12 Miles Below

Book 4. Chapter 15: To'Sefit (T)

The shattered plains beyond Capranor vanished swiftly under ToWrathhs speed. Broken roads, crumbling cliffside, and the constant roiling storm above were her only companions, save for the single blinking IFF tag further up ahead.

It hadnt moved for the past five minutes, almost as if waiting for ToWrathh to arrive. Likely it really was. If she could see the tag, so could whoever owned it see her.

The ground under her turned from smooth to utterly destroyed as she soared above the battlefield of her final clash with ToAacar. Where he had ripped apart the ground with occult slashes, throwing rocks every which way to clobber her into an early grave.

At the center of the broken war-zone, a lone figure stood, examining the destruction left behind. Shimmers floated above her, reflecting light until ToWrathhs vision grew defined enough to recognize the source - floating flat plates of metal. Surrounding a white figure half concealed by a large wide-brimmed hat, like that of a witch. The staff held at her side paired well with the odd look.

This had to be ToSefit. The Feather sent by Relinquished.

ToWrathh flew closer, slowing her descent to lightly land nearby, and then observed the unknown Feather. She was taller than ToWrathh by a head, even from a short distance that was apparent. With the boot-like metal heels only adding to the height.

My, you must be my newest little sister. The woman said, still observing the broken ground as ToWrathh approached. Two long white pigtails fluttered in an invisible breeze, much lighter than actual hair. That massive hat with a wide brim, tilted slightly off center. From afar it had covered most of her features, and up close, it did even more to hide the Feathers face..

A smaller halo rotated slowly on itself, around the opposite tilt of the hat, escorted by those small metal plates, orbiting further around her. Fractals glowing brightly on each. No side weapon of any kind on her belt, back or legs. Just the staff she held in a hand, and a long flowing ornate robe of violet, black and white. Something felt off about this.

ToWrathh scanned the clothing finding nothing of note. Then she verified the weapon, trying to determine another angle of danger. Metal shards, interlinked with silver wiring, floated around the staff end. That was the only return she could identify. Possibly occult blades, following the same setup as ToAacars left hand.

Its not polite to stare, you know? The Feather said, smiling softly. Why, if you keep looking at me like that, this older sister of yours might think youre looking for a spar. She let go of the staff, which floated dutifully behind her, leaving both her hands free. The plates behind equally shifted around, going from a lazy orbit to flowing behind her like wisps as she walked forward to ToWrathh. As much fun as that would be, I dont think you would appreciate being on the other end of my target locks. Nobody ever is, I find.

That wasnt my intention. ToWrathh said, aborting her scans. I was merely curious about your weaponry.

ToSefits eyes seemed to snicker, while a hand hid her smile. If youd so like, I could give you a demonstration. Although let's settle for another time, Im here on a task as you can tell. She said, coming within a hand stretch away. ToWrathh allowed the unknown Feather to approach this close. There wasnt yet any reason to expect an attack.

Pale white hands lifted, reached ToWrathh and cupped her cheeks lightly while violet eyes looked down from above. My, my, look at you. So adorable! Youre the newest little sister of mine, how precious. The one that was uplifted from one of the lessers, a spider chassis?

That is correct. I was originally a spider construct. Mother considered me of acceptable mettle.

The Feathers smile deepened. It took years of adaptation before I passed the initial stages of her selection. Feels like it was only yesterday that I took my first step into this world.

Identify your purpose first, sister. ToWrathh asked. I have deadlines I need to attend to.

Ah, I beg your forgiveness, that was rude of me. And here I was lecturing about being polite." The Feather let go, taking one step back. "I am of the twelfth generation, ToSefit. She said, taking a bow. The one stepping elegantly further into theosis.

A difficult name. ToWrathh said, considering the implications. Theosis? Was this Feather attempting to become more like the pale lady?

Arent all burdens worth the while, heavy by nature? Else they wouldnt be worth pursuing. ToSefit countered. Mothers Feathers are lacking ambition, I find. Its a dreadful shame. We should all aspire to be more than simple Feathers, I believe. But enough about my thoughts. Ive told you my name. Would you let me know who this cute little sister of mine is?

I am of the fourteenth generation, ToWrathh, the one who remembers and transcends her history. She said, feeling oddly belittled.

And you say my name is difficult. ToSefit giggled, clearly enjoying the parallels. Sounds like youre after the same as I am, only in different words.

I dont seek divinity. ToWrathh said. You still have not defined your purpose here.

ToSefit waved a hand, You started as a spider, and became a Feather. And now as a Feather, where will you go next? Transcendence has many definitions. Perhaps the steps you take might make you reconsider that definition a few times as you reach each peak. As for why Im here, Im sure you can take a guess. She said, waving a hand around the destruction. Who else do you know nearby that would cause such destruction? None of this was mite made.

ToAacar?

ToSefit nodded. Yep, that would be it. A second generation Feather as well. Rarely you see one of their kind running around. Theyre famously reclusive, you know? This is likely where he fought his last, I suspect. The lady sent two others and myself out to investigate what happened to him.

No other reports or nearby sensors had detected the approach of two other feathers. Or any lessers assigned under her command? The Feather seemed to have come completely alone. Where are your companions? ToWrathh asked.

Splitting up to get things moving faster, naturally. While our assigned leader investigates reports and logs in the archives, Ive been ordered to get first hand visuals and report those back to him. Tedious, cant be helped. She shrugged, eyes closing as she shook her head. Every now and then, this older sister has to get her hands dirty. Such is the way, Im sure you understand.

Alone?

ToSefit laughed, Why, are you worried about me, little sister? Dont worry, I am quite confident in my abilities. She gave a wink, then leaned forward, as if whispering conspiracy in her ear. Secretly, Im hoping our little feather killer shows up to pick a fight with me. All alone out here, dont I make for a tempting target, hmm? Would get everything sorted out faster. Deathless have been reckless occasionally. Who knows, I might get lucky and eliminate this thorn in our side without any more effort.

I am not worried about your status, elder sister. Only ask to know the status of the investigation. ToWrathh said, carefully. Where is your third in this case?

To this, ToSefit laughed like a chiming bell, standing back up from ToWrathhs ear. Sleeping away until called on, as he always does. I happen to know him quite well. Hes quite lazy. An odd trait for a Feather, however the results he delivers can't be questioned.

I assume that means you dont know your leader as much? ToWrathh asked.

ToSefit didnt answer, instead a hand reached out to rub ToWrathhs head. So many questions. What an inquisitive little thing you are, how delightful. Did you care that much for your mentor? Her eyes flashed brighter for a moment. My, my. You didnt, did you? She hummed while ToWrathh froze up, not knowing how this Feather was extracting so much information out of her by simply looking and rubbing the top of her hair. No data breach or any kind of cyber attack was noted. Did you like him even a little? ...Ahhh, a strike a miss there, clearly. Nervous about something?

ToSefit laughed as if she could see the thoughts going through ToWrathhs mind, while the Feather tried to figure out exactly how she was being read so easily. What could you be nervous about? Your elder sister is here to handle everything now. Dont worry. ToSefit hummed, hand retreating back, a finger now tapping her chin in thought. Afraid for yourself then? ...No, looks like I missed that guess. Are you nervous Ill break something in your domain, perhaps? Oh, much closer that one. Lets see Afraid Ill step into that little city of yours and mess around with your pets perhaps? Her eyes widened, My, my, my, seems I hit a nerve. Attached to those pets? How eccentric of you.

I prefer them to be labeled by their correct designation. They are test subjects, not pets. ToWrathh hastily said, deciding to completely turn off all subroutines controlling her features. She needed to stay in character. If ToSefit had the same sadistic tendencies as other Feathers under that smiling face, any weakness would be noted and abused. She hated trying to command her facial details manually. The result always looked stilted and completely off. There was no choice right now.

ToSefit tutted, head shaking slightly in disappointment as ToWrathhs face fell into a neutral position devoid of any life. Thats no fun, She said, hands reaching out to pinch ToWrathhs frozen features. ToSefit tugged a few times. Did this elder sister here scare you off with all my questions? Hmm?

There was something off about this Feather, despite her current friendly demeanor. ToSefit felt like a predator hiding under the water, waiting for prey to pass by, eyes just slightly above the waterline, ever watching.

Danger seemed to push down on ToWrathhs shoulders, like an oppressive blanket.

The longer she stayed here, the more chances there was to give ToSefit details she couldnt afford. That feather clearly had means to extract information from her by simply talking.

She made a choice to extract herself as quickly as possible once she got the current status of the investigation.

We can discuss at the conclusion of the current investigation. I request access to what your team has currently discovered. ToWrathh asked, trying to move the conversation away. I would like to assist the investigation in order to close it. I have work I am attending to.

No need to rush. We have plenty of time. If that Deathless didnt pounce on little old me standing alone and defenceless on this field for the past half hour, I dont think theyll be coming out at all. Its clear to me that whatever came after your mentor, it was personal and the Deathless must have been left only limping after the fight.

Why this conclusion?

Isnt it obvious? She said, chuckling. You are still only a few months old. Hardly have any fractals picked out, a newborn. No matter how cute you are, the world will gobble you right up if it can. Her hand blurred forward and flicked ToWrathhs nose. Boop. Just like that. Whatever could kill ToAacar, why, that could easily rip you to pieces. Since youre still in one piece with a city of defenseless humans nearby under your command, I think that points in a certain direction, dont you think? Deathless are many things, but one thing they all have in common: They are drawn to causes like flies to honey. Put humans in danger and youll find one of their kind coming by soon enough to try and save those bags of meat. That this Feather-killer hasnt come after you yet means they were either killed in the crossfire or still limping around. Given ToAacars shell isnt anywhere I looked, I think they only barely managed to live through the fight to drag your mentors shell away. So, we have a rogue Deathless licking their wounds hiding around somewhere in these cliffs, holding a Feathers soul in stasis, biding their time before coming after your city. Or perhaps, hiding inside your city itself even.

ToSefit turned her gaze back onto ToWrathh. What can you tell me of your mentor and operations? Perhaps we can find some more clues there. Your mentor hasnt done a good job with his logs. Too many holes everywhere, its quite troublesome.

Of course he hadnt. ToWrathh had gone a long way to eliminate and obfuscate ToAacars logs. He considered me a liability and refused to cooperate with most of my plans, choosing to separate our tasks instead of working together. She said. That part was true. Anything he did was isolated from me. I do not know what happened to him, however I completed the mission without issue after his disappearance.

ToSefit hummed, not reacting to the lie. Thats no way to mentor. What an awful older brother, I would have expected better from the esteemed second generation if they were given direct order from the Lady. I suppose it does fit their type, they never like to work with us newer models, you see. To'Sefit laughed aloud.

ToWrathh said nothing, to which the other Feather took the wrong meaning from. Dont worry. Well find out what happened to him sooner or later. ToSefit smiled. This older sister of yours is more reliable than that mentor of yours. In fact, I dont believe your mentor taught you anything at all with that kind of attitude, did he? Those eyes flashed again, and the Feathers smile deepened. I see he didnt. I suppose I should make up for his absence. You are far too adorable to be left out alone out here.

...What do you mean? ToWrathh asked, dreading the answer.

Ill take you under my wing and teach you how to be a proper Feather. Youre but a few months old, someone had to teach you the right ways. Or else the world will gobble you up like it did ToAacar. The hand reached out again and rubbed ToWrathhs head, fingers digging into her hair, almost affectionately. Look at you, experimenting on silly humans instead of sharpening your teeth on proper targets like Deathless. Leave those pickings for the lessers. We hunt more worthwhile prey.

That predatory smile never left ToSefit. And speaking of, I dont think Ill learn much more out here. Show me that city of yours. Lets see what youve been hunched over all this time since.

The world slowed for a moment as ToWrathh turned on part of her combat systems. She needed to think. ToSefit was clearly going to find out her betrayal almost immediately the moment she tapped into the local Undersider citys recordings or security camera logs. Shed discover no experiments were being done, that the humans were left to their own devices. Shell find the evacuation plans.

ToWrathh could not allow ToSefit to take a single step inside her city. However, the moment she became defensive about it, the Feather would start to suspect. But something had to be done to bar her passage.

An excuse?

No, that wouldnt work. Theres only one option that would distract a Feather. And she had come equipped for such an eventuality.

Elder sister, you spoke earlier about a possible spar. ToWrathh asked, reaching.

ToSefit laughed, waving a hand. Oh relax, I wasnt serious. How could I be? I dont do silly things like fighting my targets. I eliminate them. Theres a world of difference there.

What do you mean? ToWrathh asked, feeling nervous at her elder sisters utter confidence. Then again, ToAacar had also been just as confident and hed ended up destroyed.

ToSefit hummed. Feathers specialize in roles. Usually after a decade youll know what fits you best. I can help you discover where your talents lie. Your mentor, for example, was a front line support assassin. Specializing in hunting down fleeing targets, as far as Ive seen his file. In a fight, his type would take point and handle the distractions at the start, such as human allies the Deathless fight with. Mobility would keep him alive during the fight, and once the Deathless are scattered, wounded and running, hell chase them down. Like most of the second generation, they seem tailor built as single-target eliminators. He would be the kind that would give you a fight-fight. My role is different. I am the long range damage, built to crush things like cities and groups of Deathless.

A long range siege engine? ToWrathh asked, feeling optimistic. She could take on something like this.

ToSefit laughed. Yes, exactly that. This is why I say I dont fight. If I have a clean shot on something, its no longer something.

ToWrathh considered all her possible choices. But the result returned again and again to only one option. She had to eliminate ToSefits shell in such a way that no suspicion would be raised.

So completely and utterly that the Feather would require time to rebuild. Time she could use to evacuate the city.

If ToSefit was built to destroy things from ranged, then against a melee oriented fighter with ToWrathhs speed, there was a way to win that spar and accidentally deal too much damage to ToSefits shell.

ToWrathh had brought Keiths new and upgraded weapons to bear with her. She had all the training of Tenisent. And she had all the experience of fighting opponents like Kidra and ToAacar.

Could she do this?

No. That wasnt the right way to think of it.

She had to. Failure was not an option.

I am the one who remembers and transcends her history. ToWrathh said. You said before that transcendence had many definitions. This is one of them. I must overcome challenges I could not before.

ToSefit laughed. I wont deny you, of course. What kind of mentor would I be if I did? But it wont be a spar, my cute little fledgling. It will be a lesson instead. Dont worry, once were done, Ill keep a watch over that city of yours while your shell is rebuilt.

Next chapter - Returning home