An Angel’s Road to Hell

Cassandra Pendragon

Miriel's words still hung in the air when Lin produced a small, polished bronze disk from the depths of her robe. It shone warmly in the flickering firelight. "No need to guess," she explained and placed the mirror on her open palm. A trickle of power surged from her heart and through her veins before intricate, interlacing runes ignited on the reflective metal. They burned for the fracture of a second before the bronze surface rippled like water and turned into a small, fuzzy image.

"Throughout the Bronze Empire," Lin explained, "the Court has erected watch poles. They're nothing fancy, just a medium sized mana crystal protected by a pretty sturdy enchantment, but every sect affiliated with the Empire has the spells… or rather the codes necessary to identify and connect to different poles. Depending on the standing of each sect, we get access to more and more. For our Ice Jade Sect only the ones within the Forbidden City itself are out of bounds." The magic stabilised and the small mirror turned into a window to a place far away, almost like a television.

From high up we saw a dusty road meander through soft, rolling hills. Golden wheat fields dominated the scene, broken by a few colourful orchards and narrow, but deep irrigation channels. The trenches were connected to a slow, but wide river that languidly made its way through a handful of villages. Humans clad in traditional eastern robes tilled the fields, cleaned the trenches and took care of a truly impressive amount of herds, ranging from cows, over mules to entire gaggles of geese and ducks.

"Those are the plains just north of the capital," Lin said before she frowned and the image changed. "That's the Western Imperial Road between the capital and the Golden City, where most of the annual harvest is stored." A busy, paved road had appeared, almost as wide as a modern highway. Groups of merchants and throngs of peasants carried their wares towards the distant outline of a towering city, sweating under the early evening sun. Every few leagues soldiers stood guard at checkpoints and kept a weary eye on the few people who carried their weapons openly. Swords and spears were predominant, but I also spotted some shield bearers, archers and pikemen. All in all I'd have put the number of people on the road alone in the hundreds and the city was bound to house hundreds of thousands, if not more.

I whistled softly through my teeth: "how large is the Empire," I asked quietly. "How many people live here?"

"The last census happened fifty years ago," Lin replied. "Back then it was about forty million in the larger cities and twice that much in the countryside." I felt her magic stir and the images changed, once again. "The magic stone we're connected to now is on top of the highest tower of Banyan Fortress. It guards the pass between the Western Forest and the heartlands of the Empire." Aside from massive, living walls, grown from the eponymous Banyan Trees, I couldn't see much of the fortress itself. It expanded mostly vertically and even though we had almost 360 degrees of vision all around, looking straight down was impossible.

The landscape was much rougher, dominated by mountains of shale and steep crevices through witch angry rivers thundered on their way to the sea. To the east the hostile environment slowly turned into verdant grass and lush, green fields, while a gargantuan, foreboding forest casted its shadows against the burning hot midday sun in the west. The castle itself had been constructed on a broad, level patch of land. "For small groups it's pretty easy to circumnavigate the fortress," Lin explained, "but a medium sized army would have to conquer the castle, otherwise they'd never manage to secure their supplies or move in larger companies. If there was an attack, we would see…"

"You wouldn't," I interrupted. "We're not talking about conventional war. We're talking about a few powerful, desperate and probably unrestrained freaks, who thought it a good idea to share their soul with an entity that has sprung from the filth of human nightmares. There can't be more than a few handful of actual nightmares left, but you won't find them this easily until it's too late. I could probably hunt them down, but it'd take me days, at the very least. And that's without considering that they'll probably disappear, as soon as they realise someone as dangerous as me is after them… no, I think our best bet is trying to figure out what they're after and waiting for them there. Preferably with a broad smile and an even broader array of weapons."

"Our best bet," Miriel echoed. "I thought you were leaving?"

"I am… you don't need me to deal with them." I patted Viyara's belly. "She's more than capable of facing megalomaniacal cultivators, no matter how old, and that's without her better half. I'm afraid you'll have to make do without me. It'd be a shame to thwart them and realise the entire realm is collapsing in exchange, wouldn't it? Not to mention that the first part is mere speculation, whereas the destruction of Gaya's structure will be almost guaranteed, if I do nothing."

"Then… I don't need to stay here, either, do I," Lin mused with a sideways glance into the distance where the windows of the main hall were shimmering with a warm and homely light.

I pursed my lips thoughtfully before I answered her: "you're surprisingly quick to leave your sect in the hands of someone else. I understand your reasons, I'd want to watch, too, if a stranger suddenly fell from the sky and wanted to dig up my backyard, but now? Don't you think your people might need your guidance, especially when they are going to realise that your sect has the easiest time by far to keep an eye on the enemies' movement?" It didn't take her long to puzzle out what I was referring to.

"The map you made," she almost squealed. "Don't tell me… the markings will move according to what the cultist are up to?" I shrugged.

"They should. But while I'm almost certain that the magic won't be suppressed or warded off, I'm not sure if it's actually going to work out the way I want it to. I'm not really good with enchantments. Even if you see something on the map, you'll be well advised to make sure it's actually the truth." I caught her pink blue gaze, but she didn't look away. After a second or two she even began to smile.

"Do you know why I've been elected for the position of master or leader of this sect," she asked.

"No clue. Your prowess, either in magic or politics, I presume?"

"Pretty much. To be precise, I've figured out a way to instantly transport matter across the ether. Not indiscriminately, mind you, I need a very specific pattern to focus on, but it just so happens that I've inlaid the floor of my home with a beautiful mosaic. Care to guess what it does?"

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"However could I," I chuckled. "A fair warning, though, where we're going chances are you won't be able to use your little trick. Transmitting information is pretty complex to manage, but very easy to block. No matter the theory behind it. Dragons are the only exception. Their nature… ah, I see. Your companion boosts your magic, doesn't she?" Lin inclined her head.

"She does. I can't even count the number of occasions anymore, when her guidance has saved my life. Literally. She can… show me the right path, for want of a better word."

"No need to explain. My own magic works similarly and I've had a bit of contact with dragons over the years." I paused and looked up at the sky. The beautiful, starry night enveloped me like an infinite ocean and the light of distant stars caressed my skin like a tangible current. "Which means Viyara is going to fetch Aurelia and the two of you will accompany Constantine, Reia, Lamia and Miriel to the capital. Lin will come with me. I assume you've another circle hidden somewhere in the capital?" The azure haired woman nodded. "Fine… what about those two," I added and jerked my head towards Mei, who had fell asleep in the arms of her snoring dragon after Viyara had released her. The girls had had enough excitement for a day.

"They'll stay here," her master declared. "We won't be gone that long anyways, will we?"

"No, I don't think so. Honestly, chances are we'll be back before sunrise. Or rather, you will."

"We can just as well wait for the morning, then," Viyara interjected. "It's going to take me a while to fly to Free Land and return. If we're lucky, you'll be back by then."

"I wouldn't bank on it, but I also don't see the harm in waiting a few more hours," I replied pensively. "How long do you think it'll take you to fly to the capital from here?"

"It's not as far as you might think," Viyara said. "I know the sun hasn't set there, yet, but this entire realm is surprisingly small in comparison to the entirety of Gaya. If I cheat a little… a few hours. Three, maybe four."

"That's still plenty…"

"Wait," Miriel interrupted me. "Why do we have to go? I…" She sighed and looked pointedly at Reia. "Can't we just follow your sister back to your home? I'd rather not put Lamia in any more danger, unlikely as it seems for anything to happen if a golden dragoness is with us, and honestly I'm also more than willing to leave this entire mess far behind."

"Mom," came the immediate, but muffled reply from between her wings. "You can't… don't you want to know what happened to our family? The real story? Maybe one of your elders is still around. I have so many question and I'm sure you do, too."

"I am curious," she admitted hesitantly, "but that's no reason…"

"Your choice," I cut her off, "but you'll have to convince those two." I pointed at her daughter and Reia. "I didn't see that happening, still don't, that's why I didn't even mention it, but if you think you'll manage, be my guest. You have a few hours to figure it out. But don't you want to visit the Qin family? Just a thought. Now then," I rose elegantly and offered Lin my hand, "shall we?"

Viyara also got to her feet, which was a much more impressive affair altogether. We didn't waste much time on our farewells, but I still made a point of hugging my sister and the dragoness' snout. I fervently hoped it'd be really soon, but I just couldn't say when I was going to meet them again. It probably wouldn't take more than a day or two, from their perspective, but there was no telling how long that time might turn out to be on my end. Disintegrating time stream and all that.

We didn't talk much while we made our way through the sect. Maybe Lin was having second thoughts after all and I was doing my best not to think too much about the cornucopia of nastiness I'd probably have to face soon. Call me paranoid, but somehow I didn't expect this trip to simply amount to a walk in the park, or rather a walk in the beautiful mediation caves. A deadly maze filled with a variety of monsters from every realm seemed much more likely. Then again, our hosts would probably have realised a deluge of beasts knocking down their doors.

As we crossed the icy stream we had bathed in on a sturdy, but small wooden bridge I asked: "the gate to the spirit realm has been continuously open for years now, right? Can you tell me what to expect?" On the other side of the creek we followed a narrow path trough a lavish field. Flowers and herbs I couldn't quite identify filled the air with a sweet and somewhat medicinal smell as they rustled in the wind. Dots of red, blue and yellow blossoms peeked through closed leafs and clouds of shimmering flower dust rose, wherever we brushed against the stalks.

Lin watched the dancing sparks for a moment with a fondness that reminded me of how my father had often looked upon Boseiju. "To a degree, at least," she replied hesitantly as we moved on and entered the soft shadows the branches of a coniferous forest painted on the mossy ground with a brush of starlight. Just in front of us several trails came together to form a broad and beaten path between gnarly roots and waist high ferns. Without pause Lin led me further into the darkness. "I'm the only one who's ever reached the gate and I've only done it twice," she finally added when I could already hear the murmur of a waterfall in the distance.

"Why? I thought the spirits were your allies?"

"They are… most of them. Just like us, they have a personality, some are mischievous, others cantankerous… but that's not the point. The energy of the land of dreams has permeated the caves for years. The deeper you go the more energy you can absorb, but the more… changed you'll find your environment. Close to the heart of the mountain you'll find cockroaches the size of bears and ants as large as tigers." I shivered ever so slightly.

"Is there a special reason why you've only named bugs? I'm not too fond of bugs…" she laughed at that.

"Well… most animals who live underground are small critters to begin with, but I'm sure we'll also find plenty of spiders, snakes, newts…"

"Marvellous. Maybe coming here wasn't the best idea after all. Do they roam the entire cave system?" She shook her head, which caused a halo of silver blue sparks to play around her azure mane. The forest was thinning out and the smell of troubled water was heavy in the air.

"No, we've sealed the deepest parts. The seal won't stop the powerful spirits, but they don't cross over without an invitation anyways."

"Does that mean you've personally escorted Baihe and Yueji into this world?"

"No… my father presented me to Yueji when I turned twelve and I did the same for Mei and Baihe. It's the spirit's choice whether or not they want to recognise a human as their companion." I could see the low moon blinking through the trees ahead. After another handful of steps the forest vanished and revealed a massive rock face, polished to a silky shimmer by a whispering waterfall. The stream surged over the cliff, at least a hundred body lengths above us, and filled a deep, black pond directly at our feet. Despite the sheer hight, the water hit the pool with a surprisingly soft splash and even though ripples marred its smooth surface, it still reflected the starry sky above like a mirror. On the left a brook bubbled merrily towards the lower slopes and the buildings of the sect, while the forest and the rock wall enclosed the waterfall from every other side.

"My… it's beautiful," I breathed, my gaze glued to the intricate dance of the stars in the velvety, black pond. They reminded me so much of my own memories, ethereal yet tangible, that I literally jumped when Lin spoke up:

"It is. It's the heart of our sect. The entrance is behind the waterfall. It's a… test of sorts. The stream itself and the pond are bursting with spiritual energy… the power of the soul. If you can't withstand the pressure you won't even reach the first door."

"I'm not worried," I chuckled. "I just hope your pond won't take it personal if I'm not going to stagger."

"I don't think it will," she replied through a smile. Before I could even react she snatched my hand, quick like a weasel, and pulled me into the waters. A strange sensation, almost like entering a warm bath with chunks of ice floating around, came over me. Tiny sparks raced up and down my legs and the smell of ozone wafted up until I strengthened the grip on my core. If there was a chance, I'd try really hard to keep this place from blowing up.