Crimsoncrest: Chapters 8-9

Chapter 8

For the first time in her life, Fiyu discussed the path of their journey with a relative, and it wasn't the achievement of adulthood that she had hoped. She helped decide with her companions, of course, but they were her peers and it simply wasn't the same. Now that she was finally deciding with an elder relative who had raised her, both now adults, it proved less pleasant than she had expected.

Relative Guchiro had raised his objections exactly once, which was all that was needed for it to hang over their conversations. Even as he begrudgingly went with her to Fithe, he believed that it would be better for them to return to Ichil and pursue the "divine ice" in order to investigate deep matters of the Biolumin Relays.

And Fiyu did want to explore those paths, very much. But she wanted to do so with her new companions alongside her, and without obligations behind her on other worlds. It didn't help that, though the city of Norro Yorthin was quite tense, there was no urgent need for their presence. Fiyu awkwardly checked on messages with others and then waited at House Blacksilver for the next time they were to meet. Without a local weirkey, there was no efficient way to go the Dustwind Plateaus to follow Friend Nauda and Friend Theo, and they might even miss one another if she moved recklessly.

Instead she and her relative soulcrafted together, which was more pleasant... and still not quite what she had dreamed. For the first time they were, in some technical sense, peers. That was wondrous when discussing her blueprint, but uncomfortable when Relative Guchiro spent so much time on his own soulcrafting.

She realized that for her entire childhood, he had been able to dedicate all his time to raising her because his soulcrafting was stagnant. Now that he had broken through, he actually needed to work in his own soulhome. This was positive, of course, but Fiyu realized that expecting his constant attention was another legacy of childhood she needed to leave behind.

Briefly Fiyu peered out of her soulhome to examine her relative in his own soulcrafting haze. It seemed he had a great deal of work to do and she hadn't had the nerve to ask him about the details. Clearly he had ascended, so at minimum he had many bricks to craft and didn't seem to mind the wait.

Returning to her soulhome, Fiyu pushed herself into her work with new intensity. Relative Guchiro had made several suggestions related to the vitalice, and even contributed a sublime mulch, so after a few more tweaks, her foundation was enriching itself - there was no more need for her involvement, just time.

His greatest contribution had been suggestions regarding her ice and darkness chambers, so she was currently soulcrafting some secondary materials to fully enhance their power. Her relative had spent so long at Authority, his soulhome was filled with an astonishing density of materials. That was more than he believed necessary for her, but she wanted to finish every single detail that could be strengthened by her next ascension.

Fiyu also spent time on her roof, perfecting her pyramid to Stronghold. Conventional wisdom was that the ascension would not be catastrophic: she had made it to Authority and her soulhome did not have serious flaws that would be blown apart. Still, her own elder relative had only recently ascended to this tier, so how could she be ready?

Eventually Fiyu admitted that she was flitting between projects too much. She had made her real progress early and now was shifting restlessly. After taking a deep breath, she returned to the physical plane. For a time she luxuriated in the darkness, simply feeling her relative's proximity, then she spoke.

"I have a question, if you have time."

Relative Guchiro did not respond for several seconds, then he emerged from his soulhome. "Of course, what is it?"

"Do you think it is important for me to open my basement before ascending?" Fiyu asked. "For purposes of my long term potential, I mean."

"That is a more difficult question than you know. My allies and I have spent a great deal of time trying to analyze exactly which variables affect the maximum limits of a given soulcrafter."

"Aside from limitations of blueprint? Please, I know that my knowledge is far less than yours, but I wish to hear about the problems even you faced, and maybe I can help."

"Unfortunately, the largest factors are also the most obvious." Relative Guchiro opened his eyes, though in the darkness there was no reason for him to look toward her. "Having a solid first three floors before the ascension to Authority is as important as you would guess, and there are also mistakes that could be made at Authority that might permanently limit your potential."

"Ones we have avoided, I hope?"

"Yes. But when it comes to differentiating at the top, between the strong and the strongest, it is more difficult to find the differences. Here the subjective element of soulcrafting becomes a potential stumbling block. Is it possible that someone with unlimited confidence could create a more unified soulhome than someone who is more meticulous and self-questioning?"

Fiyu frowned as she considered this troubling thought. She had always assumed that self-analysis was beneficial, but could her own doubts be weakening her?

"Do not worry, our experiments suggest that is not the case." Relative Guchiro must have been able to sense her concern, because he smiled beneath his mask. "The subjective elements of soulcrafting are actually most prominent in the early stages, and confidence cannot paper over serious flaws in design. Any competent soulcrafter can create a blueprint that is highly appropriate to them, but that alone is insufficient."

"What makes the difference, then?"

"It seems to be an accumulation of details. Beyond everything you know about efficiency, or the Five Transcendent Monuments, the largest factor is... what might be called unity."

Her relative fell silent and Fiyu realized that this was not a lesson, it actually reflected his own uncertainty. When at last he spoke again, Relative Guchiro sounded less certain than she was accustomed to.

"When we say 'unity' we do not mean consistency. A soulhome made all of one element might be powerful, but not necessarily more powerful than one composed of several. What matters is that every element of the design flows from the last and into the next, forming a whole."

"Then our designs, mixing elements...?" Fiyu let the question hang unfinished.

"Should be powerful, because everything has been planned as an integrated whole. But someone who began with one element, then abruptly switched to another, then redesigned for a more clever design... would find themselves eventually limited."

"Oh... you must know, one of my companions had a serious disaster and needed to redesign..."

"Your companion Nauda." Relative Guchiro shook his head and for once Fiyu was completely unable to read the emotions in the gesture. "This is where the matter becomes unclear. Damage to the soulhome could cause permanent limitation, but she seems to have drawn that damage into her blueprint, made it a fundamental part of her design. This has great potential... someone who received a perfect design and followed it mindlessly would also have limitations, no matter how adroitly they soulcrafted."

"Are you speaking from experience?" Fiyu asked. "I know you have companions who are testing many things..."

"It wasn't hypothetical. Others have tried to raise wards in perfect environments, without challenges that might harm them, and the results were disappointing." It seemed that her relative wanted to say no more about that and fell silent.

Despite all their talk, Fiyu realized that she hadn't gotten to the question she wanted to ask: whether or not it was essential for her to open her basement before she ascended. But perhaps, in a way she hadn't expected, she had her answer. Whether or not she opened her basement should rise from the fundamentals of her design, not some arbitrarily-determined goal.

So when Fiyu returned to her soulhome, she sat among the sunlessroses and tried to simply feel. This was her soul, carried with her through so many journeys, so what was it telling her? She could sense the soil beneath her, deep enough that she didn't think she was damaging her soul by pushing downward... was it deep enough to build a full basement? That seemed less likely.

She wouldn't find answers from meditation alone, so she also considered everything Friend Theo had learned on Deuxan. Basements benefited from ascensions because they were integrated with the soulhome, of course, but the effect wasn't as dramatic as other floors. So she shouldn't rush to build a shoddy basement just so that it would exist through one more ascension.

Minor differences would be brushed aside if they really ascended from Dominion to the aeon-class tiers, in any case. Oh, she had wanted to ask Relative Guchiro about that as well. He clearly knew about them, since the entire purpose of his waiting was to exceed Dominion, but what else might he know?

A few days passed awkwardly and Fiyu became increasingly eager for the date when Friend Theo would normally check on her. She found herself fearing that there would be some disaster or delay, but when the time came, he appeared reliably in Norro Yorthin and flew toward the complex.

Fiyu hurried to meet him, smiling broadly. Friend Theo smiled back, but there was unusual tension in his neck and she realized that he had noted Relative Guchiro. Even though the two had seemed on good terms before, they acknowledged one another more stiffly than she expected.

"Is everything well, Theo?" she asked.

"Things are heating up in the Asplundat Movement," he told her. "It's complicated enough that it might have changed by the time we get back there. But I hope you're done with your traveling, because Nauda and I need your help. We could use you too, Guchiro."

"I will accompany my ward for now," Relative Guchiro said, "but I have other obligations. Do not presume that I am an asset for your side."

"Noted."

"Oh, please don't," Fiyu said as she looked between them. "Can't we all travel together for at least a time? There were such important happenings occurring before, couldn't they be useful to everyone?"

Her entreaty seemed to get through to them and they glanced at one another in a different way. "We should talk about long term objectives," Relative Guchiro said guardedly. "Fiyu, gather anything you need from here. Your companion and I can speak while we gather a few supplies."

The two of them flew away together and Fiyu tried not to think about their conversation, but her senses could still track their bodies. Both floated easily, yet there was tension in their muscles. She wished that she could hear them as well, though of course their words were drowned out by the noise of Norro Yorthin.

In fact Fiyu had little preparation of her own to do, so there was nothing to distract her. Still, she found herself smiling. At last she would be reunited with Friend Nauda, and when that happened surely things would be better.

~ ~ ~

"You think Fiyu shouldn't be traveling with us?" Theo waited until they'd started flying to get to the point. "I thought we got over this before."

"I do not think any of you are inappropriate traveling companions," Guchiro stated flatly. "However, my former ward has spent a long time outside Ichil, fighting the wars of others. It seems that you intend to draw her into a dangerous conflict on Fithe at the very time she is needed at home."

Theo's first instinct was to argue back, questioning whether that was actually Fiyu's desire or just Guchiro's. He realized that was the wrong approach and took a moment to take a deep breath and reconsider. It might be that Guchiro simply missed Fiyu and was feeling protective - Theo wasn't an expert on Ichili psychology, but he guessed that still applied.

Such emotions wouldn't be an unrefined rush, however, they would take on the form of real concerns. Arguing about the emotions would be pointless, especially when Guchiro made a good point. As they arced over Norro Yorthin, Theo decided to take a different tack.

"Recently I've spoken to some powerful soulcrafters and been reminded just how large the Nine Worlds are," he said carefully. "So I can't say what our highest priority is, not truly. What is this cause that means she'd needed at home? If it's important enough, we might join her."

"You may recall that, some time ago, we spoke of the Jukkean Ice." Guchiro's eyes flicked to him briefly for confirmation. "My investigations had always been limited by matters of power, but that changed recently. I have discovered that the situation is more dire than I believed: a rot exists in the heart of Ichil that threatens us all."

"Related to the message that was changed?"

"That was merely an offshoot, one consequence among many. Closer to the source, across the Great Ice, there are entire communities that are being manipulated by unknown forces. Some even roam across Ichil, seeking to exterminate all outsiders."

Which was just more evidence that Vistgil was behind all this, but Theo didn't want to jump there yet. "That's concerning, but Fiyu is at the tier you were when you said you couldn't investigate this. How much will her presence help?"

"I do not seek to venture to the most dangerous territory immediately, only to acquire materials that will help. Finding those is not solely a matter of power, but discernment. Her senses are superior to mine in a few ways, or will be once they are refined against an appropriate challenge."

"And fighting in a Fithan war isn't appropriate enough?"

"Fiyu is no longer my ward, and she isn't yours either." Guchiro's gaze bored into him. "This is her decision to make, I am simply making a request as her close relative."

"But you know how seriously she'll take that request. Look, we're going in circles." That was true both metaphorically in their conversation and literally, as they had been flying through the whirlwinds and not actually closing in on any specific location. Theo stopped to clear his head and turned to Guchiro. "I know you might disapprove, and I know you have your own objectives. I'm just asking you to hear me out."

Guchiro hovered in place and folded his arms.

"Fiyu might be able to help you now, but she could help the people here more. You might be strong, but there are plenty of other strong soulcrafters on Ichil and the problem of the Jukkean Ice will need more than just a Stronghold or two."

"It is a subtle matter, regarding more than merely strength. And this opportunity will not last forever." Despite his objections, Guchiro appeared to be listening.

"Fiyu has been helping us with our own senses," Theo continued. "They might be clumsy compared to Ichili, but we've been gaining proficiency, and they'll be strengthened when we ascend. If you help us here for just a short time, maybe a year at most, you can have not just one Authority helping you, but three Strongholds. Your problem has waited this long, isn't that worth a little longer?"

Guchiro's head tilted a fraction of a degree. "Is that actually a commitment? You agree to join us on Ichil after this? I know how obligations have a way of breeding, and this means nothing if there is always a higher priority."

"This isn't a trick." Theo floated closer and lowered his voice, even if it was a bit paranoid. "Every system that targets outsiders is likely related to Vistgil, so I want to investigate this. And even if that wasn't true, I want to support Fiyu since she's always supported us. But what you're talking about... it's big, bigger than us right now. This war on Fithe is too, but we might be able to rise to the challenge."

"I can see the logic in that. Is this war related to your... larger concerns?"

"I think it is. Actually, I've been speaking to the emperor of the Mercury Court on Deuxan, and he thinks it's all connected. He mentioned a problem on Ichil, so you two might want to-"

"No." Guchiro responded so swiftly that there was no room for argument. "No, my companions and I believe the old powers are likely compromised or led into dead ends. We could have gained strength more quickly by joining one of them, but instead we seek to forge our own path."

Theo sighed and turned to fly back to the city. "Fine, I can accept that logic. I don't think I can afford to do the same, though, and I hope you'll let Fiyu make her own choices."

"Entirely reasonable, I merely suggest that you do not obey any soulcrafting lessons that inter-world organizations give you uncritically." Guchiro moved to match his pace and his eyes shifted thoughtfully. "I do not wish to be directly involved with such powers, but it would be foolish to ignore a source of information. What did he say about Ichil?"

"Well, for a start, we need to talk about something called aeon-class powers..."

Chapter 9

Despite all the debate, Theo didn't end up wasting any time in Norro Yorthin. They finished their business pretty quickly and he would be returning to the Asplundat Movement with not just Fiyu, but a bonus Stronghold. Guchiro had clearly upgraded his shielding wall, but it was just as clear that he had ascended since they last met. Not just a Stronghold, a highly dangerous one.

There was only one distraction while he was there: the House of Coin had responded to his brief letter. It was Kathina again, at greater length, asking him to meet in the north. Within the Asplundat Movement, actually, which was a strange detail. He resolved to figure that out as soon as he'd touched base with Nauda.

This time they weirkeyed north to a specific location where the Asplundat Movement wouldn't get upset despite his new allies. Theo glanced over at Fiyu and Guchiro, who were conversing in low voices as they waited for their escort.

Even though Fiyu seemed to find the clash of priorities troubling, Theo was enthusiastic. This problem of the Jukkean Ice, no matter how serious it was, sounded like a deep mystery of the Nine Worlds. He wasn't skating across the surface like he had in his first life, wasn't just preparing for future battles, he was actually confronting something real. Even if it proved completely unrelated to Vistgil, wasn't the mystery in Ichil worth exploring for its own sake?

But he truly believed his argument to Guchiro: they needed to be better prepared, and the conflict with Tymetron was the best challenge to prepare them. Unlike the Jukkean Ice, which regularly consumed high tier soulcrafters, Plutalgion and his empire were currently limited by the politics of warfare. That bought them time to keep soulcrafting and gain the strength to stand against their enemies.

The further conversation with Guchiro hadn't revealed any particularly enlightening details, though he learned that Guchiro had actually heard of "aeon-class" as a term, even if he didn't use it. It was a shame that Guchiro was adamant about not meeting Dave, because Theo thought they might get along. Strange as the idea seemed, it would be fun to get together and have a drink with the two of them.

Before he could ruminate too long, Theo spotted a delegation from the Asplundat Movement coming to greet them. It looked like a more polite group this time, including Nauda and Homez. He noticed Fiyu begin to shift back and forth as if her eagerness was channeled into the slight movement.

"Welcome back," Homez said as they approached. "More soulcrafters from the Ruling Cities... that's acceptable, but they'll need to be registered to avoid any trouble."

"We are not from the Ruling Cities." Guchiro folded his arms and spoke to the entire Asplundat group. "We are Ichili, first and foremost. We will abide by your laws and assist with your problems, but do not engage us in your wars."

It sounded a bit strident, but having the Ichili distinguish themselves was a good strategy. Technically a bit manipulative in the case of Fiyu, given that she was a member of House Blacksilver, but it still put them in a stronger neutral position. The other Asplundat soulcrafters brought forward tablets for them to inscribe to be permitted travel within the Movement's territory.

Fiyu completed hers with haste, clearly considering it a mere distraction. Guchiro took a little longer, as while he was imprinting his cantae on the marble, one of the officials suddenly drew back.

"Wait, you aren't an Authority!" the woman said. "It's deceptive to hide the fact that you're a Stronghold."

"What I am," Guchiro said, "is a soulcrafter with a competent shielding wall. Any assumptions you make are not deception on my part."

"Still, that's entirely the wrong tablet. Set that aside, we'll need to make allowances..."

While the official scurried off to confer with the others, Homez glanced back at them. "This most likely won't be a problem, but please be careful." His gaze shifted over the others nervously. "There's a much higher risk of foreign Strongholds compared to Authorities, and I'm putting my reputation on the line for you."

Guchiro snorted and cooperated without another word. Theo tried to give Homez an encouraging smile, even if he wasn't sure they could promise not to cause trouble. The fact that they actually wanted what was best for the Asplundat Movement didn't mean that this wouldn't turn into a mess.

He saw that Nauda and Fiyu had come together, first embracing in a manner that looked rather chaste to him but left Fiyu beaming. She hung close, gripping one of Nauda's long sleeves as if tethered to her, and Nauda seemed to be caught up in her happiness. It was nice to see the two of them relax together again, but Theo couldn't let them turn inward before they focused on their new objectives. As soon as he got a chance, he asked Homez to give them a tour and make sure everyone came along.

Once they were out of range, Theo gestured for Fiyu to create a bubble of stealth. It startled Homez slightly, but he adapted and turned to him seriously. Theo hovered up to address the group.

"All of you know part of the story, but none of you know all of it. Neither do I, which is why we're here." Theo gestured outside the bubble to the Asplundat Movement. "We know that Plutalgion has sent a large force to try to intimidate the Movement into cooperating. There are strong hints that other forces are monitoring the situation for regions unknown, potentially including aeon-class organizations. Tythes is here, having infiltrated somehow, and claims that House Crimson is involved. So at minimum we have a lot of different parties getting their fingers into this."

Theo glanced to Homez, who nodded and took over. "The relationship between Tymetron and the Asplundat Movement is a complex one. In the past they've both funded us and coerced us, including through proxies. Whatever is going on, I estimate that the possibility of them convincing us to step aside, or even join their war, is very real."

"Wasn't this resolved at the Dustwind Plateaus?" Guchiro asked flatly.

"That was years ago, I'm afraid, and tensions continue to rise. There are stronger grounds for peace now, for example, you never would have been permitted inside before. But this could still easily turn into a war."

"What about Tythes?" Nauda asked. "Any clue how he got in here?"

Homez winced as if the question pained him spiritually. "I still don't know, though the security of such smaller councils is weak enough that it's possible. I have not made a formal accusation because there are serious consequences for false accusations. You understand."

"Not particularly. Why is that?"

"We have had trouble in the past, inquisitions and... other problems that disrupted the Movement. But this isn't the time for a history lesson, I'm just saying that we can't confront Tythes directly."

Fiyu nodded in agreement. "What about his claims regarding House Crimson? Have you discerned those?"

"Made a little more progress there." Homez gestured west. "There have always been separatist groups in the western regions and some of them have apparently been contacting Houses in the Ruling Cities. They claim they're just doing the same thing we are with the Dustwind Plateaus, keeping peace between sides. Others are more suspicious."

"Never mind all of that," Theo said. "What I want to know is why all of this is happening now. I don't believe that it's just a coincidence, not with rumors of higher organizations involved. What is the Asplundat Movement doing that could attract so much attention?"

For the first time Homez hesitated as if he didn't want to answer, then he slowly shook his head. "I do have a guess, but first, I want to get your commitments. You may not care about the Asplundat Movement the way I do, but you want peace, right? You'll work to keep us safe from outside meddling powers, right?"

Everyone nodded easily enough, so that should have been that. Theo was about to ask another question when he noticed that Homez was still waiting, fixed on him in particular.

"We're more on the same side than you know," Theo said. "If Plutalgion attacks, he threatens everyone. If you're thinking I'd undermine the Asplundat Movement for an advantage, put that out of your mind right now. We need everyone on the continent working together to have a chance of winning this."

"Good." Homez stared at him a moment longer, then turned to address the group. "Your official reason to be here is to foster cooperation and observe the better side of the Asplundat Movement. This will provide excellent cover for investigations, but it isn't a lie. I really do hope you enjoy your time here."

"Do you have any parks?" Nauda asked. "I'm tired of all these rectangular buildings."

"We do, but I doubted such artificial great works would impress you. What I want to show is the softer side of the Movement, the human side."

Soft human sides were well and good, but Theo was still focused on power. He started to point toward the mountain before Homez interrupted him.

"Yes, I'm going to talk about that. Follow me, and we don't need to hide ourselves any more. Let me tell you a little more about the Asplundat Movement."

Though they started to fly, Theo surprised everyone by pulling their sleigh out of his soulhome. Even though they could all fly, it was in many ways more comfortable to ride in the sleigh, not least due to the wind shielding. With five people they actually used all the seats, though with enough room for Fiyu and Guchiro to be comfortable.

As they coasted northward, Homez gave them a conventional tour that Theo tolerated. There are collective farms and even some aqueducts, which were rare on Fithe. Theo judged that they weren't getting pure propaganda, but Homez truly believed in his cause and so it wasn't an unvarnished perspective. As far as Theo was concerned, the system seemed to work about as well as the Ruling Cities, it just produced more boring soulcrafting blueprints.

Their path took them back north, toward the strange mountain. As they drew closer, Homez gave them all an odd smile.

"I've received permission for you to take part in an ancient tradition of the Movement," he said. "It's voluntary, of course, because you'd be donating some of your cantae, but it would be a potent symbol of cooperation. And in the process... well, I think this will be your best chance to gather information."

Theo shifted forward, eyes narrowing. "This is about the mountain, isn't it?"

"The tradition itself is a lovely one, truly. Here, slow down and let me find one." Homez flew off the sleigh and plucked something from the ground, then returned with a bright red plant. Its stem split into three buds, each of which looked to be composed of three tightly-interlocked petals. There was enough cantae to qualify as a sublime material, but nothing special.

"Oh, it's beautiful..." Fiyu tilted her head, admiring it, and Nauda frowned.

"Is it? Looks like little buds to me."

"You cannot feel the interior. The petals are woven with cantae, and they form a lovely pattern."

Nauda took the plant and reexamined it. "So they must unfurl in a later season?"

"Exactly right," Homez said. "These are called crestflowers, though this is a wild one. They aren't a particularly powerful sublime material, but they're native to this region and central to the tradition. For the first time ever, outsiders will be allowed to plant one and even reap the results."

"You said we would donate cantae?" Guchiro asked, a second before Theo could voice the same objection.

"That's correct, and I don't mean to deceive you about them." Homez glanced from him to Theo. "The truth is that only some of the cantae will emerge in the final crestflower - the majority is absorbed into the soil, then joins the mountain. Every year the tradition is repeated, more and more cantae becomes concentrated there."

"And it blossoms into a larger flower?" Theo asked. "Or is it all flowing into that stone tablet?"

"Yes, it ends in the tablet. This is an immense work of collaborative soulcrafting, one that has been underway for centuries in order to produce a sublime material worthy of our Dominion. And... I'm not supposed to tell you this, but I think the secret is already out: the work will be complete this year."

Everyone had already suspected, and now they knew for certain. Theo stared out, past the fields of crestflowers toward the marble that throbbed atop the mountain.

Generations of citizens in the Asplundat Movement must have repeated the ritual, granting their cantae in order to produce a sublime material that would never exist naturally. Similar to what had been done with the Wakespire, except far more powerful. The idea of millions of true believers coming together over centuries, endlessly enriching a single sublime material...

Well, now he knew why aeon-class organizations were circling.