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Day 260
Ten days after the attack on Daybreak Town, Chirithy delivers a set of handwritten summons to Eden, informing him that his presence will be required at Unicornis Union, situated above the administrative building in the north of the town, signed by Ira, Foreteller of the Unicorn.
It’s an … odd … request. Of all the Unions, only Vulpes lets keybearers from other Unions regularly walk its halls. The only other Union Eden’s even seen the inside of is Ursus, and that’s just because he broke in.
But it’s still an order from a Foreteller, and Chirithy makes it clear that he can’t really refuse, so he heads out and catches a tram around the town’s wall until he’s near its northern edge, then makes his way to Unicornis.
The admin building it’s built over is a far cry from the chaotic training halls that Ursus is built atop of, or the quiet but busy library that Leopardos is built above: It’s neat and tidy, almost sterile, with a wide and well-lit but presently almost empty lobby, with plush couches set around tables and receptionists at one end.
When Chirithy tells them who he is and what he’s here for, he’s escorted up the stairs, out of the admin building and into Unicornis proper, then higher and higher, until he’s at the top floor, being ushered into Foreteller Ira’s office.
He isn’t the only one there. Ardyn, the red-haired boy from Ursus usually seen in Mateus’ company, is sat in one of the chairs, sipping from a cup of tea; a red-haired girl in a white dress, with flowers patterned in her hair, stands nervously near the window; a Vulpes keybearer that Eden vaguely remembers as being named Thancred is sat in another chair, waiting; and by the door, a pink-haired girl in a white jacket watches them all warily.
They don’t have to wait long before Foreteller Ira arrives.
“Thank you all for gathering on such short notice,” he says, his tone clipped and quick. He walks past them to settle behind his desk. “As I’m sure you’re all aware, Daybreak Town came under attack ten days ago.”
“We could hardly miss it,” Ardyn says. The pink-haired girl shoots him a glare.
“Quite,” Ira says, although he doesn’t sound particularly impressed by the remark. “Fortunately, we have identified the world this force of Heartless came from.”
He flicks a hand, and a holographic image of a world appears above his desk, expanding out to show a cross-section of its interior. It’s hollow, Eden realises with some surprise: There’s an entire world of its own stretching out through the interior of this particular planet.
“This world is designated ‘Olympus Coliseum,’” Ira says, steepling his fingers. “It’s rather unique. When the people of this world die, their hearts are taken to the Underworld, under the supervision of Hades, a so-called god. We usually avoid treading too deeply into the Underworld -- the darkness there puts considerable strain on any keybearer and diminishes our powers.”
“The Heartless came from this Underworld?” Thancred asks.
Ira nods. “It is a place rich in hearts and glutted with darkness, practically a breeding ground for Heartless, and we have reason to believe a Corridor of Darkness has opened up in its depths. So long as that Corridor is open, there is a risk we will be invaded again. Which is why all the Unions are working together on this.”
“Isn’t that against the rules?” Eden asks. “Unions aren’t meant to cooperate.”
“It is a … permissible re-interpretation,” Ira says stiffly. “This is not a permanent alliance between Unions -- only you five will be working together, and only until the job is done.”
“You want us to go down there for you and shut it,” Ardyn says. “Far be it from you to do it yourselves.”
“The last time we Foretellers left Daybreak Town, it was attacked in our absence,” Ira replies sharply. “I’m sure you’d agree that it’s better that we stay here and protect the town. Which is why we’ve formed this … taskforce … I suppose you’d call it. One keybearer selected from each Union.”
He rises to his feet, gesturing at the pink-haired girl. “From Unicornis, Clare Farron. She will be acting as your leader,” he says, before moving his hand to point at the red-haired girl. “From Anguis, Strelitzia Regidae. From Ursus, Ardyn Izunia. From Vulpes, Thancred Waters. From Leopardos, Eden Llyx.
“The five of you will find this Corridor and shut it. This mission takes priority over any others you may have,” Ira says. “The Chirithies are preparing a Corridor for you now. Don’t let us down.”
It’s an … odd … request. Of all the Unions, only Vulpes lets keybearers from other Unions regularly walk its halls. The only other Union Eden’s even seen the inside of is Ursus, and that’s just because he broke in.
But it’s still an order from a Foreteller, and Chirithy makes it clear that he can’t really refuse, so he heads out and catches a tram around the town’s wall until he’s near its northern edge, then makes his way to Unicornis.
The admin building it’s built over is a far cry from the chaotic training halls that Ursus is built atop of, or the quiet but busy library that Leopardos is built above: It’s neat and tidy, almost sterile, with a wide and well-lit but presently almost empty lobby, with plush couches set around tables and receptionists at one end.
When Chirithy tells them who he is and what he’s here for, he’s escorted up the stairs, out of the admin building and into Unicornis proper, then higher and higher, until he’s at the top floor, being ushered into Foreteller Ira’s office.
He isn’t the only one there. Ardyn, the red-haired boy from Ursus usually seen in Mateus’ company, is sat in one of the chairs, sipping from a cup of tea; a red-haired girl in a white dress, with flowers patterned in her hair, stands nervously near the window; a Vulpes keybearer that Eden vaguely remembers as being named Thancred is sat in another chair, waiting; and by the door, a pink-haired girl in a white jacket watches them all warily.
They don’t have to wait long before Foreteller Ira arrives.
“Thank you all for gathering on such short notice,” he says, his tone clipped and quick. He walks past them to settle behind his desk. “As I’m sure you’re all aware, Daybreak Town came under attack ten days ago.”
“We could hardly miss it,” Ardyn says. The pink-haired girl shoots him a glare.
“Quite,” Ira says, although he doesn’t sound particularly impressed by the remark. “Fortunately, we have identified the world this force of Heartless came from.”
He flicks a hand, and a holographic image of a world appears above his desk, expanding out to show a cross-section of its interior. It’s hollow, Eden realises with some surprise: There’s an entire world of its own stretching out through the interior of this particular planet.
“This world is designated ‘Olympus Coliseum,’” Ira says, steepling his fingers. “It’s rather unique. When the people of this world die, their hearts are taken to the Underworld, under the supervision of Hades, a so-called god. We usually avoid treading too deeply into the Underworld -- the darkness there puts considerable strain on any keybearer and diminishes our powers.”
“The Heartless came from this Underworld?” Thancred asks.
Ira nods. “It is a place rich in hearts and glutted with darkness, practically a breeding ground for Heartless, and we have reason to believe a Corridor of Darkness has opened up in its depths. So long as that Corridor is open, there is a risk we will be invaded again. Which is why all the Unions are working together on this.”
“Isn’t that against the rules?” Eden asks. “Unions aren’t meant to cooperate.”
“It is a … permissible re-interpretation,” Ira says stiffly. “This is not a permanent alliance between Unions -- only you five will be working together, and only until the job is done.”
“You want us to go down there for you and shut it,” Ardyn says. “Far be it from you to do it yourselves.”
“The last time we Foretellers left Daybreak Town, it was attacked in our absence,” Ira replies sharply. “I’m sure you’d agree that it’s better that we stay here and protect the town. Which is why we’ve formed this … taskforce … I suppose you’d call it. One keybearer selected from each Union.”
He rises to his feet, gesturing at the pink-haired girl. “From Unicornis, Clare Farron. She will be acting as your leader,” he says, before moving his hand to point at the red-haired girl. “From Anguis, Strelitzia Regidae. From Ursus, Ardyn Izunia. From Vulpes, Thancred Waters. From Leopardos, Eden Llyx.
“The five of you will find this Corridor and shut it. This mission takes priority over any others you may have,” Ira says. “The Chirithies are preparing a Corridor for you now. Don’t let us down.”