The Red Remain (Rubine vol. 2)

Heat

The path had went on for quite a ways, and as I walked, the halls surrounding me only got more and more abstract. Eventually, they even vanished. The ground started to bend and twist, leading me to walk with the floor above me, and the ceiling below. Even for magic, this building worked in mysterious ways. I thought to myself.

But after gravity started making sense again, and walls came back to where they should be, I met another gateway. There was a pale blue light glittering from the insides of another chamber.  Drawing close enough to make out the contents of the room, I was first tricked to think I had made it outside. 

On the uneven, dirt covered floor, there had been grasses, and even a tree growing inside of the massive chasm. The walls were covered in blue and violet crystals which gave off dim lights, making me believe it was the planet's sky. Strangest of all though, the room showed signs of use by native creatures. Wall to wall, there were piles of various unnatural materials and technologies, far too primitive to be considered gem technology, yet too advanced to be from that of a normal beast.

I entered the room, and to my surprise stepped into a pool of lukewarm water. There were ponds and streams all scattered around the room, all flowing from a single pond, joined by a waterfall. I looked up and saw the fall twirl and wind upwards nonsensically into another space above this one. The more I explored of this bizarre place, the more I believed I was going mad.

I walked until I got to the center, and sat down against the giant plant. How the tree grew in here was something I briefly questioned, but shrugged off after looking up at the knotted waterfall again.

The chaos around me had tempted me to give up. But I refused. I can't leave any of my allies to the terrible fate inside that room. So I grit my teeth and get up and away from the plant. There was always another door in each room, always another way out.

Glancing around, I spot something very unusual. Atop one of the piles of debris. A gem sword, perhaps something I could defend myself with. Although I felt very exhausted for some reason, I pushed myself to climb to the weapon. 

At the top, the blade was stuck clean into some kind of wooden seating furniture, I reach up with my left arm, and use the handle to turn it down towards me for better leverage. With a few tries, I finally could get it loose enough to yank out of the chair. 

Finally holding the whole weapon in my hands, I realized it was quite unwieldy for someone of my stature. Although it was designed for use with one large hand, I had to use both to even lift the thing. 

I was getting weaker, and now I'm starting to guess why. My gem's crack was worsening. 

My form was still perfectly fine, no distortions or anything, but I know I hadn't had as much power as before. The moment of realization brought me back to the days before, I wondered whatever came of that rutile. If she ever got the repairs she needed. 

I'll find her, I'll find them all. I thought. 

The rebels will pay.