Project Aetheria

Lady Hiromi took a careful look at the crystals that were captured from the Empire by Akiko, Keiko and the rest of the rebel group. "Your observations were correct, Lady Chiba, these are indeed unaligned magical crystals. Crystals of this nature would normally be of little use for a magician or seer until they were either attuned or aligned to a specific set of spell formulas, or in some cases, to a specific person's mystic aura. However, the other thing they can be used for is the enchantment of magical objects of power. Swords, suits of armor or various pieces of jewelry all have such stones that are then enchanted to boost those items effectiveness or to convey specific enchantments or abilities."

"So, with this many unenchanted stones, maybe the Empire was trying to enchant a whole bunch of magical weapons so they would equip their soldiers to come after us," Akiko suggested.

"I doubt that," Jun countered. "The Empire tend to think very top-down these days. The idea of handing even a modicum of power to a lowly soldier isn't something they would easily do. Magical weapons and armor beyond the very basic are usually reserved for officers or the wealthy, such as successful merchant bodyguards or nobility."

"Besides, if they were for something as utilitarian as that, they would most likely all be similar types," Hiromi added. "These appear to be multi-faceted and with several varieties of colors and minerals." She placed a few on the table and arranged them into a pattern, then arranged them into different ones, examining them one-by-one. "This suggests something much more complicated and powerful than a simple sword of sharpness or armor of protection. With this much power and complexity, one needs to think larger; perhaps a riding wagon or a siege tower. If something as large as that were properly enchanted, the results could be fearsome to behold," she concluded ominously.

"You know... this is the first wagon with crystals like this we've caught," Keiko opined. "What if this isn't the only chest of gems and there are more of them?"

"A distinct and disturbing possibility," Hiromi nodded.

"You know, a few months back in Yartin when Sergeant Takeda was buying stuff for us, the shopkeeper mentioned something about rumors of a big project in the capital. Unfortunately, we never had time to follow up on it before the whole raid and capture went down," Keiko recalled.

"Maybe we'd better make time," Akiko suggested. "We should head into the capital and do some scouting."

"Not you," Jun urged. "Your face is on practically every wanted poster in the Empire. You'd never even make it near the main gate without being spotted. Besides, you're leading the rebel coalition now. If they capture you, then the movement dies."

"I can do it," Keiko volunteered. "With my illusion magic, I can change my appearance enough to fool any lookouts, and besides, we'll need someone who can recognize magical fractal patterns to get any meaningful information."

Akiko cringed with concern. Up to this point, Keiko had used magic to enhance their fighters' defenses and attributes and illusions to give them an edge in battles, but always from the safety of the sidelines. She had never needed to put herself in direct harm, which caused her grave concern. But she couldn't argue with the logic, so she reluctantly nodded her agreement.

____________________________________________

Emperor Takahito Minamoto watched with satisfaction as the massive structure resting on its moorings glistened from the steel and crystal that formed the superstructure encasing the massive stone. Beautiful... he thought, a city in the sky, once it was done. The stone structure had been carved out of the side of a mountain and transported under cover of darkness then concealed by magics over a year ago. Then over time, an entire fortress had been constructed throughout the inside and outer surface, which would serve as a strike force.

Finally, once the magical crystals had been mounted and enchanted by the cadre of mages in the capital were completed, the fortress would be mobile and airborne. No longer would the Empire be restricted by wyvern flights or the limited numbers of magical transport. Soon, with an entire division's worth of troops and mages that could be transported at high speed throughout the Empire, the wayward Baronies would be a thing of the past. Once the first few fell, he anticipated the rest would quickly follow suit.

____________________________________________

Akiko watched as Jun briefed Keiko on the capital city's street layout, pointing out key points on a map, while Hiroshige gave her an overview of the Empire's officer ranking insignias so she would recognize important people when she saw them.

"I don't know about this," Akiko sighed with concern. "I mean, those illusion tricks are neat and all, but... wouldn't the Empire's citidal have mages there that would be able to see through them? I mean, they've surely got mages with years of experience."

"She's right," Jun cautioned. "Don't get overconfident with your illusionary disguise. The castle will surely have areas set up designed for such deception. One wrong step and you'll be exposed, and it'll be a very short trip to the dungeon, and we won't be able to help."

"How about if you're outside and in a crowd? Is there a way we can tell a particular guard is you without tipping the others off?" Akiko asked.

"Hm..." Keiko thought carefully before lighting up. "You still have your kumihimo bracelet you, me and Masako all made together?"

"You mean this?" Akiko pulled up her wrist, showing an almost unrecognizable dark rust-colored kumihimo bracelet.

"Kya...! What have you done to it...?!" Keiko exclaimed.

"Oh right..." Akiko sheepishly realized. "I guess with all the sword fighting this past month, I hadn't realized these things soak up so much blood."

"Come here..." Keiko reached out and concentrated as the crystal around her neck and palm glowed slightly. After a moment, the particles of blood and dirt lifted away from the braids on the bracelet leaving behind the bright clean colors.

"Ohh..." Akiko gasped with awe. "So cool... your parents are going to flip when they see that... oh wait, are you going to be able to do that once we get back to our world?"

"Eh... I'm not sure. Lady Amberbrooke says the whole idea of magic on this world is focusing our will through formulas using fractal crystals as a focus and channel the ambient mana. As far as I know, our world doesn't have mana, so probably not." She shrugged, "Then again, no one on our world's even tried, so who knows? Anyway, look for the guard wearing the matching bracelet and you'll know it's me."

____________________________________________

Sergeant Takeda watched carefully as the guards came to their cells. In the past few months, the captured prisoners of the resistance movement had been subjected to various methods of interrogation, demanding any information they had about the overall coalition against the Emperor. The effort was futile though as the was movement organic, borne out of the increasing cruelty it had inflicted against the populous. Despite their conditions, he kept his eyes and ears open to the conversations between guards as the weeks dragged on and drew strength from the ever-increasing tension as they conveyed the outside news of the rebellion's progress, despite their jailors' attempts to block them.

The clang of the doors interrupted Kenji's thoughts as the guards arrived. Something about their manner suggested this wasn't going to be the usual daily dose of grilling and scathing attacks. "Up!" the lead guard ordered, as shackles were placed on him and the rest of the prisoners. The group was marched under guard up the steps and into the courtyard as wagons could be seen waiting. OK, prisoner transport, Kenji thought, we're being transported to another facility... but why? The citadel dungeons were arguably the most secure place to hold prisoners of high priority. He also couldn't help but notice the substantial amount of construction going on, along with the magical activity being conducted. Something massive was being built, and that couldn't be good news for the rebellion movement, he realized. Unfortunately, he wasn't in any position to do anything about it, but somehow, he needed to get word out to someone who was.