Flynn

RL81 - 30 VIG - 14 MND - 30 END - 34 STR - 14 DEX - 22 INT - 9 FTH - 7 ARC

Resa

RL81 - 27 VIG - 21 MND - 12 END - 12 STR - 34 DEX - 9 INT - 36 FTH - 9 ARC

Flynn

I expected to be disoriented after emerging from the waygate - traveling to Gurranq's territory had certainly done that. However, when I emerged from this one, I recognized immediately where I was - back at the entrance of Nokron, by the grace. A wave of reassurance washed through me at that realization, as that meant that we were well and truly done down here - no more game trails to go follow.

I waited for Blaidd and Resa to step through, seconds passing by in utter silence. Perhaps it took a while? I didn't know. Another thought passed through me…perhaps they'd been taken somewhere else? That one left me with some discomfort, trying to find my sister again.

That worry passed, as soon both of them materialized in the air around me, one after the other. That meant they'd definitely spoken about something - but about what, and why I was excluded, I didn't know, and it wasn't worth pressing at the moment.

"Well - pleasant to see a familiar sight, I suppose. If there's nothing left to do here, I suggest we return to Ranni's Rise and deliver this to her." Blaidd still clutched the curved blade in his hands, looking at the two of us for confirmation.

"I've nothing to do here. We'll follow if you go." I didn't look towards Resa for affirmation, understanding that we were of the same mind. This is what we'd come here for…no reason to delay.

"There is…more to the charted maps than what we've seen, but we can save that for another time, I suppose. Let's go."

Blaidd didn't wait any longer, extending a hand to the grace as his body began to vanish in a flicker of sparks and lights, soon leaving only the two of us. I looked at Resa, both of us giving a silent nod to the other. We extended our hands, and soon too we found ourselves back at the Rise.

We made our way back up to Ranni's chamber, ascending the elevator and rounding the stairs to the top. Blaidd was already there, as was Ranni. The latter's body was slumped and hunched over, the brim of her oversized witch's hat obscuring her entire face. Was she…asleep? The answer seemed to be no, as the brim lifted up upon our arrival, piercing blue eyes flitting to lazily glance at each of us.

"Ah…you've returned with the treasure of Nokron, it seemeth. I sensed as such, even as I slumbered."

Blaidd immediately responded, his stance proud and tall as he held out the blade. "Our mission was a success, my Lady. Flynn, Resa, and I have brought you what you ask. There was…not much, in the way of difficulties."

At that, Ranni's expression grew quizzical, curious. Her eyes glanced over to finally look at Blaidd, her thin lips turning neutral. "Thank you, Blaidd…but I did sense something whilst I slept. The chest containing this treasure…you struggled with it, did you not?"

"I, ah - " Blaidd's stance began to crumble, being put on the defensive. "The lid was too much for me to lift by myself, but Flynn and I were able to raise it together."

Ranni's eyes immediately turned to lock onto me. "How…curious. I felt only one soul lift the lid, but perhaps I am mistaken. Thoust did not sense any oddities, did thoust, Flynn?"

I knew what Ranni was angling towards - when Blaidd and I had opened the chest together, it was clear that the lid was not nearly heavy enough to give Blaidd trouble. Something was definitely amiss - a ward, perhaps, or some sort of magic. However…none of that mattered to me - if Ranni was somehow skeptical of Blaidd's involvement, that only served to question my supposed 'loyalty' to her. "Blaidd and I lifted the lid together. I don't have any more information than that."

"Hmm…perhaps my slumber was't too deep, and mine senses were dulled…no matter. The blade, if you would." Blaidd extended his hand again, offering the weapon. Ranni accepted it, hand grasping firmly around the blade's hilt in a way that suggested she intended to wield the weapon. "Now, it is time for me to walk a path that only I may tread. Thoust service is lauded - I thank thee very much. Before I go, there is one gift for thee to acquire."

Ranni turned to her left, hand reaching out to grasp a large statuette sitting next to her small throne, lifting it up. "If thoust wishes, seek the Carian Tower, and place this upon the altar. At the peak, you will find answers."

"And if we don't?"

Ranni's eyes narrowed. "The service thoust agreed to has finished, whether you accept thine gift or not shan't bother me. If thou intendest not to use it, then it shall await here, for a new champion."

Resa was the one to ask the next question. "If we say yes, will Blaidd be able to continue aiding us?"

To this, Ranni shook her head. "I have other plans for mine Shadow…thou whilst have to make this journey alone."

"My Lady please - I wish to continue alongside them." I was actually shocked to hear the words - it was perhaps the first time Blaidd had even questioned Ranni's decision-making. That gave me hope that he wasn't just a blind puppet - and that, perhaps, his wishes went beyond strictly following her orders.

"Perhaps in time, thoust shall reconvene in my service. For now though, dearest Blaidd, I will require your aid."

Immediately that sense of resolve shattered, his features darkening and his expression stern. "As you command, my Lady."

I looked at Resa, shaking my head ever-so-slightly. This didn't feel right…it felt like we'd already made a mistake bringing this knife back. Continuing even further down this path…I wasn't sure that I could. Ranni had said that we weren't in her 'employ' any more…but she didn't seem to be the type to simply give rewards with no ulterior motive. Something was waiting for us there, at the top of that tower…something that would lead us deeper into this web. Ultimately though, the decision on whether to turn around or to continue would be Resa's. I didn't say anything, but my eyes…my eyes pleaded for her to walk away.

"Thank you, Ranni. We'll see where this takes us." To my dismay, Resa lifted up the statuette, much too large to stow in a pocket or even a satchel.

Ranni's lips curled into a smile, nodding. "Splendid. Resa, thoust been a fine champion of mine cause. I anticipate greatness from your future."

"Thank you, Ranni…we'll be on our way now."

Resa turned around, a slight tilt of her head motioning for me to follow her, a request I was more than eager to comply with. We walked back down, passing by the grace and straight to the brisk outside air.

"Flynn…please, listen to me. I know you're not happy…but hear me out."

I folded my arms, my heart beating heavily in my chest. "Alright…you have my attention, with the understanding that afterwards, I will have yours. Deal?"

Resa nodded. "Deal."

"Then I'll remain open-minded for the moment. Go ahead."

"Flynn, something in this world has to change. The entire place is broken from top to bottom. Gods waging war against each other, people unable to die, the entire world at-odds with each other? Whatever system is going on here, it's not working…and we've seen that. Back then, we were the catalyst of change…we had the idea, and we were the ones to put it in motion. I'll be honest…I don't have any ideas. I know we've been in this land for a while, but I still don't feel like…well, like I belong here. Ranni has a plan…and even if there are some holes in it, I do, genuinely, believe it to be a change for the better." She huffed, inhaling after the long speech. "We can't sit idly and hope for the perfect solution to fall into our laps. Sometimes, we have to settle with…good enough."

I waited a few more seconds, seeing if my sister had any additional words on her mind. I couldn't argue with her frame of view - what she said made sense…or rather, I knew why she believed it to make sense. Still, I had my own thoughts.

"I agree with a lot of that, Resa…but I don't think it's a change for the better, not this time. I…I can't really say that it's better or worse, really…it's just different. And I'd rather gamble on fixing parts of the current messed-up world than trading it in for a new one. I saw how she held that knife, Resa…she's held it like she intends to use it. People are going to fall, people we maybe haven't even heard of and people that might be propping up parts of this entire place. I lived in Lordran killing people to save someone very dear to me…and we were hunted in Lothric by people just killing for killing's sake. I've lived enough lives of bloodshed…I don't need another." I placed my greatsword into the ground, hands resting upon its hilt. "I don't want to keep carving a trail of blood wherever I go."

"Isn't that what we've been doing here? Don't you even remember going berserk at Stormveil? Flynn…I see where you're coming from, I really do, but let's face it…if we aren't carving a trail of blood, we're preparing to. Even if I did want to lay down my weapons, it's not like that's happening soon. We have to take Melina to the capital, we have to bring Latenna to the Haligtree. We…I guess we aren't bound to help Millicent, but we both know that you want to. We don't get to stop fighting, not yet."

"Just because we have to keep fighting doesn't mean we should enable even more. Let me put it this way…if I'm wrong, and Ranni's plan isn't for the worse…the world ends up a better place. But if you're wrong…what do we do then? Can we even try to undo whatever it is she's trying to bring about? I don't want to risk the life of everyone here on honeyed words and good ideas."

"Which is why I've said from the beginning…if the outcome starts to look grim, we can always walk away."

"But what if we walk away too late?"

"Then…then I don't know, Flynn." We were both getting stressed, our heartbeats quickening. "Sometimes, you act on faith. Faith that the people trying to reform the world are doing it for the better. I want to believe Ranni, and so I choose to. I'm not blinded by that want…I can see the flaws, but it's not enough to make me worry. She's doing something…and something needs to be done."

I shook my head…I couldn't see it, and I hated that. We very rarely disagreed to this extent…it had happened before, but we always worked it out. This, though…I couldn't see us getting past this. "I'm sorry, Resa…but I can't. If you want to continue following her, then fine…but I can't keep walking this path."

All of a sudden, her expression went from one of frustration to shock. "You…what does that even mean?"

"If you're going to that tower, I'm not coming with you. I can't."

Back came the frustration, in greater force than before. "What, you think you can try to use that as leverage, that's not - "

"No." I put a hand on her shoulder, trying to remain calm. "It's not leverage…we're not one person. If you want to go there, I won't stop you…but neither will I help you. We've supported each other on almost everything, but not this time. This time…if your faith and belief calls you there, you'll have to follow it without me."

"But Flynn…she said this wasn't for her, this was just for answers. I understand that you don't want to help her, I do, but this isn't that."

I shook my head. "Resa…I can't trust her. There's something up there she wants you to find…something to keep pulling you along. I'm sorry…but right now, no means no."

Resa scowled, still frustrated. "Fine then. If you think that little of someone that has done us no wrong, maybe we are better off apart. She's just trying to help people Flynn, you make her sound like she's some conniving mastermind."

"The way I see it…there's a good reason for that."

"I…I knew we had our differences on this. I didn't know we were this far apart. I'm going to the Carian tower…if you're lucky, maybe I'll find you something nice." Resa glared at me for another second before pulling out her whistle, summoning Torrent once more. "Would you at least like me to take you somewhere on the way?"

"I, well…" I had expected Resa to want to go our separate ways…I hadn't actually thought about what that meant for me. "Tragoth needed help with something to the northeast. The Ruin-Strewn Precipice, I think he called it? I think that's on the way."

"So you're going to avoid bloodshed by killing that wyrm?"

I sighed…I knew she was mad at me, but now it felt petty. "We still have to get to the capital, so why not - "

"Whatever, just get on."

I stopped talking, just accepting that it was better to silently comply than continue to explain. Before I was even situated Torrent was already in motion, riding forth through the plateau. Resa took us around the eastern side of Caria Manor, down a long stretch shrouded in mist. We rode past quite a few things - a pack of wolves, a red wolf, an Evergaol, before finally reaching the cliffside beyond. Some narrow maneuvering down a tombstone-ridden wall got us to a lower landing. From there, we rode across a sharp peak to cross a chasm below, veering hard to the left as we descended to the bottom of Liurnia.

As we went, we crossed one of the knights - and as we did, my heart skipped a beat. "Be careful out there…we don't know if we're allowed back in these parts."

"I'll be fine, Flynn. I'm going to have Torrent - I'd be more worried about yourself."

I shut up, just waiting for the ride to be over…I couldn't remember the last time we were this at-odds with each other. Once we reached the ground, Torrent came to a stop.

I looked down the path to my right, seeing the towering cliff face quite a ways in the distance, past large…gas sacs, for lack of a better term. We were still quite a ways away…I had to ask. "Resa…any chance you can take me closer?"

"You said somewhere on the way, didn't you? I'm not going that way." They were words spoken out of defiance, or perhaps conviction - proving exactly where her resolve lied. For the first time in forever, that meant somewhere other than by my side.

Another sigh escaped me as I sloughed off Torrent, landing on the ground with a splash. "I…I hope we can settle our differences, in time. I don't like this…it's not who we are."

For the first time in a while, my sister's expression softened. "I don't like it either, Flynn, but I won't back down in what I believe is right. Hopefully you'll come around. If not, well…we'll see."

I started to walk away, one final thought popping in my head as I turned back around. "Keep an eye on Blaidd for me. I know you're worried about him too, but…I just don't like his odds. I don't have anything to offer in return, but - "

"It's fine," Resa said with a wave of her hand before continuing. "I won't take that away from you. If I think something's going to happen, I'll find you…somehow. I promise."

"Thanks…I appreciate it. I won't hold you up any longer."

"Okay. Talk to you soon…I hope." With that Resa finally rode off, leaving me alone in the mires of Liurnia. I glanced down the long ravine, at my destination all the way in the distance. It wasn't getting any closer…no use grumbling about it.

Resa

I knew that Flynn didn't trust Ranni…but to turn his back on me because of it? I couldn't fathom it. We'd been inseparable forever…we'd had one brief squabble back in Lordran, but that had sorted itself out rather quickly. Now though, I was on my own…but I couldn't let that slow me down. I know that Ranni has a plan…I know that the current system needs replacing. And I was going to do something about it. If Ranni needed a champion, I would answer the call…because someone had to.

Those thoughts played in my head ad nauseam as Torrent and I rode through the bogs of Liurnia, what felt like hours but couldn't have been more than a handful of minutes. I was alone with nothing but my thoughts - and for once, nobody to talk them through with.

I saw a hint of the tower peaking through the skyline, and I brushed the thoughts from my mind. I didn't have time to start feeling lonely, not when I had something to prove. Torrent and I continued forward, getting out of the water and finally back onto land. We made a gradual ascent up the eastern slopes of Liurnia, hanging a right as we crested the hill to finally see the entrance to the tower, just a short ways away. I rode Torrent up to the entrance, dismissing the trusty steed as I stepped inside.

The inside was a dimly lit chamber, only illuminated by a grace on the floor and faint candlelight on the walls and ceilings. What used to be two rows of pews were now mostly destroyed, but what did remain was an altar at the far end, as well as an ornate globe behind it. Ranni had said to place the statuette upon the altar…I could only assume that she meant this one. I strode forward and lit the grace on my way, and put the statue on the altar.

I waited…and waited some more. Was something supposed to happen? Ranni hadn't said that part…but I felt like this statue should trigger something. I picked it up, examining it. It depicted a scholarly type carved of wood, sitting on the base of the sculpture. Wooden spindles rose up to connect to a flat plane above him, with a dome extending downwards. It was simple in its make, but well crafted…and as far as I could tell, carried no further significance…at least, not at first glance. As I scrutinized the upper plane, I saw the faint etchings of a rune upon it - and when I looked at the center of the altar, I saw the same rune. I furrowed my brow, flipping the statue over and spinning it so the man looked towards the globe, away from me. Perhaps the orientation mattered?

As soon as I put the statue down, I felt the ground beneath me shudder. At the same time, the large globe began spinning, flipping upside down as it spun upon multiple axes. I held onto the altar as a wave of nausea hit me, the entire world continuing to spin for another gut-wrenching couple of seconds. Eventually, things settled - the globe was upside-down compared to when we'd first entered…but everything else was the same.

I breathed a sigh of relief, gathered myself, and took the stairs up on the left. That led to another small chamber, a large doorway leading to a room -

I stopped, my mind trying to comprehend what was in front of me. The room was…upside down. A lift hung from the ceiling, suspended on chains, that descended into the floors, the physics of which was entirely impossible. I could see a window on the far side that was upside down, leading deeper into the tower.

Had the entire tower flipped upside down? That was impossible…it had to be…yet all evidence pointed to the contrary. I rushed outside, checking to make sure my mind wasn't playing tricks on me. No…the tower was still right-side up, ascending into the sky. Perhaps the interior was constructed upside down? It wouldn't explain the inverted chains, but…it wasn't the strangest thing I'd ever seen. I went back inside and leaped into the next room, mindful of the floor…or ceiling, I didn't know.

As I stepped through the door, three spider-like hands reached out at me, the same damned nasty things we'd - I'd run into in Caria Manor. I slashed with my katana, lopping off a finger as I regained my unsteady footing, fighting them from between across the open window. I hacked them down one-by-one, the awful things skittering and curling up as they fell to my blade.

I took another step forward, finally reaching the main chamber…I could conclusively say that nothing made sense. Water was flowing upwards, filling the ceiling of the room with water. Below me, however, was an entire tower…all of it. I could see bridges, chandeliers, crossbeams, everything, extending downwards further than should be possible. The statuette had to have flipped the entire tower, somehow…unbelievably, that was the solution that made the most sense.

I scanned my surroundings, stifling my disbelief as I checked for threats. More of the carian hands were clinging to nearby walls and ceilings, nothing I couldn't handle. Directly ahead of me nestled in the underside of a bridge, was a lone man. He wore a wide-brimmed hat and had robes similar to those of Raya Lucaria, a staff in his hand further signaling his association. As soon as I looked his way our eyes locked, though his were hidden behind an iron mask - very reminiscent to one that Seluvis wore.

As soon as our eyes locked, that staff was pulled forward, a familiar sorcery bow and arrow forming as he drew back the mystical projectile, aiming it in my direction. I cursed under my breath…it was never easy. No easy way around, either…I'd have to strafe around the outer edge of the tower, giving him ample time to aim his shot. The first of many arrows flew from the bow, careening towards me as I tumbled to the left, making my approach. Another came flying behind it a couple seconds later, his aim improving as the resultant blast caught my leg. I stumbled, regaining my footing as I made it to the far wall, leaping forward as I plummeted to another platform below me. I hit the ground, continuing to close in as a third arrow rocketed towards me, this time a direct hit against my ribs.

I continued running until I hit another wall, pressed against the side of the bridge. I had a bit of a reprieve here - the sorcerer would have to step closer to the edge if he wanted a clear shot. I took a long drink from my flask, evaluating my options as I tended to my wounds. A shield…a shield would be great to dampen the barrage. My mind briefly flitted to Flynn, but I shoved the thought away - this was my problem, my challenge, my reward. What did I have that I could do? I could try to fight with incantations, but that was risky. I could try to get in close…but if this was a Carian sorcerer, I would have to contend with all the spells Flynn knew - and many that he didn't. It was my only option - get in, and fight fast. I imbued my katana with crackling lightning, stowing my seal as I reached for my rapier. I took a deep breath - time to go.

I sprinted forward, leaping over a hand as I approached. Specters began to form around me, blue spirits resembling various soldiers we'd seen around Liurnia. At the same time, a globe of sorcery magic floated into the air, beginning to rain down projectiles from above, no doubt another one of the sorcerer's many tricks. I leaped forward, finally within striking distance of him - as the tip of his staff began to materialize a sword I lunged forward, slashing with my blade. Momentum carried me forward as I ducked under the staff, slicing again from behind. A bolt of magic pelted me from the back, and then another…I backed up, the element of surprise no longer with me.

I was easily outnumbered - 3 spirits and a sorcerer versus just me. My mind again flitted to Flynn, wishing I had his strength - again, I shoved it away. I retreated around the side of the bridge to get cover from another arrow, a spirit chasing after me that I was easily able to trip and send plummeting to depths below. Another drink from my flask, and I was ready to go back in. I took the few steps it took to leave my brief window of cover, and -

An arrow blasted me in the chest, perfectly timed and waiting for my return. I stumbled backwards, heel searching for ground and finding nothing. I slipped, hand flailing as I clawed at the ledge, finding a tenuous handhold on the underside of the bridge, clinging on desperately to avoid falling into the watery void below me.

It was only a moment later that I realized that that hand had previously been holding my katana…as my eyes drifted down, I saw the blade plummeting down, clattering onto one of the chandeliers below. It steadied itself, if but for a moment…but getting it back would be another task altogether..

I cursed under my breath, being careful to stow my rapier before grasping the bridge with my other hand and clawing back to the surface. I stayed low, out of sight of the sorcerer, hoping he thought that I had fallen. So much for fighting fast and close…as splendid as the rapier was, it wasn't the right tool for this. I'd have to rely on my incantations…I could do that.

I formed a bolt of lightning in my hands, standing up from cover before immediately whipping it at the sorcerer. This time he had no time to react, staggering backwards as I hit him square in the chest. I followed it up with several bolts from above, putting on the pressure and trying to stop him from casting more sorceries. I had to stop as the remaining spirits started to swarm me, rolling out of the way as I called down a field of frozen lightning, the strikes raining down a second later as the spirits were whisked away.

Not just the spirits…when I looked, the sorcerer was gone as well, a puff of blue sparks being all that was left. My eyes frantically scanned my surroundings - I knew better than to believe he was dead. When I did find him, it wasn't so much him as it was his arrow - he'd teleported to another platform further below, launching the arrow back towards the bridge. I dove backwards, the arrow flying by and continuing its ascent into the waters above.

Thus began a game of cat and mouse - each of us playing both roles. Neither of us had a reason to approach the other, and so sorceries and incantations were flung both ways, each of us trying to land hits while avoiding the other's. At this, I excelled - my bolts were faster to conjure than his arrows, and I had lifetimes of experience when it came to dodging. I didn't need Flynn…I cursed - why could I not keep him out of my mind?

As the sorcerer's movements started to falter, I began to close the distance. A small cadre of foes stood in my way, skittering hands and Liurnian spirits alike. I saved my magic for the sorcerer, opting to get more familiar with this rapier as I strafed, lunged, and struck out, the blade strange in my hands, though not wholly unwelcome. All the while, arrows were launched towards me that put me off balance, but I was starting to find a rhythm to it. I continued to approach, slowly and methodically.

Once I drew close enough, my seal came back out, ready to put an end to this. The sorcerer once again threw an orb into the air, darts raining down to prevent my approach. With the shower between us, he readied an arrow - but I was one step ahead. I formed a bolt, gripping the crackling lightning in my fist as I launched it towards him, the casting of his sorcery making him an easy target. As it struck I circled along the outer edge of the shower, another bolt from the sky keeping the sorcerer busy. He lunged forward, the crystal atop his staff extending into a massive blade-like spear, but it was slow and done in desperation. I sidestepped, then quickly lunged forward and brought my rapier forward. The blade sunk into his chest with little resistance, cool ice starting to form around the wound. His head fell limp, and then his body…and soon, everything began to fade away.

As he left, a rolled up scroll fell out of his cloak, and his staff clattered to the ground. I picked up the scroll, knowing exactly what it would be. Incomprehensible text on light blue parchment that glimmered with glintstone - a sorcery. Next was the staff - my mouth grimaced in a twisted sense of irony as I saw that the crystal atop it was sharp and jagged, almost reminiscent of the tip of a blade of some sort, rather than a simple sorcerer's staff. If Flynn was here…he'd want to give both a try, I knew for certain.

But Flynn wasn't here…by his own damn choice, at that. He pushed me here on my own, forcing me to choose between my damned brother or my beliefs. It shouldn't have had to be a choice…it never had been before. I looked at both the items before me, stamping my foot in frustration. I hated him…right now, I hated him for putting me through this. But I loved him…and if I threw either of these away out of spite or anger or frustration, at some point down the road, I'd regret it. I tucked the scroll behind my back and slung the staff over my shoulder…fuming that somehow, Flynn was benefitting from my mission more than I was at this point.

After stowing everything, I looked around - there wasn't a clear path forwards, anymore. However, I knew that I needed to keep going down - if down was up, at least. I looked over the ledge, seeing the undersides of gigantic chandeliers beneath me. My katana was on the one closest to me, but I faltered as I looked down. The fixture was gently swaying left and right, as if it didn't recognize that it was hanging upwards. I worried what would happen if I jumped on it - the chains would hold taut, unless that somehow broke the magic flipping this place around. I didn't know - but I had to try.

I leaped, crashing down onto the chandelier below. As expected, that impact sent the entire thing swaying - and as it did, my katana slipped through the slits, clattering further down until eventually falling through. It careened off the wooden struts below, and then simply began plummeting down, down, down into the darkness below. I sighed, begrudgingly starting to move after it as I jumped onto a wooden strut, starting to gingerly maneuver along the rafters. Just beneath me was an elevator - and after a brief pause, I understood why I registered it as strange. Compared to everything else, it was upside down…which for me, meant it was right side up. Perhaps this was where the topsy turvy adventure would end? I hoped so, leaping onto it and pressing the button in the center.

Down I went descending deeper and deeper into the…top of the tower, as it were. I saw my katana drawing closer and closer as I reached the floor - and then suddenly it was above me, the elevator descending past the floor, and into a secret chamber stashed below. Soon though, the elevator reached the bottom, depositing me in a dimly-lit chamber with more upside down chandeliers and statues, a single door straight ahead that, like everything else, was upside down. That would have to wait though - I needed my weapon back.

I stepped on the button central to the elevator, waiting to go back up…after a brief delay, nothing, not even a budge. I rolled my eyes, the comedy of errors this was turning out to be somehow never ending. "How is it that out of every elevator we've been on, the one I need to go back up is the only one that won't?" I threw up my hands, accepting the loss…I'd have to find another blade sometime soon if I wanted to keep fighting how I was used to.

I stepped forward, exiting through the oaken door. As I did, I felt a brief shift beneath my feet - and upon opening the door, saw the Divine Tower in front of me. Even better, it was right-side up, as was the bridge that spanned the length between the two. That was a relief - I was tired of keeping track of up, down, and how neither of them were what made sense. As I stepped outside, I looked back at the Carian tower - still right-side up, same as always. I had fallen down, I knew it…and yet I'd emerged higher up than where I started. It didn't make sense, but it didn't need to - all that mattered was that I was out, and one step closer to my goal.

I started across the long bridge, lighting a grace near the entrance. It was empty, lined with torches and various statues, nothing to occupy me except the sound of my own footsteps…and yet again, that silence drew my mind back to Flynn. Gods, why was it so hard to just forget him? I looked forward, forcing myself to focus on anything but the thought of my damned brother.

That distraction became easy - about halfway across the bridge, a figure formed far ahead of me, apparating from seemingly nowhere. It was large - about twice the size of me. It was humanoid, but only somewhat - it was as wide as it was tall, and I could see a serpentine tail flicking around behind it. In one hand, it held a rapier that could put mine to shame - far longer, and a razor-fine point that glinted blindingly in the sun. Most disconcerting though, was its garb - its outfit was all white- consisting of a hood and long clothes that covered its arms and legs. It wore a sort of bib…and on that bib, were faces. Of what, I didn't know…and frankly I didn't want to.

I didn't have time for this - not with the tower that close. I was down a weapon, and down a brother - as much as I hated to admit it right now, the latter was more useful when in a fight. Thankfully, this thing looked slow - I ought to be able to slip around it easily. I approached, still a ways off.

As I got nearer the figure held up its hand, a ball of black fire forming in its hand. It hurled the orb at me - I dodged out of the way, the flames erupting behind me. It readied its rapier as I got closer, poised to strike. I conjured a lightning bolt in my hand, hurling it forward as I tested the waters…it didn't even flinch from the impact. I nodded…time to run.

I started running, trying to slip past whatever this creature was. It retaliated by lashing with its rapier with lightning speed - and as I slid to the ground to try and avoid it, also deadly accuracy. I felt a sharp pain course through my arm as the rapier slipped past my skin and out in the flash of an eye - if there wasn't blood dripping from my arm, I'd almost have believed nothing happened.

I kept running, now acutely aware of the inhuman reflexes this entity had. It made another slice at me as I ran past, this one catching me squarely in the back - I stumbled, steadying myself as I'd now broken past it, nothing between me and the tower except the bridge…lots and lots of bridge. I took a swig from my flask, healing the wounds that I'd suffered…only to turn around and see another black fireball hurtling towards me. I threw myself to the ground as it narrowly grazed my head, scrambling back to my feet as I began to make my escape.

I looked back every few seconds as I settled into a full-on sprint, making sure that it wasn't pursuing too fast. It did give chase, but not quickly - it wasn't quite as slow as I thought at initial impression, but it couldn't keep up with me at my fastest. Ahead of me, the monumental doors to the tower loomed closer and closer, the end just within sight.

I glanced back one last time, ready to write off the strange creature - and instead, a horrifying sight. It had turned itself sideways, torquing and spinning itself as it rolled along the ground towards me - with incredible speed. It was gaining ground fast, and as I looked back at the Divine Tower, I did the math in my head…it would be close. My legs burned as I carried myself even faster, trying to outrun whatever unholy creature was coming up behind me, knowing that I would find safety behind those tower doors - or at least, hoping that I would. Closer, closer, closer…it felt like I could almost reach out and touch them at this point, but a quick glance behind me showed that the same was true for it.

Two things happened, both almost simultaneously. One - the doors opened by the force of this creature barreling into them, its body acting as a battering ram that needed only one strike. Two - I was thrown through those doors, that same force that opened the doors slamming into me and carrying me forward. My entire world spun for several seconds as I staggered back to my feet, my sense of direction lost.

I shook my head, spotting several floating images of the creature standing from behind the door, each one holding another fireball in its hand. I looked around, seeing where I could try to dodge - but with the world as disoriented as it was, I couldn't tell for certain. The fireball hit me square in the chest, a burning, sapping flame that took the air from my throat. I started backing up, trying to get away - but even as I did, the fire continued to burn and choke.

I felt my foot step on something elevated, a small click resonating through the chamber - and a moment later, my directionless sense grew even worse as I felt myself rising into the sky. I let out a sigh of relief as the creature began to disappear from sight - I was safe. Another drink from my flask completely emptied it, but the scorching wounds of the black fire were purged from me, my vision returning to normal. That meant I got to enjoy the breathtaking ascension up the tower, the glittering stones emulating the starry night sky once more.

Once the elevator came to a stop, I saw another grace in front of me, one that I eagerly moved towards and set alight before continuing on my way. Now, it was just the staircase around the outside of the tower, and I'd reach the peak. I hadn't stopped to consider yet what I'd find up here…but at this point, it was best to simply find out.

As I rounded the final corner, I saw…a body. Not the body of the two fingers, like last time…but the body of a person. It was lying on the ground in a fetal position, its flesh charred and cracked. Its back was to me - and as I approached, I noticed a jagged, wicked scar across its back, starting at its left shoulder and curving to slice all the way down to the small of its back.

My immediate question, of course, was…who? To be placed here, at the peak of a Divine Tower where demigods' Great Runes lay, it had to be someone of importance. Someone important to Liurnia, no doubt…hmm. Clearly not Rennala, at least I certainly hoped not - the figure was too short to be the leader of the Academy, and her death would have had to have been…recent. So was it…

My mind flitted to Ranni…and rather than pushing the thought away, I lingered on it. Could it be? The Ranni we knew was clearly a doll or some other fabrication, but we knew that there was once a living Ranni, too - Rennala's daughter. A Liurnian figure like that would make sense to entomb in the tower.

But then…why? Why did she want me to come here? Was it to know that her original body was dead? Or was it…how she died? I looked again at the jagged scar on her back - it had to be a very powerful weapon to slay a god or demigod, to be cert -

The dagger…Nokron…all of it started to click. Had Ranni asked us to recover the same blade that slew her? If so, I understood - if she was seeking to change the course of the world, she needed to protect herself. Stupid Flynn, thinking that she would use the weapon…Ranni just wanted to make sure that it wasn't used against her.

I looked closer at the wound, and all of a sudden a faint white glow alit from the half-ring, emanating out of the body and towards me. It looked like a centipede as it seemingly materialized in thin air, forming into a shape that fit in the palm of my hand. Was this…did Ranni have a Great Rune? I wasn't sure what to expect, but I held out my hand as the strange object came to rest within it. I'd have to go back and ask her the next chance I got.

With that strange event out of the way, I continued looking around the body. I noticed what looked to be shackles around her hands, though they could have just been ornamental jewelry. I also noticed a small heirloom, similar to what Millicent bestowed upon me. This one depicted a robed woman, holding up a wand and looking at the night sky. Ranni, perhaps…or maybe Rennala? I wasn't sure. However, I knew that Millicent's heirloom had aided my speed and agility ever since I'd worn it, no doubt due to her training as a swordsman. If this one depicted a sorcerer, then…

Damnit Flynn, why couldn't I just escape you already?

NaNoWriMo is just around the corner yet again. I don't think I'll be committing to 50k (but I'd happily get there if it happens), but I do intend to start working on this a bit more regularly.