Lanterns
A small rowboat balanced on the edge of the world.
The currents were weak and tugged some, but a small bit of Psynergy kept it in check.
Amiti, Eoleo, Himi, Sveta, and Kraden stood on board. Silently, they stared into the blackness, remembering that terrible, terrible day.
Flash
"This is it, guys," Karis said excitedly. "Gaia Falls."
Rief was biting his nails. "Is this safe?"
"As safe as anything is around here," replied Karis casually. She tied a rope of strong Jupiter Psynergy around her waist, then did the same to everybody else.
"Which is extremely life-threatening," Eoleo remarked truthfully.
"Yech, salt water." Amiti hid in the boat.
"What, it'll ruin your hair?" teased Tyrell.
"Precisely." Amiti held his hands over his head in an effort to save his hair.
"Let's go over the plan again," insisted Himi.
"Yeah, yeah. You, Amiti, Eoleo, Kraden, and I all stay here and hold the rope while the Fabulous Four go down the side."
"That's one way to put it, Sveta."
"Okay, we're ready!" Karis announced. After looping the rope around everyone's waist, she had tied it to several masts, then handed it to Amiti. Himi channeled earth energy into it, while Sveta changed the wind. Eoleo warmed everyone up with a quick fire.
Flash
Two years later, Amiti could still remember the nervous cheerfulness everyone was feeling. All of them, such good friends.
Flash
Kraden began to write, reading what it said. 'On this day, the Thirty-First of December, Mercury Quarter Part One, Adepts Matthew, Karis, Tyrell, and Rief will descend down the side of Weyard, going through Gaia Falls."
Everyone on board gasped a little. To hear their perilous mission put so bluntly was more than a little scary. Rief ran out of nails to bite.
'Their purpose? To discover sentient life on the bottom of Weyard, if any, and to perhaps explore Gaia Falls.' He finished with a flourishing signature. "Ready?"
Rief gulped.
Tyrell went down first, followed by Matthew, Rief, and finally Karis. Her hand dug into the relatively shallow water, grabbing onto the packed sand.
Flash
The mud swirled, like a thousand thoughts mucking up a brain.
Flash
She let go.
Immediately the remaining Adepts – and Kraden – grabbed onto the rope and pulled. The pure Psynergy held strong and true.
Flash
The water was as black as night.
Flash
Kraden let go of the rope and went to the edge of the boat. 'They slowly dig their feet into the side of Weyard, traveling in the style of mountain climbers in Passaj. Gaia Falls pours around them.'
Flash
A piece of driftwood floated by, then fell off the depths.
Down, down…
Flash
Tyrell slipped. The rope broke.
Flash
Until it disappeared from sight.
Flash
Karis screamed, her hands scrabbling for a hold.
Flash
The water boiled.
Flash
Tyrell was gone.
Flash
Fish struggled against the current.
Flash
Amiti ran for the side of the boat, screaming. He reached for Karis-
Flash
A lost cause.
Flash
Rief was gone. Matthew was gone
Flash
Unless.
Flash
Karis was gone.
Silence reigned.
Flash
"Today, on the Twenty-third of January, Mercury Quarter Part Two, we gather to remember four great people.
"Karis. Tyrell. Matthew. Rief. Remember them, and hold them in your hearts."
Eoleo silently lit four lanterns, who shook slightly from their perch on the mainsail.
Sveta blew slightly. The lanterns detached themselves and floated away, never to be seen again.
Unless