Floor 9 - Chapter 5 - A Royal Meeting
The group headed through the snow, following the two members who actually had the Tracking skill, and in that moment, Jet hoped they weren't just chasing some form of echo from a monster's cry.
''Anything?''
''Shh, I hear it. It's coming from over there!'' Toot. A few seconds passed by, before the next whistle, and now considerably closer, the group headed towards the noise. Approaching the source of the noise, it remained a mystery as to who was producing it...
''It should be around here somewhere...'' As usual, the word 'should' was one of those words that usually didn't mean what it proclaimed to. It should've been warm here, yet it was a snow covered forest. It should've been safe to play this damned game, yet here they were.
Koharu noticed a strange reflection just a little to their left. The light, rather than reflecting off the snow as it should've, seemed to change direction at a certain point. ''Umm, I think I've found our mystery whistler?'' She questioned, as she waved her hand near the refraction, to see if that did anything...
It did, and a cloak dropped to reveal the source of the whistle. ''I'm most pleased that you came, young warriors. I'm glad you're well too.'' Stood in front of them, was the Dark Elf they'd assisted on the fifth floor, Merja. Her armour looked more worn than it had on the fifth floor, but that was almost certainly due to the Fallen stepping up their game now. None of them had any doubts that it was, or was very soon to be, all hands on deck. ''I wish our reunion was under better circumstances, however...''
''Under better circumstances?'' Koharu wondered what that meant.
''Lady Kizmel is being held captive inside the Moongleam Castle. She is not allowed to leave the place.''
''Wait... why would the Lyusulans capture one of their best knights?'' Jet asked, very confused. The only explanation that popped into his head was that they considered her a traitor for some reason. Maybe she'd came into knowledge that wasn't to be known? Otherwise, it had to be a set up, Kizmel had always been staunchly on the side of... Oh! Jet mentally slapped himself. The whole thing about the Sacred Tree... maybe she'd found out which side, if any, were actually correct! That would certainly explain it!
''There is a risky method that you could use to ask her yourselves. An old way to enter the castle unseen.''
''Some sort of old tunnel, or sewer system, maybe?'' Phillia asked.
''The Cave Beyond the Hills leads into a hidden set of corridors in the castle. They were supposed to be for smuggling the Royals out, should it be necessary. However, as they have not seen use for this purpose in a very long time, monsters began to breed in the damp conditions offered by the waterways. I trust that you shall be able to handle the settled monsters?''
''We've gotten a fair bit better since you last saw us, Merja.'' Jet stated confidently.
''I look forward to seeing you all in action. I shall accompany you, as the door requires an incantation to open. If you will excuse me, I'm just going to check the cave entrance for traps. I would recommend preparing whilst I am gone.'' As she left, Jet scanned through his list of potions. A sizeable number of HP recovery potions, and anti-ailment potions, along with some drinks he'd prepared for long treks. This counted as the latter, and so, he materialised one of them - a glass bottle, that emanated heat, with a dark brown liquid in it.
''What's that?''
''Oh, just coffee. Figured I'd need it, given we've been up nearly a day now.''
''Uhh, you gonna share that, or...''
''Sure, just take a sip. There's enough here to allow you to see Muhammed Ali in a dark room with your eyes shut, anyway. I'd rather not be bouncing off the walls later.'' Phillia was first to take a sip from the bottle, and evidently didn't enjoy it, her face contorted as she handed the bottle back.
''Jeez, how much sugar did you put in that!?''
''Only about normal. Seven or eight, I think?''
''You know what, I'm less concerned about you dying in here, and more about you developing Type 2 Diabetes, if that's what you consider normal!'' Mito muttered, whilst Phillia nodded. She actually liked sweet things, but eight sugars was ridiculous! It felt like the sort of thing a ten year old would do, when let loose in the kitchen for the first time...
''Anyway, what do you think happened? I mean, trapping one of their own knights seems a bit paranoid, right?'' Philia asked, changing the topic.
''Never underestimate a group of people on the warpath, Ginge. They'll always find a reason to scapegoat someone...'' Unlike Jet's usual aura of arrogance, or at least the one Mito felt, there was one of genuine anger this time. Almost as if he knew how that felt first hand.
''Still though, you reckon she went against them?''
''I doubt it, but maybe she found something they didn't want her knowing?'' Rain thought aloud.
''Even if that's what's happened, we're going to help her. She's helped us so many times, that we can't fail her now!'' Koharu spoke, almost as if she were impersonating her boyfriend giving a speech. If Jet were entirely honest, it felt more impressive seeing her act like that, than any of the times he'd ever acted like that.
Mito was the first to speak up after Koharu's speech. ''You guys all want to help this Kizmel out, right? She's an NPC though, it's not like she's, you know... a real person or anything. Just ones and zeroes.'' She shrugged. They weren't real, after all. Set dressing, with a limited range of actions and emotions, nothing more. Acting like they were human just an exercise in futility, and as cold as she'd probably came off to them, she didn't want them getting hurt because they tried to save nothing more than some code...
''Maybe so, but I'd rather treat the NPCs as though they were real, and find out that they're not, than the other way round. Less guilt that way. Besides, as Koharu said, Kizmel's helped us out of numerous scrapes, so I think it's only fair that we return the favour.''
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After a brief while, the group had finished preparing, and Merja had returned from her reconnaissance mission, giving the group a slight fright when she did. They'd worked out a battle plan, and a route for their infiltration mission too.
The Cave Beyond the Hill was the point where they'd enter the route, before finding their way through the Old Waterway, which led to a door to the Queen's Chamber. Most of them had reservations about their final destination being the Queen's Bedroom, because it really didn't take a genius to work out that the room would be one of, if not the most heavily guarded in the castle, but right about now, it was the only plausible option left.
The entrance to the Cave was a dark and damp affair, as moss grew on the walls and floor, as stalactites drooped from the ceiling, formed from centuries of water ingress to the caverns. The cold, sharp winds outside gave way to just a slight draft, and before too long, the group had passed through the Cave, coming out into a large chamber like area.
The reason for the stalactites soon became obvious, as the noise of gushing water came from above in multiple directions, falling into the bottom of the chamber, now long since claimed by the water itself. A series of raised walkways had been built long ago, probably centuries ago even, and many of them had strange altar like pillars on them, with markings that none of them could read. Chances were, humanity weren't the only species to have lost things to the ravaging sands of time, and those pillars would remain forever a mystery...
''I wonder what those pillars are?'' Koharu asked, whilst everyone else continued to scan the chamber for foes.
''Long ago, and before the Great Separation, this chamber was used for purification ceremonies, supposedly. Throughout the centuries though, the changes to the landscape, and the infestation of monsters has meant that such ceremonies stopped. The only time we send anyone down here now is to vanquish the monsters, and clear out the path, should it be necessary to be used.''
''We don't need disguises then?'' Rain asked.
''No, we won't be seen. Such clearing duties have fell by the wayside since the beginning of the war, but I will implore you to keep your voices down once we exit the Waterway, as we are directly underneath the castle.''
With caution, the group began to exit the Waterway, and as they did, a number of monsters began to spawn. ''Guess we can't sneak up on them, right?'' This was going to be a long... whatever time of day it actually was. For all he knew, it was 2am now...
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Jet's assumption had proven right, and after nearly forty minutes of uninterrupted fighting, seeing their destination was almost like discovering an oasis in a desert... he just hoped it wasn't a mirage, as so often happened in the desert. ''We're here... finally.'' Jet muttered, doing his best to keep his voice down, given their proximity to a heavily guarded castle.
''The door is just over there. Stay close whilst I open it.'' Merja stated, as she began to head over to the door on the other side of the chamber. Unlike the previous one, this was a simple affair, no markings or any special features, just sand coloured bricks, with some extruded pillars and some steps.
''We'll be fine on the other side, right?'' Koharu asked, clutching at her Faith.
Jet went to reassure her, but Merja spoke before he'd finished forming a coherent thought in his head. ''Yes, you should be able to meet with Kizmel right away.''
''I hope it'll be okay...'' Evidently not particularly reassured, Koharu seemed quieter than normal.
''Listen, we came here because you wanted to make sure this NPC is okay, right.'' Mito seemed somewhat frustrated at Koharu, and whilst Jet was okay with accepting Mito's annoyance at him as being unfounded, but understandable given the impression he gave off, if she thought was going to snap at Koharu, she had another thing coming...
''Her name is Kizmel. Got that?'' Jet stood above everyone else, and made his statement in a far more commanding tone. Mito just rolled her eyes at the posturing, and continued anyway.
''Sure. But we've gotten through there fine. Why are you worrying now, of all times...''
''I dunno, maybe it has something to do with us heading into the Queen's Chamber of all places...'' Phillia muttered, as Mito looked towards her.
''What I'm saying is, we'll be fine. Stop worrying about it.'' Jet held back a rant at just how stupid that philosophy was, in his opinion. Telling someone to stop worrying about something was like asking an asthmatic person to 'just breathe properly' or a depressed person to 'just be happy'. It was absolutely stupid advice on a good day, and far more destructive than just keeping quiet in some cases. With that, Jet thought that he finally understood a bit more about Mito's character too...
It hadn't escaped his attention that Rain was giving her an equally nasty look too. ''Let's just get on with our mission. Merja, what happens if we get caught?''
''I cannot say, but I daren't imagine it will be pleasant. If I get caught, I will be lucky to get off with only my position as a Knight revoked, and even that would be a testament to Her Majesty's kindness.''
''So why are you helping us then? Hardly the path of least resistance, is it?'' Mito asked.
''Because I feel it is the right thing to do, and I can see how much you care for Kizmel.'' That response took Mito by surprise. Did the NPC just consider morality and emotions as a part of their dialogue. ''However, I do want you to take this, as thanks for helping me.'' Merja handed Koharu a small glass bottle, containing a swirling white mist inside it.
Phillia looked over at it, and recognised it almost immediately. ''Isn't that the same smoke the Forest Elves use?''
''Yes, and no. Yes, in that it is a smoke attack, and no, as it does not have the same effects.''
''So, it doesn't provide a smokescreen then?''
''I cannot say it's exact effects, but you will find out when you use it.'' She not-quite explained, as she opened the incantation on the door. ''Now, I wish you the blessings of the Sacred Tree. Go.'' Everyone headed off, and Jet gave their ally a salute as he did. To his surprise, Merja saluted back, mirroring him...
Hands on weapons, everyone headed into the Queen's Chamber. As was to be expected, the room was lavishly decorated, with various wooden decorations built on top of the white brick walls. Hanging from the ceiling were three small chandeliers, each with three candle holders, quite befitting of the castle on Floor 9, Jet thought to himself momentarily, before his head snapped back to action. A burgundy carpet was laid on the floor, and looked pristine, with even the gold trimming being perfectly intact. His next thought was that his mom would've loved this place... very posh looking.
''Definitely fits a Queen's chamber, right?'' Phillia whistled, as she looked around. Jet hoped he wouldn't have to make sure she didn't have light fingers, alongside her dungeon crawling exploits, else this would be a long day...
As he did wonder that, an unfamiliar voice spoke. The voice was obviously female, and they spoke quite authoritatively, with very little trace of an accent of any kind. If he had to describe it, Jet would've said it was a textbook example of Received Pronunciation. ''Indeed it does. Usually, I would ask what five strangers with weapons are doing in my room, but then again, I'd usually know why.'' The voice soon had an appearance to go along with it, and even Mito was somewhat surprised. Clad in a long, purple stone coloured dress, with a light purple shoal over her shoulders. Very long purple hair flowed down her back, and almost to the floor, tied into a long ponytail.
''Your majesty! They are no assassins, they're my friends!'' A more familiar person ran into the room, and was soon greeted by four of the five.
''Kizmel!'' - Koharu raced forward and drew Kizmel into a hug.
''I assume you took the route through the Old Waterway?'' Kizmel sighed, ''Must you always take the risky route?''
Jet shrugged, whilst Koharu was a little busy hugging Kizmel. Whilst both of them were preoccupied, both Rain and Phillia realised who they were stood in front of, and rather quickly bowed.
Initially confused, the same realisation soon dawned on both Jet and Koharu, and eventually dawned on Mito, who all bowed in front of who they hoped was the Queen of Lyusula. If she wasn't the Queen, then all of them would look a bit daft.
''I'm terribly sorry your majesty, these are my friends - Jet, Koharu, Rain and Phillia. This, as you already understand, is Queen Idhrendis of Lyusula.'' Kizmel introduced, and everyone bowed once again. Mito seemed a bit put out at being ignored, but kept quiet about it.
''I've heard all about your endeavours, all of you. Very impressive, I must say. Girl-'' Idhrendis looked over at Mito ''- I notice you did not introduce yourself. I take it you are a friend of theirs?''
''Ally, certainly.'' Mito erred on the side of caution, and considering she already didn't like one of the four, wouldn't have classed them as friends anyway, as cold as that seemed. ''I'm Mito, your majesty. An honour to meet you.'' She tried to be as polite as possible, but it wasn't like schools had a 'how to introduce yourself to a monarch' class...
''Interesting...''
''Just one question, your majesty?'' Jet asked, hesitantly.
''As you request.''
''So, we aren't for the chopping block for, you know, sneaking in here?''
''Not at all. In fact, I asked Merja to bring you here, should you try to enter the castle.'' For a brief second, all of them wondered exactly why the queen had gone to such lengths, before a load of stuff became a little more obvious...
'' 'None but Lyusulans shall pass this gate.' I believe you understood the message.'' Kizmel seemed impressed.
''Yep, even if a couple of ideas weren't the best.'' Jet's idea to hang glide their way in had been a particularly bad one, although he maintained he'd suggested it as a joke, rather than being serious. No one bought that.
''In any case, I must apologise for making you jump through so many hoops. I have a horrible feeling that if the acolytes knew what I was trying to do, they would not approve, and so, I must avoid acting openly.''
''Your majesty, what are you trying to achieve?'' Rain asked, a sense of worry starting to come over her.
''To seal the cathedral, so that none may ever enter it again. That was my reason for gathering the keys, and why I must depart for a certain location.''
''As you know, the Fallen Elves have the Agate Key, and are bringing the army of the Kales'Oh here now. It is essential that Her Majesty and the keys are protected. That is why I've chosen to stay here to defend the castle and her.'' Even Mito, who'd never met Kizmel before, could tell the apprehension in her tone.
''Kizmel, are you okay with that? I thought you'd decided to fight to end this war for the sake of your sister?'' Koharu asked.
''If Tilnel were here, I think she would make the same decision as I have. As long as the Kales'Oh refuse peace, then I fear our only path is this one. Those in Kales'Oh will inevitably choose the same fate as their king.''
''There are Kales'Oh working to change the way things are. Here, look!'' Koharu handed Kizmel the scroll containing the antidote. ''There's a general, Wendelin, he's standing against the Fallen Elves. They just want to cure the king!''
''Cure the king?'' Both Idhrendis and Kizmel looked confused.
''The king has been poisoned, and the chancellor has taken over control. He's the one working with the Fallen!''
''I see, that is better news. If the king is not voluntarily working with the Fallen, then there may be some hope for peace after all. We will prepare this antidote for you, but it will take time. Until then, you can all stay in the castle. I shall have someone make up rooms for you. You are welcome to use our facilities too, if you so wish.'' Idhrendis and Kizmel escorted the group out of the room, and pointed them into the directions of the rooms she spoke of.
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Once the meeting with the Queen had been concluded, the group had gone to their rooms, except for Jet, who'd chosen to make use of the facilities, the main one being the training room. A large room, about the size of a PE classroom back home, and about as interesting too. Instead of the basketball nets, there were multiple crystals in the middle of the room, for the knights to slash and hack at, to improve their skills.
As it turned out, they'd been on their mission for nearly two days, and it was starting to show. It had been a strange twenty hours, Jet thought to himself. In that time, they'd become double agents by bringing the phrase 'the enemy of my enemy' to life, they'd infiltrated a castle, sabotaged a corrupt chancellor, pissed off the other side royally, snuck into yet another castle, and had witnessed someone being murdered in front of their eyes. No prizes for guessing which of these was weighing heavily on Jet's mind, as he wrought havoc on the crystal in front of him. So far, he'd landed nearly fifty hits on the crystal, many of them from Sword Skills, and yet he hadn't so much as chipped it.
Deciding that, today had been a day and some of having to hold in his thoughts of the day's events, and try not to say exactly what he was thinking, that anger was welling up, and it was beginning to show in his attacks. Each one was becoming less and less controlled as the minutes went on, and before too long, the technique had been replaced by just sheer force, each strike coming faster than the last one, before the knight stumbled on his final strike, and fell to the floor, exhausted.
A small, almost imperceptible chip had started to form in the crystal, but that was all he had to show for nearly an hour in the training chamber. Well, that, and having collapsed onto the floor.
''Enjoying your nap?'' A familiar, teasing voice came from above him. Or behind him, at this point his head hadn't quite stopped spinning yet...
''Urghhh...'' He assessed the day in one sound.
''Describe our day in one word, huh.'' Phillia couldn't bring herself to disagree with his drawling assessment of the day or so they'd all had. ''I'm assuming you and Koharu haven't had a chance to talk yet, what with the... whatever it was you were just doing.''
''She... I-I really don't know what to say. Hell, even earlier when I gave her that speech... I'm not convinced it was anything more than syllables strung together.'' Phillia ignored that, what he'd described was in fact, how languages worked, and so, of course it was exactly that. She figured that he meant he didn't know if it made sense or not, and chose to give him a break from the pedantry. ''We watched someone be murdered in front of us... how the hell does anyone address that elephant?!''
''Huh, and here's me thinking you always knew the right thing to say. I don't know either, but I think she'll need someone to lean on, maybe more than ever, and for better or worse, that'll be you. So go and be a good boyfriend, and go do-'' Phillia's mind ran blank as spoke, ''-boyfriendy stuff. That does remind me though... you and Rain. Because I swear, if you're cheating on-''
''It's not like that!''
''I know, just wanted to get one over you. I know she's in love with you still, no matter how much she denied it to me, and you and Koharu are madly in love with each other...''
''You know, saying it like that makes you sound bitter...'' Jet joked, as Phillia pouted.
''I'm not bitter!'' She protested a little too quickly...
''Me thinks the lady doth protest too much... Anyway, with Rain, I honestly wondered if she liked me, or what I ended up representing to her. I still do, if I'm honest.''
''Uhh, and that would be?''
''Apparently, she saw Koharu and I training a few days after we got here. Somehow, I ended up a knight in shining armour to her, and Christmas Eve, she actually did admit she liked me.''
''And knowing Rain, that was the cutest, most fairytale confession ever?'' Jet raised an eyebrow at Phillia's assumption, and even she looked somewhat confused at her own statement. Why she pictured Rain acting cute and skittish, she wasn't entirely sure, especially as she'd never seen that side of her, even around the Dense Knight, as she'd just come up with.
''Actually, she just snogged me.'' Phillia, who'd decided to take a drink at that moment, did an honest to goodness spit take. ''Then apologised, and ran off. Being me, I had no idea to take that.'' Having now recovered from her spit take, she looked blankly towards Jet, who at least looked slightly annoyed at himself for his density.
''You know, if you actually got any denser, we'd have a black hole, right? But seriously, you and Rain did talk about that, right?''
''Of course we did! I explained to her that I was with Koharu, and she admitted that she knew that I fell for her, before I'd ever admitted it. Something about my eyes, apparently.''
''Eh, they're not ugly eyes, but...'' She shrugged.
''Not like that! She meant it was like a look when I was around Koharu, and I never seemed to have it around anyone else.''
''Aww, that's actually really cute.'' Phillia cooed, as Jet looked on blankly. ''Anyway, that wasn't what I came to talk to you about. I know the past few days have been rough on all of us, and I think, just maybe, it hit you harder than everyone else. I might be wrong, but I got the impression that you've seen something like that before.''
''Don't be daft. I'm a normal guy, from an admittedly abnormal family. Why would I have seen death before?''
''If you're sure, then I'll leave it be. But if there is something like that bothering you, all- well, almost- all of us will listen, you know?''
''You'll be the first person I run to when I do end up psychologically damaged, because of some stupid mistake I made as a child.'' Jet tried to be sarcastic, but it didn't take a genius to notice he was trying to block off that particular avenue of conversation, especially as he'd inadvertently revealed something about his past that perhaps he wished to keep quiet.
''Aw, you trust me over your girlfriend, that's... worrying, actually.'' Phillia tried to tease, before the reality of that statement set in.
''It was a joke!'' Jet defended himself, as Phillia raised an eyebrow.
''Whatever you say, Jethro. Your girlfriend's waiting for you, by the way. That was why I came here, to drag you back.''
''And yet you wanted to know about my love life?'' - Jet asked.
''Eh, I asked Koharu, and she went bright red.'' Phillia smirked, and Jet just looked towards her like an unimpressed teacher would. This was going to be a long evening...
{Author's Comments}
Sorry for this being a bit late, to say I've not had a good week would be an understatement. I'm currently sat here writing this with COVID, so my output may be slower than I'd like it to be. Basically, it's not much fun. Would not recommend getting it.
Anyway, normal service will be resumed sometime hopefully soon.