Knights of the Grey City

Chapter 62 - BRIDGES

"Hello, Camilo checking in," I projected into the cold water as I exited the Grey City's brain.

I hadn't expected it to work, but Huang's voice floated to me a few moments later. I imagined him stepping off of the map platform and transforming into the Gargoyle so that he could respond. "How's it going, Camilo?"

"Well... it could be better," I admitted. "But I'm at least glad to see this long-distance thing still works, even without..."

A moment of awkward silence.

"What did Leviathan say?" Huang asked.

"He was in trouble, actually." I briefly detailed the situation as I swam back towards the waterfront.

"So, we didn't actually learn anything new," Huang concluded, sounding strained.

"I guess we at least have a plan of action. We need to figure out what that Angel thing is before we can figure out how to deal with it. Clearly, attacking her head on isn't going to work."

"You should head back to the Sanctuary and ask Rayne to search for information, like Leviathan suggested," Huang said. "I'm not quite done over here. I'm watching that big bruise make itself comfy in the Walled District right now."

"I just hope she stays put long enough for us to come up with a plan."

"Me, too."

I found the current that would take me back to the Waterfront and swam into it.

Tearing myself away from the water was difficult, but ultimately doable, considering how my instincts calmed when my patrol wasn't disturbed. I became human as soon as my feet were on the docks, then strode into the buildings, heading for the Sanctuary.

I found Rayne seated on the carpet in the front entryway, leaning against the wall and sketching in a book.

She glanced at me archly. "Welcome back."

I gave her half of a wave. "How's it going?"

"Fine," she sighed, erasing something on her page. "Just fine."

The death of the Kirin filled the empty space between us, and I tried to push past that oppressive guilt. "I spoke with Leviathan. He has a job for you, if you're interested."

She stood up and brushed imaginary dust from her jeans. "What kind of job?"

I started toward the atrium and she followed after. "Well," I began, "our first goal is to find out everything we can about the Angel and what she is, where she came from. Leviathan doesn't know. She's a type of demon he never thought existed. He's going to search the data banks over where he is, and he suggested..."

Rayne looked up thoughtfully at the golden sky as we entered the atrium. "And he'd like me to search what's here, with my health sense?"

"Exactly," I said. "Sound like something you're up for?"

"I really only interfaced with it once..." she admitted, working her sketchbook into her bag and setting it aside. "Right before I got access to the Kirin. I had sort of been assuming that was a one-time thing, more like it was reaching out for me than I was reaching out for it."

"But you've still got the health sense," I pointed out.

"I do," she admitted. "I suppose it won't hurt to give it a shot."

We stood there in silence for a moment.

"Think we stand a chance?" she asked.

"I feel a lot better now that we at least have an objective," I said carefully. "We know we're not going to win if we just face off against her. But, if we can figure out what she really is, what her weakness might be..."