A gate found deeper - WIP for Kyanite challenge

Chapter 1. The Deal

Soldier

Thirty meters above us, from the upper layer, came deafening, crashing sound. Not a few seconds later, it turned into tremors and fragments of the rocks came falling from the ceiling.
The wait for the prey has ended.
The ground high up cracked and then exploded in every direction as a massive body started to tear through it. First came a pair of long antennas, moving frantically in every direction. Just behind it came the big, flat head equipped with massive mandibles. Lastly, came the body. Rows of segments and legs pushed through the air. Even though the beast was over 20 meters long, it could float thanks to the gas bladders, spherical growths located on the underside of their bodies.
There are two ways to hunt the Beast from Above. The first involves waiting for the creature to start burrowing through the ground and then pushing spears through the weak points of its carapace, quickly killing it before it goes to the lower layer. But as it was still flying, we had to use the second method.

All of the hunters readied their sandboards and spear launchers. Those weapons are made out of the same organs that the beast used to float around and can hit a target located more than 100 meters away. And now 20 of them were pointed at the belly of the monster. One press of the fingers at the right place, a swooshing sound, and most of the spears hit their target.
The altitude of the flight of the beast dropped as the gas escaped its bladders. The hunters reloaded and shot again.
As the body of the giant insect plummeted down, they took their boards and thrust them into the ground before themselves, making makeshift pavises. I quickly did the same, because the moment the body of the monster crashed, it created a giant explosion, a wave of sand that flew towards us. The hunters dusted themselves off, started to run and jumped on their boards, surfing down the dunes towards the prey. I checked if the Researcher is ready. He nodded, and both of us followed the rest of the group.
If my guess was right, the person leading all of us was the Prince. As the people of his tribe warned me, the way he moved on his board was a sight to behold. Even wearing clothes that covered him from head to toes, a thing needed to survive the harsh conditions of the Surface layers, they didn't slow his movement in any way. Right now, it almost looked as if he floated a little above the sand, nothing stopping him.
Opposite to him, both me, Researcher and other hunters had to get off our boards once in a while to run to the top of the next dune and continue our chase.
It seemed that the grounded Beast from Above finally understood what happened to it, as it started to writhe and look around. When it turned its antennas towards us, the only other living beings who could have hurt it, it made a screeching sound and started charging towards us.

Prince

The creature fell and so it was my time to shine.
During the hunt, one needs to draw the attention of the beast so others can attack it without risking too much. I prepared one of the special spears. This one is way thinner than those we use in spear launchers and is coated in oils containing strong pheromones. Same as the ones that coated my clothes. The only thing left was to wait and aim.
50 meters. Way too far to hit the moving target. We both were closing fast. The monster was snapping with its mandibles and destroying dunes on its way in a blind rage.
20 meters. Still too far. The beast's antennas pointed towards me. I could almost hear the poison seeping out of its glands.
10 meters. Now! The beast reared a little to jump towards me. That's when the spear left my hand and flew towards one of its eyes. As it pierced it, the creature reared further, this time in pain.
I ran by it and started sliding to the side. It touched the spear with its antennas once, twice, and turned its head in my direction. As it was planned, I have become a living bait, and just made it chase me, the one who hurt it again. Running after me, it revealed its side to other hunters. And with it, the gaps between the segments of its body.
The others had to act quickly. Even with my skills, I could evade the beast only for one, maybe two minutes. Glancing for a second, I realized I don't have to worry. They were already close to our prey, readying their weapons. Even the two outlanders seemed to manage. Seems like relying on them was a good idea.
I heard several swooshing sounds. The spears filled the guts of the creature, slowing it down. It ran for a few more seconds, screeched one more time and finally died.
The hunt was a success.

Researcher

Incredible! Not only did we manage to kill that enormous being, but we also did it without losing even one person. Those Surfacers are truly something else!
This last month has been one of the weirdest ones in my life. First, finding that mysterious gate with a sigil on them, then three weeks of searching for the owner of the said sigil. And now this whole hunt stuff. After all of this, I think I won't leave our library for a few months, no matter what higher-ups in the Archaeologic Society will say.
Now, hunters began to dress their prey, and one of them came towards us. Judging by the way he was walking, it was Prince. "Thank you, outlanders!", he said. "As it is according to the laws of our tribe, you taking part in the hunt means I can trust you. I will hear out your request."
He pulled out the sigil from many layers of his clothing.
"According to you, my medallion is related to some structure on the lower layers, right?"
"Yes," I spoke. "One of my colleagues from the Archaeologic Society managed to find an ancient gate that was covered with many different markings. Among them was a socket. When he made a cast out of it, it looked exactly like your sigil. We suspect that it might uncover some secrets of the gate. We gathered some funds to b..."
"It is not for sale," he interrupted me.
"Won't you reconsider?"
"Sorry, no. It was the only thing that I had when I woke up during the Awakening. It might be the only clue about who I was before, so I'm not going to give it away."
"Ahh, I...I think I understand. Soldier, I think we should go back now. We'll have to find another way."
As we started to walk away, the Prince spoke:
"Gentlemen, I think you misunderstood me. I said I am not going to part with my medallion. But what if I went with you to your 'gate'? If the markings are the same as the ones on my sigil, then I might uncover some truth about myself there."
His suggestion surprised both of us. And yet, it was one of the best solutions to our problem. Not only the Association wouldn't have to use up its funds, the presence of the third person significantly increased our chances of survival.
"That would work. Yes, that would be great," I said.
"Then help us carry the stuff to the tribe, and we can move out after dinner."

Chapter 2. The Bazaar

Soldier

The first day of the journey passed without any problems. On our way here, we wasted most of the time on looking for the Prince's nomadic tribe. Now, only the occasional places where the sun rays reached the ground were the only thing that forced us to change our course, slowing us down. At this rate, we will be at the bazaar in one, maybe two more days.
I really can't wait to take all of those clothes off of me, shake off all of the sand, and take a shower.
It seems like Prince and Researcher hit it off with each other. Researcher asking about anything about tribes, their traditions, creatures of the Surface, and found artifacts, while Prince wanted to know as much as possible about lower layers. Apparently, during the whole fifteen years since Awakening, he has never been there.
While they were gossiping like little schoolgirls, I did what I was hired for, guided them towards the Surface Bazaar and looked out for any danger.
During the second day of the journey, I almost made a mistake. We came across two large areas covered with sun rays, and the only way forward was between them. At least if we didn't want our travel to last one day longer.
As we were moving, watching out to not get too close to either one of those areas, Prince shouted:
"Stop!"
Both listened to his command, he looking around nervously and me taking off the spear launcher from my back.
"What is it?," I asked.
"Look in front of you! Don't you see it?"
I did as he said, but before us, there were only countless dunes, as far as the eye could see. Even the horizon was empty, not even a dust cloud there.
Seeing that I'm looking in the wrong direction, he shook his head and spoke again:
"Not there. Right in front of you."
He then picked up a stone from the ground and threw it a few meters forward. As it touched the ground, the sand around it started to collapse, creating a bigger and bigger hole. At some point, I had to move backward, otherwise, I could also fall there, pulled by it.
As it began to slow down, the bottom of the hole revealed its real shape, that of the funnel. And in the middle of it, a pair of mandibles showed up.
"Sand trappers," he explained. "Very similar to the antlions, but a little larger."
I could sense him grinning smugly from beneath his protective mask.
"Well, outsiders, aren't you glad you took me with you?"
I didn't answer him. A few more steps and I would kill not only me but also those I was hired to protect. Sensing how nervous I am, the other two didn't speak for some time. We walked by the edge of the hole, almost touching the rays of the sun. The beast found a great place to hunt for the prey that would want to pass through here and not burn itself.
We reached the shafts that could lead us to the lower layers as the day was slowly closing to its end. At least I think it was drawing to an end, the constant sunlight on the Surface layers can throw off one's internal clock quite badly.
We entered the door leading to a broken elevator and slowly began our descent on the ladder. With each passing step, the air was getting a little bit cooler, and the light coming from above was a little dimmer.
Twenty meters lower, we finally stood on the lower layer.
Fortunately, only the tenth and higher layers of the Surface don't have any working lifts or escalators, so after crossing the next ladder, the rest of the journey wouldn't require any more walking or climbing.
Less than an hour later, we quietly sat in the last lift. The engine began to hum, and for the fifth time, we began to descend. Moving slowly, we could finally see the first stop of our journey.
Bazaar, the highest trading point of the Tree layers, the last place where the sun reaches, the border between the Surface and the Middle.

Prince

This place is amazing!
Even looking from above, I don't think I have ever seen so many lights and people in one place. The labyrinth of pathways around hundreds of stalls, the shouts coming from every direction, the myriads of colors everywhere, it all was truly astounding.
And yet, the Soldier and Researcher didn't react to all of those things. Is it normal for them? Is that's how the people from the Middle layers live?
Those thoughts filled my mind as we were getting closer and closer to the settlement.
A tremble and a crash that was soon followed by the silence of the engine. The gate of the lift raised automatically, and I could make my first step in this wonderful place. But before I even got to make another one, Soldier grabbed me by the arm and pulled me somewhere. Researcher followed right behind us.
As we were walking through the Bazaar, each second brought sights I have never seen. I've seen a stall with exotic fruits and vegetables, the kind that only the chief of the tribe was permitted to eat because of hard it was to get them. Next to it was a place filled with the pots and pans full of various food, boiling and sizzling, and smelling so nice I couldn't stop salivating.
On the table of another one, I could see a group of small lizard-like creatures with wings, playing together.
"What are they?", I asked the Researcher, pointing at them.
He looked there.
"Ahh, they are homunculi. Artificial beings powered by the Elements in the air. Some use them just as mobile batteries, but most people treat them as pets or companions."
"And where are we going right now?"
"Bathhouse and lockers," explained Soldier, speaking for the first time in a long time.
As we walked the wide streets, I noticed something weird about the inhabitants of the Bazaar. Almost no one wore the protective suits, nor their masks here, things needed to survive the sunlight above. Quite contrary, a lot of them had parts of their bodies uncovered. I could see their arms, legs, and faces. So many different looks and shapes.
Soldier had to drag me again, otherwise, I probably would still be there, watching everyone and everything.

Researcher

The bathhouse of the Bazaar is known for a few things. First, the locker room there is one of the safest places in the whole Pit to leave your stuff. Second, they rent out gear needed to traverse both to the lower and upper layers. And third, it also serves as a hotel and a diner, so a lot of outsiders decide to stay here. All of those features, mixed in with the ability to wash after the journey, were prime reasons why we went there.
As we entered, a receptionist looked in our direction and straightened himself on his stool. He was an old man, with a long gray mustache that even now was almost touching the table. Soldier pulled out a key with a number from his bag and showed it to him.
"Ahh, welcome again, your stuff waits for you in the locker number 5. Do you need anything else?"
"We need to rent the bath for an hour and buy some clothes for this guy," Soldier pointed at Prince. "Also, is it possible to order some food still at this hour here?"
The old man first looked at our new companion, then back at Soldier.
"I'm sorry, sir, but we the cook only works until 7 pm. It will be 15 for the bath and another 10 for clothes."
"We also need the room for the night."
"That'll be another 15."
Soldier paid, waiting patiently, as receptionist slowly counted the coins. As soon as he finished, Soldier headed towards the lockers. He opened the one with a plate with number five and started checking if everything is in the right place. He lingered a little while inspecting his guns and then took out clothes, both mine and his own.
At this point, the old man returned with a simple shirt, pants, and underwear for Prince. We'll have to buy him something better for the journey, I noted to myself, but that's the task for tomorrow. Right now, we were led to the bath.
When we entered the changing room, Soldier didn't even wait for the two of us. He threw the mask on the bench and started undressing, uncovering his short black hair and scarred muscular and yet lean body. The amount of sand that fell off of him during this process would suffice to build a pretty big castle.
Prince looked at me. Even wearing his mask, I could tell that he is quite puzzled, not knowing what to do. But as he saw that I also start to unclothe, he also started doing it. From the layers of clothing emerged a young, dark-skinned man, with hair turned completely white because of the sun. Even though he was smaller and more agile than Soldier, his body also was muscular.
We left the changing room and stepped into the bathroom. The stone floor was already warm thanks to the heat of the water. As I went to the mirrors to check how I look after those fourteen days of journey, I could hear Soldier submerging himself in the pool. Seconds later, a surprised shout reached my ears. It was Prince testing the temperature with his foot. For a boy from the Surface, a place like this was something unfamiliar.
I wiped the fogged-up mirror. The sight before me wasn't really impressive, at least not after seeing my two companions. An unkempt beard that grew over the last few days, long chestnut hair. It started prematurely graying a few years ago. Looking down, I saw my lanky arms and some fat on my belly. I have to ask Soldier one day to help me train. But right now, I started shaving.
Ten minutes later, I also joined others in the pool. The warmth seeped into my sore muscles, first bringing some pain, then relaxation.
Ahh, that's what I needed.
I lowered myself, so only my nose and my eyes weren't submerged. Through the water, I could hear Prince and Soldier talking together, first one asking tons of questions, while the other answered with singular words. I give him a few days more before he opens up to the kid.
I closed my eyes.
My thoughts wandered to the other things. We have the sigil now, the only thing left is to bring it back to the gate. And then what? Are we prepared for what's inside? Is something related to the Prince really hidden there?
My thoughts were interrupted as someone started nudging me. It was the young Surfacer himself, trying to tell me something. I raised my head above the water.
"That old guy came here, saying that our hour has almost passed."
I nodded to him, and we all stood up. The towels were already waiting for us, the receptionist must have left them here. Luckily, the air so high here is quite hot, so we didn't need to run to change quickly like on some layers below. It is still quite funny remembering all of the people sprinting between the bath and the changing room in the bathhouses of the City of Lights, while those native to the place took long walks between them.
After changing, we went to our bedroom. It was a simple wooden room purposed only for one person. It could use some more cleaning. The Prince got the bed, while Soldier and I slept in our sleeping bags.
I remember having a dream that night.
There was a constant buzzing sound as if there were hundreds of insects floating all around me, or I was surrounded by working transformers. The room I was in was round, metallic and featureless. In the middle of it stood a mirror. And in front of it, there was a person.
As I got closer, their reflection split, and formed two identical beings. And while the original looked forlorn and sad, its two images seemed to be joyful and content. The three of them pointed at me and spoke:
"Power?"
"Knowledge?"
"Or the truth?"
Before I managed to ask them what do they mean, I woke up.

Chapter 3. The Tram

Soldier

Prince got lost.
After we woke up today, we went somewhere to eat. We found a pretty good stall that sold various noodle dishes. The kid was excited to taste something new. I still wonder how one can get their face so dirty while eating simple noodles.
I asked him if he needs any new weapons, but he said that he only knows how to fight with spear launchers. And seeing how he used them during the hunt, it would be stupid to force him to use something new.
With that issue resolved, we went to buy him some new clothes. No offense to the mustached man but he picked stuff that was way too small. While looking around the Bazaar, Prince managed to find some seroual pants and tunic with open front. Ridiculous clothing for the journey, but if he likes it, I won't oppose.
I started buying him some other stuff for when it would get colder, and the moment I turned around, he disappeared.
"Great."
I shouted to Researcher, "Prince went off somewhere!"
"What do you mean he went off somewhere?"
"Well, he was here a second ago, and he isn't now."
I paid, and we both started looking for him. After checking the surrounding area, we went to the bathhouse, but the old man there said he hadn't seen Prince since morning. The owner of the noodle stall told us the same thing.
Well, crap. The most sensible options were out, so we started to look for him more frantically.
About half an hour later, Researcher suggested checking the path we traversed yesterday from the lifts to the bathhouse.
And there he was, standing in front of the playing homunculi.
"What the hell, Prince! We've been looking for you for the last hour."
He just laughed and said, "Oh, yes, sorry. I just wanted to see those creatures again."
"You could have asked us. It wouldn't be any problem to come here."
He just smiled again while repeating, "Sorry." There was something weird in the way he acted, but at that point, I was just happy to see that everything's okay.
Now, without any distractions, we finally could buy the supplies for the rest of the journey. We took out all of the stuff we had in the lockers, and we said goodbye to the Bazaar as we headed towards the Tram station.
Like most of the other stations, this one was just a simple platform with two metal benches on both of its sides. A thick cable would lead in two opposite directions, extending into the darkness of the layer. Near each of those benches, there was a post standing there with the schedules of the Tram printed on them. According to one of them, the next Tram would arrive in 15 minutes.
I took this time to check my guns again. As I did, the Surfacer watched me curiously. Like with many other things he saw in the last few days, this probably was something new to him. Especially since weapons like these wouldn't survive too long up there, so maybe a few people used them there.
All three of them, the handgun, the sawed-off, and the rifle were good.
As I was finishing with the third one, the cable started to vibrate more and more, and then the grinding sound announced the arrival of the Tram.
Our means of transport for the next hour was a metal box, 3 meters wide and tall, and 10 meters long, decorated with the ornaments of flowers. It was suspended from the cable by the spider-like metal legs. Looking from the outside, it was empty on the inside. Or rather, it would be, if not for the six small silver boxes located near each of its doors.
The machine stopped in front of us with a hiss. We entered it, and Researcher gave me three silver coins. I put all of them into the slot in the box, and as I did, three benches and three shelves unfolded from the floor and the walls of the vehicle.
I still don't know how that works or how all of the things that can show up here fit in the cart. I'm not sure if anyone knows. The technology of the previous civilizations is as mysterious as it is dangerous and useful.
Two minutes later, on time with the schedule, the doors closed, and the machine started to move. Even going at the full speed, 30km/h, it will take us about an hour to reach the next stop where we will get out. The same distance would take us about a week to travel. Moving deeper, we finally left the area illuminated by the sun.
"Weird," said Prince. "Why is there a light coming from below?"
"It's the Tree," I answered.
Seeing his intrigued face, Researcher decided to explain a little more.
"The Tree is, as what its name would suggest, a giant plant. And yet, it is something more at the same time. It grows suspended in the middle of the Pit, giant and out of anyone's reach. It gives off a glow that simulates the day and night cycle. It whispers in people's dreams, choosing them for something bigger or blessing them with the ability to Sing its songs. Many consider it a god, calling it Mother, the Provider of Life. According to some theo-"
His lecture was interrupted by the strong shaking of the cart. Then it did it again, and Tram's metal legs made a roaring sound while grinding on the cable.
Something was wrong.
Researcher screamed, "What's going on?"
"We need to jump out! Otherwise, we won't reach the next station! The Tram rejected us," I said as I picked up my baggage and took one of Prince's spears and got close to one of the windows.
Using firearms in here would be dangerous, so this had to suffice.
The first hit made a crack. The second led to the web of smaller cracks forming around it. After the third one, the glass finally broke.
All three of us jumped at the same time.

Chapter 3. The Chase

Researcher

The landing was way less painful than one would expect by jumping from the vehicle traveling at 30km/h. Still, my entire body screamed in pain as I tried to stand up slowly. On the positive note, it seems like the coal dust broke my fall. On the negative one, our trip to the bathhouse yesterday was for nothing.
I didn't even have to look around to know where we are right now. The sound of metal hitting metal, the symphony of clangs and twangs, the distant whistles, and chimneys letting out the steam. The warm and moist air. And the buildings made out of bricks, concrete and metals surrounding us could mean only one place. The Layer of Factories.
The other two fell close to me. Soldier was already on his feet, looking around for any landmarks, while Prince was still laying in the coal. He decided to dust off before moving forward. But as he began to pat his clothes, something within them started to move.
Soldier noticed it, and he quickly pointed his gun at the mysterious bulge.
"Wait! Don't shoot!", shouted Surfacer. "It's nothing dangerous."
He then pulled out a small, purple winged lizard from underneath his tunic. The creature looked around and chirped curiously.
"I decided to buy him at the Bazaar. Although I thought he had a different color earlier."
I looked at the Soldier. His eyes were seething with rage. He walked up to Prince, his hands clenched into fists. The kid got scared, even made a few steps back. Our guide jabbed his finger into his chest. But in contrast to how angry he looked, his words were terrifyingly calm.
"We paid for three passengers. Your pet was the fourth one. We could have been spirited away by the Tram. As I told you before, ask before you do something."
He turned away from Prince. I don't know if my eyes deceived me, but it looked like there was some sadness in him after what he said.
"Luckily, we are lost on the Layer of Factories, so we aren't that far from our goal, and we don't need to fear that much about the food and water. Getting lost on any other one could be way deadlier," he said. "Still, we should look for the way to get high up, so we can look for landmarks or shafts to other layers."
We began our descent down the mound we were on. With every step we made, we would kick up clouds of black dust that lingered in the air. The mood was bad. Soldier was silent, walking a few meters in front of us. Prince was deflated. Even his little companion, running between one shoulder and another, couldn't brighten him up.
And I... I just didn't know what I could do to help.
Instead of the ground, we were welcomed by tangled pipes, going in every direction. Looking for a tall building with access to the roof, we slowly pressed on forward. It didn't take us long to find one with a ladder leading to the top of one of its chimneys. There was a fire exit staircase on its side.
Clang, clang, with every step upwards.
Clang, clang, in complete silence that drove me crazy.
I finally couldn't stand it.
"It's probably because we passed through the area saturated by the Element of Electricity."
The other two stopped completely, puzzled by what I just said.
"What?"
"Your homunculus. You wondered why it changed the color to purple. I heard about some models that can do it when they are exposed to the Elements. And purple is the color of Electricity. Additionally, the more intense the hue is, the longer it will power your little friend."
"Oh, okay, thanks," said still surprised Prince.
I heard a quiet chuckle coming from Soldier's direction. He shook his head, his reaction to me doing silly things, and continued to climb. It seemed like what I said defused the situation a little.
Soon, the stairs were replaced by the ladder, and we managed to reach the top of the chimney. The sight up there was incredible. The industrial labyrinth of buildings contrasted the pearly white clouds above them. Every factory was connected with its neighbors, be it by pipes, catwalks, or conveyor belts.
"Look for anything that stands out, any big complexes, weird parts, repetitions, anything that would let us discern where we are," warned us Soldier.