1. Chapter 1 #3
“Daedlys, my friend, Dreya pointed out that my sword belt is in need of mending, possibly replacement, before next week’s hunt. What do you recommend? And what’s this about talking about me?” He turned with a mildly amused smile toward Klarent.
Ashmedai’s voice was deep and penetrating, so much so that Levi could feel it rumble through his chest. Ashmedai was king and not often seen around town, yet he acted toward his people as if they were all the same station, allowing anyone who wished it to call him “Ash” and consider him friend.
From what Levi had been told, Ashmedai had always been that way, since the start of the curse, when the once Amethyst Kingdom’s prince brought calamity upon the people and Ashmedai became king in his stead to save them.
Levi watched Klarent try to inconspicuously hide the book he meant to give Ashmedai later, rising in the same motion to draw attention elsewhere.
Daedlys waved a hand to assist, finishing hiding the book beneath the desk.
Telekinesis wasn’t his main magic. If anyone asked, he’d say that flawless visualization to create clothing without using patterns, as well as other items, was his true gift.
“Why, we were saying how long it’s been since we last saw you and how much you’d enjoy learning of Brax’s newest invention. Show him, my love.”
Daedlys did so, touching the black crystal with intent this time and briefly shrouding them in darkness.
When the lights returned, he said, “Can you imagine how convenient it will be to turn out all one’s lights at once before going to bed?
Tell you what, my king, I’ll give you a deal on the first one, so long as I can keep it on display until Brax sends me more. ”
Ashmedai approached the crystal, eyeing it with the same subtle smile and a curious tilt of his head. He didn’t float like the others but carried such a commanding presence in his steps, Levi’s breath was lost again and again while looking at him.
The white-on-black eyes Levi was staring at suddenly turned toward him, likely having felt the weight of his gaze, and all at once, Levi could move again—because he had to.
“Th-thank you, Sir Daedlys,” Levi stuttered, half muffled by the fabric of his hood. His feet reacted before he’d consciously considered running, because the panic of being perceived by the king made him desperate to get out from under those eyes.
“Hang on, Stitches, have you met—”
“Another time!” Levi all but shrieked, ducking his head to scurry from the shop, and then just as quickly fled from the market.
Once up the market steps, it wasn’t far to Braxton’s tower, but Levi was still out of breath when he reached it. He hadn’t needed to keep such a fast pace after he’d turned toward the wood—almost no one visited Braxton other than the king, and he had only stopped by once since Levi was created.
Levi had stayed hidden in his room the entire time.
“Levi? Back so soon?”
The immediate call of Braxton’s voice as Levi fell against the front door made his shoulders hunch up to his ears. “Y-yes, Master.”
“That was hardly enough time to complete your errands.” Braxton’s head appeared at an almost ninety-degree angle, peeking at Levi from the workshop entrance across the main level.
Besides appearing older, like a human man closer to forty than twenty, Braxton looked very much like Levi since Levi had been made from copies of Braxton’s own parts.
Braxton’s hair was the same red color, though more meticulously styled, and the rest of his coloring was what Levi’s would have been if he were alive instead of animated through alchemy—pale peach skin and blue eyes.
“I completed the trade, I simply—”
“Rushed on back like a scared child,” Braxton huffed, head disappearing. His disappointed tone was enough to make Levi sag heavier against the door.
There was a faint purple glow coming from the workshop, pulsing every so often with brighter and brighter light.
Braxton’s specialty with alchemy was to always use the Source Crystal to power his creations.
That was why some of the smaller crystals near the Amethyst gemstone were also violet, as conduits to transfer its magic, in essence, combining magic with science.
As Braxton once explained to Levi, magic is innate, alchemy requires materials, and both have a cost.
The only time outside of Braxton’s work when violet became the primary color for crystals or decoration was during Festival Day.
No one in the Shadow Lands would have dared channel that power any other day, afraid the demon that caused them to become monsters and trapped them within the barrier of the wood would snatch them up if they tried.
They didn’t mind if Braxton took that risk, however, so long as they could reap the benefits.
The door to the workshop was rarely open while Braxton was working.
Levi was only allowed inside after the fact, and only to clean the space like he cleaned the rest of the tower.
That purple glow like the Source Crystal, like the image on Klarent’s book cover, and like Levi’s eyes, intrigued him, coaxing him from the comfort of the door.
“May I offer my assistance, Master?” Levi asked.
“Blasted thing,” Braxton muttered.
The pulses were growing faster .
Levi crept closer. Perhaps Braxton hadn’t heard him. He should call again and wait for instructions, but his feet continued their momentum.
Faster and faster the light became, such a rich violet color, like Levi imagined might be contained in a sunset, if he had ever seen one outside of paintings and books.
The frequency became so intense, it was almost too fast to discern the intervals, though not yet static light, making Levi’s eyes sting and his head feel dizzy to stare at it.
He reached for the doorframe.
Blackness.
Leaping backward, Levi managed to get several feet away before Braxton exited with a swift slam of the workshop door. It never ceased to amaze Levi how quickly Braxton could move in his wheeled chair.
From what Levi had learned of the original races that lived in the Amethyst Kingdom, Braxton was human and still looked like one now.
He had been in the wood, one of the farthest people from the Source Crystal, when the demon cursed the lands, and for that he had been both one of the most and least affected by it.
He looked as he once did, but he could not leave his chair.
Braxton chose to wear simple robes that reached to his ankles, with long sleeves and high collars, keeping him fully covered but making it easier to dress on his own. Bathing and dressing him were some of the few chores Braxton never asked of Levi.
“What were you doing?” Braxton asked with a stern wrinkle of his brow.
“N-nothing. I asked if you required assistance.” Levi straightened his stance, hands at his sides and head pointing forward.
“And what is the rule when I am working?”
“To leave you to it,” Levi said, keeping his shoulders back but feeling a dip in his stomach.
“Exactly.” Braxton wheeled closer, ceasing his approach a short pace in front of Levi .
The tower didn’t appear large overall, mostly just tall, but the workshop expanded farther than seemed possible to someone who had only ever seen the tower’s exterior, expanding beneath the large hill it was built against. The main room was completely open, with a small kitchen and space to sit.
The only part sectioned off was the washroom.
Stairs ascended to the second floor where supplies were stored, then farther up was Levi’s room at the top of the tower.
The building was stone and quite cold in both temperature and décor, though since there was always a fire in the hearth, Levi assumed he felt the cold more acutely because of what he was.
He was glad that, although it was winter, the Shadow Lands kept a constant temperature year-round. He didn’t like feeling cold. Although he did wonder what it might be like to experience snow. The stars and full moon were only ever covered for an occasional thunderstorm.
“Now, you delivered the dousing crystal and acquired everything on my list?”
“Y-yes, Master. I’ll unpack it all for you immediately.” Levi offered Braxton a small bow, but before he could step away, Braxton stopped him with a grasp of his wrist.
“Are you flush?”
Levi felt added heat fill his cheeks at the mere mention, enjoying the warmth, but not if it was visible. “I-I… is that possible when I am not truly alive?”
“You still eat and drink, and blood still flows in your veins.” Braxton tugged Levi down to his level, locking eyes with him and reaching up to feel Levi’s cheek.
That warmth might have been welcome too, if Levi didn’t worry Braxton would be angry to learn of his infatuation with the king. The two were close friends, after all, and what could a construct ever be to royalty?
“Did you run back? Are you still so frightened of being outside these walls? You’ll never get used to Amethyst if you don’t interact with its people.” Braxton’s touch and expression seemed less scrutinizing, almost sympathetic, as he stroked Levi’s cheek before releasing him.
Braxton was cold too, in disposition, but Levi believed he meant well.
“I’m managing, Master. Truly. Daedlys and Klarent are always kind to me.”
“Those two are kind to everyone,” Braxton said with a wry smile. “Not all people are as cordial, Levi, and you need to learn to handle others. Would you rather I kept you locked in the tower?”
“ No .” Levi’s eyes snapped wide.
“Then allow yourself to unwind instead of staying taut like a spring trap. No one will hurt you. Perhaps with words, but no one harms another in the Shadow Lands. I’ve told you.”
“I know.” But words, however temporary, still carried the weight of actions.
“Did you take your draught this morning?”
Levi couldn’t help the scrunch of his nose. “I… forgot.”
“Levi, the purpose of that draught is to help ease your mind and acclimate you to life here.”