If there was one thing Yuriko appreciated about the Palace of Lights was that it had a large and comfortable bathroom.

The tub was large enough that she didn’t have to fold her legs when she soaked. It was also made out of aromatic wood and coupled with the bath oils and salts, it made for a relaxing experience.

She hadn’t had a chance to bathe since that strange room she found the Ambrosia in, and the built-up sweat and dirt had taken its toll on her.

Her new clothes didn’t handle the bloodstains well, especially since she didn’t always guard against it with her Anima. It took great effort to maintain a repulsion field and in the heat of battle, the distraction may prove fatal. So she only had her Anima push blood away when it would have splashed on her face or hands.

Thankfully, the palace staff had replaced the stained clothing with a fresher set tailored to her body. Perhaps it helped that almost everyone was as tall as she or even taller. Of the three races living in Lucenti City, the tailless snakekin were the tallest, the lizardkin were smaller, and the crockin the shortest, though only because they were naturally stooped. If she measured their length, they would no doubt prove to be the biggest.

Since they were all non-mammalian, none of the females showed any of the typical secondary sexual characteristics. The male and female snakekin, for instance, didn’t display a disparity in height, only in the shape of the face, and perhaps in the fingers. The lizardkin were distinguished by their crests: the males had colourful ones while the females lacked them completely.

As for the croc-men, they were all but indistinguishable to her. Their voices were of the same register, a deep rumbly, nearly twin toned pitch. They were also nearly of the same general size, though maybe her inability to distinguish their gender had more to do with that impression. Either way, she was too embarrassed to ask.

Her current set of clothing was more the local casual style. A loose-fitting pair of red silk slacks that flared out towards her feet, ending just above her ankle, and an upper body robe, similarly coloured, that was kept close by a sash. The hem of the robe fell to just below her hips. She wore her breast band underneath it, of course, since they had no similar garment to replace it with. Since it was getting colder, the outfit came with a crimson scarf. The robe’s sleeves fell all the way to her wrists and were just as wide as the pants. She kept her hair in her usual high ponytail and kept it in place with a red ribbon.

The clothes were flimsy and nothing like forceweave but since she had outgrown her old clothes, she had little choice. Otlaca had gifted her with several sets, enough to wear a different one every day of the week, in varying pastel shades and patterns.

The evening of the dinner, she was escorted by a cadre of trained servants, who were also probably discreet bodyguards, to a dining chamber that was elaborately decorated. Otlaca and four other Lucentian’s were standing in a clump, holding small cups and chatting with each other. Three of them were Ahas clan and the other two were from the L’tik and Buwak clans.

She watched the Buwak Elder take a sip from his cup by literally bringing the cup inside his mouth and pouring the liquid inside. The five of them turned to her when they heard the door open.

“Ah, Elder Yuriko of the Davar, welcome,” Otlaca said amiably. “Let me introduce you to my colleagues. This is Elder Gorrosau of the Ahas, Elder Januven of the Ahas, Elder Irseso of the L’tik, and Elder Hiaqrass of the Buwak.”

Each of the elders bowed to her when their names were called. It was easy enough to distinguish the elders Irseso and Hiaqrass, but Gorrosau and Januven looked like they were mirror images. Otlaca was distinct from the other two Ahas simply because he was taller and had a diamond pattern on his scales. Gorrosau and Januven had speckled patterns on their scales and it took a while for her to find the distinguishing factor: Elder Gorrosau’s facial scales had a loose floral pattern.

“Come, let us dine.”

Otlaca led them to a circular table which had a smaller circular platform in the middle. A servant assisted Yuriko to her seat, though she really didn’t need it. She could see why the Elders did, at least the ones with tails. Elder Hiaqrass’ seat was more a bench than anything else, while Elder Irseso’s chair had a gap near the bottom where she could slip her thick tail through.

Bowls, plates, chopsticks, and glasses were placed in front of them while platters of food were placed on the platform. There were platters of sliced, roasted fowl, assorted meats in varied sauces, rice cooked with vegetables, and an aromatic dish with light brown cubes of something she wasn’t sure of.

Water and wine had been placed next to her, as well as something that looked like tea, though the smell reminded her of kaf.

Once they were all served, with the waiters actually taking servings off the central platters and putting them into the plates, Otlaca raised his glass and they all dug in. After the first couple of bites, the Elders started chatting with each other. Elder Hiaqrass was on Yuriko’s right, while Elder Januven was on her left. Otlaca sat directly across her.

“Elder Yuriko told me of her adventures in the plane beneath the Labyrinth. That was the first I’ve ever heard of what lay beneath the Great Labyrinth. Please,” Otlaca said, “enlighten us on what you experienced there and how you came upon it.”

Yuriko wet her lips on a glass of blood-red wine. She smiled slightly at the elders before she began.

“I found myself in the Kogasi plane merely by accident. I was swept into a Chaos storm and the next thing I knew, I was in the middle of a sea of water…”

She interspersed her tale with bites of the delicious meal and sips of the equally tasty wine. This one was actually sweet instead of bitter and she very much approved. She grew a bit dizzy with the drink but her body heated up and then the feeling disappeared.

“...I wandered that plane for weeks on end, before I found my way towards the spire, which is the Labyrinth, from what you’ve told me. It rose from the ground and pierced the skies. I’m not sure how it transitioned to this plane, but there we have it.”

“There were no people there at all?” Elder Gorrosau asked.

“None. Just beasts, or devilbeasts as you call them.”

“Did you find Ivory?” Elder Hiaqrass asked.

“Of course. Though not from the common beasts. There was a time when I found myself in the middle of a horde, a migration, which I suppose coincided with the Beast Tides here.”

“Ah. Wonderful. Do you think you can lead us back down to Kogasi?” Elder Januven asked.

Yuriko stiffened.

“No, I’m afraid not,” she finally said. “I need to return to my home plane as I’d been gone for far too long.”

“Surely a few more weeks, perhaps a Season, wouldn’t matter to someone of your stature?” Gorrosau asked. “You are an Elder, after all.”

“I’m afraid you’re mistaken,” Yuriko said carefully. “I am but a humble student in the Imperial Academies. I’ve already missed a full term.”

“Student?!”

Murmurs and exclamations all around.

“Are you telling us that someone of your power is not even an adult?” Irseso gasped. Yuriko looked at Otlaca who didn’t look the slightest bit surprised.

“Yes, I’m a student, though I suppose I’m one of the stronger ones by now.” She shook her head. “The trials I’ve undergone have increased my power. Also, I’m not entirely sure if I can even lead you back. In the depths of the Labyrinth, and probably in the middle of the spire, there is a Tideland. I’m not sure I can get through it.”

“Hmmm...” Otlaca mused. “Perhaps we would be better served by sending more expeditions with the intent to reach the Kogasi plane. We’ve always been stymied by the depths.”

“Well, since Elder Yuriko is not willing to lead an expedition there, then let us speak of other things,” Elder Hiaqrass rumbled. “We’ve openly declared that we will no longer be satisfied with the dregs Vizugmon deigns to leave us. We must be ready to repel whatever forces they send to oppress.”

“War?” Yuriko gasped. “Are you saying that there will be open warfare between your two states?”

“It depends on how Vizugmon responds.” Otlaca shrugged. “Personally, I’d rather they leave us alone, but knowing their greed, that is unlikely.” He stared at Yuriko through lidded eyes. “Elder Yuriko, Vizugmon has at least ten Elders while we are only five. Grieford City merely has a hidden couple. In an open fight, we will be overwhelmed. I ask that you give us your aid. Surely you cannot bear to see a people, a city, remain oppressed?”

Yuriko leaned back, frowning.

The five Elders stared at her with a light behind their eyes, a light of hope. Oh, Ancestors. What should she do? She would rather not be embroiled in a war, or in the local politics. But what could she do? They’ve given her hospitality, plied her with gifts. Otlaca hasn’t asked anything of her, other than the request to sell Ivory.

Oh, little girl, what have you brought yourself to? Damien’s amused tone filled her mind. So they want you to participate in their little squabble? Well, what have you to lose? Don’t you have to wait for a merchant caravan anyway? Unless you think you can enter the Chaos Sea already? Don’t fool yourself, you can’t. And if you’re going to wait anyway, why not take this time to train, experience the harsh reality of war. Make no mistake, even if you avoid it now, you will eventually be embroiled in war. You did want to enter the Legions, right? Well, think of this as a trial period.

‘But…they’re not…er, I don’t really know them, and I don’t know their enemy either. I also befriended Masa and she’s definitely on the other side.’

Ah, the pretty little half-breed cat. I didn’t think you liked her that much. But what does it matter? Even if they’re lying about who’s really at fault and who the real oppressor really is, why should that matter to you? Fight. Kill. Hone your weapon. Quench your blade in blood. That’s the only way you’ll ever become truly strong. You will never reach Ascension if you waffle around. You are a warrior born true. And you will lose your edge if you don’t use it.

‘I’m not going to kill someone just because someone asked me to!’

But wouldn’t you do the same if your Empire asks? What is the difference between these cretins and the Wyldlings you so love to cut down? They are just as capable of thought and feelings as humans.

‘I…uh…’

The way you think now is the worst. Do not let others use you as a tool. Enter the Legion after you graduate. Do you not know what armies are used for? Do you wish to merely defend your way of life? Do you think a tyrant would leave you alone if you do the same? Only those with power have the right to decide their fates.

‘So what are you saying?! Stop making my head spin!’

Heh. I’m saying do what you want but make sure it really is what you want.

Yuriko wanted to roll her eyes, but she could see impatience in the eyes of the Elders. She had taken too long in her thoughts. She cleared her throat.

“I’m afraid this is not my fight,” Yuriko met each of the Elders’ eyes, seeing disappointment in some, while there was resolve and acceptance in others. “I thank you for your hospitality, but as I’ve said to Elder Otlaca, my only desire right now is to return to my home plane.”

“A pity,” Gorrosau said, with the other Elders nodding.

“It is unreasonable to ask a foreign Elder for aid,” Otlaca said, “still, we would be remiss if we did not ask. Then, instead of open aid, we ask for any kind of aid you can give us.”

“Ah, well,” Yuriko hemmed, “I do have a few more pieces of Ivory, from the Dire Beasts, if it would help. I remember Elder Otlaca telling me that merchants would charge an exorbitant sum to give passage. And I must say that the accident that brought me here did not allow me to bring much wealth.”

“Ah, of course, of course. That offer still stands.” Otlaca laughed. “Well, let us speak no more of such a depressing subject. Perhaps Elder Yuriko would like to tour the city and its countryside? Ah, if you have multiple Dire Beast Ivory that should be worth enough Denari to give passage to the next plane, though I’m unsure of how far your home plane is from here.”

“I am also unsure,” Yuriko answered, sighing in relief. “Perhaps you have planar maps?”

“The merchant consortiums should know. But you’ll have a greater chance of finding what you need to know in Viterra or Tiath City. They’re the ones with the Chaos Channel.”

“Then I should go for a visit.”

“Excellent. I will arrange a guide for you, Elder Yuriko. A carriage, also, so you need not walk to your destination. I will have it arranged,” Otlaca fingered his chin, “ah, in the next three days.”

“That’s more than enough. I give my thanks.”

“Of course, of course. Think nothing of it. Now, let us enjoy the meal. This Marshalle wine is stupendous, have some more!”

Yuriko smiled and drank from the glass. The wine was sweet, but there was a bitter taste to everything right now.