Surprisingly, there was a distinct lack of screaming around us. With that said, screams existed. They filled the air below us in rising shrieks. It would have been terrifying, anxiety inducing, except Broken Tower and friends were more than used to the insanity of Teddy's parents.

Well, not entirely, and certainly not everyone. I did hear Khrem yelp as the platform shook. I puzzled through the stream of flames and shimmering water to view the aftermath. Interlocking plates of spectral mana shook while it bore the weight of the platform.

A barrier had activated around the building, meeting our free-fall with a surge of power.

Too bad for whoever ran the place; Teddy's parents were far from being deterred.

Nathan descended on a carpet of crystalizing water then raked across the barrier, creating lines of wild sparks. His pseudo-body stretched until Anastasia's sword clinked against the barrier itself. Her wings transformed from flames into radiant light. It blurred together, retracting over her shoulders and down into the metal of her blade.

"Brace yourselves!" Anastasia commanded. "Eodyne, dear, cover our ears!"

Winds scrambled over heads and a high-pitched whistling sang over the screams and shouts from below. Anastasia grinned and brought her arm back, setting the handle of her sword ablaze with golden light.

Her mouth hummed a tune and Nathan laughed. Seconds passed as the mana built around her blade in a lattice of energy. When it started to burn even my senses, Anastasia allowed a fierce grin to shine through the light.

It hung red as crimson.

She reached for her blindfold and with a teasing finger, she hooked it around her index and lowered the material.

The platform lurched and the belts of water around our bodies unraveled. They flowed together into a wave, flipping us around and depositing us onto the grass.

Firm but gentle hands lifted me by the shoulders and pushed me along.

"Kindly exit the landing area. Cyrus, Theodore, kindly see to it that nobody is injured. Remember, ten fingers and ten toes. In case of fluffy beasts and non elven or human individuals, don't forget the tails," Nathan instructed.

I chuckled and gave my tail a few flicks. "All accounted for!"

"Marvelous!" Anastasia cheered.

Nathan gathered us together and pushed us away from the gigantic sculpture. People parted around us in a hurry to get away. More than a couple nearly screamed in fright as Teddy's parents marched for the door.

I shot a quick look at what remained of the sculpture. Only the wrist stuck out of the grass while waves of icy frost misted out of the impression. The platform itself was gone, leaving only a gigantic fist half-buried in the ground.

When we neared the door, Anastasia raised her sword and jabbed forward with a graceful thrust.

Beams of multi-colored light shot out like lasers.

"WHO DARES ATTACK THE-AAAAAAH!"

Nathan kept us moving while his wife sent a continuous barrage through the door. The sleek wood held up longer than I expected. Even the glaring enchantments baked in unraveled and burned out under the onslaught

During the final push Anastasia lowered her sword and kicked the door. It rocketed deeper into the building while she strode in with us hot on her heels.

"And we've arrived! And we didn't even have to break out the backup plan!"

"You were beautiful, my dear. Ever radiant, and so fierce," Nathan cooed.

Anastasia spun and planted a kiss on her husband. The pile of guards near the doors groaned as they sat up. Holes penetrated their gear, each shot expertly placed to take out the central node for their enchantments.

"Remind me to get lessons from your mother at some point," I whispered to Teddy. "She's scarily accurate."

"Young man, to be brazen as to flirt with my wife while I stand in your presence!" Nathan scolded. He spoke in a serious cadence but his lips parted in a smile. "You are correct. She is scary! And that makes her more beautiful!"

Teddy tried to remain stoic but Isaac and Igas started teasing.

Sereza nudged closer, whispering into my ear. "They say tier threes are all eccentric but they're on another level."

"See, it's not just me being crazy. Everyone's a little mad in the head around here," I huffed.

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Isaac snorted. "No, they're definitely crazy. You're just reckless and insane. There's a difference."

The insides of the building were as grand as I expected. The walls looked like they were made of gold paaint while beautiful artwork decorated the space. On second thought, the walls were gold. I tapped the nearest one and heard a metallic ring echo back.

People milled around, most trying their damndest to avoid staring directly at the Lightcrests. A few backed away with pale faces and muttered under the breath too low for me to hear. All except one group in particular.

Unlike the rest of the partygoers, the people wore similar uniforms of sleek silver intertwined with golden stitching. Everything from their fingers to their hair shone metallic, with bright purple eyes burning through slitted masks. Where they walked, they commanded a presence.

My eyes narrowed and I looked at their feet and then at the air around them.

A skill? The shadows are stretching while the light bends towards them from above. Well concealed too. I can barely feel that mana changing.

"Was that really necessary? We have a door and a greeter more than happy to announce your presence," came a man's calm and monotone voice.

The man who emerged at the front of the procession stood apart from the rest. While the others wore similar masks made of silver, his was that of rosy gold. His eyes shone darker yet more vibrant through the illusions of the hawk-like beak. A band of gold thread intertwined like thorns around the sleeves of his suit and the light bent in a way that illuminated the shadows casted around him.

Anastasia shrugged and produced a metal card. "The words were specific. We are not welcomed through any doors of the Golden Stratum and other properties. We followed your rules. We made sure there were no doors to greet us."

The man's eye twitched but his face remained remarkably neutral.

"I see. To what do we owe the unfortunate pleasure of your ire this night?"

"Isn't it obvious?"

"Sadly not."

Anastasia flicked the card away and stepped within an inch of the man's chest. The edges of her dress swirled around her in angry scratches.

"It's nothing personal. After all, we're good friends aren't we? We go out on dangerous rifts and bring back our spoils to trade away in a fair market with wide access. Although, there was that one time when we found out that all of our goods were being undersold to one of your agents. But that's light under the waves! We're only here because the houses are holding such a grand event!"

"I see… That incident was taken care of you were fairly compensated for the mistake-"

"I already told you, that isn't an issue. We're simply here to enjoy the party and participate in the auction. Maybe meet a few friends and have a chat, but that's all!" Anastasia interrupted.

Nathan stepped in beside her and wrapped an arm over her shoulder. "I hope you maintained our booth. Getting those enchantments for the seats was such a bother."

Wow the guy is a tough nut. He hasn't even winced once.

Kelv stiffened after mana flowed through a spot next to his ear. He lowered into a light bow and the men around him dropped lower at the same time.

"Of course, sir Lightcrest. If you would like to inspect the seats for yourself, please follow me. If there is a problem, the director is will answer any questions you may have."

Anastasia curtsied and spun around, waving goodbye. "Enjoy yourself, dears! The auction starts in an hour so don't be late!"

Nathan clapped his hand over Teddy's shoulder and patted Arturous. "No starting fights. But if you do, make sure you broadcast it so we can enjoy the entertainment."

They left with the staff and slipped deeper into the building. In their absence the sea of onlookers erupted in furious whispers.

"You know, if anything I think I'm learning a valuable lesson," I said.

"I'm afraid to ask," Teddy groaned.

I chuckled and pointed at the crowd with my tail. "If you want to make an entrance, do it with style. Oh and being crazy when you're tier three has its benefits. I think I have a better idea the next time we crash a giant hand into the earth."

"Please no," Teddy sighed. "I love them, but they are terrible examples to follow."

"No, no, he's right," Isaac interrupted.

Eodyne scoffed. "How so?"

"Think about it. None of the other houses are even remotely willing to mess with his parents. If he can stop being stupid for a day, he might be right about their method of madness. Out crazy everyone else so hard that none of them are willing to mess with you. Except, you know, they use their brains when they do it."

I tried to kick Isaac away but his leg dematerialized. He stuck out his tongue and skipped out of reach before I could attempt again. Teddy clapped and released an expertly controlled burst of aura to draw our attention.

"You heard mother and father, we have an hour. Socialize, have fun, and relax. Remember, we are here to enjoy the party and see if there is anything useful in the auction. Despite what my parents said, try not get into fights." He smiled and grabbed a nearby drink from one of the roaming waiters. "Save that for later after we acquire the loot."

Broken Tower split in pairs. Celanae and Eodyne, Igas and Isaac, and Arturous accompanied Teddy.

That left Sereza, Khrem and I standing by the shattered splinters of the door.

"Well I'll be off. See you in an hour," Khrem said.

"What? You're ditching us?" Sereza protested.

"There are still a few alchemists and suppliers I've yet to meet in the city. They'll be here at the auction so I'll be spending my time making contact. Unless you wish for me to stay?"

I waved him off. "Be free. If you need any money, remember we're investing in you for the team."

Khrem nodded and started to walk away but Sereza stopped him.

"Actually, I'll join you. Now that I'm hanging around more topside for my stuff, I should meet more of the alchemists. Are you okay if we leave you alone?" Sereza said.

A new memory filtered through the depths of my memory vaults, reminded me of a similar situation. I let it play out and tossed it away, ignoring the slight irritation while ultimately accepting the emotion as it settled.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm on my best behavior tonight so no need to worry about me," I said.

They both stared with incredulous looks. I didn't even think a sharkman with technically no eyebrows could give me such sass.

"Riiiiight. Just try to not collapse the building on people or summon any monstrous horrors while we're gone," Sereza teased.

"That would be unfortunate. At least wait until after we've vacated the premises," Khrem said.

The pair left and II shook my head. I wasn't that bad. Well, I was, but even I could behave. It wasn't like I was actively going to go seek problems for fun.

Best behavior, Cyrus. Best behavi-oh come on. It's been less than a minute!

A large, bulky figure stood next to the table covered in snack trays. His red skin stood out amongst the rest, manic eyes boring a hole in my direction.

My shoulders slumped and I nearly screamed as a firm hand gripped my shoulder.

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