Chương 224: The very image of envy

As dawn broke two weeks after Gleam's descent into the mortal lands, an impressive group - at least by local standards - of gathered silver-rankers made their way down from a camp in the mountains just outside the city of Boundary. After their discussion the previous night, they had all agreed that a slight show of force might help their cause, and had thus chosen to descend under their own power. Or at least close to it, in the case of Wander.

Along with Kite, who walked leisurely through the air on panes of force, the swarm of rats had spread itself out along the huge form of Glint. Collectively, the rats managed to convey a surprising air of dignity where they sat atop the colorful carp-dragon, myriad whiskers twitching in the morning air. Dragonfly flew beside Kite, seated side saddle on her burning greataxe, and Will had of course chosen to let his wings of spears represent the would-be saint of spears.

Both Braid and River had chosen similar means of conveyance as they effortlessly balanced atop conjured thread and chain respectively, while Little Crow floated beneath his open parasol. Soul and Fantina brought up the rear upon flying artifacts; boots with fluttering wings for the celestine while the human had a more simple, utilitarian round platform that carried her through the air.

"At least there will be no doubt that we're coming," Dragonfly remarked to Kite as people below had stopped in the streets to look up at the procession.

"Well, Gleam wasn't exactly subtle when she called out the expected time of her return," Kite replied, nodding ahead towards the broken dome where the different affluent houses of the city have gathered once more.

"And it seems that they remembered." This time, the streets around the plaza were full of people, their curiosity having gradually won over any sense of worry as the incident of two weeks ago felt more distant. Still, they did part quickly enough as Kite and his companions touched down to walk the short final stretch on foot. None of the waiting champions or nobles made any overtly hostile moves, their auras controlled even though the fighters among them were armed and armored.

And those waiting had apparently done a head count quickly enough to come to a conclusion.

"It is a shame that you made yourselves so unavailable, Pathbreaker," the patriarch house Eden called out to them as they drew close.

"I am sure that you would have found many worthy warriors of honor and distinction here in Boundary, had you just given us a proper chance."

"And yet the choice was made, Patriarch," Kite replied, tone polite but not overly deferential.

"When the herald of a diamond ranker gives you a task such as this, you turn to the people you trust."

"But surely you could have seen that the people of Boundary could be trusted with such an important task regarding their own city? It is in their closest interest, after all and-""Please, Patriarch. Save the speech for those it is truly intended towards. Some sense of pride in one's city is all quite understandable. But trying to use that against us, be it now or later, will do you no good."

With those words, Kite led his group forward, in a straight line towards the broken dome, a direction which the locals head wisely left open.

"We will have to watch and prepare once we exit this thing," River muttered coldly, drawing up to Kite's side.

"I can sense plenty of ambition and greed in those present here."

"That is of little surprise, but your words are wise," Kite agreed, using his expanded field of vision to take a proper look at their jealous observers.

"First though, there is the matter of Gleam arriving as promised. And actually prevailing once inside." The former dome itself was as open and as abandoned as it has been when Kite had last been inside. His companions quickly spread out to either find some place to seat themselves or to go and inspect the gate a bit closer.

"Is it true that they are all identical on the outside?" Little Crow asked, feeling the smooth metal off the hovering circle.

"All that I have seen have been, at least," Kite replied.

"Something must differ between them though, as the challenges within have been quite distinct from one another."

"Still, to imagine magic on such a level," Braid said in clear amazement.

"What power and knowledge would it take to create an artifact who could do this all by itself?"

"While I do not know the details, the first of the officiator orbs actually did drop some hints," Kite said.

"The gates do not create the spaces, but modifies them and somehow shapes the manifestations within. I believe it said that the gold-ranked challenges are the hardest, as not all spaces have the magical capacity to support them."

"Was it not one of those orbs that the herald was supposed to bring?"

"Yes, at least that's what she said. If-" Kite was interrupted as his spirit suddenly started tingling all over, and a quick look revealed that his companions were likewise affected. The pressure was subtle at first, but quickly grew into something terrible, if familiar. Like a rainbow comet, Gleam descended from the skies. Outside, Kite could feel the locals scatter, but soon found that it was hard to pay them any heed as the brilliant construct touched down among them.

"Young Kite, you wait as commanded! Good, good!" Gleam called, seeming quite satisfied.

"Did you manage to handle that other matter while I worked?"

"We believe so, honored Gleam," Kite replied, recovering somewhat from the powerful construct's arrival.

"In fact, we believe that those we were pursuing are the very same people who somehow entered the gate together."

"Oh? Oh! Then the heavens have truly been kind indeed. One could even call it fate for you to already have been on your way the moment these interlopers decided to overstep in such a foolish fashion," the construct said, obviously pleased.

"And you have worked quickly in gathering allies too, I see. On behalf of the Queen of Jade and Sky, I thank you all, young silver-rankers. You are to be commended for your bravery. Now, let me have a look at you." None of Kite's companions had so far dared to utter a word, and remained still as Gleam turned her huge insectoid head this way and that to inspect them each in detail." I see, I see... A fiery one here. Tenacious. And so cute! Oh, and an outworlder together with this spearmaster.

One of the Tengu's brood - I have met your progenitor once a few decades ago. Interesting fellow! - and here we have some clergy. Fertility, always nice and useful for you biological beings. And Warrior too, at least somewhat. To bear his mark, little celestine. A respectable blessing. And here we have... Pain? Oh my, I sense a story behind your presence here. I hope that you will all tell me later.

And finally, another outworlder, even if you are a lot closer to the natives of this planet than your fellow over there. And a weaver. Oh, and you're that little carp! How you've grown since last time!"

"T- this young mistress does her best," Glint managed in way of reply, even though Kite could sense how overwhelmed she was through their bond. Her reply did seem to break the spell of the construct's presence though, and - perhaps unsurprisingly - it was Wander who spoke next." Wow. I mean, really. Wow. I got to get to diamond rank. The queen built you~?" she asked, even reaching out a hand to feel at one of the construct's legs.

"She did, and while I cannot speak too much of the matter, I can say that I did not start out as I am today. The Queen kept working on me for over three centuries."

"Which is barely anything for an immortal~," Wander shot back.

"Just imagine what I could do if I got that far. Heck, just imagine how far I could spread! So many things to look at. To taste~!"

"Wander," Braid urged, trying to nudge his companion back towards at least a modicum of respect.

"Do not fret, little Weaver. It is quite all right," Gleam assured him.

"You have all chosen to step up and represent something important here. And besides, it is rather nice to have someone to talk to every once in a while." The construct then turned back to Kite, somehow managing to feel surprisingly non-threatening as she loomed over him.

"You have chosen well, I believe. Their spirits are strong and focused."

"Focused? Now who are you calling focused? I'll have you know~" Wander started protesting, but was swiftly silenced by shimmering threads which wound themselves in a tight cocoon around the lower part of her face as an impromptu gag.

"Thank you, Gleam," Kite replied, ignoring Wander's antics.

"I found myself blessed with a surprising number of options in this kingdom alone, and even more should I have been able to reach out across the world within the time given to me."

"Which in and of itself speaks a lot about your character," Gleam noted.

"But I do believe that it is time for us to focus on the task at hand." As she spoke, part of the carapace on her left side slid back to reveal hints of a complex inner working which shone uncomfortably bright to the magical perceptions of the silver-rankers. From inside, an orb made from a similar metal as the gate floated out. It was identical to the officiator orbs which Kite had encountered in the past, but did not speak or otherwise acknowledge its surroundings.

"I believe that I have succeeded," Gleam noted with some satisfaction.

"After a more thorough diagnostic, I learned enough to make this feasible. The intruders have somehow tampered with the conditions needed for entry. And while I cannot expand upon them even further, however satisfying that might have been, I could at least mirror them. This orb will allow one challenger and nine companions - familiars not included, as usual - to enter as well.

It has been set to insert itself into the first trial it encounters, and should be able to subvert enough of it to grant knowledge of the conditions regarding the task at hand. This should make you, Kite, be recognized as a proper trial-taker. Be warned though; while I can grant you entry, I found it difficult to predict exactly how the gate and its current trial will react to even more disturbances in the long term.

Things might start to crack at the seams in unexpected ways, but as a conqueror of not one, but two gates already, I have faith that you and your boon companions shall manage. Just to be sure though, I made sure that any of you could retreat back through the gate if you found the need for it, but then you will not be unable to return, be it now or later, as I do not currently possess the materials to make another attempt at this in the near future.

For the Queen, and her legacy, you must find and purge the intruders. I care little how you do this, only that it is done. For this, you will all be rewarded by me personally." While most, if not at all, of the gathered companions probably felt an immense curiosity as to what said reward could be, none asked. When a diamond-ranked being promised you something, the only thing you could do was hope that they would see it through.

"As I said before, we have our own reasons to see if it's done," Kite said.

"Fortune be willing, we shall succeed." General nods and other signs of agreement followed, and at an unseen signal from Gleam, the new orb floated up to hover before Kite.

"Then if you would, please present your own token for the Queen's challenge and press it to the orb," the gargantuan construct instructed.

"Unfortunately, I found no work-around which would prevent you from having to use your own token for this, Kite. And the Queen has not yet given me leave to distribute more. This will make you eligible for a reward inside though, should you also manage to complete the actual trial inside. Combined with the reward I have promised, it should still leave our karma balanced enough."

Kite did not hesitate in bringing out the silver token with the Queen's seal that he had received at the end of his last trial, pressing it to the surface of the orb in front of him. It shone briefly before seemingly melting into the metal while he felt a tug on his spirit.

"I did add an additional function to this orb too," Gleam continued.

"If you can manage to bring it into contact with the original orb inside, it should be able to subvert it or at least disable it enough to break the intruder's bond to the challenge. That function is quite untested though, so I would advise against making that too great a part of any of your plans."

"Thank you, Gleam. And greetings, officiator," Kite said, addressing the silent orb.

"We shall be in your care in what is to come." He got no response however, then turned up to look at Gleam, the question clear in his eyes.

"It will properly awaken once you are inside," the construct explained.

"I did make this one in a bit of a hurry, so a bit more than normal of my mental state at the time might have leaked through. But that shouldn't be any trouble."" I see..." Kite said, choosing not to voice the slight twinge of concern he felt at her words. Instead he bowed deeply towards Gleam before turning to his fellows.

"If you would all please gather then, I believe it is time for us to enter." Everyone started filing in, joining Kite before the opening of the silently hovering circle. The anticipation and trepidation they no doubt felt was clearly kept under control though, and as Kite met each of their gazes he felt that they were all ready. The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

"May Fortune keep us, and see through this trial." he called, and Soul continued.

"And let Warrior guide our hands and witness our deeds in our spirits as we emerge."

"May the seeds of dedication and strength in our spirits grow and thrive, planted in the fertile soil of potential. So speaks Fertility, mother of all."

"Let the touch of Pain remind our foes that while they can hide from his gaze, his purview can always reach them."

"And may everyone remember the heroic, self-sacrificing poor little rat who gave up her snacks and her nap times to help out her friends. Because she's awesome like that~." Then, as one, they entered the Jade-Sky gate. Gleam felt their auras vanish one by one, and only once they were all gone she too departed; a prismatic comet trailing upwards carried upon shimmering wings.

"Speak," Ametrine Dreams Wreathed in Silk set while she donned her porcelain mask, adjusting it so that its obscuring enchantments were properly in place as she prepared herself for the upcoming meeting of the council.

Those of the true inner circle already knew the identities of the three gold-rankers which led them, but if there was anything that their long-term project has taught them, it was to keep compartmentalizing such information for as long as possible even if the 'open secret' sometimes felt a bit superfluous. One of her closest servants knelt behind her, keeping his face to the ground as he delivered his report.

"Word has reached the city of troubles up in Boundary. While the local ruling houses tried to keep the information from spreading, they failed quite quickly. Apparently, the coalition group was discovered as they entered the gates. All else seems to have gone according to plan, however, at least in regards to the entry."

"And the response?" Ametrine asked, feeling displeased at her own preparations and carefully leaked information seemed to have failed to garner a response competent enough to hinder the joint venture.

"The locals seem to have been mostly left as passive observers unable to otherwise affect the situation. But there have been other developments afterwards. Apparently, one of the constructs belonging to the queen of Jade and Sky noticed the tampering. And not long after, another party arrived. The Autumn Wanderer's guild. One of them, called Pathbreaker, was apparently known to the construct and was called in.

Accounts of their conversation diverge, but most seem to agree that the construct seem to have some kind of plan on how to deal with interference of the coalition's group, and that it tasked the Pathbreaker to handle it.

"That boy again? The heavens truly have a sense of wry humor. But in this, it seems that his meddling might actually lead to something worthwhile. We need to dedicate ourselves to completing the project, not bringing more players into it. Should this little joint venture fail, the council will hopefully see the reason in that. You have done well. Keep me informed of any further developments."

"Of course, Mistress. It should be noted that these rumors are quite public though, and piqued the interest of many parties in the capital."

"As it should. Just another point in my favor. Making this mess a more public one will only serve my purpose even further. This does also explain why this meeting of the council was called so abruptly." Adjusting her clothing once more, Ametrine then conjured her portal of shimmering smoke and left in a better mood than she expected. This development had provided her some much needed room to maneuver, after all.

The odd sensation of shifting between the world and an astral space, similar to that of a portal but with a subtle difference in the quality of the nausea that struck one after passing through, had started to feel quite familiar to Kite by now. When traveling between contracts with Gauntlet, he had built up some resistance to that particular flavor of disorientation, and the astral space at his compound had likewise inured him to that kind of crossing.

As such, it was Kite, Soul, Little Crow and the two outworlders who regained their bearings the quickest of those entered the Queen's gate. While the others stumbled a bit in the disorientation, Kite had a moment to take in his surroundings. That proved pretty challenging though, as his spirit screamed of danger as it sensed the gold rank entity just a few meters away.

"Heavens!" he called, turning to face the thing while readying himself to conjure what barrier he could to protect his companions, staring into a huge humanoid face with a blank expression and black orbs for eyes. The others have apparently sensed it too, with similar reactions as they took in the being dominating most of the open space they had found themselves in. The creature - because that's what it was, with its gargantuan arthropod body covered in reddish chitin - regarded them all in complete silence.

Its aura was powerful, as expected of any gold-ranker, but also somehow flat and simple. The thing was clearly alive, but otherwise it felt more akin to the more mindless undead monsters that Kite had encountered over the years.

"It doesn't seem to do much," Little Crow noted unhelpfully, letting his parasol relax back against his shoulder.

"But you should still show it respect, minion of the trial taker!" an unknown voice suddenly called loudly from just behind Kite, causing them all to glance at the orb which had suddenly floated up and addressed them.

"That is your ruler! For the glory of the queen, master maker and mother of trials, you must protect it with your lives!" While the previous officiator orbs that Kite had encountered had both been slightly different in the way they spoke and their hints of personality, the forceful calls and almost trumpeting voice of their current one shattered that norm quite thoroughly.

"Ehm... Officiator. I greet you," Kite ventured, even giving the orb a polite bow to be on the safe side.

"Trial-taker! Hold this area for the time being! I am still getting a grasp of this place. Then I will be equipped to guide you to glory! For the Queen! Death to the interlopers!

"I... see," was all the response Kite could muster, but the orb didn't seem to mind as it fell silent again, hovering in place. By now, the rest had all gathered their wits, and - once they had indeed confirmed that the so-called Ruler was indeed docile - spread out to investigate their new surroundings.

"Whoa... This place is strange~!" Wander called. She had already scattered into a multitude of rats who had started picking through the granular, greenish soil beneath their feet or ventured into the multiple openings in the cliffs that surrounded their Ruler like a circle. But most of her bodies had stopped to instead stare upwards. Kite could understand her too, as it was quite a sight. Around a dozen meters up, the cliff walls were cut off by a rolling, churning storm of glowing, winds.

While it wasn't as vibrant as the rainbow smoke of magical manifestation, it did come close. And its undulating waves and chaotic clashes - along with the fact that the cliffs seemed to be shorn off at the top as if cut by a giant razor - hinted that them being quite dangerous.

"I will assume that this means that we will probably not take to the skies very often," Little Crow noted.

"Still, it would be best to know somewhat of what happens if one was to go up there."

"Ooo, I'm on it~!" Wander called happily. At the same time, a few of her bodies set out at a sprint, easily scaling the dark, uneven cliff walls.

"Ehm, perhaps-""Here I go!" one of the rats squeaked loudly, before climbing over the edge.

"Ouch. Really though. Ow!" another of the rat bodies said, apparently reporting on the experience.

"Heck, I'm dissolving pretty quickly. Aaaand... Wait for it... There! Dead!"

"That was... nice of you to test," Kite eventually ventured, looking at the disintegrating rat skeleton at the edge of the cliffs above.

"What was it?"

"Well, kind of like winds. But they didn't tug you here and there like normal ones. Or if they did, they it only took tiny, tiny pieces at a time. But very quickly~."

"How long would you say it took, Wander?" Braid asked as he came up to join them.

"Hmm. Perhaps ten heartbeats? Give or take~?"

"We shall try some more to give me some basis for calculations. Also, we'd best see if other factors such as magical protections or armor can slow the process. But I'd dare make an hypothesis that a full-sized person would last longer." While they speculated, Kite had started looking around for something else; something which should have been there with them, but was conspicuously absent.

"Pathbreaker?" River asked, apparently sensing Kite's twinge of distress at the revelation, even though he thought that he hid it well.

"It's the gate," Kite replied.

"Or rather… the lack of one." Hearing his words, most of the group turned to listen, understanding the implications. Because there was indeed no gate in the area next to their enormous ruler, even though Kite had so far always emerged from one during his last two ventures into the trials.

"Well duh, we would have totally noticed if there was one. Why… Wait, no gate~?!" Wander commented, the casual comment deteriorating to more frantic tones as the implications dawned on her, albeit belatedly.

"Orb? What is the meaning of this?" River demanded, turning to the officiator construct which remained floating silently where Kite had left it. The thing was unresponsive to her words however, still seeming lost in taking in the trial.

"This does complicate our line of retreat somewhat," Little Crow noted, seeming his normal cheerful self.

"Which only gives our quest even more severity," Will chimed in, tense but also somehow seeming energized by the prospect.

"Stranded inside a trial with unknown foes, the way forward being both our objective and only salvation. Like a flower in a greenhouse won't grow strong without feeling the touch of the winds, no path is tempered in complacent safety."

"But I love complacent safety~!" Wander protested, reforming into her humanoid form and was about to say something more when River broke in again.

"Your whining is pathetic, odd one. The only path here should ever be towards our quarry-" She too was interrupted, however, as another aura - filled with soft yet steadying comfort - brushed against all of those present.

"Peace, children, " Fantina LanCaire said in gentle admonishment, with an ease that betrayed what seemed like boundless experience on the matter. Wander shut up immediately, and even River seemed to be somewhat taken aback by the experience as the blonde woman, hair now in more practical ringlets braided close to her head beneath the gemmed circlet.

"The Herald of the Queen did warn us of unforeseen happenings with the trial," the priestess of Fertility continued.

"And while you might match or - in some cases - exceed my own progression through silver rank and therefore power, I hope you will heed the advice of an older hand when it comes to the adventuring business."

"Please," Kite agreed, nods following from all around.

"To find adventure is to brave the unknown and seize the moment. But for us, it was also to do so in a unified direction," Fantina continued.

"For the fertile soil of the seed to be just that, both the right conditions and the proper guidance will be needed. So I would suggest that we, instead of letting our emotions run rampant, instead seek that guidance. In this case, from the one who has actually been ordained to lead this venture." As she finished, Fantina turned to Kite, who in turn found himself straightening subconsciously under her scrutiny.

"So please, Kite. What would you have us do?" Finding himself with everyone's attention back at him, Kite shot Fantina a small, grateful smile before turning to address the others, seizing the slight momentum he had been gifted.

"As expected, the heavens have indeed sought to test us, even though I would have hoped for them to perhaps hold off on that for just a while longer," he began, slowly turning so that he addressed everyone.

"And while I share your concern, Wander, I also feel that Will's words are to take to heart. In this uncertainty, we must seize clarity through our own skill and power. And we do know something already; this area - and presumably this being, the Ruler - is important. As such, we will work with that until we know more. And as to that, I have a plan. Wander?"

"Ehm? Oh! Yes~?"

"Please scout wide; as wide as you can. We don't need to know each stone and grain of… whatever it is that covers the ground here. At least not for the time being. But please, give us the lay of the land. Perhaps you can even find the gate while you are at it."

"Sure! I will. There has to be something worthwhile to peek at around this place…~" Wander replied, most of her rat bodies already spreading out to skitter off into the different crevasses that led away from their current position. Kite nodded in thanks before turning to his next target of address.

"River, please join her. Your aura senses should be of a huge help in locating any creatures, be they part of the trial or those we hunt." The priestess gave a terse nod in response and was about to set off, but stopped and Kite continued.

"And please, do coordinate with Wander and return if you find anything. I know of your prowess, Dancer on the Broken River, but we know too little of this place to act on impulse, no matter how tempting the target."

"I am not an imbecile, Pathbreaker," River shot back before setting off, even though Kite got the feeling that his point had been acknowledged.

"As for the rest of us -," Kite continued, "- we should set this place up as our camp for the time being, but be ready to change locations according to what the officiator dictates our objective to be. Braid, please begin working on some rudimentary defenses, but save the more static ones until we know more."

"Of course, Kite. It will be interesting to see what kind of thread I will be able to refine from the materials here," the masked man replied, setting off to see to it.

"And the rest of us?" Dragonfly asked, with her, Soul, Will, Laevyeth, Little Crow, Glint and Fantina remaining.

"Well," Kite replied, walking closer to gather them all.

"Now we know at least a bit more of our circumstances, some surprises included. Thus, I'm beginning to feel the need for a more proper discussion of strategies. Whose paths will best merge and synergize once we strike out? How can we utilize the terrain? I already have some ideas, but in this, we need to be unified. Or at least as much as can be expected in the limited time we have to practice." Getting nods and sounds of approval all around, everyone scattered to make the initial preparations.

This left Kite standing alongside Fantina, overlooking the crevasses and the unknown which waited beyond.

"Thank you, Fantina," he said softly.

"Your intervention was both appreciated and, if I may say, expertly applied. Rarely have I seen River fazed by an aura like that."

"While that particular wayward child is a bit out of the norm, I am an old hand at wrangling different wills and emotions. It often doesn't take too much either. You just need to make sure the kids aren't too aware of it, for example by a slight suggestion of where they should be directing their attention." Fantina replied with a slight smile tugging at her lips.

"Should I ever become a parent, I will make sure to seek your counsel," Kite replied, sharing her smile.

"Oh I do hope you will. Otherwise, a certain goddess of mine will be most disappointed. She wouldn't let me live it down if Lust got to keep you and Dragonfly all to herself forever. But as you said, Kite, I believe we should get to it," Fantina said, Kite joining her as they went to assist the others.

"This sure brings me back though. And the dangers aside, it is quite thrilling. Jarvan will be the very image of envy once he hears of it."