Black scales stand juxtaposed to the pristine white floor, woven into faux-marble. Violet eyes scan impatiently at their surroundings, a thin ocean of Aether feeling at the world until one being comes into view. Finally. Aleph steps forward, meeting the confident gaze of a recently invigorated elf, a light sheen of sweat coating his skin and a hungry claw strapped to his back. "You're ready? Let's go." She bluntly states, walking towards the sealed entrance to a vertical tunnel. "You're not going to ask about my new sword? Or where I've been this whole time?" "She's been like this all morning. Bad dream or something, but whatever it is has renewed her sense of determination to dive headfirst towards death." Lyly mutters, too tired to properly argue.
"Weren't we going to meet that divine beast? We still have that mess with the n'cha to deal with." "He can wait. I don't want to stay this close to an angel, the risk is too great." They approach the seal, a sizeable arachnid stepping up to meet them. "Halt! Acha business chach 'n ." I still haven't quite figured it out, but this is a clear derivation of Aoan. Almost a one to one in some respects, though with a different phonetic inventory. I should be able to hold a conversation at least. "We want to leave." The spider brushes its jaw, turning back for a moment to whisper to its companions. "Permission Sha'ch. Chu'sha cha'mch." How frustrating...
Before she can contemplate brute forcing the issue, a thin thread suspended above them begins to vibrate violently. The spider in front stretches one of its long legs to grip it with tiny claws, blocking the traversal of vibrations and responding with a few of its own. With a sharp exhale, it turns around and waves to the other spiders surrounding the seal. "Open up!" Without missing a beat they get to work, pedipalps weaving symbols of light into the air and firing a pulse of red into the metallic disk. Pieces unhook, twisting out of place and winding through each other in a mechanical dance before spiralling open to a sheer drop, walls coated in strips of thread.
Aleph leaps in the moment it's wide enough, Fluffy, Goldy, and Didi following shortly behind after actually waiting for it to finish opening. The descent is brief, the thinnest of the layer boundaries yet, barely comparable to a small skyscraper in its width. Yet the layer below is anything but, the ground imperceptible through the faint fog of dust and beyond the reach of Aleph's Aether. She continues to dive for what must be minutes, only flaring her wings to slow down once the ground is in view. With a sigh of relief, she lands on the harsh, rocky floor, filled with hostile spikes and covered in cracks. "Much better. I can't feel its energy from here."
The clink of glass landing gracefully on the tip of a spike follows, subsequently overshadowed by the haphazard crash, spinning a cloud of dust into the air, and finally the silent glide and tap of feet softly gracing the ground. "Care to explain yet?" Lyly snarks, legs already poised to strike. "We're a group, so your impatience affects all of us. We have a right to know." Fluffy reasons, brushing off the layer of dust clinging to his skin. "I was uncertain until yesterday, but now I remember more clearly. I am an enemy to the angels, don't ask me why, and if they find me they will stop at nothing to kill me. Staying anywhere near that angel is a risk I don't want to take."
"So, if it wasn't for the angel?" "I would still want to go. My goal is time sensitive, but I don't remember by how much. Every second I wait could be a second I needed and I wouldn't know until I get where I need to be. Wherever that is..." "So we're not diving headfirst into danger this time?" "No. I'm happy to wait on this layer or even go to another city if we really want, though I'd prefer to just continue on." The group pause for a moment, each taking the time to think on the situation. "Muscles, you're probably the most sensible one here. What do you think we should do?" Goldy pauses his thoughts to perform a 'Who, me?' gesture. "Hoh... I wish to wait. To meet this Ch'cha poses us great benefit. I admit bias in wanting to know more of my ancestor, but the prospect of free passage below is worth patience." Can't fault that. I guess he really is the sensible one.
"I guess we wait then. Last I heard, he was to return within a lake or two. How long is a lake exactly?" "About thirty hours, as measured on the surface."
Rivers of Aether flare wide and torrents of Mana burst out from the group as they jolt away from the sudden influx of thick, overbearing Mana and intent. A sharp, orotund voice spoken by the air itself hums in all directions, echoing with itself to form an almost ethereal, multiplexed tone. The group turn to the interloper, sixteen eyes glaring out, met by the might of eight enormous orbs peering through the fog and bearing down with the force of one thousand gazes. A vague silhouette pierces the dust, spanning the horizon beyond view in all directions with mountainous limbs. "So hard to see from there. Come closer."
Lyly opens her jaws to retort, but the world obeys. Perspective warps, bending into itself and making the silhouette appear smaller, the distance vast yet simultaneously closed. A single leg slams into the ground, generating a pulse of wind which pushes away the cloak of dust beyond the reach of the few visible light cores. Black carapace, woven with crimson and accented by eight pale eyes stand immediately in front, yet imperceptibly far from the group, the intense gaze flooding over five targets, only matched by a single pair of violet eyes seeming to pull in all eight in challenge.
"What a funny group you are. A contract-bound demon, a child of Denkha, that strange elf man from a few years back, and two new siblings. I see you found someone to teach you proper use of Aether, elf, though for it to be one of my kin was unexpected. I take it you are the upstart they call Aleph, and the small one must be the long awaited Lyla." "And you... are Kixhah." All gazes turn to Aleph, a soft whisper echoing through the air, commanding the space between them to narrow. Kilometres are compressed into a hair's width, white and violet eating into each other without restrain. "As I thought. Your gaze is much too familiar to be coincidence. Which are you? A surviving peer? An ancient? Given your form I'd wager reincarnation is involved. Were you a sibling of mine before? What is your true name?"
Been a while since I've had a good staring contest. And from someone so familiar too. Now I'm certain I've been here before. "My true name must not be remembered. I have obfuscated my memories to this effect, but the method is crude. I know you from somewhere, but can't place where, and trying feels extremely dangerous." "Enshrouding aspects of your own identity, evidently through manipulation of the soul. Mother would know more on the topic, and I wager they both would recognise you far more easily. My ability to see souls is meagre in comparison." Distance is restored and exactly the same, Kixhah standing tall above and below the group, joints reaching the ceiling and brushing the ground.
"Hold up! This conversation is neat and all, but who are you? I haven't heard of any Kaka before! Are you that Jafah guy they were talking about?" Kixhah takes a step, a single meter spanning kilometres, the gentle contact throwing a mountain of dust into the air around the tip of his feet. Step, step, step. Thoom, thoom, thoom. A thirty second delay between contact and shock-wave as he circles the group at a comfortable speed. To move so fast at such a distance is insane... Moreso that he's not breaking the sound barrier with every motion. "You have a funny way with names for one who cannot pronounce your own without magic. Though, I suspect there is no child of the Progenitor who differs in that regard. You are correct though, I have yet to introduced myself, and as your eldest brother this is quite the failing."
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Dense, viscous yet fast flowing Aura floods the cavernscape, air turning thick and unsteady as his body holds form, gaze never having left the group. "I am Kixhah the first born, though those with less malleable tongues may call me Ch'cha or Shithah. I greet my younger sisters, and their companions. I know your names already, but you are welcome to return the introduction should you wish." A shared nod, a few looks of reverence, one of challenge, and a pair of eyes refusing to back down from their held gaze.
"I am Aleph Null. Not much to say that I haven't already." "I'm Lyla! A way better spider than you'll ever be! I challenge you to literally everything!" "... I am Gol Dhee. Little more than a warrior on a journey of growth." "I'm uh... Right, yes, I'm Fluffy... ... ... That's all I think?" "I am Diavolus Mephicostus Balvinia Amozmoni Belian Andora Durus, rank three contracted demon under Aleph." "Fine introductions, though... Fluffy? Isn't that an English name given to pets?" "I don't speak English." "I see. As for your challenge, Lyla, I will always accept a duel, but perhaps you should free your original first. It gives me no satisfaction to battle one who is held back." "Hey! Careful who's secrets you spill! And I could still trounce you even with this body!" "Shame? An uncommon trait amongst us." "Nobody said I was..."
"If you wish to fight me, then you may all come at me at once. You may have much to learn from it. But first..." "Hey!" "Ah, she's arrived." A familiar black and pink blur plunges from the ceiling, crashing into the ground before sprinting towards the behemoth. Body flattened by the bending of space, her movements appear nigh imperceptible despite her sound shattering speeds. "You were supposed to tell me when you got here, idiot!" "Chach'n, stop running. You are making it difficult to keep you in perspective." "Seriously?!" The furious spider reluctantly stops, the world expanding around her to place her to appear her usual size, now perceptually equal to the divine beast. "Do you know how much shit I have to put up with whenever you show up unannounced?!" "Ah, but I found something so interesting. I just couldn't pull myself away."
"Oh, it's you guys. Leaving already?" Chach'n turns to the group, now within and beyond arms reach. "Well, there's not much reason for us to stay for after we talk to him." "Shame. I was hoping to pry an actual story from you guys. Maybe next time." "Chach'n, you called me here early for a reason. We can discuss the second point at a later time, but for now let us settle the matter with the angel. What happened?" "Oh, the n'cha think these guys might be angel sympathisers." "Absurd. Two of them are Aether bearers, they'd sooner be hunted down. And what authority do the n'cha even have over the matter to begin with?" "Guess that's settled then. You're free to go whenever."
"We're still not done here." Aleph's eyes remain locked with Kixhah's, neither giving the other an inch in their battle of endurance. "Yea! We still got questions!" "Oh yea, that too." "By all means, ask away. Be aware though, I am under the same restrictions as the others. I cannot directly assist your pilgrimage." "Neat! We had questions, right?" Aleph jostles the air-headed spider atop her skull, thumping Goldy forward with her tail. "Hm?" "I wish to know of Denkha. Is it possible to meet him?"
Kixhah lifts a sharp, black pedipalp to his fangs, distant air whistling loudly from the motion as he taps his chitin. "That young fool... You would have to meet him to truly understand his nature. An energetic one, he's always been. I believe his form was intended to be closer to Mother's, yet his skill with Mana is clearly more like Father's. Perhaps it is due to his mind? If you want to meet him, I recall he lives with Esfa these days. You can usually find them to the west of the surface. Oh! And he enjoys swimming." "Hoh..." Goldy bows, his eyes not quite able to meet the dense gaze of the divine beast.
The rest of the group look to each other, nobody stepping up to ask anything. Guess that leaves only one more question. "I heard there was a safe route down. Can we take it?" "I cannot help you there. The route was recently destroyed by the rampage of a rogue homonculus. I am forbidden from directly helping you descend, and it will take time for the haven kin to repair the path. If I am not mistaken, you defeated Mekrotok in battle, yes?" "We won,, yes. One of us almost died." "Hey, I would have been fine." "You got heatstroke and passed out. You would have died." "That idiot... He needs to make a damned decision already."
"No matter. If you made it through him you should have little issue with the remainder. If anything, one of you stands to potentially gain something from the journey." Didi shudders in place, a portion of the divine beast's gaze splitting away to wash over the demon. Her own gaze falters under the pressure, unable to hold for more than a few moments at a time. "If that is all then we are left with but one matter." "You guys didn't actually..." Chach'n mutters, already backing away as perspective shifts to keep her in place. "I can see one of you is eager." "Of course. After last time, how could I hold myself back? And I have this shiny new blade, Beast Hunter, to test out too." Fluffy goads, his hand twitching at the helm of his blade, the edge begging to be swung.
"Chach'n, don't interfere." "Like hell! I'm outta here!" The chu'sha leaps, grasping onto previously unseen threads and dashing away to the ceiling. The world returns to two points of view, only five sets of eyes directed towards one remaining. "Aleph, we can continue our little contest another time. I suspect it will take much longer than either of us can work with at this time." Guess we'll call it a tie then... Aleph breaks her gaze, a silent agreement with his words and an unspoken promise for a rematch. "Now come at me, young fools. Show me what makes you."
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The inverting star Loa'shushoth, known by all as the symbol of rising and falling seasons. When the star shines a bright white above the centre of Avilar's dome, more intense than any other, heat drains from the world as winter coats our continent. With the passing of four descending quarts, the star turns a deeper black than the void between the natural stars, signifying the approach of the rising quarts and an oncoming summer. It is hotly debated by many as to whether it is the weather which causes the star to invert, or the star's change in colour which affects the weather, though I am partial to the theory that they are independent. Consequence of an emergent aspect of nature.
It is unknown which god, if any, is associated with this star. The divine beasts refuse all discussion of its nature, Ambora in particular being notorious for outright banning research or discussion of the celestial body. Few myths do more than make mention of it, leading some to theorise about a potential cleansing of all knowledge pertaining to the inverting star and its god.
Though we know nothing of its god or its history, it is revered all the same for granting us the seasons. Even those of Centra depict the star as part of their calendars and maintain some of the ancient festivities heralded by its change.
- Excerpt from Oshlas' 'Atlas of the Skies'