Chapter 4: The Tower
Jeremy and the others sat outside the abandoned home of the ancient Powers. Now with the magstorm subsided the skies became clear once more. They awaited their ‘magic carpet’ with anticipation. And on the horizon the incoming ship arrived landing near them gently floating a few inches off the ground. The doors folded back welcoming them aboard. Jeremy witnessed Grey launch himself on the ship taking a seat. Bloodmancer followed up leaving Jeremy to be the last to board the ship. Jeremy passed Grey whose eyes met the ground blankly staring as if deep in thought over the detour matter. Bloodmancer bit into her skin drawing blood. She turned her blood into balls and began juggling them before giving Jeremy a nauseated look.
Jeremy sits down next to her. His thoughts turn over to Alice wondering if he will ever see her again. Maybe, he considers when his deal with Bloodmancer completes he could see her. But how are they going to defeat the bloomers. They seem to be a never-ending task almost natural to an extent. People seeking more life resorting to stealing all the light they can feast on. Flashes of bloomers scar Jeremy as vines pour out of eye sockets and grass sprouts atop their heads. Sap drools out from their mouths as they bite and tear through him as he shivers from the experience. A hand lay on his shoulder. Jeremy looked over to find a sleeping Bloodmancer making herself comfy on his shoulder. But this is her life. How many times has Bloodmancer confronted bloomers? What about Grey?
“Jeremy don’t get used to it” Grey smirked catching Jeremy off guard.
“How long have you been fighting bloomers” Jeremy asked.
“Hmm. Seems like forever but can’t really say- maybe a hundred no four hundred Earth cycles.” Jeremy could not figure out if cycles are years, months or days and Grey could sense the confusion. “It has been a long time since I saw a face like that. Forget what I said Coul will explain cycles and our history with the bloomers.”
Below them, the world stretched vast and untamed, the coastline of sprawling city coming into view—human resilience clinging to the edges of a restless sea. The makeshift city shimmered under light as it turned its gaze elsewhere like a sunsetting, a mixture of rusted industrial remains and new structures pieced together from whatever could be salvaged. As the ship descended toward a crowded landing zone, Jeremy caught sight of their ultimate destination—The Tower—rising defiantly beyond the open grasslands, a beaten dirt path leading from the city to its looming presence.
The ship began landing outside the city walls. Grey led by exiting first while Jeremy stood up and awoke Bloodmancer. The trio hopped to the night shrouded city. Lanterns hung outside the walls of debris and unsalvageable junk with a path lit leading to the gate house. Bloodmancer stretched her limbs as Jeremy took in the sights with Grey pulling them to the gate. He gave two knocks, and the doors opened, revealing an old prospector and swaying lantern in hand. “Master Grey, we were worried about the delay” the elder led the trio up a cobbled stone path up a hill. Jeremy could barely see his way when he stumbled abruptly and left Grey to catch him.
“Keep up, weak knees” Grey complained. Jeremy tried to keep up. The group kept a fast formulated line pace through sharp corners and narrow ways. A small group of hooded individuals crept past their line as they tranced up a steep paved road. “Keep yourself unknown danger will come from any mask persons” Grey spoke to Jeremy not even turning his full attention which slowed his stride. Bloodmancer pushed up against Jeremy reigniting his vigor as they trekked.
The darkness began to slowly seep over their heads. Thankfully the prospector’s light was bright enough to keep attention forward. He noticed houses were built atop each other. The buildings slightly curved inwards colliding with support providing new architectural surroundings. A strip of bulbs hung on railings attached to balconies fused into the collision. These were the only sources of illumination. Every now and then there would be breaks from houses to street corner cookouts or markets with tents. Almost no people were out with only a few cooking, eating or talking in a language he could not understand. Smoke spewed out from brick stoves with a scent Jeremy’s nose has never sniffed before. Kebabs of colorful fruit and nuts resting on cheery flames of the ovens. The wafting scent became sweeter as they lingered in the area. The prospector led them straight into a single-story hovel. He pushed past the front curtain revealing the humble habitat.
A kitchen equipped with a few basics’ procedures: oven, counters and cabinets, sink and a table with a spread. Beyond here a few matts sprawl on a earthly floor. Some chairs and other furniture complete the room. “Here we are, resting place for Powers” he let a hearty laugh before turning away to lean and whisper something to Grey. Then with a smile the prospector left. Grey walked back into the kitchen motioning Jeremy there. Beyond the dining room is a living room with three mats lying next to each other. The rest of the furniture are a few patchwork bean bags and unidentifiable instruments strewn across the concrete floor with a colorful rug atop it.
“You must be hungry? They left a feast for you in the oven” Grey held Jeremy’s shoulder giving it a squeeze. “Don’t bother asking. We do not hunger” and he joined Bloodmancer on the mats. Jeremy checked the contents and found a roast as well as a few kebabs. Whatever animal used in the roast has six limbs and no wings. Similar fruits were stabbed through wood. Jeremy picked it up with a grumbling stomach roar. He gave it a sniff test before utter disgust ruined his appetite. The fruit was stinky and not in a moldy or other fungal infection, but as a pungent stench. Placing the fruit back into the stove he then initiated the roast at the table. He began nibbling at first before devouring the meat. His stomach held back till now when the sudden voracious appetite kicked in. The flavors and juices melted and melded into a singular super tangy taste. He ribbed the flesh straight off the bone. Even the fatty tissue couldn’t escape his maw. Right then a tap came from the window across the table centered just above the counters. Three faces peered through the small hole. Scrawny and shallow eyes they pleaded with his gaze. Jeremy looked down to the dinner course he was consuming. Enough of it left to offer the desperate faces. Jeremy set to bring them the food when a hand forced him back, allowing the owner to face him on the ground. Next came a kick to the side keeping Jeremy down as the attacker, Grey, burst through the door shouting something before fire spewed chasing off the hungry faces.
“Why” screeched Jeremy. Grey dug into Jeremy lifting him up amazingly then shoved him up against the wall.
“Bloomers are not our only enemy. Know your place familiar” Grey spoke anger spread across his face, but fear stained his eyes. Jeremy submitted it to Grey. This is an alien world to him and to forget nothing of not being on Earth. Though, why share a meal with those who may need it more than himself. Is it wrong to care.
“Who are we to deny the needy food” Jeremy commented and in saying so Grey unleased a fist into the side of his jaw. He fell back soothing the impact before ramping up his own strike. Grey, however, is more formidable, kicking Jeremy’s stance tripping him up. Pain grew within his body as he struggled up to reach for anything to stabilize himself. Another fist launched right into his gut. A menacing glare from Grey disrupted Jeremy’s train of thought.
“Toss a bone to a dog” Grey’s words directed coldly. “He will beg and wenge for more, but in return you receive loyalty” Grey drew a deep breath. “When there is nothing left a kingdom crumbles. And deceitful woes begin to echo” Jeremy sternly watches as Grey installs himself on a throne in the kitchen. “We have grown beyond the needs of the many but are still anchored in location. Less involved in matters” Grey grows still. “A cult rooted itself and flourishes because of our absence. Their robes are a dead giveaway” he shrugged “I thought they would never, but THEY did.” Jeremy shrank back into the room with Bloodmancer.
When Jeremy appeared in the room Bloodmancer delivered him a blanket then passing him toward the kitchen. Jeremy wrapped himself in a cocoon attempting to drift off. The walloping he received put his mind into conflict. What’s worse he could externally hear Bloodmancer go off. “Do you think I enjoy cleaning up this mess” a stump of her foot rolled Jeremy over.
“Blood, quiet. The restless are here” Jeremy could hear them. The bloomers were rattling against the door. He could feel heat pouring into the room as light flickered brighter and shadows of the were-rat engulfed. He crawled up to find the fight not going so well. A crude grin spread across Jeremy’s face though it quickly dissipated into horror. The bloomers leeched onto Grey’s white fur as flames melted much of their rotten flesh. Bloodmancer stood with her brother creating bloody whips leaving severe lacerations on the bloomers. Two more bloomers jumped onto Grey, toppling him over. He roared in pain as the bloomers ripped into flesh. Jeremy silently watched entrance or trapped within a fabrication. What could he do? Not being a Power with awesome abilities. Time seemed to slow down when a serenading voice spoke.
“Watch him. Keep his gaze. He might die horribly and isn’t that wonderful” a quiet voice spoke from a sleepily shape nestled next to him. Was this Frost Cat? Jeremy did not recognize the voice. Doom and torment spread through his eyes as he watched the siblings fighting off the bloomers desperately. Jeremy jumped to his feet. No more. He grappled with one of the bloomers gripping it tightly then threw it off Grey. Sap quickly ran down his hands to the forearms. A cool and slimy experience before running up the rest of his body defying gravity. It began to solidify at the fingertips, but still pushing up to his neck. He attempted to wound his arm to shake off the sap, but to no avail. The more skin it covered and solidified the harder it got with the weight collapsing him to his knees. Jeremy observed the takeover of his body. The bloomer marched toward him, nearly standing over Jeremy. Sap spewing from its burns and open wounds. The moldy growth of eyes glaring down at Jeremy as it struck his shoulder. It did not flinch. It didn’t hold any force back as it tore into Jeremy. And if it wasn’t for the scarlet pincer claws snapping the bloomer in half, Jeremy may not have survived the attack.
Bloodmancer stood now over Jeremy peeling off the green-black sap. The entirety of her right arm was broken up into bloody branches of bone and flesh. The bone was restructured into a pincer. Her left arm was reduced in size leaving two thin fingers acting as tweezers picking off the fused sap. The dried crusty flakes crumbled off the skin as the contorted limb rescued Jeremy. The creaking and breaking readjustments for limbs into their prior form, Jeremy watched in petrifying horror as Bloodmancer’s body retracted.
“Now you know our struggle” Grey calmy said in his beast transformation. Jeremy could understand the fear these abominations really cause. They were monsters who hollowed out their victims by converting them into Bloomers. What could he do to them? Why is he here? These questions blunder inside bottling up an overwhelming feeling of worthlessness. He could not save his sister. He will never see her again. But this is not because of the bloomers. Marcus created her- a second Bloodmancer and she killed Alice. Reliving the moment, he lost everything that plunged him into an unforgiving bitterness. He should not rest on these detrimental thoughts. “Jeremy, we need to move quickly” Grey nudged him. Bloodmancer waited by the door arms crossed foot tapping when Grey walked out. Jeremy pushed forward out the door. Bloodmancer closed it behind. Dawn’s light wsa too far to approach as they marched onwards. But feet can be heard in the distance.
The pillar had barely begun its descent when the first one came—a twisted bloomer, screeching as it hurled itself from a shattered window above. Jeremy flinched as it hit the ground near him, its limbs wrong in every direction, its mouth still moving though no words came. More followed—dozens—pouring from the cracked facades and rusted rooftops of the ruined city.
“Run!” Bloodmancer barked, already surging forward, crimson strands forming spikes around her fists. Grey grabbed Jeremy by the collar and pulled. “I am tired. We need to keep moving” Grey massaged his forehead.
The team turned and fled, boots slapping against crumbling pavement. Behind them, the horde gave chase, their moans swelling into a haunting symphony. The air turned sick with rot and static. Jeremy didn’t dare look back.
Ahead, a narrow causeway loomed, straddling the river like a spine. A lone figure waved them onward—a man in patchwork armor, soot-covered and bristling with tools. The prospector. He stood at the control box beside the bridge.
“Hurry!” he shouted, already priming the gears.
One by one they crossed, Jeremy nearly slipped on the wet metal. As soon as the last foot hit the far side, the prospector slammed the lever down. Gears shrieked in protest as the bascule bridge creaked upward, splitting in the center and rising toward the sky. The horde reached the edge just in time to fall screaming into the waters below.
Silence returned. Jeremy collapsed onto his knees; breath jagged.
The prospector waved back to them the bridge coming up obscuring him as the horde of bloomers breached behind him. He was gone. No whimper. On a saddened lump he felt once for his sister. Grey already turned away. Bloodmancer stretching letting her blood cool down. When Jeremy turned his gaze he could finally see it. Beyond the bridge, it stood—an impossible silhouette stabbing the skyline. Cables the size of tree trunks coil along its outer surface like mechanical vines, channeling lightning upward into the obsidian point. It wasn’t just a building. It was a beacon. A wound in the sky. Jeremy’s gut twisted as arcs of electricity danced along the cables, flashing blue-white against the steel clouds.
They entered through a nondescript glass door that hissed open automatically. The interior jarred against expectation—fluorescent lights buzzed quietly overhead, and rows of desks lined with humming machines filled the lobby. Young people in robes and gowns typed away, pale and silent, as if the world outside had never existed.
No one greeted them. No one even looked up.
Bloodmancer led them through the maze of cubicles toward the central lift. “We’re expected,” she muttered.
The elevator rose in eerie quiet, its walls translucent, revealing the skeletal infrastructure of the tower around them—pipes, cables, reinforced plating. Higher still, the Tower narrowed. Lightning snapped along the length of the cables outside, pulsing with growing intensity.
When the doors opened, they stepped into a vast chamber, bathed in shadow and soft white light. At its center stood a man—tall, composed, draped in a dark cloak that shimmered faintly with moving constellations.
Grey exhaled. “Coul.”
Coul, eldest of the Powers. The one who sees time as pattern. As weapon.
Jeremy’s breath caught. But this was not Coul.
And then the man turned toward them. “Tel is my name” the man has darker skin and reveals Coul. “Without time there could not be space” he is just as young as Grey and with a finger traces a triangle unraveling space for Coul. A child. Their white hair just like siblings Bloodmancer and Grey, but they are much younger. He could not be older than fourteen.
“Without space, time could never begin” Coul continued. “Glad you made it here Jeremy. And I will speak to him alone” Bloodmancer did not budge. Grey hooked his arm around her taking her with him. Coul drew out a desk from the space Tel allowed him. Jeremy watches as the kid sits down. His pale face and red eyes only observe him now. Jeremy slowly approaches the desk, unknowing what is in store for himself. “I can see it. There that twinkle in your eyes. You want a power. Immortality. But can you come to terms with the price?” Coul sneered for Jeremy could only accept the terms. “And what would you do if we just set you home” this puzzled Jeremy is there a choice. “Before you make a choice you will need to be informed. Bloomers are out of control, but not overwhelming until you come into the picture. Your existence has put yet another twist our understanding of the Light Pillar. Somehow reincarnated as the one left behind. Whose sister sleeps off her crime for abandoning you. Destiny.”
Jeremy let Coul rest before answering “If I join you will I still be human?”
“No, you will ascend into being a Power” Coul his formed coldly as he stared awaiting.
If Jeremy could keep them at bay or banish them maybe, then he could see his sister again. “I will do it” he said confidently.
“Then you shall visit the Umbra of the woods. Bloomer of the first human cycle. We come from the 3rd or 4th cycle after the systems died. Not sure how much you knew, but we are not your humans. We came from an Earth, but not the Earth currently. A cycle always ends with the collapse and then the Light rekindles. A new cycle bore of a new Earth and others. Your humans will be the last immigration here. The light is dying, and I need you in gear.” Coul slouched in his chair before pulling away and entering the space. “Oh. I forgot this task to the Umbra- if sends the guardian to fight you be afraid. If the Umbra decides to fight you be very afraid” the kid disappeared into the space. Tel closed it and floated up to the ceiling before passing into an open space and disappearing too.