To Pierce The Heart by Draith

Author:Draith [Draith]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Darryl Kirtzinger
Published: 2023-11-06T16:00:00+00:00

3.20 Helluva Drop

8:44 am, local time. (July 15, 2023, 1:44 pm.)

I know I can fly, yet the abyss remains daunting. The clouds drifting below us must be hundreds of metres down. Other than the distance, the clouds are reassuring, making the abyss less… abyssie.

Pulling my gaze upwards, I notice there are K'tharn moving about on a nearby enclosed walkway. In fact, I notice there are a large number of enclosed walkways that form the backbone of the superstructure that is Aethire. A lone figure soars past overhead, her fur pressed back with the speed of her passage as she flies between several walkways, disappearing from sight.

"It's good to be home," Tipan comments, stepping up next to us while taking a deep breath.

"That's a hell of a drop," Beth notes, her new cloak unfurling into wings as she flies over the edge looking down. The dark black feathers only flutter slightly as they lift her up. As near as I can tell they're styled after actual raven wings. Though all I know about raven wings is that they're black and have feathers, so maybe not?

Despite the fine articulation and appearance, they remain obviously magical in function, easily holding Beth in place despite the lack of flapping.

"Indeed. This is a rather impressive achievement." Roberts doesn't get as close to the edge, standing back next to Demo, whose limp remains. Guess Raz didn't have anything to help.

"Now, kid, where's Josh?"

Following the connection, I lead us around to the far side of Rufka's pod. This side of her pod shows the edge of the abyss. In the distance, I can see the mountains along the edge scraping the bottom of the clouds.

Damn, we're a long way up.

Josh's connection draws my gaze to just beyond the peaks. At first I only catch a flicker of light, but when I focus with my twi-noculars (twilight-culars?), I'm able to see the same silver spire. It's surrounded by a city similar to the dungeon we escaped from, all the way down to the silver bullets. And behind the city is a body of water that I'm pretty sure is the Lathaic Sea.

"Looks like Josh is either in or pretty darn close to that Builder city outside Aethire. That's good right?"

"Not if he's inside the city. We'll have to pass through the Builders' toll gates," Tipan replies.

"An iron per day, right?" I ask, checking my essence. It shouldn't be a problem, we all have plenty of shards.

"Yes. But that's only one issue. The Aetherium maintains their own guardhouse at the only gate they haven't blocked off."

"Blocked off how? Wouldn't we be able to manipulate our way through their walls?" Roberts asks, a small globe of water in hand for emphasis as he gestures at me.

"The sealed gates are still patrolled. I've served on those patrols in the past," Tipan answers.

"We only need intel. There's no guarantee Josh is inside. And if he is, hopefully, the kid can take us right past those obstacles."

Even as the others keep talking, my attention returns to Rufka, who's holding me tightly to her side.

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