The Heavens Shall Fall

Siu woke before sunrise, feeling refreshed even though he had barely slept for a few hours. After cleaning himself up, he checked his pouch and made sure he had enough CC in there that he would bring along. Finally, he turned around and woke Arya and Marly, only to discover that both of them were continuing to pretend to still be asleep.

“Up,” he said out loud after failing to make them stand on all fours.

"..." Arya’s tail twitched while Marly’s cheek bulged, but neither of them responded and just flopped back onto the pillows.

“You are both awake. I can tell.”

“No,” Arya muttered. “We aren't.”

“You just spoke.”

“You are hallucinating, Master.”

“Marly.”

“Mm?” Marly asked without thinking, but her eyes remained closed.

“See? Even she answers me.”

“Idiot!” Arya nudged her, "Don't give it away!"

“But you are talking...” She grumbled, feeling wronged.

“No, my mouth isn't moving!” Arya continued, making Siu simply sigh, watching the two playing dead on his bed.

In the end, it took him a little longer than expected to leave the Red Leaf, holding both of their limp bodies by the scruff, carrying them around like a frustrated mother cat. Quillian, who had appeared from nowhere the moment Siu stepped downstairs, said nothing about the sight, looking over Siu instead, inspecting him.

“The first trek is always exciting,” he said, sounding nostalgic and actually sentimental, “enjoy it, boy.”

“I will,” he smiled, nodding "And after we are back, I'm ready to continue to work."

"Sure," He snorted, shaking his head, "but cultivate more. You aren't a servant."

"Understood." He nodded again, wanting to cup his hands in respect, but they were filled with Arya and Marly.

“Here!" Quillian continued, putting a note into his pouch, "This is a list of records I want from Mirebell, if available and not overpriced. Bring me the receipts, and I'll pay you back. Shouldn't be too much, as they are trade accounts, supplier notices, updated road reports, noble household changes, recent beast incidents, and anything mentioning altered tithe flows towards the sect. If you see something interesting, buy that too, and I'm going to reimburse your efforts.”

“I’ll do my best.” He answered with a smile, not even questioning him anymore.

With Quillian's blessing after seeing his readiness, if it could be called one, Siu finally left Red Leaf and headed toward the meeting point with Seloryn.

When he got there, she was already waiting, leaning against a stone railing. Her travel clothes were simpler and more practical than her other robes, with clearly reinforced sleeves, tied-back hems, and a short cloak draped over one shoulder.

“You’re late,” she said playfully, "I expected you to be first."

“I had to negotiate with them.” He shrugged, pointing towards the now awake duo, both of them munching on some breakfast snacks.

"I guess you lost, huh?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

Laughing, Seloryn didn't push him further as they walked together from there, following one of the broad roads leading toward the sect’s main entrance. At first, Siu had assumed that meant the barrier he had passed through when entering Hollow Song proper, but Seloryn quickly corrected him. That was an internal boundary, not a true entrance. What they were heading toward now was one of the actual gates of the sect.

Thinking about what that meant, the difference became obvious long before they arrived.

The road widened until it could fit several dozen carts side by side, then widened again, for good measure. Then, all the buildings gave way to stone terraces, filled with nothing but inspection posts and long waiting areas marked by glowing lines carved into the ground itself. Disciples, servants, and paid handlers moved everywhere like ants, even at this early hour. Some were heading out, some were coming in, but most were unloading cargo from the arriving caravans. Multiple carts were already lined up, and several of them were far larger than what Siu was going to drive, pulled by beasts that made Cinna look almost... tiny.

One cart even had wheels taller than a house, made out of metal, linked with the others on tracks. Another looked less like a carriage and more like a rolling ship, drawn by two massive ox-like creatures with stone plates growing along their backs. A third had no wheels at all; instead, it was floating above the ground while being pulled by nothing, in fact. Or by something invisible? He couldn't really guess.

But even those were nothing compared to what stood beyond all of that: The Gate. Noticing it, Siu slowed without meaning to, making Seloryn watch him with a knowing smile.

“Yeah,” She finally said beside him, “Most people do that the first time.”

“That is not a gate.” He muttered, "I came up the mountain and thought the gate there was already... big, but..."

"That?" She chuckled, "Nah, that's like a servant's entrance. This is the true door to this place, and, just so you know, it is linked to about two dozen spots at once. The Hollow Song is spatially separated from the world, as most proper holy lands of the sect are. Without the coordinates, it is impossible to find it. There are entry points; those are public, yes, but they are only links, connected to this one. I don't think even regular Elders know the sect's true location."

“It is incredible...”

The opening was enormous. Multiple dozens of meters, maybe even a hundred meters tall and wide, carved between two cliffs, completely smoothed and decorated with glowing runes. Vast pillars flanked the passage, each covered in even more layered inscriptions, constantly humming and lighting up individually when someone went in and out of the sect. It looked like clear water was physically stretched between the cliffs, rippling in massive waves of pale gold and bright blue, as the entrance itself was nothing but a massive energy field.

As he gawked at it, a carriage emerged from the 'water,' coming in at an angle, as if it had been going down a slope, its wheels striking the stone with a heavy thud. However, already used to it, its driver barely reacted, simply guiding the beast forward. At the same time, a servant at one inspection post lifted a tablet and recorded something, while formations scanned the arrival from head to toe.

“Master,” Arya said quietly, clearly just as shocked. “There are too many voices here...”

"Are we going to go into that thing? And it will spit us out somewhere else?" Marly clung to his collar, staring with enormous eyes at the entrance. “If it spits us out wrong, will we be lost?”

“I don't think that could happen,” Siu answered, fairly confident in the Hollow Song's capabilities.

"Come," Seloryn interrupted them, pulling on Siu, "Someone is even earlier than us."

Looking where he was going, Siu also noticed that near one side of the waiting area, Cinna was already there.

The Redcrown Runner stood beside the padded carriage, looking absurdly proud of itself. Its feathers had been brushed until the golden-brown layers shone in the coming morning light, and its red crest stood high, forming what Siu could only interpret as an exclamation mark, showing it was on high alert. Naturally, Bortan stood beside it, checking the harness for the third time, patting her neck, but when Cinna saw Siu, it gave a sharp, triumphant call, almost turning around with carriage and all to strut towards him. Several people looked up, noticing the sudden disturbance, only for Siu to close his eyes briefly, forcing himself to calm down.

Sensing his thoughts, Arya answered with a chirp from atop his head, and whatever she said, Cinna immediately looked pleased.

“This is already a problem,” Siu said under his breath.

"Hm?" Seloryn laughed softly. “No, this is good. This already builds your future reputation.”

Bortan also looked up as they approached, grinning beneath his messy hair. His apron was cleaner than yesterday, though not by much, and one sleeve had fresh hay sticking from it, something he kept feeding Cinna with.

“You made it,” he said. “You are even early! Which is good, because Cinna was getting impatient.”

“It has been here long?” Seloryn asked, glancing at the bird.

“Long enough to insult two passing carts, so... Anyway, she is young, it happens.” Grinning, Bortan patted the side of the carriage, changing topic. “Everything is prepared. I added a covered frame and a padded bed; the shock-dampening plates are brand new. I also put some spare straps, an emergency wheel brace, a feed sack, a water trough panel, and a travel harness. Don't worry, Merra signed off on it before sunrise; all things are official and can't get you into trouble.”

“That must have hurt her.” Seloryn snorted, looking at him with one eye.

“It did." Bortan grinned. "I enjoyed it. She was reassigned to us a year ago, and she wasn't happy about her new post. I think she wanted to get into the Formation Hall but failed. I just want her out, but I'm not a decision maker, but a caretaker, so I can't do much.”

"It is already enough," Seloryn smiled, nodding at him. “I knew I liked you.”

"Thank you," Bortan chuckled, then lowered his voice slightly, waving them closer. “Listen, one more thing. Cinna likes you," he added, looking at Siu. "That’s good. But once you pass through the gate, the air changes. Some beasts get jumpy after transit, because the concentration of essence is different outside, especially region by region. Let it stamp, shake, complain, whatever, just don’t rush her, okay?”

“I won’t.”

“Mhm." He nodded, his eyes shining, "And if it refuses a road, don’t force it immediately. Redcrowns notice things, so pay attention. Yes, sometimes it’s their pride, but they could also sense predators, waiting in ambush. Even if you are traveling our territory, it is still... Well. You know.” He finished, looking at Seloryn.

“Nowhere is safe:" She added with a smile, as she had already gone out on multiple missions in the past. "But, with our numbers, mostly fools will cause trouble."

"Speaking of them," Siu shook his head, then looked past the carriage. “The others aren’t here yet?”

“Not yet,” Seloryn said, also scanning the area.

“You told them the time?”

“Naturally.” She stared at him with a deadpan look, but just then, as if summoned, a yell reached them.

“Siu!”

He turned at once and saw Joren approaching, a pack slung over one shoulder, wearing travel robes much sturdier than his usual innwear. His sleeves were tied back, and a short blade hung at his waist, though by the way he carried himself, Siu guessed it was more of a tool than a primary weapon. He looked tired, as if he had finished a shift just now, without sleeping, heading here instead of going to bed.

"Joren!" Siu greeted him, cupping his hands.

“Morning,” He smiled, greeting everyone. “And just a note, I'll sleep the moment we are on our way.”

“I realized that.” Seloryn chuckled, "No issues from me." With that, she glanced at Siu, explaining without him needing to ask, “Joren has road experience, is very good at basic camp management, and has a decent negotiation sense.”

“That is the nicest thing you’ve ever said about me,” Joren said jokingly, "I appreciate the high praise, Senior."

“It was an assessment, not praise.” She joked back, but Joren remained unflinching.

“I’ll take it.”

For a few minutes, things felt easy as they talked and Joren checked the carriage, greeted Bortan, and even approached Cinna, introducing himself. Of course, Cinna inspected him, decided he was acceptable, and then... She simply ignored him. According to Bortan, that was as good as it could get, but he warned Joren not to try to drive the carriage without Siu being present. It was just then the second recruit arrived.

Siu noticed him because Joren went still before anyone spoke.

A young man in neat robes approached from the main road, his silver sash perfectly arranged, his hair combed backward, and his expression all smiles. He carried a travel pack, too, though his looked new and clean, with a slim umbrella strapped along one side despite the clear sky.

"Ruben...? Really...?" Siu whispered, but Seloryn refused to look at him at that moment.

Naturally, Ruben’s eyes first found Seloryn... Then Siu... Then the carriage... And finally, they landed on Joren.

“Ah,” He exclaimed. “What a refreshing morning.”

"..." Joren slowly turned toward Seloryn, looking dead serious. “No.”

"Too late for that," Seloryn whispered, looking innocent, ignoring his looks, too. “Good morning, Ruben.”

“No,” Joren repeated, a bit louder this time around.

"Hm?" Ruben placed a hand over his chest. “Brother, your joy wounds me with its intensity.”

“Fuck off." Joren snapped at him.

“Brother... Language!”

“...”

Siu looked between them, feeling this may have been... not a good idea.

"Wonderful. Everyone is here.” Seloryn said, clapping her hands, just so Joren could turn on her.

“You didn’t say he was coming!”

“I also didn’t say you were coming to him.” She shot back, "And it is not your business who I invite on this mission. You should have asked anyway; you didn't!"

"It's not that big of a deal, is it?" Ruben asked as he glanced at Siu, his smile becoming amused. “Disciple Siu, you agree with me, yes?”

"We should all work to get along on this trip," Siu cupped his hands respectfully, “Senior Ruben, Senior Joren.”

"Act like proper disciples already!" Seloryn stepped between the two before Joren could blow his top again. “Joren knows practical travel and cargo handling. Ruben has combat ability, being on the Paragon List, and enough reputation that local nobles will think twice before being too stupid. Together, you two exactly cover what we need.”

“They also seem to hate each other,” Siu said, but looking towards the entrance instead of the two.

Just then, Cinna snapped its beak loudly, and everyone paused as the Redcrown Runner looked between Joren and Ruben, then fluffed its crest as if it had decided the flock was noisy and that they should be already on their way.

"She is right!" Seloryn raised her voice at once, taking control before the argument could restart. “Alright. Before we leave, final checks. Siu is an active registrant and driver. I handle navigation and mission procedure. Joren handles camp logistics, supplies, and cargo routine. Ruben handles road conditions, water support, and noble-facing reputation if needed. Arya and Marly are support and scouts. Questions?” She asked, but immediately continued, "No? Perfect. Climb up and let's get going!"

"See you when you all get back," Bortan said, stepping away from the carriage, watching them with a smile.

Siu took the driver’s bench at the front, with Arya on his head and Marly on his shoulder, looking like stuffed animals, going stiff, gazing at the magical gate before them. Seloryn sat right beside him, ready to give directions. At the same time, Joren took one side of the covered carriage interior after checking where the cargo would later be secured, while Ruben sat opposite him, arranging his robes so they did not wrinkle.

The moment everyone was aboard, Cinna gave a sharp call, and Siu took the reins properly. The energy field of the massive gate rippled ahead of them, golden-blue as a servant near the entrance checked them, and Siu felt his sash react before being given the sign they could leave. Cinna shifted under the harness, waiting for his order, not moving, even if the servant already gave the signal. Exhaling, Siu clicked his tongue once, and only then did the Redcrown Runner step forward, happily chirping. They passed between the enormous pillars, and the energy field filled Siu’s sight. For half a breath, he saw reflections in it: himself, Seloryn, Joren, Ruben, Arya, Marly, Cinna, the carriage, and behind them the vast shape of Hollow Song. He didn't know how, but deep down, he knew... a formation had already scanned everything, synchronized with his sash, read the mission they were on, where they were going, everything... and by the time they reached the rippling energy, the world folded in on itself around them.

For a single instant, Siu felt as if his body had become a note plucked from a string; he even heard it echo in his head. Then he got carried across an unknown distance... and it was over before he could blink. What he felt next was the wheels striking the dirt and the air changing around them. The pleasant scent of the sect vanished, replaced by the distinct smell of pine, carried by the morning wind.

Without thinking about it, Siu blinked, looking around as they were on a simple road. Behind them was a foot of a mountain, with a smaller stone arch standing alone beside the route, its energy fading after spitting them out. Ahead, the group's road was heading downward through sparse trees, following the mountain’s slope toward lands he had never even seen before.

"Ugh," Joren exhaled from inside the carriage. “Still hate that.”

"Like it's a big deal," Ruben’s voice followed smoothly. “You just say that because teleportation rejects your rough personality.”

“It rejects your face; watch me do it.”

"If you break something, I'm going to make you pay double for it," Seloryn laughed softly from the front. "Don't forget, I'm still higher ranked than both of you."

“Alright,” Siu said to himself, ignoring them, holding the reins. “Let’s go.”

Cinna snapped its beak once, as if approving the command, and picked up speed as they started down the mountain road toward the Kavernacht Kingdom.