Resplendent Glory
by holyflpncows
Umatoko—wearing a very similar outfit as when we first met—stands uneasily on the deck.
He looks better outfitted; his old clothes replaced with a fine outfit of bright blue zigzag patterns trimmed with silver fabrics and new Reinforced leather armor fitted on him almost like a saddle. He keeps a tight grip on his pike saying very little as we catch him up on our adventure so far. As Shen Po explains entering King Julius's tournament, Feng Da suggests Umatoko join us as a team. Umatoko gives a slight bow, honored to fight with us.The scenery doesn't change much as we continue downriver. On the third day of monotonous ruin-filled scenery, I finally break out my lyre. I begin strumming gently, warming my fingers and the strings. I begin humming as a familiar sailing tune fills my mind. Before I realize it, I begin singing. It's upbeat, yet the looks from the other passengers are not relaxed. I stop singing but continue humming. Perhaps translating it would help. Try as I might for the next two days, my mind is swarmed with thoughts other than translation. "...the place where the sands of time meet the fires of regret." I imagine Arslan's voice saying the words out loud. Where is he even talking about? Fire and sand? A volcano? Is there even one out here? How do I get to him? "The place where I reside is somehow within the Nightmare Realm and the waking." What's that supposed to be? "Find my father. He must be alive." Temujin. I hope a city full of goliaths would know of a Temujin. It's been weeks and you have no answers. Give up; he's not worth it. You have other concerns. Any delight I had of sailing sours into frustration. Where are you, Arslan?
Some part of me was sure that Magnus and Aemillius were over-exaggerating the majesty of the Marble City. But, I can't argue that anymore. Blinding white walls stretch for miles across the horizon before us. Rising within the city high enough to be seen over the walls are three artificial plateaus, huge and stark against the blue sky. As we near the city, I make out more detail in the structures atop these plateaus. At the top of the nearest plateau is a large cathedral, exquisite stained glass letting in light from the east and west sides. Large doesn't do its size justice. It's massive, big enough to fit all of Ulaanbaatar within it. The eastern plateau holds up a large chalice inlaid with large gemstones and precious metals. This structure is the largest of the three. Rain falls—only above that platform—into the chalice below, creating an overflowing waterfall that disappears from my sight, below the city walls. Atop the western plateau is an open-walled building constructed with several columns. Arranged around its rooftop are various statues. Perhaps its an Arts gallery? Each plateau has three staircases; two of them leading down to the ground. Most amazingly is the last staircase from each that leads up to a center castle. These staircases are all that support the massive marble structure, enclosed by its own walls. In the center are seven towers in the center of increasing height, circling around with the seventh spire being the tallest. I give a resigned sigh. The place is impressive.
Ninnius speaks with the dock master—an angel that gives Mordax dark glares—as I take in the sight and sounds nearby. An impressive amount of people mill about the bazaar near us, shouts of sales and deals reaching my ears. Captain Ninnius gestures to us, and the crew starts unloading cargo. We hurry off, giving our thanks to Ninnius. Before we've set foot into the bazaar itself, Feng Da stops and turns to us. He explains that he needs to enter the tournament solo; by himself. I frown, but who I am to try and stop him? We wish him the best of luck as he walks away from us. Everyone begins exploring the nearby stalls. I idle where I stand, staring after Feng Da, wondering if I'd be able to watch his fights and take in his...workout. Focus. I inquire with the locals as we peruse around the bazaar. I start with typical tourist stuff, asking where the best and worst inns and taverns are, learning the names of the massive structures atop the plateaus in the process. Then I ask about a goliath named Temujin. "You mean Temujinnius?" most people reply. I roll my eyes. No one's heard of him, then. Though, I also learn that the tournament is monthly and keeps the city going. It brings in people who stay and become citizens. A lot of people must want the good graces of Julius, I muse. As evening begins to creep through the city, we head to the Arts gallery—The Touch of Hikari—for the tournament registration. A large, well-kept garden filled with sculptures graces the base of the staircase up. We head up. At the top within the massive open room is a temporary tent manned by a goliath. The lone goliath wastes no time in reciting the rules to us. "By midnight of the Nonnus, teams are to be at the Apex. Your personal possessions will be kept in King Julius's treasury for the duration of the tournament. You'll be able to select or request any number of weapons and armor—used only for the tournament. The night before, you'll sleep in the category appropriate tower, and then just before noon, you will be escorted to the arena. The winning parties from each category receive an audience with Julius, at which time they can request any variety of rewards." I give a long blink, hoping I'd remember it all. The goliath gives us a look-over. "Seven participants? I shall need to know your names," he says as he flourishes his quill. Seven? Ah, he presumed—correctly—that Alto wasn't joining in the fight. When Mordax eagerly supplies his name, the goliath speaks without looking up from his ledger. "I will need a last name or title." I heave an inward sigh. With only myself and Umatoko left, I speak up. "Vae Kassor." I feel a few interested glances, but they quickly shift away when Umatoko supplies his name. "Umatoko the Lost," he says resolutely. What will he ask for if we win?
With registration done and four days until the fighting begins, we search for a place to stay in the meantime. Recalling the information I gathered back in the bazaar, I suggest we head across to the giant chalice. So, we ascend the staircase from the Touch of Hikari up to the central plateau; the Apex. We take note of the tower-composed building as we walk past to the next staircase. Before we descend past the chalice—or Julius's Gift, as it's called—I take in the sight of the city below. Lantern lights sparkle in the dim twilight, gentle light twinkling off the bright marble. The shadows of citizens heading home or meandering to taverns weave patterns through the streets. For some reason, it feels impossible that this place exists where so much terror and destruction seems to have taken root. My foot leaves the last step and thumps onto the stone street of the Civilian Ward. Right in my sight is a very rustic looking inn. Everyone else is already heading straight for it. Most of me wants to keep searching, asking. Go to a few taverns, tell a few tales, say I regret I've never collected the tales of Temujin. Drunks talk easily; someone has to know something. Instead, I find myself in a hot bath, a few candles lighting the washroom of our rented common room. I dip my arms in the water, rinsing off. I peer into the soapy water. No visible change. No nausea, no tenderness, no new soreness anywhere either. Foolish woman. Believing some mongrel stranger. I sink lower in the water until my chin touches the surface, preventing any splashes from my tears. You know where to find him. Kill him for his lies. I squeeze my eyes closed. Oh, wait. You're too useless to do that, aren't you?
I remain relatively quiet during breakfast but ask Wander to investigate the libraries with me. We split up to tackle the two libraries in the city after discovering the better one is only open to goliaths. Wander disguises herself as a goliath with magic to enter the enormous archives. I watch her enter from down the street, then turn around and enter the lesser, open-to-all library. I step between the shelves of the limited non-fiction section and stop in my tracks. A small smile cracks on my face. Aemillius is here, tearing out pages from a book. He sees me, papers in his hand, and snaps the book closed. He grins. "Oh, well at least I haven't disappointed anybody." "And what information are you stealing now?" I ask quietly, walking closer to him. "Stealing is such a harsh word. I'm removing it," he protests. "I'm not sure if that's much better." I rest a finger gently on my chin. "Why would you need to remove it from a public library?" Aemillius motions with his hands. "Well, I feel like the King's collection should be exclusive, don't you think?" "So, you tear out the individual pages?" "Yes." I raise an eyebrow. I suppose that kept more information intact than destroying the entire book. He gives me a warm smile. "Welcome to my home," he says while putting the book back on the shelf. "What brings you all the way here?" "Wel-" "Was it me?" I give a small chuckle. "I was definitely hoping I would run into you here." "Well then, maybe we should make a habit of it," he offers. "Perhaps we can meet in a place where we can speak above a whisper?" I dip my head in agreement, unable to keep the smile from my face. "I'll take your recommendation." "We can meet in this ward for lunch tomorrow, and then perhaps a stroll through the park?" I stare up at him. "Sounds great." He beams at me. "I will see you tomorrow, Vae." I keep smiling until he's out of my sight. Then I grab the book he had been handling. A Basic Overview of Outer Planes, the cover reads. By checking the index, I find that the pages Aemillius took are about a chaotic celestial plane called Isgard. But without those pages, I can't know any more than that.
For the next four days, I spend most of my free time with Aemillius. He takes me through the city, showing me all its splendor. I work up the motivation to ask about seeing his place of residence. His bed. But then, he asks why I'm out here. I tell him the lie I've given everyone else; collecting stories. He obviously doesn't buy it, but—blessedly—he doesn't press the issue. That does, however, kill the mood. Instead of spending the night enjoying myself, I thank Aemillius for his company and resign myself to the inn, awaiting the tournament tomorrow.
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