There were no doors or windows in the Iron Wave fortress. The six Zorathians simply strode toward one of the massive panes of opaque glass that t with the ground and passed through it as if it were as insubstantial as mist.
Jas led Crimson Hydra up to the structure but couldnt resist slowing down as he reached the huge wall of glass. The pane was straight edged but irregular, large enough for a truck to drive through but edged in black iron that was overgrown with black barnacle-like encrustations.
Guest rights, he whispered, turned to glance back at his crew, then pressed forward, into the glass.
Which gave way before him, not like mist, but rather like a giving gel. He pushed through easily and erged into a great open space within.
The change in air quality was imdiate; the caustic and toxic burning ceased and was replaced by an intensely humid environnt, the air so damp that Jas felt as if he were inhaling through a wet cloth.
There were no walls or partitions. He stood high up on the edge of a great hollowed out space; the ceiling was low, he realized, because the Zorathians had built it over a ravine. In this space teed life. The black volcanic rock was clearly a more recent layer, for only a few yards down the sides of the ravine it gave way to striations of sedintary rock, rust reds, dull oranges, and sandy yellows demarcating the eons that had gone into forming the bedrock.
Gigantic ferns grew everywhere, their fronds larger than Jas himself, and vines climbed up the interior of the structure, gripping to the interstices between the glass panes to turn their golden green leaves toward a floating central sun that hung in the center of the fortress, a mote of bright light that shed warmth upon everything within.
Paths of white rock wound their way down into the chasm, passing over delicate bridges that crossed the ravine at different heights and leading to countless caves that pocked the cliff walls. Small dragonet creatures flew through the air, squawking at each other and letting loose small sizzles of colored sparks, while here and there upon the flat ground that surrounded the ravine on both sides great caterpillars the size of couches moved in slow undulations, excreting milky-white fluid from nodules along their back which were collected by suction cups attached by tubes to floating attendant drones with steel tanks suspended beneath them.
Jas released his Black Apotheosis form and shrank down into his human self. The air was indeed safe to breathe, though it tasted strongly of heated tal and ozone. He imdiately began to perspire, and doubted that Star Boy would have been able to breathe in this overly saturated air.
Five of the Zorathians continued their journey down into the ravine; they split as they reached different forks, each intent on their own destination, while the sixth awaited them at the edge of the chasm. Its glass helm had retracted, and the crystal panels that had covered is lead-hued armor evaporated.
Welco to the Iron Wave fortress, it said. Was that pride in its voice? Jas couldnt tell. Our clan has raised clutches here for over a thousand generations. We are not as we once were, but we persist. And it raised its four-fingered hand to make a fist that had an air of symbolic aning.
Thank you for, ah, inviting us in, said Jas. This place is incredible. Is this what your world was like before the System?
No. Arkhos has been as you saw it for centuries. It is our fault. We scoured the skies and poisoned the ocean with ill-fated/destined for badness attempt at new power generation. The Cataclysm. Zorathians nearly extinguished as species, but few of us survived and we have swum back from total destruction. Co.
The alien turned and began its descent.
Kind of comforting that were not the only species to have fucked up our ho world, said Serenity.
Shh, said Denzel. Rude.
There were other Zorathians present, but not nearly as many as Jas had expected. Perhaps the bulk of the residents remained hidden within the caves, but only a score seed out and about, crossing the bridges or hopping off them to fall several hundred feet into a gleaming pool of milky jade water that glowed from within as if a powerful light source were sunken in its depths. This lake filled the bottom of the ravine, and studying its surface Jas thought he saw enough movent beneath its opaque surface that the settlent continued far below.
The Zorathian led them along the white paths to a large cave entrance about halfway down the rust-colored cliff. Other aliens noted their progress and stopped to stare; all wore the sa leaden armor that looked enshed with their physiques, even the few children that were in evidence. At least Jas assud they were children; they looked exactly the sa as the large specins, just proportionately smaller.
The cave entrance was decorated with elaborate stone carvings. It was clear that the frieze that edged the opening told a story of so kind: Zorathians featured along its length, so erging from waters, others harnessing technology, others dying or fleeing. But their guide didnt slow down, so Jas passed inside.
The air was just as humid but cooler. The walls were of dressed stone with complex geotric patterns of inlaid gems running along its length. Light glimred forth from these seams of ruby and erald and sapphire, suffusing the tunnel with a subtle and shimring glow.
Tunnels led off from the main entrance, and it quickly beca obvious that an entire complex was hidden underground; even these tributary tunnels were large, and Jas espied tertiary tunnels leading off each. Still, the place felt half-abandoned. It felt like the complex could have accommodated ten tis as many residents and not been crowded.
Their guide led them to the end of the great tunnel where it fetched up against a series of broad steps that led to a huge archway. This doorway was flanked by twin statues depicting Zorathians in ceremonial armor that looked antiquated compared to the modern suits the aliens wore.
Crimson Hydra followed in silence, everyone looking about themselves with avid interest as they followed their guide into a great circular chamber. Its floor was of perfectly translucent crystal, beneath which surged aquamarine waters through which swam ivory serpents banded in gold. So perfect was the crystal that Jas thought their guide was going to plunge into the large pool until he stepped on the solid glass and strode across.
Tiered seating circumnavigated the chamber, giving it the aspect of an audience hall, and six large thrones were set against the far wall, each massive and made of obsidian shot through with bands of wavy silver. Upon the central three thrones sat a Zorathian, but these appeared diminished, their fras less imposing, their heads hanging lower upon their armored chests.
The three Elders.
Their guide stopped before the thrones. He stood still for a few monts, then abruptly turned away and moved to stand to the side.
No words or introductions.
The stands were filling with other aliens. None of them spoke. They moved in utter silence, the effect eerie.
Jas moved forward hesitantly, walking over the crystal floor and trying not to stare at the bearded white serpents that intwined beneath him in the azure. Occasionally one of them swam right up against the underside of the crystal and eyed him with orbs of pure gold.
Jas stopped at the sa spot where their guide had stood, but the movent amongst the seating bade him keep his tongue. The Zorathians were quickly filling the chairs, and soon enough no more new arrivals appeared.
Welco to the Iron Wave clutchdom/nursery/fortress, said the central Elder. Jas was almost amused at his own fierce desire to know if he was being addressed by a male or female. You have guest rights. I am the Iron Wave Pri Elder, Gvathua.
I am the Iron Wave Secundus Elder, Ravthorra.
I am the Iron Wave Tertius Elder, Psathua.
Hello. Jas resisted the urge to rub the back of his neck. This was it. Official first contact with an alien species. And for all the primal feel of these guys - caves and tunnels and jumping into blue pools, they had done better than humanity with the System. My na is Jas Kelly. Im from a planet we call Earth. We were, ah, visited by the System a few months ago, and its been all down hill since then. Most of our species has been killed, our cities are in ruins, and were sick and tired of being manipulated by the demons toward their own mysterious ends. Weve broken free in search of allies, and hope that together we can find a way to defeat these bastards and send them packing.
His words rang out in the great audience chamber, but the Zorathian impassivity - not like they had much choice, with their skull heads - made his words feel more like bravado than inspiring. Should he have used Inspire? No - the risk of offending them by deploying a System power was too high.
We see you, Jas Kelly, said Gvathua, the Pri. We lant for your planet/city/clan loss. We have suffered greatly as well. Iron Wave alone has lost four in five of our people.
Thank you, and Im sorry for your loss, too. Your, ah, friend there said you guys had managed to crack open the demon nodes? That youd reached Level 1,000? Jas grinned nervously. Thats so feat. Even the one Reservoir Cube was almost too much for us.
Our greatest warriors have taken three, said Gvathua, but it didnt sound like a boast. We are deeply connected to each other inside the clan/clutchling. This allows us to resist the annihilation of self. How are your kind connected?
Connected? Jas frowned. As in I an, were companions, we fight together. None here are related by blood, if thats what you an. We ca together to fight the System.
No, I ask, how does your kind/species commune/integrate/correlate?
Jas hesitated again. You an, like worship? God? What do we believe in?
No. The Pri shifted in his seat, the first movent Jas had seen him make. What do you call yourselves? We are Zorathians.
Humans, said Jas quickly. We are all humans.
How do humans integrate? Zorathians, especially clutchlings, connect on substrate spiritual plane, we bond for life as a group, clutchlings, even clan, and are able to communicate across distance, without the need for vocalization. To feel/emote/receive/blend/elevate/connect/integrate/correlate.
Oh. Sorry, no, humans dont do that. Jas half turned to check on his crew, but what were they going to say? He looked back to Gvathua. We need to talk to communicate. I an, the closest of us, say, married pairs or best friends, we can intuit what each of us is thinking, but its not like not like telepathy, I guess. We dont access this spiritual substrate you ntioned.
It was weird; nobody in the audience chamber said anything nor moved, but still Jas sensed a flicker of consternation pass through the crowd, like a silent wind passing through the canopy of a forest.
Then it is impressive that your kind can absorb even one Reservoir Cube, said Gvathua. Have you entered the Pits?
Yeah. We reached Level 18 - kind of - before jailbreaking out of there. We stole a portal key and used it to co here.
Impressive. What is your level in the System?
Lord of the Increate 1. Should he be playing his cards closer to his chest? Jas had no idea.
Powerful enough to reach/conquer Level 17, perhaps 18. Gvathua fell silent. Was he communicating on the substrate? Our best reached Level 25 before stopping.
Right, yeah, I heard. Why did you all stop?
The Eluthaarii/superior beings/cosmic conglorations/overlords ca to us directly and offered us victory/emancipation/elevation/release. In exchange for every Zorathian over Level 1,000 immanentizing the stellafication, they cease the incursion and allow patronage to begin imdiately.
Wait. Jas blinked rapidly. I dont understand. The Eluthaarii? Are they the guys running this whole show?
They are.
Kimmie leaned forward. The Towers of Creation guys.
And they offered - what exactly? What is stellafication?
Every Zorathian over Level 1,000 will leave Arkhos to beco Eluthaarii. There are one hundred and seventy-eight who shall be elevated/released. They in turn can begin patronage of Arkhos, guiding us to eschaton.
Escha-what? hissed Yadriel.
Eschaton, whispered Kerim. Utopia.
Wait, wait, wait, said Jas. You guys are throwing in the towel?
There can be no victory against the Eluthaarii, said Gvathua, his tone growing weary.
Wait, hold up. The chamber felt as if it were about to start spinning. You guys are Level 1,000. We have the Bifrost. We can work sothing out. You can keep fighting.
Zorathians have lost too many clutches, said Gvathua. Yes. If we fight/persist we may win. But what does win an to you?
To ? Jas blinked. Shit, it ans kicking the System out of our ho world. It ans making sure no more demons co back. It ans teaching them that they made a profound mistake when they ca to Earth and started fucking with us.
Perhaps matters are different in your world/ho. We have lost too many in Arkhos. Zorathians reproduce slowly. Require critical mass to maintain species integrity/access to spiritual substrate/overall viability. Already clans are fragnted as never before. Elders can no longer commune/integrate over distances. Many Elders dead. Grand Nominal Elder dead. Seventeen clans across Zora shell broken/extinguished completely.
Jas glanced around the audience chamber. You guys here at Iron Wave look like youve taken the fight well. Things here look I dont know, like theyre holding together?
Gvathua waved his massive hand dismissively. Technology/sentient stone repairs/restores integrity after damage. Our clutchdom/fortress is alive/self-sustaining. But hollowed out. Iron Wave has done well, yes; but our existence outside of the ocean is artificial/necessary/delicate. Critical mass of nursery tenders/parents/society necessary for regeneration. There is no winning, Jas Kelly. Only gratification of the ego/blood lust/desire for vengeance.
So theyve offered you a deal. A hand was clutching his heart. You guys quit fighting, do what youre told, and in exchange you get patronage? Whats that?
An elevated/Eluthaarii Zorathian will remain in our solar system to benevolate Arkhos, to guide/shepherd/nurture Zora and the remaining clans. To use its power to restore our glory and guide us to greater fortune/larger clutches. Zorathians shall have a future.
Well shit. Jass shoulders slumped. Cant argue with that, I guess. But He searched for so protest, so line of argunt. This is what they want, isnt it? What they wanted all along? Their System worked, even though you cracked their nodes.
Yes. Gvathuas monotone betrayed hints of sadness. All roads lead to either elevation/Eluthaarii or shell breaking/extinction. Our champions fought well, but there is one truth Zorathians no longer can deny: even the greatest of heroes/clutch leaders cannot defeat gods.
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