They arrived at the base of the rustic spire. The construct towered to the skies, protruding above the grim clouds. The exterior of the structure was made out of some stone-like slab, but the interior must have been fortified with something stronger. A futuristic material, maybe something similar to the alloys used to create the Exos, Suisei thought. Otherwise, it didn't make sense how a structure of stone could be this tall without toppling over. Even the tallest skyscrapers in her world were limited to a certain height or else they risk swaying from strong winds and earthquakes. This one, however, seemed to defy common sense.
If it's not the material, then it's probably magic. That always seems to be the answer to anything that I can't wrap my head around.
Suisei pondered as she gazed up at the structure. Motes of azure drifted in the area like snowflakes fluttering amidst a gentle breeze. Mana. The area was teeming with it. Even the air smelled different—more sterile with a faint sweetness. The ambient concentration was so dense that even someone like her could see it.
Vesper must be ecstatic.
The scholar who wielded spells lacked the sensitivity to perceive mana with his own eyes. He could only detect its presence like how a normal person could instinctively feel the elevated moisture in the air before a rainstorm. Being able to finally notice its presence must have been a revelation. Suisei casted him a sidelong glance. Indeed, Vesper had a childlike joy on his face.
Marine, on the other hand, had a much different reaction.
"Vesper, my dear, would you please cast a spell that can relieve the pain in my left eye?" she said, nearly pleading.
There was a tangible edge in her voice. Marine's left eye was special as it allowed her to visually perceive mana. It came at the cost of immense pain that seemed to worsen as the ambient mana concentration rose. The abundance of mana in the vicinity must have been deeply uncomfortable for her.
"Yes, sorry," Vesper said before quickly mumbling an incantation, "Levare."
"Thank you," Marine let out a sigh of relief as her shoulders slacked.
A notification blared from Suisei's phone.
Unknown Sender: Stop dawdling. Come inside.
"She's getting impatient, don't you think?"
Marine grinned at them as Suisei read the message out loud. The pirate led the way up a set of dilapidated stairs where the entrance of the spire lied. The steps were littered with molten stone and ash mixed with snow—remnants of when the spire first emerged into existence. Apparently, it seemed to have risen from the ground around the same time that Ame opened the spirit veins. Suisei didn't think that was a coincidence.
The entrance of the spire was open. The insides were pitch-black. Light seemed to be snuffed out or repelled, unable to breach its interiors.
"Well, here goes nothing."
Marine stepped in. Suisei and Vesper quickly followed.
***
The interior of the spire was about what Suisei expected.
A sterile environment. The floor was covered in a layer of an argent material. It had the shine of steel, the rough texture of cobblestone, and the elasticity of rubber. Sounds seemed to be muffled. Suisei felt a strange sense of mild suffocation. The air was thinner here. A dim azure light permeated the space, bending abruptly in uncanny ways that felt alien. Her back crawled with discomfort.
YOU ARE READING
A Distant Reverie
Fanfiction"Careful now. Try not to move too suddenly, alright?" Vesper Noir wakes up one day in a foreign land with gaps in his memories...and a sharp blade pressed against his throat. His assailant? A beautiful, self-proclaimed female pirate with a sweet voi...
