“My kinsmen have often questioned my interest in the ‘grounded’ study of Dwarven culture. They wonder why I choose to spend time with the undergrounders and how their cities of smoke and metal are an affront to the natural order of life. What they fail to understand is that below our feet, is a civilisation that has existed almost as long as ours, certainly far longer than humanity. Not only that, but what they and we experienced in the past almost certainly intersect at many points. What secrets and records that have occurred with both sides experiencing them like ‘The Dark Tides’ simply begs to be discovered. ”
- Kallia A’thenorn, Eryinian Scholar, Arterian Academy of History, “Elvenkind and Dwarvenkind: Connections and Honor of the Old Guard”
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Their world cracked and shattered as unprocessed mana swarmed throughout their bodies. But just as the sensations began to normalize, the forge struck once more and she could feel the world shudder beneath their feet. She instinctively clutched onto Sophia as her counterpart did the same, the two ducking behind a pillar as blinding light continued to fill the room. Darkness then took hold as the shadows without seemed to start being absorbed by the forge. The whirring of machines and clockwork gears were now on overdrive as the forge moved itself. Another deafening thud happened as the forge hammered away at the blade’s remnants, the machine groaning and squeaking with the pained movements of untouched centuries.
The hum of electricity coursed throughout the machinery once more and Sophie couldn’t help but feel as if something was amiss. Her eyes darted all around her and she found no immediate danger, but she growled at what appeared to be the outline of an all too familiar figure. Arantos, why do I see him here? The figures etched within each electrical current seemed to be taunting her and she wondered how the Death God could possibly be connected. Her doubts were shelved however, when a final blow from the forge landed, the creaking of gears now screeching to a halt as the clanging and shattering of machinery seized the room. A huge thump echoed from the forge and the sounds of hammering ceased, replaced by an endless clattering of metallic objects hitting the stone floor. Centuries of suffering were brought out in an instant and the duo peaked out from behind to pillar to find the large contraption had collapsed, shattering into a thousand pieces as all its mechanisms seemed to break at once.
Amidst the dismantling machine, at the center, resting atop the anvil was a blade that hummed with a kaleidoscope of color. Waiting under the shattering subsided, the two then inched closer to find a small solidified shard of amber calmly resting beside the colorful blade. Sophia silently nudged Sophie forward and she acquiesced. She shielded her eyes and approached the blade, though it felt like it was surrounded by the heat of the forge, Sophie reached down anyways. Her hand stung as hot metal burned her cuts, searing her flesh with an intensity before she felt a strange lightness wrap around her. What the…
Well, you’re glowing. Sophia answered the unspoken question.
Sophie didn’t actually know what to think, only that her body was now held in stasis as a different reality seemed to prop itself in her mind. Here, she stood at the edge of a sea that stretched beyond the horizon, yet just as bafflingly, above her was the ceiling of the cavern, though that too seemed too grand to be normal. Even more bizarrely, she could feel a calm breeze gently dancing its way across her face, almost as if caressing her in a loving embrace.
Feeling suddenly watched, she spun around to discover what looked like a crystalline representation of a dwarf standing there. Curious but afraid, she waited. Then, the crystalline dwarf waved and began approaching her.
“Forgive my appearance, it is not often someone like myself commune with those who are not of the Stonefather’s creed.” It spoke from somewhere, its voice reverberating directly in her head even as she heard it with her ears. “In fairness, I personally have never interacted with outsiders. Though I assumed a display of gratitude is in order for one who released me from my bondage, however coincidental.”
Sophie winced a little at being found out so easily, now certain that this crystal dwarf knew everything that she had discussed with the forge. Almost as if it had either read her thoughts or simply understood the minute details of her expressions, she could hear a soft melodic crystalline chuckle emerge.
“My apologies. I had not considered that other races would be caught so unawares by my appearance. Most of the stonechildren, you see, would consider this visitation to be the ultimate blessing.”
Sophie nodded, unsure how to react or what exactly its goals were.
“Normally, I would bless them with my powers and leave a mark upon them. One that would show the world that they were rewarded by Those Who Protect the Few. Ah, that is, I am That Which Watches the Small, in your tongue. Our own names are… fairly incomprehensible in mortal tongue.” It giggled.
A little more relaxed, Sophie just grinned and beckoned for it to continue.
“So names aside, I must apologize for your... energies… are incompatible for the blessings and you seem to naturally absorb whatever I tried to provide. A most aberrant conundrum. But fear not, here.” The crystalline dwarf reached out with a jagged but oddly mesmerising amber arm, a small smooth and reflective ring etched with runes held within it. “It is not much, but in return my people will recognise the marks, stonefriend.”
Cautiously, Sophie reached out, looking up when she felt no magic emanating from it.
“As I said, you simply absorb the blessing somehow. So a gift of a trinket is all that can be done.” The crystals seemed to shimmer sadly for a moment and Sophie felt its attention turn towards the sea before returning to her, “It is… majestic is it not?” It gestured at the waters.
Sophie looked over and saw how the waves lapped against the rocky shore. Now that she was properly examining it, she could see the bioluminescent life forms swimming in little crowded schools. Mushrooms and other fungi also glowed from beneath the waters and unlike the murky river she fell from, there was a clarity to the sea that gave her mind a picture of calm.
“Yeah, it’s pretty nice.” She finally spoke.
The crystal shimmered in different shades and if a crystal could smile, she swore that it did. “Indeed. Truthfully, I have a favour to ask of you, strange maiden of the land. For though your suffering was great, I have been lost for long in the darkness. This is a wrong I must right, and I must be returned back there, across the ageless sea.”
Sophie stared at him in confusion before uttering what she felt to be her chief concern, “I uhh… I can swim, but not that much.”
The crystal seemed confused before it lit up with color, laughing. Or at least how one might imagine a crystal to laugh if albeit silently.
“No, no, not like that strange maiden of the land. What I mean is to take me with you, bring me to a city of the stonechildren so that I may find my brethren once more. In this, I will lend you what strength I can, though without my blessings I can only do so much.”
“Oh… oh! Yeah, that I can do. Umm, if you don’t mind, what exactly are you anyway? What did you mean by ‘those who protect the few’?” Sophie asked.
The crystal seemed to regard her curiously before speaking. “I, we, that is, my kin and I. We are Those Who Protect the Few.” It boomed, and in her mind a picture formed. In it she saw light cascade down upon the darkness of the caverns, driving back the creatures of shadow. From within, at the center of it all was the amber crytal that watched over its people.
“Oh.”
“Now you see.” It chuckled, “But I should not keep you here, for this is no place for mortals to reside within. For now, I shall continue inhabiting your blade, my prison once and now my vessel to freedom. And though our time grows short, know that I, That Which Watches the Small, thank you for your aid.”
At the dismissive tone, Sophie could feel herself returning to the physical world once more. She did, however, let out a small chuckle at how ridiculous the naming scheme of these supposed demigods were. That which watches the small, hells, I’d hate to know what kind of translation it actually meant in whatever demigods speak.
Demigods eh? Sophia quipped almost the moment Sophie returned.
Releasing her hold on the blade, Sophie found herself healed of her injuries, likely a result of the demigod’s tampering. She did still feel immensely sore, but that didn’t stop her from turning to her counterpart and embracing Sophia in a friendly hug. Sophia returned the gesture and the two felt a moment of levity that they’ve survived this horrible gauntlet of struggles.
“Well.” Sophie sighed.
“Well.” Sophia sighed back.
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“It’s over, I think.”
“I would hope so.”
The two looked around, now finding the silence they were left with somewhat eerie. Sophie picked up the blade that shifted between colors and frowned, it’d be hard to sneak around with this. She then grabbed the small shard of crystal, finding it glowing almost like an ember. Considering That Which Watches was in her blade, she safely assumed this was the fragment that remained of the dwarf within the forge. It was a most bizarre tale and one she doubted any would believe.
“Before we celebrate, Sophie.” Sophia interrupted her thoughts.
“Yeah?”
“Did you… maybe find a solution to our elevator problem?”
Sophie appeared calm before her expression descended into one of aghast bafflement. In all the fighting, conversing with spirits and demigods. She had almost completely forgotten about the elevator. Almost like something was listening, the central pillar croaked to life as rusted metals let out a high pitched screech that startled the two of them. Sophia recovered first, putting on a small mocking grin as she looked at Sophie.
“I guess you did after all.”
Sophie just stuck her tongue out at her counterpart, finding it almost comical how relieving it was to be able to act a little more playful given the circumstances. Gingerly moving forward, they found themselves staring up at a dizzying array of walkways and what looked to be the elevator platform somewhere further upwards. The two felt their spirits drop alongside their shoulders and looked at each other, letting out a collective groan of disappointment at what was to come. This time, Sophie found her morale recovering first and gave her counterpart a nudge.
“After everything we’ve been through and this is what scares you?” She chuckled.
Sophia let out an annoyed grunt and had the gall to assault her by squeezing her cheeks.
“Beeoh murr meck?” Sophie managed to utter.
“I forget that you can be such a little brat sometimes.” Sophia let out with a joking scowl.
“But we’re the same person!” Sophie protested.
Sophia rolled her eyes and just smiled, “Fine, I forget that we’re such brats. Happy?”
Sophie giggled and started walking, her counterpart quickly following after. Although there was a smile on her face, she knew that somewhere in the back of her mind, the darkness that had consumed both of them here would bring them trouble at some point. But that’s… a problem for another time. She looked back to find Sophia also contemplating those thoughts as she shared what had happened. But it seemed her counterpart was truly her, and Sophia also just shrugged.
A problem for another time. Sophia replied, prompting the two to share a chuckle as they marched upwards, onto whatever awaited them above.
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The two wobbled unsteadily as the elevator jolted to life, the creaking gears supporting what was essentially a cargo platform offering less than reassuring noises. Blobs of what used to be eyewalls simply slid off the sides, the creatures having disintegrated during the psychic backlash from the death of the forge. Gloopy sludge piles were all around the place on their journey upwards, and the two could at least walk away knowing their actions had some effect on the monster population. It did not, unfortunately, make their journey up any easier. By the time they reached the cargo platform and got the elevator started, exhaustion had already begun taking its toll.
They eyed the gears wearily, watching the giant machinery perform its functions as the notches grinded against each other and the platform ascended. When the siblings had spoken about the Chamber of Stalwart Justice’s elevators, she had wondered what they felt like based on the glowing testimonials. She suspected that it would be a smooth, and un-life threatening journey filled with conversation or quiet contemplation. A far cry from the jittery rusted death trap that she was currently stood upon. A machine that only invoked fear and preparedness as they continued to be ready to leap onto the maintenance walkways whenever the platform would shudder.
The higher they went however, the more they felt their minds being put at ease. The heavy fog that had been tied tightly around them now loosening as even the air felt gentler. Though they could relax a bit, the rusted screeches would send them back into survival mode as their instincts refused to completely let go, still worried that the platform would simply collapse.
Creatures that had long called the elevator shaft home now scurried around in confusion, centuries of inhabitants being suddenly awoken by the rusted metallic God that remained dormant until now. Bats, insects, ghouls, and the occasional eyewall all reacted with their own versions of surprise. It disappointed the two to find more of the shadow creatures roaming further up but given their far more sporadic appearance, they didn’t see the need to act. To Sophie’s own amusement, she spotted a pack of giant rodents scurrying up and down the walkways in a panic.
When the platform finally breathed its last, the two were both disappointed and relieved. With a solid few more walkways to march up, they were just happy to be off the potential death trap. A few strange dog sized slug-like creatures slithered out of their way, clearly surprised at the presence of a potentially humongous predator stalking through their fetid lair. Their gooey trails however, made for poor walking and even Sophia grimaced when stepping through them.
“Hells…” Sophie grumbled when they finally stepped out into the cave system at large.
“Let’s not do that again.” Sophia finished for her, angrily shaking off her boots.
The two shared a nod of agreement and proceeded forward, finding a small amount of comfort in the familiar but far less threatening din of the cavern at large. Critters crawled around the walls and the recognizable illumination of glowing crystals and fungus now no longer were dimmed by the dark miasma. Their moods rapidly improved the deeper into the cavern they walked, the feeling of life around them offering the reprieve they needed from the day’s events. It was only when Sophie caught a glimpse of her reflection did she pause, a crimson blush rushing to her face.
In her haste to simply escape, she had forgotten that her equipment was in tatters. She was dressed in naught but scraped up and punctured clothing, her boots and undergarments being the only things still properly intact if fully soaked through by river water and sweat. Her royal sword was also missing and for now, though she had the strangely colourful one, she suspected things might change once they arrived at a dwarven settlement. Turning over, she found Sophia looking at her with a measure of pity and arched an eyebrow at her counterpart.
“Figured I’d let you find out for yourself. You know, given that I materialised with everything on.” Sophia gestured at herself.
That made Sophie smile a little and she just nodded, now feeling fully exhausted as she simply plopped down in front of the crystal. Sophia joined her, noticeably more energetic if still fatigued by their battles. Looking around for threats and finding none, the two grunted at each other and closed their eyes. Sophie let out a tired yawn and together, they tried getting some much needed rest.
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Sophie’s senses had already been sharpened by her constant exposure to the unknown. When the acrid almost sulphurous scent simply brushed against her nostrils, she awakened with a gasp. Scanning her immediate surroundings, she found she wasn’t the only one who had noticed. Off in the distance down some winding hallways, she spotted a few of the giant rodents hurriedly skittering back into their burrows. She hurriedly shook Sophia awake, her counterpart grumpily opening her eyes only for her nose to also twitch in recognition. At once the two were both back on alert, ready for battle as the same pressure that was in the town lingered over them, the sign of the miasma. Unsure if they’d already been targeted and not sure which direction hostiles might be coming from, they simply stood their ground with the crystals at their rear.
Together, they waited. And waited. With tensed muscles and eyes constantly scanning the cavern around them, they waited.
After what Sophie internally counted to be roughly a half an hour, the sensation lifted, though the two still remained on high alert. Only after they were certain it was gone and the rodents returned to scavenging within the cave, did they breathe another sigh of relief.
“What the hells was that?” Sophie asked.
“I’ll be damned if I know. But that… that was definitely the same darkness from below, right? You felt it too and woke me up. That’s why, right?”
“Yeah… yeah, I did. But you feel it now too, don’t you? It’s gone again.”
“But you killed the forge. We also definitely saw the dead eyewalls. Unless you didn’t actually kill it?”
“No,” Sophie shook her head, “I’m pretty certain the forge is destroyed. You saw it shatter. Plus, the ember of creation is here, so is the demigod.” She tapped her blade, “So it shouldn’t be coming from below.”
“Which means it’s this level or higher up.”
“But the feeling’s gone. So it might be on the move.” Sophie chewed her lip, now increasingly considering the possibility that the darkness was on the move.
Sophia seemed to take this to heart and closed her eyes, channeling her own dark energies to sense the movements of the miasma. Sophie watched with a hint of concern as her counterpart seemed to radiate darkness for a moment, before the girl jolted backwards and dropped to a coughing fit. Sophie ran over to steady her and Sophia nodded appreciatively before wheezing until she could calm down.
“Hells below! Are you alright?” Sophie asked.
“Figured I could try what you did. Tap into the mana except with darkness instead of void. Fuck…” Sophia groaned, “Don’t let me do that again.”
“I… I don’t even know how I do it!” Sophie squeaked.
“Yeah, you just kinda feel it. I’m you, remember? Figured it might work. Worth a shot at least.”
“Goddess above, at least you seem mostly fine.”
Sophia grunted before flashing a pained grin, “Did work though.”
“Huh?”
“It worked.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s on the move. For a second I felt it, like a tide ebbing and flowing, a big move. The darkness… I think it's gearing up for something big.”
Sophie frowned, running through possibilities before she landed on one that sounded plausible. “Do you think that because of the forge…”
“They felt the pulse and decided to move? Like how the eyewalls were almost avoiding the lower levels?”
“Yeah.”
“For sure. Except this time I think they’re planning to attack something. It was chaotic, aggressive, but more active than when it was down by the forge town. Almost like you might've spooked it with your stunt of destroying the forge. We felt the immediate effects... but...”
“But we also felt those pulses far outside of the town. Damn. This time it feels like an attack?” Sophie grumbled, “Are you sure?”
“Most likely. It's still got that sense of something pushing it forward. You know, like the pulses. But it's far, far more reactive and chaotic. Might just be we sped the darkness up too.” Sophia announced.
"That would be an awful thought. That we were the ones who spread the dark further." Sophie stared at her counterpart, “So why do you look... almost happy?”
Sophia smirked and smiled at her, “If they’re attacking somewhere... and given where we are, tis likely a dwarven settlement. Which means…”
“People and a way out.” Sophie whispered, “Hells.”