The Bastion of Sages
Their stay at the outpost lasts longer than anticipated; three days before they feel well enough to travel. By the time they finish their stay, the dwarves believe that Lumi is the Saint of Flames. Though he had no intention of using his status to help them through their journey, the severity of their situation called for it. Winning over the dwarves was no small achievement, in those three days, he had labored, extensively repeating himself and showing the dwarves his magick until they finally believed him.
Before leaving the outpost, the leader, Gromm offers Lumi an introduction to Hollegrenn should he wish it. Though the offer is tempting, they stay their course and continue further north.
Following Gromm’s suggestion, they travel along the winding route he proposed, eventually arriving at the imposing bastion after two long days on horseback. Perched precariously on the edge of a deep ravine, the Bastion of Sages stands tall and proud, composed of multiple stone towers connected by delicate bridges.
Lumi dismounts from the horse, but he cannot help but feel uneasy as they gaze up at the structure looming above them. Its design is curious and unnatural, with sharp peaks reaching to the sky and barely a dusting of snow on its surface. The air around the structure feels stagnant as if the world itself refused to touch it. Despite its age, there is no sign of wear or decay — as if time itself would not touch it. No lichen or grime can be found on its pristine surfaces, giving off an eerie aura of perfection.
There are no doors or gates to mark the entrance to this mysterious place. Instead, perfectly placed stones stretch out in a neat line, one after the next. The second tower stands tall and proud, its base disappearing into the ravine below, beyond what Lumi’s eye can see. The third tower stands just as imposingly far from the first, also descending into the seemingly endless depths. The sight is both awe-inspiring and chilling.
Raul’s warning echoes in Lumi’s mind, reminding him of the potential dangers that lie within these walls. But Lumi is drawn to the mystery held within. What kind of temple are you? Lumi wonders.
As he approaches the towers, Lumi can feel his heart pounding with excitement. The sheer vastness of the ravine below adds to the intensity of the moment. His fingers move against the smooth stone. The bastion demands a prescience, similar to the Temple of Life, it draws him in. With his eyes closed, Lumi walks along the wall, his boots crunching through the dense snow.
Around the tower, he rushes, releasing the bridle and running, his hand following along the smooth stones as he seeks an entrance. The walls feel endless, as if they go on for ages until he finds himself back around at the start.
“Did you find the entrance?” Ennui questions, dismounting from her horse. “Are there… stables? Are we supposed to just toss them into the gully?”
Khimi slides from his horse with a heavy thud and looks up at the looming structure, “Can’t say that I have seen anything quite like this… did they teach either of you anything about this?” he asks, looking at Mido and Augustus.
Augustus looks up, “Not anything about this… but I know that this temple is a lot different from the others.”
Lumi glances up at the structure, his brow pinched in focus. “How’re we supposed to get in?” he groans, his eyes trailing along the impossibly tall towers. “Maybe we can draw their attention or make sounds or something.” He slams his palms against the stone with a loud clap. Releasing a growl, he does it again.
“That’ll do a lot of good,” Ennui snorts. “Maybe you can get your big ball of fire up there, wave it around, or what about you, Mido? Care to shoot one of us up there? Maybe you have some other sort of fun magick up your sleeve?”
Mido steps back, his eyes following the towers to the sky, “Yeah, I don’t think that would work unless you’re looking to fall to your death.” His ears twitch, and he turns to look up at the tower bridge. “Someone’s there.”
Everyone turns and looks up at the bridge, a figure in dark robes stands looking down at them, his hand resting gently on the stone railing. Dark hair pulled back tight against his head, a long trail of it hangs along his shoulder and hangs in front of him. His robes billow with a sharp gust of wind, blowing his hair behind him, revealing the dark feathers throughout his hair. An avis[1]…
An audible boom sounds from the wall beside them, a wooden gate appears, nearly twice Khimi’s height. The imposing wooden structure slowly opens on its own, the heavy wooden timbers creak with their absurd weight. The snow before the gates is cleaved to the side as they swing open, creating rolling mounds of white. The horses screech and back away from them.
Lumi glances back to the figure standing on the bridge, only to find it empty. He purses his lips thoughtfully, reminding himself of what he had been told about Gilbert. Was that you, Gilbert?
Ennui looks up at the doors, an ear-to-ear smile on her face. “If I was a smarter woman, I wouldn’t step foot in there… but I’m a curious woman.”
A heavy silence hangs in the air as the group approaches the tower. Ahead, a man and woman dressed in flowing robes stand waiting, their robes open along the front, revealing their tidy attire beneath. As the others dismount, the two figures step forward to take hold of the horses’ bridles, leading them inside through an elaborate gate.
Inside, the scene is almost otherworldly. The space seems much larger than its external appearance would suggest, with grand arching ceilings adorned with intricate carvings and murals. The group can’t help but stare in wonder as they follow the two figures deeper into the tower.
Lumi’s eyes widen in amazement as he steps through the towering gate and into what appears to be a stable built to the right of the entrance. The horses whinny and nicker as they pass by.
They make their way deeper into the stony path that stretches before them, Augustus and the others chatter excitedly amongst themselves. Khimi walks beside Lumi, his arm around his shoulder in a comforting gesture.
“Have you ever seen anything like this?” Lumi whispers to Khimi, disbelief in his eyes as he steals glances back at their companions, who are marveling at the ceiling above.
The stable on their right soon ends abruptly, but the path continues on as far as the eye can see in each cardinal direction. At its center stands a striking statue crafted from dark stone, its jet-black eyes seeming to watch over them with an enigmatic gaze. The figure depicted is an aged man, one hand clutching a book, while the other is raised high with a wooden cane in his hand. Flowing robes cascade behind him, which meet a length of hair that trails down to his waist. Almost immediately, Lumi spots the feathers amongst them. The statue, before them, is the same as the figure he saw on the bridge.
Lumi turns back to the silent figures. The man, only a head taller than himself, perks up and turns to Lumi as he clears his throat. His eyes, deep brown and full of warmth, meet Lumi’s inquisitive gaze. “Where do we go?” Lumi calls out to them, “It is… a lot different on the inside.”
A small smile tugs at the corner of the man’s lips. “Wherever your heart desires. Eventually, you’ll find where you need to go.”
The woman, whose presence was almost forgotten, pipes up. She pulls on the strings of her coif and loosens her lengthy blonde hair down the sides of her face. “You did find your way to the Bastion of Sages after all,” she says, admiration evident in her voice. “That is no small feat.”
Ennui scoffs at her words, a look of annoyance crossing her features. “No small feat, huh? We traveled… halfway around godsdamned Talmus,” she mutters under her breath. “So how about you just tell us where to go, alright? Better yet, you could show us.”
“Ennui,” Lumi whispers to her, placing a hand on her upper arm. “It’s okay, we can find it.”
The woman tilts her head from side to side as if considering their request, then straightens her robes. “Well, I suppose I could at least take you to the commons.” she offers kindly.
Mido’s ears perk up suddenly. “Is there… is there anywhere to eat?” he asks eagerly.
“Certainly,” the man replies, a friendly smile on his face as he ties the horses to a nearby post.
The gate closes behind them with a loud bang. The final drifts of snowfall into the tower and melt over the smooth stones. The light from outside fades, leaving them in a strangely lit room. Chandeliers hang high from the ceilings, casting a familiar burnished orange glow that reminds Lumi of the streets of Rhaz.
“We can show you to the kitchen first,” the woman offers, gesturing towards a nearby doorway. “You should be able to find your way to the commons from there.”
The figures turn abruptly past the stable and continue to the west, their footsteps echoing through the endless hallway. Lumi can sense the vastness of the tower, its expanse stretching far beyond what should be possible. The passages they travel through are lined with opaque stained-glass, casting an array of colors across the cool, stone floors. Sporadically, other figures cross their path. Some in flowing robes, others in sleek, unfamiliar clothing that catches Lumi’s eye.
Eventually, they reach a grand room where the ceiling seems to disappear into the heavens above. A painted sky stretches overhead, creating an illusion of openness in the enclosed space. Despite the artificial light, plants thrive all around them, sprouting from every crevice in the stone walls and carpeting the floor with a verdant blanket.
Ennui comes to a halt at the edge of a tiled area and kneels down, her leather gloves discarded as she runs her fingertips through the lush grass beneath them. Lumi takes in the surreal beauty of this scene, wondering how such a natural landscape could exist within the confines of a tower made of stone.
“How is all of this possible?” Lumi wonders aloud, his eyes shaking with excitement.
The short man turns abruptly, smiling softly, a touch of red in his rounded cheeks. “The divine!” He says cheerfully. “A gift from the gods. Those who seek knowledge may find a home here.”
Khimi looks around, a dazed look in his eyes, his copper features grow pale. “I heard… places like this exist bu–”
The woman’s voice squeaks with excitement, “Right you are. The arcane tower in the Vald is much the same. It serves as a home for mages, provided by the gods of magick. But this… these aren’t just mages. These are students of knowledge, seekers of truth!”
“Where are all of these people from? We didn’t see any travelers coming this wa–”
“There wasn’t even a damned footprint through all that snow!” Ennui growls, looking around, her fingers pulling at the grass, ripping through the roots.
The man brushes his hand through his hair nervously, clearly anxious to explain, “Well… most people don’t physically travel here. The majority use waygates.” He rocks back and forth on his heels as he speaks.
Lumi’s whisper barely escapes his lips, “Waygates?” He can feel his curiosity growing.
The woman’s furrowed brow creases with worry as she speaks. “Waygates, waypoints, runestones, locations of power… ?” Her voice trembles slightly as she looks around at the group. “You’ve never heard of them before, hon?”
Augustus throws his hands up in frustration. “Mido, is this what you meant when you said there was an easier way?”
Mido nods hesitantly and glances around at the others. “I thought everyone knew they existed…”
Khimi’s lip twitches with surprise. “I am familiar with gates, but I had never known of any that were accessible to anyone other than mages.”
“I suppose it depends on where you’re from too,” the woman replies. “Can’t use a waypoint if you don’t have access to one. There is one in Loria, Wiltz… there was one in Winterholt.”
“The Vald, Dolmas, Sho, and also in many of the major temples.”
“Like, say, would the Sanctum of Balance have one?” Khimi questions, clutching at the woolen fabric of his jacket.
“Of course, hon. Davani herself comes here quite often,” the woman replies. “Though… she makes a curious guest.”
Lumi looks at Khimi with a stunned expression, his mouth ajar as he turns to the two figures. “What about the T-Temple of Life? Or The S-Sepulcher of Rites?” he asks, stammering.
“Not since the Temple of Life moved from Dolmas. I don’t recall ever hearing anything about Saint Sephtis having a waygate either, come to think of it. But that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t exist. There are inactive waypoints all over the world, some have been destroyed, while others are simply untraveled,” the man replies hurriedly, his expression tense at Lumi’s unease.
A sudden pain throbs through Lumi’s head, “What do you mean… ?” he asks, wanting to cry.
Ennui laughs, standing up, her body rigidly straight. “What he means, Lumi. Is that we wasted a lot of time.”
Lumi wants to scream. He covers his eyes, his mouth opening and closing rapidly. “All that time… ? We could have just asked Davani!?”
“Oh, don’t be too hard on yourself, hon! We live and learn, isn’t that right?” She says, reaching a hand out to pat Lumi on the shoulder.
“That’s right, hon,” The man replies, a cheerful smile on his face. “And in fairness, I don’t think Davani allows just anyone through her gate.”
Ennui snickers, “That isn’t what I hea–”
“Ennui!” Khimi interrupts with a scolding glare. Grabbing Lumi’s shoulder, he shakes him, “We had to travel to Cochon anyway… remember?”
The man clears his voice, “And don’t be too concerned, some places don’t allow just anyone to pass through their waygates anyway. And… well, sometimes Gilbert sends his disciples out into the world to bring people to the bastion.”
“Certainly wish Gilbert would have given us that treatment,” Ennui mutters, stepping onto the grass and continuing through the room.
With a determined stride, the group follows behind her as she leads them through a maze of halls. Each door she opens reveals another glimpse into the grandeur of the bastion. Finally, they reach a large, open room filled with clusters of individuals from all corners of the land. There is a murmur of quiet conversations and the aroma of tantalizing food throughout the room.
The scent of rich spices and succulent meats wafts toward them, a welcome change from their bland meals since leaving their home. In this northern region, flavorful cuisine is hard to come by, lacking in anything beyond the heat of pepper. Even back at Riverwatch with its lavish feasts, the food was served almost too simply, save for the overindulgence of butter and rendered fat. But here, with the scents wafting through the air, the promise of a truly satisfying meal lingers.
“Where are the rooms?” Khimi asks suddenly, breaking Lumi from his daze.
“This is the commons,” The woman says, “People gather here to eat or study… there are cooking lessons too. Herbalists teach classes in rooms like the one you came through before.”
“But where are we staying?” Ennui asks, expanding on Khimi’s question with a sigh.
The man motions ahead and crosses to a set of spiral staircases. Quickly ascending them, he reaches the top, traveling around on a second level which is open to the dining area below. Following another hallway, the man stops before an arched doorway. The dark wood reminds Lumi of the elderwood of the Dolman Jungle. The man pushes it open with a grunt and reveals the circular room inside. Cushioned chairs are situated at various points, bright pillows rest across the floor beside a low table. The sight is enough to bring a massive smile to Lumi’s face. It reminds him of many of the rooms within the Temple of Life. Amongst the guest chambers, there had been circular rooms that looked much the same as this. Situated along the top of a wooden shelf against the wall is an ancient-looking shisha, with golden filigree and brass nozzles attached to the lengthy cloth tubes.
“Khimi,” Lumi whispers, “it’s just lik—”
“Home,” Khimi finishes with a sigh of relief.
The man, still standing in the doorway, raises his brow and looks around. “Anyway, you can stay here. There are bedrooms attached to this room. Make yourself comfortable.”
Lumi turns back to the man, a look of awe on his face. “This place… they said it’s different. That time flows differently.”
The woman in the hallway nods at Lumi’s words. “Don’t worry about all that now.”
“That is neither here nor there,” the man says quickly, offering a bow before he begins to close the door on them.
Ennui’s boot slides between the frame with speed, stopping him before he can bring the door closed. “What does that even mean?” She asks while she leans into the door frame, pushing her weight to open the door further.
The woman sighs, “Time is different here, knowledge… so much knowledge. It takes centuries to take in even a fraction of what is stored here, so the bastion, you see. Time just moves differently here, it’s easy to lose yourself. Some guests, well, they just never leave. Those who serve the gods of knowledge, their duty is to travel the world and bring back anything new they have learned, but they may spend decades even… centuries before stepping foot outside these halls.”
The man raises his brow and pulls on the knob slightly harder. “Anyway,” he says against Ennui’s weight. “That warning… wasn’t likely for you. I could sense it when you came here,” he says, struggling even harder. “You have a different purpose here.”
“Got all of that by just having a peek at us, did you?” Augustus pokes, helping push the door open wider. “Do we not look the type? What if we’re just yearning to learn?”
“Oh,” the woman sounds, a hint of shock in her town. “I doubt that, hon.”
Augustus’ scoff echoes through the room, a pained look shoots across his face, “I don’t think I’ve ever felt so hurt,” he mumbles, placing a hand over his heart. “I’m truly wounded.”
Mido chortles, “They’re right, though. We don’t intend to linger long.”
Lumi’s tail swishes behind him, watching the performance unfold before his eyes. “We’re here to see Gilbert,” he announces suddenly, an eager and excited smile on his cheeks.
The man glances up at Lumi, his attention to the door seems to fade. “Do you have any sort of appointment? Perhaps you sent him a message before your arrival?”
Lumi’s face screws up, “W-what? I can’t do that… I can’t send messages,” he says with disbelief in his voice. “Can we speak to a priest of the Faith? Or the head priest?”
The two figures look at one another, then begin to chuckle. “We don’t have that sort of archaic hierarchy here. We have scholars, you see… there ar–”
“Isn’t it the same thing?” Khimi asks, cutting them off. “You have scholars who teach those who are new to the Faith? It’s the same thing as priests at any other temple, you’re just using a different term,” his hoarse voice echoes through the rounded room.
“No, no, I can assure you it’s much differe–” the man begins, launching into the details of the intricate nature of their order before Ennui slams the wooden door shut in his face.
“I’ll go make sure the rooms don’t have anymore… of whatever those two were,” Ennui whispers, slipping her coat from her shoulders and tossing it onto one of the cushioned chairs.
Augustus, followed by Mido, relaxes into two of the cushioned chairs, allowing themselves to slouch back against the frame. Glancing around the room, Augustus comments on the pleasant atmosphere of the tower, while Mido seems to already be nodding off to sleep within seconds of being seated.
Khimi leads Lumi to one of the nearby windows. The orange stained-glass filters in colors, which are reminiscent of the golden sands of the Desert Cities. Lumi wracks his mind, trying to remember exactly what Nina told him about Gilbert, wanting to remember if there had been some warning or foreboding. The words of the two attendants course through Lumi’s mind.
“Nina and Lilith said that Gilbert knew a great deal about souls, so they at least spoke with him,” Lumi mumbles to himself. “So… he should know that we are coming.”
Khimi leans against the glass, crossing his arms. “It’s nice, though, isn’t it? It reminds me so much of…” A look of recognition forms across his face, and a playful smirk tugs up at his lips. “Reminds me of the Desert Cities.”
“You think it’s on purpose?” Lumi asks, admiring the selection of furniture. His eyes widen. “He must know… right? Why else would they bring us somewhere like this?”
“It could be chance,” Khimi says, cupping his hand to peer through the stained-glass. “Some of those rooms Ennui opened, I had never seen furnishings like that.”
Lumi sighs and leans over one of the cushioned chairs. “They could have at least let us eat first…”
“I have a feeling they didn’t want us to speak with anyone for too long. I am confident those two were guiding us here. Every move seemed calculated like they knew that we would ask for guidance. Did you see their faces when Ennui started storming off?”
“I wasn’t really paying attention to their faces,” Lumi admits, leaping into the cushioned chair. He slumps over the side with an exacerbated sigh. “At least we’re out of the cold.”
Khimi snorts, his forehead pressed to the glass. “For the moment, anyway.”
Ennui returns from the chambers, her face etched with disappointment. As she gives them a nod of approval, Lumi and Khimi gather what little belongings they have left before stepping into one of the rooms. The chamber is small but exudes a sense of home. A strong scent of earth fills the air, emanating from the walls made of a red mudbrick. An artificial light filters through a gauzy curtain, casting a warm glow. Against one wall sits a single bed, its wooden frame crafted from the same desert ironwood commonly used in the desert cities. Lumi’s fingers glide along the grain of the wood, an uncanny familiarity stirring within him as he remembers his own bed back at the temple.
Opposite the bed stands a gnarled stool, its legs, and seat marred with knots that have been expertly sanded down. With a heavy sigh, Lumi collapses onto the mattress, feeling its softness envelop him like a warm embrace. The weight of their journey seems to hit him all at once, and he lets out another deep sigh, his eyelids heavy with exhaustion. As he starts to drift off, Khimi joins him on the bed, pushing himself between Lumi and the wall.
“Khimi…” Lumi whispers, forcing his eyelids open against their heaviness. “Just a little longer.”
Khimi’s cerulean gaze meets his own, piercing through him with their intensity. Like calm waters masking dangerous depths, Khimi’s eyes hold a silent conversation with him before a calloused hand runs along his body, soothing and comforting in its touch.
As Lumi’s eyes slowly close, he feels the warmth of Khimi’s breath against his ears. Khimi’s heartbeat thunders against him in a constant yet reassuring rhythm.
“You don’t think he’s going to help us, do you?” Lumi whispers, his ears twitching against the gentle heat of Khimi’s breath.
Khimi remains silent, his fingers tracing along the fur-lined tunic covering Lumi’s body until they rest at the base of his tail. They move in a familiar pattern, caressing the golden band that adorns it. In between his fingers, he rolls the ornament back and forth, releasing a soft “mmm” as if deep in thought.
After a long moment of silence, Khimi grunts and pulls himself away from the bed. He carefully tucks Lumi’s tunic back over his exposed skin before leaning in close. “Get some rest,” he urges before leaving Lumi alone in the quiet of the room.
Lumi’s nose twitches, picking up the familiar scent of incense that lingers against the soft linens. The aroma of floral jasmine fills his senses, reminding him of the Temple of Life. In an instant, a wave of longing sweeps over him, and tears well in his eyes as he thinks back to the bittersweet farewell with Nina. He can almost feel her embrace and hear her tender words again, causing a lump to form in his throat.
We made it, Nina.
Gilbert, The Raven
The dim light of the artificial moons cast shadows across the room, filtering through the colorful stained-glass windows. Lumi’s hand instinctively reaches out to find Khimi beside him, seeking comfort in his warm touch. But as his hand slides along the cool sheets, he realizes the bed is empty. Sitting up, he scans the room in shades of gray, searching for any sign of Khimi. The room is silent except for the faint conversation drifting in from the common room. Lumi rises from the bed and rushes across the floor, his fur-lined boots hugging his thighs tightly. He slowly pulls open the door to a heated discussion. Mido and Augustus pace back and forth, their voices clashing with Ennui’s passionate argument. Khimi stands calm and composed, arms crossed against his chest, observing the chaos.
Lumi rubs his eyes, heavy with sleep. The thick haze that clouds his vision slowly dissipates. “What’s going on?” he whispers groggily, rubbing his eyes.
Ennui turns to face Lumi. Her gaze glints against the soft candlelight that illuminates the common room. “Oh… nothing,” she replies with a dismissive wave of her hand, “we were told to stay in our chambers.” She then gestures to the table beside them.
A plate lays adorned with an assortment of fruits and vegetables. Figs, grapes, tomatoes, carrots, and herb-crusted flatbread fill the plate alongside a small cluster of dips. A sleek silver tray sits nearby, holding a glass decanter filled with a rich, vibrant red wine. Scattered around the tray are delicate gold-rimmed glasses in an array of colors, ranging from a deep indigo to soft pastel pink. The sight is almost enough to make Lumi forget about what they are discussing.
Mido turns to Lumi, his ears standing up on point. “Maybe we shouldn’t be here. The orders of the Faith didn’t always see eye to eye, maybe they’re planning somethi—”
Augustus, standing beside them, scoffs at Mido’s concerns. “You worry too much,” he retorts. “Why would they?”
“Because we seem to have the worst luck,” Mido mutters under his breath, sinking into the plush high-backed chair and scanning the room for reassurance.
“The place is huge,” Khimi begins, his voice carrying through the room. “Maybe they don’t want us to travel too far. Or it could be that they don’t want us to get lost,” he says, trying to sound convincing.
“Don’t try to ease yourself into a false confidence.” Ennui say with a cold laugh, “that’d be the worst mistake you’ve ever made. While I don’t believe it has anything to do with the Faith, I do believe that it has everything to do with him,” she adds, nodding at Lumi.
“Me?!” Lumi asks in shock.
Ennui shoves herself from her seat. “Because they probably can’t have the Saint of Flames wandering about the building spreading a commotion.”
“Lumi, spreading a commotion?” Augustus asks, laughter leaving his lips as he tries to maintain a straight face. “Impossible!”
Mido attempts to keep a straight face, looking about the room for guidance.
Ennui’s lip quivers until she is unable to stop herself from laughing. “Right? The tower would be crumbling down upon us.”
Lumi sighs, then puffs his cheeks, while he walks across the room and to the door. He tugs the fur-lined hood over his head and tugs on the heavy wooden door. “You guys make me sound like I am cursed.”
Ennui can barely contain her laughter, her shoulders shaking as she holds back her amusement.
“Where do you think you’re off to?” Khimi asks, remaining still against the wall.
Lumi turns to look at them before answering, his voice muffled by the thick fabric of his hood, “I’ll go find Gilbert.”
“Hells,” Ennui chokes out between laughs. “You’re really going to bring the whole tower down on us, aren’t you?” Her tail cracks loudly behind her as she stands. “Shall I fetch my coat?”
Without a word, Lumi steps through the doorway and allows it to shut behind him with a resounding thud. The sound echoes through the quiet corridor as he sets off on his lonely journey.
The hallway is dark aside from the candles glowing along mirrored sconces. The light shimmers and glints in the darkness. The hallway is eerily quiet, whereas before it had been loud with the clatter of the acolytes and others gathered around the various commons.
As Lumi reaches the dining hall, he can not help but pause at the top of the spiral staircase and take in the scene before him. The hall is filled with a handful of individuals, scattered about the tables with their noses buried deep in books. The warm scent of roasted pork fills his nostrils, causing his mouth to water with hunger. He can almost taste the strong spices used in each savory bite. His stomach growls loudly, reminding him that he had passed on Ennui’s offer of food. Shaking off his hunger, he continues forward, climbing upwards.
Reaching the top of the stone spiral staircase, Lumi lets out a gasp as he looks up at the seemingly endless tower above him. Awe glistens in his eyes as he takes in the towering structure, mesmerized by its height and grandeur. For a moment, he forgets about his hunger and admires the intricate details of the tower’s architecture.
He steps onto the platform and looks over the railing, marveling at how high above the ground he stands. The world below seems small and insignificant from this vantage point. The path down seems unending, the area where the disciples had been appears like nothing more than a dot in the distance. A knot forms in his throat while he turns back around to the massive double doors across the landing. The two doors are made of dark wood, an ancient ebony, carved with birds along the edges. Each of the perfectly carved creatures features gilded wings, giving the door a feeling of splendor. His fingers trace along the carvings before they move to the giant loops along the center of them. Pushing with all his might, he is barely able to make them budge. Again and again, he tries, shouldering against it with his weight.
The faint rustle of boots against the cold, stone floor causes Lumi to tense. His heart races as he turns around, his back pressing firmly against the heavy door. Khimi looms over him, his features hidden beneath a thick, fur-lined hood.
“If you had only waited…” Khimi’s voice is tinged with annoyance.
Lumi shakes his head and presses his lips together in frustration. “You were all having such a good time…”
With a deep sigh, Khimi leans against the door and slowly pushes it open. A chorus of creaks resounds throughout the tower as the bulky wooden door gives way. Suddenly, they are blasted by a wave of frigid air from outside. Snowflakes swirl past them, caught in the biting winds.
Khimi pulls his own hood up to shield himself from the chill as they step out onto the stone bridge. Small mounds of snow sit piled against the corners and edges of the stone rails, obscuring their view of the vast landscape beyond. The bridge itself is slick with ice, making each step treacherous.
A lone black bird with sleek, obsidian feathers hops along the center of the bridge, its beady eyes fixed on the door ahead. Its sharp beak flings open, releasing a furious croak that rises in pitch from the back of its throat. The glossy bird gazes up at them with an eerie purpose, as if it holds some hidden knowledge or warning.
Lumi turns to Khimi, who furrows his brow in recognition. “It’s a crow,” he states confidently.
Khimi counters, his head tilted thoughtfully to the side. “That looks like a raven to me… they are said to come from the Vald, and are in the north as well.”
Lumi tilts his head skeptically, “It’s a crow.”
Khimi sighs and closes his eyes, “Fine, it can be a crow,” he concedes.
As if understanding the debate taking place, the bird squabbles again before hopping away along the bridge.
“There are subtle differences between crows and ravens, Lumi. Crows are smaller and less intellige—”
“But I heard someone trained a crow to talk. And an acolyte told me that crows were the smartest birds,” Lumi interjects confidently.
Khimi raises an eyebrow, “Well, there might be a reason why they call him Gilbert the Raven and not Gilbert the Crow…”
Lumi’s laughter echoes through the crisp air as he raises his hand knowingly. “Khimi, that’s because Gilbert the Crow just sounds stupid. Say it out loud, Gilbert the Crow,” he urges, repeating the name with a smirk. The two carefully step across the icy bridge, Khimi holding onto the railing for stability while Lumi glides across gracefully, his feet shifting back and forth to maintain balance. As they near the second tower, the distance across the bridge seems immense, and the frozen path becomes even more perilous near the edges. The blackbird soars up to one of the railings and lets out a menacing squawk at them.
“Alright, alright,” Lumi groans in response, tugging at the door in front of them. With Khimi’s help, they manage to pull open the heavy door wide enough for them to enter. The crow darts inside and disappears from sight as Khimi places a reassuring hand on Lumi’s shoulder, and they begin their journey through the open doorway.
The inside is seemingly empty aside from the bookcases along the outer edges with endless rows of tomes. The spines are adorned with metallic ink, marking their titles regally. Along the floor, like so many shrines of the Faith around Talmus, is the wheel of faith. They walk together over the distinctive circle. The blackbird screeches a deep and throaty call from the bookshelves, almost a warning.
As Lumi steps onto the inner circle, a faint glow emanates from beneath his feet. Each step he takes leaves behind a trail of blue light, creating a mesmerizing dance as he moves across the wheel.
Khimi smirks at Lumi’s dance. “What are you doing?”
Lumi continues to move back and forth across the circle, causing the floor to illuminate in different colors with each step. “I’ve never seen anything like this before… have you?” His eyes widen with wonder.
Khimi sighs and shakes his head. “C’mon,” he warns. “We probably shouldn’t be messing around with something like that.” With a final glance at the leather-bound tome in his hand, he places it back on the shelf.
Lumi’s gaze shifts from his feet to Khimi’s as the latter steps over the glowing circle. Each step he takes sends a burst of color emanating from beneath his boots, creating a mesmerizing display of light. The colors range from deep reds and blues to sunny yellows, dancing across Khimi’s form with each movement. Lumi is captivated by Khimi’s approach. As he lowers his fur-lined hood, a smile spreads across his face with an intense radiance. His hands reach out and firmly grasp Lumi’s waist, pulling him in closer.
“You have a way,” Khimi begins in a hushed tone, his thumb gently pressing against Lumi’s hip. “Of being completely irresistible and cute.”
A surge of emotion swells within Lumi as he places his hand on top of Khimi’s forearm. His heart beats faster in his chest, almost drowning out the sound of Khimi’s voice. Before he can respond, the circle begins to glow brighter and spin faster around them. Khimi pulls Lumi even closer. A whirring sound fills the air, a low buzz. The dark bird perched nearby lets out a loud squawk that echoes through the chamber like menacing laughter. Suddenly, the air shifts, and the ground beneath their feet begins to rise at an uncomfortable speed. Lumi’s legs buckle beneath him, but Khimi’s grip tightens, providing support as they ascend higher and higher into the infinite heights of the tower.
“How tall is this tower?” Khimi grumbles, his voice barely audible over the rushing wind. He gazes up at the seemingly endless gray walls that surround them.
Lumi’s eyes widen in fear as he tries to peek past Khimi towards the edge. “W-what if we fall?” he stammers, his grip tightening on Khimi’s hand.
Khimi’s gaze shifts to Lumi, his face grim. “I’m assuming the same fate that befalls anyone who falls from a great height.”
Lumi’s breath hitches as he looks up, the ceiling of the tower coming into view. “Oh… maybe it would be better than being squished?” he asks, trying to maintain some semblance of composure.
But all thoughts of bravery are forgotten when Khimi’s fingers brush through his hair, tugging gently on the thick strands and pinching his rounded ears. “Khimi,” Lumi says urgently, trying to focus on anything but the impending danger.
“Khimi!” Lumi repeats, slapping at his arm. The ceiling looms closer and closer until, with a sudden rush of cold air, they pass through and emerge in another chamber. The chill in the air makes Lumi shiver as he looks around at their new surroundings.
The rounded stone room echoes with the piercing screeches of dark birds, gobs of them fluttering back and forth across the bookshelves. Their raucous caws and squawks fill the air, making it difficult to focus on anything else. Unlike the room they had entered below, this one also held a winding staircase that followed the curvature of the space. The birds flock towards the stairs, hopping and flapping their wings as they ascend to the next floor.
Breaking away from their embrace, Khimi strides confidently towards a desk in the center of the room, facing the circular layout. “See,” he whispers smugly to Lumi, “I told you we would be alright.”
“You didn’t say anything,” Lumi grumbles, trailing behind and cautiously inspecting the desk. “You just stared!”
A colorful array of books, dozens of them, spill out across the desk in a seemingly chaotic mess. Their spines are adorned with various titles and symbols, some in elegant script and others in bold block letters. Khimi, with nimble fingers, flips through the pages of one book after another, his expression unchanging. Lumi watches in awe, attempting to make sense of the jumbled words and symbols on the covers, but quickly becomes overwhelmed.
“What do they say? What kind of books are they?” Lumi asks, feeling foolish for not being able to decipher them.
Khimi scoffs, his eyes never leaving the pages he is perusing. “We really need to work on that, don’t we?” he remarks dryly.
Lumi nods sheepishly, recalling how Mido attempted to teach him how to read before they left Sidi. But their efforts had been cut short, and now he could not help but feel ignorant surrounded by the endless texts.
Khimi clicks his tongue disapprovingly before picking up another book from the pile. “Fairy tales of the Vald,” he announces, reading off the title with ease. He then moves on to another book. “And this one is about the cycles of the moons,” he states matter-of-factly.
Lumi sighs wistfully, wishing all books were simply pictures.
“When we get back home, I promise I’ll teach you how to read properly,” Khimi says suddenly, seeming to read Lumi’s thoughts.
Lumi’s face lights up at the thought of having Khimi teach him how to read. His attempts to learn with the other acolytes, Nina, Ennui, and Rashid had never helped him to remember the contexts of the scribbles.
Khimi cautiously approaches the winding stone stairs, Lumi close behind, taking one last glance at the dimly lit room below. The lack of doors is replaced by countless shelves, overflowing with books and trinkets that seem to stretch endlessly towards the ceiling. With each step up, they can hear the faint chirping and fluttering of the dark birds above them. Leaning against the stone railing, they carefully ascend to the top of the tower. A peaked canopy covers the roof, providing shelter for the birds that call this place home. The walls are adorned with intricate scrollwork, revealing glimpses of the outside world through their partially open design. The floor is covered in a layer of soft hay. Dark boxes line the walls, each one housing a bird that screeches as they enter. But their attention is drawn to a man in dark robes standing against the far wall. In his hand rests a small bird, which he attends to with gentle care before whispering something into its ear and releasing it into flight. The bird soars through the tower, disappearing through an opening in the stonework and out into the frigid northern winds.
“Will he be alright out there?” Lumi asks, his eyes still fixated on the spot where the bird had disappeared.
The man across the distance sighs heavily, his cane tapping against the cold stone. “I should have known the Saint of Flames wouldn’t be able to stay put. A flame is always wanting to spread.”
“Gilbert,” Khimi says with a bow of his head. “We apologize for intruding, but we are eager to return to the Desert Cities… we have been away from home for far too long.”
“You have only just arrived,” Gilbert replies calmly, seemingly unaffected by their urgency. “You have all the time in the world.”
Lumi squints his eyes and takes a step forward, his tail flicking restlessly beneath his tunic. “But… that’s the issue. We don’t wanna be here for long… we have plans.”
“I am aware,” Gilbert acknowledges with a knowing tone.
“Then you understand,” Lumi pleads, gesturing urgently with his hands. “We came here seeking your help… your guidance. Saint Nina said you could help us! Lilith said she spoke with you.”
Gilbert’s hair whips around his face as the powerful wind blows through the aviary. His gnarled wooden cane taps thoughtfully against the smooth tile beneath his feet. “I just finished speaking with Saint Nina, but perhaps we should have this conversation somewhere else,” he suggests, his voice barely audible over the howling gusts. “The aviary is hardly a place for serious discussion.”
Lumi takes a step closer to Gilbert, his eyes wide with curiosity. “How do you manage to care for so many crows?” he asks, his gaze shifting to the dark feathered creatures perched on throughout the aviary.
A hint of annoyance flashes in Gilbert’s calm demeanor. “They are ravens,” he corrects, his deep brown eyes peering at him sternly.
“Told you,” Khimi says quietly, a mischievous glint in his eye as he prods Lumi in the side.
“Yeah, yeah, ravens. Whatever, Khimi,” Lumi mutters under his breath.
“My ravens serve as my eyes and ears across the realm. They are often mistaken for common crows or magpies by those who cannot differentiate between them,” Gilbert explains, gesturing to the birds gathered around him.
“So they can talk?” Lumi asks in amazement, studying the intelligent creatures before him. “Or at least understand us?”
“Ravens are the most intelligent birds on Talmus,” Gilbert affirms with a small smile. “But these in particular are able to share their memories and recent thoughts with me.” He steps closer to Lumi and Khimi, beckoning them inside as he speaks. “Shall we continue our conversation inside? You both must be freezing out here.”
Khimi nods in agreement and places a firm hand on Lumi’s shoulder. “We have much to discuss.”
[1] Avis — Beastkin with the traits of birds. They are fairly common and almost indistinct from most humanoids, besides the feathers which grow through their hair and at the tips of their shoulder blades.