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 he forced them to believe.
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 current course and continue further north. Following Gromm’s suggestion, they travel along the winding route he proposed, eventually arriving at the bastion after two long days on horseback with little rest. Perched precariously on the edge of a deep ravine, the Bastion of Sages stands tall and proud, composed of multiple stone towers connected by stone arches and bridges.
Lumi dismounts from their horse, but he can’t 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, despite the heavy snow clinging to everything else. The air around the structure feels stagnant, as if the world itself refused to touch it. No lichen or grime can be found on its surfaces, no dirt, nor any signs of age whatsoever.
There are no doors or gates to mark the entrance. 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 equidistant 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 dangers that lie within. But Lumi is drawn to the mystery. What kind of temple are you? he wonders. As he approaches the towers, he can feel his heart pounding with excitement. The bastion demands a prescience, similar to the Temple of Life, it draws him in. With his eyes closed, he walks along the wall, his boots crunching through the dense snow, his fingertips grazing over the stonework. Around the tower, he rushes, releasing the bridle and running, his hand following along the smooth stones, searching for 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 anything?” Ennui questions, dismounting. “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, “Can’t say that I have seen anything quite like this… did they teach either of you anything about this?” he asks, glancing at Mido and Augustus.
Augustus follows Mido’s gaze 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 like a flag, 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 drapes 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. They slowly open on their own, the timbers creaking 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.
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 grin on her face. “If I was a smarter woman, I wouldn’t step foot in there… but right now, I’m a curious woman and a hungry woman.”
A heavy silence hangs between the group as they approach the tower. Ahead, a pair dressed in flowing robes stand waiting, their robes are 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. Inside, the scene is impossible. The space is much larger than its external appearance would suggest, with grand arching ceilings adorned with bronze tiles. 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. Deeper along the stony path, Augustus and the others chatter excitedly amongst themselves. Khimi walks beside Lumi, his hand at the back of his neck, encouraging him forward.
“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 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 billow behind him. A single length of hair trails down to his waist, and Lumi spots feathers amongst them. The statue, before them, is the same as the figure he saw on the bridge.
He 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 and warm, meet Lumi’s inquisitive gaze. “Where do we go?” he calls out to the man, “It is… a lot different on the inside.”
“Wherever your heart desires. Eventually, you’ll find where you need to go.” His voice is soft, almost joyful.
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, her tone filled with admiration. “That is no small feat.”
Ennui scoffs, 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. That would be the hospitable thing to do, right?”
“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. “Is there… is there anywhere to eat?” he asks eagerly.
“Certainly,” the man replies, all smiles. He hurriedly ties the horses to a nearby post, and beckons them onward.
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 the 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. “Well, we can show you anywhere you wish to go. Let’s do the kitchen, then you can find the commons from there.”
The figures turn abruptly on their heels, then 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 dozens of colors across the stone floors. Sporadically, other figures cross their path. Some in similar 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 of soft grass.
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 it could all exist within the confines of a tower made of stone.
“How is all of this possible?” Lumi wonders aloud, his voice trembling with awe.
The short man turns abruptly, a touch of red in his rounded cheeks. “The divine!” he says cheerfully. “A gift from the gods. Those who seek knowledge will always find a home here.”
Khimi looks around, dazed. His copper features grow pale. “I heard… places like this exist, but—”
“Amazing isn’t it?” The woman’s voice squeaks with excitement. “Only a handful exist across Talmus. 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, scholars, and seekers of truth!”
Mido breaks his awe to whisper, “Where are all of these people from? We didn’t see any travelers on the roads—”
“There wasn’t even a damned footprint through all that snow!” Ennui growls. She glances around, then yanks at the grass, ripping through the roots.
The man brushes his hand through his hair nervously, clearly anxious. “Well… most people don’t physically travel here. The majority use waygates.” He rocks back and forth on his heels as he speaks.
Lumi mutters under his breath, “Waygates?” He can feel his curiosity growing with every passing moment.
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. “Ennui and I are familiar with gates, but I had never known of any that were accessible to anyone other than mages, minstrels, and saints.”
“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, Winterholt… there is one in Wiltz.”
“The Vald, Dolmas, Sho, and also in many of the major temples.”
“Like, say?” 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, his words running together, 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, overly cheerful. “And in fairness, I don’t think Davani allows just anyone through her gate.”
Ennui snickers. “That isn’t what I heard—”
“Ennui!” Khimi interrupts with a scolding glare. Grabbing Lumi’s shoulder, he gives him a gentle shake. “We had to travel to Cochon anyway… remember?”
The man clears his throat. “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 her as she leads them through a maze of halls. Each door she opens reveals another glimpse into the curios tower. Finally, they reach a large, open room filled with clusters of individuals from all corners of the land, a dozen tongues blend together in a murmur of quiet conversations.
Lumi’s nose tilts to the air. The scent of rich spices and succulent meats wafts toward them. 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.
“Where are the rooms?” Khimi asks abruptly, breaking Lumi from his daze.
“This is the commons,” The woman says, “people gather here to eat and 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 an annoyed 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, open to the dining area below. Following another hallway, he stops before an arched door. The dark wood reminds Lumi of elderwood from the Dolman Jungle, and as he reaches out to touch it, he realizes it is the very same. 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 beaming grin 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. Situated along the top of a wooden shelf against the wall is a silver shisha, with golden filigree and brass nozzles attached to the lengthy cloth tubes.
“Khimi,” Lumi whispers, “it’s just like—”
“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. 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 replies quickly, offering a bow as he starts 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 as she leans into the door frame, using her weight to open the door further.
The woman exhales impatiently. “Time is different here, knowledge… so much knowledge. It takes centuries to understand 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 for you.” He gives another firm tug on the door. “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 yearnin’ 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, an eager and excited grin on his cheeks.
The man glances up at Lumi, his attention on the door seems to fade. “Do you have any sort of appointment? Perhaps you sent him a message notifying him of your arrival?”
Lumi’s face screws up. “W-what? I can’t do that… I can’t send messages,” he says, his voice laced with disbelief. “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 are—”
“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.”
“No, no, I can assure you it’s much—” the man begins, launching into the details of the intricate nature of their order before Ennui slams the door shut in his face.
“I’ll go make sure the rooms don’t have anymore… of whatever those two creatures 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 eases into casual conversation, commenting 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, 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 Yad’s.”
“You think it’s on purpose?” Lumi asks, admiring the furnishing. 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 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’m 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 chair. He slumps over the side with an exaggerated 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 offers 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 over everything. 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 poorly sanded. With a heavy sigh, Lumi collapses onto the mattress, feeling its softness envelop him. The entire 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 as Khimi joins him on the bed, nudging between Lumi and the wall.
“Khimi…” Lumi whispers, forcing as eyelid open against their heaviness. “Just a little longer.”
Khimi’s cerulean gaze meets his own, piercing through him. Like calm waters masking dangerous depths, his eyes hold a silent conversation with him before a calloused hand runs along his body.
“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 Lumi’s parka 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 hum, as if deep in thought.
After a long moment of silence, Khimi grunts and pulls himself from the bed. He carefully tucks Lumi’s parka 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 cling to the soft linens. Jasmine. It fills his senses, reminding him of his time at 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, bringing a lump to his throat.
We made it, Nina.
[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.
Gilbert, The Raven
The artificial moons cast a soft silver light across the room, filtering through the colorful stained-glass. Lumi’s hand instinctively reaches out to find Khimi beside him, seeking comfort in his warm touch. But as his hand slides along the sheets, he realizes he’s alone. Sitting up on his elbows, he searches the room for any sign of Khimi. But the room is silent except for conversation drifting in from the adjoining room. He rises from the bed and rushes across the floor, his legs tingling from the wool wraps still hugging his thighs. He pulls open the door, coming face to face with a heated discussion. Mido and Augustus pace back and forth, their voices clashing with Ennui’s. Khimi stands composed, arms crossed against his chest, observing the others with a smirk.
Lumi rubs his eyes, heavy with sleep. The haze that clouds his vision slowly dissipates. “What’s going on?” he whispers groggily.
Ennui turns to face Lumi. “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. “But on the bright side, if you’re hungry, at least they brought something to eat.”
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 deep 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 whatever they’re arguing over.
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—”
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. “Actually, we do have the worst luck!”
“The place is huge,” Khimi starts, his voice carrying over the commotion. “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 sense of security.” Ennui says with a cold laugh, “that’d be the worst mistake you’ve ever made. And 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, unable to contain his laughter. “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. He walks across the room and to the door. He tugs the fur-lined hood over his head and yanks on the heavy door. “You guys make me sound like I am cursed.”
Ennui can barely contain her laughter, her shoulders shaking as she tries to hold in her mirth.
“Where do you think you’re off to?” Khimi asks, remaining still against the wall.
Lumi turns back to look at them before answering, his voice muffled by the thick fabric of his hood. “I’mma 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 behind her as she stands.
Without a word, Lumi steps through the doorway and pulls it to shut behind him with a resounding bang. The sound echoes through the quiet corridor as he sets off on his lonely journey.
The hallway is dark aside from the candles glowing against mirrored sconces. The light shimmers in the darkness. The hallway is hauntingly quiet, whereas before it had been loud with the clatter of the acolytes and others gathered in the common areas.
As Lumi reaches the dining hall, he can’t 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 people, scattered about the tables with their noses buried deep in books. The warm scent of roasted pork fills his nostrils, his mouth filling with saliva. He can almost taste the spices used. Paprika, red pepper, salt, and cumin. His stomach growls, reminding him that he had passed on Ennui’s offer of food. Shaking off his hunger, he continues, climbing upwards. Reaching the top of the spiral staircase, he lets out a gasp as he glances up. Awe glistens in his eyes as he takes in the sight, captivated by its height and grandeur. For a moment, he forgets about his hunger and studies the spiral.
He steps onto the platform and looks over the railing, marveling at how high above the ground he stands. The world below seems small from his vantage point. The path down seems unending, the area where the disciples gather in the common is nothing more than a dot in the distance. A knot forms in his throat as he turns back around to a pair of double doors across the landing. They are made of dark wood, ebony or elderwood, carved with fluttering birds along the edges. Each of the carved creatures features gilded wings, giving the door a feeling of splendor. His fingers trace over the carvings before they move to the giant loops along the center. Pushing with all his might, he is barely able to make them budge. Again and again, he tries, shouldering against it with all of his weight. Then he kicks, and shoves, and shoulders into it. No success.
The tapping of boots against the stone floor alerts him. His heart races as he turns around, his back pressing firm against the doors. Khimi towers over him, his features shrouded beneath the hood of his parka.
“I asked where you were going…” A hint of annoyance lingers in Khimi’s tone. “Why did you run away like that?”
Lumi shakes his head and purses his lips until they thin into a line. “You all were having such a good time…”
With a deep sigh, Khimi leans against the door and holds it open for Lumi. A chorus of creaks resounds throughout the tower as the bulky door gives way. A wave of frigid air blasts them from outside. Snowflakes swirl past them, caught in the biting winds.
Khimi holds his 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. The heavy snowfall obscures their view of the white landscape beyond. The bridge is covered in a thick layer of ice, and every step they take, drift uncontrollably.
A lone black bird with sleek, obsidian feathers hops along the center of the bridge, its beady eyes trained on the door ahead. Its sharp beak flings open, releasing a furious croak that rises in pitch from the back of its throat. It gazes up at them with purpose, as if it has been waiting for them.
Lumi turns to Khimi, who furrows his brow in recognition. “It’s a crow,” he states confidently.
Khimi scoffs, his head tilted thoughtfully to study the creature. “That looks like a raven to me… they are said to come from the Vald, and are in the north as well.”
Lumi hums skeptically. “It’s a crow.”
Khimi sighs and takes the first steps forward. “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 intelligent, but—”
“But I heard someone trained a crow to talk. And an acolyte told me that crows were the smartest birds,” Lumi interjects, his voice filled with knowing.
Khimi raises an eyebrow. “Well, there is probably a reason they call him Gilbert the Raven and not Gilbert the Crow…”
Lumi’s laughter echoes through the cold as he raises his finger knowingly. “Khimi, that’s because Gilbert the Crow just sounds stupid. Say it out loud, Gilbert the Crow,” he urges, repeating the name. The two carefully step across the icy bridge, Khimi holding onto the railing for stability while Lumi glides across, his feet shuffling back and forth to maintain balance. As they near the second tower, the distance between the towers seems to go on forever, and the frozen path becomes even more perilous along the edges. The blackbird soars up to one of the railings and lets out a menacing squawk.
“Alright, alright,” Lumi groans in response, tugging at the door in front of them. With Khimi’s help, they manage to barely open the door wide enough for them to enter. The crow darts inside and disappears from sight as Khimi places a hand on Lumi’s shoulder, and they take their first steps inside.
The inside is largely empty aside from rows of bookcases along the outer edges with endless rows of tomes. The spines are adorned with metallic ink, marking their titles with regal script. 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, as if warning them.
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 show of light as he moves across the wheel.
Khimi smirks at Lumi’s dance. “Hells are you doing?”
Lumi jogs back and forth across the circle, the floor illuminating in different colors. He takes light steps, tapping from side to side to watch the rainbow of light. “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.” He trails his fingers along the spines of leather-bound tomes, then crosses the circle to join Lumi.
Lumi’s gaze shifts from his feet to Khimi’s. Each step he takes sends a burst of color beneath his boots. 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 Khimi lowers his hood, a smirk spreads across his lips. He reaches out and firmly grasps Lumi’s waist, pulling him in closer.
“You have a way,” Khimi whispers, his thumb gently pressing into Lumi’s hip. “Of being completely irresistible and cute.”
A surge of emotion wells within Lumi as he places his hand on top of Khimi’s forearm. His heart beats faster in his chest, almost drowning out all sound. Before he can respond, the circle illuminates, the light shifting faster around them. Khimi pulls Lumi even closer. A whirring sound fills the air, followed by a low buzz. The dark bird perched nearby lets out a loud squawk that echoes through the chamber like menacing laughter. Then, the air shifts, and the ground beneath their feet begins to rise at an uncomfortable speed. Lumi’s legs buckle beneath him, but Khimi holds him firm. The platform ascends higher and higher, into the infinite heights of the tower.
“How far does this go?” Khimi grumbles, his gaze set on the endless gray walls.
Fear forms in Lumi’s eyes as he tries to peek past Khimi’s arm to the edge. “W-what if we fall?” he stammers, his grip tightening.
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 finally 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 feathery strands and pinching his rounded ears. “Khimi,” Lumi says urgently, trying to focus on anything but their impending death. “Khimi!” he repeats, slapping at his arm. The ceiling draws nearer until, with a sudden rush of cold air, they pass through and emerge in a hollow chamber. The chill in the air makes Lumi shiver.
The rounded stone room echoes with the piercing screeches of dark birds, gobs of them fluttering back and forth across the bookshelves. Their caws and squawks fill the space, making it difficult to focus on anything else. Unlike the room they had entered below, this one also holds a winding staircase that follows the curvature of the space. The birds flock to the stairs, hopping and flapping their wings as they ascend the spiral.
Breaking away from their embrace, Khimi strides towards a desk in the center of the room. “See,” he whispers, his voice filled with smugness. “I told you we’d be alright.”
“You didn’t say anything,” Lumi grumbles, trailing behind and cautiously inspecting the desk. “You just stared! Like you knew we were about to die!”
Books in a colorful array, hundreds of them, spill out across the desk and floor in a mess. Their spines are adorned with various titles and symbols, some in elegant script and others in bold block letters. Khimi flips through the pages, one book after another, his expression unmoving. Lumi watches in awe, standing on the desk to peek, trying to make sense of the jumbled words and symbols, 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?”
Lumi nods sheepishly, recalling how Mido tried to teach him how to read before they left Sidi. But their efforts had been cut short, and now, once again, he cannot help but feel ignorant.
Khimi clicks his tongue disapprovingly before picking up another book from the pile. “Fairy Tales of the Vald,” he announces, reading off the title. He then moves on to another book. “And this one is about the Sisters,” he states matter-of-factly.
Lumi sighs, wishing all books were simply pictures.
“When we get back home, I promise I’ll teach you how to read properly,” Khimi says abruptly, 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 ended in failure. And his efforts with Nina, Ennui, and Rashid had never helped him to remember the contexts of the scribbles.
Khimi cautiously approaches the stone stairs, Lumi trailing close behind, taking one last glance at the room. With each step up, Lumi can hear the faint chirping and fluttering of the birds above them. Leaning against the stone railing, they carefully ascend. A peaked canopy covers the roof, providing shelter for the birds. The walls are adorned with stone scrollwork, revealing glimpses of the snow-covered world through their partially open patterns. The floor is covered in a layer of soft hay. Dark boxes line the walls, each one housing a bird that screeches at their entry. 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 a gentle hand 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?” Lumi asks, his eyes still fixed where the bird had disappeared.
The man across the distance sighs, his cane tapping against the 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 respectful bow of his head. “We apologize for intruding, but we are eager to continue our journey… we have been away from home for far too long.”
“You’ve only just arrived,” Gilbert replies calmly. “You have all the time in the world here.”
Lumi squints his eyes and takes a step forward, his tail flicking restlessly beneath the parka. “But… that’s the issue. We don’t wanna be here for long… we have plans.”
“I’m aware of your plans,” Gilbert acknowledges.
“Then you understand,” Lumi pleads, gesturing with animated waves of 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 gust blows through the aviary. His gnarled wooden cane taps thoughtfully against the tile and hay beneath his feet. “I’ve only just finished speaking with Saint Nina, but perhaps we should have this conversation elsewhere,” he suggests. “The aviary is hardly a place for serious discussion.”
Lumi takes a step closer, then spins around, taking in the sight. “How do you manage to care for so many crows?” he asks, his gaze shifting to the dark feathered creatures perched on throughout.
A hint of annoyance flashes in Gilbert’s calm demeanor. “They are ravens,” he corrects, his deep, dark eyes peering at him sternly.
“Told you,” Khimi says quietly, prodding Lumi with a light shove.
“Yeah, yeah, ravens. Whatever,” 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 unable to discern the difference between them,” Gilbert explains, gesturing to the birds gathering at his feet.
“So they can talk?” Lumi asks in amazement, crouching down to study them, “or at least understand us?”
“Ravens are the most intelligent birds on Talmus,” Gilbert affirms with a grin. “But these in particular are able to share their memories with me.” He steps past Lumi and Khimi, beckoning them inside as he speaks. “Shall we continue our conversation inside? You both must be frozen through.”
Khimi nods and prods Lumi to follow. “We have much to discuss.”