Delilah couldn’t believe what she was seeing.
“It’s really this easy?” she asked.
“Oh, looks can be deceiving,” Marcus said with a chuckle. “But for Paladins and Sub-Paladins, yes. It is quite easy.”
Their group stood before a door at the farthest reaches of Marcus’ old city, underwater beneath The Gate. It stood in the center of the circular chamber, unattached to any wall. It was an ornate, beautiful door, edged in silver, with a crescent moon in the center, surrounded by four X-shaped four-pointed stars. Along the top was written in silver: “No Dark can consume Light.”
“And this goes straight to the Bastion on the Moon?” Alice asked.
“It does,” Marcus said.
“But how did you go back and forth before reopening the city?” Delilah asked. “You’ve spent time in Grimoire and on the Moon ever since you became it’s Paladin, right?”
“There are longer, more complicated paths between,” Marcus said. “I mastered those paths, but now that the old city is reopened, this is the best way for us to go.”
“Shall we?” Maribelle asked. “We have much to ask of Solla and Lunos. And we know where the Bell Towers are now.”
“Right,” Delilah said. She looked at Marcus, who smiled and led the way, opening the door and stepping through a curtain of light. Delilah followed, Alice right behind her, and Maribelle and Isabelle took up the rear.
The journey through the door was… disorienting. Delilah had gone through so many of these kinds of doors, taking her immediately from one Bastion to another, but for some reason, the jump from the Grimson Bay city to the Bastion on the Moon left her lightheaded, dizzy. She swayed in place for a moment, supported graciously by Marcus.
“Why does that feel so weird?” Alice asked, in the same state as Delilah.
“The Moon’s gravity is lesser than Earth’s,” Marcus said. “And while the Bastion’s interior normalizes things to a point, it still isn’t exactly the same. When you flew here upon Solla, you were able to gradually adjust to the changes, but this was more sudden. I apologize for not warning you.”
“It feels fun,” Isabelle said, grinning even as she swayed back and forth, gently steadied by Maribelle.
“Does it seem brighter than last time?” Delilah asked, looking around. It had been a while since she’d been to the Moon, but she still remembered the hauntingly beautiful white halls and rooms. But now, things felt…
A little less haunted.
“She’s waking back up,” Marcus said, looking around with a proud smile. “For too long she slumbered. Your arrival, and the use of Relays from this Bastion, has given her hope and life again.”
“You talk about the Bastion like it’s alive,” Alice said.
“Oh, but she is,” Marcus said. He turned, starting off, and Isabelle and Maribelle were the first to follow.
“All Bastions are,” Isabelle said, looking teasingly back at Alice. “You know?”
Delilah giggled as she followed, while Alice scowled beside her. “Does she think she’s clever or something?” she asked.
“She likes trying to mimic you,” Delilah said. Alice sighed, shaking her head.
They had entered the Moon rather far from the vast harbor where Solla and Lunos rested, but the walk there let Delilah take in the Bastion, both how it had changed, and places she hadn’t seen before. It really was brighter. Cleaner, too. Many of the spherical lanterns, similar to the paper Lunar Lanterns that were a fixture in Grimoire’s Lunar Festival, were lit, when last time, they’d been dark. Text that was once faded was now visible, and Delilah saw that there were actual signs in the Bastion indicating where certain chambers were.
When Alice and I were training here, this place seemed like a nonsensical maze. But no, there are actual signs. That’s nice to see.
“So, Daylight Bastions really are alive?” Alice asked. “I mean… faded text doesn’t just restore itself like that, you know? Not normally, anyway.”
“They really are alive,” Maribelle said with a smile. “The Library of Solitude, Revue Palace, and everywhere else… and they respond to how they are treated.”
“So Gramps, how come the Moon turned into such a dump if you’re in charge?” Alice asked.
“For a long time,” Marcus said, his tone melancholic, “I thought it had reacted to the steady tragedy of my people dying out in its halls. This is the final resting place for so many of my former friends and family. But… perhaps it was also my own fault. I spent less time here, and more time on Earth. But as the Lunar Architects took things down dark paths, I spent less time in Grimoire, even. I wandered the Earth, and the Enchanted Dominion, and rarely came back to the Bastion that was my charge. I had no Sub-Paladins, no partners, so when I was not here, there was no one. I hadn’t realized it for so long, but… I had lost hope. This Bastion, my home, responded to that.”
Delilah said nothing, taking in all of this. She’d first met Marcus when she was very little, and known him as a friend of her parents. And while he hadn’t visited often, every time he’d visited, he had always smiled so gently, his eyes twinkled so brightly. If someone had told her then that he’d lost hope, she’d never have believed it.
“But you got your hope back,” Isabelle said, smiling up at Marcus.
He laughed softly, smiling down at Isabelle. “Indeed I did, little one,” he said. “But I couldn’t have done it alone.” He looked back at Delilah, and his smile encouraged her.
Occasionally their walk brought them under domed skylights, and Delilah gazed up through them every time. Sometimes they showed only vast, starry space, but a few of them gave views of Earth, and its appearance was striking. She knew from ground level that the skies were murky, darkened by a great gloomy shroud. But from here, looking at the Earth, that shroud was invisible. And yet…
Its colors are less vibrant. Sort of muted, sort of washed-out…
The Earth’s lost its light. Not all of it, but if we can’t stop the Endless Night…
They finally reached the wide, arcing staircase that led down to the harbor. Delilah could hear Solla and Lunos’ songs from here, and a grin spread across her face. The two great creatures knew that the Paladins and Sub-Paladin were here, and they were glad at their presence. Before she knew it, Delilah was racing down the stairs ahead of the others, Alice hurrying after her. When she reached the harbor, she Summoned all of her Felines, and Nekoma hoisted and tossed her with one hand, a smooth motion that sent Delilah up and over Solla’s face, to land lightly on her back. She dropped to her knees, pressing her palms against the white whale’s warm, gleaming skin. The warmth soaked into her, refreshed her, and before she knew it, she was sprawling out, lying face-down on Solla’s back, smiling as she heard and felt her beautiful, emotional song.
“Happy, huh?” Alice asked. She knelt next to Delilah, Rabanastre standing at her side.
“I didn’t realize how much I missed her song,” Delilah said with a sigh. “And she’s so happy to see us. She really values companionship, and while she has Lunos now, she’s grown really attached to you and me, too.”
“Both of us?” Alice asked. She pressed her hand against Solla’s back, but shook her head. “I’m not getting anywhere near as much from her song as you are.”
“You have to listen closely,” Delilah said.
“I am listening closely.”
“Not with your ears, or your hands.” Delilah closed her eyes, pressing her cheek against Solla’s back. “With your heart.”
Alice sighed. “You’re getting cheesy on me.” Delilah said nothing, just taking in Solla’s song, and after a while, she started humming, too. Sending her own thoughts and feelings, questions that she’d come with, hopes and dreams, to Solla. A conversation without words, that could say more than words ever could.
After a while, Alice’s voice softly joined hers. She hummed even softer than Delilah, clearly shy about her voice, a little inkling of vulnerability that warmed Delilah’s heart. When she opened her eyes just for a moment, she saw Alice was lying down beside her, mimicking her pose, eyes closed.
Delilah closed her eyes, continuing to hum and listen to Solla’s song. She could hear Lunos, too, their songs intertwining.
In Delilah’s own song, after just conversing pleasantly with the two majestic beings, she asked questions. About the place where the Key of the World was forged, Solla and Lunos’ original home. About the Key of the World in general, and the Bell Towers.
Their song came back, excited at Delilah’s discoveries, and eager to aid her. But at the same time, they could not acquiesce to everything.
You can’t… take us to your home?
She couldn’t fully understand why, but the message came through clearly. Where the Key had been forged, where they had once lived, was not somewhere they could bring anyone.
But the Bell Towers, on the other hand, were very much within their reach.
And that’s where we’re supposed to go, too? I understand.
Thank you.
After a bit more time just basking in the warmth and song of Solla, Delilah opened her eyes and sat up. She felt rested, as if she’d properly slept for the first time in ages, even though she’d only been lying there, singing with Solla, for a few minutes. A moment later, Alice sat up, staring at her with white eyes.
“I… could hear,” she said slowly, anxiously. “Not… not all of it. I’m sure I didn’t get as much as you. But I understood more than before. And… I think she understood me, too.” She rubbed at her eyes a moment, then looked away.
Delilah smiled. “I’m sure she did.”
“Hey up there!” Isabelle called from below. “Any news?”
“Be patient, Belle-Belle,” Maribelle said. “These things take time.”
“If you’ll all climb aboard,” Delilah said, stepping to the edge where she could be seen, “then we’ll soon be on our way to the First Bell Tower.” She created a wide, circular Mobility disc and floated it down to Isabelle, Maribelle, and Marcus, who stepped aboard.
“We’re ready to go!” Isabelle said, pumping her fist with the cheer.
“What of the Key’s forging place?” Marcus asked.
“That’s impossible, apparently,” Delilah said. The disc brought the trio up, and they stepped onto Solla. “Though I couldn’t completely understand why. But she says we’re on the right track with the Bell Towers.”
“The First Bell Tower…” Maribelle said, gazing off into the distance. “It still sounds so familiar.”
“Let’s go find out why,” Alice said.
Soon enough, they were off. Solla formed a protective dome over the group as she flew out with Lunos. They were in the vast expanse of space for only a moment, before a huge portal appeared. And inside it…
“A door again,” Alice said.
A great silver door floated in the gleaming space before them. Delilah knew what to do by now, and pulled out the Key around her neck, pointing it at the door. Light shot from Key to door, and the door opened. Light, a kaleidoscope of gleaming color, swirled around them, and they blasted forward.
Moments later, they exited the portal and were under beautiful white skies, gleaming here and there with shapes bursting into being in various colors. Down below glittered a green ocean, and not too far in the distance…
A port city. The port itself wasn’t very large, with enough docks for about a dozen mid-sized sailing vessels, and the city — or rather, town — beyond was quaint. Low houses with domed, colorful, tiled roofs made up most of the town, with a few shops here and there. Trees blossoming with red-and-blue flowers were up and down nearly every street, and a river cut through the town, bisecting a beautiful grassy park with a white bridge.
And in the center of the town, the only tower — indeed, the only building taller than two stories — stood tall and clear, a distinct centerpiece. Its top, domed and tiled, was also open, and a great silver bell could be seen.
“It’s beautiful,” Isabelle said, gazing excitedly down at the town. “And it looks like the Endless Night hasn’t touched them at all.”
“And it won’t, not for a long time,” Maribelle said, smiling. “I do remember this place. It’s been so long, but yes. It’s very out-of-the-way even as Locations are concerned, and highly protected due to its unique position that’s overlapped by the protective fields of seven different Bastions. The Endless Night will reach this Location, perhaps not last of all, but close to it.”
“What do you know about the Tower itself?” Delilah asked.
“The Bell has many functions and reasons to be rung,” Maribelle said. “But there is one very special tone…” Her expression grew serious. “We may need to make use of it. ‘When darkness comes beyond compare, ring twice to announce that all should beware.’ It is specific to the Endless Night. We’ll need to ring it twice. But it’s likely there’s even more to it that applies to the Key of the World. We’ll need to do some investigating, but we won’t have to explore. I know exactly who to talk to.”
“Then we’ll leave the lead up to you,” Marcus said. “I’ve never been here before, nor heard of the Bell Towers.”
Solla took them in for a landing, not at the port, but on a hill just outside of town. She and Lunos waited for them there, and Delilah and the others bid a fond goodbye as they started down to the town itself. Before they even got onto the streets of town, people were staring at them in awe. Delilah heard excited whispers going around, and frequent use of the word “Paladins.”
“We’ll go straight to the Tower itself,” Maribelle said, leading confidently. “The Bellkeeper there, a man named Alexander, will have the information we need — if anyone has it.”
“So if he doesn’t, this is a bust?” Alice asked. She walked with her hands shoved in her pockets, but seemed a bit more subdued than usual.
“Not at all,” Maribelle said. “Even if we don’t learn about the Key here, there are the Second and Third Bell Towers to visit. Someone will surely have answers for us.”
The stroll was pleasant. A cool, light breeze blew across the streets, tousling Delilah’s hair and bringing to her nose the sweet aroma of the flowering trees. The houses and shops were colorful, but not garishly so, and other aromas came to her — freshly baked bread, cinnamon, melting cheese. The sounds of food sizzling in skillets, of drinks being poured, of cutlery against plates. It seemed to be lunchtime here, and Delilah was thankful she wasn’t hungry, or she’d be begging for a stop. The food smelled and looked so good, and this was such a calm, tranquil place. It would be wonderful to stop, but…
We have work to do.
They soon reached the First Bell Tower itself, a ten-story beauty of a tower. Sand-colored stone glittered with flecks of gemstone in the light, and awnings of blue and red extended at five separate levels up to the top. Elaborate wrought-iron gates stood open, but there were only a handful of visitors going in and out.
Maribelle led them in and up to the main desk, where she asked after Alexander. The receptionist nodded curtly and then vanished into a back room. A few moments later, he returned. At his side was a short, portly, balding fellow with rosy cheeks, round spectacles, and an elaborate blue jacket with red-and-silver buttons. At the sight of Maribelle, his eyes brightened and he broke into a smile, rushing around the counter to wrap her in a hug.
“How long has it been?” the man asked, laughing. “Maribelle! It’s so good to see you again! I was wondering when your travels would bring you here again.”
“It’s been so long I nearly forgot,” Maribelle said, smiling as she returned the man’s embrace. “Yet you haven’t changed a bit, Alexander.”
“You have, though,” Alexander said, smiling up at her. “You look happier than I’ve ever seen you. At peace, more like. Your long travels have done you well, then?”
“So much has happened,” Maribelle said. “But, yes. I’m doing very well. Although there are dire circumstances… but excuse me. We’ll get to that, but let me introduce my companions.” She introduced them one by one, ending with Delilah and Alice. Alexander greeted them each in turn, smiling and laughing, shaking hands vigorously. He was such a cheerful fellow. Delilah was excited for his greeting, but he stopped when he came to her last. He stared at her, his smile slowly fading, but not in a bad way. He looked awestruck.
“Can it be…?” Alexander asked, adjusting his spectacles. “You… my dear, do you… bear the Key?”
Delilah blinked, staring. How could he possibly know? But she pulled the Key of the World out on its chain and showed it to him. Alexander gasped, then leaned forward, staring intently at the Key. Breathless, he turned his eyes on Delilah and said, “The Keybearer has arrived.”
“Keybearer?” Delilah asked. Unexplained warmth blossomed in her heart.
“Never thought I’d see the day,” Alexander said, shaking his head. He pulled out a blue handkerchief and dabbed at his eyes, adjusting his spectacles. “Ah, my dear… the Key has accepted you. Your name is Delilah, isn’t it? Look at the base, just below the crescent moon.”
Delilah looked where he said, and her eyes widened in shock.
There, written at the base of the Key, were three words:
Delilah Iris Greyson
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