January 26, 2019, 8:44am.

I know I can fly, yet the abyss remains daunting. The clouds drifting below us must be hundreds of metres down. Other than the distance, the clouds are reassuring, making the abyss less… abyssie.

Pulling my gaze upwards, I notice there are K'tharn moving about on a nearby enclosed walkway. In fact, I notice there are a large number of enclosed walkways that form the backbone of the superstructure that is Aethire. A lone figure soars past overhead, her fur pressed back with the speed of her passage as she flies between several walkways, disappearing from sight.

"It's good to be home," Tipan comments, stepping up next to us while taking a deep breath.

"That's a hell of a drop," Beth notes, her new cloak unfurling into wings as she flies over the edge looking down. The dark black feathers only flutter slightly as they lift her up. As near as I can tell they're styled after actual raven wings. Though all I know about raven wings is that they're black and have feathers.

Despite the fine articulation and appearance, they remain obviously magical in function, easily holding Beth in place despite the lack of flapping.

"Indeed. This is a rather impressive achievement." Roberts doesn't get as close to the edge, standing back next to Demo, whose limp remains. Guess Raz didn't have anything to help.

"Now, kid, where's Josh?"

Following the connection, I lead us around to the far side of Rufka's pod. This side of her pod shows the edge of the abyss. In the distance, I can see the mountains along the edge scraping the bottom of the clouds.

Damn, we're a long way up.

Josh's connection draws my gaze to just beyond the peaks. At first I only catch a flicker of light, but when I focus with my twi-noculars (twilight-culars?), I'm able to see the same silver spire. It's surrounded by a city similar to the dungeon we escaped from, all the way down to the silver bullets. And behind the city is a body of water that I'm pretty sure is the Lathaic Sea.

"Looks like Josh is either in or pretty darn close to that Builder city outside Aethire. That's good right?"

"Not if he's inside the city. We'll have to pass through the Builder's toll gates," Tipan replies.

"An iron per day, right?" I ask, checking my essence. It shouldn't be a problem, we all have plenty of essence.

"Yes. But that's only one issue. The Aetherium maintains their own guardhouse at the only gate they haven't blocked off."

"Blocked off how? Wouldn't we be able to manipulate our way through their walls?" Roberts asks, a small globe of water in hand for emphasis as he gestures at me.

"The sealed gates are still patrolled. I've served on those patrols in the past," Tipan answers.

"We only need intel. There's no guarantee Josh is inside. And if he is, hopefully, the kid can take us right past those obstacles."

Even as the others keep talking, my attention returns to Rufka, who's holding me tightly to her side. "So, where's your mum?"

At first, I think Rufka didn't hear me, her silence stretching. I'm about to repeat myself when Rufka responds, "I don't even know. They've moved her. The last anyone saw of her was three weeks ago when she was removed from Velthin's Holding Centre."

"Half of my old contacts have disappeared. And the other half can't or won't talk to me. Like I said Lexi, it's bad."

"Wow. That's awful." I don't know what else to say. I want to comfort her and tell her we'll find her mother, but without a connection, I don't know how I'd find her. Though I suppose…

"Could you invite her to a party?"

"Ha. Mum would laugh at that. Was always worried we could be tracked by being in a party. But no. Wherever she's held is preventing party invites. User unavailable."

"Damn." That sounds like it could be a lot worse than her mum being locked away.

"Yep. Now that you're here, we'll figure it out."

"I'll try," I offer, surprised at her faith in me. Not sure what I've done to deserve it.

I'm saved from having to figure out exactly what we'll do when the others inform us that Beth is planning to slip out of the city.

I watch Beth disappear as we test the connection, ensuring it's clear. Now that I can teleport the entire party to anyone I'm able to create a link with, it's been determined that the rest of us should stay put where it's safe. But we're to be ready to teleport at a moment's notice. In case Beth needs us.

I can feel Beth as she passes out of the city, headed towards the distant mountains ringing the abyss. I can't help but feel a shudder as I stare at the empty space that lies beneath our feet. As if sensing my unease, Rufka pulls me inside where she starts putting furniture back into place. Once she's got the bed cleared off, Rufka reassures me she'll be fine to help, despite her lack of sleep. What she means is obvious as she prepares some of her not-coffee-but-still-sleep-be-gone tea. Instead of drinking it, she stores it away. Then as I'm watching the still steaming tea disappear into her inventory she mutters "naptime," pushing me onto the bed where she uses my lap as a pillow before falling asleep.

I can't help chuckling quietly (and probably blushing) at her successful attempt to ensnare me.

Even as Rufka is catching up on her beauty sleep, Beth continues flying west, relaying her status checks through the link. I also update Wyonna on everything she's missed.

(W) "Wait, so this Demo is a Citizen too. Did he say how long he's been here?"

(A) "I think he said a couple weeks now."

(W) "Uhh. Well, that's probably a side effect of the transfer. He must have been caught in the mana-front I used to get you here."

(A) "Mana-front? Can we use that to get home?"

(W) "Maybe. Though if this Demo's ship is intact it'd be easier than creating a mana-front to take you back."

(A) "But we could do it?"

(W) "Yes. But there are multiple ways for you to get home from an integrated world like Akilo. A mana-front was the only method I had that could get the four of you here intact."

(A) "Like the portal?"

(W) "Not directly. The portal would take you to one of the Outer Worlds."

(A) "Figures. So, Demo's ship?"

(W) "If his Ripple drive is still working, yes."

(A) "What is a Ripple drive? Demo isn't very forthcoming about… well, anything really."

(W) "Not surprising. All Phothen keep parts of their minds partitioned. Even the system can't access them."

(W) "A Ripple drive is the standard post-mana-swarm faster-than-light drive. They use ripples in the mana field to move next to real space. They're kind of like a jet-ski. Except the ride isn't as smooth."

(A) "That's not encouraging."

(W) "Well, I imagine that if you keep working on it, one day you'll be able to transport everyone back to Earth without a mana-wave. It'll take a long time to get the practice you need if you don't unlock the combat training room though."

(A) "Huh. I'll keep it in mind."

Further messages are cut off when Beth indicates she's made it to the outer rim.

Increasing the strength of our connection, I try sensing Josh's location through her but it doesn't work. Looks like I'm limited to experiencing Beth's senses.

As I'm trying to use my IFF, I can't help but wonder if I can manifest any of my other abilities through Beth. As she's still flying around scouting for danger, I decide to hold off randomly attempting to throw abilities around.

Then again, she's made it outside the pit. And there's no sign of anyone chasing her, so we could join her. Glancing at where Rufka's napping on my lap, I'm tempted to remain here in this little shelter.

"I'm going closer," Beth informs me before I can make the decision to teleport the rest of us.

"Sounds good. I'll just… wait here," I answer, gazing at Rufka with what I'm sure is a silly smile on my face.

I let the next few minutes go by peacefully, playing with Smoulder while stroking Rufka's soft fur until Beth informs me to reconnect.

When I open myself up to Beth, I find myself looking down on the familiar city. This one is in much better shape than the dungeon. The most obvious being that all the silver bullets are still standing. It also has several structures standing south of the outer wall. Must be the Aetherium's gatehouse. Beth repeats the pattern of flying around then getting me to connect to her until she's flown around the entire city as I relay what she's seeing to the others. Not that there's much to report.

Outside the city, are that stretch from the mountains to the nearby sea, all neatly broken up by an extensive grid of stone roads.

When she's completed an entire circuit, Beth settles down in a field full of reddish-brown plants with large open fronds. Now's the time to experiment. "Hey Beth, I want to try something."

"Sure kid. But make sure everyone is ready to teleport. It doesn't look like they're expecting anything," Beth instructs me.

Acknowledging her order, I ask Tipan to grab the guys while I gently shake Rufka awake. She sits up, taking her tea out while muttering, "Vaus-bound outlanders and their high efficiency scouting."

Even as Rufka's complaining about her nap being too short, I've started experimenting through Beth, trying to affect the mana on her end. Unfortunately it's as unresponsive as the detection through IFF. I do discover one ability I can activate that works in conjunction with the connection, but I'm not certain what advantage being connected while in paused time might convey.

"Everyone ready," I ask when Demo and Roberts come back inside.

"I'll be staying here," Demo states, standing just inside the entrance.

"Uh, you're sure?"

"I've no interest in going inside a Builder city. Besides, this way yeh'll be able to use me as a beacon."

"That would be nice," I admit as we start pushing all the furniture to the side again. We don't need to be bringing Rufka's furniture with us.

A moment later, we're standing in a circle around Beth. Despite our close proximity, Tipan still ends up out of sight. A nearby frond quickly folds over, as she flops over it.

"Either I'm getting used to that or the shorter distance reduces the nausea," Roberts mentions, only stumbling slightly.

"Forgot about the side-effects," Rufka notes, while pushing her way out of sight through the fronds. "Seriously, once we get mum out I hope she can help you with that."

I shrug while Beth watches over us as the others recover. Once everyone is solid on their feet again, Beth turns to me. "So?"

"One second," I reply before turning invisible then floating upwards. This close, and from above, I'm able to identify the block of buildings where Josh must be held. They're not especially different from any of the other buildings in the city. The only notable characteristic is that all the buildings seem to be entirely adjacent to each other, with no space between them.

I float down next to the others, explaining where I saw Josh.

"Well, now we just need a way inside," Roberts notes, stroking his chin where a light brown fuzz has started growing in.

"We have a way in," Beth states, clasping my shoulder with one hand.

"I'm still reluctant to teleport into unknown circumstances," Roberts shakes his head.

"Well, at least the symptoms are reduced with a lower range," Tipan observes, which causes Beth to snap her mouth closed on whatever she was about to say.

"This is true. But I'm more worried about what we may encounter on the other side. How do we know this isn't a trap?"

"A trap built to prevent us from using an ability no other user has?" Beth demands. "Besides, we have resurrection."

"That we know of," Roberts counters as Beth tugs on her hair. "And not all of us have resurrection, or have you forgotten our friends here."

Beth sighs, "Sorry. You're right. It'd just be so easy. Teleport in, grab Josh, then come right back out again."

Huh, she's got a point. It's not like it takes a lot of Facet for me to teleport at this range. In fact, I don't even need to bring the others, do I? Looking at them, I realize neither Beth nor Roberts would approve of me going on my own.

So instead of asking, I move to the nearby frond with Rufka, sending her a message through party chat.

(A) "I could go in, get Josh, then be right back."

(R) "What? Oh, teleporting. Sorry, still waking up. I doubt that'd work. Mum says Builder cities prevent teleporting in and out."

(A) "Damn. I should probably tell the others."

"Rufka thinks we won't be able to teleport into the Builder city," I state as I emerge from behind the frond, Rufka right behind me.

"That's what my mum told me. One of the reasons she hated visiting Bethreyne. You know, other than the cost. And the Aetherium. And the… actually she has a lot of reasons."

"Well, I guess that's settled," Beth sighs again. "Any other ideas?"

"Sneak through one of the other entrances?" Rufka suggests.

"They're blocked off," Tipan points out.

"Only technically. Lexi has invisibility and the ability to shape stone and steel however she wants. I bet she could get us through in fifteen minutes, tops."

"Sounds good," Beth agrees quickly. Roberts's nod is slow, but he doesn't voice any concerns.

Huh. Guess I'm working on my stone shaping.

Instead of all of us going, Beth scouts out a sheltered location near the Northwest entrance. As a first step, I create a slightly larger place for the others to wait before approaching the sealed gate with Beth.

We both remain invisible as I consider the large stone block that literally obstructs the entrance with its mass. As though someone took a smooth cube then plopped it down, trusting its size to do most of the work.

The block lacks any ornamentation other than the intricate runes worked into its surface. But some exploration underground reveal they only extend a couple metres beneath the surface. Exploring below the surface is actually a greater challenge than I'd anticipated as I need to ensure I'm not leaving any obvious traces of our passage.

Ultimately, I end up seperating a square of sod that I lift away while compacting the space beneath. It's only the work of moments allowing Beth and I to crouch inside before sealing any sign of our intrusion from above. A minute later I've discovered an already existing tunnel a mere three metres into the block. It looks like I'm not the first person to try this.

"Well, this is interesting," Beth's voice carries over comms.

"Yeah. I think this is far enough I can grab the others," I suggest as we look around the tunnel. I've already closed off our entry point, but since we're still outside the city, teleportation should work.

"Do it."

Two quick teleports later and we're all standing in the tunnel, heading towards the 'sealed' gate.

The silver filigree along the iron-wrought gate is much nicer looking than the entrance to the Fallen training dungeon was. No sign of any guards either. I can't help but wonder who made the tunnel as we approach the gate. There's no sign of traffic passing through, so it doesn't seem like it's used often.

The gate swings freely when Beth pushes against it, revealing a courtyard with a similar gate on the far end.

"I'm guessing this is where we pay for access to the city?" Beth asks as she steps forward.

Tipan nods as she answers, "Yes. The notification should appear the moment you pass through the crystal arch. The system will accept integration points or essence." I follow her pointing arm to see an arch halfway through the room, the crystals inside giving off a pale blue and yellow glow. I'd have barely noticed them if not for Tipan.

Following the others forward, I notice Roberts and Beth have both stopped shortly after passing through the arch.

Curious, I step through the arch, a message popping into view.

"Greetings Citizen Pandora. Welcome to the city of Bethreyne. A guide will be with you shortly."

Rufka and Tipan are still moving forwards for several steps before they realize the three of us have stopped.

Beth explains, "We've got something weird. There's no option to pay for entrance to the city. And a guide is on their way."

"A guide?" Tipan asks, her head tilted slightly in confusion.

"You didn't have to pay?" Rufka chimes in at the same time.

As the others are talking, the far gate swings open. I'm a little surprised when the being I'm guessing is our guide emerges. Honestly, I'd been expecting one of the Yrken or maybe a K'tharn.

Instead, they're more of a mini-minotaur. A mini-taur. Their horns are nearly as long as the rest of their body. If they weren't floating above the ground as they approached us, I'd be wondering how they even got around. As it is, I'm torn between inspecting them and not doing my typical space out as our 'guide' arrives.

"Uhm hello," Beth waves uncertainly as the mini-taur floats up near her face.

Even though they haven't said anything and I haven't inspected them, I'm fairly certain the mini-taur is male.

"Why doesn't anything on this world wear pants?" Beth mutters, looking to the sky as the mini-taur opens its mouth to speak.

"Greetings Citizens to the city of Bethreyne. As your appointed guide, I'll be showing you your housing for your stay while visiting our fair city. If you require the use of training facilities, enchanters, crafters or transportation, let me know and I'll endeavour to direct you to the appropriate service."

The mini-taur waves us after it, floating back towards the gates as we look at each other. It's nearly at the gates yet we haven't moved when it turns back to us.

"Oh. And one more thing. What in the Nine Worlds took you so long?"