Chapter 10-14 A Cage of Thoughts (I)
Zein. What the fuck is wrong with you? Are you trying to expose us to the Guilds?
Hm. Oh. Yes, Cas. What woes do you wish to bleat to me about today?
Listen: I understand you find human life to be nothing more than a joke, but Firmament is considering burning the Column. The numbers are still rolling intwenty-four million dead. Five times that number nulled. What the hells
Calm yourself, boy. The Firmament threatens, but they are toothless all the same. Besides, I did nothing. Point fingers at the Hungers and their slaves if you wish to direct your ire. Besides, our Voider allies will quite like what I have planned.
...What the hells have you done now?
Oh. Just created an opening for us to seize Highflame from the inside.
[Disbelieving laugh] Holy shit. I mean holy shit. All this effort. All this time and thats what youve been planning? Youre scheming to one-up your daughter in a pissing competition over old slights.
Im scheming to ensure the stabilization of the Saintists and thereby the entire situation on Idheim. The feud between me and Veylis is but a bonus. Oh, but that girl needs to learn how to run her house better. Her father will be so very disappointedah. Youre glaring hatefully at me again. Is this because my
Lack of fucking empathy. Yeah. Did you hear the part when I mentioned over a hundred and twenty million people snuffed and nulled? Because your pet rotlick just had to
If this makes your mettle quiver then I suggest you steel yourself, child, for before the desired reality can come to fruition, pillars must break and the fuel that is death must flow.
-Cas eldCanduir and Zein Thousandhand, Ninth Column
10-14
A Cage of Thoughts (I)
We have an hour, Avo said, springing into motion. Instinct propelled him even before his mind had a chance to settle. Zein is distracting the Bloodthanes. Think shes bombing Nu-Scarrowbur. Need to take this chance. Mirrorheads cut off from the Nether. Ignorant. Vulnerable. He paused thereafter, taking in the confused faces and blinking eyes.
Too fast. Zein's little trick had left him with whiplash. More fascinatingly, he could sense a faint volumetric quiver outlining the forms of Draus, Essus, and Chambers. Thousandhand slashed at him with her sword over twenty times. Whatever that did, it connected them, and would keep them protected.
Somehow.
He swallowed a growl. Dealing with the old woman was like trying to chase a nu-cat: The resultant chaos was always on her terms. He needed to start thinking about how to change that. Draus. Need to talk with you first. Need to talk. And then plan attack after.
Her uncertainty shone through her stare. This about whatever Thousandhand just did?
Hard to tell whats not about Thousandhand. Avo paused. He shot a look at Essus and found the father wavering, his eyes scanning about, lost with regard to the situation. Yeah. That was an appropriate response to Zein. But this is about you. She wants something from you now. Not even sure if I should tell youif me telling you is one of her schemes.
Spit straight, Draus said. She turned and leaned against the table, cocking her head up to meet him face-to-face. What I do might kill me, but what I dont know can kill me anyway without earnin my death straight-up.
Draus was a pure creature of simple wants. Perhaps this did fall into Zeins machinations, but it was better that the Regular knew. That way, she could at least possess some choice with regard to her own thoughts. Zein wants you made a Clad.
The Regulars right eye twitched slightly. Her lip curled for an instant. That it?
Wants you to claim Mirrorheads Frame. Make you seem like the one to snuff him for good. Ingratiate you back with the Meritocrats. I think. Use you as an entryway back into Highflame.
A troubled look clouded her expression as she listened to his words. Draus went still. Deathly still. Her heart, however, accelerated, its beats slow rather than sparse. That all she showed you?
Yes. He paused, thinking on his next words. Didnt infuse the paths into me this time. But I think she wants to use you. Blame everything on Mirrorhead to bring down his father. Drive the Chivalrics against each other. And make you a hero. Highflame worthy. Settle their issues before they even begin.
Draus nodded. "Yeah." She ran her tongue along the sides of her cheek. Yeah. That oughta do it. Scoops and medias will eat that shit up. Meritos too, but theyll do anything to stomp the Chivs by this point. Her face darkened. Godsdamned maybe Santanado was one of Zeins? Maybe she planned this all along, had him in place to be the big hero and nows just pivoting because Im what shes got on hand.
Avo didnt know, and he hated it. Zein was playing and looking down from a scope beyond his. That was what he hated most about her: How she left him grasping at shadows, wary of being strung along, in fear of being leashed to her whims.
Dont know if me telling you is part of her plan, Avo said. Took me out. No reason to do it. Unless she could use me to influence you. Plant the seeds in your head. He studied her. Mightve suceeded.
Her face twisted into one of disgust and exhaustion. Avo. Remember what I told you when you offered to burn a Frame into me?
Remembered it made you angry.
She let out a sharp breath. You asked me about limbo. Yeah. Right. I admit it. This is limbo. But I was perfectly fine snuffin half-strands and dyin right and proper in these here Warrens. No need for greater hope. No need for a way back to honor. Me and the Golds? Were never gonna be whole again.
Curiousity spurred his next words. Loathe as he was to admit it, part of him did desire such an outcome for Draus as well. Her ascension would increase her capabilities exponentially, and allow her to apply her skills on a far greater level. It would also alleviate what he thought might be lonesomeness. He was still figuring that one out.
What were you going to do? After we killed Mirrorhead?
Moments passed. His Echoheads chittered and he found Chambers poking at the ways nearby, hiding the fact that he was listening to their conversation. That didnt matter. Avo would just pull those memories out from him afterward.
There are other Syndicates. Other lacks and half-strands who need killin. I figured if I didnt die doin this fool thing, there would always be another. She exhaled as exhaustion bled over more into her features. Yeah. Alright. I did think about it.
Think about it? Avo said. He knew what she was insinuating, but he wanted to hear her say it.
A Frame, rotlick, Draus said. I was considerin takin you up on that offer of a Frame. She shook her head. I missed my chance to die.
During the war?
Yeah. She sighed. When Zein was pointing at us earlier, gesturing to you and me You and your kind were the worst things to happen to me. You fed me too much righteousness. All of us too much righteousness. Good kills, was what you all were. And what few of my kin died fightin you and your Low Masters? We did it gladly. She looked down. Which mightve been why goin back to bleedin the Silvers right after turned out so godsdamned hard. Because it meant nothin. We were fightin over blocks and districts. Dyin for a war already lost. Killin the FATELESS because they was in our way.
You wished you died fighting my brothers? Avo asked.
The chuckle that came from her was devoid of scorn, but filled with melancholy. I just kinda wish my life was spent on somethin something worth dreamin about. Not square miles for a bombed-out megablock. Not for some Heaven or Soul thats just gonna go to a dumbshit Guilder kid lookin to play in the Trials.
Avo grunted a laugh. Her eyes flicked back to him, gaze teetering between confusion and a glare as he spoke. So. That was not the dream.
A beat passed. She laughed too. Fuck you, rotlick.
Silence settled between them. Time was running along, but Avo had an idea how he could conduct his assault. The question of what Drausand to an extent Essuswanted would dictate his approach. Will you do it? I think I can use the Metafac. Strip it from him. Install it into you when this is done. Should be able to do it like with the Fallen Heaven.
I dunno yet, Draus said. Shit. I dont know if Im ready to Her voice trailed off.
He knew the word. Live. Taking the Frame meant living. Meant turning away from her imagined end fighting in these depths and face what she really wanted for herself in a life beyond Guild service or self-righteous bloodshed.
I can tell you this much though. She thumbed in the direction of Essus as she spoke. You. Me. Him? We all got a score to settle. With Conflux. Aint done till they're all dead, and I say we cut these sow-born fucks down and see what lights the wick after.
Now there was a delicious sentiment. Shared retribution. He swallowed back his salivation as he imagined conjoining his Metamind to Draus and Essus as they extracted torment, trauma, ghost, and Soul from Mirrorhead.
What a glorious cocktail this was to be.
Servos whined from the corner of the room as the father stood. Twin coals of crimson burned within the depths of his sockets. His fingers rang as they snapped opened and shut. I will come. The man spoke in faint whispers, his lungs hollow of strength. I must He turned to stare at the holographic form of his son, taking in the sight of Mirrorheads gravest insult. His lips contorted with withheld agony. I must do this. You are right. His death must mean something.
Striding over to Avo and Draus, the fathers footsteps were a shuddering rise and hammer fall. I will do anything Turning his head up, he muttered something between words. Something to Artad. I will do as you say. I just I want him to face my boy before his end. So that he might sink deeper into the dark hereafter with the weight of his sins in known.
And as the words left his mouth, he placed a mechanical appendage against the table they sat around and sagged. A chair moved. From across, Avo watched Kae reach over and place her hand over Essus transplanted limb.
Both he and Draus froze, their heads tilting in unison at the fragile creature. Curiosity became him while worry consumed Draus. How distant empathy and comfort were to him. And how visibly did it aid Essus, who bowed his head and struggled against the ragged gasps of his anguish.
Kae, Draus said, shooting the Agnos an apologetic expression. Thats enough. We dont have the time.
Across the table, the other woman frowned and pulled her hand back. I-it wasnt like
I know. But we dont risk that.
Suddenly, it occurred to Avo how affection-starved Kae had been as well. No ghosts. No Nether. Nothing. She was an exile not only in her own mind but to society as a whole, parted from all the nourishments needed by a stable heart.
If he was to survive the following encounter with Mirrorhead, he needed to fix her. He had an idea of how now. As well as the means. It would not take much for him to produce a locus using his blood to extinguish her conflagration before scrying her innermost sequences.
He shook his head and refocused. That would have to be afterward. And he had to ensure she wouldnt be trapped here in the George Washington if the worst came to pass. He needed to house her elsewhere. With reliable assets who could help ensure her safety thereafter.
Ultimately, there was only one obvious option.
A cord of blood shot free from his body and latched onto the locus within the throne. At the same time, Avo addressed the single most expendable person in the room. Chambers. Get the Blockcrawler online. Kae. Draus. Get in.
The former enforcer bounced up in startlement at Avos sudden address. I ah, sure thing consang. Whatre we doing.
Thats a good question, Draus said. What are you
We leave Kae with Green River again for now, Avo said. Not here. You know why. She cant work the locus well until the Nether comes back. Will leave her trapped if were all dead or nulled. Accessing the Blackways, Avo scanned through the various gates until he found the one listed nearest to Xin Yunsha from the mem-data.
With a thought, he bade it to open and the doorway, once again, fused into shape along the walls.
You all get in the Blockcrawler. Essus. You hold onto the back. Ill shuttle via Galeslither. Drop off Kae. Then we plan our assault on the go.
We got free reign of movement, Draus said, understanding. The Thoughtwave Detonation shouldve crippled their drone grid, and I doubt they got a coldtech redundancy built in place like the Guilds do. The skies should be ours, and more than that, Mirrorhead might as well be blind to us. We choose where we want to hit em and when. A snort of displeasure escaped her. And to think of all that time I spent circlin the block, pullin in mem-data.
Avo grunted. Best laid plans.
Yeah, Draus said. Best laid plans.
***
The wind roared as a raging torrent as Avo galloped free up along the edge of the district, his weight and speed peeling paint from the walls of the megablock. As he rounded over the apex, he found thousands upon thousands of FATELESS gathered in the empty aero-lots of the YoumengSleeper Farm.
They had been broken from their slumber with the Nether-cleaving blast, and now Avo knew them as a variety of small and shriveled forms bickering and chattering about what just transpired. Their recency to the city did them no favors, the immensity of the blast one more miracle of Nu Vultan to gawk at. As he crossed over the airways above, a few clutched at the rags they wore as clothes, holding themselves against the bitter chill of his winds.
Onward, he continued, leaving the masses in his wake.
Enamel tiles extended from the folded lips of slatted eaves s like rows of teeth. Hardened walls of bone fused between the blocks and buildings of Xin Yunsha, structures formerly apart now meshing into a singular defensive organism.
The Second Fortune, meanwhile, remained its auspicious self, even deprived of functioning phantoms. In place of ghosts were bioformsseven feet tall bat-like creatures carrying with them paint brushes, jars of black ink, and trailing scrolls, launching from rooftop to rooftop as they continued to push their trade in the oldest fashion available.
Sending more than a few gargoyles scattering from his path, Avo regarded the time in his cog-feed and kept things quick. They still had over fifty minutes to pierce and secure the Conflux megablock thereafter.
Things werent ideal, but that went for everyone else as well, and much of his subversive architecture remained. The greatest task ahead was to disable and defeat Mirrorhead without exposing themselves. If they let the Guilder escape, there was no telling if they would ever see him again, and if their vengeance would ever be granted a proper end.
This was why he kept the Blockcrawler with him. And Chambers. They could get back into the Megablock through the mem-con contaminated area. Despite the Nether being down, proximal infection from cognitive or memetic vectors still remained a danger. At least to your standard enforcer.
For Avo, it presented an opportunity to utilize the new properties imbued in his Heaven.
But that was a thing for later.
Twisting around the back alley of the Second Fortune, he pulled the Blockcrawler out from his Yondergales and deposited it just before the rearmost doors.
Two bioforms approached, grafted guns and chambered spores extending from their shoulders. Reforging his mortal body from the surrounding winds, Avo didnt break stride as he fired his Celerostylus and threaded two tendrils of blood out from his wrist.
As the locus channeled within his ichor struck the bedrock that was their minds, he drove his ghosts through their thoughtstuff and blended their near-term memories into a slurry of madness. Leaving them clutching their heads and moaning with incoherence, Avo extended his Whisper along a scouting thread of blood. A dozen accretions flashed behind the door, approaching him at a steady pace. These ones were better warded than the bioforms. Guests.
He cut his reflexes for now. Time resumed.
Behind him, Kae emerged from below the Blockcrawler an interesting greenish complexion, slightly ill from the turbulent trip. Skittering back over to her using his Echoheads, he caught her before she could fall just as Draus emerged right after.
Shit, consang, Draus muttered. Gotta work on your flyin.
Flyings fine, Avo snapped. He shot Essusstill clinging to the sides of the Blockcrawlera look. Dont let Chambers leave. Kill him if he tries.
The father grimaced, but nodded. Avo wondered if the man could actually commit uncoerced murder, but he also doubted that Chambers was brave enough to make a run for it.
Entering the establishment, the halls and rooms were packed to the brim with people. Most looked to be local Lights Enders with some imps to burn and a cheap place to use them, but there was a not-insubstantial presence of possible street squires as well, hard eyes scanning the crowd.
Avo let Draus lead, slinking behind and playing the role of ignorant bioform as he closed the plates around his head. It wouldnt do to leave an impression here and now.
Draus? A voice called out. Avo turned. Bright-Wealth squeezed along a dozen or so holocoated figures packed near the front entrance of the establishment. She slithered over to them, seeming both surprised but also wary. I thought you all left? Green River said
We need a favor, Draus said, putting a hand on Kaes shoulders and thrusting her towards the snake woman. She needs a place to stay for a couple a days. Nice place. Tell River that if she does this were more than square, that Ill make it up to her after.
Bright-Wealth froze. The suddenness of the request threw her off, but this wasnt the first time Draus gifted her with an assignment. I see. And will you be returning for her afterward?
Kae turned, swallowing as she stared at the Regular and the Ghoul. Well do our damndest. Best anyone can.
Bright-Wealth bowed her head slightly, understanding. Smuggling a glance over at Avo, she slithered past him whispering, Ai, yao-guai. All this your fault? You trip some kind of wire in the Nether and bring everything down?
He glared at her. Why was she
She drifted right along his ear. Green River might have some information about our mutual problem. Find a time to speak with her once you finish whatever the fuck youre doing right now.
He grunted in affirmation. Hows the ma jiang?
Terrible. Losing all the time. She looped back around and gestured for Kae to follow her.
I-I, the Agnos began.
Well come get you after it all gets done, Draus reassured. Avos got some ideas about how to fix that mind of yours. Right, Avo?
Still watching the shadows in the room, he offered Kae a slow but sure nod.
Swallowing, the Agnos took a step away and followed after Bright-Wealth.
Alright, Draus said, shrugging her shoulders as if trying to shed tension of her own, lets go get this run done.
Turning back, they made for the rear entrance again, but mid-step, Avo found himself momentarily stunned.
There, behind the front desk alongside another Sang girl stood a girl he once bought a steamed bun for.
Lucille.
They had stripped the mods from her skin, returning her flesh to a more amber tone. She helped arrange a folder of papers then, and emerged from behind the counter to walk across the crowded room.
Draus noticed her too by this point, halting momentarily to watch the one they saved walk past them. A distant call went up from the other room, the voice pitched high with more than a hint of histrionics.
Lucille, hearing the dreadful bleating of her name, threw back her head.
And laughed.
Im coming. Im coming! Youre going to scare the guests. Muttering her apologies, she slipped past two holocoat-shrouded bodies and disappeared from their sight.
Draus let out a breath. Nice work.
Yeah, Avo said. With honesty, he was surprised as well. He expected more than a little lingering trauma. A longer road to recovery, regardless. But here she was. Still surviving. More than surviving. She was alive.
Walton would have been proud.
Come on, Draus said. Lets get gone. We got a massacre to start.
Th𝗲 most uptodate novels are published on free(w)ebnov(e)l.𝒄𝒐𝙢