Chapter 11: Beyond the Horizon

 I.

Liz walked ahead of Alex and Aria. She navigated the forked paths outside Spavia as a matter of instinct. Much of her early childhood was spent haunting these roads both day and night. She often stayed over at a friend’s house a little too long, and she hurried back home in the dead of night. But, even after being out so long, her parents never worried. Serya was safe, she was told. The stories of highwaymen sticking up travellers or being attacked by animals were almost as rare as someone leaving Serya for the Underworld. But, it happened.

It wasn’t in Spavia, but a town on Serya’s edge, Krausben. A friend of Liz lived there. A girl named Cerus. An odd child who spent more time reading than playing outside. She often gazed out her window at the rolling clouds on the horizon. Their relationship was frustrating since Liz liked reading as much as she liked running. Cerus wasn’t quite a stick in the mud, but she spent most of her time indoors. Liz complimented the books she had, apparently a lot of them were from her dad who was a Pathfinder like her own. They exchanged books and talked, and the rest was history. They were friends.

Liz stared at the sign that pointed toward Krausben.

“Everything okay, Liz?” Alex said.

Liz nodded, putting her attention back on the road.

Most of their time was spent reading, and Liz pushing Cerus to go outside. It never succeeded. Even so, Liz went over to Cerus’ house every day. Until, one day, she couldn’t. Liz knocked on the door and no one answered. Her neighbors said they had moved to the Underworld, taking one of the cargo skyskimmers down to the surface.

“So, I have to ask, were there any hot guys up there, Lexi?” Aria said.

Liz blinked, her gaze drifting from Aria, to Alex, then back again.

“Ignore her.” Alex rested a hand on her forehead.

“Hey, do not ignore me!” Aria said. “You came to me for help, remember?”

“A decision I’m starting to regret.”

Liz glanced between the two Pathfinders. Aria didn’t so much walk as strut. She moved with a purpose beyond going from one place to another. Alex, in contrast, stood with her shoulders broad, eyes fixed ahead. Even as she laughed, her guard was never down. Aria never seemed to have hers up.

Regardless, there weren’t a lot of people like them in Serya. Maybe it’s the world that shaped them. She thought back to Cerus and her parents. The people weren’t forced to stay on the isle if they didn’t want to. It wasn’t a prison. It was more that the people of Serya couldn’t comprehend the idea of leaving.

Liz’s mind wandered back to Spavia. Krass was there, and was apparently dependable, more so than Aria. Persal was a stone’s throw away from Spavia, so they didn’t need a wagon. Judging from what Alex said, there were other Pathfinders present if anything happened. The Straconis family wasn’t too thrilled with the idea since it was done without their consent. Ernis Straconis was high-strung, so he probably wasn’t too happy about the ordeal.

Liz’s eyes drifted over the red of the familiar forest valley. Leaves covered the road as it dipped behind a tree and out of sight. A gentle breeze guided Liz around the turn as red treetops crested over the hill. She felt a smile pulling at her cheeks. A smile that felt almost like a betrayal. Liz felt like she didn’t have the right to return home after being gone for more than half a year. Every time she came to Spavia to shop, a deep yearning plagued her. She was often too busy with work to be homesick. Idle hands made for a troublesome companion. One thought often led to another, and she dug herself into a hole she couldn’t dig herself out of. Liz didn’t trust everyone, least of all herself when it came to stuff like this. That’s why she liked talking to Nico.

Whenever Nico talked about a conversation he had with his siblings, or maybe an interesting book he had read, it freed her of the responsibility of home. A responsibility not to her family, but to herself. She didn’t have to think about home. She just gave her own input on what Nico said or give her own recommendations on books. But, no matter how much time she spent away from home, she couldn’t escape it. The feeling she was running away from something. She wasn’t raised to be a servant like her coworkers. It was just another job to help her get by. No one was waiting for her at home, so why did she feel guilty?

As Liz walked, a chill went down her spine. She turned to look over her shoulder. Nothing but trees in the distance and Alex approaching from behind.

“You alright?” Alex asked, following Liz’s glare toward Aria. “Is she bugging you?”

“I didn’t do anything!” Aria complained.

“I’m not sure,” Liz said. “It feels like I’m being watched.”

“We’ll keep an eye out.”

Wagon wheels squeaked as a large, black-furred huttie climbed over the hill. Liz hailed the wagon as it approached. Alex moved to the road’s edge, dragging a reluctant Aria by the arm. The driver pulled the reins as the huttie groaned to a stop.

“Oh, excuse me,” Liz walked forward. “How are things in Persal? We heard there might be something going on.”

The driver furrowed her brow. “Not that I know of. I wasn’t there too long. I was just passing through.”

“Alright, thank you.” Liz bowed. “Sorry for holding you up.”

The reins whipped the air. The huttie bellowed as it continued on its journey down the road. Liz continued watching until it vanished around the treeline.

“It was worth a shot,” Alex said. “Alright, let’s go.”

Alex slapped Aria on the shoulder.

“Hey!” Aria stumbled forward from the playful blow.

Smoke drifted through the air as Persal crept slowly over the hillside. The black, thatched roofs of her hometown were unmistakable. The buildings of Persal were quite a bit older than Spavia’s. Liz’s dad said something about the summer seasons, and how the rain typically fell around the valley more than inside of it. More rain meant more chances for a roof to cave in. As Liz got closer, she saw lighter patches on the roofs. They were scattered about, uneven in application.

Persal moved on without her. It was a given. Time waited for no one. Serya might be generous, but she couldn’t stop time, no matter how much someone prayed. Then again, maybe she could, if she worked hard enough. Liz often found that those who didn’t carry their weight found themselves with less than those that did. If she just worked harder, then maybe things would go her way.

Another chill down her spine. Liz wasn’t sure if it was the empty streets, or that sensation from earlier that bothered her. Wagons squeaked through town, cutting through the somber streets of town. Liz was tempted to ask their input, but the responses would likely be the same as the driver before. On days shipments came in, you had entire caravans worth of people moving through to dump off their goods. Persal may be in the valley, but it was close to two skimmer docks. One near Krausben and the other through the valley ahead, near the Straconis manor. But, it was still odd. The sun started its descent, but it wasn’t quite evening yet. The kids should still be outside playing.

“I don’t like this,” Liz said.

“Me neither,” Alex walked forward. “You know where Baqus is, Liz?”

“He said he was going to be at the trading post on the far side of town.”

“Alright.” Alex nodded. “Aria, go with her.”

“What?” Aria finished filing a nail. “Why me? Why don’t you go?”

“I’m going to try to find the other PFs,” Alex glanced at Liz, then back at Aria. “See if they know anything about the rem.”

“And you’re trusting me with this Liz girl’s safety?” Aria frowned.

“Desperate times, desperate measures,” Alex frowned.

“What do you mean desperate?" Alex’s coworker clicked her tongue. “Fine, whatever.”

“Thank you, Aria,” Liz said.

“Yeah, whatever. Lead the way,” Aria said with a shrug.

Alex bid farewell and turned toward the center of town. Liz walked forward with Aria at her side. As she walked, a familiar face poked out from the side of the building. She wore a flowing, red dress with intricate lace and frills. She was definitely a member of the Upper Ring. As Liz got closer, it dawned on her. It was Arula Straconis. But, Liz didn’t have much to worry about. Liz was just a maid for another family. She didn’t stick out. If Arula greeted her, she would respond in kind. If not, there was no need to speak to her if she didn’t need to.

“Oh, excuse me,” Arula said. “You are a maid of the Verconis family, aren’t you?”

Liz froze in place.

“Yes, I am. It is a pleasure to see you again, Lady Arula,” Liz bowed.

“Oh wow, you really are a maid,” Aria blinked.

“And who might this be?” Arula said, a hand motioning to Aria.

“Pathfinder. Aria. Nice to meet you,” Aria rested a hand on her waist. “So, you’re a noble woman, right? I can tell by the dress.”

“Yes?”

“Alright, great.” Aria walked forward and placed a hand on her shoulder. “You know any hot guys?”

A weight hung over her heart. Not just from Aria making a fool of herself, but whathad become of Persal. She wanted her return home to be happier than this. Her mind wandered to why she left to begin with. Liz wanted something beyond Persal, and moving into the Upper Ring felt like the answer she had been looking for. But, maybe that’s what drove Cerus and her family away. Something beyond the mountains, beyond the horizon, beyond what everyone called paradise.

II.

Nico stood his ground. A symphony of blades whistled through the air. The arms rippled like water with each impact. He held the torch up toward the transparent canopy above. Sharp objects, a bit bigger than a sewing needle, clattered to the ground. Nico stepped over Ezia, unmoved by the tumultuous onslaught. The needles hadn’t gotten through, but he moved as a precaution. He wasn’t sure how long he could hold out. As he waited, he noticed a rhythm to the attack. It was like noticing the beats in a song. Even if Nico knew where they were by ear, it didn’t mean he could play the song. It was his inexperience. He had never once thought he would be in a fight for his life.

The ghostly arms flexed, the thin needles clattering to the ground. Nico eyed the torch’s dying ember. Their light was running out. He recalled the missing doll from the wall. A fact that didn’t tell him much other than the face of his would-be assassin. If it was sitting on the wall with the express purpose to defend the cave, it probably didn’t need light to see.

Nico grit his teeth. He couldn’t see in the dark. When they walked in, the only source of light was the torch. The world swerved as Nico clenched his chest.

If he was going to make a move, it had to be soon.

Clink.

More needles clattered to the ground.

Nico apologized to his sister under his breath. The power he and Rinzai had scraped together only bought time, not victory.

Clink.

Another needle.

Nico bit his lip.

Bile burned his throat. A sensation no different than his eye. The only difference was he didn’t see any ripples.

Ripples.

Even at night, he saw the inked smudge left by the child. Each step carried with it a ripple, a pulse.

It was a gamble.

He didn’t have to win the fight, he just had to buy time.

But, with what he was paying, he could hardly afford his sister’s life, let alone his.

Nico looked over his shoulder. He saw nothing in the dark. There was no clear exit. He felt cold water caressing his feet. But, there was nothing there. It was the push and pull of the Sea.

A tap at his feet. Nico looked down. His sister lay there, her hand reaching toward the sword at his feet. He tapped the hilt toward Ezia’s open palm with his foot. She had a plan. He had to communicate with her while fighting for his life. A task easier said than done.

He might die. Honestly, he wasn’t sure if this was worth it. But, he either died on his feet, or on the ground.

“Are you at your limit?” The voice asked, feigning concern.

“No, not even close,” Nico said with a smile. No one could see it. He probably looked like a haggard fool. Nico’s hand crawled toward his covered eye.

“You seem pretty at home in the dark,” Nico said as he held a hand to his eyepatch.

“It is of no consequence,” the doll said in its usual monotone.

“That must be pretty convenient.”

The doll remained silent.

“I can’t see in the dark, but I can see … ripples,” Nico said. “It’s not much, but sometimes it can make a difference.”

“You are at your limit,” the doll said, dismissing his words.

“If I am, then why are you keeping your distance?” Nico mustered all the bravado he could. “Are you actually scared of approaching me?”

“Do you have a death wish?”

“No, I’m pretty interested in staying alive,” Nico said. “I’m not sure I can say the same about you.”

“Unamusing.”

“R-really?” Nico stuttered. “I think it’s pretty funny.”

The needles ceased.

Nico’s heart stopped.

Fear. It was the same as that night when he thought the girl plummeted to the clouds below. His hands shook. Sweat drenched his brow.

“All or nothing,” Nico mumbled.

As he clutched the eyepatch, he offered a wordless prayer to Ezia. Whatever happened next, his life was in her hands.

Nico cast off the eyepatch.

He opened both eyes. The world flashed white, then black. The darkness persisted. Then, it was white again. He felt it on his back. Whatever was sealed in that sphere beckoned him to look. It wanted out. He felt it tempt him. It caressed his feet, tempting him to turn his head. He grit his teeth and fixed his gaze at the darkness ahead.

A ripple in the dark. The figure appeared in front of him. It brandished a thin, angled blade. The sword bit into the translucent wrist. Mist flowed free from the wound. The doll stepped off the ground then leaped back into the cover of the cave’s shadow.

Another ripple behind. Nico turned, keeping both arms raised.

More mist spilled forth as the ghostly flesh tore. Even if it wasn’t his arms, it still hurt. It stung. Each blow felt like a punch to the gut.

“Sorry about this, Rinzai,” he whispered an apology.

Nico clenched his palms, the pain anchoring him against the turbulence of the Sea.

Even as the onslaught continued, Nico didn’t back down. He held his ground as much as his shaking body allowed. Each time the doll leaped, it left a bigger pulse. He was easier to see than the thin ripples from the needles. Just one blow was all he wanted.

The darkness roared.

“You are full of surprises.”

Another blow from above.

The transparent canopy shimmered.

Nico’s limit was fast approaching. He could defend against one more attack. But, he didn’t need to. Nico tapped his sister’s hand with his foot. Then, a pulse echoed through the dark. It was behind him. Nico clenched the dying ember in hand and illuminated the face of his assailant. It was not for his sake, but for Ezia’s.

The puppet’s blade never met its target. The torch illuminated the face of their assailant. The same painted face that each doll possessed. Sparks danced as the doll’s sword flew off course. Ezia stood defiant against the doll’s advance.

When the doll threw the daggers, the wind whistled. As Ezia thrust her sword, it roared.

“What?” The doll uttered only one word.

Ezia’s sword tore through its throat, striking through to the back of its neck. Ezia kicked off the ground and twisted the blade. The doll dropped its word and grasped the sword’s fuller. It pried with all of its strength, its body creaking as it wrenched the sword free from its neck. Ezia let the sword go as she stepped back.

“Rinzai!” Nico yelled.

The mist that lingered in the air converged in front of the airborne doll. Rinzai awakened, her fist drawn back like a bow’s strike. Her heels dented the floor as she thrust an open palm forward.

If Ezia’s blow had finesse, then Rinzai’s was brute force.

The doll flinched as its chest cracked.

Ezia stepped forward, gripping the hilt of her sword. The wind was stripped from Nico’s lungs as air coalesced into Ezia’s blade.

Rinzai stepped forward with a second palm strike.

The air screamed. The doll spun with the violent tempest, launching through the air. His body left the light of the flame and ventured into the darkness beyond. A loud crack echoed through the spacious cavern.

.”You dropped this,” Rinzai said as she covered Nico’s eye with the discarded eyepatch.

“Thanks,” Nico caught his breath as he leaned on Rinzai’s shoulder. “Is it over?”

“I don’t think so,” Ezia said, her sword pointed forward.

“That was surprising.” The doll said, its body clattering forward. “Master Cyrus was right. Humans are duplicitous.”

Metal scraped against metal. The assassin continued to move despite its injuries. Nico wondered if they could even land a fatal blow short of destroying its entire body. Then, more clattering. It wasn’t coming from in front of him or to the side. Nico turned back the way he thought they came.

“It seemed I took too long,” the doll said, his voice sounding vaguely disappointed.

A blue light cast from the far end of the tunnel. A humanoid figure whose body was composed of blue fire. Its body was adorned in flame cast in silver armor. Shoulder pauldrons sharp enough to be a weapon in their own right. Nico couldn’t breath. Just dealing with the doll took everything he had. He didn't know about Ezia, but he knew that Rinzai couldn’t stick around much longer. Nico wasn’t sure he could stay conscious for another minute longer.

“I told you not to attack the members of the Verconis family, Ezra.” A deep voice reverberated from the flaming skull.

“What?” Ezia said what Nico was thinking.

The skull walked forward, its body moving with a grace Nico didn’t think it was capable of.

“I apologize, Master Cyrus,” Ezra said, its voice low.

“It seems you’re hurt,” Cyrus clicked his unseen tongue. “Tend to your wounds and never return here. If you do, your safety cannot be guaranteed.”

The warning hit like shattering glass. Nico grimaced. He couldn’t contest it even if he wanted to. Were they actually being let go?

“What are you talking about?” Ezia grit her teeth. “Do you think we’ll simply go? You have much to answer for!”

Cyrus walked toward Ezia. He walked so close that her face reflected in his shimmering breast plate. When Cyrus looked down, he was at least three heads over Ezia. She matched his defiant glare.

“You cannot afford to fight me, not with your brother in that state.” Cyrus pointed at Nico. “Answer me, is your pride as a noble worth more than your brother’s life?”

Ezia’s eyes widened. She tightened the grip on her sword and shook her head. She walked over to Rinzai to support Nico.

“Good choice,” Cyrus said. “Now, begone, and never return.”

Nico’s vision continued to blur. He couldn’t stay awake. The longer he fought, the worse it got. The lead he thought he had vanished. The girl was nowhere to be found. Instead of finding where the girl was, he may have discovered something far far worse. Nico cursed his weakness as he collapsed in Rinzai’s arms.

“So, this would make six times now, right?” Rinzai said as he entered slumber’s sweet embrace.