The interior of the citadel was not as dark as Perlì expected, but it wasn't warm either. It was hollow and echoing, like a structure built more for purpose than welcome.
The main hall extended far beyond what its outer walls had hinted at. Thick columns of obsidian stone rose to a vaulted ceiling that was etched with symbols he didn't yet recognize. Soft, indirect lighting came from glowing crystal sconces spaced along the walls. Their glow was not warm, but sterile, blue-white like stars behind fog.
The lower floor was spacious and empty, except for the regular intervals of arched openings that led into deeper corridors and rooms. Some openings flickered with light, some breathed faint sounds of clinks of metal and murmured voices; clearly they were corridors that led to rooms like kitchens or some areas to train in.
Perlì followed Uslein's lead in silence, his steps loud on the polished stone floor. Rery followed behind, her footsteps softer than both of theirs.
Without looking back, Uslein said, "You're coming too, Silner?"
Rery looked surprised, although with years of training Uslein was much more careful and prepared than her despite his little battle experience.
"Yes, if I may, director."
"Of course you can" he said, his voice as calm and smooth as still water contrastinh the apocalyptic world.
The staircase loomed at the far end of the hall, splitting and leading both to the right and to the left of the upper floor. The railings were made of black metal while the steps of solid stone in different colors: white, black or gray. . The walls beside the stair were adorned with symbols of the Das Ausgeschaltet: a flower with petals composed of flames and a sword instead of a stigma.
As they ascended, Perlì glanced around. From the upper floor, he could see into some of the rooms along the perimeter. They were built like classrooms, or perhaps laboratories. Wooden desks, strange devices, shelves filled with boxes and new weapons. The kind of place where discoveries were developed to improve lives.
They reached a corridor that curved gently with the outer wall. At the very end was a black wood door, undecorated except for a brass handle shaped like a curled leaf. Uslein opened it without knocking.
The office was smaller than Perlì expected. It was almost too cozy to exist inside the Eclipse Fortress.
Three walls were lined with shelves crammed with books and scrolls, stacked in orderly chaos. Some volumes looked ancient, bound in cracked leather. Others gleamed with modernity, marked by clean edges and gilded titles. A thick wooden desk sat in the center, closer to the back window. On it were several open notebooks, a black inkwell, and a Lotus Flower-shaped paperweight made of crystal.
Behind the desk was a deep velvet armchair, clearly more comfortable than the two wooden ones in front of it.
"May you both sit." Uslein said, gesturing lightly.
Perlì and Rery took their seats without protest. Rery crossed one leg over the other. Perlì sat stiffly, knees close together, still not sure if this was an interrogation or a lecture.
Uslein eased into his chair behind the desk, folding his hands atop a parchment and staring directly at Perlì.
"So, let's begin! Tell me what can you do."
Uslein said folding his hands while keeping the same smile as before.
Perlì took a few seconds to rephrase his thoughts and give an answer.
"I… I can read minds. Not for long, I only received the Lotus Flower few hours ago."
Uslein's brows rose slightly. "Fascinating, especially in the early stages."
Perlì, to understand what kind of Bloombound Uslein had, asked . "What was your first ability at the first state?"
"The Seed of Awakening of my Salvia?" Uslein asked, leaning back while looking at the books on the shelves. "I could understand any written book, completely and instantly, just by looking at the first page. But of course with a limit of once per far."
"You definitely had high grades." Perlì says, a little jealous of how useful this skill was in school
Uslein chuckled "You bet i had."
Then he sat forward again, resting his elbows on the desk.
"Now if you could excuse me...Could you read my mind?"
Perlì blinked, It was unusual for someone to ask to have their mind read so easily.
"Are you sure?"
Uslein simply nods
Perlì hesitated, then leaned in slightly, locking eyes with Uslein.
In front of him, he sees words slowly forming out of nowhere that continue to develop and only Perlì was able to see.
|After that I have to wait for a few messages from Sieglinde to get an explanation for both you and me... Rery's hairs look cleaner, she finally took a shower- Wait is he still reading my mind-|
Perlì blinked speechless at what he found.
Then he began to clap loudly, cutting Perlì off before he could speak. "Well done Outlander. Your ability is real and more controlled than most at your stage."
Perlì allowed himself a small smile.
Uslein's tone became a little more serious, clearly indicating the importance of the speech he was about to make.
"Your Lotus Flower is still in its Seed of Awakening state. Surely you want to develop it further; to get at the Blossom Radiance you will have to pass tests in these dreams."
"What kind of tests?" Perlì asked in ignorance
Uslein puts his hands behind his head while leaning lazily on his seat and says
"I don't know, our Cornelia controls them, they're undefined. Unscheduled. They'll happen within the dream and you won't know you're in a test until you're already in the middle of it."
Perlì frowned. "So anything could happen at any second..."
"And beyond the Blossom Radiance?"
Uslein summons his Lotus Flower showing off it in front of Perli and Rery.
"To reach my state, which i highly doubt one of you two will, you'll need to go to Schönheit, in person."
Perlì stiffened. "But how do I get there?"
Uslein sighed. "That's the question. If we knew it we would have already run away.
Also,when you will wake you will most probably have the Lotus Flower with you; avoid showing it to anyone, I would suggest you do so unless you want the Kami to kill you."
*That's unfortunately true...If anyone finds out that I was chosen by the Usurper Queen, I'll be hunted like a fox.*
Silence settled for a moment, then Uslein stood.
"That's enough for today. Perlì, you're dismissed, wait oustide. Rery, you stay. I'd like a word."
Perlì rose hesitantly. He gave a small nod to Rery, then to Uslein. After leaving the room and closing the door Perli leans against the wall, thinking about the situation he will find himself in: a person with 2 Bloombounds, how strange.