#Writing #BloodofSilenceSeries #DanceTillOurEnd #DTOE
Weeks went by relatively uneventful. What had now been dubbed the 'Final Days' spread throughout the east of the star, and seeped into the north. They showed no signs of reaching us any time soon, however.
"You would have me stay? In a time like this?!"
"It is precisely because it is a time like this that we need you here in Amaurot."
"But what of all those people out there? People I could save!"
"And what? You expect us to house the entire population of Etheirys here? We don't even know if it's going to spread this far."
"You know damn well it will!"
"We do not. If it does, however, we will need to focus all our efforts on our own preparations. We cannot afford to have you running willy-nilly around the countryside."
It was a tired, old conversation by now. The Convocation had forbid me from leaving the general region of Amaurot, both for my own safety, and that of its citizens.
The nonintervention policy irritated me without end, but on this occasion--as much as it pained me to admit it--they did have a point. We couldn't hope to house the entire population of the star; not without extensive preparations for which we had not the luxury of time.
If refugees came, we would welcome them. However, we could not afford to seek them out.
Even having accepted it, there was nothing I hated more than sitting still.
The city was abuzz with gossip about our supposed end, however what irked me the most was how few of them actually believed the tales.
If they did, it was merely referred to as the 'tragic incident in the east'. Few seemed to believe it would reach us in our perfect paradise.
In truth, I found it hard to believe it as well. The very concept of a world in which Amaurot fell was so alien that it was hard to conceive. But even with doubts, it was best to prepare for the worst.
"Ah, Azem! There you are," Hythlodaeus smiled. "I've had an influx of concepts intended to help combat the Final Days. As the only one who's seen it firsthand, I would appreciate your council. If you are amenable, that is."
"Of course," I smiled.
And so it went. The Final Days gradually grew closer, and we had made little progress in terms of combating them. After all, how do you combat the star itself rotting away?
"You've been having nightmares?" Fandaniel asked in surprise. "So have I, but I thought it was just..." he shook his head. "Never mind."
"It's like a voice calling out," I started. "Like a siren's song, desperately begging me to give in. Almost as if the star itself is crying out, or perhaps someone else..."
"A person? I know of no living being that could do something like this, and I have seen many."
"You're right, it's probably silly."
"Most likely..." he murmured, gaze drifting heavensward for the briefest of moments.
"Ah, but perhaps we could try to track the source. Or at the very least, predict the movements of the next attack. If the star or something on it is the source, then it stands to reason the aether may give it away."
"Perhaps, but have we not tried that already?"
"I believe a more thorough investigation is in order. Even the flow of the star has more layers than most realise, and I intend to investigate all of them."
I couldn't help but wonder why his eyes seemed so distant as he spoke.
When I asked if something was bothering him, he brushed it off. "Ah, 'tis nothing. Pray do not worry on my account."
A couple more weeks went by, and the Convocation devoted their efforts wholely to the creation of a device that could monitor celestial currants surrounding the star.
Little was known of these currants, and it took our every ounce of talent and knowledge combined, but as every other avenue had been exhausted, we were left with little choice.
It was entirely possible it would lead to nothing, but we tried anyway.
"Look at the eastern currants; so very faint. Do you think the device is still not right? Perhaps we are too far away, or the corruption is causing an interference."
Fandaniel furrowed his brow in thought. "I could not rightly say..."
"Could I have a look?" I asked.
He inclined his head in question, but did not object.
I circled the globe, inspecting curiously and placing a finger on a particular spot. "There, farthest from us in the east. That's where it began, and where the lines trailing the currants are almost entirely absent."
I trailed upwards. "And here in the northeast--the most recent site of corruption--you can see the currants are present, but faint. Makes sense, does it not? But then why did the corruption halt there?"
"Celestial currents are rather strange and unpredictable. If they are the cause, then it stands to reason the corruption would follow similar such patterns. Even so, I find myself doubtful they could cause it directly..."
"How so?"
"Well, celestial currents are not influenced by the star itself," he murmured. "To disrupt them, something would have to... Ah, but I am getting ahead of myself. We must focus on the matter at hand, and I believe you may be right, Azem."
"Wait, look at this," another of the researchers called. "Right above the central oceans, there's what looks to be the beginnings of a..."
Before they could finish, Hythlodaeus burst in frantically. "We've lost contact with Elpis, and the Words of Lahabrea has had no luck with Pandæmonium either. Azem, you--"
"I'm on it. Cover for me, will you?"
"Don't I always?"
"But aren't you forbidden to leave?" Fandaniel asked.
"First thing you should know about me, Fandaniel, is that consequences mean nothing in the face of danger."
"I gather the rumours are true, then..."
"Whatever rumours they are, probably. You'd be surprised," I chuckled.
"I can second that," Hyth joined in. "Now off with you! Before Emet-Selch realises you're missing."
After the initial appearance of the Final Days, they had seeped slowly into the north, but seemed relatively content to stay within the confines of the eastern half of the star. Weeks it had been since we'd heard news of new movements.
And yet...
When I arrived in the Propylion, there was naught to greet me but silence, eerie and still.
Buildings lay in ruins, and horrifying creatures patrolled in the place of those customary new and wondrous creations.
Trees withered, flowers died, and waters turned filthy with muck and grime.
I could feel the aether, wrong and twisted, emanating from Pandæmonium below.
If there was a soul still alive in this place, I could not tell.
To investigate on my own seemed unwise, yet my options for companions were growing ever slimmer. Few were they who would approve of my being here, and fewer still who were not already occupied.
Though, I supposed there were some I could still call upon...
Waving a hand in front of my face, I closed my eyes as my glyph manifested.
I focused intently, searching for the souls I was looking for.
...There.
My eyes shot open with a smirk as I raised my hand. My robes fluttered as the incantations around me glowed "Come, my friends! I have need of your help," I called across the great expanse.
Within moments they appeared by my side.
"Ah, Azem. You have need of me?" Elidibus asked.
"Must you Amaurotines always resort to such stomach-wrenching magicks?" Athens complained, seeming as if he'd keel over and throw up any second.
"Come now, brother. It's not our fault you're terminally old fashioned," Altheia shrugged.
I chuckled.
Athens looked around wearily. "What on Etheirys have you gotten yourself into this time?"
"Going off the reports, this must be..." Elidibus chimed in.
"The Final Days," I finished.
Altheia was a researcher for the Words of Lahabrea, and Athens had his own personal familiarity with Elpis and its animals. Thus had I brought them along, though they would be of little use in terms of defending ourselves.
"What is your assessment?" I asked.
"It's in turmoil," she frowned. "I can feel the specimens moving around. To even open the gates would cause untold chaos. I think it's safe to assume the wardens are no more."
"It will have to be destroyed from the outside then," Elidibus murmured. "We have little choice with our current circumstances."
"I'm sorry, Eli. You went to all that work, and now..."
"Ah, but to allow their dreams to live even a single day longer. That is a blessing, is it not? You said something similar yourself."
I sighed. "What's the point in dreaming if it's all going to be destroyed anyway?"
Altheia huffed a laugh. "You tell me."
"Come look at this," Athens called. "Elpis flowers, but they're..."
"Black," Altheia finished. "I've never heard of them turning that colour. Do you think their supply of aether's been cut off or something?"
"From what I've heard, they don't have much aether to begin with..." I murmured, learning down to pluck one. The moment I touched it, it disintegrated.
"Well, that's not ominous at all..."