Expanding before her was an enormous dome of clear crystal that arched high overhead. Underneath it lay a city carved from light and glass. Towers rose in elegant spirals, their peaks radiating soft hues of every color imaginable. Bridges of transparent rainbows arched between them, glittering like threads of silk.
Floating platforms hovered through the space, carrying Krystalii passengers that glided on streams of light. Suspended walkways looped in intricate patterns, creating a lattice of pathways that pulsed in sporadic rhythms. Smaller orbs of light flitted like fireflies as they wove through the city, illuminating hidden alcoves and courtyards lined with crystalline flora.
“Da-ang!” Toni whispered, gripping the railing. “It’s a kingdom made of crystal!” She peered at JR14 on her shoulder.
“Observation: a true triumph of geometric precision,” JR14 replied. “Analysis would specify that the Krystalii use photonic energy to manipulate matter. Their structures are likely grown rather than constructed.”
This is no mere city.Sensos added.It is a living organism, resonating in harmony with its inhabitants. It’s better we remain vigilant. Such beauty often conceals danger.
Toni tore her gaze away, heart hammering. “Yeah, you’re right. It’s not like we’re tourists here. Let’s keep going.”
JR14 jumped off her shoulder and buzzed ahead, turning into another hallway that opened onto a vast chamber. Columns of translucent crystal spiraled toward the vaulted dome ceiling, pulsing, as though transmitting energy.
Toni ducked behind one column, her breath catching at the sight of two Krystalii figures parading across the room.
Their chunky crystalline forms refracted light, their bodies in deep hues made up of murky green moldavite.
They were the first she’d seen that appeared androgynous, having neither the form nor figures of male or female. They somehow seemed unfinished.
She shivered as their voices drifted through the air, a strange blend of chimes and whispers. She might not understand a damn word they said, but the tension between them was easy enough to sense.
“Do you understand what they’re so worked up about?” She glanced at JR14, who had resumed his place on her shoulder.
“Scanning: they are having a dispute,” JR14 stated. “They differ about what is causing the resonance shift detected in Sector 7 that interferes with their connection to Lord Baelon. Opinion: the shift may relate to Azazel’s presence. Advice: proceed with caution.”
Caution. Right. Toni gritted her teeth as the Krystalii headed right for her, then walked past without so much as a nod. Releasing her held breath with a whoosh, she pursed her lips and swallowed, watching the guards walk away. “Okay, let’s ‘proceed’.”
Edging around the chamber’s perimeter, she followed JR14’s whispered directions. The coiled tension in her chest eased a bit once she slipped into another narrow corridor. Here, the light from the crystalline walls was even dimmer.
“Warning: we are approaching the containment vault,” JR14 announced. “Eighteen meters ahead.”
Sensos emitted a low hum against Toni’s skin, the suit tightening as if bracing for impact.I should warn you. Azazel’s psychic signature is becoming more difficult to register. I deem the possibility that his restraints are increasing.
The corridor ended in a set of crystalline doors, glowing with embedded symbols that shifted and pulsed with veins of light.
Toni reached out.
Before she touched them, Sensos spoke sharply.Wait. JR14, do these patterns show a psychic lock?
“Analyzing,” JR14 responded and flew closer to the doors and extended his antennae. “Live neural waves trigger the lock. Sensos’ field should counteract this. Analysis complete. Advise to continue.”
Okay, this was it. Now or never. Sucking in a deep breath, Toni stepped closer.
The doors quivered before sliding apart. The chamber beyond was dark, save for a single column of light pouring down from above.
She did a double take. There, in its center, suspended, was a floating figure of a man. Azazel.
He hung in tendrils of light, as if supported by them. Still as a statue, his body was encased in faint energy ripples over the tunic and loose pants he wore. His dark hair floated around his face, and his muscular frame looked oddly vulnerable in the cold light. Chains of glowing crystalline shards looped around his wrists, ankles, and torso. Pulsing.
Maybe the crazy stuff fed off his energy.
“Azazel!” Toni’s whisper cracked as she stepped forward.
Please be careful.Sensos’s voice cut in.I suspect the restraints might react to sudden movement.
Toni swallowed hard, her fingers twitching. “So, JR14. Any advice there, bub?”
“Analyzing. I must determine whether disrupting the containment field’s structure will injure Azazel.” After a brief silence, the bot continued. “Estimated analysis complete. You do not have sufficient capabilities or the necessary tools to release Azazel. We will have to disrupt the Nexus Core to utilize the release gate hidden on the port side of the cage.”
