Chapter 6: A Star of Mercury
Part I: Imil, City of Shining CrystalLike the star of a frozen realm, the city of Imil shines in the Northern wastes. Its many crystalline spires reflect the light of Sol tenfold, until Imil itself shines as a star come to earth. The Fivefold beheld this, this wonder of the world, and marvelled. Maris, filled with pride, showed them the branching limbs of Imil Castle, and the many crystal buildings that rose from the surrounding snow, paying tribute as the subject to the king. As they walked the streets of glass, they were dazzled. The entire city seemed to gleam with light. As their eyes grew used to the aura of brightness, they noticed Imilians walking the streets. Wreathed in furs they were, but the didn't appear to mind the cold: many cloaks were left open, and their hoods down to reveal hair of all the spectrum of blue. From lightest eggshell, to darkest navy, from flowing water to misty fog.
With traditional courtesy, many Imilians greeted them as they passed. Slender and fair they were, and pale and lithe after the fashion of their sister element, Jupiter.
On the horizon, the Fivefold espied the far off figure of Mercury Lighthouse, tall and majestic, a blue shine to which the city of Imil clustered around, for Mercury had stood there once in time long past. Imilians, on a whole, were delighted to have Mercury Lighthouse return from the mists of time, from the legends.
As the Fivefold walked the streets, the enclosing houses drew near, and their roofs reached out to one another, until they formed a glittering ceiling, and the Adepts found themselves suddenly in a tunnel made of blue-tinted crystal. Torches were hung every fifty paces, and the whole hall glittered with their light. The walls were mirror-like, and reflecting the opposing side to infinity, forming the illusion that the Fivefold were walking in an endless cavern of glittering torches, dwindling far off in the distance to tiny pinpricks. The wall itself seemed liquid and almost alive.
As they walked, Maris told them of this cavern. "This is the Western entrance of nitida aula, the Glittering Halls. They provide the only passage from Imil to Imil Castle. That is where we are heading first: for to walk in the realm of Imil and enter Mercury Lighthouse, you need the leave of the King. To go without leave is to risk the wrath of him, and he is hot-tempered, unusual among us Mercury Adepts. " She waved her hand at the surrounding walls, where it was reflected hundredfold. "These walls are polished to mirrors; to imitate both the reflective power of water and to confuse any potential invaders. It is said that no foe has ever passed through nitida aula and conquered." She said this with pride. "But enough. We are nearly there."
The Fivefold entered Imil castle, and they (excepting Maris) gazed about in wonder. Waterfalls cascaded down from ornamented holes around the first hall, and one fell directly over the path, but sparing it its power by means of the tunnels sloped outcropping. The falls plummeted into a pristine moat that followed the inside course of the walls, and the cheery sound of falling water was a most pleasant music. The floor was made of glass enrobed in a blue material, but of what material Maris would not say. Only that it is impervious to fire and water. The room was open to the sky, as this first structure was merely a wall encircling the true castle.
In the centre of the hall, a great swirl of crystal rose from the floor to the sky far above, and the sun shone bright. As they approached this structure, they noticed two guards, armoured in the blue regalia of Imil, standing watch at the entrance. Their heads were cloaked in a great sapphire helm; and wild jagged spikes formed a crest. A cloak studded with diamonds and fastened with a single sapphire at the shoulder trailed upon the ground, and the blue plate armour they wore was both decorative, being carved with waves; and strong, being forged by the beating tide. These were the Royal Guards of Imil, highly skilled warriors in service to their King. When they saw the travellers, they crossed the tridents they carried over the entrance, barring the way. At this, Maris spoke in a clear voice: "It is I, Maris! I have returned!"
One of them flipped up his visor, an amazed expression on his face. "Princess Maris!" He bowed as best he could while wearing armour. "Black tidings came from the South, saying that a great Shadow lay on the land, and we feared you were dead." The other guard, who had not yet spoken, merely nodded.
Maris reassured him. "Don't worry, Vishnar, dearest cousin. These Adepts assisted me." She waved her hand behind her. "This is Aleos, Orior, Shamira, and Cinaed. They are valiant, and we have walked through shadow and death to come here. We seek an audience with my father." Vishnar saluted her and ventured inside the palace to inform the king. Maris turned to the others. "I could go on, but it wouldn't be polite to leave you all behind."
As they waited to be admitted, Cinaed spoke. "So, Maris… you're royalty?"
She smiled. "Of course. Aren't we all, to some degree, high-born?" The others nodded. "Then don't be surprised." At that moment, heavy footsteps sounded in the passage ahead. "Ah. That would be our good friend Vishnar."
Vishnar merged from the tunnel, his helmet under his arm and his wild ice-blue hair standing on edge. "The King will see you now. Take care, cousin." The Fivefold acknowledged this and entered, Maris in the lead.
The Throne Room was a place of splendour. The crystal spiralled up, giving the entire area the look of a giant seashell, its walls waxed and polished. In the centre of the room was a bubbling fountain, and the King's throne lay suspended in it. The throne was high-backed and made of sapphire and mother-of-pearl. Sea-flowers drifted from the base of the throne and floated lazily in the water. The King himself sat in the throne. Proud and tall he looked, white flowing hair down to the hollow of his back, having a powerful, muscled frame and being clothed in armour that guarded his shoulders and upper chest. A soft blue silk flowed down from this and stopped about his knees, forming a loose tunic. Under this he wore chain-mail armour, and on his back lay a cloak, and in his hand a trident. The shaft was of ice with a head of sapphire. His face was lined, but filled with wisdom, and his eyes were like unto piercing stars.
"My daughter!" He boomed. "You have returned."
Maris curtsied. "Yes, Father. And I bring tidings."
The King placed his elbow on the arm of his throne, and laid his head upon his fist. Looking at Maris intently, he said, "Well, let's have them."
"Vale is destroyed." She began. The King immediately sat bolt upright and listened intently. "Sol Aurarius has been found by one Mantium, Regnoare, and he has used it to gain unknowable power and destroyed Vale. We all," She swept her hand behind her to indicate the others, "have all suffered some hurt by him and we seek to stop him. We were assaulted by a demon on our way here, but we escaped. We seek the power of Mercury Lighthouse, before Regnoare can turn it to himself.
The King had risen while Maris spoke, and his frame was tense. "Maris, I would have the full story before I decree anything. Let us have it."
So Maris recounted the whole story, beginning with the conclusion of the Festival of Vale. To Orior, it seemed that that had been a long time ago, in another world, though it was just last week. To Shamira, it renewed her grief at the loss of her own father. Aleos was silent as she told the story of his sister's funeral, but was pleased when she omitted the finding of Masamune. Cinaed said nothing, and only watched Maris as she answered her father's questions. At least, Maris concluded her tale.
The King was quiet, and his face was thoughtful. "These are terrible tidings. For if Sol Aurarius has been found, we must hope that is does not bring back the long gone war of Alchemy. We must prevent that!" He smashed the shaft of his trident into the throne, making a solid crash. He raised his trident and pointed it at Maris. "Daughter, I grant you and your companions full access to Mercury Lighthouse; and I also grant you my blessing. Go now: my brother will show you to the armoury, where you can equip yourselves as you see fit." He raised his voice. "Hydros!"
A tall Imilian walked in, passing confidently through the Fivefold. He resembled his brother in statue and look, except he possessed flowing blue hair instead of regal white. It was bound with a bandana, and he appeared younger, less careworn. When he spoke, his voice was clear and full of vitality. "You called, brother?"
The King sighed. "For the last time, Chancellor Hydros, I am the King and address me as so."
Hydros grinned. "Sure."
The King waved his hand at the travellers, some of which were looking amused. "Show them to the armoury and clothe them as they wish."
Hydros bowed. "As you desire." He turned to Maris. "It is fortunate to see you healthy and well my niece, brother's daughter. Follow me." He left down a side door.
The Fivefold turned to leave, and had taken a few steps when the King's voice stopped them. "Remember, Adepts: You have the blessing of the King of Imil, Poseidon. And that is no small thing."
-
Hydros led them through the small passage, grabbing a torch that was posted at the entrance and carrying it aloft. He walked in haste, his face alight by the torchlight. "We are going to the weapon stores of Imil. We tend to use crystal in the makings of equipment, as it is light, beautiful, and extremely strong, and I'm fairly certain we'll find something for all of you."
Aleos nodded. "That is good to hear."
As they reached the end of the passage the torch revealed a blue steel door. Docking the torch in a nearby holder, Hydros reached into his cloak and brought out a key matching the door. When he inserted and twisted it, the door creaked open. Cinaed leaned forward to peer in, and nodded approvingly. The torchlight flickered on tens, if not hundreds, of war materials. Imilian armour glittered on racks, beside well-made swords, staves, axes, and shields. Hydros stepped aside and gestured for them to enter.
Cinaed, curious, walked in first and began browsing, examining and discarding each weapon in turn. He drew his warhammer, looked at it (noting the bruised and battered condition of it), shrugged and placed it on the floor. He took a few steps forward, and faintly discerned a blade peeking from the darkness, he reached forward and found the haft, drawing a great axe from the shadow. It had a shaft of about three feet, and a broad axe on either side of one end. A sparkling spike topped the handle. Eager, Cinaed stepped back a few paces and swung it experimentally. It cut a swath of shining through the darkness as it caught the torch's rays, and to Cinaed's surprise it was unusually light.
Nodding, he attached it to his back with a sturdy strap, and turned to see what the others had found. Orior, likewise, had found a sword of similar make. It now hung from his belt, swaying. Shamira was examining an Elite guard's helm with interest. She tried it on, and admired her fearsome (so she thought) reflection in a suit of armour. She removed it and held it under her arm, and after a pause, reached for a matching armour suit. She stepped behind a wall partition to change. Maris and Aleos took nothing.
Finished, they returned to the waiting Hydros at the door. He looked them over. "Very good." He turned to Shamira, who had discarded her violet Anemosian armour in exchange for sturdier Imilian armour, turquoise in colour. "I approve, mistress." He then faced them all. "You have taken the gifts of Imil. Use them wisely, and bear them to good fortune." He walked ten paces down the tunnel and turned to face the wall. He laid his hands on the wall and said a swift incantation, his voice slow and sonorous as he spoke the ancient language. The wall blazed brilliant blue, and slowly dissolved, leaving behind a small, water filled trench about half a pace across, a winding passage revealed behind it.
Hydros reached in and plucked an unlit torch from the wall, and, lighting it, handed it to Maris. "This is the secret path to Mercury Lighthouse. Take this, and you will emerge just outside the Mercury Gate, and hopefully avoid notice." He saluted them. "Go now. The fate of Imil may rest on your shoulders, and good fortune and grace be with you. Fare thee well, Maris, brother-daughter." He bowed, and disappeared back toward Imil Castle.
The Fivefold looked at each other. At length, Aleos spoke. "Well, this is the first trial. Let us make it a successful one." They nodded, and proceeded down the winding passage, Maris leading.
Part II: Mercury Lighthouse
The Fivefold emerged from the tunnel into the heart of a blinding blizzard. At their left lay a deep stream of water, roaring in protest against the abusive wind. Across the water, the sheer blue luminescent wall of Mercury Lighthouse rose from the water's depths, slowly tapering until it levelled off near the top.
Maris turned to them, shouting to be heard over the raging blizzard. "That is where we are making for, the aerie of Mercury Lighthouse! We'll go through the entrance, which is on the southern side!" Just then, the wind blew a large clump of snow into her face. Maris wiped it off, exasperated. "Where did this damn storm come from, anyway? It's so-!" Another mighty gust lost the rest of her words to the wind, and she shielded her face under her arm, the cloak she wore flapping in the wind.
They resumed travel, following the course of the stream until it brought them to a plain bridge, without rail. As they walked through cautiously, they beheld the statues on each side: maidens pouring water from pots all carved from a lighter shade of the same blue rock that formed the lighthouse. Soon, a trickling sound came to their ears, and a fountain emerged from the storm. A single jet of pure water flowed from a hole in the fountain, where it then dived into a hole in the floor of the Lighthouse ground.
Maris looked at it excitedly. "This must be the Water of Hermes, said to cure all disease! Drink and be strong, friends!" She kneeled down and cupped her hands before the pristine stream, and gathering some in her hands, drank, and smiled appreciatively. "It's delicious! Come on, try!" She encouraged them.
One by one, they knelt and cupped their hands to drink. The Water of Hermes is a drink not without power: It clears the mind and sharpens the senses, and washes away any fatigue. Thus ready for the next trial, they entered through the arched doorway into Mercury Lighthouse.
Their first sight was a shining hall, lit with lamps of blue fire and flanked with more of the Mercurian statues, pouring water into small streams on either side. Gazing in wonder, they looked about in every way as they proceeded, and entered the next room.
The imposing, yet benevolent statue of a veiled woman greeted them with hands folded over one another, looking over the small pond before it with calm regard. One door opened on each side of the Goddess, as a sign declared her. The Fivefold chose the right door as their path, with Maris giving the stature a courteous bow as she passed.
Their next path was flanked by a wall on one side and by water on the other, supplied by draconic statures that spewed forth endless gallons. As they proceeded, Cinaed noticed a faintly glowing stone tile rising from the water.
"Hey, I wonder…" He said, and stepped on it. Then he cried out in surprise, for bright rings rose from the tile and hovered about his head like a halo. Shocked, he stumbled off into the water, and the Fivefold (except Maris, who had a knowing grin) cried in alarm.
Cinaed braced for the feel of water enveloping him, and closed his eyes. But nothing happened. Cinaed slowly opened his eyes and exclaimed in wonder: he was floating on the surface of the water! Experimentally, he walked out a few paces, and the water supported him easily. However, the halo above his head began to dim, and so he hurried back to the anxious Fivefold on the shore. As he placed his foot on firm ground, the halo dissipated. "What was that?" He asked curiously.
Orior and Shamira shrugged, but Aleos and Maris smiled. "It's a temporary float Psynergy!" They said in unison, and then laughed.
"I helped design the lighthouses, remember?" Aleos said.
Maris merely said, "Watch." She stepped to the water's edge, waves faintly lapping at her toes. Casting Fluto, an aqua pynergetic aura enveloped her and then reluctantly faded, and a brilliant halo appeared above her head. Stepping out onto the water, the halo blazed and then faded, but she was supported easily. She ran out onto the water and then twirled to show the others that it was stable. Running back, she leapt onto land, and the halo vanished.
"See?" She said, pleased with
herself. "It's a simple Mercury Psynergy." She turned to the door and sighed.
"Well, I suppose we can't explore much. We do have a duty to do. Onward." And
they proceeded into the next room.
A single island awaited them;
sitting serenely in the centre of a pond, and on it was a staircase leading
upwards. The only means by which to reach it was by way of one of the Fluto
tiles, and so the Fivefold crossed, Orior, Shamira, and Cinaed cautiously, and
there were some discreet gulps over nervousness as they passed. For this time,
Maris fell back and let Aleos take the lead, as he helped design the
Lighthouses and knew the paths. He led them through simple halls, past more of
the statues, until they emerged in a room with a floor of steel mesh. Three
waterfalls thudded through the mesh and down into darkened depths. The roar of
the falls dulled their voices and subdued them, for the time being, at least.
They found the door leading onwards, and took it. The paths were now fairly simple, and they passed easily until they came to a room crisscrossed with pipes filled with water. Aleos groaned.
"What?" Shamira inquired.
"These puzzles were set in place to hinder any enemies o foes. And now, we ourselves find us hindered. Luckily, you have me with you." He smiled, and then his expression darkened. "Be ready to get a little wet, though."
And they did. Aleos always instructed them to push that pipe or this one, going up and down stairs, and occasionally riding the jets of water, which the Fivefold tried to protect themselves from with small barriers. As a result, they were only slightly damp, but totally disoriented. At last, they found themselves on the other side of the pipe at the beginning.
Orior looked at Aleos. "Now what? Wait." He continued, cutting off Aleos. "We push it, right?"
Aleos nodded. "This is the main source pipe. When we push it, all the others will deactivate.
Orior pushed it, and they passed through, winding through a maze of now silent pipes. And so it was no surprise that the Fivefold breathed a sigh of relief when they came to the doorway.
The next room first appeared like the other plain ones before it, but when they rounded a corner, they saw one of the statues on the floor, and a shut door ornamentally decorated. Aleos nodded. "See that switch?" He pointed to a small button on the ground. "Push the statue on it." Obediently, Cinaed and Orior pushed the heavy statue onto the switch, and the ornamental door creaked open. Problem was, it was across a space of several yards, which even Shamira, the most nimble, could not jump. Aleos nodded, pleased. "Now," He went on. "Back there is a ladder or a slide for which to access the lower level." He pointed off the nearby edge to a door that previously they had not observed. "I leave it up to you which method to choose."
It took awhile, but they eventually stood before the door. Aleos began again. "Now, through here it comes out before the ornamental door, and a ladder will reach up to it. Let's go." Again, he led, and they passed through the ornamental door.
"What devilry is this?" Orior asked, as he leaned over the only thing the room contained, a deep pit. "No exit, and this weird pit."
Aleos placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "Jump."
Orior started. "What, you crazy?" He asked. "I'll never – Aaaaaaahhhhhh…." Aleos had pushed him.
Aleos ginned at their shocked expressions. "Come on." He said, and jumped after the screaming Orior. The others shrugged and jumped after him.
They found them selves back in front of the Goddess. "Aleos…" Orior said, annoyed.
Aleos grinned sheepishly. "I suppose I made a mistake. Now we'll have to find the path the hard way." Orior just glared.
Eventually, they came to the island on the pond again. This time, Maris looked round the room, noticing a ring of tiles and Fluto tiles in the water. "I think," she said slowly. "That we need to use Fluto tiles to cross the room to over there." She pointed to the nearest corner, where a shadow indicated a door.
It was excessively irritating, as the Fivefold constantly had to trace and retrace their steps. Finally, they came to the door and passed through into the dragonhead room.
"So," Shamira said, gazing across a Fluto tile at a hidden door. "That's where we go."
"Seems to be." Maris answered.
They entered the doorway and emerged on yet another waterfall room, this time the sound a soft hiss instead of raging roar.
Cinaed looked around, finding himself in another dead end. "Now what?"
No one answered, but Orior moved under one of the falls to refresh himself. Suddenly, the Fivefold started as he disappeared. "Orior!" They cried.
A muffled voice answered them. "I'm here." Orior said, and his head appeared in the fall, dripping wet. "There's a path." The Fivefold reluctantly followed, throwing up shields against the fall.
Yet another pond room greeted them. One stair rose on the other side of the pond, and a door lay straight ahead. Aleos went to scout, and emerged shortly after. "It's another pipe puzzle," he began. "But already solved. I guess we can only go up the stair." And so they did.
They found themselves in a hall lined with paladin statues: stout figures carved of white rock, each holding a sword. Aleos brightened. "Ah, I know where we are! We are nearly there. Come one." They proceeded warily down the hall, and up and down a pair of ladders. Finally, they reached a lone statue standing silent across a steep drop. Aleos motioned for Orior to step forward.
"Orior, we need you to Move that statue." Orior nodded affirmatively, and casting Move, was surrounded in a yellow pynergetic aura, and a giant, phantom hand emerged from Orior. Using his own hand, Orior guided it around the statue and pushed it firmly to the side. A doorway revealed. "Thanks." Aleos said, and proceeded.
A single pipe greeted them in a lone room. Aleos saw nothing to do but to push it, and to his surprise, the resulting stream blasted back the wall, revealing a path. They followed it excitedly, and wound up in another waterfall room. Paying it no heed, they immediately passed through the door.
More halls and stairs greeted them, and they went on, ever climbing. The eventually came to the grandest waterfall room yet, with six beautiful falls. Suspecting the same old trick, for it was a dead end; Aleos raised a barrier and passed through the last fall. He disappeared and then came back after a short period of time. "Another statue." He said to Orior, and they nodded, and followed Aleos.
Casting Move, again, Orior sighed, but moved it, revealing another stair. As they passed through the resulting hall, Cinaed remarked, "I'm getting sick of this." The others nodded agreement. As they passed through the door, they came out sputtering in the most beautiful waterfall. A single rainbow arched across its length, and a statue stood guard. A clear, yet remote, voice spoke to them:
He who honours the goddess of rainbows shall be guided to the heavens upon wings of fluid grace.
The voice faded, and Aleos was confused. "I have no memory of this." He said uncertainly. He looked on the weary faces of his comrades, and realized something. "My!" He exclaimed. "We haven't slept since that night in the cave! We shall have to make camp here." The others nodded, glad to rest.
The others quickly fell asleep in the soft rain of the falls, but Maris lay awake. The voice had stirred something in her, and she felt like she should see something.
He who honours the goddess of rainbows shall be guided to the heavens upon wings of fluid grace.
The words ran through her mind. Then, as if in a dream, she rose and walked before the statue of the maiden. "Is this the goddess?" She thought, and it seemed to her a glimmer of intelligence rose in the statue's carven eyes. "Then," She thought. "I know what to do." Swept with a feeling of purpose, Maris raised her hand to the statue. "Speaking in a clear voice, she said, "Ply." A blue pynergetic aura surrounded her and faded. A beautiful fairy appeared, and, nodding to her, cast sparkles over the statue. Light glimmered, and the rainbow faded. Sparkles shone on the fall, and the resulting roar woke the rest of the Fivefold, who stared in astonishment at the waterfall. It was reversing: the roar climaxed as a great froth rose from the mesh floor and continued up the fall, which now did the impossible and flowed upwards. Maris stood proud.
At length, Aloes spoke. "Ah, so that's how it works. Well done, Maris." He bowed. "Now, who will go first?"
Maris volunteered. She stepped onto the falls, a look of intense concentration on her face. She rose gracefully on the falls, floating as light as a feather, and disappeared above. Shamira and Aleos more or less arose with finesse. Orior and Cinaed floundered up like drowning fish.
-
The Fivefold looked about in wonder as they beheld the Lighthouse Aerie. The Lighthouse tapered here, and, with staircases rising to the peak, it lay in solitude. Two more statues flanked an immense navy blue ball of power, surrounded by a blue aura and orbited by miniatures, which were a lighter colour. The light itself was ever-changing: lighter belts of blue appeared every so often on it in an eternal dance of waves, so much like the sea whose power it held. Maris drew forward, entranced. As she did, Aleos muttered, "I don't think we put this here. No, we didn't. Where did it come from?"
"This… this is it. The source of all Mercury. My power is not limited here…" She closed her eyes and stepped closely. "It… speaks to me. Bemoans that it is used for dark things." She turned to Aleos. "You had said you wouldn't know what to do now. But… I do."
Aleos looked curiously as Maris stepped up to the great Orb, hands outstretched. She stepped just short of the Orb. She began circling her hands in the air, as if smoothing an invisible ball that they could not see. Slowly, Maris drew water from the air and gathered it to form a clear ball of water, floating between her hands. With grace, she floated it into the Orb of Mercury. The Orb flashed, and began to be sucked into the ball, in a clockwise direction. Soon, the Orb was gone, and Maris' ball glowed bright blue. Drawing it close to her, Maris suspended it between her hands and cried, "Sub-zero!"
The air flashed and the Fivefold grew frigid as the air temperature plunged to cold depths. Maris' cloak flared as the ball began to form a thin sheet of ice around the outside. Ice shards leapt from thin air and plunged into the ball, freezing its heart. The ball slowly crystallized, forming a globe of dire beauty, and unbreakable crystal. A Star of Mercury.