ThatHumanMage
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135. The City of Songs
🕑 Added 2025-06-06 09:23:30 +0000 UTC[A/N:
It's Wednesday right? Haha.... yeah... my bad... My schedule is a struggle for my abilities right now, and this arc is haaaard. But it just comes down to me needing to lock in. I'll keep working on it.
Hope you enjoy!
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Wyn peeled back the scales of his sipa fruit before biting into the ripe green flesh. He hummed in satisfaction as the spicy-sweet taste filled his mouth. It reminded him of something like cinnamon, and was easily his favorite fruit amidst the massive Upadana forest, and he’d tried just about every type he could get his hands on.
Behind him, the cart rolled along the path, wood creaking as one of the wheels hit a stone. Kei let out a grunt as it did, but said nothing else. Corrin walked a step behind Wyn, his boots quiet against the soft ground. They’d been walking uphill for some time now, and even the oxen had fallen silent save for labored breathing, though they were sturdy beasts.
Idly, Wyn wondered when the tree would come into view, but between the rocky hills and wide-branched trees, a good portion of the eastern horizon was blocked. Ironically, the west was quite open, and a wide, lazy river flowed by just to their left. On the banks, a family of baro beasts were rolling in the mud left after the most recent rain, mooing happily as they did. With their rotund, fur-covered bodies, and shaggy hair that hung down over their eyes, it was quite a funny sight.
They’d passed several traders on the road using the huge beasts to transport goods, even a whole caravan of them once, loaded with spices and silks. From what Wyn had gathered, they were not just great beasts of burden, but also adept swimmers, able to traverse flooded rivers with ease. Unfortunately, his and Corrin’s attempts at riding them hadn’t been very successful.
As the path curved to the right, ascending a gentle hill, Wyn finally got his wish.
First, he saw the tips of its faraway branches peeking out over the tops of the rocks. They were so distant they almost appeared like green clouds. As he crested the hill though, more and more of the tree came into view. It was nothing like he’d imagined, except for one single thing.
The Spirit Tree was immense. He’d thought it would be—from the moment he’d heard there was a city built within and around it, he’d expected as much—but nothing could have prepared him for seeing it in person. It burst out of a hill, a tangled mess of huge grasping roots, which arched out over the river at its base and dug into stone. From there emerged a wide mass of wood, seemingly ingrained with the hill itself, to the point it was difficult to tell where the hill ended and the tree began. The twisting, sectioned nature of the trunk gave an impression like it wasn’t a single tree, but rather a cluster of individually massive saplings which had grown together into one.
The trunk was thick and mossy, stretching not straight, but rather up and out over the river, like it was beginning to bend under the weight of its thousands of years of growth. And yet Wyn couldn’t help but feel as though the branches were as immovable as mountains.
Amidst the branches and leaves, the tops of towers and buildings peeked out, gleaming white and gold in the early-afternoon sun. Though he could only make out details of the largest structures, innumerable more ran down the back of the trunk before dispersing down the hill at its base. The city ran all the way down to the river, where ships drifted lazily in and out of the canopy-covered docks.
The cart rolled to a stop beside him as Kei slowed to stare at the sight, and the silence stretched longer, for none of them could speak. For all he’d thought his heart would be pounding with excitement, Wyn found himself calm, relaxed even. The spirit song thrummed lazily in his mind, like he didn’t have a care in the world.
But the silence didn’t last forever.
“That is one big ass tree.”
“Thank you Corrin, very succinct.”
“Crusher! Bruiser! Onwards to the big ass tree!”
The cart jolted into motion once more, and Wyn found his companions suddenly ahead of him. For a moment, he let them go, watching their backs as the two of them joined the view. Then he smiled and ran after them, the tree towering in the distance.
***
As they got closer to the city, Wyn didn’t fail to notice the familiar song growing stronger in his mind. It reminded him somewhat of the spirit glades back home, with how the song was more prevalent. Rather than a faint whisper in his mind, it swelled into something more noticeable, and he could pick out a real melody in the air.
“Can you hear that?” he asked his companions, curious.
“Hear what?” Kei asked.
Corrin cocked his head though. “Is it the spirit song?”
“Yeah,” Wyn nodded. “It’s getting louder.”
“Well, I’m sad to say I still can’t hear it. But maybe that makes sense, this tree is supposed to be significant right?”
He hummed thoughtfully, watching as a riverboat drifted by, the men atop it hauling in a net bursting with fish. The water was a beautiful bluish green, and despite the presence of man, the animals lounging on the riverbed seemed content to enjoy it without fleeing.
Getting closer had revealed a large ravine cut by the river, which forked unnaturally, and cascaded down several waterfalls near the city’s southern edge. Even so far from the trunk, massive roots arched out of the cliff faces, as though they were holding up the cliffs themselves.
The path took them over the river, just by one of the waterfalls which dropped down into the ravine. Rather than a man-made bridge though, it seemed one of the roots which arched over the water had been carved smooth on the top, letting the cart roll over it with ease. Corrin poked his head over the side, looking down at the drop.
“Man this place is awesome,” he grinned. “Check it out, there’s a huge spinejaw down there. You can see it from here!”
“Seriously?” Wyn looked over the side too. Corrin was right. Basking in the water was one of the huge scaled creatures. The sail on its back was leaning to one side, catching the sun as it drifted lazily through the water. They’d wrangled one in the forest before, but it hadn’t been half the size of the one in the ravine.
“That’s so cool,” Wyn chuckled, admiring the massive creature.
“Yeah I’m sure you both love the giant murder creature,” Kei said from the wagon, and Wyn could almost hear her eyes rolling.
“Eh, I’ve seen worse,” Corrin laughed. “Besides, he’s just a lazy guy enjoying the sun! Look at him relaxing down there!”
They left the spinejaw alone and continued walking, finally reaching the outer limits of the city, where small farms and communal gardens gave way to a well-maintained limestone street that wound up the hill. Even at the limits of the city, the tree was present, with one of its arching roots having been repurposed into a natural archway entrance. Now the song was strong in Wyn’s mind
Their oxen drew a few looks from passersby on the road, but the streets were more than wide enough to accommodate them, clearly designed to be spacious. The architecture was both strange and beautiful, with elegantly shaped structures carved into and around the roots of the tree, conforming naturally to the curves of the terrain.
A stranger walking by tipped his hat to Wyn. “Back to the roots, eh brother?”
“Um,” Wyn nodded. “Yeah?”
The man gave him a confused look, but kept walking anyway. Corrin snickered as Wyn wondered what that had been about.
“Alright, first things first!” Kei clapped. “Let’s find an inn!”
“But it worked out so well last time when we didn’t,” Corrin said unhelpfully, earning a glare.
“Yes well, I don’t expect we’ll have such luck twice.”
“Oh come on, let’s explore a little first. Let’s find a livery for Crusher and Bruiser and then check out the city.”
“I suppose we’re more likely to find a livery further from the inner city,” Kei relented. “But I’m keeping my eye out for an inn!”
Unlike their troubles in Titan’s Pass, they actually found a place to store the cart, and a place to stay relatively quickly, satisfying everyone. Thus they soon found themselves heading towards the inner ring of the city, traveling through a vibrant bazaar.
“Ooh check that out!” Corrin pointed towards one of the stalls, where chunks of meat were being grilled over a fire. The sign said spinejaw kebabs. “I’ve got to try that!”
They walked over and Wyn pulled out their coin pouch.
“Three please.”
“Oh I don’t need one,” Kei waved her hand dismissively.
“If you don’t want it, we’ll just eat it,” Wyn said. “But you have to try it, that’s the rule!”
“Ah, showing your friends around the town?” The man said casually as he handed them each a skewer of meat and vegetables.
Wyn frowned. “No no, this is our first time visiting. I’ve never been either.”
The man’s eyes widened a bit. “Is that so? You sway so well I assumed you were a local. Well, enjoy your stay!”
Before Wyn could ask him what he meant, a new group of customers came up and started ordering.
The grilled spinejaw was tasty though.
They continued on, sampling food, peeking into shopfronts, listening to a street singer with a six-stringed zura, and twice more Wyn was greeted with a strange sense of familiarity. Oddly enough, he did feel comfortable in the city, but he couldn’t put his finger on why. Was it something related to his blessing?
What do you think, Eia? He asked.
The lavender spirit drifted overhead, dancing with ribbon-like spirits that waved in the air. He’d only seen them once or twice before, but he recognized them as song spirits—a particularly rare variety, though they seemed plentiful here.
This place is like the glades, she thought. It only makes sense you would feel at home here. This is a domain of great spiritual power.
So where exactly is the great spirit we’re looking for?
I’m… not sure, she admitted. Power is so diffused through the roots, its source is somewhat hard to track. Like searching for the hottest part of a flame.
I’d check the base of the tree, Wyn suggested. Or perhaps the highest point. Those are the two most logical locations I can think of. Or perhaps someone in town would know?
I’ll see what I can find out.
Thank you Eia.
Closer to the trunk, the architecture grew more elaborate. Elevated walkways stood atop pillars of beautifully sculpted stone, and despite the intrusion of man, the city seemed determined to allow for as much greenery as possible. Hanging gardens decorated the rooftops, and strips of flowers and bushes were planted along the streets. Vines hung down over stone walls, kept in check, but clearly allowed room to grow, and smaller trees sprung up on every street corner.
The city wasn’t cramped either, dotted with wide, open-air spaces where shows were being performed—song, dance, and theatre.
His and Corrin’s eyes caught on some sort of competition that was being held near a section of the trunk. A man dressed lightly and wearing a headband stood atop a box, speaking to a group of people.
“...scale the tree. The trunk has been left bare here. If you can climb to the green flag, you’ll earn a silver coin reward!”
There were ooh’s and ah’s from the crowd as the man held up a silver coin.
“Entry fee is one copper coin! Who will be brave enough to test their skills?”
A throng of people clambered forward to pay the fee and attempt the challenge, coins clinking into the man’s pouch.
Corrin turned his head halfway to Wyn. “I bet I could get up there faster than you.”
“No channeling?”
“Sure.”
“Then I’d kick your ass.”
“Only one way to find out.”
Two copper coins later, Corrin and Wyn were at the base of the tree, lined up with fourteen other men. They’d all been given headbands for some reason, and were set to start on the tree. With a shrill whistle, they began.
Wyn gripped the trunk with a gentle hand. His fingers quickly found natural grooves and knots as the tree welcomed him, guiding him upwards. Besides him, Corrin launched himself upwards from a low crouch, springing from one hold to another.
The other climbers were almost immediately left behind, some falling no more than a few feet up, as others struggled their way upwards.
He could feel it as he climbed, the life flowing through the tree, and he smoothly continued up the side, hardly stopping for even a moment. They were halfway up now, high enough to look out over the city streets below, but Wyn was still determined to win, and he didn’t look back even as the crowd below cheered them on.
Finally, he was within arms reach of the flag, attached to an outcropping of bark that jutted out from the rest of the tree. And with Corrin still a good ten feet below, it was over. He clutched the fabric in his hands just before his friend made the final leap.
“Damn it!” Corrin groaned, though he was still smiling.
They stayed there for a moment, letting the wind cool their sweat as they admired the view. The city spiraled out below, the colored awnings of the bazaar fluttering like leaves in the wind.
Wyn took a deep breath and—
…reach the Sanctum… solstice… the heart…
His fingers slipped, and he almost lost his grip, but managed to catch himself just in time. What was that? He’d almost thought he heard a voice, but it had been so faint, and he was hardly able to tell what it had said.
“Wyn, are you feeling alright?” Corrin asked hurriedly. His arm was halfway outstretched in reaction to the slip.
“I’m fine,” Wyn assured him. “Did you hear that?”
“Hear what?” Corrin looked around, confused.
Eia? Did you say something just now?
No, why? Did something leak through our bond?
Maybe?
He closed his eyes to focus for a moment, but heard nothing.
“I’m… not sure,” he muttered. “I must have imagined it.”
“Are you sure?”
Wyn shook his head clear. Though he couldn’t quite forget it entirely. “Yeah, I’m good. Let’s head back down. As the loser, you owe me dinner.”
“Oh come on!” Corrin complained, the atmosphere clearing. “We didn’t agree to that!”
They bantered as they made their way back down the tree, collecting their winnings from the flabbergasted organizer, and getting cheered on by the crowd, even some of the other competitors shook their hands and asked how long they’d been climbing. They eventually managed to extricate themselves, and got away as a new group gathered to take on the challenge.
“I’m just saying your arms are longer! It’s not a fair contest!” Corrin complained as they walked.
“And you’re lighter, so you have less to haul up,” Wyn countered.
“I don’t weigh that much less than you.”
“And my arms aren’t that much longer! Besides…” Wyn trailed off as he caught sight of something interesting, and he nudged Corrin with his elbow, gesturing ahead. “See that?”
Kei was talking to a young man, around their age, with dirt brown hair and an easy smile. He had a lute slung over his back, and he leaned on the wall next to her. Even from a distance, her face was beet red.
Corrin followed Wyn’s gesture, and his eyes lit with mirth. “Oh-ho. She’s flushed.”
“Should we save her?”
“Are you kidding me?” Corrin smirked.
They slinked forward like foxes in tall grass, weaving behind a cart and a cluster of barrels, just out of Kei’s line of sight. She was too focused on the bard, whose voice carried easily.
“...you must come to our show tonight! I would be lucky to have such a beautiful young woman in the audience! Yes I would compose a song just for you! Come to my show and make it one of love, rather than of heartbreak!”
Kei ducked her head lightly, muttering something unintelligible. Wyn took it as his cue.
“Kei!” he cried, throwing his voice with theatrical pain. “How could you?”
She startled, like a spooked deer as she spun to face them, her crimson cheeks darkening even further.
Corrin rushed up to her. “You swore yourself to me under the twilight oaks,” he said, the dramatic tremble in his voice failing to entirely suppress his grin. “Was that but a dream? A cruel jest?”
Wyn stepped around her other side, clutching at her shoulder. “You said I was the only one who understood your poetry! The only one who knew your true soul!”
“I never said that!” Kei exclaimed, eyes wide with horror.
The bard looked from one to the other, completely flummoxed, his mouth agape. “Wait, what—”
Kei threw her hands up, her voice an embarrassed shrill. “Oh for the love of—you idiots!”
But Wyn just fell to his knees. “She mocks us even now brother. Look how coldly she scorns our pain!”
Corrin gave the bard a pat on the shoulder, along with a sorrowful look. “Good luck friend. She’ll break your heart before the moon is full.”
The bard, to his credit, seemed to catch on quickly. He hid a grin and replaced it with a scandalized look.
“Oh my. Don’t tell me I’ve stumbled into some grand affair of the heart!”
“No!” Kei protested. “You haven’t”!
“Denial,” Wyn shook his head sagely. “The last refuge of the unfaithful.”
The bard gave a dramatic sigh, placing a hand over his chest. “Alas. I didn’t mean to tempt her away, truly. Her gaze merely fell on me, and I was helpless. A prisoner to her enchanting visage.”
Kei rounded on him. “Don’t encourage them!”
It didn’t slip past Wyn that she blushed even harder at the compliment though.
“Alright alright,” Corrin said, dropping the theatrics with a laugh. “We’re done Kei—for now.” He tapped his fingers together evilly.
Wyn straighted up and offered his hand to the bard. “Wyn. That was all nonsense by the way. We’re just awful friends.”
“Corrin,” Corrin waved, grinning. “The worst.”
The bard took Wyn’s hand easily, seemingly unbothered by the interruption. “Bruno Virellian. Traveling performer. If you two are awful friends then I’m not sure I’d want good ones!”
Kei buried her face in her hands. “Can we please move on? How are you all so friendly already?”
“Nothing bonds men like sharing a joke!” Bruno declared. “But I do apologize, perhaps I came on a bit too strong.”
“No no, you were fine. These two just startled me is all,” Kei insisted. “Really, I’m quite flattered you’d invite me to your show.”
Bruno’s hazel eyes sparkled good-naturedly. “Then would you be as flattered if I invited you to dinner as well?”
Kei’s mouth opened and closed, but no words came out.
“I think he broke her,” Corrin whispered. “He’s good.”
“Ah, well you needn’t decide right away,” Bruno waved a hand dismissively. “Regardless of your answer, I would still love for you to attend. In fact, all three of you would be more than welcome. I’m not much of a performer myself, but my sister is the best songstress you will ever hear—that I guarantee!”
“Best I’ll ever hear? That’s some big talk,” Corrin said. “I’m not against finding out if it’s true.”
Wyn nodded. “I was planning on watching a performance tonight anyways. Figured the search for you know what could start tomorrow.”
“A tightlipped search eh?” Bruno repeated with a sly grin. “Sounds exciting. I take it the three of you are new to the city?” He narrowed his eyes, looking at Wyn. “Though, it seems to me like you’re swaying, so perhaps not?”
Wyn frowned. “You’re not the first person to say that. This is all of our first day here though. What is ‘swaying’?”
The bard threw his arms up. “The song of Liresil! A blessing given to any who take shelter within the branches of the spirit tree. Its melody guides the actions of all who hear it!”
“That’s… vague.”
Bruno smiled, abashed, and cleared his throat. “Apologies, habit. That is to say, ‘swaying’ is to act in tune with the song of Liresil. Do you truly not hear it? I cannot feel it yet myself, but I thought I’d gotten better at discerning its presence in others.”
Wyn felt a shock like he’d been struck by lightning. A song that only some people could hear? Was it possible? He’d felt so at home in the city so easily—Eia had attributed it to its spiritual nature, and maybe that was true, but…
He looked out at the people passing in the streets, he thought back on the short conversations he’d had over the course of the day.
The spirit song thrummed in his mind. Someone took a step. A child shouted out across the street.
And all of it was somehow, subtly, impossibly, in time.
Comments
im Panda
Love the chappy!
im Panda
I work costumer service and I couldn't get a huge grin of my face from the bard interaction with Kei and the boys.
