The girl led them to an exit at last, and beyond that a new, far broader cavern. Along the way, they passed a few creatures of greatly varying sizes, some friendly and others far less so. One such creature, hairy and horned and round, was digging in a side-tunnel, pawing at a formation of crystals. Their guide informed them that this was entirely harmless, and indeed the hairy beast did not threaten them, but only turned and looked at them, merely chewing on something extremely crunchy. Other monsters, however, chased or fell upon them, and the mysterious girl would unleash her strange abilities upon them, making quick work of each threat with superhuman strength and telekinetic tantrums.
In this new, vast cavern, the worked pillars were back , this time encapsulating what could be seen of the room, placed — or perhaps carved?— every dozen or so feet along the walls, racing up into the curved ceiling and blending into it. These pillars also featured figures both benign and terrifying, reaching earthward as though to claw their way into the next Stratum.
But those were not the only figures to be seen, for the explorers were not alone with their diminutive companion.
“Ah, looks like the others are already here,” she said, almost disappointedly, looking toward the center of the cavern where a tall male figure stood. He was winged and powerfully built, though not beast-like in appearance like the Harbingers, and he was staring directly at them. Another beside him, a female shape, glowed golden from head to toe, casting light on a few others about the central man.
“And um, who are these folks?” Solis asked innocently, desperately hoping they weren’t more tormentor-tutors like the deer-headed Watcher. His whole body still ached from his abuse.
“So you knew exactly where we were heading?” Telsan accused the girl.
“Of course I did! I told you you’d never reach the first test without me. This is the first test.”
“I thought we were already in the first test?” Phoenix pointed out.
The girl waved a hand as she resumed walking. “Technicalities. None of that really counts, as a test is . . . Well, an actual test.” She began walking, and also explaining a bit about the place. “This cavern was once the seat of a long-extinct tribe of humans, who escaped from the ceaseless eye of the greater sky and built themselves a small nation. They say these carved pillars feature heroes of their tribe, but who is to say? They were eradicated, all.”
The trio followed along reluctantly, listening along to her grim tale, until finally they reached the tall man, who greeted the guide by the name of Coldinna. Another awkward name to Solis’ ears . . .
“I am the Watcher Cirius tyr-Nearstorm,” the man said in his deep, gravelly voice. It did not boom like the previous Watcher’s, but it held no less command. “About me are gathered various challengers, who will compete with you in this first test of agility and wits. Be forewarned, you three of the sky will be disadvantaged in every way except one: you bear the blessing of wings. Additionally, each of these are single competitors, so by working together you may yet achieve victory and declare yourselves ready to proceed to the next Stratum.”
Solis fought valiantly against the urge to interrupt with a question, and somehow won.
“If you fail,” Cirius continued, “You may yet be granted a chance at redemption, but it is not guaranteed. Failure in one of these trials ranges from a waiting period of a few quakes to banishment to slavery—it depends on the tester, the place and the circumstances. Today, you will be competing against these eight competitors to track a target and mark it with this tool.” He produced three identical blades a handspan in length, glowing faintly, seemingly from nowhere, and held them out to the three.
Tentatively, they each took one. Solis noticed only then that certain of their opponents held their own or had one strapped at their belts. Cirius then handed them corresponding sheaths with leather straps for tying as they wished. He hung his around his neck.
And . . . just what will we be ‘marking’ with these tools?
Solis did not have long to wonder, as the Watcher gestured a woman out of the shadows. She stepped into the light of the golden woman (who was clothed, so it was not she herself so much as a bright aura around her), a pale thing draped in a lacy white dress. It took Solis a moment to realize that a garment beneath the mid-length, sleeveless dress hid her arms and legs in white cloth, adding to the inhumanly pale look.
“I am the target,” she said in an eerily soft voice, haunting and hollow. “I and my sister. She is as I, a pale dancer from Above. We share a soul and the pain of one is as the other’s.” She held out a hand as another woman, seemingly her twin, descended slowly from the darkness of the ceiling and landed lightly on the rough stone floor. They were entirely identical.
“You must use your bladed instruments to cut us,” said the second sister. “If either of us bleeds, the other will cry for her and come to her side. She will see the blood, and the one who cut her will be rewarded accordingly. The winner, the one who draws blood and survives until the end, will move on to the second Stratum. But beware, for we are not easily caught, nor our skin easily damaged.”
One of the men present, burly and wearing a belt of furs and a matching hat, gave a long guffaw, looking at another gentleman, scarred and tough-looking, with disbelief. Another, a tall and spindly man, gave a wide, thin smile that could have meant anything. His thumb played restlessly with his knife’s edge.
Solis, for his part, shared a look with Telsan, sure he must have gone at least a shade paler. In fact, he almost didn’t think he heard any of that explanation right. “We . . . we have to cut them? Like . . . ” he made a motion with his knife.
One of the pale women looked at him, expressionless, and gave a grave nod.
“That is the mission,” Cirius said in that commanding tone of voice, not a hint that he was anything but serious. “But these are not ordinary women, and will not be easily caught. Best of luck, challengers.” He raised his hands and, apparently giving some inaudible command, lit the entire cavern up.
Solis’ breath caught in his throat as he craned his head back, staring up at a seemingly infinite expanse, featuring shelf upon shelf with a complex, mazelike layout. Floating geometric shapes cast light at varying angles, and further lights lined the twisting shelves and walkways in a dizzying display. High over all, long rib-like stone formations encased the chamber like a ribcage.
“Whoa,” was all Solis could say.