AETHER BEASTS

Jula and Brain were disappointed that we weren't staying longer, having assumed the rest would be for a while, not a few minutes. However, no matter how hard they dropped subtle hints that they wanted her to stay or that her presence would be most welcome in the city, Tilly denied it all.

Eventually, they realized they wouldn't be able to make her stay and stopped trying so hard. Things sped up after that and we arrived in the main chamber of the array in minutes. It was circular, and it had four entrances that led into it. Each entrance was part of a room with an intricate table and comfortable seating.

"If you could just wait a moment while we activate the array," Brain said. "We normally have our guest wait in one of the two other chambers, but for someone of your station we can make an exception."

He walked over to one of the panels and tapped a few of the glowing runes. The ground shook for a moment, and I felt the hair on the back of my arms rise. My instincts sent me a warning, but not of impending danger. More like a warning to not mess with what was happening.

The circular room had lines going up to multiple holes in the ceiling with the largest at the center. They slowly began to glow blue, the light traveling down until all the lights in the chamber were lit. There was a static feeling in the air, and everything was tinted blue. Slowly but surely, however, the light began to dim until only the blue lines and runes in the circular chamber were lit.

"Ok, the well is done," Brain said. "We already had some power stored, and only needed a little bit more. If you would please step into the chamber. I'm assuming you have traveled via array before?"

Tilly nodded. "Of course."

We walked out into the chamber and to the center. The floors and walls were all made of metal, though not iron or steel. At first, I thought the blue coloring was because of the light, but no, the metal itself was very, very light blue.

"What about your carriage?" I asked.

"He'll teleport back home," Tilly said. "My family has properties within the city walls and many allies in the capital, alongside a considerable force."

"Why didn't you have some of that force as protection?" I questioned. I'd been wondering why she hadn't had more guards, considering that her family seemed far above most of the other nobles we'd passed. Not to mention, some of the carriages above had whole squadrons of men and robed casters with them.

Tilly blushed. "That was my fault, and something I'll speak on later. It was a foolish thing to do and almost cost me my life. I imagine word of it has already reached my father. No doubt he'll be furious."

"Are you ready, lady Mistana?" Jula called.

"We are," she said.

"Are you sure you don't want an escort?" Jula asked. "One man is surely not enough? And what of servants and ladies in waiting?"

"This one is," Tilly said. "And I've no need for servants from this place. I have properties and people waiting for me at the capital."

Jula sighed and nodded. "Of course."

"She really wants to get to know you," I said.

"She can get in line," Tilly said, rolling her eyes. "Everywhere I go people want to 'get to know me' as you say. I hardly have a real friend. Only acquaintances and allies." She sighed. "But that's how the game is played."

"Court politics." I shook my head.

"You're familiar?"

"No, but a friend of mine is."

"The same friend I'm going to meet?"

"No, the one I'm talking about is… she's a princess." There was no harm in telling her. It's not like Zirnai was from here, and Tilly already knew a lot. Besides, from what I'd seen from her, she wasn't a bad person.

"A princess," Tilly muttered. "I see. And you are a noble?"

"Not really," I said. "As I said, my lineage can probably be considered noble or even more, but me? No, I'm no noble." That sort of stuff was still common in my world, but power was still the defining law.

"Alright, calm your mana, and prepare," Brain said. There was a loud ting sound, and a feeling of heaviness in the air right before all the lights began to flow brighter and brighter.

"Aneva?"

"I've got this calm down," she said, and I felt her reach out. Normally, I would immediately block it, and lock it down, but I had to trust her on this. I'd loosened her restraints when we'd walked in, and at the back of my mind, worry and fear had been lingering.

"What the…?" Brian's voice sounded quieter for some reason, but it was clear he was able to notice something was going wrong. At least for him. Hopefully, for me, it was going right.

"Lady Mistana, you must leave the chamber at once," Brain shouted. "Something's happening. The control runes aren't responding, and the intent controls are down." A number of the guard who'd been with us throughout our journey in the array looked to Jula for orders.

But it was too late. The lights shone brighter, and then in a flash, we were gone.

*****

Sandra sighed and wondered if it was possible to die of boredom. The only thing she could do in her cage was keep her aether moving and ready for her next and hopefully successful escape attempt. The guards watching her didn't do anything. They didn't speak, get close, and even shoot her dirty or lustful looks. They all knew very well that if they got close they were dead. So, they kept their distance, and did what?

Sandra had no idea what they planned to do with her, but she wasn't going to stick around to find out. She was almost ready to bust out and butcher every single one of them. Last time she'd made the mistake of just trying to get away without killing anyone, but this time? Oh, they were all already dead, they just didn't know it.

She'd been hoping Aiden would speed up, but he'd stopped getting closer an hour ago, which worried her, but he could handle himself. He was probably the strongest out of the four of them, save for Zirani when she was controlling his body, but that was because of her experience.

In any case, she would tear her way out, and then head towards him. Together, they'd figure out their next move. But one thing at a time.

Sandra lowered her head and was about to close her eyes when she felt something. Aiden vanished from her senses, and she panicked, but a moment later, he reappeared, right on top of her.