Ch. 34 – Sirinê (I) (Patreon)

“Good.” Felix patted him on the shoulder and stood up, gesturing for Tinuriel to do so as well. The two he had sent off to get the Watchmen returned with a squad of twenty. Felix held up his badge and explained the situation. The enforcers of order split into two halves – half taking the chained-up gaggle and putting them in handcuffs before taking them away, and the others escorting the rescued people.

Felix and Tinuriel followed them back to the Watch post, and Felix filled out some documents recounting what had happened on the docks and in the warehouse. Tinuriel kept Basilio in her grip the whole way and kept him with them as they left.

Watch Commander Ximena Lazlor came running up to them. She paused in front of them and took a few deep breaths before regaining her composure. “Word got to me through our network. You took out the Sewer Serpents whole operation?”

Felix nodded, “It wasn’t too hard. And this one,” he poked at the man, “Is responsible for putting together the plot to kill Billiam III.”

She looked at the man and tutted, “I would’ve never expected an upstanding member of Mercantus’ upper class to be involved in this.” She looked past the man to Felix, “Come on, let’s get him to the Investigator branch.”

Traveling the city was rapid as Ximena led them through hidden alleyways and shortcuts that reduced their travel time. But the sun was still beginning to rise as they arrived and put the man behind bars. Felix handed over all the evidence he had gathered and worked with Ximena and Investigator G.H.W. to put together a massive report. It took most of the day. Tinuriel left for a bit to explore the city, and by the time night fell once more and Felix’s eyes were drooping from exhaustion, she came back.

“Done,” Ximena said as she put the last signature on it. “I’ll have a few copies made.” She leaned back in the chair, “Next up is the issue of who is going to dole out justice for this. You have all the evidence you need, but how do you bring down a king? Especially one who controls Ethdellin?”

Felix rubbed his face and groaned feeling the waves of lethargy wash over him. “Get me a copy tomorrow. I’ll deal with it.”

G.H.W. coughed slightly, “You sure? Versewalkers might be renowned, but taking down a king?”

Felix stood up, “Let us worry about that.” He looked over to Tinuriel and smiled softly, “We did our job. Time for some rest.”

The two left and went across the street to their hotel. Felix stumbled a few times on his ascent up the stairs, but Tinuriel held him upright. The bed was a welcome comfort and he fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.

Felix woke up, his head nestled between pillows and Tinuriel’s large torso. He sighed and pushed himself up. “Morning,” she whispered.

Felix groaned in response and sat up all the way. “How long was I out?”

“It’s midday. I let you sleep in.” Tinuriel reached into Felix’s inventory and pulled out some Versewalker Rations, unwrapping one and handing the bar of food to him. He bit into it and felt a wave of energy surge through him as the lemony-sweet tartness woke him up.

“Since when can you reach into my inventory?”

“Versewalker Escorts can reach into your inventory with your – or my – permission. I figured that she should have access.”

“Smart.” Felix finished off his food and went to the bathroom to throw some water on his face before he came out. Tinuriel was already dressed and ready to go, and the two went across the street once more. Felix turned in his and Tinuriel’s badges, and Ximena came down the stairs.

Her eyes were bloodshot, and she was holding a steaming cup in her hand. “Here’s the report.” She handed him a sheaf of papers – double the size of what they had compiled the night before – and gave him a slight smile. “You did a lot of good here. With the Sewer Serpents gone, we should be able to clean up the snazpliff trade.”

“No problem,” Felix said as he put the report into his inventory.

“What’s the plan for taking down a king?” she asked as she sat down.

“I was thinking we just sneak into the city, capture the king, and then find the next highest-ranking person and show them the evidence.”

Her eyes went wide, and she gulped down a large amount of the hot beverage, heedless of the heat radiating from it. “That…well…good luck.”

The two left and made their way to the lifts to the next Tier. These ones were not well-guarded, and it was more like Paternoster elevator, as several box frames on chains went up and down. They waited their turn and ascended. After an hour ride up, they stepped out onto the second Tier. Sirinê, the Scholarly Stronghold.

A large, stone-paved road led directly to another set of lifts going up to the first Tier, but the road split into two other paths, one left, one right. One path was marked with deep, red-colored stones, and the other with blue-white stones.

Most people were traversing the distance between Mercantus and the next Tier, but a handful – either in plain attire, or blue or red robes, respectively, went down either marked side path. “What’s this about?”

Lucifer whispered aloud, just loud enough for Tinuriel to also hear. “There are two Mage Colleges. On the left is the College of Heaven, where they learn how to master Heavenly Realms Anima.

On the right, the College of Chaos, where they learn the opposite, Primal Chaos Anima.”

“This is where we might actually find some mages,” Tinuriel replied. “That means we may have to deal with hostile Magics for the first time.”

“From what the System query returned, magi stay in the top three Tiers, rarely leaving this Tier.”

“Is there any reason for us to go visit either?” Felix asked.

“Maybe you could learn a new Affinity? The System is annoying and unhelpful in that query.”

“Which path?” Felix asked.

“Not sure.”

“Quiet,” Tinuriel said as an elderly man in a grey robe approached them from seemingly nowhere. He was carrying a staff and had a soft, serene smile.

“A Versewalker.”

“Yes. I’m Felix. Can I help you?”

“I’m Gary, pleased to meet your acquaintance, young man.” He looked over at Tinuriel, “And a Versewalker Escort. One from Avelion, at that.”

Tinuriel’s hand went to her sword’s hilt, “How?”

“I know much,” The old man snapped before his pleasant demeanor returned. “Now that introductions are out of the way – oh, except your Summon. Hello, there, odd thing.”

He can see me.

That mage with Melanie from a while back could also.

Right. But I get a weird feeling about him. Almost a feeling of familiarity. Lucifer’s voice dropped to a whisper, be cautious.

“Hmph, not a talker.” The man shook his head, “Well, I felt the disturbance when you arrived. As I’m sure you know, there are two rival Mage Colleges here…and they are in conflict.”

Tinuriel crossed her arms, “Let me guess, you want us to solve the problem?”

Gary nodded, “It does not rise to the level of a Versewalker Crisis, but it will possibly cause one.” He chuckled, “And that wouldn’t be good for anyone. A second problem is that there is a group of magi who wish to split off from both colleges and form their own.”

Are you thinking what I’m thinking?

Yeah. Having a whole school of magi in the VBV would be an asset. “I can get those magi out of here and to a place they can do what they want. But how do you expect me to solve a feud between schools?”

The old man cackled, “You’re a Versewalker. I’m sure you’ll figure something out. Do both tasks, and I’ll grant you an Affinity.” They held up four fingers. “Affinities come in four types, and you can’t use them before you hit a certain Core Level. I can grant you a Legendary Affinity.”

How the Hell does this old guy know that? Can they access the System? Lucifer seemed bewildered.

“Who are you?” Felix asked.

The man put a finger to his lips, “Now that would be telling. I’ll be watching.” He vanished into a grey mist.

Not at all disturbing. The sarcasm oozed through Lucifer’s words. Pretty sure that was a deity. It would explain why his presence felt familiar. And why they know so much about Versewalkers.

“Which one first?” Tinuriel asked as they stood in between the two paths, undisturbed despite the odd encounter.

Felix began down the white and blue road, “Let’s start with the College of Heaven.” He thought as he walked. Did he just meet a deity in the flesh? An actual god? The implications of that shook the foundation of his religious upbringing. Hell, he had the literal Lucifer Morningstar in his head and part of his being. He shook his head. No point in dwelling on it. Just take it at face value and move on.

There was a small trickle of people who were traveling alongside the two made their way to the small city that surrounded the enormous structure that was the College of Heaven. An enormous, elaborate construction that blended the architecture of Invictus with a more austere Greco-Roman influence, several spires extended far into the sky and were connected by corridors that were open to the air. The main structure was huge – easily the size of the palace on Invictus.

The two got into town easily enough, but they were stopped at the entrance to the College by a man and woman, both dressed in blue robes with white accents. “Halt! What is your business?”

Fallen Flight. The wings manifested and both mages gasped. “I’m a Versewalker. This is my ally. We are here to help resolve this rivalry between the two Colleges.”

The mages glanced at each other. One of them waved his hands as various arcane symbols appeared in the air, and he muttered, “Distant Speech.” He closed his eyes as Felix waited patiently, taking in the enormous spire above. The man opened his eyes, “Very well. You may enter. Go to the front desk and they will provide directions.”

The two passed by the guards and entered in the interior of the College. Streams of white and light-blue colors floated through the air, providing illumination to the space. People in the same-colored robes – but with different accent marks on the sleeves – went around various tasks or traveled through the main hall. Felix walked up to a desk that sat directly in front of the doors they had entered. People stopped their activities as they saw him walking in with his wings manifested. He leaned on the counter, “Hi. I was told to come here for directions.”

A tall, thin young woman looked past him at Tinuriel and narrowed her eyes. “You both are armed. This is not allowed anywhere apart from the main hall.”

“No exception for a Versewalker?” Felix asked.

“Perhaps…” The woman turned around and picked up a tube-shaped device. She spoke into one end before flipping it and holding the other end up to her ear. Nodding, she placed it back down onto some sort of receiver before addressing Felix, “Dean Dromitus has approved you to carry weaponry whilst inside the College.” She picked up a pamphlet and handed it to Felix, tapping it with her finger as a spark of blue energy flicked from her onto the paper. “That will show you how to get to his office.”

“Thank you,” Felix said as he left, following the map with Tinuriel a step behind.

She leaned over to him, lowering her voice. “Magi are dangerous even without weapons. Keep on guard.”

Felix nodded, “Of course.” They followed the map up the main stairs and down several corridors. Up more stairs and across one of the walkways that was open to the air. They paused here, looking out and taking in the view. Far off in the distance, they could see the red spire of the other College.

“I never thought I’d see it,” Tinuriel said with a soft sigh. “I’ve never been past Dirge. This whole place looks so different from what I’d envisioned.”

“What did you think it would look like?”

She shook her head, “A bunch of small buildings with people in robes all around. Not these huge structures.”

Felix chuckled and tapped her on the shoulder as they finished traversing the bridge and arrived at a spire that, on the map, was labeled as Faculty Offices. They ascended the circular staircase until they arrived at a landing with a single door. Felix knocked politely and took a step back.

A young man answered, dressed in the same robes as the rest of the people they had seen here. He had bags under his eyes. “Who’re you?”

“Versewalker. I’m here to talk to Dean Dromitus.”

The young man nodded and closed the door. A few moments later it opened once more and he waved the two in, “He’ll be with you in a moment.”

The two went inside the neatly appointed study. The young man sat at a large desk and set about sorting and stamping some forms, scribbling notes occasionally. The walls were lined with shelves full of books, and a few chairs were placed opposite this secretary's desk. Felix sat down and grabbed one of the books from the shelf. Heavenly Realms Anima – a Primer. He flipped through the table of contents and skimmed the book. Tinuriel remained standing near the door, on edge, and prepared for anything as usual.

The inner door opened and an overweight man, dressed in the same robes but with a gold lining to them, laughed aloud. “Well! The Versewalker arrives! Please, come in.” They waved the two over, and Felix put the book back before entering the office. The room was very similar to the outside room they were just in, but this had an enormous window that looked out upon the Azure Expanse and the Tiers down below, Mercantus far in the distance. He took a seat behind his desk, “I’m Dean Dromitus.”

“Felix and this is Tinuriel.” He sat down and Tinuriel stood at the door.

“You’re here about our rivalry, eh?”

“In part.” Felix leaned forward. “I’m here for a few tasks. The first is solving this rivalry. How did it start?”

The Dean put his hands behind his head and let out a big sigh. “That’s a long story…”

He explained that when Sirinê was first founded, there was only one type of Anima – Heavenly Realms Anima. But as the Tiers were formed, and people moved further and further away from the portal to the Heavenly Realms above the Soul Spire, the Primal Chaos at the bottom of the Spire surged to fill in the gap. Hence, the creation of Primal Chaos Anima. Both had their strengths and weaknesses – the former was more easily controlled and refined, whilst the latter had more raw power but was not able to be narrowly confined. The Primal Chaos Anima users established a Mage College, and for a while there was a scholarly accord.

But then a Dungeon appeared in between the two. One that had been defeated over and over but kept coming back. The two Colleges took turns sending magi inside to deal with the Dungeon. But the most recent expedition that the College of Chaos had sent failed. Instead of letting the College of Heaven take their turn, they blocked off the Dungeon and insisted that they get to defeat it and claim the rewards.

“So, you just want your turn,” Felix said as the man concluded the small history lesson.

“Yes. It is our turn to try to defeat the Dungeon.” He tented his hands and leaned forward. “So, here is my proposal. You go, use your status as Versewalker to get inside the Dungeon under the guise of helping the College of Chaos. Defeat the Dungeon and return here with whatever the loot is.”

Tinuriel grunted to draw attention from the two men, “Or, we could just defeat the Dungeon ourselves, claim the reward ourselves, and then you’re back to your rotation.”

The Dean looked at her with some anger and frowned, “You could, but the reward for the Sirinê recurring Dungeon is normally only usable by Magi.” He looked back to Felix, “Your female companion does make a – somewhat – valid point.” He shot a glare at her before continuing, “If you defeated and claimed the Dungeon’s prize as your own, that would effectively reset it. Next year, when it returns, it would be my College’s turn.”

Thoughts? Felix asked Lucifer.

We aren’t going to be on Heficyre forever. This is just one Universe out of dozens if not hundreds you may visit over your endless lifespan. I’d say we defeat it for ourselves.

Felix nodded and stood up, “Regardless, we need to get to this Dungeon. Where is it?”

The Dean pulled out a map of the Tier and circled a spot on the far side, opposite the lifts to Ethdellin. “The cave is there. That is always where the Dungeon entrance spawns.”

Felix nodded, “There is one more issue I’m here to address.” The Dean looked up from the map, “There’s a group of students who want to found their own College.”

A dark look crossed the Dean’s face, and he shook his head, “They’re suspended. Heretical nonsense, talking about drawing Anima from the Tiers themselves instead of the Heavenly Realms.”

“Right. Where are they?”

The Dean shook his head, “Unless you swear that you’re going to get that Dungeon reward for us, I don’t see a need to tell you that.”

Felix shrugged, “Fine. I’ll find them myself. Come on, Tinuriel.” The two left as the Dean fumed, staring daggers into their backs. But Felix was confident that the Dean wouldn't take hostile actions against them and risk his ire. Felix held up his hand, “Detect Object.”

They followed the golden line down the stairs, across the expanse to the main building, and kept going further down. Past the entrance hall, and to a set of locked doors with two of the mage guards standing in front. “Hey, you’re not supposed to be down here!” One of them shouted.

“I’m a Versewalker. Here to see those expelled students.”

The two mage guards looked at each other, “How’d you know they’re down here?”

Tinuriel grunted, “We find things. We fix things. Let us in, or I’ll beat you senseless.”

“She will,” Felix followed up. “She’s good at it.”

The two mage-guards went pale and one of them pulled out a key, opening the door and ushering the two inside. Felix went in, following the golden line as they went through the underground corridor. The door shut behind them and was locked.

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