. "We seek someone within the Violet Tower."

"Who?"

Zara looked to Felix. "A friend out of our reach."

The old Elf didn't miss the exchange. He pursed his lips. "And you've come to ask me to what? Smuggle you in?" He laughed. "You know I've left that place. What do you expect me to accomplish?"

"You may have left, but I highly doubt you've abandoned your connections."

"No." He set down his cup, and a metal servant caught it deftly on a silver tray. "I abandoned that place for good reason. I will not be returning, even temporarily."

Zara's bright blue eyes narrowed. "You aren't a coward, Vilas. What are you running from?"

He gestured to the house around him. "Am I running?"

"No, but you're stalling," Atar said.

waiting.

"For what?" Alister asked. "What has the Violet Tower done that it drove you out?”

“Unless you can produce a more compelling reason, I am done with this line of questioning." Tern stood. "In fact, I think it is time you all leave."

"Vilas—”

“No." He slashed the flat of his hand through the air. "You don't know what you are stepping into here, Zara. The Violet Tower is off limits. I beg you to listen."

Felix didn't move as the Elf tried to walk them out, but he raised his voice. "Do you still want to know what I am?"

Tern slowed, and his ears actually perked up before he scowled. "I am not trading information for passage into the Violet, son."

"I wasn't asking to trade for passage. I'm offering information for information. There is something going on in this city, and I think the Towers are connected to it. Based on what you said tonight, it sounds like you have some inkling about that." Felix spread his hands as if offering his words. "I'll even go first…"

Tern hesitated for a few long seconds before he once again sat down. "Speak."

"I'm Unbound."

Tern barked a disbelieving laugh. "Twins’ teeth, Zara. Your apprentices could at least come up with a more compelling lie. This is insulting."

Felix didn't bother with any more words. He merely summoned up his status sheet, untouched by his veiling amulet, and flicked it at the man. He could tell when Tern saw it because the little color that was in his face drained away.

"How?” he choked out. “You're Nymean?"

"Oh, right," Felix said. "I'm that, too."

Tern looked at Zara, who was having a hard time containing her smile. "What is this? Some new Sorcerer prank?"

"There is no trick here."

Tern snatched his newly refilled teacup from one of his metal servants and tossed it back. "Your stats are so far beyond what they should be at Master Tier. You—you're not lying.”

“Imagine that," Felix said with a smile.

The old man ran a hand through his white hair until it stood up in wild tufts. "A summoning ritual would’ve been necessary. The resources alone would—Who performed it?"

"The Hierophant."

"Madness! Why would she do such a thing?” He licked his lips before fixing Felix with a hard glare. “Why are you here?”

Zara reached across the table, putting her hand on his. "The Ruin is coming, Vilas. We're here to stop it."

Silence descended on the study. The only sound was Vilas' teacup as it rattled against the silver tray. Tentatively, he picked it up, staring at the leaves in the bottom. "I think we’re going to need more tea."

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