The Maid and Her Princess - Chapter 54: Chapter 54

The lift wobbled as it descended. Madoka gulped. It appeared to be made out of stone and her boots gripped the material well enough. She touched the railing at the front, only for it to crumble and fall into the depths. Madoka sent her prayers to the kind gods that Audrey was safe below.
Below, huh?
As she descended, something glowing caught her eyes under the ice wall. They were the spirits. Why could she see them? The lift beneath her jumped as it came to a stop, startling her. Madoka gasped as panic flooded her. She could not be careless or distracted or else one tiny moment could spell her death.
Another lift rose next to hers, beckoning her. It seemed rickety but Madoka steeled herself and tapped on it with her foot. The lift's integrity kept up with her pressure so she stepped completely on it. Simple enough. However, the lift did not move. Across the massive gap a large rune glowed red. She heard the lift beside her start ascending and there was another coming from below her.
Audrey's head popped from the view as it revealed itself.
"Fancy seeing you here," Audrey giggled. "Come here often?"
She looked at the rune. Madoka stepped on the lift next to Audrey. Snow and ice was pushed by her feet to the corners so they could stand safely.
"Well if videogame logic applies here, red means bad," Audrey mused. The ring around her heart seemed to glow a lot sharper. "Too bad I dunno what that symbol means. Or how to make it change."
The lift began to descend again. Madoka's vision was adjusting to the dark, so Audrey's magic circle hurt her eyes.
"What's with the magic?" Madoka asked.
"You see that, right?" Audrey pointed at a darker object jutting out across from them. She focused her eyes and let loose a sharp breath. Two Wind Blades launched themselves at the object. Ice cracked and the spell's light rested upon the dark object. It was similar to the lever Audrey pulled above. The large red rune no longer glowed and faded out of existence. As it did, the lifts began their operation again.
Madoka could no longer see the platform from where they came from. The two have traversed without many difficulties but she knew they could not be complacent. They were nowhere near the top and only the kind god that inhabited this holy space knew how far below was.
"For a videogame jump puzzle," Audrey's breath fogged the air. Madoka's ears felt weird and Audrey explained how it was pressure in the atmosphere changing. Whatever that meant. "This is sure taking awhile, huh?"
"Well, slowly and safely is better," Madoka cautioned. The lifts were seemingly getting smaller. "T-This hardly makes due for a good and tidy work environment."
"Where'd that come from?" Audrey asked, furrowing her brow. "You're not thinking of work again, right?"
"You're wrong, Audrey Elise," Madoka said with a sigh. "I am always thinking of working."
"Even now, huh?" Audrey's tone greyed out into a sigh. "This place is... Ancient. Not my most profound thing, obviously so is a lot of things, but the root of all of this seems more than whatever fantasy novel BS our palaces and kings in Fiara come from."
She ducked between stone-split ice.
"Yeah, so?" Madoka said as the lift continued its winding descent. Audrey was contemplating it all.
She hadn't noticed it at first, but the lift was traveling diagonally down before moving straight again. Like a simple sword strike form or a pen drawing a letter, the lift traveled a predetermined pathway aided by the attached gears churning with the wind. The rusted frame of this lift's railing rattled as it rocked along, merely a twig in the river of gears and ice.
"In my world, there are not any kings and queens," Audrey mused. "Merely a different form of government, but still—"
The lift suddenly clunked and crashed into something beneath it. The shadow of Audrey's frame warped as she nearly careened off the edge.
"Audrey!" Madoka screamed. Audrey's hand caught the floorboard, making the lift shake and tilt from the sudden weight shift. Madoka caught the other.
"Madoka!" Audrey screamed as well. True fear twisted her face, as well as the sheen of frost now twisting her hand off the lift like a spectre. There was nothing but Madoka's arm and a rattling platform keeping Audrey from falling into hell itself. The chaotic clamor made it difficult to hold on but Madoka saw Audrey became focused on survival.
"Hang on," Madoka pleaded, struggling to pull her up. Audrey dangled. She tried to reach up with her free hand but her eyes were scanning the white sheets around her as well. "I'll get you up I swear!"
Audrey's core flared to life as she sent a Wind Blade at a spot in the wall. A horrible crunch and scraping pierced the air as the lift began to tear from the gears, throwing Madoka off her balance. Audrey screamed as she dangled. Madoka's grip and arm were fine, but the lift gave in.
"Swing me over there, quickly, quickly!"
Madoka had no choice but to take the risk. She used the momentum of the lift cracking apart to throw Audrey towards where her Wind Blade struck. Audrey screamed as she flew through the air and snow, with the sound of glass shattering. Madoka caught a glimpse of her in the many reflections of broken ice as she crashed through.
She was not granted relief, however. Her body fell as the lift gave in. Only the chaotic equilibrium in her stomach matched her heart's shaking desperation. I must grab onto something! Madoka thought as she flailed her arms out to catch anything.
"What a shitty work place!" She screamed in her descent. Though it was about half a second of falling, her stomach lurched like it was a horrible eternity. Her grip connected with the exposed gear. As she dangled between abyss, Madoka realized she would have to make the risky leap into the cave Audrey made.
As the lift threatened to give way with a groan of metal twisting, Madoka swung her legs back and forth before launching herself to the small indent. For a mere moment, Madoka's thoughts and body were free falling in the air. She hoped Audrey was down there. She also wished Audrey was strong enough to catch her.
That was a moment ago and by now Madoka realized she was not going to make a landing in the crevice. She flailed as she reached for the ledge. Before she could latch on Madoka realized she was too short. The abyss was waiting for her.
"Madoka!" Audrey caught the maid's hands. Madoka's body slammed against the ice wall, but pulled herself up quickly. She was saved once again. She would sigh but the two tumbled further into the small cavern they made. "Not this shit again...!"
Audrey's yell was amplified and swallowed in an echo as they bumped off of rocks and ice. Both were padded well by their clothes and Madoka was used to rolling rapidly downhill now. They will survive this fall, Madoka decided. She drew her knife as they tumbled and stabbed into the ice.
Her arm snapped into one place as she scooped the princess's slide into her free grip. The ice offered little resistance to her blade, but eventually grew thick enough to stop their fall into the abyss at the end of their tunnel. Madoka flopped down, landing on her feet as a certain panicking former princess dangled within her grip off the edge. The blade fell into the pit never to be seen again.
"I'm dead, I'm dead, I'm dead," Audrey's eyes were closed shut. "Am I dead?"
"No," Madoka said simply. She pulled Audrey up and sat her by her side. Madoka pushed the snow off her friend's face and pat her clothes down. Things were gentle between them for a minute before Madoka angrily put her hands on Audrey's shoulders. "But this is the worst idea you've ever had! You have my heart leaping out from the worry in my chest!"
"Aaaah I'm sorry," Audrey whined as Madoka shook her. "Sorry! Sorry!"
"Honestly, what will I do with you?" Madoka let go of her and sighed.
When she opened her eyes she noticed light pouring from the tunnel Audrey broke into. She did not realize that she squeezed her eyes shut. The distant clanking of metal echoed somewhere from below. Even harsher noises rang out through hidden hollows.
"That must mean we are close to the bottom of this hell hole," Audrey mused. The two instinctively followed down the tunnel. The spirits were gathering at the light trail's source. Audrey did not pay them any mind or perhaps there was a small chance she could not see the spirits floating in the light stream.
"Do you see the spirits?" Madoka asked, looking up at the strange, bulbous creatures. They bobbed as they swished through the air.
"Spirits?" Audrey asked. The tone of her voice suggested that she did not. "I see blue specks of mana, if that's what you mean."
"No, nevermind," Madoka said, watching several gather at the ceiling every few meters ahead of them. It was like they were guiding her. But where were they going? Were they servants of Ares?
A distant humming sound was heard scraping below them. It sounded like disjointed music to Madoka but Audrey winced from the jarring notes.
"Gah, that noise hurts my head," Audrey said. "Wait, something's up ahead."
Madoka saw where the spirits were guiding her.
"This is...!" Audrey went over to the source of the noise.
Three sets of pipes and tubes jutted out of the ice. Each had a strange crystal chunk mechanism hovering between each tube, pairing with tubes above them that went into the ceiling. Underneath the crystal, red and blue lightning shot out from the tube and connected to the crystals. Each time it did caused a painful noise. Madoka's nose picked up a dangerous smell. Perhaps the spirits were leading them to a trap?
"A doorway, huh?" Audrey was on the other side of the strange mechanism in front of a gate. She turned and inspected a crystal. Red lightning would strike each crystal one at a time.
"Get away from it," Madoka pulled Audrey away just as a red lightning bolt struck one. An evil black smoke floated around the crystal. It took awhile for the smoke to dissipate.
"Madoka?" Audrey asked wide eyed. "What do you see?"
Madoka had not noticed that her eyes could see both the spirits and gas. There was something wrong in this part of the mountain. The pair of girls watched the lightning strike the crystals but kept their distance.
"I see black smoke everytime the crystals are hit," Madoka told her. Audrey contemplated for a moment.
"Damn, this place truly is futuristic," Audrey mused as the lightning struck again. "How can you see electric gas? Nevermind, we're going to have to figure out how to activate each of these circuits."
"Circuits?"
"Yeah, right now, the system has lost power because the lightning from the pipes is not traveling through these noisy crystals. You can see things that I don't, Madoka. See if you can spot any peculiarities."
"Right," Madoka focused on the spirits instead of whatever Audrey's explanation was. No thoughts came from them. They quietly bobbed at certain places in this small opening. A few gathered next to her on what appeared to be a golden and glowing chain. "I see a yellow... chain?"
"Huh," Audrey looked at where Madoka was staring at but it was evident that she could not see the chains.
Madoka instinctively reached for the chain. Was it just an illusion? Did her mind play tricks on her because she was cold? The chain sparkled and Madoka felt the electric jolt her hand as she did.
"Ah," Madoka shook her hand. Strangely, the electric jolt did not hurt her. It just felt odd. Audrey clutched her head. "What's wrong?"
"It's this... noise, I think," Audrey stared at the crystals. Madoka saw that the blue lightning did not create gas but the red lightning did. Madoka screamed internally. She hated thinking! "It's a frequency thing. I'm a delicate and quiet maiden, you see. Noises like this bother me!"
"Huh? You? Quiet?" Madoka scoffed. Audrey feigned being hurt by her statement.
"Come on, man," Audrey sighed. "I feel like my ears are going to fall off. Let's figure out this puzzle and see if the door will open. Haven't these ancient people ever thought about a keypad? Damn noise!"
Madoka focused. She needed to figure out how this puzzle worked or Audrey's condition will worsen. The chains seemed to connect to somewhere so Madoka looked at another gathering of spirits. They seemed to be attracted to various parts of this "circuit," as Audrey called it. Madoka made a circular path with her arms as she reached for the chains once more. As she touched the chains she felt the stinging sensation again.
"Gah!" Madoka gasped and tossed the chain back. The energy left remained in a traceable streak in the cold air. Strangely enough, its light traveled in the same motion Madoka made when she stretched the chain out.
"Well, okay then," Audrey observed the golden energy of the chain pulsed in light. "Can you tell me what you did?"
Madoka told her she can see a golden chain and when she pulled it the light copied her motions.
"Hmm," Audrey said in deep thought. "These chains might link directly to the crystals. Try the only one that isn't releasing poisonous gas. You're gonna have to be a human jumper cable, I guess."
"But I can't reach it," Madoka said. Audrey did something reckless and touched the blue crystal. She reached for Madoka's hand. "Audrey?!"
"Grab the chain and bring it to my hand, quickly before it does something!"
In a linear motion, Madoka grabbed the chain and brought it over to Audrey and grabbed her hand. After the shock ended, the chain's energy moved in the same path she made with her motion. Audrey yelped and let go of the crystal.
"Yowch," Audrey squeaked, although she sounded more surprised than pained. Madoka could see the chain's energy course through Audrey's arms and connect to the crystal.
"That... worked?" Madoka gawked at the trail of lightning now changing the crystal's color. They began to hum harmonically.
"Well, you remember our impromptu and unwanted anatomy classes with all those dead soldiers, us humans are made out of mostly water which lightning.." Audrey became soothed and distracted by the noise. "Sounds beautiful. Like a song, huh."
The chimes of the crystals being struck by lightning became different colors as new bolts began to flow upwards into the tubes above. Blue light began to travel in hidden ice covered panels above their heads to the doorways. Madoka looked at her hand and thought of Audrey's for a moment. This puzzle was acceptable, she decided in her mind as the door opened with a clunk.
The two peered through the door and found a narrow hallway space. More of those circuits, as Audrey called them, snaked around the walls and floor. Madoka stepped over the lights furtively while Audrey simply stomped on each lighted panel. Nothing happened, but Madoka still gave her a look.
"This is looking crazier by the minute," Madoka muttered. The hallway opened up into a large room where there were more crystals floating. More noise began to whir into a chaotic cacophony. Maybe it was Madoka's superior senses or health but it did not seem to affect her. Audrey on the other hand, clutched her head again.
"Gah," she spat. "More of this?"
A voice called from above them somewhere higher in the abyss, but it was not the same voice that spoke at the gates.
「Unknown bio-lifeforms detected in energy conservation bay. Greetings. All systems are currently disconnected. Request repair on each Pnaunem Node in order to stabilize CO, N₂O and H2S containment breaches. Unknown lifeforms, I sincerely hope you know what your doing.」
"We don't!" Audrey complained. The voice remained silent.
"What are you?" Madoka asked the voice but it remained silent. So she instead turned to Audrey. "I'll try to find more of those chains to link with the crystals."
「Proceed to the terminal in the center of current level. It will guide you. Failure to complete this task will result in system expungement.」
She did not know what any of that meant, but she saw a peculiar structure with an odd screen made out of glass. It rested on a platform before them in the center of the room.
"Terminal? Chains?" Audrey said incredulously. "What is happening right now?"
Madoka stood before the strange terminal and suddenly runes filled the circular platform she stood on. It simply made her shiver. Audrey looked at the screen and then stepped on the platform for a closer look. Immediately, the runes faded and the screen did not react.
"Wow," Audrey mused as she stepped off. "So what are these... chains?"
"You can't see them?" Madoka asked. Chains were gathered in the corners of each room. Peculiar symbols rested above the chains and crystals. The lightning crystals flared to life, beginning their disruptive chorus. "So this is what seeing mana must feel like."
"Not this again!" Audrey held her hand. "Guide me, sensei. You can see what we need to do."
She waited for Madoka's instructions. Madoka felt odd. She has never been one to lead although she cast that feeling aside. Madoka guessed she should match the chains to the matching runes. She had folded many a royal blanket, matched hundreds of window blinding curtains, and prepared thousands of colorful clothing. She could match four simple runes together even if she would get zapped touching those golden chains. The electric was nothing compared to that bear's magic.
The screen revealed many spirits hovering near the chains. It was peculiar how only Madoka could see them. When she peered away from the screen both the spirits and chains disappeared. Madoka just had to remember she would get to hold Audrey's hands if she gets the chains right.
"Got it," Madoka said after scanning. She headed towards her first room in a corner towards the spot where the chains were. "They're unseeable, but I remember just the spot."
Madoka felt around the spot and her skin tingled when the magic strings came into contact with her fingers. She could not see the golden strands at first. To Madoka's surprise, the energy burst with light from the corner.
"Quickly!" Madoka told Audrey to get near a crystal. With a pulling motion, the golden strands manifested and linked up with Audrey as Madoka grabbed her hand.
"Ach!" Audrey said as the strands linked to her and fixed the crystal she grabbed.
"Two more to go," Madoka mused, still holding Audrey's hand. They carried through the area with Madoka locating hidden chains and linking with Audrey. The room was becoming mixed with beautiful chimes from the crystals. Haunting melodies and lightning, huh? Madoka thought. She cared not for music. Those were for Nobles.
"D-Don't you think you're enjoying zapping me a little bit too much?" Audrey asked. The golden chains were wrapped around both hers and Madoka's arms but apparently Audrey could not see them.
"Forgive me," Madoka apologized and squeezed her hand before letting it go. "This must be painful for you."
"Feels like the living tattoo I have," Audrey sighed as they approached the last group of crystals. The bulbous spirits floated away from it.
"Do you think they are made out of magic?" Audrey commented, jumping as the current of energy coursed through her. The final node completed the mountain melody.
Madoka shrugged.
"Maybe its an ancient form of magic! Maybe you can cast magic, Madoka!"
"I-I sincerely hope not," Madoka gasped. "If it's anything like this."
"What do you mean, you hope not? Magic is cool!" Audrey exclaimed. "I have been experimenting with different spells as you might have noticed and I'm totally cool!"
"Totally..." Madoka sighed.
"One day you'll be as cool as me, hmph!" Audrey shook her head and spoke in an exaggerated tone.
「Gas containment levels stabilized. All systems are preserved. Activating barrier mode. Unknown bio-signatures, the exit to the research station is located in the southern exit. Lift is fully operational. You have my gratitude. Give the Holy One my regards.」
A clunk was heard nearby, Madoka assumed it was a door. She hoped no more puzzles awaited them beyond it.
"Mission completed!" Audrey jumped for joy. "Let's go! If only we got loot or something for it. Tsk! Hey, narrator guy, give us some loot!"
The voice above them said nothing as they approached the doorway. Beyond the door was a massive structure with more gears. Glowing spirits were hovering over their heads but Audrey could not see them. Why can I see them? Madoka wondered. Perhaps they were spirits of animals.
Madoka tentatively stepped on the structure and ensured it was safe for Audrey. Green runes surrounded their feet as the gears began to turn. All of this has been foreign to Madoka and she hoped it would all be over soon. Suddenly the gears stopped and sent a force reverberating underneath the lift. Madoka's stomach swam as a humming noise started and she felt the machine lowering with them on top of it.
"I guess we're going down into the depths again," Audrey remarked. The lift was glowing a comfortable green color. "I guess green equals good, in a videogame sense. Ah, nevermind."
"How long have we been at this?" Madoka asked.
"Who knows?" Audrey said. "This has been a helluva adventure so far, right?"
Madoka grabbed Audrey's hand. She squeaked when she did and turned to her maid with a bashful look on her face.
"This place is stupid," Madoka scoffed.
"Awh nae wah!" Audrey whined. "Just relax! We only almost died several times getting here!"
Madoka felt the cold air blasting her. There was light below! The lift gradually lowered under the wall of ice until an opening revealed where they were. Strangely, the lift continued its steady descent despite not being connected to anything. A magical rune below seemed to guide it towards the ground.
Above them, Madoka could see the palace's bridge where their adventure here began. It looked tiny now as a testament of their long journey. The bridge itself was surrounded by thousands of those wondrous spirits like stars in the night. The distance reminded her of how far she has come. They have conquered everything so far and Madoka vowed to free herself from this abyss. Audrey tugged her hand and pointed beneath them with a gasp.
Something indescribable came into view.
"Look! T-The altar of Ares!" Audrey whispered. It was not the altar ruins that startled both of them. Madoka felt faint, for buried underneath it in the timeless glaciers was a shadow of an enormous maw. Several evil eyes were staring at them from beneath the ice. The spirits floated away out of view from its eldritch glory.