“Yes.” Simeon smiled. “Part of the mystery we’re investigating. Well. Kind of investigating. To be honest we’re searching for treasure. In centuries past different colonies were established below to take advantage of the rich mana.”
“There are none now?” asked Scorio.
Simeon pursed his lips and shook his head. “They inevitably get wiped out. Traders or travelers arrive and find everything abandoned, everyone gone. It’s happened a half dozen times that we know of, and all the old ruins are still below, some incredibly grand. But of the Great Souls that built them? No sign.”
Leonis leaned over the railing, frowning at the yawning Chasm mouth. “So you’re just kicking around, trying to find something of worth?”
“Please, think more highly of us.” Simeon smirked. “We’re Dread Blazes, not carrion crows. In one of Dameon’s past lives, he lived on a fifth-floor colony. We’re following his memories to a powerful artifact, but it’s been slow going.”
Everybody straightened and stared at Simeon.
Naomi’s eyes were wide. “Dameon’s… but that’s an Imperator’s power.”
“Also what our man got when he made Dread Blaze.” Simeon was clearly enjoying the reveal. “Along with the ability to channel his past self’s learned skills. It makes him incredibly versatile. And aware of information he should have no right to know. Such as the supposed location of this artifact.”
“What are artifacts?” asked Zala hesitantly.
“These days? Rare in the extreme.” Simeon sighed and leaned against the railing. “And almost all of them are in Deep Hell being used by more powerful Great Souls. They’re treasures that can be activated with mana, but which have a stored effect locked into their matrix. You’ve all seen small treasures? Little useful knickknacks that quickly lose their utility as you rank up?”
Scorio thought of his chalk, bridge, and stationary rod hidden in his robes.
“Artifacts are like those, but require much higher quality mana to activate, and can be real spectacular. If we can get our hands on this one, we can sell it to the highest bidder, then use that wealth to get all the elixirs and power we need to break as many of us as possible into the next ranks.” His tone turned wistful. “It’s our ticket out of here.”
Scorio turned back to the Chasm. They were flying toward the fork in the rivers where a ramshackle settlement had been built at the very edge. “What’s this artifact do?”
“That’s for you to learn if you make full member. We can’t risk word getting out. You understand.”
A small crowd emerged from the ten or so buildings to watch them descend, and that’s when Scorio recalled that Manticore had—how many had Evelyn said? Twenty-six Flame Vaults, five Tomb Sparks, and three Emberlings. Thirty-nine in all. Most of them had to be below ground.
Scorio studied the upturned faces as they drew closer to the ground. Twenty-six Flame Vaults. Training was going to be intense.
“Lower the anchor,” Ydrielle called, and Davelos leaped down the trapdoor into the hold. A moment later a bang sounded, and then the rippling metallic sound of a heavy chain running. They dropped, the sound of the waterfalls swelling, animal cries from the forest, the buildings rising up to meet them, and when they were only ten yards above the ground they stopped, rose a few feet, then jerked to a stop.
“Anchored and good to go,” said Ydrielle.
“Finally!” Evelyn simply leaped overboard, though Simeon moved to kiss Ydrielle and then follow her through the trapdoor.
“Well, we’re here. Camp Manticore, as I so creatively named it.” Dameon rounded on them. “Couple of ground rules before we head down and meet the rest of the company: for now, you are all probationary members. That means we feed you, clothe you, provide you with shelter, and most importantly, training. However, that means from now on you will treat the other Dread Blazes and myself as your commanders and with the respect that deserves. In camp that may feel like a formality, but in Chasm, it may mean the difference between life and death. Clear?”
Everyone nodded.
“For the most part, we’re pretty easygoing. But security is of the utmost importance. The local fiends get feisty each night cycle, and perimeter duty is a huge responsibility. You’ll not be assigned till you make full members, but you’re not to interfere with anyone on watch, distract them, and if they give you a command, no matter what, you’re to obey it as if it came from me. Clear?”
More nods.
Dameon grinned. “That’s enough for now. Let’s get on solid ground, introduce you to everyone, and then sit down for a proper meal. I’ll go over the rest while we eat. Ready? Then follow me.”
Scorio’s palms were damp and he darted a quick glance at his friends; everyone seemed alert and wary but Jova, who followed Dameon first into the hold. Scorio took a deep breath, held it, then exhaled and climbed down the ladder into the gloom.
There wasn’t much space below, just enough to stand hunched over, and four large metal cylinders of different sizes were braced and bolted down to the bulwarks. There were heaped sacks, four or so large chests banded in metal, and a bright hole in the very center from which a thick chain hung. It had been unspooled from a large winch, fed up through a thick iron loop in the main rafter, then descended straight into the bright air.
A rope ladder had been thrown out, but nobody took it. The drop was ten yards onto muddy grass, but seeing Jova simply hop out and drop caused Juniper to grimace and do the same, then with even more reluctance, Zala.
“Guess using the ladder’ll make us look weak,” muttered Leonis.
Naomi scoffed, Ignited her Heart, and dropped down. Lianshi followed suit.
“Go on, big man,” said Scorio. “If you go last you’ll remain stuck up here till Evelyn comes to bring you down.”
“Bah.” Leonis Ignited, crouched, then took an awkward hop forward and disappeared.
Scorio grinned. There was plenty of Copper mana in the air. He swept enough into his Heart to saturate, Ignited, and stepped out after his friends.
Chapter 34
The fall was brief, a blur of buildings and light, then he hammered into the soft dirt, sank deep, then rose smoothly to standing.
Dameon and the other Dread Blazes were greeting the locals. There were eight strangers gathered, and all were alternating between bowing or clasping forearms and staring curiously at the new arrivals.
“Listen up, everyone.” Dameon clapped his hands, and Scorio was impressed at how quickly the locals oriented on him. “A lot’s happened in a very short period of time. Big changes back in Bastion and out in the Fiery Shoals. The White Queen’s gone, the Autocrators have been forced to swear Heart Oaths, and most importantly, we’ve got ourselves a band of new recruits.”
Everyone turned to stare at them, and Dameon smiled toothily. “These aren’t regular greenhorns. They’ve accomplished some impressive feats already, but their smartest move was petitioning to join our little outfit. They’re Tomb Sparks and Emberlings, which means they’re going to have to work twice as hard to catch up with the rest of us.” Dameon proceeded to introduce them all, one by one, and Scorio and his friends bowed as their names were called out. “But first things first. I’m going to step aside and catch up on developments here. Jadon, go ahead and introduce yourself and give our new friends the tour. End it at the mess hall, and I’ll meet you there for food and more orientation.”
Ydrielle clasped Simeon’s hand and fairly pulled him away, causing the man to laugh huskily, and once they’d rounded the corner of a building and were out of sight Ydrielle let out a startled yelp and then cursed, Simeon laughed unabashedly, and then there was the sound of a door slamming closed.
The group broke up, with three of the locals moving away with Dameon, Davelos, and Evelyn. The rest returned slowly to their business while Jadon ambled toward them.