The Light On Your Face For The First Time

There was no explanation for what she'd just seen beyond, Nightchurch.

They heard sounds of a clash throughout the Glass District, but found no evidence of a fight. They knew they were being stalked by the footsteps scuffing through the streets, but saw no bodies. Then on the verge of entering the hotel, Redmaw fell from the sky, his body battered. They all thought he was a corpse—until he trembled to life in Lotusfoil's arms.

Guarded you from Nightchurch.

Then he was on his feet as if pain didn't exist, shoving past Ghostmass to be the first inside, to fight another enemy unseen.

Lotusfoil was lost for words. As Coldstern charged after Redmaw, Foxpoison lingered beside Lotusfoil, unconcerned about the hotel. "What the frick was that about?" said Foxpoison.

"I don't know." She came to his aid and was discarded in the same second. The moment he relaxed in recognition of her was seared into her brain, implying something—what? But she couldn't dwell on it, not until the other Knives had already filtered into the hotel, and Lotusfoil and Foxpoison were the last two left outside.

With a glance up at the roof, Lotusfoil expected to see Nightchurch glowering back, haloed in the sunlight. There was nothing. She scurried after Foxpoison through the door.

The opulence of the hotel lobby was offset by its emptiness. The room looked like it should be bustling with activity, with receptionists at the front desk, guests toting heavy bags and bellhops pushing carts of luggage. Instead, there was only stillness at the empty front desk, idle footsteps against marble floor filling the silence. Redmaw pointed his sword at the elevator, its metal doors closed, and slowly approached.

Nobody said anything. The question of why everyone was on edge formed on her tongue, only for the answer to manifest at the same time. There was something in the air—something off about this place. A sort of dryness that choked the lungs, an absence of smell, a feeling of something clawing at her brain.

The entire team of Knives drew their weapons, fanning out behind Redmaw as they silently awaited his next move. Lotusfoil gripped the haladie—a double-bladed dagger—she'd been assigned for the mission, but thus far had proven too clumsy with it to be effective. All the same, she was prepared to hack and slash at whatever leaped out at them.

With a press of the button, the elevator doors slid open.

Redmaw reeled back his sword, primed to strike. The doors revealed nobody.

There was nothing in the elevator except a smear of glittering mould against the wall and floor, like something had been sitting there, and since peeled itself free.

Redmaw lowered his sword. A quick scan of the lobby finally had him pushing the Knives back. "Nobody approach the elevator without my permission," he said, voice straining through agony despite holding himself high. "And stay alert. Our activity here has already attracted the attention of Nightchurch's rebels."

It wasn't a rebel Redmaw was ready to fight. They could all sense that.

Ghostmass shoved past everyone, gesturing at the mould in the elevator. "Is that the sample we're supposed to collect?"

"Yes," said Redmaw. "But I only want a few of you in its proximity. Coldstern, Reignhaunt, and Lotusfoil will accompany me into the elevator to investigate Room 515. The rest of you will stay down here and stand guard."

"Why not me?" demanded Ghostmass.

"Coldstern and Lotusfoil's Type abilities can be used to exterminate the invasive crystals. Reignhaunt and I can defend them if we encounter trouble," explained Redmaw. "I require your strength to defend the lobby, Ghostmass."