Maybe we're looking at this the wrong way.
Quistis rubbed her temples wearily. It was past midnight, and the Garden's library was entirely deserted save for herself, Keri, Irvine, and Nida. spread out on the table before them were copies of the inscriptions which they had found around the generator column, both the Centra script which now bore Keri's translations written below, and the other glyphs which still bore no identification. Over half a dozen translation books lay discarded across the table as well.
Is there any way we haven't looked at it? Nida asked, head buried in his hands.
Who even cares? Irvine groaned.
You know, Irvine, those of us who have actually been working on this do kind of want to figure it out, Nida growled.
Take it easy, you two, Quistis ordered. We're all on the same side here.
Seriously, guys, I think we missed something! Keri pressed.
I sure hope so, said Nida. I have no idea' isn't such a great conclusion.
What is it, Keri? Quistis asked.
We've gone through just about every book that was ever written on the Centra language, but we haven't found anything that even comes close to this writing. And languages don't just fall out of the sky; there's always some evidence of development. She shook her head. And here, there isn't any.
So it's hopeless, Irvine said. Can we go to sleep already?
Shut up! Keri snapped.
You mean you were still awake? Nida asked.
Hey! Quistis snapped. Go on, Keri.
Why are we so sure this is even a language? Keri asked. I mean, we've already got this writing that we can tell is Centra, and since we can't find any evidence of this inner track...why haven't we considered the idea that this might be something else entirely?
Like what? Irvine asked. Someone let their chicobo loose in there?
You know what, Irvine,... Keri began.
What were you thinking of, Keri? Quistis asked quickly.
She shook her head. I don't know. It sort of reminds me of some examples of Kashkabald prewriting I saw in class once. But the Kashkabald never even developed a real written language, much less an industrial base capable of building anything like the shelters.
Those transports aren't really Centra style, either, Nida noted.
Keri rolled her eyes. The Centra built more than just the old castles, you know. They actually had a very strong industrial base before the Lunar Cry. The Kashkabald, on the other hand, didn't even establish permanent settlements until they came under the regency of the Centra.
The Kashkabald did know more about the crystals and magic, though, Nida countered.
Well, sure; all the first Sorceresses were Kashkabald. But that was something that was very quickly integrated into Centra society, especially when the Pahsha and Shako tribes were integrated into the elite class —
Irvine groaned.
Shut up!
So what happened to the Kashkabald after they were assimilated into the Centra nation? Nida asked.
Keri glared at Irvine, but addressed Nida's query. The Sorceresses managed to take control of the entire ruling class, and remained in power as noble families. Every Centra Empress was a Sorceress after that.
But what about the Mages? Nida asked. The clans that used the crystals instead of sorcery?
Well, their only real power was in the knowledge of the crystals, so once the Centra figured that out — She froze, and a sort of light seemed to dawn in her eyes.
Quistis asked.
Keri whispered. That's it! She bolted to her feet. Once the Sorceresses integrated themselves into the Centra upper class, they made sure the Mages were basically wiped out. A few survived and went underground, but they could never really summon enough power to unseat the Sorceresses; this is it! She jumped up and bolted over to another part of the library, snatching a book to take with her.
There was a moment of silence after she left. Did I...find something? Nida asked.
- - = = = = - -
The Crystal Pillar was created by an underground group of former Kashkabald Mages who were probably attempting to unseat the Centra rulership, Keri said. The Sorceresses, who had rivaled the Mages ever since tribal times, had been using their power in Centra government to oppress the Mages for centuries, and they generally didn't live much better than Chocobos.
Quistis suppressed a yawn. They had been up all night, going over historical accounts of the Mages, the stratification of Centra society, Crystals, and anything else they might be quizzed on. Irvine had walked out not long after they had began, probably going straight to sleep, but neither she, Keri or Nida had left the library until one of Vaider's escorts had come to call for their report. Now, they stood in the Headmaster's office, addressing the Galbadian scientist who stood with arms folded beside the desk. Occupying the desk was Palmer, also listening intently.
Of course, Vaider said. The Mages had generations of ancestral knowledge regarding the Crystals, and motive to defy the Centra government.
The Crystal Pillar is immense, Palmer said. How could any cult have managed to construct it without the Centra shutting them down?
Well, the Crystal Pillar was found completely buried, but with a network of tunnels around it suggesting the pillar had been built right there in the ground, Keri said. My guess would be the Mages all gathered at that place, and built the Pillar in secret. It was probably a process that took decades, or even centuries. As for why the Centra never found out, I guess the Mages just got lucky.
Considering what the Pillar did to them, Quistis thought, I don't think is quite the right word.
Nida stepped forward. When I looked over the schematics we found in the MD Level, I saw that some of the crystals don't have any connection to the flight system. They were being given power, but it seemed like they were just sitting there. Keri and I followed up on a hunch, and figured out that when active and supplied with the right power current, the crystals had a repelling effect on monsters. He paused. Don't ask how.
There were similar devices in our Garden, Quistis added. But they seemed to be having the opposite effect; our MD level was crawling with monsters.
I managed to translate the markings as well, Keri put in. It's Kashkabald, something about halfway between a mathematical equation and a story. Part of it describes what we think is the science — as best they understood it — behind the Garden's flight mechanism. The other part talks about some sort of field that can attract or repel monsters, physically or psychologically, I'm not sure.
So the Mages knew that the crystals could be used to control the minds of monsters, Vaider mused. They must have believed that the Crystal Pillar would magnify that power, perhaps even allow them to manipulate humans. Of course, they had no way of knowing the true consequences of their actions. He nodded to the four. Thank you. Your report has been most enlightening.
Just then, the door slid open, and Odine burst in, followed closely by his assistant. Vat do you think you are doing? he bellowed, his voice reaching a pitch so high it that it hurt Quistis' ears.
Pardon us, his assistant said hastily. The doctor —
Ze Lunatic Pandora must not reach ze Odin's Gate! Odine snapped. Ze energies vill be too great!
— concerned that —
Tears Point iz useless! Ze Lunar Cry will destroy everything!
— dangerous results, the assistant finished.
Doctor, I do appreciate coffee as much as the next man, Vaider said, but perhaps you should cut yourself back to perhaps two pots an hour?
You vant to go outside?
He rolled his eyes. Not this again.
You not listening! Odine jumped up and down for effect. Odin's Gate very powerful energy nexus! That iz why ze Lunatic Pandora iz attracted to it! Ze energies of ze earth, exposed to ze surface with ze ruin as ze conduit! Ze Crystal Pillar will absorb ze energy!
We just received a report from Esthar that there have been a number of minor Lunar cries reported in the Winhill area, the assistant said. They seem to be moving southeast, following the Lunatic Pandora's own course.
Tears Point is inoperative! Odine exclaimed.
You mean the Crystal Pillar has been calling monsters from the moon since the Lunar Cry over Esthar? Quistis asked.
Ze Crystal Pillar does not have ze power for ze large Lunar Cry! Odine exclaimed. It iz no longer in ze earth, and it does not have ze earth energies! He threw a sheet of paper with the same sort of scratch-writing as they had just identified as Kashkabald.
The Crystal Pillar harnesses the ambient energy in the earth as its power source, the assistant explained. Now that it is airborne, it does not have that source of power, and it used up most all of its reserve calling the Lunar Cry over Esthar.
Vaider was examining the paper, and his face had become fiercely intense. You are sure about this?
I have studied ze Crystal Pillar for over a year! Odine fumed. Ze Lunar Cry has overloaded Tears Point, and ze energies at Odin's Gate are too powerful! Ze Lunatic Pandora vill call ze Lunar Cry, and ze power vill destroy everything!
Just get to it! Palmer snapped. What are you trying to say?
This equation calls for an exponential relationship between the energies at Odin's Gate, the resonance of the Crystal Pillar, and the strength of a Lunar Cry. According to his calculations — which unfortunately I cannot fault — the interaction will result in a possibly continuous Lunar Cry of proportion several orders of magnitude greater than that which obliterated the Centra continent.
Quistis felt as if she had been physically struck.
Are you saying...? Palmer began.
If we allow the Lunatic Pandora to arrive at Odin's Gate, Vaider said grimly, the resulting Lunar Cry will obliterate the entire surface of the world.