Chapter 2
In a vast cavern, where crystal formations rose high with canopies of solid rock; and where the green vines weaved throughout the glowing violet environment, stood a being on a ridge. His yellow eyes in contrast to his green and red body surveyed the land on his high perch. His tail curled into itself as he took a few steps away from the ridge and further into the cave behind him. His eyes narrowed as his mechanical hands curled in anticipation. His mechanical body tenses. With sheer will and determination, he dashed forward and leaped off the edge. Falling fast he extended one of his hands forward, clutching a vine from one of the suspended rocks as he entered into a swing. Swaying from one to the next, he weaved between the crystalline structures and magnetically suspended rocks surrounding them. Banking around one of the crystalline structures, he landed upon one of the floating rock platforms. It wobbled slightly upon landing yet did not stray due to the vines that linked it to nearby natural structures. The large crimson crystal he stood beside casted its light against his body. As he turned to look towards the crystal he noticed pulses of electricity within it. Humming softly in harmonic beauty with the other crystals. Looking down over to his feet he saw a glimmer of red within one of the floating platforms. He walked towards it as he then knelt down to begin digging. As he dug he cogitated about the spirits which he believed lingered within the crystals around him. And how they speak from the past, present, and future through song. For though language may change through the passage of time, their songs will remain to guide those who are willing to listen. From the solid rock he extracted a cluster of red crystals that rested snuggly in his hand. Breaking off one of the crystals he threw it as far as he could so that new crystals could grow. With the remainder however, he gripped it tightly as its energy was absorbed into his body. Its energy crawled up his arm and faded once all the energy was absorbed. The diaphanous crystal, lacking the energy it once held, was put in his satchel. He pulled another crystal from the solid rock full of energy onto his person as well. Saving it for a later day while being sure to break off another piece for the forest. Rising to his feet he began climbing up the crystal to a higher platform. Once he reached higher elevation he grabbed a nearby vine and swung back where he came. Leaping off the last vine he grabbed a hold of the cliffside and began climbing up to the cave.
The tunnel he walked through was dark. For any other being it would have been too dark to navigate easily. Thankfully, his kind was able to see clearly in the darkness. All was quiet in the tunnel way, it was one of the more less taken pathways towards the city. Yet the silence was not meant to last. Suddenly the sound of sparks and a hum could be heard within the walls of the tunnel way. The green being stopped as he looked to the left of him. “Someone there?” he asked as he stepped closer to the wall.
There was no response. Yet he could sense a form of energy on the other side of the tunnel wall. Followed by the micro vibrations beneath his feet. Getting agitated he then barked out “Hey! I know you are in there, these are sacred grounds. You can’t take more than the land provides here Miner”
The silence continued with the exception of the hum that resumed within the wall. Grunting to himself he began to dig into the wall, pushing rocks and splitting through boulders. Then in-between the rocks and dirt, beams of light peaked before him. He then muttered to himself “What in the-?...blue light?”.
Digging through the remaining rock and dirt he stepped into what seemed like a metal room. He could feel the energy in the walls. Wrapping around him like a blanket. Above him were bent and malformed metal grids and beams with the blue light peaking through it from another chamber; seemingly larger than the one he was in. Before him was an altar composed of metal and glass. He took notice that the hum was coming from the altar as well as the vibrations and began to approach cautiously. He began thinking to himself.
When did Heaven Realm come here? None of this is supposed to be here…
Stopping before the altar, he noticed strange circular symbols obscured by dust. Being curious, he wiped off the dust with his arm. In response the altar began to rumble. Quickly, he drew his arm away from the altar only for it to then come to a white noise hum. It seemed to be activated. Easing himself with a sigh he leaned forward taking a look at the symbols illuminated upon its polished flat surface. He grew in awe as he muttered “The language of the ancients...wait, that must mean this wasn’t made by those of the heaven realm.”
Questions raced his mind as he leaned against the altar to examine it more carefully. He couldn’t make any of the words but he tried to decipher the images shown. There were dotted glyphs in the shape of a weird boat leading towards what looked like Lelido. Long ago when more land was prominent on the planet. A voice then rang out from the altar which spooked the green being. It spoke with a voice as gentle as the wind yet with authority “Awaken my children, for millennia you have been lost. Some of you may have grown to accept our absence, while others...still have faith in our return. We shall come, may your Core shine bright”.
The voice then fizzled out as the display on the altar grew dim. His mind began to race. The ancients are coming here?! But they have been gone forever. This doesn’t make any sense…
Looking up at the blue light which bled through the ceiling, his eyes filled with worry yet with anticipation for what was to come. He smiled as he then said “Finally, a cycle worth waiting for. I must tell the others though, they must heed what is yet to come”. Turning around quickly he began running off to his people. Running down the maze-like tunnel way, the green being eventually came before a large cavern which nestled a vast city of gemstones and crystals. To many, this place was called ‘The Crystal City’. The City itself was an accumulation of small villages that made its entire body. Yet the green being noticed a crowd beginning to form in the city square. As he approached he saw those similar to him, each of varying shapes, colors, tails, and sizes. Yet all originate from this region. One of them held a staff in one hand as they stood above everyone else. Everyone was disputing with one another to the point where their voices were melting with others. The Male upon his high rock then shouted as the green being walked up behind the crowd “SILENCE!!! The beasts which rampage our lands are not a sign of a bad omen, the spirits speak of a shadow that another is casting on this land.”
The green being then spoke up “Elder Taluva! I have heard the words of the ancients, where did you hear them speak?”
The group then parted before the green being as they mumbled to each other as Elder Taluva looked down upon the green being. His bright amber eyes in contrast to his black and orange body seemed to express curiosity. Taluva then spoke firmly “Huzu, Scavenger of the crystal forests, you say that you have heard the words of the ancients”
The green being Huzu nodded as he replied “Indeed, they spoke that we should awake as they then referenced our current state of livelihood on this world across all the realms. Yet wishing our cores to shine bright in their return...Is there more of which you have learned?”
Elder Taluva rubbed their humanoid hand against their chin as he then spoke “step forward”
As Huzu stepped forward Elder Taluva then spoke for all to hear “A Astrolik from Onu city awoke from a strange metal seed. The Astroliks say that the seed dates back to the time of times, meaning this being who emerged should be too old to even be alive, let alone so young. Yet before I continue any further, where have you heard the voice of the ancients?”Huzu hesitated at first, thinking for a moment before saying “In the crystal caverns, I was collecting sustenance over in the crystal forests. Upon my return to the city I heard a sound within the earth. I went to investigate as I then found a large metal chamber, one of many I believe, it was there that I heard their call”
Elder Taluva nodded as she then spoke “Then it is decided. Huzu, you will no longer be a scavenger of our people, but a seeker! The spirits of the sacred grounds have called upon you Huzu, you must seek the others that have heard the call of the ancients, learn what you can, and keep the peace upon all the realms and regions. Go to Onu city and find the one who calls himself Onua. His visions may give wisdom for us all. Yet be wary! Beasts have been running rampant on the surface and have made trade routes treacherous.”
Huzu bowed as he then replied with eagerness “it would be my honor Elder Taluva”
He has never traversed to Onu City, yet Huzu knew the importance of his new role. As he traveled through the endless tunnels of the underground he concentrated on the natural senses that are unique to his people. With every step he took, his feet could feel the vibrations of the passageways. There were times he could feel small critters running about, or fellow Shidaki trekking through tunnels parallel or intersecting with his own. After some time, he began to sense something else. Energy. As he walked down one of many tunnels in this area, yellow stones began to appear on the walls. These lightstones were held up with metal fixtures. Huzu’s eyes began to adjust to the light as the solid rock and dirt began to transition into a sandy pathway with patches of gravel all throughout. Ahead of him he began to hear voices, as he was coming around the bend of the tunnel he saw two Astroliks with one of them bringing a cart full of supplies. They were only 4 feet tall compared to Huzu’s species. Their bodies were extremely robust despite their size. One of them wore a white mask in contrast to his blue body while the other was completely gray. The one with the white mask dragging a cart full of large crystals upon his large blue crab conversed with his friend further “...All I'm saying is if these gods are coming now, they are only coming for their benefit. If that weren’t the case they would have at least visited us”
The Grey being then gave a huff as he spoke gruffly “The gods are merely a fairytale told to children, now if its the Ancients visiting us...well, that is another story entirely”
The being with the white mask took notice of Huzu and spoke “speaking of another story entirely, we got a scavenger before us”
They both slowed down before Huzu which towered above them. Huzu was the first to say “What are you two talking about?”
“My name is Dagu, and this is my friend here Fa” The white masked Miner gestured to himself, then his friend beside him. “We are just talking about the legitimacy of a children’s story being true. The one about 6 heroes washing ashore on an island to slay a great shadow. With what everyone has been experiencing with the rampaging beasts I find it quite poetic.”
Huzu nodded as he replied “It’s good to meet you both, and ah I see. Are they small skirmishes for the most part?”
Fa sighed as he stuffed his hands under his arms “Mostly, but they smell funny son. My family raised and saw many beasts. And they have never gone stir-crazy like this. Hence is why I have my fingers crossed about an announcement from the Ancients”
“You mean gods?” Dagu inclined with a raised eyebrow.
“Which-ever, they will soon come-seek for us all to see” Fa stated unamused
Huzu grew curious as he then asked “your wording, are you from the Bo Lands above?”
Fa shook his head as he replied “Nope, was born and raised here. My mother was from the land you squawk-speak of. Well we should not take more of your time seeker, you are going to need as much time as possible”
The two Astroliks began to walk past Huzu as he then called out over his shoulder “What do you mean by needing time?”
Fa merely called out “You’ll see”
Huzu merely frowned, muttering “Why do I have a feeling things will be looking worse in Onu city than back home in Crystal City?” He then continued his journey to Onu city, one for which weighed concern for what awaited ahead of him.