Chapter Text
Scene 742561
A platform of clearest quartz is held aloft by seven columns.
Each of the seven are wholly made of a different precious stone: one of blood ruby, another of golden citrine; evergreen jade; sky-blue turquoise; ocean sapphire and orchid amethyst. The most notable is made of sunset amber.
It lies shattered; split down the middle as an axe would cleave through a log.
The other six begin to hum and glow as they rise through the watery quartz, sending crystalline ripples rushing and blooming across the glassy surface. Doors manifest on each of the risen columns as six beings of pure light thus enter, floating towards the center of the stage where a table ascends to greet them; all featureless save for their adornments.
ALL
(Solemnly bow.) For Kurestal.
SEID, RUBY OF ALTUM
(They raise a hand braceleted by a square-shaped halo.) As Seip acted as administrator in the last meeting, the duty thus falls upon me. Seil shall …
(Seid gestures to their right as they trail off, causing all to look towards the broken pillar below the quartz platform. Amber debris hangs in dead suspension with nary a hint of its original structure and shine. The Ruby balls their hand into a fist before slowly gesturing towards Seir, the Citrine; the next counterpart.)
SEID, RUBY OF ALTUM
… My sincerest apologies. Habit and … whatnot. Seir shall act as administrator in the next meeting.
ALL
(Hands rise in agreement.) So it is.
SEID, RUBY OF ALTUM
(They nod.) With that said, we may continue with our most pressing matter. Have any of you found or learned anything?
(Seid gestures to Seim, the Jade.)
SEID, RUBY OF ALTUM
Seim. Does the Mangrove have any recollection of these things?
SEIM, JADE OF NOITON
(With a hand on their chest, a hexagonal earring softly chimes with the shake of their head.) We have not any insight into any of what we seek to know. We consulted the eldest of the souls within and even she does not seem to remember.
SEID, RUBY OF ALTUM
(They grimly sigh and nod. They turn to the Amethyst.) And what of you, Seip?
SEIP, AMETHYST OF HOA
(They adjust a triangular halo of a necklace.) We scoured our archives and found nothing as as well. Not a single record …
SEIN, TURQUOISE OF NIBEL
(They meekly raise their hand as a circular halo rotates above their head.) After some deep meditation, I couldn't recall anything, either.
SEIV, SAPPHIRE OF FRIOL
(They flick a pentagon-bangled tail.) Same here. Well, I … fell asleep, heh … but nothing came from my dreams either.
(Seid looks at Seir. The latter shakes their head, causing the former to clasp their hands behind their back.)
SEID, RUBY OF ALTUM
(Softly:) So … nothing? We've nothing?
(All shift uncomfortably under the weight of nothing.)
SEIV, SAPPHIRE OF FRIOL
(They cross their arms and briefly chuckle.) Well, isn't this a first. We've never been in the dark like this before … pun unintended.
(Seir mutters and also crosses their arms as a golden flash of agitation flares from the spinning rhombus halo at their back. The watery quartz beneath their hovering feet ripples and froths to match their unrest.)
SEIR, CITRINE OF NIWEN
(Spitefully:) Of all the times Seil had to go, it had to be now. And of all the Lights, it had to be them and their archives and libraries …
SEIM, JADE OF NOITON
(Consolingly:) Soothe, Seir, soothe. We are all concerned as you are.
SEIV, SAPPHIRE OF FRIOL
(They flick their bangled tail again.) Of what? Seil, their libraries, or one's own survival?
SEID, RUBY OF ALTUM
Seiv, please, there is a time for jests and a time for seriousness. Now is the time for the latter. Lives are at stake.
SEIR, CITRINE OF NIWEN
(They scoff.) Lives have already been lost, administrator.
(The amber pillar silently looms.)
SEIV, SAPPHIRE OF FRIOL
It's been … just about a month, no? (They shake their head and cross their arms.) That is about the average spirit’s constitution in such an absence. We didn't hear anything before it happened. Just … poof.
(Spirits can survive for up to a month without being in the presence of a Light. This is known.)
SEIP, AMETHYST OF HOA
(They, the smallest, embrace themself as their two tails coil around their legs in self-comfort.) A Light's sudden disappearance with an entire generation of spirits taken with them — again. Except this time, there was no hint of Decay or retaliation from the locals. On top of all that: unexplainable phenomena and difficulties with our powers … I mean, I had to struggle to connect to a Well. That's never happened before … !
SEIN, TURQUOISE OF NIBEL
You too, huh? What about you, Seir?
SEIR, CITRINE OF NIWEN
(They shrug as they recline into a hover-sitting position.) The miners are still collecting suitable stone for the new Well we requested. I'll get back to you on that.
SEIN, TURQUOISE OF NIBEL
(A hum in agreement.) By the way, how is our grandson? And his caretaker … Watada, was it?
SEIR, CITRINE OF NIWEN
They're well enough. Though, the little one is still a little …
(The Citrine quivers in mock-fear, causing the Turquoise to curtly nod and hum. They get the picture.)
SEIN, TURQUOISE OF NIBEL
It's just a season, I'm sure. The sprout will have plenty of time to grow out of it.
SEIR, CITRINE OF NIWEN
(Scoffing and looking away:) Hopefully.
(No response comes to that.)
SEID, RUBY OF ALTUM
(They, the largest, reach over to the left and take hold of the Amethyst’s shivering shoulder.) We'll find a way. We have always found a way, have we not?
SEIM, JADE OF NOITON
(They drift around the table and take hold of Seip’s other shoulder.) And if not us, our children and our citizens will. Take heart, Seip. You as well, Seir.
(Seip looks between the warmth of the Ruby, the peacemaking Jade, and manages a little nod. Seir simply nods in their reclined position.)
SEIV, SAPPHIRE OF FRIOL
So, until your volunteer groups reach Kainar and report back, we'll just have to continue as if all's right with the world, hm? As if we're not facing threats that, we nor anyone, know nothing of, which may or may not be related, and that all is hunky-dory. Great.
SEIP, AMETHYST OF HOA
There's always the other option, Seiv: spreading widespread panic.
(The Sapphire can only shrug as they flick their tail. The Ruby looks around the council once more.)
SEID, RUBY OF ALTUM
Does anyone have … something? Anything?
(The Turquoise, who has mostly been listening for the entire meeting … slowly raises their hand. The Ruby acknowledges them with a gesture.)
SEIN, TURQUOISE OF NIBEL
I am … most reluctant in mentioning this as I could only imagine it as a bit of a stretch. Furthermore …
(The Turquoise looks at the Citrine.)
SEIN, TURQUOISE OF NIBEL
(Hesitantly:) It … involves my grandchild.
(The proud Citrine straightens their posture at that. Needless to say, the meek yet courageous Turquoise has garnered the undivided attention of the council.)
SEIR, CITRINE OF NIWEN
(Impatiently:) Well? Leave us not in suspense.
SEIP, AMETHYST OF HOA
Indeed, what is it, Sein?
(Sein is clearly unsure … but they raise their hand once again. The halo above their head ceases its rotation as it is touched, followed by the projection of an image from a cone of blue light. A faded, fragmented yet large piece of paper is displayed as it hovers and spins above the table.)
SEIN, TURQUOISE OF NIBEL
Our historians and archeologists have recently discovered and unearthed ancient stone vessels. Old, old scroll fragments were found within them. What you all see now is one of the most complete scrolls we have managed to recover and piece back together.
SEIR, CITRINE OF NIWEN
(Recognition colors their tone as they begin to read.) This script …
SEIN, TURQUOISE OF NIBEL
(They nod.) This is Kayarukan, though the place once called Kayaruka is more known by the suitable modern name: “The Brinewood”.
SEIR, CITRINE OF NIWEN
(Flatly:) Which lies in Niwenian waters further and deeper than the Luma Pools.
SEIM, JADE OF NOITON
(Curiously:) You did mention this find so very long ago. I didn't know you were still sending researchers down there.
SEID, RUBY OF ALTUM
(Urgently:) I also assume you didn't simply bring this up for some sort of, albeit interesting, archeology lesson of a bygone era. How is this related?
SEIR, CITRINE OF NIWEN
(Hurriedly:) Indeed. I fail to —
(The Citrine stops themself after having finished reading and connecting the dots. They cross their arms as the rhombus halo at their back spins and glows.)
SEIR, CITRINE OF NIWEN
(Smugly:) Ahhh, so that's how it is. How the tables have turned, Sein. Now it's your turn to ask for someone to go —
(A flash of a ripple flares and blooms from beneath Sein’s feet as they glare at Seir. The table rocks with the sudden burst of force.)
SEIN, TURQUOISE OF NIBEL
(Firmly:) You've no right to mock me or anyone in this regard, Seir. I know what I ask. At least I'm sure — and have the forethought to make sure — that someone comes home.
(Silence descends upon the council. The Sapphire rubs the back of their neck. The necklace of the Amethyst is fiddled with. The Jade, who sits in the middle of the Citrine and the Turquoise, looks back and forth between the two as if unsure on who to approach first.)
SEIN, TURQUOISE OF NIBEL
(Calmly:) … Given he receives some training. I'm sure you can see to that, Seir?
(Seir does not respond. They return to a reclined position once more and glance away.)
SEID, RUBY OF ALTUM
(Firmly:) You will see to it, Seir. For his good. For the good of all.
SEIR, CITRINE OF NIWEN
(Distantly:) Mhm, yes, yes.
(The Sapphire clears their throat to prevent another bout of silence.)
SEIV, SAPPHIRE OF FRIOL
Uh … somebody care to enlighten us on what you plan to send someone down there for?
SEIM, JADE OF NOITON
Indeed. (They look at the Turquoise.) What is the purpose of this proposed mission, Sein?
(Sein momentarily glances at Seir before turning back to the rest of the council.)
SEIN, TURQUOISE OF NIBEL
Right, well … as we all are aware by now, we are faced with several situations that even we know nothing about, which is … unsettling, at best, to begin with. Therefore, if we have any hope to learn about this, I say that our best bet would be to consult the wisdom of those that once existed before. Perhaps they have experienced what we are experiencing now.
(The council exchanges glances.)
SEIN, TURQUOISE OF NIBEL
A shot into the dark. I know. Such records might not even exist. But it's better than nothing. Than doing nothing.
(Murmurs. A general air of agreement is present.)
SEID, RUBY OF ALTUM
(They nod.) Well. Now we know the ‘why.’ The next question is regarding the ‘who.’
(All look to the Turquoise once more. Even the Citrine.)
SEIN, TURQUOISE OF NIBEL
(They gesture to the middle of the table.) To answer that, I shall read this recovered manuscript as was translated by Chafa, our senior historian and linguist.
(All but Seir lean forward in rapt attention as the text on the holographic image shifts to a script they can understand. It is a letter.)
… thus is as follows: firstborns that come from the leaves of the … Spirit Trees are the only ones who may open the deepest chamber of the Library of … should such a time come for a firstborn to consult the knowledge within, it is a time of uncertainty and … and that all shall change.
May wisdom finally catch up to you,
Pazari the Philosopher
(The text ends there. The council takes a moment to absorb what has been spoken.)
SEIV, SAPPHIRE OF FRIOL
(Confusedly:) Wait a minute … what? What? Our firstborns … the Spirit Trees … ?
SEIP, AMETHYST OF HOA
What is the matter, Seiv?
SEIV, SAPPHIRE OF FRIOL
Look, I … I know I may be the most forgetful of us seven, but I'm certain that not even I would forget something as important as … as this. (They gesture towards the letter.) Why don't we remember anything like this?
SEIR, CITRINE OF NIWEN
A rather insightful question. I'm surprised, Seiv.
SEIP, AMETHYST OF HOA
(Rolling their eyes:) And they're back …
SEIN, TURQUOISE OF NIBEL
(Musingly:) But therein lies the rub, doesn't it? Why don't we remember, when it clearly involves ourselves and our children? It's as if …
(Sein trails off. The rest follow.)
(What follows after them is that silence; the kind that gnaws back after throwing a stone into a hole … and never hearing it land.)
(Where did the hole come from, anyway? Has it always been there? And if so ... )
(Why did they not notice it until a time like this?)
SEIN, TURQUOISE OF NIBEL
(They clear their throat and dismiss the holograph.) A-anyways, moving on … as I mentioned, this document was translated by, Chafa, one of our most qualified historians. I plan to send her down there as well.
(Sein pauses. Tilts their head.)
SEIN, TURQUOISE OF NIBEL
Actually, do you all believe it advisable to form a small team? If any of you have anyone you think is fit for the job, perhaps you could send them over. Safety lies in numbers.
(A moment is taken for the council to think.)
SEIM, JADE OF NOITON
(They nod.) …Yes. Yes, I can send someone over.
SEIP, AMETHYST OF HOA
(They place a hand on their chest and nod.) So can I.
SEIV, SAPPHIRE OF FRIOL
I would also say yes, but … I think one of my own is already with your historian. I think he'll be enough.
SEIN, TURQUOISE OF NIBEL
(They nod in thanks to all before turning to Seid.) Do you have anyone in mind, administrator?
SEID, RUBY OF ALTUM
(Their arms are crossed and their ears have drooped as the quartz below them ripples.) The one I had in mind disappeared. I hope he is alright …
(Seid dismissively waves their hand. “No.”)
SEID, RUBY OF ALTUM
Besides, Altum is too far away from Niwen. It will take too long. This team of six will suffice.
SEIR, CITRINE OF NIWEN
(Counting on their fingers:) Shouldn't it be … five, administrator?
SEID, RUBY OF ALTUM
Please don't tell me you weren't thinking of sending a certain someone down there without their caretaker.
SEIR, CITRINE OF NIWEN
… Ah.
SEID, RUBY OF ALTUM
(Rubbing their temples:) Goodness, Seir …
(It would appear they have discussed all they can; the Lights having found another light at the end of this dark tunnel. Hopefully.)
SEID, RUBY OF ALTUM
May we find the answers we seek, so we can continue as we've always have. Continue what we've always done. To maintain the peace. To maintain the light of days.
ALL
(Solemnly:) For Kurestal.
SEID, RUBY OF ALTUM
With this, I formally conclude —
(The hexagon adorning the Jade's ear urgently pulses. The others watch as Seim taps on it and listens intently.)
SEIM, JADE OF NOITON
(Their ears abruptly shoot up.) What? Are you certain? Are they really … ?
(The five other Lights look among themselves. Mutterings. Questions. Musings.)
SEIM, JADE OF NOITON
(Dazed:) I … I understand. I am coming back right away, my Tree.
(Seim lowers their hand. They look to the council in silence. Ripples. More ripples.)
SEIR, CITRINE OF NIWEN
(Impatiently:) Well, spit it out! What is it?
(Seim then looks towards the shattered amber pillar below the rippling platform of quartz. All follow their gaze.)
SEIV, SAPPHIRE OF FRIOL
(Realizing:) … wait, seriously? But how can that be? How could they have survived that long?
SEIM, JADE OF NOITON
I can only tell you for certain what the Mangrove told me.
(From the darkness comes an answer.)
SEIM, JADE OF NOITON
A spirit from Kainar has arrived at our doorstep ... along with a spirit from Altum.