Chapter 40: The Bizarre Laboratory

Nivra and the others raced into infinity, the screeching of the wind ever on their ears, threatening to make them bleed. To her left and right the others had vanished, replaced with a tunnel of twisting, turning, slithering colors of every shade. They pulsed and writhed, oozing down as if wet paint, it un-nerved the mage to the core of her being. She tried to yell out to the others but found her voice stolen, whisked away into whatever void she found herself. Just as she began to panic it was ended with  a thundering crack that split the silence in twain. She landed on all fours on a metallic disk, dribbling a viscous, crimson ooze from every inch of her.

Sputtering for stale breath, the adventurers coughed and struggled to get a grip of their senses. Not a one of them was on their feet, except Nigel himself. The lich stood calm and collected, unphased by the whole ordeal, even as the ooze clung to his chin like glue.

“That’s alright, the first transit takes a lot out of you.” Nigel stated coldly, eyes flicking to each of the prone form of his guests. They lingered on Axton as the young mage too was coughing and gasping for air. A queer look came to his eyes but ended as swiftly as it came. “Give it all a moment and your senses will return, its not every day we break through the barrier of our sphere. I warn you however about gazing out into the ether however, it has been known to drive lesser individuals mad.”

Mad? Arcturus swallowed down the bile in his throat as his stomach felt as though it were doing flips within. He willed himself to stand on his wobbling, aching legs, taking labored breaths of the metallic, stale air. There was a darkened room before them, designed by a culture he’d never studied. It was formed and precise, twisting out of the floor as if weaved, not a sign of magical tampering. Luminescent orbs of blue light clung to the surface of these tendrils, painting the ridged floor in a strange, ghostly glue that sent a chill down the knight’s spine. As he regained a sense of balance he could sense a hungriness about the sterile room, a gnawing hunger that seemed to lurk behind the walls. It reminded him of a Rothdell wizard down, and that mere thought almost made him reach for his blade.

“I’d hardly call this room maddening.” Arcturus coughed, his voice rough and scratchy. When he met the Lich’s blackened eyes, they merely flicked up, and as he followed, he understood. Instead of a ceiling above there was a vast cloud of pulsating blues, reds, and lavenders. They pulsed with an un-natural life as darkened shapes seemed to twist and churn beneath their surface, waiting for some unsuspecting prey to fall into their grasp. Lightning arched in powerful rivers, wrapping around their majesty, spreading out into infinity itself. Through this mass of chaos, there were brief flickers of calm, order, three brilliant lights that could not be quelled.

“What…Is that?” Voidwing chirped, ears splayed as the gryphon sat, fixated.

“The chaos of the universe. The ether between our sphere and the others, the great immaterial in which the great story tellers of old used to traverse. Amazing is it not?” Nigel remarked, a sense of wonderment in his rotten voice. “We’re protected from their destructive power, but even that was mere playthings for the great wizards of old. The god’s gods they used to say.”

“You’re telling me that those fairytales are real?” Nivra muttered in disbelief, her mind brimming with the possibility. She smiled for the briefest of moments, feeling once more as a tiny girl, just discovering the wonders of magic once more. In one journey, what she knew was once more shattered.

The lich drew all their curious eyes, feasting upon their awe. “Not all of them of course. Old tales, twisted and shaped by history. But rest assured, they were powerful magicians of no equal. Take note paladin, you’ve got but a taste of what the arcane can accomplish. Something far greater than your mere tricks of swordsmanship.”

“It’s a shame that someone like you uncovered such a place.” The knight replied sternly, heaving the chest off the floor. “You’re quite right it’s a marvelous sight, and it’s wasted on you.”

Nigel clicked his tongue as the others gathered around the now scowling knight. “You think yourself so righteous, standing in the light of the cosmos. That you can judge me with your narrow view of this world?” The undead wizard gestured to the lights above, tiny bastions of order against the chaotic winds. “Those lights you see above? They are just like our world itself, tiny pockets of reality given shape and form. Whole universes with their own gods, planets, various rules of physics. Our lives are so pathetically small against the cosmos of creation. What do I care what one righteous knight thinks of me?” He scoffed at the man’s anger swirling plainly in his eyes, “Believe it or not Arcturus, for once you and I are on the same side. Can you not put aside your judgements to work for the greatest good?”

“I’m here am I not?” Arcturus growled, gripping tight the chest’s handles. “But answer me this, if everything is so insignificant, why do you care at all what happens to our world?”

“It is my world too boy.” He gestured to a set of three doors, each set on a different wall. They were cold metal, engraved with dwarven runes. “Now Nivra, go to the far left one. Speak what I told you before we departed, only then will they open for you.” The girl did as he asked, but under her friend’s watchful eye.

“Risiel Gwar.” She stated clearly. Gears shuttered and sprung to life, dragging the door upwards with a piercing hiss. Everyone stepped back in alarm, eyes filled with questions, only making the unholy wizard chuckle in amusement.

“Its only an automatic door. Do try and quell your fear for things that rightfully deserve it.”

Arcturus grit his teeth, imagining what dark horrors could await in this place. Whispering to him in the back of his mind was the sense it was far worse than the camps of his countrymen. When Nivra took a breath and continued, Nigel right in tow, Arcturus and Voidwing followed on their heels. “Don’t let your eyes off him.” Arcturus whispered into the gryphon’s ear, getting a silent, understanding nod. They were of the same mind. “Who knows what awaits within.”

As it turned out, the first room was the most normal of the bunch. Hallways stretched before the draped in the presence of bizarre contraptions straight out of the mind of a mad man. Strange, spider like objects that gleamed with unknown purpose, tangled webs of metal that spoke of darker work, tipped in the dried blood of previous victims. Lanterns, seemingly shaped out of the walls themselves lined the passages, spaced in such a way to leave fields of shadow to prey upon the uncertainty of the mind. The air changed with every breath, where it could be bitterly cold one moment but scalding the very next. It left them off balance mentally and with their senses, reaching a crescendo with a hall where the very walls were gone, instead leaving a gaping chasm exposed to the twisting cosmos around them.

Arcturus’ pale face stared out into oblivion, tracing a staircase of hardened light, their only way up and beyond this unsettling place. Down below he could gleam a tiny blue dot, their own world Nigel had whispered with an almost cruel delight in his voice.

“But fear not paladin, it’s not like you can fall. It merely looks like you can.” Eyes gleaming with malevolence flicked around, bouncing off phantom boundaries no other could see. “Illusions to trick the lesser minded, granted, not aesthetics I’d have gone with that’s for certain.”

Getting a grip upon his beating heart, Arcturus was not the first test these dangling slabs of light, that honor fell to the princess’ bodyguard, who tentatively tapped it with his sharpened talon. Voidwing softly narrated to himself, insisting that he’d be fine as he slowly applied more pressure, internally praying it would hold. To the gryphon’s relief it did, one talon followed by another, then the rest of him. He gestured to the others to follow, but found invisible barriers kept his wings well secured upon his back. He strolled up to the next level, finding yet another hallway with various carvings of men and woman, draped in large, elegant robes.

His ears flicked in interest as he tilted his head, noting how these magicians wore seals and necklaces of flowers and feathers. At the neckline instead of a hood as was typically, there was a raised portion, like a wall of cloth behind their necks. They formed a circle with their hands, where mountains, rivers, forests spread like the wind around them. At the edge of such creation were the main gods of the world, appearing as children before these mages.

Nivra approached, tracing her finger along the stone as Voidwing and Arcturus approached the further door, eyes filled with suspicion and worry always flicking back to Nigel. She tried to translate the runes spread about the picture but failed. Quite the feat, knowing her father instilled upon her countless languages to learn. With a wave of her hand and whisper of power, she called upon a spell to translate it for her, even that failed. She backed away with a gasp. Now that was almost unheard of.

“It tells the tale of how the world began.” Nigel stated behind her, Axton sheepishly going to the wizard’s side. “What you’re finding is they exist before our magic.” The lich gestured to the ring. “Those were the ruling council. They tasked themselves with creating worlds. Stories they called them.  Playgrounds for various narratives they saw fit, good versus evil, drama, all of it some form of entertainment for them. Supposedly they came to our world with what we know as the gods. They willed this place into existence, creating what they referred to as a haven. Here their gods would overlook their creation.”

Her mind tried to wrap around the scope of it all, failing terribly. She recoiled, failing to speak, getting an empathetic look from her once master, twisted by his dark magics.

“It will be alright. It was hard for me to accept at first as well. In time, you’ll understand and carry on with my study. Such is the hunt for knowledge, even now, in your eye I see it, the urge to know more.”

She shook her head, “Your study? I believe you’re coming to a false conclusion. I’ve said no such thing. We’re here to secure the orb within your vaults and depart, nothing more, nothing less.” She composed herself against his piercing stare, “My place is and always has been with my kingdom…”Her words faltered as she stared deep into the black mass of his eyes, finding no shred of humanity within, shivering at the idea of some of his experiments. “Not with your quest for knowledge at any cost.”

“Well…Perhaps not now.” He replied, unconvinced by her zeal. “How could you sit back and leave that undiscovered country the way it is? The vast universe at your fingertips the very breath of creation? No, no. I’m certain. In time girl, you will be drawn to it as a dragon is drawn to treasure. Its in your blood.”

She bit her lip, not wanting to voice the truth in his statement. Thankfully Arcturus and Voidwing called to her.

“Are you coming?” Arcturus rose a brow, eyeing Nigel. “Not any trouble, is he?”

“Just…assisting her in understanding boy. You need not be concerned over a brief conversation between master and student.” Nigel remarked with a sneer. “Save your righteous judgement for the dragon you serve and leave it be.”

“Is this true?” Voidwing asked, not buying whatever slithered from Nigel’s mouth.

Nivra gazed upon these marvelous, ancient wonders, noting the desire to lose herself within this place. They’d already passed hallways with floating bookshelves, with tomes older she bet than the world they were in. No doubt there were spells, formulas, inventions they could only dream of information from these ancient mages that could shake the foundation of their very society. Could any of them contain a different way of crystals than using a soul? She nodded to her love, scratching his ear to belay the fear in his eyes.

“Come now, you can’t blame me.” She laughed, “This place is…Exceedingly huge, in size and scope…The longer you look…-“

“You feel unease-“ Arcturus muttered.

“No, wonderment.” She dismissed him with a wave of her hand, “Think of what could be learned here! Magics we could use. Nigel, do you have artifacts scattered within?”

“I have an entire room dedicated to their research.” Nigel replied in a gravelly voice.

“See, and I bet at least some of them are made to fight undead!”

“Indeed so apprentice, the dawnstone I was most fond of.” Nigel sighed, longing for days of his past. “Thanks to myself, a band of adventurers and the dragon Ramakox, we put an end to the vampire’s ruling council. Isn’t that right son?” He side eyed Axton, getting a glimmer of hatred in the boy’s icy blue eyes before fading to a compliant nod.  Arcturus rose a brow, wondering what that was about.

Nivra though was besides herself over this obvious, beneficial move she’d made.  Without vampires the undead would be pressed for proper power. Once you discounted their dragon support of course. She beamed to the others, citing off the numerous advantages that Nigel could provide for them, to think she’d doubted her abilities to bring them together.

Arcturus could only grimace at her display, wondering if she’d profoundly changed as she said. This place was indeed a marvel to behold, but its shadow was that of the undead mage before them. How much would they indebt themselves to his boney claws, what would he collect of them to keep such a thing? Patience stilled his tongue and hand, but he looked to her beloved for answers. In the gryphon’s eyes he saw the same thoughts of himself, they shared a knowing nod, they would not be taken by surprise, no matter what candied words he spun. The knight cleared his throat, gesturing to the door, pulling the two magicians back to the task at hand. “Perhaps a lecture could be shared when we’re not on task, preferably without a chest.”

Nigel scowled at his candor, “Axton, if you would, relieve the knight of his arduous burden.” He gestured to his apprentice who did as he asked, clumsily mouthing some magical words and swirling his fingers. Up from Arcturus’ hands the chest did leap, guided as if by an invisible hand. It drifted to the floor, floating a solid inch above the surface. The young mage nervously beamed, spreading his arms wide as Nigel rolled his eyes and chastised the boy on such an ‘embarrassing’ display. “We’ll have to go over the basics again when this is through. Honestly, I didn’t think you’d regress this much with that buffoon of a dragon teaching you.”

“He’s not a buffoon!” Axton countered; his face started to red. “He’s quite the magical beast.”

“Perhaps in draconic magics.” Nigel scoffed, “But he, like them all are like candles, burning recklessly at both ends. You’ll learn in time we are the true masters of the weave.” His nod and sternness put an end to Axton’s wagging tongue, but not the sharpness in the boy’s gaze.

Nivra joined Arcturus with a heavy sigh, “I suppose not everyone can appreciate the drive for more knowledge.”

“Time and place.” Arcturus countered as Nivra opened the door for them to continue.

Through the labyrinth they crept, trying to keep their spirits above the darkened shadows of this place. The rooms they traversed increased in their strangeness, right out of the mind of a madman. Some on the other hand were scenes of pure horror, straight out of a Lumarian dungeon. Rooms soaked in blood, vivisected victims and constructs, shelves with rows upon rows of samples and gore. Nigel looked to them with a chilling calm, ignoring their judgmental glances.

“It was all worth it in the end if you’re wondering.” He lingered upon a pair of green, draconic eyes, floating in a jar.

Arcturus, fighting the bile in his throat, made sure to glare the fiercest of daggers. “Nothing…Nothing is worth whatever this was.”

“That so?” Nigel turned, unphased, “I’d tell that to the plague victims of the Magisters. If I was certain, you and your soldiers at war drank a few of my concoctions. You didn’t seem to mind them then when it was saving your lives.”

Oh, how his blood boiled, threatening to sear his flesh. Hands curled into fists as he had to remind himself, they needed him in these moments. “We didn’t know how they achieved it.” He spat bitterly, “Same as the mana crystals.”

“Amusing sentiment Arcturus, but should we discard knowledge gained in such means? Especially from those unburdened by moral shackles you hold so dear?”

His retort was quick and sharp as a blade, “No, but I don’t have to like the man who does it.”

“And what would you do to such a man?”

“Beheading.”

Nigel only chuckled, searching upon the color drained face of his former apprentice. As he recalled, even her stomach was not as resilient as his. He clicked his tongue, seeing the questions already forming in her eyes. “Fear not my apprentice.” He cooed, joining at her side. “These tests were from long ago, far before you were born. The magisters hounded us day and night, inflicting upon us such terrible spells and curses. Remedies needed to be found, allies begged me for solutions…So I got them. The test subjects you see here were not good men, each deserved what they got.”

Nivra swallowed the lump in her stomach, not quite certain anyone deserved such an end. When they continued, she pressed tighter to Voidwing’s side, welcoming his compassionate chirp. She rested a hand on his side for comfort, trying her best to forget the dried blood and mangled corpses. Her bodyguard’s soft narration of events brought a brief glimmer of light to her thoughts as she joined him in the effort. She told herself it was still to be worth it, anything to keep the orb of dragonkind out of the claws of their enemy.

Eventually they came to another room, their travel marked only by the oppressive silence and the clacking of Voidwing’s talons. Unlike the previous horrors, this one was far more mundane. It appeared as a standard dungeon one might find for political prisoners, free of torture devices and signs of misery. Chains dangled from every wall of this sizable room, gleaming devilishly in the dwindling light from candles dangling magically in the air. It smelled of iron and earth right after a morning rain. There was a sense of calm until their eyes adjusted and bore witness to the prisoners within these halls.

Stone statues of angels lay chained to the walls with the thickest of steel, manacles around their wrists. All three-dozen reached out to the thin air, their blank eyes staring into oblivion, asking upon their creator ‘why’. Shadows hugged the curves of their robes adding an aura of malevolence, hinting at being more than a twisted decoration piece. It was only the lich that strolled unphased to the closest door, ignoring the chill slithering down the rest of his companion’s spines. Nivra opened the door at his command, practically racing to be rid of that room.

Red lights than sprung to life around the hall, flickering in and out like a firefly. The door slammed down unprompted, sealing Arcturus and Voidwing inside with a thunderous thud. They banged on the door, shouted for answers, but none were forthcoming. There was only the lights and the fact something had gone amiss.

“Nigel, what have you done?” Arcturus shouted, pounding on the door, first with his fist and then his shoulder. He scowled. “Curse it all, if only I had my bracers.” Voidwing pushed him away, rearing up and thrusting his all into the stone.

 “Nivra, are you alright?” Voidwing’s ears pinned to his head, his heart pounding in his chest. The wait for her reply was pure, concentrated, anguish.

“I’m alright Voidy, it appears as though the door simply shut.” Came her voice, muffled, but still filled with concern. “It did simply shut right Nigel?”

“Of course, it did.” Nigel replied, “Security measure to keep out the riff raff. Wouldn’t have happened if I had my arms. The laboratory simply doesn’t recognize you.”

Voidwing picked around at the door’s base, trying to secure a hold to lift. “It was fine before now, what changed?”

“Proximity to the control room. Was bound to happen. Consider this a break of sorts. Once we reach the control room, we can return back for you.”

The gryphon hung his head, giving the door a final, weakened thump. “Nivra.” He said softly, just loud enough for her to hear.

“Voidy, are you alright?” She leaned against the door, yearning to reach his cheek. “You’re not hurt are you?”

His ears splayed, kneading the stone as he searched the still blinking room. “Course not, think a door could get me? How about you? Lich hasn’t made a move on you?”

“We’re on the same side soft paws. I know the situation looks poor, but it’s all a misunderstanding, you’ll see. We’ll have it sorted and be back faster than you can shake your tail.”

He grimaced with a deep sigh; he’d hoped to be at least more useful than not at all. His tail flicked, scattering a loose bit of stone. “Stay safe for me then Nivra, otherwise I’ll be furious, you hear me?” The gryphon fluffed his feathers, picturing Nigel’s wretched face before him, “ Hear that you walking corpse? One wrong hair out of place and I’ll rip you asunder!” He fluffed his wings for good measure, hoping even a sliver of fear was in that blasted thing’s eyes. He doubted it though. “And Nivra…Take my love with you…Please may it be your shield.”

“And mine your light in the dark.” She replied softly, kissing the stone. “Now sit tight and relax with Arcturus. This will be all a funny story in the end.” She turned with a composing breath, setting Nigel with a look as sharp as a blade. “You heard the gryphon! Best we get a move on, his feathers sound awfully ruffled, and you don’t want to be on the receiving end of that mood.”