Chapter 536
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Chapter 536
Well, that was convenient, Chikere said as the doors opened behind Vari.
Stopping herself from falling backward should have been trivial for a cultivator of Varis level, even a century of training before. She didnt because there was no real danger to overcome her sudden revelation.
Vari shook her head as she picked herself up. I dont think its a coincidence, she said, looking at the formations around them. She was no master, but she understood they should still be working to serve whatever their purpose was. At least, they didnt seem terribly worn despite their age. It should have been waiting for the proper conditions to open.
A member of the Harmonious Citadel? Chikere asked. Because if so, its broken. Especially since some of those actual guys had been coming here since this place was first around.
Spikes was simply sniffing around the area, seemingly disappointed with the lack of useful feedback. There wasnt much to get from stone statues and centuries unused halls. That was all that was immediately visible, another room with a few statues. Though there was one notable feature about those statues. The majority of them were missing their head, not a clean cut but a messy stone break. There were only two that had their heads- Silvija herself, and the similar looking woman. The latter was not placed in the same arrangement as the rest, but of clearly different make and smaller size, placed more or less Silvijas statue.
Vari spoke her thoughts aloud. Are these two twins? Or perhaps just sisters.
The latter, I think, Chikere answered. The stone focuses on their features while leaving out their proper demeanors. I dont think the artist knew these people.
Youre now an expert on sculptures? Vari asked.
Chikere shook her head. No. But Ive seen some that appear ready to spring to life. These are highly detailed, but lack the spark of life. And their stances are garbage, she gestured to the statue holding the sword.
It looked decent enough to Vari, but then again decent was probably far below what the saints should have looked like. She tried to remember the statues back on Rouhiri, but the once venerated images were indistinct to her memory. They were mostly better made, she thought, but not necessarily lifelike. Or maybe intentionally not.
If this is a vault, it should have something more, Vari said. I would suggest we search the place but there seems to only be one additional door.
Though they could all feel the power of formations protecting the structure around them from intrusion, the internal walls and that door were more or less unmodified. The door swung open easily to reveal a small room, roughly carved into the area around it. It had only a few small shelves, a table, and little else.
On the table was a small leather bound tome with a name carved into the cover. Kullike. Upon seeing it, Vari quickly closed the intervening space and grabbed it. Perhaps if she had been less eager she might have noticed the formations bound into the book itself, not that she could have done much about them. Even as she lifted the book it began to disintegrate in her hands, turning to dust before she could even open the front cover. She just stood there, looking at the dust falling between her fingers.
After a few moments, Chikere approached her. Hey, you alright? You look like someone just broke your favorite sword. Is that Kullike something important?
The unrelatable but still heartfelt comparison brought Vari out of her momentary trance. She was my mother, Vari said.
Same name, huh? I suppose that brings up bad memories.
Of no comfort was a message from Aridasa that the Ivory Maw had been expelled. It arrived somewhere after it was expected that either of the Worldbinding cultivators could have reached parts of the trifold alliance, so it seemed they hadnt directly come to attack. It wouldnt have been the smartest move, but powerful desperate cultivators werent something Anton wanted to deal with.
-----
A message from the upper realms came to Anton. He had no ability to act on it for several weeks as it required an in-person meeting with Everheart, but things seemed settled enough for Anton to return to Ceretos for a bit. Traveling back and forth was time consuming, but he got marginally faster every time. Spending time between systems also helped him train the distance he could draw upon stars, uncomfortable as it was to be cut off from the majority of his power. Going to see Everheart just to ask a question was kind of a waste, but Anton also wanted to regularly remind him that he was being monitored. Just in case he got any ideas.
Got a question for you from the upper realms, Anton said after they were finally together. You are familiar with the Harmonious Citadel, right?
Yes, Everheart agreed. Of course I know of them.
Did you write a technique called Citadels Downfall? Anton asked. Or are you perhaps familiar with a woman named Silvija?
Instead of the expected responses, Everheart just sighed wistfully. Then he frowned. Wait, how did you hear about any of that?
Anton shrugged. Some of those in the upper realms are doing research on the Harmonious Citadel. Found an old vault with the technique in it.
Thats impossible, Everheart said. That vault should have only opened for Silvija and her sister. Both are dead.
You didnt really answer one of the questions, Anton pointed out.
Correct, Everheart nodded, still contemplating something. What if he frowned. No, definitely not, he shook his head. But Kullike, maybe Everheart clicked his tongue. Thats what I get for being hasty with formations. But I suppose it worked out.
... And? Anton asked.
Who found it? A man or woman?
A woman, Anton said. Does that part matter?
Not really, Everheart said. Except that I might have a niece. Sort of.
You dont really strike me as the marrying type, Anton said.
Hence the sort of, Everheart shrugged.
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Chapter 536
Well, that was convenient, Chikere said as the doors opened behind Vari.
Stopping herself from falling backward should have been trivial for a cultivator of Varis level, even a century of training before. She didnt because there was no real danger to overcome her sudden revelation.
Vari shook her head as she picked herself up. I dont think its a coincidence, she said, looking at the formations around them. She was no master, but she understood they should still be working to serve whatever their purpose was. At least, they didnt seem terribly worn despite their age. It should have been waiting for the proper conditions to open.
A member of the Harmonious Citadel? Chikere asked. Because if so, its broken. Especially since some of those actual guys had been coming here since this place was first around.
Spikes was simply sniffing around the area, seemingly disappointed with the lack of useful feedback. There wasnt much to get from stone statues and centuries unused halls. That was all that was immediately visible, another room with a few statues. Though there was one notable feature about those statues. The majority of them were missing their head, not a clean cut but a messy stone break. There were only two that had their heads- Silvija herself, and the similar looking woman. The latter was not placed in the same arrangement as the rest, but of clearly different make and smaller size, placed more or less Silvijas statue.
Vari spoke her thoughts aloud. Are these two twins? Or perhaps just sisters.
The latter, I think, Chikere answered. The stone focuses on their features while leaving out their proper demeanors. I dont think the artist knew these people.
Youre now an expert on sculptures? Vari asked.
Chikere shook her head. No. But Ive seen some that appear ready to spring to life. These are highly detailed, but lack the spark of life. And their stances are garbage, she gestured to the statue holding the sword.
It looked decent enough to Vari, but then again decent was probably far below what the saints should have looked like. She tried to remember the statues back on Rouhiri, but the once venerated images were indistinct to her memory. They were mostly better made, she thought, but not necessarily lifelike. Or maybe intentionally not.
If this is a vault, it should have something more, Vari said. I would suggest we search the place but there seems to only be one additional door.
Though they could all feel the power of formations protecting the structure around them from intrusion, the internal walls and that door were more or less unmodified. The door swung open easily to reveal a small room, roughly carved into the area around it. It had only a few small shelves, a table, and little else.
On the table was a small leather bound tome with a name carved into the cover. Kullike. Upon seeing it, Vari quickly closed the intervening space and grabbed it. Perhaps if she had been less eager she might have noticed the formations bound into the book itself, not that she could have done much about them. Even as she lifted the book it began to disintegrate in her hands, turning to dust before she could even open the front cover. She just stood there, looking at the dust falling between her fingers.
After a few moments, Chikere approached her. Hey, you alright? You look like someone just broke your favorite sword. Is that Kullike something important?
The unrelatable but still heartfelt comparison brought Vari out of her momentary trance. She was my mother, Vari said.
Same name, huh? I suppose that brings up bad memories.
Of no comfort was a message from Aridasa that the Ivory Maw had been expelled. It arrived somewhere after it was expected that either of the Worldbinding cultivators could have reached parts of the trifold alliance, so it seemed they hadnt directly come to attack. It wouldnt have been the smartest move, but powerful desperate cultivators werent something Anton wanted to deal with.
-----
A message from the upper realms came to Anton. He had no ability to act on it for several weeks as it required an in-person meeting with Everheart, but things seemed settled enough for Anton to return to Ceretos for a bit. Traveling back and forth was time consuming, but he got marginally faster every time. Spending time between systems also helped him train the distance he could draw upon stars, uncomfortable as it was to be cut off from the majority of his power. Going to see Everheart just to ask a question was kind of a waste, but Anton also wanted to regularly remind him that he was being monitored. Just in case he got any ideas.
Got a question for you from the upper realms, Anton said after they were finally together. You are familiar with the Harmonious Citadel, right?
Yes, Everheart agreed. Of course I know of them.
Did you write a technique called Citadels Downfall? Anton asked. Or are you perhaps familiar with a woman named Silvija?
Instead of the expected responses, Everheart just sighed wistfully. Then he frowned. Wait, how did you hear about any of that?
Anton shrugged. Some of those in the upper realms are doing research on the Harmonious Citadel. Found an old vault with the technique in it.
Thats impossible, Everheart said. That vault should have only opened for Silvija and her sister. Both are dead.
You didnt really answer one of the questions, Anton pointed out.
Correct, Everheart nodded, still contemplating something. What if he frowned. No, definitely not, he shook his head. But Kullike, maybe Everheart clicked his tongue. Thats what I get for being hasty with formations. But I suppose it worked out.
... And? Anton asked.
Who found it? A man or woman?
A woman, Anton said. Does that part matter?
Not really, Everheart said. Except that I might have a niece. Sort of.
You dont really strike me as the marrying type, Anton said.
Hence the sort of, Everheart shrugged.
Chapter 536Well, that was convenient, Chikere said as the doors opened behind Vari.Stopping herself from falling backward should have been trivial for a cultivator of Varis level, even a century of training before. She didnt because there was no real danger to overcome her sudden revelation.Vari shook her head as she picked herself up. I dont think its a coincidence, she said, looking at the formations around them. She was no master, but she understood they should still be working to serve whatever their purpose was. At least, they didnt seem terribly worn despite their age. It should have been waiting for the proper conditions to open.A member of the Harmonious Citadel? Chikere asked. Because if so, its broken. Especially since some of those actual guys had been coming here since this place was first around.Spikes was simply sniffing around the area, seemingly disappointed with the lack of useful feedback. There wasnt much to get from stone statues and centuries unused halls. That was all that was immediately visible, another room with a few statues. Though there was one notable feature about those statues. The majority of them were missing their head, not a clean cut but a messy stone break. There were only two that had their heads- Silvija herself, and the similar looking woman. The latter was not placed in the same arrangement as the rest, but of clearly different make and smaller size, placed more or less Silvijas statue. Vari spoke her thoughts aloud. Are these two twins? Or perhaps just sisters.The latter, I think, Chikere answered. The stone focuses on their features while leaving out their proper demeanors. I dont think the artist knew these people.Youre now an expert on sculptures? Vari asked.Chikere shook her head. No. But Ive seen some that appear ready to spring to life. These are highly detailed, but lack the spark of life. And their stances are garbage, she gestured to the statue holding the sword. It looked decent enough to Vari, but then again decent was probably far below what the saints should have looked like. She tried to remember the statues back on Rouhiri, but the once venerated images were indistinct to her memory. They were mostly better made, she thought, but not necessarily lifelike. Or maybe intentionally not.If this is a vault, it should have something more, Vari said. I would suggest we search the place but there seems to only be one additional door.Though they could all feel the power of formations protecting the structure around them from intrusion, the internal walls and that door were more or less unmodified. The door swung open easily to reveal a small room, roughly carved into the area around it. It had only a few small shelves, a table, and little else. On the table was a small leather bound tome with a name carved into the cover. Kullike. Upon seeing it, Vari quickly closed the intervening space and grabbed it. Perhaps if she had been less eager she might have noticed the formations bound into the book itself, not that she could have done much about them. Even as she lifted the book it began to disintegrate in her hands, turning to dust before she could even open the front cover. She just stood there, looking at the dust falling between her fingers.After a few moments, Chikere approached her. Hey, you alright? You look like someone just broke your favorite sword. Is that Kullike something important?The unrelatable but still heartfelt comparison brought Vari out of her momentary trance. She was my mother, Vari said.Same name, huh? I suppose that brings up bad memories.Of no comfort was a message from Aridasa that the Ivory Maw had been expelled. It arrived somewhere after it was expected that either of the Worldbinding cultivators could have reached parts of the trifold alliance, so it seemed they hadnt directly come to attack. It wouldnt have been the smartest move, but powerful desperate cultivators werent something Anton wanted to deal with.-----A message from the upper realms came to Anton. He had no ability to act on it for several weeks as it required an in-person meeting with Everheart, but things seemed settled enough for Anton to return to Ceretos for a bit. Traveling back and forth was time consuming, but he got marginally faster every time. Spending time between systems also helped him train the distance he could draw upon stars, uncomfortable as it was to be cut off from the majority of his power. Going to see Everheart just to ask a question was kind of a waste, but Anton also wanted to regularly remind him that he was being monitored. Just in case he got any ideas.Got a question for you from the upper realms, Anton said after they were finally together. You are familiar with the Harmonious Citadel, right?Yes, Everheart agreed. Of course I know of them.Did you write a technique called Citadels Downfall? Anton asked. Or are you perhaps familiar with a woman named Silvija?Instead of the expected responses, Everheart just sighed wistfully. Then he frowned. Wait, how did you hear about any of that?Anton shrugged. Some of those in the upper realms are doing research on the Harmonious Citadel. Found an old vault with the technique in it.Thats impossible, Everheart said. That vault should have only opened for Silvija and her sister. Both are dead.You didnt really answer one of the questions, Anton pointed out.Correct, Everheart nodded, still contemplating something. What if he frowned. No, definitely not, he shook his head. But Kullike, maybe Everheart clicked his tongue. Thats what I get for being hasty with formations. But I suppose it worked out.... And? Anton asked.Who found it? A man or woman?A woman, Anton said. Does that part matter?Not really, Everheart said. Except that I might have a niece. Sort of.You dont really strike me as the marrying type, Anton said.Hence the sort of, Everheart shrugged.
