Chapter 26: Invoke the Firemind
The pit in Ral's stomach had been slowly growing throughout the day, seemingly expanding with each Eternal he smote. When the sky had been consumed by Bolas' spell, it practically doubled in size, uneasily pressing against Ral's abdomen. He tried his best to ignore it, continuing along the city streets with Jace and Vivien, blasting away whatever zombies were in their path from a cautious distance. As they wound through the intricate roadways of the Izzet sector, the number of Eternals seemed to be slowly receding. By the time they passed Ral's favorite pub, thankfully still standing, his stomach had started to feel the first bit of relief since he had woken up on the belltower's floor.
Then, once he finally caught his first glimpse of Nivix, the guildhall of the Izzet League, his stomach felt fit to burst.
What the krokt happened here?
He suddenly stopped moving, his legs frozen in terror. The towering spire of Nivix, one of the tallest structures in Ravnica and a symbol of the scientific heights for which the Izzet reached, was completely under siege. Its main entryway was swarmed with Eternals, appearing like a tempestuous sea from a distance. Though they could not break through the built-in defenses of the tower, it did not stop them from pushing, attacking, or climbing the building from every angle, searching for any way inside. The upper levels were faring no better, with lazotep-coated avens, angels, and dragons perching on the rooftops and plaguing any windows they could find. Errant blasts of magic flew from the tower; singular, pitiful attempts from League mages to keep the Eternals away, which only served to briefly illuminate the omnipresent darkness. It did not appear that the Dreadhorde had found a way inside yet, but judging by the intensity of their movements, he doubted the Izzet could hold out for much longer.
The nigh-catastrophic sights were almost too much for Ral to bear, and he tried to tear his eyes away from Nivix. He looked to his sides, where his companions had stopped alongside him, and their faces were gravely etched as they looked on, presumably mirroring his own initial reaction.
Vivien spoke low, almost breathlessly. "By the Gods… This is where we need to go?"
It took Ral a moment to process her words. He had become so accustomed to communicating psychically, that when Jace severed the connection after his last broadcasted message, the trio had kept mostly silent. "Oh, yeah, that's the place. Well, I guess more specifically, we need to go all the way up there." Ral pointed to the apex of the tower, where Niv-Mizzet's aerie lorded over the rest of the guild. It was the most tightly guarded area Ral knew of in Ravnica, though now it acted as little more than a glorified roost for a score of airborne Eternals trying to claw their way inside.
Vivien nodded, her eyes steeled as she looked upward. "That is easier said than done, it would appear. We've taken down a lot of Eternals, but this is unprecedented. Why are there so many here?"
"I'm not sure," Ral shrugged. His brow furrowed as he contemplated Vivien's question. "The Elderspell is drawing them to planeswalkers' sparks. I know Niv found a way to mimic that energy signature, it's how our Interplanar Beacon was able to pull you all here, so maybe they're attracted to that. It's also possible that Bolas is just pissed off at the smackdown Niv gave him the other day, and he's taking it out on the guildhall."
"I think it's because the Izzet don't have anyone giving them orders," Jace suddenly piped up. He pulled down his hood and ran a hand through his already-mussed raven hair. "The Izzet are smart, but they need direction. There's no reason that the mages here shouldn't be cutting these Eternals down in droves other than no one is telling them to do it."
"What the hell's that supposed to mean?" Ral snapped, turning his full body to face the mind-mage.
Jace did not react to the sudden aggression, simply looking at Ral with heavily lidded eyes. "That's rhetorical, right? I mean, with Niv-Mizzet dead, and you running around with us, it's safe to assume that the scene down there is a direct result of typical Izzet chaos without the supervision of their leader."
"I'm not their leader," Ral glowered, meeting Jace's gaze. "I just worked with Niv, that's all."
"You were second-in-command to the guild leader, who's now dead. If you're worried about people challenging your claim, I think you're fine."
"That's not my problem," Ral shook his head. "I know I could take it if I wanted it, but I don't want it. All of that…" He held his hand wide and circularly gestured to the whole of Nivix, "is not my sole responsibility."
Jace crossed his arms beneath his cloak. "Then whose responsibility is it? Take it from me, just because you don't want responsibility doesn't mean you can just wave it away."
"Look," Ral leveled a severe hand at Jace, the tips of his hair lightly crackling with electricity, "I don't need a lecture from the guy who left almost immediately after assuming the mantle of Living Guildpact. I'm no leader for this guild, but I know who can do it. That's why I'm here. We're gonna get in there, I'll let them know that they're in charge, and while they're taking command, we can try and find Niv's plans. Does that work for you, or do you wanna argue more while the guildhall crumbles?"
The two men stared each other down, neither wishing to concede their point. Their eyes were aglow with magic, Jace's bright blue clashing against Ral's flaring white. For a moment, Ral guessed that Jace might be reading his mind, searching for meaning behind his words. He did not feel Jace's presence in his mind, and when the azure light dimmed in his eyes, Ral let out an internal sigh of relief.
"Fine," Jace scowled, once again donning his hood, "as long as this contact of yours is willing to work with us in fighting off the Dreadhorde. It would be a lot easier if you just took up the mantle."
The light receded from Ral's eyes. "Yeah, it probably would be, but like I said, not my problem. The Izzet can get along just fine with someone else at the helm." Though both of them had technically stepped down, Ral could still feel a contentious force between them. He had no idea why Jace was suddenly so self-righteous about someone else's business, but it rubbed him the wrong way nonetheless. Fortunately, Vivien stepped forward to try and refocus this tension to the task at hand.
"Are you two done?" she asked, one hand on her hip. When two muted nods came her way, she dropped her posturing. "Good, it sounds like we have a plan for when we get inside. The problem now is how exactly we get in there in the first place. None of us can fly or levitate, right?"
Ral and Jace shook their heads. Vivien's lips pursed in response, and she put a hand to her chin as she thought aloud. "I was afraid of that. An aerial entrance would make things much easier. I guess that means we'll need to get in from the ground. Ral, are there any other entrances besides the one we can see from here?"
"Yeah, there's a few entryways around the base of the tower, but from the looks of things, those are probably just as congested as that one." His brow furrowed as he tried to think of other possible ways inside. A schematic of Nivix appeared before his mind, built over years of careful study. He mentally removed the possible entrance points they had already ruled out, and as he pulled the image away, he saw only one other option. "If we can't go through, and we can't go over, then we're gonna have to go under."
"You mean the sewers, right?" Jace asked, face pulling in hesitation. "I would have assumed those were secured to keep the Golgari and the Dimir from sneaking in."
"They are, but I know how to deactivate the warding spells. As long as it's clear down there, it's probably the only option we have."
Vivien gave a resolute nod. "Then it seems we have our way in. If you lead, Ral, I'll pick off whatever we may find down there."
"It's not exactly how I would've like to get in," Jace complained, "but it's better than nothing. I doubt the Eternals have made it into the sewers, given their aversion to entering buildings. It should be a clear shot unless we come across some kraul. Like I said, not ideal, but it's the best we got."
Hearing the resounding agreement of his two allies, Ral had to suppress a sly grin that pulled on his face. They looked at him expectantly, and he tried to reign in his emotions with a surreptitious cough. "Ok, if we're all in agreement, then I know where we can get in."
With a wave of his hand, Ral beckoned Jace and Vivien to follow him along the empty streets of the Izzet outskirts. He led them to The Loose Screw, a popular tavern where Izzet mages and scientists would often come after a long, explosive day in the lab. He had spent more than a few nights here while he was still rising within the guild, enjoying the company of his chaotic workmates and the incredibly bitter brews. Looking back, he wondered how he could have ever stomached that swill, though he knew Tomik was mostly to blame for his current, slightly more refined palette.
"Gods, those Eternals really did a number on this place," mused Vivien as she approached.
Ral shook his head. "Oh no, it always looks like this. You cater to the Izzet, you can't be too preoccupied with keeping the place clean. And, with such clientele, you need a good way to dispose of whatever they may leave behind." Moving towards the alleyway beside the tavern, Ral spotted the deep black of a manhole cover hidden within the shadows. "That's our way in. The sewer system here goes right under Nivix. We'll just be going against the flow."
"You seem to know a lot about traveling through the sewers," Jace said with a curious look.
"What can I say," Ral shrugged, "I was never a stickler for rules."
This answer seemed enough to pacify Jace, whose face returned to its neutral expression. Then, the two men stepped aside as Vivien made her way to the manhole. She knelt down and tucked her fingers beneath the rim. Her eyes shone green for a moment, and a flicker of energy surged along her arms, momentarily highlighting her veins in brilliant emerald. With a low grunt, Vivien pried the manhole cover from the street, the metal groaning with resistance before eventually giving way with an echoing snap. Once free, she idly tossed it aside, where it reverberated off the adjacent wall. As she rose and turned to them, Ral's eyebrows arched in astonishment.
"Those covers are welded shut to keep people out. You usually have to galvanize the bolts to even loosen it."
A cocky smirk flashed across Vivien's lips. "I've never been one to let metal stand in my way. Come then, we don't have time to waste." Without waiting for a response, Vivien leapt into the open manhole. Ral and Jace stepped forward, eyes wide with surprise. As they stared over the lip of the hole, an impenetrable blackness greeted them. Were it not for a far-off thud resonating from the aperture, they would have no indication that Vivien had ever landed.
With his shoulders sagging, Jace followed Vivien into the dark sewer, opting to use the available ladder rungs built into its side. Once he was clear, Ral took in a deep breath before plunging down. The illimitable shadow of the Ravnican sewer system swallowed him whole, depriving his eyes and filling his nose with the mingling scents of rot. Even through his held breath, it was almost enough to overwhelm his senses. He managed to stuff his nausea down, and he quickly descended to the awaiting concrete.
Once Ral felt the solid ground beneath his feet, he summoned forth an electric current from within his chest. His fingertips sparked to life, a bright arc crackling to life across his hands. It had the dual benefit of lighting the way and cutting through the unpleasant odor with the more welcoming scent of ozone. It bathed the immediate area in a flickering white light, revealing the musty curvature of the sewer walls, the churning river of sludge to his side, and Jace and Vivien standing before him.
"There doesn't seem to be any signs of Eternals down here," Vivien stated, her normally strong voice amplified by the cavernous echo.
Jace nodded, his own eyes covered by a veil of illuminating mana. "Yeah, I've sent a brief psychic pulse out. I'm only picking up the usual pests. Looks like we should be clear from any Eternals or any Golgari interference. So long as we keep out of the water, we should be fine."
When he mentioned the Golgari, Ral thought he heard a sudden hitch in Jace's voice, though it completely vanished as he finished speaking. Ral dismissed it, as he knew it would be impossible to try and guess what went on inside Jace's head.
"Alright," Ral started, gesturing down one of the yawning tunnels before them, "I can guide us to the Nivix outlets. Stick close to the wall, it can get slippery."
His companions nodded in understanding, both opting to run their fingertips along the adjacent wall. They filed behind Ral, and he started out in the direction of the Izzet guildhall. The way was long and winding, but fortunately, Ral had this particular path burned into his memory. Sneaking out of Nivix for clandestine meetings, dousing his clothes in static to purge the smell of refuse, it was all something he was happy he could now live without.
The three walked along in relative silence, only the echo of their footsteps and the dull sizzle of Ral's electrical guidelight audible over the rushing stream of sewage. Nobody wanted to talk, either to keep their presence hidden or simply because no one had anything to say. Regardless of the reason, it lent the foreboding area an almost tranquil atmosphere, something Ral had been sorely missing, not just from today's events, but ever since he first helped assemble the group to prepare for Ravnica for Bolas' plan.
Ral's grimaced as an anguished pang struck through his chest. These past weeks, he had been running himself ragged, jumping from one thing to another. Now, in the quiet of the sewers, all the pieces that had been festering in the back of his mind clawed their way to the forefront.
I was supposed to help keep Ravnica safe. Look at what good that's done. Nivix is completely surrounded, and who knows how bad the other guilds have it? All the citizens that got caught up in this, I should have been able to save them. Isperia, Hekara, Niv, they're all dead because I fucked up. And Jace wants me to run the League? They have it bad enough as it is, they don't need me making things worse.
As Ral ruminated, his mind clouding over and his face puckering, he suddenly became aware of a loud whining noise that was beginning to surround them. It pulled him from his thoughts in time to see that the electricity in his hands had started to grow erratic. The strands of lightning were thicker than before, and they were occasionally skipping past his fingertips to strike at the wet brick or the stinking current. Embarrassment took hold as Ral quickly lowered his energy output, returning the electricity to its stable state. If Jace or Vivien noticed his unannounced surge, they did not make it known.
With his power under control, they continued through the intricate sewer network. Ral decided to keep his mind on the task at hand, carefully observing his surroundings instead of letting his thoughts wander. Unfortunately, there was not much to look at. The dark grey of the stonework was unadorned and slick with moisture, and his mild light only revealed the topmost layer of the shadowy sluiceway. Occasionally, a rat or insect would pop into view, only to instantly scurry away from the light. It was not much, but it was enough to keep his focus away from the doubts that plagued his mind.
After several minutes of travel, the telltale signs that their destination was close became apparent to Ral. The number of animals diminished, the stone walls bore evidence of chemical erosion, and the effluent river had taken on a brighter, more unnatural color. The runoff from the guild gave the river heavy tones of orange and purple while also ladening the air with the thick odor of mixing magic. Though he had been keeping his breaths shallow in the sewer so far, as the blended scents of the Izzet surrounded him, he took in a deep, calming breath.
I know it's only been a few days, but it's felt like a lifetime since I've been here. Didn't think I'd miss it this much.
The odd colors and smells grew stronger as they progressed, warping the sewer into a wholly unfamiliar landscape then the one they had entered. Ral kept his eyes on the arched ceiling, careful not to slip and fall into the obviously toxic brew. He was not looking for a specific way into Nivix, just whichever grate was free of leaking chemicals or dripping magma. After a few minutes, however, he saw a hole looking down at him, the standard-issue Izzet grating already removed.
He paused, holding up a hand to make sure Jace and Vivien did not wander ahead. He pointed up with an electrified finger. "Looks like someone's already done the hard work for us. Doesn't appear to be anything coming down from it, so that should work for a way in."
"Should we be worried about coming in unannounced?" Vivien asked, one hand tight around her bow.
"Here, I'll lead the way," Ral offered. He discharged his electricity, bathing them in a neon-tinted darkness. Using the weathered rungs affixed to the wall, Ral scaled up the sewer's side and popped his head into the awaiting laboratory.
Ral cast a quick glance around the room, looking for anyone who they might startle. The air in the lab was unnervingly still, an uncommon sensation in an Izzet workspace but a welcome occurrence for Ral. He hoisted himself into the lab before letting the others know that the coast was clear.
As Jace and Vivien made their way out of the sewer, Ral took a moment to inspect the workspace. It was a modest-sized laboratory, likely manned by no more than three low-level guildmages at any given time. This lab, however, was in much worse shape than Ral expected. Several tables were overturned, and the floor was littered with glass shards, unknown liquids, and chunks of stone. He looked around to see if anyone was here, but the lab appeared to be deserted. As he searched, Ral stopped before a row of clear cylindrical chambers, about as tall as him, lining the back wall, each with a nest of tubes and wires perched on top.
Ah, a weird growth lab, he thought, recognizing the machinery needed to produce the various mana-based constructs that the Izzet utilized. Ordinarily, the glass canisters would be sealed tight, but Ral noticed that the fronts of these chambers had been shattered, with small pools of glass and slime pooling underneath. Guess there must've been some kinda accident. Wonder if the technicians ran off for help…
"What happened in here?" Vivien asked, having pulled herself into the lab. Ral turned to her and Jace, who both scanned the room with quizzical looks.
Ral shrugged. "Not sure, but it doesn't look like anyone's here. This doesn't look like an Eternal's handiwork, and this lab doesn't have any windows they could've gotten in through. I'd guess it was just a lab accident. That kinda stuff happens around here a lot, though this one looks like one of the tamer ones."
While Vivien nodded in acceptance of Ral's answer, he saw her face pull into a disapproving sneer as she surveyed the scene. "This place is just as distasteful as I expected. The city was bad enough, but all this mechanization, it has a frankly nauseating contempt for nature."
Ral felt a sudden need to defend his guild, but after their brief time together, he knew there was no point in trying to sway Vivien to see things his way. "Yeah, the Izzet are certainly more of an… acquired taste."
Jace scoffed from beneath his hood. "The way you talk, Vivien, I think you'd really get along with the Gruul. It seems that you're the only one who hates civilization as much as them."
"Then I hope to meet them at some point," Vivien declared.
"Pray that you don't."
While Ral certainly agreed with Jace, he still felt the need to interject. "Alright, we need to get moving. We've got a lot of stairs to climb to get to Niv's aerie. Plus, if those things are open," he pointed to the busted containment canisters, "then there are probably some unfinished weirds running around, and it'd be best if we can keep clear of them."
Understanding the urgency of their mission, Vivien and Jace ceased their discussion and made for the lab's doorway. Before he exited, Ral cast a last glance into the disheveled workspace. He could not explain it, but there was something about the lab's destructive state that resonated with him, as if he had seen something like it before. He brushed away the idea, chalking it up to long-forgotten memories of his time in the lower levels, and he shut the door behind him.
The lab opened to a cramped hallway, the walls a pale gray accented by streaming tubes of red and blue, running fuel and porting away exhaust. Ral always thought of them like blood vessels, keeping the internal mechanisms of the Izzet healthy. It took him a moment to get his exact bearings, but once he did, Ral pointed down one end of the corridor, towards an abrupt fork.
"This way will probably be the quickest to the stairwell. Come on."
Picking up his feet, Ral briskly followed the path before him, with Vivien and Jace close behind. It was good that they could keep up, because the intricacies of Nivix's structure soon revealed themselves. Much like Izzet science, there was no way to get through the labyrinthine halls of Nivix that was quick, easy, or painless. Hallways twisted and turned, at some points seemingly leading them in circles. All around them, the sounds of progress created an ambient cacophony, with whirs and clangs and booms filling the empty air. Laboratory doors lined the walls, each bearing the name of the people working within and their specific project. Ral found these labels unnecessary, as it often became apparent what was going on inside, whether by a burst of scalding steam knocking a door off its hinges or the slow crawl of slime seeping beneath the cracks and readily eating through the tiled floor. Vivien and Jace were fortunate that Ral was unfazed by all the sudden hazards, as he effortlessly guided them through the halls, knowing exactly when to stop, when to speed up, and what to step over. To them, he suspected that Nivix's chaos was on par with what they had experienced with the Dreadhorde, but to Ral, it was almost comforting.
After a few minutes navigating the treacherous, mazelike lower level, the party of planeswalkers arrived at the centermost chamber of Nivix, where an enormous mizzium core let out a systolic, pursuant hum. Built around this core was a massive stairwell, which led to all corners of the tower. The stairs did not lead straight up, instead weaving in and out of the core, eschewing any semblance of proper geometry. The irony that these stairs were the most direct way to ascend the tower was never lost on Ral. They paused just before the landing, and Ral watched as Vivien stared overhead, trying to comprehend the dizzying sight.
"This is… almost maddening," she mused, her jaw rigidly set. Her eyes fell back to Ral. "Were this another time, I would have rather enjoying tearing this place apart."
Despite the overt threat, Ral offered her a bemused smirk. "Trust me, if this place could be destroyed, the Izzet would've accidentally done it ages ago. We should probably keep moving. Keep close to me, it's easy to get lost on these stairs."
With a confirmatory nod from Vivien, and a roll of the eyes from Jace, Ral set out along the stairwell, guiding them up to their destination. It would be quite the sojourn, replete with twists and turns and doubling back over stairs they had trodden upon not a minute before, but for Ral's mind, it was a simple enough task. This gave him plenty of time to observe his surroundings, to truly see the current state of his guild.
No, not my guild, he thought with a shake of his head, it's the guild. By the gods, I can't wait until we get upstairs and get all this shit sorted out.
Ral tried to push these thoughts from his mind, keeping his observations at the forefront. As they wound their way towards the apex of the guildhall, though, his impression of the Izzet's status was less than optimistic. Normally, the stairs and hallways would be alive with traffic, chemisters and mechanists scuttling to and fro, bogged down with vials and blueprints. On their way up, however, they only passed by a few other guild members, all of which bore a distinctly lost look. When their viceroy approached, their faces lit up, highlighting their pleading eyes. Ral could tell they wanted him to tell them how to stop the Eternals, but his mission was set, so he could only offer a quick wave before pressing past them. He was surprised by how much it stung to do so.
It was only after several minutes of brisk climbing at all conceivable angles that they reached the final steps, which led to the highest level of Nivix. The stairwell opened to a platform, which led directly to the sloping, zigzagging hallway where the brightest mages and artificers in the League kept their laboratories.
"How much further?" Jace asked. Though he would never admit it, Ral could hear the labor in his breathing from their lengthy climb, which brought a cocky smile to his face.
"Not much longer. We're going down here for a bit," he gestured down the awaiting corridor, whose path quickly turned out of their view. "I need to stop off and talk to the person who's gonna be in charge, and then we can check out Niv's stuff."
"Right, then we should carry on," proclaimed Vivien, her eyes narrowed. "The less time I must spend in here, the better."
Hearing the clear smack of distaste in her words, Ral took the hint and started leading them down the hallway that would eventually lead to their goal. Fortunately, the path before them was relatively straightforward, and the reinforced doors afforded to the highest members meant there would be few obstacles in their way. Like the stairwell before, the corridor felt almost abandoned, the typical vibrance Ral knew having utterly dissipated. Though this troubled him, it did make the final stretch of their journey much easier, and it was not long before Ral stopped before a large, plated door with a label reading: CHAMBERLAIN MAREE, CYCLOPEAN STUDIES.
He signaled for Vivien and Jace to pause, beckoning them to take up positions against the opposite wall. Ral took in a deep breath, evenly forced it back out, and gave three loud knocks on the door. The sound of reverberating metal echoed along the hallway, followed promptly by a frantic scrabbling from the other side of the door. After a moment, the laboratory door opened, revealing a female goblin wiping her hands with an oil-stained rag. She wore a red and blue leather jacket that was outfitted with several plates of glowing bronze, and she had a welding shield flipped above her face. She bore a distinct look of annoyance as she opened the door, but as soon as she saw who had summoned her, her green, soot-caked features morphed into a delighted surprise.
"Well, as I live and breathe," she exclaimed, her voice gravellier than her stature would confer, "if it ain't the viceroy himself, Ral Zarek! It's about damn time you showed up!"
"Hi Maree," Ral sheepishly waved, caught off guard by her exuberance. He could barely eke out this greeting before Maree barreled over his words.
"Where in the hells have you been? I mean, I know you've been off with Niv on that secret project of yours, but have you seen what's going on out there?" Suddenly, her beady eyes narrowed. "Please tell me you're not the one responsible for this."
Ral frantically shook his head. "What? No, absolutely not."
Maree's glare receded, replaced by a look of relief. "Oh, thank the gods. I was worried there for a second." Instantly, her mercurial face shifted again, this time to indignance. "But still, what have you and Niv been doing all this time? This whole place is going to shit, and you've been running around krokt-knows where with…"
She had looked past Ral, having spotted his companions idly positioned against the wall. As soon as she saw Jace, however, her reprimanding tone evaporated, leaving a bubbling incredulity behind. Her eyes snapped up to Ral. "Is… I'm sorry but isn't that Jace Beleren. You know, the Living Guildpact?"
Before Ral could begin rolling his eyes, Jace lifted his hood up with a thumb and nodded to Maree. "That's me, alright."
"By the Firemind! Pardon my tone, Mister Beleren, I didn't realize you were accompanying my friend here. It's an honor having you in Nivix."
"Thanks, but I'm just here on important business with Ral. Also, just Jace is fine."
Maree let out what Ral could only assume was a squeal as a slight ruddiness appeared on her filthy cheeks. As if she could feel Ral's judgmental gaze, she suddenly composed herself, turning her attention back to him. "Good job bringing in the big guns, we're gonna need 'em. I'm not sure what those things are outside, but we're only barely keeping them out. But, between Niv's brainpower and the Living Guildpact, you all can definitely come up with a plan."
At the mention of Niv-Mizzet's name, Ral felt his lips purse, his face reflexively receding in acknowledgment of what was to come. It must have been an obvious change, as Maree took notice almost immediately.
"Um, what's wrong, Ral? Didn't Niv tell you he has a plan. That dragon's always got something planned."
Better to just get it over with now. Ral let out a deep sigh before meeting Maree's gaze. "I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this, Maree, but Niv didn't survive the mission. He's… he's dead."
The words hung heavy in the air, filling the vacant area with a pregnant silence. At first, Maree's animated face was skeptic, eyeing Ral up and down to figure out what ulterior meaning there must be behind his words. When she found nothing, her brow creased in confusion, her mouth hung barely open, and she put a nervous hand to her forehead.
"What the… you can't be serious, right? Niv-Mizzet, the smartest creature in all of Ravnica, dead? When? How?"
"I wish I weren't," Ral shook his head sullenly, "but I'm afraid it's true. I may not have seen it, but I was there. We were working on our project, over in Azorius territory. Niv sacrificed himself so I could finish it. He was killed by a dragon named Nicol Bolas, who's also the one responsible for all that's happening today. I always thought Niv was the smartest being alive. I think he thought that too, but now, I think that idea might've been his biggest misstep. Sorry."
Ral was not sure why he apologized, but he felt compelled to do so. Maybe it was lingering guilt, maybe pure sympathy between two of the remaining high-level Izzet mages. Regardless, Maree seemed appreciative, her expression once again changing from a mournful gaze to a more inquisitive stare.
She held up a finger, the hooked nail slightly pointing to Ral. "Wait a second. So, if Niv is really dead, then that must mean that you're the new Guildmaster, right?"
Ral reflexively swallowed, the building anticipation of this conversation finally coming to a head. He sucked in a breath through his teeth, buying some time for him to fully gather his thoughts before continuing.
"That's actually what I wanted to talk to you about. As a chamberlain of the League and a close collaborator with the previous Guildmaster, I wanted to ask if you would take over the duties of interim Guildmaster of the Izzet."
Of all the things Ral had said to Maree so far, this request received the largest reaction. Her eyes went bug-eyed, practically knocking the welding mask off her head. The rag she had been clutching fell to her feet, her fingers having seized up. For a second, Ral legitimately wondered if she was okay, but once that moment passed, Maree returned to normal, if not slightly shaken up.
"You… want me… to be the Guildmaster? Don't get me wrong, I'm flattered, obviously. I'll do it, gladly, but, I dunno, shouldn't you be the one in charge? I mean, you worked way closer to Niv than I did, and you were with him when he died. I'd've guessed that the Guildpact connection would've transferred over to you right when it happened."
The pressure from Maree's scrutinizing glare was palpable, enough to make Ral feel like his knees might buckle. He ran a hand through his silver-shocked hair, trying to compose himself. "I'm not sure about the Guildpact. Maybe it transferred to me, but I don't remember feeling anything. It might still be up in the air, which would mean we can't have a real Guildmaster until after the proper rituals. It doesn't really matter, though. I'm ceding whatever claim I have to the title to you. I think you'll do a much better job at leading the Izzet than I would."
"Are you sure? We've known each other a while, Ral, and while I got a long list of adjectives I'd used to describe you, humble ain't one of 'em. You trying to shaft me here?"
"No, definitely not," Ral quickly assured, his hands attempting to wave away any doubt in his intentions. He could tell by the glint in Maree's eye that she was unconvinced. "You gotta believe me, I want you to lead the guild. I've got another mission right now that'll hopefully help the city. And I just…" He paused, looking for the right words, the ensuing silence feeling like a pneumatic press. "I don't think I'm quite ready to be the Guildmaster. Between what happened at the guild summit and what happened with Niv, I don't really know if my leadership skills are quite up to snuff. But like you said Maree, we've known each other for so long, and I know you've got what it takes to mobilize and take charge here. I was just outside, and Nivix is not going to withstand all this for much longer. The Izzet need someone to lead them, and I really can't think of anyone better than you."
"Alright, alright, I get it. I already said I'd do it, didn't I? Just stop blowing smoke up my ass already, jeez."
Despite Maree's facetious words, coupled with the grating nature of her voice, Ral could see a bright sincerity just beneath the sarcasm. He knew that she wanted the position, they had discussed it many times during late-night work sessions. They had both sworn that they would be the ones in charge someday, neither wanting to admit inferiority. Now, with Ral's feelings laid bare, he could tell that his friend understood and sympathized with his emotional state, though she would never admit it herself.
"Thanks Maree, you're a lifesaver."
She glibly waved a hand in Ral's face. "Yeah, yeah, yeah, whatever. What kinda scuzz would I have to be to turn down an offer like this? Those things outside better watch out, Interim Guildmaster Maree is comin' for 'em!" At this, her enthusiasm waned a bit as a look of confusion crossed her face. "Um, what exactly should I do now?"
"I guess go lead," suggested Ral with a shrug.
"I know that, wise guy, I just gotta… think… about what to do." Maree put a hand to her chin, and her face crumpled in deep thought. Her and Ral stood in silence, each second that ticked by bringing nothing but an extra layer of consternated wrinkles to Maree's forehead. The look of frustration resonated with Ral, and he broke the silence before Maree could finish whatever ideas she had brewing.
"Well, I would probably start with letting the guild know about Niv's passing and that you're assuming his position."
Maree looked up at Ral, nodding along with his suggestion. "Yeah, that would make sense. Good thinking. That means I should head down to the communication lab. And after that, we'll start mobilizing everybody. I can get the infantry ready…"
"You'll need to clear out the entrance," Ral added. "There's a lot of Eternals right outside. Some mizzium mortars from the mid-tower might help remove some on the ground. For the sky ones, maybe generate a cyclonic rift to toss them aside."
"That could work. I'll talk to Varryvort about running the mortar operation, and I'll see who's available in the storm manipulation wing. I could probably send a few of my boys out there too. I doubt these things can stand up to a piston-driven cyclops fist."
Ral barely heard her second comment, as the mention of Varryvort's name triggered a wave of guilt across his mind. In all the chaos of last night, he had not even noticed that the chief chemister had ducked out before any of them. Not sure how he got back, but at least he made it out safe. Hope he's up to whatever job Maree's got in store.
Suddenly, Ral's thoughts were interrupted by a snapping of fingers in front of his face. "Hey Ral, you alright?"
"Oh, yeah," Ral stuttered out as he regained his composure, "I'm all good. It sounds like you have everything under control, so I'm gonna leave you to it. We're going to Niv's aerie, gotta see if he left anything about our project that might be helpful. Good luck, Interim Guildmaster Maree, I'm sure the guild is in good hands."
He expected another well-meaning round of flippancy, but to his surprise, Maree only offered a shrug of her shoulders. "Eh, I'll keep the chair warm for now. We'll see how I like it by the end of the day. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have an announcement to make."
Maree flashed Ral a wide, toothy grin before she stooped to retrieve the rag she had dropped, stuffed it into a pocket on her jacket, and sauntered off down the hall. As she receded from view, Ral could see the distinct bounce in her step, and he could feel a smile spread across his own face. Once she rounded the corner, Ral turned around to address Vivien and Jace, who had already lifted themselves from the wall.
"Alright," he announced with a clap of his hands, "the entrance to Niv's aerie is at the end of the hall. Sorry that took so long, but we can head over now, no problem."
"No need to apologize," Vivien replied, "finding a proper leader is not something to be taken lightly."
Ral nodded, relieved that there appeared to be no animosity between them over his detour. Revitalized, he started off down the hallway, keen to arrive at their destination as soon as possible.
As they traversed the final stretch of their journey, he passed by the last few lab spaces at Nivix's peak, including his own. He saw the bold lettering of his name, RAL ZAREK, VICEROY, plastered across the heavy door. Seeing this title, he thought about Maree, how readily she accepted both his offer and his consul. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, his plan had been a success.
Huh, maybe things are finally turning around.
Just as Ral had promised, it was not long before the three planeswalkers stood outside the impressive doors that led to the highest sanctum of Nivix, where Niv-Mizzet had resided. The entranceway was ensconced by twisted golden filigree that delicately wound around the numerous tubes that transported liquid material into the lab and waste out to the sewers below. The doors were painted in a gradient that steadily shifted from blue to red, with a large imprint of the guild's draconic sigil engraved in the center.
Ral had never thought much of the doorway on his previous visits, other than dismissing it as superfluous ego of the ancient dragon. Now, it filled him with an odd nostalgia, as if he expected Niv to still be waiting inside for him, ready to disparage his latest work.
Wow, I can't believe I miss that condescending old lizard.
Brushing away the idle thought, Ral reached for the intricate door handle. His arm tensed, prepared for the door to be locked, but instead, he felt it easily give way. The looming door opened, and Ral could not help but be surprised.
"Huh…"
"Is something wrong?" Vivien asked, peering over his shoulder.
Ral shook his head. "No, just a little surprised that the door is unlocked. Niv must've forgotten it when he left the aerie last night."
"If I know one thing about that dragon," Jace interjected, "he is incapable of forgetting. Perhaps he knew he wouldn't make it back, and left it unlocked for you."
"Yeah, that's possible…"
Ral's voice trailed off, slightly disturbed by Jace's suggestion. After all, Ral had never known Niv-Mizzet to be self-sacrificing. Was getting killed by Bolas something he had planned for? Choosing to leave that troubling thought behind for the moment, Ral pulled the door fully open and stepped inside, followed shortly by Jace and Vivien.
As the door closed loudly behind them, Ral took in the familiar sights of Niv-Mizzet's private quarters. The circular space was immense, as necessitated by the dragon's size. Most of the space was occupied by innumerable machines and scientific apparatuses, with small slivers of the floor plan sectioned off for different subject matters. The only space not filled with laboratory equipment was the back wall, which was instead occupied by a large stage-like platform where Niv spent his short rests. On the opposite wall, high off the ground, the large window, which Niv used to come and go, was left open. A thick aether barrier kept the Eternals from entering, bathing the entire space with a subdued glow and constantly shifting shadows.
Everything about the space gave Ral an uneasy feeling, like the abandoned space was haunted. It seemed his allies did not share his thinking, as Vivien soon spoke up in a perplexed tone.
"This place is much larger than I expected. Are you sure we'll be able to find what we're looking for?"
"We don't even know what we're looking for," Jace was quick to point out. "By the time we look through all this, Bolas will have wiped Ravnica off the map."
"Then we should act quickly. Divide the room and comb it for anything that may be useful."
"That's probably the best idea. Hopefully, if Niv really did leave this place open on purpose, he left whatever he wants us to find somewhere easy. Here, Vivien, why don't you take that section, and Ral, how about if-"
"Shh, the both of you!"
Ral had only been half-listening to their conversation, his attention split between them and taking in the room that seemed so different than it had been just a day before. This inability to focus, however, worked in Ral's favor, as he noticed something across the room. It was slight, almost imperceptible, but as Jace started speaking, he could have sworn he saw the contents of a lab table start to wobble unprovoked.
He shushed them as soon as he saw it, receiving two glares from the others. He put a finger to his lips, then pointed to the table he had seen move. Luckily, both planeswalkers caught his meaning, their eyes instantly lighting with arcane energy. Ral felt the electricity in his body begin to swell, and he started creeping towards the spot, with Vivien and Jace following close behind.
As he approached, Ral quickly adjusted the dials on his gauntlet, making sure that whatever lightning he threw out would not cause unnecessary collateral damage. Once it was properly tuned, Ral clicked on his Accumulator, filling the otherwise quiet space with a low, mechanical hum. He stopped moving a few feet from the table, one hand poised in front of him with fingers spread, energy arcing between the tips.
"I don't know who you are," he declared, projecting his voice with as much bravado as possible, "but you would be wise to come out now. You are trespassing in the private sanctum of the Guildmaster of the Izzet League, and you will be removed from here, one way or another. I will give you until the count of three before I consider your actions malicious. One…"
Before Ral could continue counting, the hidden person spoke up, their voice slicing through the air like a keened dagger.
"Alright, I'm coming out. Honestly, Ral, all this posturing really doesn't suit you."
Suddenly, a chill ran down Ral's spine. His eyes widened, and he felt his throat instantly dry up. He blinked rapidly, desperate to confirm what he had heard.
That voice… No, it can't be…
He did not have time to ask questions, as the figure stood up from the cover of the lab table, hands raised above their head. They started in silhouette, covered by a shadow from a wayward Eternal. Then, it suddenly moved, and the figure stood plain as day, leaving no more room for doubt. The slender figure, the green skin, the piercing eyes, the whiplike hair, Ral recognized it all instantly. He was not the only one, and both he and Jace yelled out in surprise at the exact same time:
"Vraska!?"