Chapter Twenty-Five: Floral Abyss

Peering into the depths didn't reveal much beyond the first few steps inside. I can faintly see the long circular shape of the foyer area, the floor, and some walls looking like white marble with darker detailing...maybe gold? But if there's an axe murderer wandering around, I sure as hell can't tell.

Poking my head inside didn't do much either, so taking a cautious step -then another, only confirmed that there were no lights on. My eyes take a second or twelve to slightly adjust to the dark. Didn't help much either. I only see shapes -which once again axe-murdery vibes- that didn't really point me in any direction. Well if this anything to go by...Bellasera would be up higher in the tower...

If only there is a convenient staircase and/or elevator (preferably elevator) that's going to drop down. Like now. Right now?

Silence.

Well shit-stick.

I let out a breath, so far the plan has gotten me inside but it looks like it might be bit of a dead end at this rate. Not to mention Oz's clock is ticking and I wouldn't be surprised if X has this hour time limit counting down to the very nanosecond in that pretty head of his.

Lady has become my nightlight in the dark but her blue glow did not illuminate objects unless she was right next to it. I wonder how well she can see...

Enough. Room big. Cold stone that's alive...

The stone is alive? I touch a wall and give myself a moment of quiet. I feel something pulse under my fingers like a faint heartbeat in the smooth cold stone. I haven't felt anything like it since...since I touched the Fence of Bellasera.

Lights suddenly flickers on from random points of the room. Rather than the ceiling, the light sources are these golden lamps with crystal and frost glass shades giving off a soft golden glow. Each of these light stands had a bouquet of red flowers tied to them. The flowers are still fresh as if they had only been placed there a minute ago. But I have a feeling that they're tied to the Tower. Speaking of... now that I can see, I see that the marbling in the walls, floor and ceiling are veins of gold. Light white curtains hang from the ceiling, accompanied by golden accents and more red flowers. Inspecting the flowers more closely, they appear to be a mix of roses, lilies, hibiscus, and peonies. A red carpet with gold edging took up much of the floor. I could see an obvious detail; the golden veins of the entire structure seem to lead towards the far end of the room from the front doors and formed a doorframe of intricate detailing.

I slowly walk over to it, knowing I have nothing else to go on... Hell, doorways made of stone aren't the weirdest thing I've experienced. It probably would have been easier to find if it had a giant neon sign that says 'this way'. Wouldn't that be nice. Oh and an elevator.

...I'm going to have to touch the doorway aren't I?

I must have let out a noise of frustration as X stares at me directly rather than his usual inner-world viewing. I reflexively give him a reassuring half-smile as an apology. Instead of reassuring him that I'm a-ok, he instead wraps his arms around my shoulder from behind, leaning his head into the crook of my neck. Is he pouting? I let out a breath, feeling that using my voice was wrong in this situation. Why is he upset...? Oh...I let go of his hand when I touched the wall before...I feel my face burn all the way to my ears. He's so...adorable...

Ah focus!

I begin to reach for this 'doorway' but feel X pull me just short of the wall, my fingertips stopping short. This is probably the first time in a while that I've seen him sulking. With my other hand, I give his arms a quick pat before gripping one of them as an anchor in return. I force myself forward. As I touch the wall, I'm drawn forwards into the familiar dark that seems to encompass the golden egg of a Tower's interior.

This darkness however had a drastic difference; it has a domineeringly heavy floral scent that barred down on the air like a thick smog. I still have X securely attached to my back and Lady's comforting glow beside me. Thankfully this Tower doesn't seem to want to trick me or corner me. In fact, it was almost...peaceful.

I feel around with my free hand, trying to find a wall to see if I can pull the same party trick of lighting a room (could be a useful trick later). The first thing I come in contact with is a...flower? No. Heaps of them. Is it shrub? I gently brush my fingers across them but only found more and more flowers but no stems or leaves. Just flowers.

Hmm...I close my eyes and try again. More flowers. I feel grass, dirt and stone under my feet, but the intoxicating floral scent is so overpowering its making me dizzy. Wait...I can hear...water? Flowing not far but...falling? My eyes snap open again, only seeing my trusty nightlight tiger as my light source. Looking to the ground, it confirmed the patching stone and dirt, but the grass was flower petals. Endless flower petals. These ones seem so much softer in hue compared to the vibrant red of the entryway.

Ok now what? I can't find a wall and all there is are flowers. ...Just endless flowers...

No, the water...

Lady? Can you sense the water?

Lady sends a calming mental equivalent of a nod. I see her moving forward and slightly to my left, just stopping at arm's length from my side. It was so close, but I couldn't even tell... My impatience and frustration were getting to me...and I think Bellasera can tell...They won't show me the way as long as I'm wound up. What is it that they want me to find?

I run a hand throw my hair, trying me best to take in a slow and deep breath while straightening myself. I look up towards what I think would be a ceiling and try again.

"Bellasera," I break the quiet with a name in the dark. Show me what you want me to see.

As if the light was shy, it slowly brightens just enough of an indirect light source amidst the endless flowers showing me a large partial room with a single but dilapidated corner. The marbling this time is a solid onyx but still with the golden veins. But it is chipped, cracked, and broken but it was still tranquil and held an almost ethereal beauty. The single water source that Lady was still next to, ran through the side of the room and out through the broken wall towards an endless drop. The source of the sound of water dropping.

What took centre stage though was the endless hydrangeas. They started red closest to me but towards the single light source and the waterdrop, they fade to a pale pink. The so-called ceiling was instead endless pink wisteria drooping down to just above our heads. A single track of dirt and stone cut through with the creek, leading to a golden arch on the other side that opens to more darkness.

I pull myself from X, making sure to hold onto his hand as we move forward, following this path that Bellasera has created. Towards more flowers and blind darkness, I'm guessing. Have to give it to them, they certainly knew how to give a flower viewing experience. Problem is that I feel extremely detached from time and not sure how much of it I have left...

As we cross the threshold of the golden archway that could easily let a semi-trailer through, I see a sheer drop in front, even confirmed with the tiny waterfall on the left and I don't see a bottom.

End of the line? I look around and this time, I'm certain that this next section was nothing. Literally a sheer cliff ending to the room.

Did I miss something?

Turning back, I go back into the pink flower room with ambient lightning. Going back inside I just see walls of flowers and more open darkness in between.

What's the main things again? Water...flowers...the light...?

What is the source of light?

As if sensing my thoughts, tiny lights light up in random places, including the ceiling wisteria. But the way they lit up, created a path to the original and strongest source of light which was near the broken black marble wall. Heading back that way, I realise, I never looked on the dark left side where the creak diverted from the light. Rounding the out of place wall, I see the familiar crystal throne that mirrored Bolin's. Lined by flowers, a sleeping figured laid slump in the chair. Kneeling in front of Bellasera, I see them for the first time. Long pale brown hair lined with tiny pink roses framed a tiny face of a girl wo couldn't be much older than me. She wore a simple blue dress as if ready to be out in the sun. But no matter the number of roses that covers her hair, There was no mistaking the cords and wires running from Bellasera's head. Her eyes are open and blankly staring at nothing. As if she were a simple doll left along in a room of flowers.

I reach for her hand, expecting the usual rush into her head but...nothing happened. My eyes widen in panic as I grip her hand, lacing my fingers through hers but I'm still here, still in this room.

The melody is too faint for dreams to follow. They voice in my head decides to show up.

This one is gone... Lady steps closer, sniffing at Bellasera's form.

I stare up into the girls blank one. She's basically been lobotomised...I try not to cry. But she lead me here... Can't we rescue her from this? Take her from the Tower and free her from this prison? This Tower holding like some sort of princess. I'm not Mario for fuck's sake.

She is still Bellasera, still the city. She still exists, otherwise there wouldn't be electricity or flowers or life inside...this...

The city has been stagnant too long...I look away...I'm too late...?

X puts a hand on my shoulder, "Not late, Kae."

Oh hello. I look back at the girl in shock. That tiny mental voice...

Hello? I respond back. Nice going. Ah so fucking bad at this.

You're the one from before...you stopped him. It's so quiet now, he was happy when he met you...her voice is soft...faded. Can I go to sleep too? No one is here anymore...I'm really tired...I don't really remember what I'm doing...oh the fence...I'm so sorry...sorry...I didn't mean to hurt you...you're so nice and bright..., I didn't think I'd see you again. So gentle and warm...Can I sleep too? I miss them so much. But I'm so sleepy. Just a nap... Please don't cry, don't be sad...

I let out a breath, fuck I'm so sick and tired of delivering death. But I look back at her blank gaze and gently touch the side of her face. "You can sleep Bellasera."

Oh...so nice ...

As if the last string was cut, her head lulls forward, her hair obscuring her face. All around us the flowers wilted into dust. I bite my lip, trying to hold back the tears...why does everyone keep asking for my permission to die? Fuck I hate this. I look around the dead Tower and pull Bellasera up and out of the chair. The cords detached easily as I pull her into my arms. She isn't going to be left in here.

"Let us out." I commanded out loud as I walk back towards the golden archway as the lights start to die out as well.

As I reach the edge of the sheer drop, I step into the nothingness and onto the stone pavement back outside in the cold morning sun as the base of the Tower. Looking back, I see that the doors are shut and hear the cracking of the structure as it's battery no longer supplied the power to maintain it's shape. The creaks and sound of cracking glass alluded to the fact that I probably just caused another Tower to collapse.

Looks like that fucker Seth was right about my destructive streak.