"Aren't we approaching the coast? How much farther is the city?" Blake idly drummed her fingers across the hidden Flame, feeling... something tingling on the edge of her senses. It was magic, obviously, yet... sleeping?
Dormant.
Right. Can you identify it, Obsidian?
Not specifically. It is unliving; likely an artifice.
"We're nearly finished with the walk." Veve's oddly specific wording had Blake's eyes narrowing, but the woman only chuckled at her. "You'll see. You might be the first of your people to, in fact." Blake hummed without committing to a specific response, only to be distracted as they crested the hill.
Resting on the coast was a small domed roof, held up by pillars and built of some gleaming white... metal? Stone? She couldn't tell. And, besides, her attention was distracted: across the pillars, and the floor, and the top of the roof deep lines had been carved, and they glowed softly with a reddish purple light, pulsing softly to an unknown rhythm... and hovering above the ground was a great crystal of matching color. That's... as big as my torso. Dust crystals like that... they're incredibly rare. Reactor cores, mostly, I thought... and I've never seen Dust that color. What is this?
They continued down, following a well-worn path leading to the... shelter? shrine? Signal tower?
Obsidian, can you identify any of those carvings?
They shape magic to unknown purpose. In some ways, they resemble a Semblance... or crystallized Dust.
How do- oh, I remember that conversation. What does that mean, then? Is this..
Perhaps you should ask.
She blinked, before coughing, ignoring the small flush of embarrassment. "What... what is this? I've never seen anything like it."
As they stepped onto the platform and Blake realized it was big enough to hold dozens of people easily, Veve turned to smile broadly at her. "This is a Bridge. One of many wonders of Ciel. Not the greatest, but perhaps one of the most useful. The walking is over now. From here on, we will travel as we were meant to." She held a hand aloft, and her Aura pulsed softly. As it did, the lines around them swelled with light, and the hairs on Blake's arms stood straight as magic washed over her. "Bridge to Waystation One."
The crystal above them shined, and the sound of a bell rang out around them as Blake felt herself lifted into the air. She braced herself reflexively, reaching out with her shadow and finding... solid ground below her? She glanced down and... she was standing on solid air. No, not quite: a shimmering barrier, hundreds of thousands of tiny lights flickering and shifting into and around each other, magic solidified and corralled into a platform. There was a moment of lurching as it began to move – slowly at first, but rapidly faster until Vale shrunk into the distance and left only ocean surrounding them.
They were deposited at a nearly identical building, surrounded by open ocean. Blake admitted a certain amount of relief at the solid ground beneath her, but the trip had been... surprisingly gentle.
"...So it's a rapid transportation system?"
"Indeed. With the Bridges in place, each linked to the heart of the city, we are able to travel as far as our artificers can imagine."
"And if they run out of power?" The look Blake received in response was amused.
"That... is very unlikely. As I said, they are linked to the heart of the city. While it survives, so shall the Bridges. Now, there are many directions we could go from here, but... Bridge to Ciel." Once again, Blake found herself lifted gently into the air and catapulted across the ocean. She glanced up at the sun and considered for a moment. Wait... we're heading to the northwestern continent? I thought it was barren!
Time changes many things.
Sure enough, a rocky coastline came into view, sheltering an enormous bay. She could see more white structures in the distance, towers spiking forth from the earth, but they were moving too quickly for her to gather details. Moving towards the shoreline... and in the blink of an eye, into a cave perfectly shaped to fit the Bridge-platform. Soft lights lined the walls, blurring by as they sped along.
"Underground... clever. What happens if the Gr- beasts nest down here?"
"The Bridges shield us from above as well as below, and their force is more than sufficient to crush the dark ones. Should they wander into the paths claimed by the city, it ends... poorly."
...The Grimm really must be weaker now, if that's true. It takes a lot to kill the Grimm by blunt impact.
It was difficult to tell, but she could feel herself slowing down... and, not long afterward, the tunnel opened suddenly into an immense cavern, leaving her reeling for a moment at the change. They were set gently down at another Bridge, but Blake could scarcely pay attention.
The cavern was filled with an enormous city, built from the same gleaming white material. Architecture of soft curved lines, with no seams to indicate where the buildings had been put together. Soft, warm lights that filled the cavern and made it seem less intimidating than she would have expected from an underground city.
And in the center, atop a slowly building slope, an enormous tower stood above it all.
"That's our destination." Veve's voice snapped her from her reverie and she nodded. "Normally, we'd take another Bridge... but I think we should walk. You can see the city for the first time from down here, instead of up in the tower." Part of Blake rebelled at the idea of more walking... and yet there was something about Veve's words that touched her. She thought of Menagerie, and how different it looked from her parents' estate versus the view from the marketplaces...
So she nodded, and they began to walk. Blake's eyes were drawn again and again to the buildings and people that surrounded them. In some ways, the architecture seemed more advanced than in the modern day... yet there were things missing that she would expect. Conveniences that she was accustomed to. Even so, the people were... happier? More content? She wasn't sure. Less threatened, perhaps. The genuine admiration of the gazes that turned to Veve was... touching, in a way. Her people really did love her. Like a princess straight out of a story.
"Is that... a Wilder? What is she doing here?" A whisper. Blake's ears twitched.
"I don't know... but she's next to the princess. Maybe something happened? You know how kind the princess can be..."
"What, you think she's a stray? I... well I suppose I could see the princess doing something like that..." The citizen sighed as they passed, and Blake's fingers twitched slightly. Beside her, Veve silently increased their pace, and they continued to ascend towards the tower at the apex of the cavern.
Blake. You are agitated.
Of course I am! They... ugh. You're right. She breathed deeply, focusing on the warmth of the Flame, mirrored from within her heart. All right. With her eyes closed, she never saw Veve's eyes flick in her direction. There's magic everywhere here. It's so... comfortable.
It reminds me of Zeal.
Similar, yet different. The magic here carries more traits from its wielders.
...Yeah. It's more personal. But if it's tied to Aura that would make sense, wouldn't it?
Perhaps. Magic does not always conform to expectations.
Hmm. They passed an open-air building, and she could hear a rhythmic ringing sound from within. It took her a second to place it as the sound of a forge, and for a moment she could almost see Ruby excitedly dashing off to see their techniques. She found herself smiling as the nostalgia stung at her.
"If you're interested in forging, I know a few soulsmiths that wouldn't be opposed to talking with you." At the sound of Geran's voice, she turned to look at him. "I mean... most of them are pretty secretive about their techniques, but you helped me out and there's a few that will be grateful for that."
"I might like that. But... soulsmiths?"
It was Veve who cut in. "They weave the light of our souls with steel, preserving it for the ages and bringing its power to light." She smiled indulgently. "The Bridges are some of their finest work, but far from the only example." Blake noticed the way her hand caressed the hilt of her sword – and around her, many of the soldiers laid a hand upon their weapons as well.
Hmm.
"Now, we've nearly arrived at the Tower. I will be reporting to my mother on everything that's happened; I'll have you escorted to the guest chambers for the moment. You can rest and cleanse yourself... I likely won't be able to see you again until tomorrow, but I will ensure you have a guide who knows where you are allowed for the night." Veve eyed her carefully. "...And while I think you already know this, please do not slip away without your escort. You are my guest, and what you do will reflect on me."
Blake frowned, but nodded. "I understand. Am I limited in where I go?"
Veve made a noncommittal gesture. "For the night, yes. You'll most likely be restricted to the general areas of the Tower. I'll be speaking with my mother, though, and by tomorrow you'll likely have many more freedoms. Besides, if there is somewhere you wish to go I can take you there myself."
Considering that, Blake could merely nod.
"This will be your room, ma'am. If you need anything, I will be just outside." The servant curtsied prettily before closing the door, and Blake allowed her eyes to take in the room she'd been given. It was clearly a guest room, and not lived in... yet free of dust or other signs of disuse. A large bed, a chair and desk, a window looking out on the lights of the city below. Some bookshelves – her eyes scanned the titles and saw various subjects. Some that sounded like fairy tales, others that seemed to talk about the city itself. Atop the bed was a piece of folded cloth, and as she lifted it it unfurled into a long dress. She blinked, feeling the softness of the fabric between her fingers, as her eyes traced along the cut. It... flowed, was the best description she could think of. She imagined that walking in it would cause cascades of motion in the dark fabric, but it would conceal some of her body's motion at the same time. Small white geometric accents drew attention to the neck and arms.
Judging by the quality of the fabric... this is very expensive. And... really not my style. She frowned, looking down at her outfit. Her torn, blood-crusted outfit.
...Damn. Shaking her head, she made her way into the washroom to bathe.
When Veve mentioned the "greatest" of Ciel's wonders, I think she was talking about magically heated water. Blake allowed herself to sink down into the literally perfect bath, breathing deeply. She did, naturally, make sure to keep her ears above water and listen carefully. If she'd had Gambol Shroud, it would be within arm's reach. But, then again... She glanced down at her right hand. I suppose I'm always armed now. She could almost hear Ruby and Weiss groaning, and Yang's offer of a high-five... once again, a small and nostalgic smile crossed her face.
Slowly, her mind turned towards her plans. She'd need something to occupy herself for the night, it seemed, and she wasn't sure how broad her options were. She'd have to ask the servant where she was allowed. Maybe there was a library of some sort that she could...?
Her eyes widened and she sat up suddenly. Wait. How could I read those book titles? How can I understand any of them? Veve doesn't even have an accent. That doesn't make any sense!
Language is irrelevant.
She paused, ears flicking back and forth in agitation. What?
The Frozen Flame is tied to the concept of Communication. Not only have you bound yourself to it, but your Aura has chosen to emulate it.
So... what, I can speak any language now? She shook her head at the ridiculousness of the idea, before pausing to consider the other ridiculous things that had happened so far.
When you speak, you will be understood. When you seek to understand, you shall. Language is irrelevant.
She blinked, before slowly settling back into the bath. I suppose that's convenient. So they're hearing me in their own language?
Yes.
Can I write in their language?
Not without overt signs of magic.
Hmm...
Blake has revealed a trait! Thaumoglot - Blake has emulated the Frozen Flame, and in so doing has carved the concept of Communication into her very identity. When she speaks, she is understood. When she listens, or reads, she understands. No language barrier will ever exist between her and another sentient creature.
You have come at last to the city of Ciel. For the moment, you are confined to the Tower at its apex, and must limit your actions to the immediate area.
Choose an action. The eyes of Ciel are upon you.