Dawn of the Void Chapter 133: Going where you're not wanted

They entered the ninth layer of the Pit by ans of a swirling portal hidden beyond the Sinister Blockade.

You have entered Layer 9, The Hopeless Tower

Together they passed through, the eight mbers of Crimson Hydra and Jessica in the Finem Somnia, the Castrum Mortis bringing up the rear. Wings in close formation they entered the endlessly revolving crimson smoke.

To enter a smoky world of sloping plains dotted with nhirs. The ground was rough and broken up, rising to sharp crests and falling away again, and anything more than a quarter of a mile away was reduced to a dull blue shadow; beyond that, the world was hidden altogether.

Sars of refulgent golden light, egg-yolk yellow and warm orange, rose here and there around the horizon as if betraying false dawns of their own devising; it was as if this plane were surrounded by a dozen or so shifting suns, each smothered in smoke and lost as the clouds closed thick only to appear once more as they parted.

But Jass attention was locked on the central construct that dominated the land before them. Compared to the monuntal scale of the Blockades walls it was small; a tower, rough hewn from black stone, rising from a wide base to a blocky top encircled by a parapet upon whose flat roof shards of black stone stood. Here and there cracks betrayed a bright, orange interior light, as if the entirety of the tower were freshly cooled magma, and the chinks in the black rock yet revealed the molten core.

There were no windows, no adornnts, but a broad portal stood front and center in the towers base, a peaked portico arching above it, hellish crimson light spilling forth. Boulders and sloping rock frad this doorway, though despite the light that emanated forth Jas couldnt make out what lay within.

No demons.

No guardians.

No signs of life anywhere.

Theres the tower, said Yadriel.

Serenity smirked. Thanks.

They flew forward slowly, defensive Benedictions up, watching for signs of an ambush, anything that would reveal the peril of this ninth floor.

But all was still but for the shifting curtains of blue smoke that revealed and hid the sulfurous yellow glows along the horizon.

Looks like we have to go inside, said Denzel. Entrance is too small for the chs, though.

What if we just blast the tower apart? asked Jason. Like we did with the Hollow Hill?

Im all for not playing by their rules, agreed Jas. Castrum?

TARGET ACQUIRED, bood the sixty-foot tall ch, and unleashed the full awe of his armants all at once.

His mounted Vault Cannons blazed, his laser slashed forth, and his plasma gun bathed the obsidian tower in superheated Aeviternum.

The sheer release of power buffeted Jas, and he felt the Wing rock. But when the Castrum relented and ceased its fire, the tower remained undamaged, the black stone obdurate and flinty.

Well shit, said Yadriel.

What if we all attack at sa ti? asked Olaf. Heavenly Assaults, guns, everything?

Jas rubbed at his bearded chin. We can try, but sure. On the count of three.

At the signal they hit the tower with everything they had. Heavenly Assaults braided down from the sky, dozens of them forming an attack broader than the tower itself, while the Castrum, Somnia, and Serenity fired their guns.

The shockwave caused all their Wings to bob and float back, but again, when they were done, the tower stood undamaged. This ti however entire chunks of it glowed cherry red, but even as Jas watched these began to cool.

My turn, said Jessica. She bounded forward, lithe and athletic, only to leap and soar through the smoky air. She swung her Divisor blade as she passed it, and the eight-yard long sword slamd into the black stone, causing chips and shards to fly free.

But the blade only sank in a yard, and the Somnia was forced to twist midair and pull it free lest she lose her grip on it altogether.

The ch slid across the rough ground a dozen yards before coming to a stop, facing the tower. Her blade was undamaged, but it had only dealt a gash to the huge tower.

That was more damage than the rest of us did, said Jason quietly. Heck of a sword.

Guess were not supposed to knock it down. Jas grimaced. Or were just not powerful enough to treat it like a kids sandcastle. All right. That doors obvious enough. Well go inside.

Yippee, said Serenity.

They flew down and parked the Wings. While the main entrance was large enough for them to fly through, they saw that the hall within split into narrow side corridors. No flying the Wings around in there.

Keep close, said Jas as they bunched up. Stay in the Protective Circle. If things get hairy Ill teleport us out.

Their eight Circles of Power ford about them, revolving as before, and Angelic Armor and Aureate Bucklers manifested. Jelly flew just beside his shoulder, sword-arms slowly revolving. With guns and axes raised they strode forward, listening and watching intently.

But nothing moved.

The entrance was as crude as it was massive. Huge stone columns held up the porticos slanting beams. Despite the crimson light the air was frigid; Jas stared into the stark entrance hall but saw no fireplace, no lanterns, no source for the illumination.

Ready? he asked.

Nods all around.

Jas stepped over the threshold and found himself imdiately alone but for Jelly. He wheeled around but his companions were gone. He no longer stood in the entrance hall, but rather a black stone hallway, tall and roughly hewn. Everything was illuminated by a gray, hazy light, the sa indistinct dawn glow the precedes the sun.

Serenity? His voice echoed off the walls. Jason?!

Anybody? called Jelly. Help! Were all going to die!

Nothing.

Jas took a deep breath and willed himself to grow calm. Was this an illusion? He activated Dispel Illusion but nothing changed.

We must have been teleported, said Jelly. The walls look like part of the tower. Want to go ahead and explore?

No, lets stick together. Maybe everyone was scattered inside the tower when we stepped inside?

Possible.

Silence. With a final scowl Jas grasped his bronze skeggox axe and peered ahead. The hallway ran for a whiles before ending in a T-junction. Jas jogged up to it and peered around the corner, Jelly right behind him.

More empty corridors. The left seed to be slightly shorter than the right.

Jas listened again.

Nothing.

Damn quiet, he said.

Like a tomb. Or a mausoleum. Or a crypt. Or -

Thanks, I got the picture.

He ran down the left which turned abruptly, then climbed a set of tall steps to a landing with three archways. He chose the central tunnel, followed that through a series of random turns, then descended a stairwell to a small room.

For a mont his hopes grew, but then he frowned. Two archways on opposite walls led off into the gloom, while a second staircase ran upside down up the wall to a third arch.

This place is ssed up. You think it all fits inside the tower?

I dont think so. Unless they ssed with dinsional constants. Maybe we shrank down to the size of ants, and there are miles of labyrinth contained within the tower.

Nice, very comforting.

With a grunt he leaped to this third archway, soaring through the air to land neatly. He walked forward warily, skeggox glowing, and realized that he had to - by the staircases orientation - be walking on the hallways ceiling.

On he went, taking archways, climbing and descending stairwells, occasionally leaping to impossible to reach ledges or twice dropping into chutes that let out into other rooms. All were the sa. Rough hewn from obsidian, the silence total, with no signs of life anywhere.

Damn Hopeless Tower, he muttered. Its well nad.

Hopeless Tower, which could also be rephrased as the Tower of No Hope. Perhaps its designed to crush our spirits?

Jas scowled. Great. Its going to bore to death? But he couldnt deny how the dour, dank hallways and random orientation of the gravitational planes were starting to effect him. He felt frustrated, concerned for his friends, and anxious.

For a second he considered opening his demiplane and stepping into Hermans bar. A drink of whiskey while listening to good music might help calm his nerves.

But no.

There had to be a solution to this. A way out, or through. Smashing the walls wasnt the answer. There hadnt been any illusions before, but maybe they were more selective? Hidden passageways?

Lets keep going. Well hit each hallway with Dispel Illusion. You search out of the way areas, high by the ceiling, that kind of thing, to see if we miss anything. Maybe there are I dont know, clues, or sothing.

Aye, aye, captain!Jelly flew up high and began to flit back and forth.

His determination reaffird, Jas strode on. No longer did he race down each hall, intent on finding a way out, but rather moved carefully, trying to find so manner of illusion, occasionally running his finger tips along the walls, frowning and searching for sothing - anything.

Finally he found sothing.

A small patch of a hallways wall, a couple of feet wide, was cloaked in artificial shadows.

He hit it with his Benediction, and a cramped tunnel revealed itself.

Jas felt a surge of elation. Jelly! Check it out!

The Animus flew down and hovered before the opening. Shall I take a quick look?

Sure. Ill be right behind you. Be careful.

The Anima flew into the tunnel. There was no ambient lighting here, and soon Jas was crawling in darkness. Too bad it wasnt magical; his Dark Vision was useless against natural shadows.

It opens into a new room! An exciting room! No enemies, but co see, hurry hurry!

Jas crawled faster, and soon light blossod ahead, the sa velvety dusk gray, and then he tumbled out into a circular chamber.

Circular was new.

The walls, floor, ceiling were all of the sa obsidian, but a central well dominated the space, while glowing letters of gold were inlaid around the curved wall.

Jas turned as he read the ssage.

The Hands of Angels Cup the Candlefla of Hope

Huh. You think that ans we need to summon soone?

It cant hurt, I suppose.

Jas summoned his statistics, focused on the Angels, and activated the Angelic Host.

A golden seam appeared in the air on the far side of the chamber, then split and an angel appeared, floating through with ineffable grace.

Where the archangel had been all sullen power and controlled violence, this being was slender and graceful, his hair hanging down past his shoulders, his expression one of wry curiosity and genial amusent. Clad in a tunic that fell past his knees and was belted with a gold rope at the waist, he looked more a scholar than a warrior, though in the depths of his golden eyes blazed starfields that spoke of hidden infinities.

Greetings, lord. You have need?

The angels voice lacked the resonant power of the archangels; though clear and harmonious, it could have been that of a re trained orator.

I yes. Were on the ninth level of the Pit. The Hopeless Tower? Jas felt off-balance, unsure how to address the politely inquisitive man. Were trapped and separated from our companions.

Understood. You wish for to guide you to the center of the tower? It is easily done.

Yes. But This was the first ti Jas had confronted an angel without extre urgency forcing his hand. Your na was Angelic Host. Doesnt that an there should be more of you?

I am/are the Host, that is correct. Should I die, two shall spring forth to take my place. Should they die, four shall be invoked, ad infinitum. So do we multiply till we are sufficient in number to achieve our task.

Damn, said Jas. Thats impressive.

But only moderately so. We cannot defeat enemies that are categorically more powerful than ourselves, no matter our number. And often there is no ti for our nurous deaths; if aid needs be imdiate, we can fall short.

Often? Jas frowned. This is sothing youve done before? I thought my friends and I were the first to gain access to angelic aid.

Oh yes, you are. The Host smiled. But war is eternal. This is not the first conflict to take place, nor shall it be the last. If I die here, I shall be reborn to fight elsewhere. All is eternal, all is but a mont of infinite, repetitive duration.

Huh. Jas scratched at his beard. Where else have you fought? Like, other versions of Earth? Or other planets?

My apologies. We are not permitted to speak of such matters. And may we suggest that we remain focused on the matters at hand?

Yeah, wait a second. Ive a bunch of questions. Like, the Monitor once said they were compelled to do this, demon kind was. Are you forced to help? Whos forcing you? God?

The Hosts smile turned pitying. Alas. All most excellent questions. But we cannot divulge answers before the apposite ti. Suffice to say that I am here because you summoned , and am happy to help you within the scope of my abilities and the limitations placed upon by circumstances. I know this to be frustrating, but what can I do? We are all slaves to exigencies. Be glad, lord, that we angels are here to aid you. I can state with confidence that your ultimate success would be beyond your reach were it not for our help. Help that is willingly and happily given. Now, may I provide that help?

Sure, said Jas, trying not to sound surly.

Very well. Let us clarify the matters at hand. The nature of the Hopeless Tower is one of bafflent and loss. While you possess potent Benedictions, this is not a question of illusion so much as refinent of purpose. The Tower reacts to you, changing about you as your go, obfuscating the true path. This golden mote shall guide you and force the Tower to reveal its secrets.

The Host lifted his hand and from his palm a coin of glowing light floated forth.

Follow it, and all shall be well. The Host bowed. Good luck, lord. I wish you success in your endeavors.

Youre leaving already?

The Host looked surprised. We have rendered service, and are not constant companions. If you have need, you must summon us again. Goodbye.

And with that the angel drew the golden seam in the air once more, parted it in twain, stepped through, and was gone.

The golden seam closed, and as with the archangel, began to fade away from view.

Frustration seized Jas by the throat. Sothing about the angels tone, its glib manner, its ease and confidence galled him, aroused his anger.

Jas darted forward and slid his fingers inside the golden seam. It vibrated about his hands, seeking to close and disappear.

Jas? Jellys dismay was obvious. Jas, what are you doing?

Jas grimaced and wrenched at the seam. It wasnt a question of strength but spiritual will. With his Spiritual Exaltation and ntal Dominion he sought to leverage the seam back open.

But he wasnt strong enough. The seam tightened, threatening to cut off his fingers.

Panicked, unsure as to what he was doing, he activated his Demiplane, placing the entrance right over the seam.

The vertical light glitched, threw off sparks, and for a mont a doorway tried to appear, the entrance to Hermans bar.

In that second the power behind the seam weakened. Jas thrust open the angelic portal, shouldered past the entrance to his demiplane, and forced himself through.