Dear Voice of the Tower,
As previously indicated, I have entered the tower with the intent to rendezvous with Katashi. If you could render any assistance to make this process easier — such as alerting Katashi to our presence and sending him directly to us — it would be most appreciated.
Due to your previously stated concerns about Lyras Orden seeing the book, I have been careful not to open it while in her sight; as such, I will most likely be unable to see if and when you reply unless it is within the next few minutes.
Best,
Corin
Professor Orden didn’t return for the next several minutes, so I kept the book ready. About five minutes later, I received a reply.
Corin,
Your message has been received and your caution is appreciated.
I will endeavor to make certain that Katashi finds you at the proper time.
Sincerely,
Mysterious Book Entity
Aww, it still liked that name.
Or, he or she, I suppose? It was a little strange to think about there being a person sending those messages.
Anyway, the book was being vague as usual, but I was comforted to know that it was aware of the situation and might lend help. I’d have felt better if it wasn’t quite as mysterious, but it was living up to its name, and there was still a degree of comfort in predictability.
It was about an hour later that Professor Orden finally returned to the room, with Vera and Derek right behind her. She was holding a crystal sphere the size of a fist. A quick attunement activation told me it had a thick jade aura. I didn’t know much about golems, but I assumed that had to be the creature’s core, and if it was an Emerald-level crystal that was a very valuable find.
They all looked pretty pleased and I didn’t blame them.
“There’s no need to panic,” Orden began, immediately inducing my reflex to panic, “But I’ve received a message from another Wayfarer that a group of climbers from Edria has entered the tower. There is a possibility that this is a coincidence, but I believe it would be prudent to expedite our journey. How is Miss Cadence’s recovery coming?”
We checked the mana watch. 24/112. Not a lot of mana to work with, and it was definitely coming back more slowly than it normally would. Going beyond her safe value must have wrought some serious havoc on her lungs. “She’s still extremely low on mana and she can’t talk,” I answered, and she nodded in agreement. “I think we should give her another hour or two.”
Orden shook her head. “We can’t take the risk. I have been speaking with Derek and Vera, however, and we believe it may be wise for the three of us to press on ahead without the rest of you.”
I stood up. “I should go with you. I have a responsibility to see this through, and Katashi asked me to handle this. It may be easier to talk to him safely if I’m present.”
And I want to make sure I get any information I can out of the talk with Katashi. I still don’t know enough about everything that’s going on here.
Derek turned his head to Orden. “He’s got a point.”
Orden sighed. “No, he doesn’t, Derek. He’s just being egocentric. Katashi will be overjoyed to meet with Vera regardless of who brings him, and we can always have Katashi follow us to Corin’s location afterward to remove the mark.”
Derek’s jaw tightened, but his reply sounded cheerful enough. “You’re right, Professor Orden. He does not have a point.”
Something seemed…off about that exchange.
“We will not be a burden.” Jin stepped closer to me, taking up a position at my right side. “Sera has proven valuable thus far. Corin and I will endeavor to carry similar weight.”
Professor Orden pointed at the door on the other side of the room. “Let’s see how dangerous the next couple rooms look before we make a decision. Derek, why don’t you go take a look at the other rooms?”
“Yes, Professor Orden.” He headed toward the door near me immediately, turned the handle, and opened it.
There it was again. His formality, his eagerness to agree to everything she was saying immediately. Something wasn’t right.
As he turned his back to us, I activated my attunement and looked at him. Beneath his usual shimmering Emerald aura, I saw a few other sources of magical energy. The glow from his swords was unsurprising, and I noted that his tunic also carried an enchantment. He was wearing two enchanted rings as well, one on each hand.
The one that Professor Orden had given him wasn’t glowing, but it was leaving a trail. A crimson trail of mana that connected him directly with her.
It faded almost as quickly as I’d noticed it, but I was certain I’d seen it — and I understood what I was seeing.
Okay, Corin. Don’t panic. You know she said the ring was a precaution. Investigate, prepare, but don’t panic.
I offered Sera a hand and helped her stand up. She accepted it wordlessly.
We looked inside the door that Derek had opened. It was one of the largest rooms I’d seen so far, dome shaped and covered in what looked like spider web, but with strands as thick as my arm.
I didn’t see the spider itself, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to.
There was another door on the other side of the room, but it was a wide stone one with runes on the surface. I didn’t see an obvious door handle. It was probably meant to open and close under specific conditions.
“Looks like a spire guardian room,” Derek explained. “And I think I can see where the stairway will appear.” He pointed at a square tile in the middle of the room. “It should manifest once we beat the guardian, but I can’t say if it’ll go up or down. If it goes up, we’ll have to keep pushing on. The way down probably wouldn’t be much further.”
“How dangerous is the guardian likely to be?” Sera asked.
“Probably not too bad, given that we’re still on the first floor. As a general rule, a group of six Carnelians — or one or two Sunstones — can usually handle the guardians dedicated to blocking off the first few stairways. Obviously that means it won’t be much trouble for me.” Derek flexed his arms, and Sera rolled her eyes in response. “Better check that other door.”
Derek headed to the last door we hadn’t checked, which was directly opposite from where we’d entered. He opened it as soon as he got there, peering inside.
I considered our current placement while he was out of arm’s reach.
Vera was standing over by the entrance to the wind room, next to Professor Orden. That was bad.
Derek was about as far from Orden as possible, though, which was good.
Jin and Sera were right next to me, which was also good.
“Hey, Vera, come here a sec.” I waved to her and she approached.
One preparation in place.
“Not much in this one.” Derek turned around, closing the door. “Big box in the back is a mimic. I could handle it, but there isn’t much of a point. We aren’t here for treasure, and there aren’t any other doors in there.”
I leaned over to whisper in Sera’s ear. “When I give you the signal, make a wall.”
Sera gave me an inquisitive look paired with the slightest nod.