Chapter Restructured & Expanded: 04-03-23.

CHAPTER VI
Sé Brimwylf (The Sea Wolf)

XX • CM Monandæg of Sōlmōnaþ
(The 20th Day of Cake Month, Moon's Day, 900)

A new water system? What could these two lackeys possibly be building that risks decapitation? Natsuki is genuinely unsure whether she wants to know. Bewildered and concerned, all she can do is follow Viola into the dimly lit laboratory.

The heavy-set door groaned shut behind them, causing a cold draft to billow around them. Double-taking this door, Natsuki only noticed moment's later it had… lit up after sealing? What's… that? She stares at the yellow extrusions flashing brightly, illuminating this section of the gigantic chamber. These are strange magical lights surrounded by glass and metal. As with the rest of this domed room, incomprehensible things populated it.

Pulling her attention away from the obscenely flickering door, Natsuki spotted the prototype Viola had mentioned.

It appears to have already been completely and is a replica of something? Pipes sprawled every which way from the ceiling to this platform. The tubes were intricately fascinating, each one oddly transparent. Is that glass? Natsuki could not tell.

"We're down here!" One of the voices emits across the laboratory.

Where had those voices come from? No one's here? Natsuki stayed motionless, watching Viola head for the metal railings of the platform they were upon. Are they down there? But… the voices had been all around her?

Instead, all Natsuki can do is survey her surroundings, focus wandering across the huge expanse. Long alloy plates encircled this antechamber's stone wall. In neat rows along this wall, strange lights flooded down onto this and two other platforms.

After all… Natsuki could only remember small fragments of her previous life. The technology she witnesses here is totally alien. All around her on this metallic platform, humming oddities listlessly drone. What is that… rectangular thing? She cautiously headed for the corner where it's located: This… thing… is decorated with squares that's engraved with numbers and odd symbols. Sliding an index finger along the smooth extrusions, Natsuki mused.

Actually, it looks like a piano? Above it, the black surface burst to life abruptly. Her face glows as she stares into the blinding, interchanging screen. A glass tube has somehow materialised into existence before her. It holds clear liquid that furiously bubbles beneath a flame. What's this?!

Leaping backwards in shock, she yelps.

The tube is going to explo—two firm hands clasp onto her shoulders from behind, steadying her.

"What are you doing?" It's Viola.

"T-th-the—get off." Natsuki shoved aside her in panicked embarrassment. "What is that thing?"

"It is called a computer." Viola chuckled with amusement in spite of Natsuki's reaction. "Think of it as a library—" Easing over the rectangular contraption, she started typing commands onto it. "—or a calculator. You input commands using this—" She stopped, pointing to it. "—a keyboard."

This makes no sense!

How can such a machine exist?

"I don't care what it does." Natsuki grumbles dismissively, attempting to avoid the indescribable constructions surrounding her. Instead she lumbers for the railings Viola had been previously. Here, Natsuki clamps her hands against the chilled metal and is greeted by a sheer drop. To her awe, this room is far greater in magnitude than she had originally expected.

How high is this? Three-four storeys?

Below are two women in the centre of the work floor. But hold on a moment again: If these two were down there, how had they been heard so clearly?

"Just wait by the desk, we'll be up soon!"

Though they were indeed far away, Natsuki heard this voice from behind her? How is that possible? An inexplicable feeling ran down her spine as she hesitantly turned around. There, by the desk, the voice emits from a small box with circular metal grating.

Viola stood beside this strange device which had produced the sentence, completely unfazed. "Alright." The Archmeister said at the thing, leaning partially over the table to press a red… button?

How is Viola comfortable down here?! This question baffles Natsuki to no end. Everything within this laboratory is alien—unnatural. Yet… actually, is it? Isn't it Natsuki who's the uncanny one? Before she can sift through the mass of scenarios, ringing alerts her. Eyes darting across the chamber, she speechlessly watches as two metallic doors… close? What is that?

This small condensed box then lowers down the platform and out of sight.

Though she had indeed seen this happen, Natsuki still couldn't believe it. Staring at where the machine had been moment's prior, Natsuki is truly astounded.

…Is she losing it? 'Or maybe it's really me who's abnormal?' A small voice muses within Natsuki's head before it's quickly shoved aside. No, no, no. 'Just shut up.'

It's at this moment that Natsuki realises Viola's moved to the doors. As though customary, she faced these doors, almost as if awaiting for their return? Natsuki eyed her warily, focus then shifting to the central table some feet away. Approaching it, she scanned the abysmal clutter scattered across it. Then, for some obscene reason, upon spotting a key, she swipes it?

Gazing at the strange brass thing, she found it to look so odd. It isn't like the large but simplistic sets she has seen before. This one is small with exaggerated extrusions propelling from its singular prong. As Viola glances her way, she quickly pockets it.

"Natsuki, come." The Arcewælcyrge commands, having not noticed the sinful act—or having chosen to ignore it.

The Ánhere is unsure which one she prefers less. Nevertheless, Natsuki wanders over nervously but this is quickly dismantled halfway there. The machine from before has returned.

The doors burst open, revealing the two women who had previously been at the bottom floor.

"I'll go fetch the valve." The spectacled girl said, throwing Natsuki an alarming smile. Brushing past her, the waistcoat-clad redhead vanished around this platform's corner leading into another room.

"I wasn't expecting you so soon—" The brunette told Viola, removing a dirty cloth from her coat pocket to wipe her hands. "—and you must be Natsuki?"

The conversation turned to the Ánhere who nodded.

"I'm Yohko Helene, the Palace's local inventor, you could say." She forced a smile, though it did not reach her eyes. She dropped the fabric onto the table next to the "computer", next offering her palm over. "You are in what used to be the Palace's cistern."

A cistern is where great amounts of water is stored, isn't it? Natsuki winced at the inventor's tight grip, her hand being shaken firmly. This Helene's palm is scalding hot—or perhaps it's because her hands are always cold? "Hi." She mutters lamely, pulling her hand from the woman's grip.

There's something curious about this Ánhere. Unfortunately, Yohko could not understand why that is. "Hm." She makes a noise of amusement, turning her head to Viola. "We have been testing the intercom system up onto the stairs. Is the sound quality acceptable up there?"

"A little distant. It sounded as if you were on this platform rather than beside me."

An intercom? What's that? The voice box she had heard moment's ago? Natsuki could only hazard a guess there were more hidden in the stairs outside.

"You will need a lot of training, it seems." Helene suddenly told her, scrutinising Natsuki carefully. She has heard a great deal about the Palace's new Ánhere. Many rumours have been circulating like wildfire to the point it's beyond ridiculous. It also appears she had caught Natsuki off guard with her comment. "You feel displaced here. I can help with that, if only a little."

Now, the question is how useful would the flesh Ánhere be? A series of expressions subtly flashed across Natsuki's face: Curiosity, vigilance, annoyance… 'Interesting.' Yohko mused, cupping her jaw thoughtfully. This displeasure could potentially lead them somewhere. For now though… "We will find your strengths and weaknesses here."

"It's not like I have a choice." Natsuki sighs. It's clear Viola's planning something, but she could not fathom what that is. "So?" She shrugged. "What do you want?"

"Did you know as an Ánhere you can locate technology which we cannot?" Helene asked matter of factly.

Natsuki merely stares at her, her eyebrows slowly rising. "What?" Wait—"Yeah, I know, Viola told me."

"This is good." Yohko nodded to the Arcewælcyrge. "I will introduce her to the tech while she's here. A worse reaction won't do once she's exposed to more of it." Yohko said as the bespectacled redhead returned. "Ah, Woods. Take the valve down, I will join you shortly—you can leave her with us."

What? Natsuki could only stare harder.


VII • CM Monandæg of Sawanmōnaþ
(The 6th Day of Sowing Month, Moon's Day, 900)
A Fortnight Later

"Here, take this." A carefully packaged box gets shoved into Natsuki's arms by Yohko. "The box is fragile, so be careful on the way up."

Finally, after two weeks under this taskmaster's wing, Natsuki's free to return to Viola.

She could not wait to return to Viola. Natsuki is genuinely surprised she's even missed the Arcewælcyrge's company. But… this inventor… From the corner of her eye, Natsuki watches her. Yohko's scouring the laboratory for something. A moment later, she spots it, picking up another box. Natsuki reacts apathetically as this is set atop her first. The pile is now nose level, but just low enough for her to see.

"Ah… this one too. The Arcewælcyrge requires both for tonight's patrol."

What's even in these? "They are rather heavy, you know?"

Soon Natsuki painstakingly treks up the stairs. The journey's tedious, but it's worth it to escape the laboratory.

Being crammed up underground has taken its toll. At night—least, she assumes at night—the piping would ricochet all day long. The blaring rattle bounded within Natsuki's mind even throughout her slumber, disturbing it horribly. It's miraculous that she hasn't yet gone mad.

Halting by the solid door, she placed the boxes down gingerly. Because of the lack of sound, Natsuki still couldn't ascertain what the contents were. Fabrics? She hadn't a clue. Oh well.

Sliding the doors lock, she warily eyed the oval lights. Upon the mechanism triggering, they switched off, signalling the door had unlocked. Natsuki still couldn't get used to this technology. It's like that Anchor—just pure unexplainable magic.

Easing the boxes back into her hold, she next shoulders the door open. It slammed shut after her, automatically locking behind her.

"—See you soon, Natsuki." Yohko's voice boomed through the intercom, causing Natsuki to nearly fly out of her skin.

Agh. Natsuki glared around the corridor trying to find the thing. Alas, she could not, cursing beneath her breath. That device is going to give her a heart attack one of these days! Shaking her head, she ignored it and escaped the gloomy underground at last.

Entering the corridors via some stone stairs, these halls were interestingly barren of folk. Has something happened? Peeking around the corner, she still saw no one. Maybe the brat-Queen is having one of her stupid meetings again? Anything's possible, but at least she could head to the other side of the Palace unhindered.

The rest of her journey isn't eventful—as she prefers it. Before she knew it, she's standing before Viola's quarters. Awkwardly Natsuki stares at the door for a time, wondering whether anyone's inside. Well… there's only one way to find out.

After the short silence, she commenced a balancing act with the boxes. With one arm grasping the bottom box, she quickly knocked on the door. The noise radiated across the corridor unsettlingly—sudden motion from the door opening then startling her.

"Natsuki." The Arcewælcyrge smiled from the doorway, her hand firmly set upon the doorknob. "You are earlier than expected."

"Yeah, 'guess they wanted to get rid of me." Though, it isn't like Natsuki's complaining about that.

Tailing after the older woman, Natsuki peered across the communal room. Tomoe isn't here. She supposed she had business elsewhere. "This is the stuff Helene wanted me to give you. It's for tonight's patrol." Natsuki eased them onto the central table.

"Thank you for bringing them. These should be the supplies I requested last week."

Is something happening tonight? Yohko had told Natsuki nothing except mentioning the Night Watch, after all. Spying the items being brought out from the boxes, Natsuki's curiosity only piqued higher.

"This is a hand axe." Viola pushed it into Natsuki's hand before continuing. "It is used to cut away foliage—or in case of emergencies—used as a weapon."

Rotating the weapon, Natsuki studied it. The wooden handle is straight and half the length of her forearm. Its crescent axe head meanwhile shone brightly in the candle light.

"Yohko notified me that your wound has healed nicely, is this true?" Viola asked as Natsuki placed the axe down on the table. In the meantime, she sifted out a dark fabric from the second box.

"Yeah, but I can't do much heavy lifting still." What was this axe doing in the laboratory instead of the armoury anyway? Natsuki took the fabric which is now being offered over. It's heavier than expected, draping down to pool against her boots. Is this a cloak?

"That is good." Viola turned to her fully, keeping a respectful distance. There is much she wants to discuss with Natsuki, but that has to wait. "You will need this during tonight's outing. It is cold during the night and the cloak should help during the hunt. The wolves have still been killing our cattle."

Oh, the wolves. Natsuki could only vaguely remember it being mentioned. Had this been when Viola was showing her around the Palace a fortnight ago? "When are we going?"

"Later tonight when night has fallen." Viola continued rummaging through the boxes, taking uninteresting odds and ends from them. "But for now, you must be hungry?" She caught the younger woman's eye.

"Ah… Yeah." Natsuki folded the cloak up then set it aside on the desk. She is, admittedly.

It's close to noon and the sun shone brightly through the windows of the quarters. It would be a long day until she got to venture outside the Palace grounds. But at least she isn't entombed underground?


VII • CM Monandæg of Sawanmōnaþ
(The 6th Night of Sowing Month, Moon's Day, 900)

"Nah, I'd rather train them up." The Huntmaster interjected that night. "Wolf taming was done way before the Palace was built, so why not resume it? Ever since the alpha male died recently, we've been having no end of trouble ever since. Wolves must be respected, n—"

"—If they're all dead, we won't need to worry about that."

"...Tomoe, please see my reasoning." Midori lowered her torch, hovering it above the tall grassline in order to see. The flame illuminated her, but not far enough to brighten their whereabouts. "If we tame the wolves, we can use them for scouting—maybe even war!"

"Wolves aren't dogs, they're wild animals."

This pair's constant arguing is grating on Natsuki's nerves. Are they going to deal with these wolves or not? They were heading further into their territory now. Were they seriously going to follow this Huntmaster all night? She's beginning to regret joining this hunting party.

"The wolves usually ignore us." Viola discreetly explained as she fell in step beside Natsuki. "Either their food source has disappeared, or something more sinister is occurring." Like Midori, she motioned her torch above the underbrush. This action lit her Ánhere's face. "Keep close."

"I know." Natsuki murmured, catching the elder by surprise in their quiet moment.

Viola could only smile faintly, catching herself staring at Natsuki's torch-lit face moment's later. Why is she staring?

Eventually, the group's guard rose. It's evident that something's not right. As they stop, Midori immediately examines the clearing they arrived in.

"There's signs of a struggle here." Midori aimed her torch towards a grass mound, her free hand pulling her cloak's hood back. Here long blades were stretched apart and mattered. Squatting, she touched along the mattered surface. "Blood." She brushed her fingertips along the blackened fluid before surveying another close by. There appears to be something there—a fresh kill, maybe?

"They're here!" Tomoe warned, twisting around to wave her torch into the forest's edge. In the distance, the predatory glow of golden eyes could be seen hovering in the darkness.

"Wolves!"

Through the chaos of action, Natsuki hadn't a clue what's happening. One moment they were encircled by the beasts, then the next? She's all alone within the shadows, remaining utterly still. Where's her torch, is—a chill ran down her spine upon hearing a guttural growl behind her.

It's adjacent to her—by her side.

With no time to think, Natsuki took off into the treeline.

'Where am I?' Where is she?! On all sides it's pitch-black; the forest canopy above blanketing her.

Heart thundering, it threatened to tear itself out of Natsuki's ribcage. Then—nothing. Slamming into something, Natsuki is sent toppling backwards onto the ground. Air rushing from her lungs, she chokes, desperately attempting to prise herself upwards.

A gathering of wolves encloses around her, growling and grunting aggressively.

She needed to move! Yet… yet?! Natsuki can't!

Fingers sinking into the soil, she grounded her knees against the dirt. There, up in the sudden moonlight stood a glorious, silver wolf much larger than the others. Staring into its blue gaze, she didn't realise that the other canines were also cansfixed.

A tidal wave of imagery flashed before Natsuki's mind. A battle, ruins, an internal struggle—death. These… were these memories? Bolted in place, she watched as the wolf leapt down from the cliffedge. Gracefully it soundlessly landed and the surrounding wolves scattered into the trees. Light engulfed the silver canine, flooding the area brightly.

Is Natsuki dreaming?

Ever close it ventured, until it's inches away from her. Then, in an argent glow, it dissipates.

Enveloped within darkness, Natsuki started panicking. What? Where did it go?! Twisting around, Natsuki jumped to her feet.

There is nothing in sight. Not even the cliff, nor the moonlight.

Is she going mad?

Blindly outstretching her hands, Natsuki froze as the wolf materialised into existence to her far right. It is staring at her. Did... did it want her to follow...?

A complex of contradicting messages poured inside her mind as she attempted to understand this situation. This… isn't real, right? Surely she's not insane—yet something within her heart told her to follow the wolf.

Hesitantly, she placed a foot in front of herself. This follows another until she's making a brisk stride.

The wolf continually dispersed, only to reappear in the far corner of her eye.

It is a guiding beacon within the darkness, almost as though it's forming an illuminated path.

Then, towering before her were ruins.

Where... Where is she?

In front of her is an eroded double-gate. One of these gates has long since fallen to the ground. It's partially grown over by shrubs, grass and scattered by dirt. The other one which still stands, looks as though something beastly had ripped it apart.

Gingerly stepping through this section, Natsuki stared down the avenue of tall trees. Within the distance are overgrown steps leading to an inverted triangular building. Wait, is this the Garderobe Ruins she had heard about?

The wolf is nowhere in sight and the moon's now high in the horizon. She's stuck, isn't she? It's out of the question for Natsuki to turn back now. She had no idea how she had gotten here—worse, the wolves might still be stalking her.

"You've got to be kidding me…" She mutters under her breath.

The crumbled, argent slabs led two ways: Either to the triangular… thing… or to the far right. Choosing this latter pathway, Natsuki hesitantly pushes past brambles, trees and shrubs. In their heyday, these ruins would've been a marvel to behold, she wagered. Now, they were decaying and had been overwhelmed by nature decades—maybe centuries—ago.

Soon a large building comes into view as she passes through the overgrowth. It's three storey tall and even has a simplistic oval spire. It's definitely for decoration rather than protection.

Approaching it, she catches sight of what appears to be an extension. Connecting to this extension is a building with totally different architecture. Unfortunately, it had partially collapsed long ago and debris is scattered everywhere. A large chunk of the roof was even missing. Who knows how and when that happened.

Down the road is another building but it's too dark to ascertain what condition it's in. Alas, she's stuck here tonight.

Deciding against searching the rest of the Ruins, Natsuki wanders towards the extension. Here most of the windows were busted, their glass shards messily littering the floor and sills. Inspecting them, Natsuki searches for the one without dangerous fragments. Luckily, she finds one and eases against the sill carefully. Looking inside, darkness greets her.

There's nothing of interest for her to see, nor can she check what the stability's like.

Well, here goes nothing. Exhaling a breath, Natsuki propped herself through the window and entered the extension. To her left the pathway had collapsed, meanwhile on the right, all's fine. She warrants a glance into each room as she heads into the spired building. Each chamber is unremarkable, identical in size and sustaining varying damage. It's now clear that Natsuki's spending a night inside a derelict shelter.

But… someone—or something— is moving in here.

There's a heavy presence radiating from down the far end of the dark corridor. An occasional rustle and snap echoing—the anticipation is excruciating. She couldn't remain here, neither could she go outside, for she heard the howl of wol—

A loud clang followed by grinding reverberated down the hallway inside one of the rooms.

Natsuki's blood ran cold, a sickening sensation plunging inside her gut. What… or what… is that? Jolting, Natsuki stumbles backwards as a dark figure pounces towards her. Heart racing, it drove her into a state of distress—until realising its a rat.

Watching the rodent run between her feet then squeeze through a gap inside a nearby door, Natsuki breathed heavily.

A rat.

Just a rat.

Collapsing onto the floor, Natsuki groaned loudly. Covering her face with her hands. She tries to fathom what has just taken place. Why on—?! Ugh. "Fuck this. Why?" She mutters, dragging herself back up onto her feet.

Why is this happening? How can it?

She… she needs a light. Yohko had explained to her what electricity was. Although she still doesn't really understand it, she at least knows what light switches do. But, do these Ruins still have power?

Blindly beginning her search, she brushes her fingers along the walls, but alas, finds nothing. No way is she investigating this place further without visibility. That's just asking for more trouble.

Or, perhaps difficulties had a way of locating her? Feeling something behind her suddenly, Natsuki glanced over her shoulder. She stood there frozen for a few moments, not understanding what had just happened. ...It felt like there ha—in front of her is a towering, chrome horse.

A dread settled inside of Natsuki's body tightly, clenching down into her mentality. Squeezing any sense from her logic, she's unable to remove her eyes from the mesmerising statue. Where... had this come from? Why did it feel alive?

Taking a step back, Natsuki started to panic as she felt the wall hit her back.

It is then that her reality tore in half.

Light encapsulated the hallway as a chain of explosions blasted the walls apart. As Natsuki threw her arms up to her face, the walls were lifted by the propulsion. They get thrown up into the night sky, yet, even so, Natsuki isn't harmed. Slowly, she lowered her arms and is greeted by nothingness.

The chrome horse from before stood before her. Staring up into its dead gaze, a burst of images flooded her senses: Past and future unknown eras briefly awakened, these memories cascading her in fragments, warping her mind. Knocked backwards by an unfathomed force, Natsuki collapsed onto the pitch black floor.

Whose memories were these? Where is she? Who... just as quickly as the chrome horse appeared, it vanished. Now, before her in the lonesome surroundings, something else materialised.

"Re-c-c-c-c-calculating d-ate. Date unknown. Proceeding to load emergency f-f-f-fussion generator."

A low drone could be heard followed by sharp clicks. Wincing, Natsuki was momentarily blinded by lights all around her.

"N-N—N-N-N-N-N-Naaaaaaa-Natsuki Kruger, welcome back. It has been: 567 years, 5 months, 2 weeks and 2 days since your l-l-l-l-last visit."