It took longer than it should have to get back, Janaxia ‘accidentally’ dragging them back through an area of shops. She took her time pointedly eyeing up more jewellery and clothing, as though Stathis had the money to spend on such things. Although she at changed her costume as they went, the trousers shifting to cover all her skin – not quite as attractive, but less distracting. Her top changed into a ruffled blouse, more suited for an idle aristocrat of letters, although retaining the choker still. The neatly-symmetrical embroidery stayed, geometric patterns on her shoulders and sleeves – she seemed to be displaying some odd new tendencies towards the ordered, tidy patterns upon her clothing. Had her tattoo been squarer, or was that just Stathis’ imagination?

They managed to arrive back without further misadventure, slipping in through a side-entrance, one of the staff noting their arrival and signing them in. As they moved through the hallways, occasional faces peeked out at them from around corners. Stathis glanced behind herself as Janaxia slowed to a sauntering, hip-rolling walk.

Stathis sighed. ‘Please don’t do that. At least break them in gently, maybe be a little less… excessive? They’re going to explode if you keep it up.’

‘Feh, you really are no fun. Although if you insist.’ Her clothing rippled and shimmered again, Stathis wincing at the tide of evil she felt washing over her. Janaxia’s trousers loosened, no longer hugging her every curve, her blouse becoming less sheer.

‘Aren’t they a little young for you?’

‘Oh, of course, yes. I do hope you weren’t thinking I was interested? That would be quite distasteful. But it is pleasurable to be viewed with such regard, to see that my efforts aren’t entirely ignored.’

‘You always look amazing, so it feels a bit empty telling you that all the time. Well, except for that time in Cormantara. If you really want to, I can try and tell you look good more often, but it seems a bit pointless.’

Janaxia glared at her. ‘Compliments, Stathis, are never pointless. Pointers on your preferences would be gratefully received. Now, as I have had a tiring night and must prepare myself for later, then I shall go and rest.’

‘Sure. And, uh, I guess I like those dresses, with the really high slits, just not in front of the novices, OK? That one you wore at Verinal was nice.’

Janaxia smiled. ‘Noted. And you may, of course, praise me further.’ She yawned again. ‘Although not right now. I’m sure a time can be arranged at our mutual convenience. Perhaps with food again?’

They parted, Janaxia returning to her room, Stathis going to check on Semari.

She was in her room still, although now conscious. And from the red stains around her mouth, she had gorged herself on Parth’s magical berries. Parth was there, looking out of the window and watching the students train, as Semari sat up.

‘You all better now? You went a bit strange.’

‘Yeah, Parth told me. All, like, zappy and stuff.’ Although she was still in bed, she didn’t seem particularly worried or injured.

‘Yes. So, any idea why? Have any mystic visions or anything?

Semari looked away. ‘Maybe. Little bit. Not sure.’

Stathis turned to Parth. ‘You get anything useful from her?’

‘A storm in thunder. The sky torn. An ancient conflict. Power wreathed in pain.’

‘Right. OK, Semari, I know magical vision trips are always a headache and weird to describe, but it would be really helpful if you tell me anything you can. Because there’s other people here that fight like you do, and they seem rather unfriendly. So anything you’ve seen would probably be useful. This place is going to have something trapped or bound here, although it’s odd for it to come through you and not Janaxia for once. Guess it prefers someone a bit less fancy or has something against horns?’

‘It was misty and weird.’ Her voice was low and flat, as she refused to meet Stathis’ eyes.

‘OK, that’s a start. Ominous shapes twisting through an infinite void, that sort of thing? Eyes burning out across the darkness?’

‘Nothing like that. Soggy and wet, like a giant storm. Flashes of lightning, like with that lightning witch, but brighter. There was someone screaming at me. But, like, in pain, rather than because they were pissed off.’

‘OK, could you hear what they were saying at all?

‘Something about being trapped, wanting to get out?’ Semari tapped herself on the head, trying to remember. ‘Breaking the sky? Sounds pretty nasty. But it wasn’t all red and black like Janaxia’s stuff. More lightning and stormy, more natural. So probably not a demon, I guess? Anyway, what’s all this about people that fight like me?’ She punched the air a few times. ‘Bet they’re not as good.’

‘Their leader is, if not better, although in a strange way. And is an asshole, one of his followers was going to maim a pickpocket. They seem pretty big on “following the rules”, which you’re probably breaking by existing. I’d like a rematch against him, in full armour, see how well he fares then. So, get any clues about what this thing was, or how to free it?’

Semari shook her head. ‘No idea. “Seeking the sky”, if that’s useful? Hey, maybe you should take me flying! See if that does anything.’ She looked up at Stathis.

‘I’d rather not. An angel flapping upwards is going to be noticed, and probably cause a lot of rather intense theological squabbling. So let’s keep that as a backup plan, OK?’

‘That’s no fun! Fine. Uh, no idea then. Could try getting zapped again, although it kinda hurts. Hey, where’s my bracer?’

‘Hakara took it, to see if it was broken or cursed anything. She’ll give it back once she’s done. Anyway, we’ve got vampires to hunt. Janaxia’s been charmed and she’s meeting up with them later. So we’ll follow her and then deal with them. You up to fighting again?’

‘Sure, sounds fun.’ She smiled, perking up now that something to punch was being offered.

‘Good. Parth, you in?’

‘A blight to be vanquished.’

‘Great. I’ll round up Hakara. Semari, if you could keep an eye on Janaxia, make sure she doesn’t sneak out or anything. Although don’t let on we’re following her.’

‘Cool. This place has loads of windows, so I can loiter outside. See if she’s being, like eldritch and stuff. Or how fancy she’s getting for her date. I’m betting nothing underneath. Parth?’

‘Enticing, decorative darkness.’

‘One gold says nothing. Stathis, you want in on this?’

‘No, I’ll pass, thanks. I’ll go find Hakara.’

‘I’ll keep you posted, especially if it’s anything really fancy.’

Stathis left before Semari could say anything else, not wanting to get dragged into that particular conversation. And “nothing” seemed the most likely option anyway.

The laboratory next to Yeros’ office had a heavily reinforced wall with a thick wooden door, marked with warnings. Stathis slowly opened it, in case Hakara was in the middle of something explosive. Inside was a lecture theatre with Hakara stood on the podium, the occasionally-sparking bracer floating in front of her, novices watching.

‘…if you interpolate the essence flows, then it can be seen that there are flaws throughout the helix bindings caused by prior damage. While this increases the output, it does make the device more prone to unpredictable spurts of energy, especially when under external stress. It seems likely that the initial purpose wasn’t to create lightning energy, or at least not in such minor amounts, targeting the wielder. From the binding of the runic patterns, I would surmise that it was probably crafted some two hundred years ago, likely as part of a set.’

A spark of lightning flared out from her hand, hitting the bracer which then flared with energy. ‘Quite how Miss Semari is able to utilise the energy is something I am still unsure of, although similar effects have been seen in those born to non-mortal parents or under mystic conjunctions. Now, does anyone have any questions?’

She didn’t have much of an audience – half-a-dozen novices were sat on the benches, although they all looked interested, or at least awake. Stathis slipped in and sat down at the back.

One of the novices raised a hand. ‘Have you killed any monsters?’

She stuttered, unsure of how to unsure. ‘Um, yes, a few. Vampires. Harpies. Did you know that you can harvest harpy organs? They are useful for a number of potions dealing with speech and sound.’

‘Are they beautiful, like the stories? I’ve heard they look like beautiful women, but with wings.’

‘No, they are rather small, ugly looking things. Um, although their song has a powerful charming effect, which can be distracting during combat. However, they do seem vulnerable against area-of-effect spells due to their flocking behaviour.’

Another raised their hand. ‘Have you ever seen a dragon? Was it scary?’

‘Yes, once, and she was surprisingly friendly. Although seemed to be, um, hiding from one of my colleagues. I’m not quite sure why, but Miss Janaxia is a touch unusual in many ways, and was rather persistent.’

‘Is she the really attractive one? In the red and blacks? She’s, wow. Is she available?’

‘Um, I don’t think that’s really…’

‘If I go adventuring, I want to find someone like her to go with. For a wizard, she’s really sexy.’ There were general sounds of approval. ‘Are there many others like her?

‘I do not think so. And I believe she has an understanding with Miss Stathis...’

It was at this point it seemed best for Stathis to make herself known before any more rumours were started, walking towards Hakara. ‘Hakara, hi. How’s it going?’ She turned back towards to the novices. ‘Don’t you have training to go to?’

‘We were sent here to listen to Hakara’s lecture. It was very interesting though.’

‘That’s Miss Hakara to you lot! And no more questions about Janaxia. Now bugger off, or you’ll feel the flat of my sword.’

One of them had been taking notes, or at least scribbling something. She looked over his shoulder to see that most of the page was filled with sketches of Hakara, although wearing robes that emphasised her cleavage and hips rather more than her actual, baggy ones did. He looked up at her and paled, hastily flicking to the previous page, which was instead filled with sketches of Janaxia, which were actually fairly true to life, capturing her clothing well. He tried to stutter out something, probably an excuse or apology.

‘Those aren’t bad. Although Janaxia’s a bit curvier at the hips.’ He looked as though he were about to die, face a frozen white, still trying to croak out some words. ‘Just don’t make a habit of it, OK? And maybe draw her with more clothing next time?’ He gargled as Stathis drew her knife, neatly cutting the pages out. ‘I think I’ll be taking these. Now clear off and have a cold shower or something.’

They scattered, beating a hasty retreat as Stathis moved forward again. Hakara gestured, the bracer moving towards her, lighting dissipating.

‘You manage to get them to pay attention? They’ve probably not had much tuition in magical stuff.’

‘They did seem to appreciate being shown the lightning, especially when I tested how much power the bracer could absorb. Although they did keep asking questions about where we had travelled, and about Miss Janaxia.’

‘That’s not a surprise. I’ve asked her to tone it down a bit while she’s here. Anyway, did you find out anything useful?’

‘A little. It appears that there is some strange presence here.’

‘Let me guess, a demon bound beneath the city? Seems pretty standard.’

‘That was my first suspicion, but no. The energy appears to be of celestial rather than infernal origin. The bells represent a focus of some kind, a channelling of the power from within the city itself. And the bracer caught part of the resonance. Do you know the item’s provenance?’

Stathis tried to remember. ‘There was a weird crazy shapeshifter that wanted to murder me, and then Semari woke up from a coma, got electrocuted, a lot, before she ripped the shapeshifter’s arm off and the bracer with it. It was honestly a bit of a shitshow. I don’t think Semari ever bothered getting it formally identified, I assumed it was meant to be able to shoot lightning and was defective.’

Hakara undid the straps and opened it up fully. Inside, it was stark, silvery metal, although with an inlay of some other material, a golden sheen when the light struck it at the right angle. On close examination, Stathis could see tiny glyphs cut into the metal, although some were damaged and marred.

‘It was designed, from what I can tell, as part of an entire suit. But it seems to have been crafted to channel lightning energy away from the user, conducting it into attacks. For someone like Melltgalwr, it would be a potent aid, assuming she can function in armour.’

‘OK, so is this resonance going to happen again? And what’s happening to the energy?’

‘It seems likely it would recur when the bells next chime. Perhaps Semari should try wearing the bracer tomorrow and see what happens?’

‘Perhaps she’ll get another vision and see something that we can use. Anyway, we’re going to go deal with those vampires tonight, get at least one thing sorted. Do you need any more vampire dust?’

‘It is sufficiently rare that more would be useful. It may also fetch a decent price, although there is a somewhat limited market for it, at least without dealing with questionable purchasers.’

‘If you say so. Although they are vampires, so they’re probably going to have a decent stash to loot. They tend to accumulate wealth. Anyway, we’re going to hunt them down. Would you mind coming along, keeping an eye on Semari?’

‘Yes, although I do have some questions about yourself, Miss Stathis. You appear to be channelling celestial resonance in some fashion, although that usually requires intermediary devices, such as binding oneself to a deity. And yet you seem able to channel such power yourself.’ Hakara’s gaze was piercing, as though trying to assess Stathis through her vision alone.

‘Ah, well. That’s complicated.’

‘It sounds like some of the legends of the warriors that fought the Black Triad. “Gird in golden flame, a sword of hope against the darkness upon the land”. Holy knights, blessed by the highest of the gods.’

‘I’ve heard legends of them, yes. Although they all had really good gear as well. Must be easier fighting demons when you’ve got top-notch magical armour, a really good magical weapon and a flying horse!’

Hakara didn’t look away. ‘I suppose. Although their greatest powers were said to be inherent – much as those descended from dragons and other elemental beings can channel fire or water, they could channel divine radiance. Would you mind allowing me to study you at some point? I think your parentage may be rather unusual.’

‘Shall we prepare for tonight? We’re fighting vampires, so if you go for things that target individual people, rather than large blasts. Or anything to boost us. There’s probably going to be their other victims around, try to avoid hitting them.’

‘Yes, of course.’ She looked away, suddenly nervous. ‘I’ve never seen a vampire den before, is it going to be… indecent?’

‘I don’t know, but quite possibly. If it makes you uncomfortable, you can stay here.’

‘Um, I think I should come with you. I would like to see how vampires fight, but hopefully they won’t be too debauched. Or that they won’t be doing anything too terrible to Miss Janaxia.’

‘She’ll be fine, she’s powerful enough to blast her way out if they try doing anything she doesn’t want to happen. They normally like to feed just a little rather than kill people, apparently it’s a taste thing –corpse-blood tastes bad, or something.’

‘You sound quite learned on such matters.’

Stathis groaned. ‘Don’t ask. That whole job was a complete shit-show from start to end. It was a mess. I guess they at least had some nice wine? Anyway, do you need to go prepare?’

Mercifully, that seemed to have distracted her from asking about Stathis’ background, as she collected up her notes and started up the steps towards the exit.