229: Orientation Camp Part Two (Maiya)

NOTE: I'll be without internet connectivity the next several days, so here are Monday's and Tuesday's chapters. Next chapter will be Wednesday.

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“Maiya? What in all the realms…”

“Not now,” Maiya said, cutting Yamal off. “We should leave before people start asking questions.”

“Aren’t you worried they’ll just tell everyone what happened here?” Yamal asked, looking at the pile of groaning bodies on the ground.

While Maiya hadn’t killed anyone, she’d certainly roughed them up. Many would require medical treatment.

“Not in the least. Can you imagine what people will think of them if they admit they all ganged upon a helpless girl… and lost?” Maiya asked innocently.

Yamal took a half step back, prompting her to roll her eyes.

“I’m not some feral beast, you know? I don’t bite. Well, I won’t bite you,” she said with a wink, walking over the bodies.

Yamal exchanged a nervous glance with the Silent One before following their mistress.

Maiya hastily departed the alley, ensuring to flip her hood up. Attacking the group had been a risk on her part, but overall, it fit with her goal. If she could take control of Camas’ little posse, it’d give her additional arms and legs within the organization.

Now I just need to make a favorable impression on the Sisters… Wonder how I’ll pull that off.

The clanging of a bell in the distance cut off her thoughts.

“We should probably check that out,” she said.

“Attention. Attention!” A priest was on a raised platform in the town’s central square, waving Initiates down. The platform was a simple wooden affair that looked like it’d been erected specifically for this camp.

“Your next Trial will begin momentarily. Please form up!”

“To be honest… I thought we’d catch more of a break between these Trials,” Yamal commented. “We barely just got done with the last one. The way they’re going makes you think they’re in a rush.”

“Guessing they’re trying to minimize the time they’re here,” Maiya said. “Longer they linger, the more likely the Children will be spotted by passersby. Or at least, that’s what a rational person would do. Who can say with these people?”

“True. So, er, how’d you do?” Yamal asked. “On the Trial, I mean?”

Maiya smirked. “What do you think? No issues here. How about you two?”

The Silent One nodded confidently.

Maiya realized he must’ve written down his responses. It was a good thing he was literate, or his life would’ve been much harder.

To this day, she’d learned very little of the man. He only wrote his thoughts when absolutely necessary, generally preferring to stick to basic gestures to communicate his intent.

That didn’t fool Maiya for an instant, however. From the way he carried himself to how his eyes seemed to size up every situation before them, The Silent One was intelligent. Perhaps incredibly so. Well trained in the art of combat, too. Many mysteries abounded around the man, and Maiya was determined to get to the bottom of them.

“I think I did alright,” Yamal said. “Your study sessions helped greatly. I’d surely have failed, otherwise.”

“I don’t really think you can fail these Trials,” Maiya said. “They’re using them to determine the pecking order. That’s all. If you do poorly, you’ll likely be relegated to a janitor. Or those people who have to dye the walls with blood.”

Yamal paled. “I’ll be sure to give it my all.”

It only took a handful of minutes for the rest of the Initiates to form up before they were led out of the square, and then out of the  small town entirely.

“You don’t think this’ll be like the death march in Jatan Forest, do you?”

Maiya shrugged. It certainly looked like they intended on marching them somewhere.

“They’ve covered Knowledge of Doctrine already, which leaves Devotion and Closeness to Ash. A death march certainly sounds like it could be a test of devotion.”

“You don’t sound convinced,” Yamal commented.

Maiya pursed her lips. It was true—what was the point in having them repeat the same exercise? No, she suspected this Trial would be something else entirely.

The group of about fifty Initiates continued their long march, though Camas and his lackeys were conspicuously absent.

Soon, their destination became apparent. Past a copse of trees—too small to be considered a forest—rose a tall cliff that shone brightly under the harsh sun. The prominence was the only one of its sort, rising a hundred paces above the nearby flat scenery.

Sure enough, the priest began circling around the cliffs, hiking up its gently sloped backside, until they’d arrived at the very top.

“Pretty up here,” Yamal commented, taking in the sweeping views. Though not especially tall when compared to the mighty Bulwark Range that separated Kin’jal from Rani at the southwest, the relative flatness of the nearby terrain did offer quite a commanding vantage.

Grassy plains and gently rolling hills stretched all the way to the horizon, and Maiya could just barely make out the ghost town of Bahurai in the distance. She still had no idea why they were here.

Surely, they don’t expect us to jump? Not even the Children would be that crazy.

“Welcome to the Trial of Devotion!” the priest announced, raising his arms to the sky. The Childrens’ priests were quite fond of that gesture, Maiya noted.

“This is the simplest Trials you shall face. To prove your faith… You must jump!”

Frantic whispers broke out.

“Fear not! If you have formed a group, you may choose a champion for this task! Only one of you will have to brave the Trial. Note that groups are limited to four or smaller—Hmm?”

Someone—another priest—rushed up to the man and whispered in his ear.

“Ah, apologies! Rejoice, for our god has smiled upon you today! There shall be no champion. You will all participate in our glorious trial!”

Actually, Maiya thought, clutching her hair. They really are that insane.

— —

“So, we’re going through with this?” Yamal asked, fidgeting.

“We are,” Maiya replied, her expression grim.

The Silent One simply looked at Maiya, who nodded. The big man nodded back and continued on as usual.

“What, one nod from her and you’ll jump off a grakking cliff!?”

“He trusts me,” Maiya said solemnly. “I can only ask that you do, too.”

“Right… Trust,” Yamal said sarcastically. “It’s all so simple, isn’t it?”

Only two others stood in line before them. About half had chickened out—far too few, in Maiya’s opinion—but the ones who’d jumped had all screamed all the way down. Right up until their screams abruptly cut out.

The worst part? The priest had told them nothing else. Not whether they would live, or if they were plunging to their deaths.

“We’re gonna die, aren’t we?” the Initiate at the front of the line said, sobbing. “This is it. Isn’t it?”

“Child, you must believe in our lord and savior. Have faith that the Swarm will bless your soul. Now, go. Show us your Devotion!”

The man took several deep breaths and walked up to the edge of the cliff. His breaths grew even deeper, until he was hyperventilating, his straps trembling and unsteady.

Maiya couldn’t tell if he jumped intentionally, or simply fell off, but the moment he did, his half-sob, half-scream turned into an all out shriek as he fell.

Like the others, his voice was also mercilessly cut short.

The man after him bailed, collapsing on the ground in a pool of his own urine, and then they were up.

“Look. You have to trust me, alright?” Maiya said, locking eyes with Yamal and the Silent One. “We do this together, okay? Arms locked. I’ll be in the center.”

“Oh, yes. That makes this much better,” Yamal said bitterly, tears streaking down his face.

Maiya linked up with the Silent One, who took her arm firmly, and reached out to Yamal.

He hesitated, looking at her hand with suspicion, before relenting.

“Ash Damn it! If I die here, I will reincarnate as a demon to haunt you!”

Maiya smiled. “Demons don’t scare me.”

They stepped off the cliff together. Yamal immediately screamed, though Maiya could hardly blame him. A hundred paces didn’t sound like much—she’d fallen from a greater height fighting Cirayus, when they’d jumped from Frumpy—but unlike before, Maiya had no Vir to slow her fall. A hundred paces was plenty to scare the living daylight out of her.

Even the Silent One clutched her tighter. Maiya wondered if he planned to protect her from the impact with his own body, should it come to that.

Heroic, but unnecessary. For within Maiya’s boots and clothing were four C Grade Enhance Blunt Force Protection orbs, which she’d discreetly slotted the moment they’d started hiking up the back of the cliff.

If the Silent One took the fall, the cushion of his body might save her, but it’d surely doom him and Yamal. If Maiya were the one to absorb the impact, however… Well, while they wouldn’t walk away unscathed, she was at least confident they’d at least be alive.

The ground rushed up, closer and faster, Maiya forced herself to concentrate—to keep her eyes focused on the ground beneath them—and then she finally saw it.

So. Not as insane as I thought… The Children had devised a cushion of sorts. An enormous pool at the base of the cliff. Filled, of course, with blood.

But even before she could sigh in relief, she noticed something was off.

The pool… it’s off?

Rather, they were off. Dread coursed through Maiya’s veins, and her heart skipped a beat.

It’s because we’re holding onto each other! It’s changed our trajectory!

Too late to change that, Maiya did the only thing she could. She pulled Yamal and the Silent Man towards her… and she cursed.

Ash Damn it all!

— —

It wasn’t the ground that got them, but an errant branch.

Maiya felt the impact against her custom robe, and felt the magic orb flare to life, absorbing the impact.

Though, while it prevented her chest from caving in, it did nothing to ease the discomfort of having her breath sucked right out of her.

Heaving, she bounced off the branch, just barely maintaining her grip on her friends.

When they finally hit the ground, it wasn’t the hard jolt Maiya had expected, but rather softer. She felt them slam into the ground… and then, the sensation was gone. The pain never came.

We’re falling again!

They continued through the forested floor, down. Falling farther and faster, until finally, they met cold, hard stone with a sickening crunch.

Maiya got the pain she’d expected. Just before the world went dark.

— —

When Maiya finally came to, her body ached all over.

“Hello, princess. Finally awake?”

“What… Happened?” Maiya asked, gingerly sitting up. That she could sit up was a good sign. The pain told her she’d surely broken some bones, but at least she wasn’t crippled.

“I was hoping you could tell us,” Yamal replied. “Whatever you did saved us both. No idea how, but we landed without even a scratch! You, on the other hand… You’re quite the mess.”

Maiya stood and immediately winced. “Tell me about it.”

Broken leg, for sure. Some broken ribs, too.

Maiya fumbled with the two Mend Bone orbs she carried on her, hoping against hope they hadn’t shattered.

The moment her fingers felt the sharp shards in her pocket, she knew it’d been crushed. Gingerly, she retrieved the other, which was thankfully intact.

Not bothering to hide it any longer, she brought it to her leg as Yamal and the Silent One watched, then activated it.

She knew it’d worked, because the pain multiplied, forcing her onto her knees. Maiya grit her teeth and hissed as the orb worked its magic.

No one commented about how she just happened to have an incredibly expensive Life orb on her.

“Where is this?” she asked, partly to distract herself from the pain. Partly because she was dying to know. The cavern they’d fallen into was unlike any she’d seen. The intricate stone work on the floor showed a great deal of care had been taken in crafting this place.

“I’d pay seric to answer that,” Yamal answered.

Looking up, Maiya saw  the shaft they’d fallen through. It resembled a large well, though there was no water at the bottom. Only a trickle of light filtered from the opening in the copse above—the trees blocked most of the sunlight.

The light of the Magic Lamp orbs Yamal and the Silent One carried showed the tunnel was a perfect arch—not jagged like a mineshaft—and it spread away, into the distance.

Kin’jal had no knowledge of any facilities buried beneath these plains. Had  they stumbled upon ancient Kin’jal ruins? Or perhaps something even older?

Yamal lowered his voice, despite them being alone in the  tunnel. “The Silent One scouted out the tunnel ahead… and, er…”

“What?”

“We’re not alone. He spotted some Children cultists.”

The Silent One retrieved his notebook, thrusting it in front of Maiya.

Four guards. Large door. Locked.

Her pain faded as the minutes passed, and Maiya finally stood. Her chest still hurt, but it wasn’t anything that would kill her. Or compromise her ability to fight.

“Lead the way,” she said, gesturing down the hall.

It didn’t take long for them to reach the room The Silent One spoke of. There were no branching passages, nor did they see any stairs up or down, and the Magic Lantern braziers on the walls made navigation simple.

“I think we should turn back,” Yamal whispered. “We don’t want to—Maiya!?”

Maiya blurred around the corner.

The first guard was down even before he’d registered her presence. The second saw only a dark blur, and nothing more. The third and the fourth helpfully stared agape at their fallen comrades, allowing Maiya to dispatch them both at once.

By the time Yamal and The Silent One rounded the corner, all four guards lay in a heap, and Maiya was already rummaging through their robes for the key to the door.

“Found it!” she announced.

Yamal’s mouth hung open. “What are you? No, truly. I’d like some answers. First, you take down all those thugs on your own, and then you miraculously save us from that fall? You casually whip out a Life orb, and now these guards? Maiya, just who are you? I feel as though everything you’ve told us is a lie!”

“In due time, Yamal,” Maiya said, meeting his gaze. “Look, I understand you want answers. And I haven’t been honest with you. I admit all that. I’ll tell you everything. Just… not now. Not here. Okay?”

Yamal frowned, then nodded. “I shall hold you to that. Assuming we make it out of here alive.”

“We will.”

Maiya turned her attention to the heavy wooden door. What’s in this room that they’re protecting so closely?

The key clicked into its slot, but of course, it was also locked magically.

Oh, well, she thought, retrieving a Wind Blade orb. She placed it against the lock and fired… And then there wasn’t a lock anymore.

Maiya swung the door open and stepped in. As such, she failed to notice the looks of amazement on her friends’ faces.

But Yamal and the Silent One were the last thing on her mind. The gnarled, low roofed room commanded all of her attention. Dark green branches spread like vines across the floor. There were no walls; the vines snaked their way up, forming the ceiling itself. And at the very center sat a thick green tree trunk. But unlike most trees, the trunk was composed of dozens of the small snaking branches, creating a ridged surface.

Maiya wasn’t quite sure what it was.

“Have you ever seen anything like this?” Yamal whispered.

“No,” Maiya replied, edging up to it.

Thin wisps of dark, black energy wisped from the tree trunk, emanating great power.

This is prana, Maiya realized. Ash prana! But how can I see it?

The quantity was nearly unbearable. The oppressive weight reminded her of when she’d trained near Ash Tears. She felt there was something else, though. Some other power, lurking within that trunk. If only she reached it. If only she could harness it…

“Maiya? I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Yamal said from far behind. “I think you should come back.”

Maiya turned, surprised to see her two companions a half dozen paces behind her.

When did I walk all this way?

She shook her head. “It’s fine.” Profound confidence filled her every pore. She knew this was right. It had to be.

The tree was close now. So very close.

Maiya walked slowly up to it, her arm outstretched. She felt a… presence from the tree. It was calling to her. Beckoning to her.

Her fingers crept closer... and finally touched.