(V1) I Know What You Did Last Isekai - Chapter 7

“Council?” Kimberly asked. 

“Yes,” Viola said in English, sipping her tea.  “They govern Arcadia.  I am member.” 

“A member,” Kimberly said, frowning.  “They meet me want?” 

“Want to meet me,” Viola corrected.  “And yes.  

Correcting one another’s word choice had become part of the routine as they both learned.  Viola’s language was certainly easier to speak, but trickier to write.  At least spelling was a non-issue for Acadian, given it was a phonetic language.  That was a point that Kimberly teased Viola with across their study sessions.  Granted, almost every conversation turned into some minor lesson given how quickly they were picking things up.  It was a relief to know that even with the lack of a reference, they were managing.

“Why?” 

“The ritual,” Viola said, taking a moment to consider her words.  “They fear the implications.  Also, the city shield is weakened.  The ritual caused this.” 

“The rift-breach.” 

“Correct.  Collapsing the one did not solve the problem.”

Kimberly’s magical theory was barely in its infancy; just a few books made for kids that she had read over the last few days since waking up on that cold stone slab.  She had no idea what might have caused it, other than a theory that it might have something to do with the physics of pulling her soul from another plane of reality.

Magic theory often conflicted with her knowledge of physics, but that no doubt came down to her lack of information.  That would change with time and effort, though for now it just frustrated her.  Three years of college only for her entire world view to be turned on its head by literal magic. 

“Any danger?” Kimberly asked, then clarified.  “To meeting.” 

“Yes.  The Council thinks you are Lilim reborn.”

There was that name again; the woman from the mural at the Cathedral.  Kimberly was at the point with her grasp of the language that attending a children’s lesson or two at the Cathedral wouldn’t be remiss.  The simpler language would help with comprehension, but that was still a few days off.  The meeting with the council was happening in just a few short hours. 

“Who is Lilim?” Kimberly asked once more. 

Viola looked away, finishing her tea before standing.  “Time to go.” 

A heavy sigh escaped as Kimberly moved to follow.  Viola always dodged the question when asked; the same as attempting to discuss her powers.  There had to be a reason for it, but Kimberly couldn’t imagine what it might be.  Hopefully learning from the sermons would give her a better picture of the persona she was somehow linked to. 

A warm breeze swept through the street, ruffling her blue hair.  The color remained surreal, knowing that it was entirely natural.  She’d dyed it blue a week before her death, which probably wasn’t a coincidence.  

The calendar put the seasons as similar to Earth, but they ran off a lunar system rather than a solar.  Each day of the month carried a unique name, with the days of the sun and moon marking the mid and end point of the cycle.  Moon Day was the full moon, and Sun Day marked the new moon.  Simple enough on the surface, but remembering the names of thirty-two different days was going to be tedious.

“Lunch will be after the Council,” Viola said.

“Sounds good,” Kimberly said, breathing deep.  She was on edge, dreading what the meeting might bring.  Especially with how tight-lipped Viola was about the connection to Lilim.  “I’m not hungry anyway.”

“Nervous?” 

“Yes,” Kimberly said, gripping her arm.  “I am afraid.” 

“Ah.  That says much.”  They continued onward towards the hanging gardens, which she really needed to learn the name of.  As they approached, Kimberly took the easy option.  “The gardens, what name?”

Viola paused, looking up at the flowering vines that hung from the pillars.  “Renwatch Gardens.  Old Council member.”

Renwatch…  A family name or a given one?  Not that it mattered, but it was still an answer to the question.  Granted, it was a bit underwhelming to see something so magnificent reduced to the mundane.  The Hanging Gardens of Babylon had a certain gravitas to them, but had they also shared such a mundane name in the past?  Many small details were lost to history, so it was certainly possible.  

The flowers were innumerable, arranged in sweeping patterns that defied base planning.  If it was completely natural then Kim would eat her left shoe.  Many artists likely contributed to the crafting of the gardens, and with how it was a living structure, it had to be constantly maintained and iterated upon.  Either magic was even more bullshit than she realized, or they had done one hell of a grafting job. 

Truly, a marvel. 

“If you wish, we can visit after,” Viola said.  “For now, the Council wait.” 

“Right,” Kimberly said, not correcting the minor slip. 

She gave the gardens one last glance as she approached the domed structure where she would meet with the people that ruled the city and surrounding lands.  Viola didn’t slow as she passed the archway.  A prickling sensation washed over Kimberly’s skin and she froze in place.  The temperature and humidity sharply increased over the threshold.  It wasn’t hard to see why.  If the outside portion of the gardens was a hanging beauty, then this indoor atrium was a tropical paradise.  Fountains streamed from up high in waterfalls that cascaded over clear blue crystal.  They pooled at the bottom, a stream flowing into a gentle creek from the pond.  

Waterfowl swam happily while turtles sunned along the rocks.  Fruit trees grew freely alongside bushes full of berries.  She reached up and plucked a yellow fruit from one of the nearby trees more out of curiosity than hunger.  Taking a bite, the flavor exploded in a sweet and almost tangy flavor.  Kimberly took it back.  The Hanging Gardens were impressive, but this was a true paradise.  

Viola had stopped by one of the side archways that led deeper into the structure, watching back with a smirk on her lips.  Kimberly picked up her pace, holding the fruit in her teeth as she caught up with her friend and mentor.  The hall they entered wasn’t too different from the basement of the Cathedral.  No windows and multiple doors with only a number to identify what laid within. 

Door number twenty-four was their destination.  Inside was a simple waiting space, but Viola didn’t pause to take a seat.  She walked right up to the far wall and pressed her hand against a stone.  Magic flashed across the surface and a portion of the wall lowered into the ground.  The soft glow of crystal gently illuminated the stairwell leading down into the depths of the earth.  

Fingers flicked, producing a brighter sphere of light as Viola led the way.  The pervasive sense of impending doom grew with each step, as though Kimberly were walking to her execution.  It was a familiar sensation, one she knew from the day she died.  She’d felt it the moment the door clicked shut and Rory cornered her in that room.  Whatever waited for them was dangerous as hell.

The stairway opened up into a round antechamber with a skylight that reflected the open air of the atrium above.  It had to be a magical illusion given she couldn’t see a hint of the fountain or plant life.  At the center of the chamber stood a tree shaped impossibly into a round table with an immense map crafted from the very grain of the wood.  The surface of which reflected the light from the near mirror polish.  And around that table sat multiple individuals that had all turned to affix her with varied gazes. 

The first was the man that Viola had thrown aside, he glared at them with open hatred.  To his right was a woman with yellow hair that glowed in the light.  Her sneer made it clear that she was not going to be a friend.  At least the next man in line wore a smile, though his white hair and wrinkles suggested he might not be an ally for long.  The next two men regarded her more neutrally, as though unsure of what to make of her and willing to make their own judgments.  Then there was the final member of the assembly and the second that held some familiarity.  He was the man that had fetched Viola for the rift-breach. 

He wore armor; heavy and practical.  His black hair had streaks of gray along the edges and his face was covered in scars.  His body was bulky, the armor holding tight to muscles that left no doubt to his strength.  Of all the people present, he was the one that held the foreboding aura that she had sensed. 

This man was ready to kill her at the first convenience. 

“She’s here.” 

“Lilim’s Vessel.” 

“The Dark Goddess herself…” 

The murmurs continued to grow, most of which she only picked up bits and pieces of, but the tone of it wasn’t promising.  It was growing into a cacophony of exclamations and heated exchanges.  Worse, the glares being sent her way were growing ever more hate-filled.  Had they already decided her fate and this was just going to be an execution without a chance to defend herself?  Was that going to be her fate once again?

The armored man slammed a hand down on the table, splintering the wood.  “Enough!” 

Kimberly swallowed as the room fell silent.  Well, almost silent.  Viola sighed and continued into the room, stopping at the table.  Viola shook her head and smiled fondly at the gruff man.  With a wave of her hand, the damages knit themselves back together.  Not one person so much as twitched at the display which suggested it might just be commonplace for those two. 

Viola affected a warm smile and regarded the room before turning back to face Kimberly and throwing a less than subtle wink her way.  “Now, shall we begin?”