Sell you a Bridge chapter 318

June 21st 2016 Mysterious Tower, 6:00 PM EDT

I  couldn't help it. I cracked up. Marluxia's face when his corridor  dropped him right in front of a slamming door was too good. Most of the  others seemed confused, but Zee had been close enough to notice him and  started snickering as well, while Drea rolled her eyes at our  immaturity, trying not to smirk and encourage out nonsense more. I  leaned against the wall, almost wheezing. "Oh gods." I gasped. "Did you  see the expression on his face? I wasn't sure if he was going to bellow  in rage or start crying."

Drea suppressed her smile.  "Don't mock the cultists darling. It's tacky." She turned to Zee. "So,  since we got past that trap, any idea how to make sure we don't step  into another one? The key seems to be leading us to the master of the  tower, but it's doing it the fastest possible way, leading us through  areas where we could get hurt."

"Yeah." She said with  embarrassment. "That's...kind of my fault. I told Star Seeker to get us  to the top of the tower in the shortest possible time." We all gaped at  her and she blushed heavily. "What? We're on a time crunch. I doubt even  the cultists can get into this place too soon, but we have to leave at  some point. I didn't want to risk being trapped inside. I didn't think  the master of the tower would put traps inside his own house that even  his key didn't lead around."

That was a valid point. It  took a seriously paranoid asshole to booby trap your own house in such a  way that even people who were allowed to be there got caught. Then  again, the trap had WORKED, so I wasn't sure if I could really fault him  for it. It's not paranoia if there really are invisible monsters trying  to eat your face.

Sindella took charge. "I'm sure no one  is too upset, no harm done, but we don't really have time to sit around  and talk. They WILL get through the wards eventually I imagine, and we  have no clue how large this tower is on the inside. We need to get to  the top. Askim , can you lead us around the traps now that you know what to ask? Without any danger I mean?"

That  brought a pensive look to my girlfriend's face. "Yeah, it'll be slower  but it shouldn't be a problem. I suspect at some point the master of the  tower might intervene and just bring us to him, but he's probably  observing us to make sure of our intentions. Bringing someone past all  your defenses and into a room with you isn't a decision to make lightly.  Hell, he's probably watching us right now. I know I would be."

We  all looked around for a minute, but in the end I just shook it off.  "Alright, let's just g- ok when did that door get there?" I pointed  across the circular room at a door that hadn't been there before. It was  just standing upright in the middle of the room, no wall holding it up.  A star and moon were carved into it in beautiful detail. I looked back  at the others. "That wasn't there before right? Like I didn't go crazy  in the last few seconds?"

"Nope." Said Wally matter of  factly. "I didn't notice it pop up either, and my speed of perception is  still higher than yours from what I can tell. It just appeared there  out of nowhere I think." He scowled. "Have I mentioned how much I hate  magic towers? This one, the tower of fate. Almost every time I'm in a  tower owned by someone who does magic it ends up being a nightmare." I  snickered a bit but I was glad he was at least over the whole denial  thing he'd been on last time.

"Well." I said with a sigh.  "I think it's obvious where we're supposed go. I guess the master of the  tower felt called out by the whole 'could just bring us right to him'  thing. To be fair I suppose fighting the cultists kind of proved our  allegiance a bit too." I looked over at my girlfriend. "Zee, what does  your key say? Can we go through that door?" Star Seeker may not be fool  proof, but if we were stumbling through a random doorway I'd at least  like to get feedback from our only source of info.

At  her hesitant nod I stepped forward, intent on being first through the  door. My armor would soak a ton of magic damage, even from someone like  this guy. Not to mention the dolls set up to tank a shot for me, I'd  have the best chance of shrugging off a hit while everyone else reacted.  I pushed the door open, the others following me into...another room.

A  really small room actually. It was like a ten foot circumference, a  circular office with drab tan walls. The door behind us was old and  splintered wood, and the walls were lined with clay pots and small  shelves of books. In the middle of the room was an old wooden desk, and  behind it sat and incredibly tall, gaunt man in a robe and hat.

The  man, who I suspected was Yen Sid based on what I'd learned so far, was  kind of creepy. Wide, unblinking eyes, sunken cheeks, thick eyebrows and  sideburns that led down into a voluminous grey beard. Long hair  cascaded down the back of his robe, the same exact iron grey, and his  piercing dark eyes pinned us all as we came in. His expression remained  inscrutable as he stared at us, and once we were all in, he simply said.  "Close the door."

His  voice was deep and resonant in a way I hadn't heard from many people.  Carrying a rumbling authority that made listening to him feel like  second nature. We all funneled in, somehow not taking up too much space  despite the actual apparent size of the room not changing at all. The  last person in, Roxas, pushed the door closed, and it swung silently  inward, fastening itself closed with a click after a smooth swing in a  way that felt far too leisurely for this place.

Zee  stepped forward, bowing formally. "Master Yen Sid, I presume?" At his  hum of acknowledgement she stood and stated stiffly. "I am Zatanna  Zatara, chosen by the Star Seeker keyblade, heir to the Zatara bloodline  and fledgling sorceress. I thank you for your generosity in opening  your home, for I know our path would not have been so smooth had you  chosen to deny my Star Seeker access."

I  hadn't known that had been a possibility, but Zee knew more about the  magic stuff, so I just kept my mouth shut. Even I learn eventually huh?  Yen Sid nodded slowly, deliberating on his words for a moment that felt  like an eternity before replying. "I have sensed your presence in this  world. Both in Twilight Town, and in the my tower itself." His eyes  fixed on me. "I was allowed to view your conversation with the Endless  Delirium, for I could not have done so without her consent. I know why  you have come. You wish transporation to a new world, to seek your  companions, yes?"

Huh,  Del had let him see our meeting? I was a little unhappy about that  honestly, but I imagined nigh omniscience gives you a novel perspective  on personal privacy. It seemed to have saved us some time at least, so I  couldn't really bitch about it. "That does save some time." I said  jovially. "Since you also undoubtedly watched our fight in that  stairwell you know that we need to get out of here while the getting is  good. So, do you have some form of transportation for us? Magic door  maybe? We've had good luck with those."

Yen  Side shook his head solemnly. "No. You will not leave." That brought me  up short, and my 'what the fuck' sentiment must have been clearly  visible on my face, as he just continued talking. "As you are you have  no chance of completing your task. You personally have powerful  abilities, but your companions lack understanding of the gifts they've  been given. Minor magical ability and parlor tricks will not serve them  against Organization XIII. Nor will your sloppy use of your keyblade  suffice in coming battles."

"Okay..."  I drawled in annoyance. "But they're literally outside. Not sure how  much we're going to get done with wolves at the gate. Like, I'd love to  stay for a few magic lessons, but if we don't leave they'll break down  your wards and be on us the second they do. I don't know how long your  defenses will hold, but I'm guessing 'forever' isn't one of the options.  You're better off just sending us on our way. We can figure out  keyblade mechanics on our own."

For  the first time since we'd arrived, Yen Sid actually smiled. Weirdly, it  was NOT a comforting expression. Dude looked like he was plotting our  deaths, though my aura sight told me he was actually pleased. He  apparently just had a super menacing face. "Do not worry about your  pursuers. The tower has vacated Twilight Town, and the ones left in the  stairwell were ejected when the move commenced. We're firmly in the  realm of light once again, and they move much less freely in the upper  world. We have time."

That  was...impressive. His fucking house had an escape function? I  remembered Zee mentioning how terrifying the wards were, and realized  that she'd had some scary ass wards to compare them to. Zee had seen  Griffin Hall in the Nightside, and the wards on that place were insane.  She hadn't seemed nearly as impressed as she had with this place though,  and the fact that it apparently could MOVE as a whole without anyone  inside noticing gave me some idea why.

I  felt the wind drain from my sails, so to speak. "Alright. I guess we  can hear you out. We need to get moving sooner rather than later though.  We don't know where the others are, but if the cultists...Organization  XIII I guess you called them, get there first they could be in danger. I  don't suppose this is some kind of time chamber where time passes more  slowly inside here than anywhere else?"

Yen  Sid shook his head sadly. "Unfortunately not. Though I would not worry  so for your future companions. They are warriors proven, and all  keyblade wielders of some experience. The Organization will not find  them such easy prey. Instead, you must focus on the most integral part  of your plan. You yourself may leave after a time, and your wives and  child as well, but training will be most necessary for the other members  of your party once you have awaken their keyblades."

I  groaned. "So I can't leave until I've given every person in the group a  keyblade? That's going to take ages. At the very least I'll be able to  train while I'm working on it. I assume you'll be taking that time to  'correct' my use of the keyblade?" I was banking on my Outer Body  Technique to help speed things up, because even if I had to give myself a  huge migraine every day, I wasn't staying locked up in this tower for  too long.

Yen  Sid seemed unperturbed. "Yes. I will attend to you personally. Your  wives and child may also observe, though with your connections of the  heart, they will share your growth in either case, even if it may be a  bit slower. For now though, you may retire to your chambers. My  attendant will show you the way." He snapped his fingers and the door  creaked open to reveal a new hallway. In the hall stood a literal  animated broomstick, and when it saw us it somehow bowed before turning  to lead us off down the corridor. I looked at everyone else but  eventually shrugged and followed after it. The auras said these guys  were on the up and up, and Del trusted them. I'd feel things out and go  from there.  Something told me this would be an experience if nothing  else.