Chapter 4: Faded Memories Upon the Winds
*Claire*
"Argos will soon have us standing on the very spot where the Meteia made their departure into the night sky," Venat told her as she ran her hand through Argos's beautiful fur. "With luck, we will learn something of Hermes's intentions. My hope is that we will find no connection—no festering wish for oblivion. Then we might have Hermes and his considerable expertise working for us, rather than against us."
She had already moved to settle herself upon Argos's back, neatly folding out her robes as she sat side-saddle like how Claire liked to do. Claire had just climbed onto her Argos's back before the hound took off and she grabbed hold of his fur to keep herself steady. Soon they were up in the air and she felt the brisk wind against her face as her lungs filled with clean air.
This was the first time she was getting a bird's eye view of Elpis and she looked about with bright-eyed eagerness. It looked as if this string of islands stretched on forever within this bright blue sky and she found herself growing more and more curious of this ancient world. What other cities and cultures existed in this time? What were their people like? The different environments? She felt her heart burning with curiosity to know.
Little did she know that Venat was looking back at her and saw how happy her expression was showing right now and she smiled warmly at the sight.
"Isn't this pleasant?" Venat asked her. "Argos certainly seems to think so."
This was true, for both Argos's were panting happily as if they were chasing a ball about a bright field and she could feel how her Argos's tail was waving about excitedly behind her. Claire smiled at that as she ran her hands over his silky neck and he let out a whine when she stopped—as if he wanted her to keep petting him.
At that, Claire glanced up as they drew nearer to the small island and got a better look at the flowering tree, whose petals were as pink as her hair.
"Now, what was the name of that tree?" she heard Venat asked herself. "Noe… something… Ah! Noetophoreon! Quite a striking specimen, is it not?"
"Yes, we have them in the future," Claire stated, recognizing the blooms at once. "Though they're called Sakura Trees. Or Cherry Blossoms."
"Sakura? Cherry? Such adorable names," Venat chuckled at that. "Brace yourself for the landing—I wouldn't want you tumbling off at the last moment."
She spoke from experience; but Claire knew how to brace herself without the warning and made a smooth dismount as they began to search about the tiny island. It really didn't look like there was anything here to note other than the tree. Perhaps a slight bent in the grass showed that someone else had been here recently…? But other than that there was nothing to really notice. Not that she was surprised since this island was barely the size of main hall of the Annex back in Sharlayan.
It seemed she wasn't the only one thinking along similar lines.
"Quite a small place, lacking even the most basic equipment," Venat said in disappointment after taking a few more steps. Once there was clearly nothing else here, Claire began to wonder if there was anything else they overlooked. But then, Venat turned back to her and explained, "The present may yield no clues, but we may yet try perusing the past. Have you don't this before?"
Claire was surprised by the question but nodded, wondering if she would learn something new about the Echo.
"I have," she admitted slowly, "But, I can't call upon it whenever I want to."
She then explained what she knew of the Echo, and that while she had been able to view the past from time to time, she had no say in deciding when and what she saw.
"So you cannot control the power freely," Venat said thoughtfully. "Worry not, I shall assist you. Come and stand before me."
Claire did what she was told and came up close as Venat took her hands in her own. She could feel similar callous and scars upon the older woman's fingers to her own.
"There are two ways to see the past," Venat explained softly to her. "The first entails peering through the walls of the soul in the moment a subject is recalling a memory. The second requires no subject, and is instead a process of piecing together an event from ripples left in the ambient aether. As memories are etched upon the aether of the soul, so too are they etched upon the aether of the world. In this way can history be preserved. Such memories are given to fading, however, and can prove challenging to visit."
Claire nodded at that, hoping she could rise to the challenge.
"But come, let us try," she said. "Close your eyes."
Claire nodded once more and did what she was instructed. She tried to focus… tried to listen… and waited. It took only a moment before she felt Venat's aether reaching out to her own and gently pulling it along with her own as they left reality behind. There was that pain in her head, but it was dulled… as if someone was muting the worst of the pain and she could full feel the sensation of being pulled backwards.
She let herself follow after the tug, as if being pulled down a stream and carried by rushing waters. She instinctively gripped Venat's hands a little tighter as she shifted back. That was when shapes and colors began to swirl about her and she could only watch in amazement as the images of Hermes standing where they stood. It was very dark out, probably in the dead of night, with the entire sky lit up with countless twinkling stars.
Meteion was standing there with him as she also seemed transfixed upon the heavens, as if lost in thought and Claire felt everything become solid around her. She was also startled to realize that she was not watching it from someone else's view as she almost always saw it… but rather she was seeing it as if she were standing off to the side of them. She could still feel Venat's hands gripping her own and it was with a great comfort as she held on nervously, wondering what the two of them were doing out this late at night.
Meteion's eyes were glazed over as she spoke with a voice that Claire did not recognize for it was much more serious and there was no stutter with in.
"All units fully functional and proceeding on course towards their respective stars," Meteion reported almost robotically, the voices echoing slightly in Claire's mind. "Estimated time to completion of survey is one hundred and eight cycles. End of status report. Severing connection with shared consciousness."
Meteion then blinked and when they next opened, Claire saw that empty glazed-over expression fade and it was like watching frost melt from her face as she looked up to Hermes with a bright smile. She then spoke in her usual cheerful voice, "Did you hear that, Hermes? All is well!"
Hermes, who was without his mask, let out a sigh of relief at this news and gave her a warm, doting smile.
"Yes, good tidings at long last…" he agreed. "Every step of the way, I've been reminded how little we understand creation. How the universe defies imagination."
"But soon we won't need to speculate," Meteion reminded him. "We'll know the answers—what others live for!"
Hermes chuckled again and patted her on the head. "Indeed," he confirmed. "And we'll owe it all to you and your sisters."
Meteion gave a proud, but adorable, giggle as she beamed. It was not unlike how Ryne often smiled whenever Thancred would do the same thing and show her affection.
"I wonder… what answers we will get?" Meteion asked with wonder as she looked back to the heavens.
"Whatever intelligent beings that exist out there are bound to be vastly different from us," Hermes explained and Claire wondered how often he had thought of this. "Diverse in form and culture. Possessed of unique ways of thinking. Their conception of life and its purpose will be no exception. Completely and utterly unlike ours."
Other life? Claire knew that he mentioned something like that before, but she didn't realize just how big this would be. She looked up at the skies as well, watching how brightly the stars shone and wondered just what these other stars would be like? She felt Venat's hands twitch slightly with hers and she could almost feel the same curiosity racing through her new friend's heart at such a concept.
"Utterly unlike… how?" Meteion asked curiously.
"I have no idea…" Hermes chuckled honestly before looking fondly up at the sky again. "Yet whatever answers we receive, I will not dismiss them out of hand. No, I will think earnestly on them all. Then I will share them with our people, that together we may contemplate our own existence. Perhaps then our star will become a better place—not only for men, but for all life."
Claire looked to Hermes kind eyes, and any trace of the gloomy darkness that had lurked there before seemed to be gone as he continued to wonder what answers he would get. This was the first time she had ever seen him look so utterly happy and at peace with the world around him…?
How did he go from a man such as this… to the Fandaniel she knew and loathed?
Hermes looked back to Meteion.
"Meteion," he added, his tone a little more serious, "Though I gave you wings to soar the heavens, I did not teach you how to walk the earth. So loath was I to bind another living being. In the course of your long journey, you will learn from those you meet. Learn to walk and run and so much more. And when you return, older and wiser, we will have a celebration to mark your homecoming and coming of age both."
Her eyes lit up at his promise and asked with sweet innocence, "Will there be apples? Covered in syrup?"
Hermes looked close to laughing at such a random question before asking, "And how are you supposed to eat them?"
She lowered her head but there was still excitement all the same. At the sight of it, Hermes thought it all over, as if he suddenly felt that some kind of gesture would be needed for such an occasion.
"Hmmm… rather than food… perhaps…" he said before he came to an answer, "A flower." He nodded and grinned at her while answering, "Yes, upon your return, I will gift you a beautiful flower."
At that, Meteion's eyes lit up excitedly and she all but leapt up and down, eager to see such a gift. The memory at that point slowly began to fade and Claire felt herself being pulled forward as everything faded around her.
Claire took a deep, steadying breath before she opened her eyes and found herself looking at Venat, who had just opened her own.
"Are you alright?" she asked before finally letting go of her hands. "You did well being able to see all that for your first time viewing it intentionally. So, did you hear and see everything that I did?"
Claire nodded and confirmed this by telling her about the vision, which Venat nodded back.
"Exactly what I saw," she agreed. "So, what is your opinion?"
Claire bit her lip as she thought it all over. Hermes was a man who was searching for answers to give to the people about him, to show them how they shouldn't be so dismissive towards the new lives that they create here on Etheirys. He wanted them to appreciate life more than disregard them for not being 'perfect' in his words. And he sought the answer to his questions in the distant stars…?
"Hermes wouldn't wish for the Final Days," she said. Whatever else he turned out to be… whatever else he became… of that, she was certain. Such a kind-hearted man would never wish for such death and destruction; at least in this day and age. But at the same time…? There was still something there that made her uneasy.
"I am inclined to agree," Venat agreed with her. "As we had suspected, the two are somehow involved. Yet 'tis difficult to believe that they would deliberately seek to end all life. In light of this… I propose that we reveal your tale to Hermes himself."
She was surprised at such a suggestion as Venat reasoned, "If he does not wish for the Final Days, as we believe, he may well join us in pursuing a solution."
Claire had mixed feelings about such an idea. She could see the reasoning behind it, but she felt that she was already pushing her luck by revealing the truth to Venat, Emet-Selch, and Hythlodaeus… she couldn't be sure how Hermes—who was already harboring such dark emotions—would take it. Especially, should he learn of his role as the one who instigated the second Final Days a Fandaniel.
But she could no longer think of any other path they could take from here. So, in the end, she agreed, hoping that she wouldn't come to regret this.
"Then it is settled," Venat said with bright eyes. "Let us seek out our friend with all swiftness. 'Twould not do to let such a pure soul be blackened by tragedy."
Venat then led her back to the two Argos's who were more than happy to take them back to the main island. All the while, Claire felt her own thoughts continue to shift and turn inside her. Was this really the right choice? Could this cause Hermes to become even more scarred on the inside? She dreaded this conversation, but with no other clues, she had to believe that she was doing the right thing. Hermes and Meteion were their only lead and whatever answers that Hermes had been looking for… she was all but certain they had something to do with the Final Days.
She was so lost inside her own head though she barely heard Venat tell her about Ktisis Hyperboreia, how the research facility works and that it would be their best option to try and track Hermes down. Though, perhaps Venat realized this as well and merely took the lead as she shown her down a long path, leading her towers the enormous tower in front of them. She felt Venat led her by taking her arm in her own, much like how they first met, and gently led her forward.
"It'll be alright," Venat promised her softly. "I don't know how yet, but we will find the answers that you need. Too much is at stake for us to fail."
"Yes but…?" Claire said softly. All this happened anyway… Elidibus said so himself that she would not be able to change anything. So then…?
She felt true fear inside her at the thoughts of everything that was supposed to come. Was she changing everything by being here, or… was her being here the reason that everything happened as they did?
She wasn't sure and it scared her more than anything else. Without noticing, her arm gripped tighter onto Venat's—who gave her a slightly concerned look when she felt it. But she just smiled gently and held on back, offering silent comfort.
Rather than mention that, she tried to distract her by telling her of the facility itself. She talked more and more of the importance of such a facility here all the way to the front doors. Venat then pressed on by explaining that they should begin asking about for information on where Hermes was currently for they should be able to point them in the right direction. Before they could finish, however, the doors to the facility opened and a familiar voice spoke up: "Hermes is at another facility… as we have just discovered."
The two of them turned to the doors and Claire was taken aback when the forms of a cheerful Hythlodaeus and the still sulking Emet-Selch had appeared. Hythlodaeus gave a friendly wave as they approached and Claire stared at them. She honestly did not think that she would see either of them again after their disastrous meeting yesterday.
"Furthermore, we've confirmed that his studies into dynamis, as well as his creation of Meteion, were entirely private pursuits," Hythlodaeus added, as if they had all planned to meet here rather than just happening to run into each other by chance. "No one else we spoke with appeared to possess the chief's depth of knowledge on the subject, and neither did we hear any tales of stolen research. Which means that if Hermes himself harbors no desire to bring down an apocalypse, then he might be recruited to help prevent one… or so sayeth the illustrious Emet-Selch."
He added that last part in as Claire looked over to said man—who was clearly avoiding her gaze.
He folded his arms ad he begrudgingly admitted, "According to your story, the Fourteen divined the connection between the celestial currents and the Final Days, but were never able to pinpoint the root cause of the calamity. With our people's greatest minds—not to mention Hythlodaeus's sharp eyes—committed to the pursuit of a solution, such an outcome seems… inconceivable."
That was true. She had always found the idea that such an advanced, powerful, brilliant people were never able to discover what was causing the Final Days. It had to be something that was unprecedented to have been able to take them all by surprise like that. Wait…?
"The only possible explanation is if the nature of the catalyst was so inexplicable that even we failed to perceive it," he decided before finally looking up. "And what better fits that description than the invisible, intangible dynamis?"
The more she heard of dynamis, or akasa… the more that calamity of the Final Days seemed to line up. Dynamis was involved somehow, but she still failed to see how the pieces were able to connect with each other.
"Which in turn, leads us to our next question: how did Hermes, in his role as Fandaniel, not recognize the subject of his own research?" Hythlodaeus asked. "We must assume that he either knew and was unable to help, or that he was otherwise prevented from identifying the cause in the first place. At this juncture, all we can do is speculate."
Could it be that simple? She found it hard to believe he wouldn't have been able to recognize it if he was so studied in terms of dynamis?
"To be clear, the Convocation does not tolerate acts of deception or malice," Emet-Selch added. "We are practiced at perceiving truth, and would have known had Fandaniel lied to us. Hermes had no conscious wish for the world to end. Of that, I am certain."
She shared a knowing look with Venat, who smiled back.
"It seems that there is more to the tale after all," she told her knowingly before she quickly told them of what they discovered. In the end, Emet-Selch agreed with their decision to include Hermes and that it was their best option to have someone else's impute who understood the material involved.
"Thank you for your understanding," Claire said softly to him.
She could have sworn she saw a hint of red upon his cheeks before he looked away again.
"Save your thanks," he scolded her. "I did not say I believed your ridiculous story. But as Emet-Selch, I have a duty to examine any potential threat to our existence. No matter how ludicrous or personally offensive I may find it."
Why does it feel that he's always mad at her for no reason? Or at the least is so grumpy with her? Well, she was glad that he seemed to be willing to not hate her at the moment.
She sighed but smiled faintly back, willing to take this. And then he added, "Do not approach me, do not speak to me, and do not dare presume to treat me as a friend. I am merely carrying out my duty."
Alright, so maybe she was getting ahead of herself. Now he was treating her as if she were some terrible plague that could infect him should he interact with her in any way. Venat giggled slightly, which confused her at first. At least, until Hythlodaeus was also smiling as he moved forward. He then bent down low and whispered in her ear.
"Don't fear. His bark is far worse than his bite. I fear that Emet-Selch is going through a tricky phase," Hythlodaeus stated as she tilted her head in confusion and he smiled back. "I do believe that he's beginning to like you."
"Let us go and be done with it," Emet-Selch called before heading the way from the doors as Hythlodaeus chuckled again and patted her on the shoulder.
"That means, 'you're welcome'," he reassured her kindly as he watched after Emet-Selch with a fond look. "You'll get used to it."
He just chuckled at that before his eyes began to look around for Hermes and spotted him with Meteion on the next isle over. What a handy ability that is.
They all headed off together in the direction he indicated until they arrived at the next isle, where she was told that this was where some of the biggest and more dangerous creations were observed. Just outside a place known as the Hungering Gardens, Emet-Selch ordered that she be the one to get Hermes since there was a chance that he would not wish to speak with them if he had done—in fear of being pressured about his nomination for the Convocation.
Claire left the others to discuss more of what they found while she went off to find Hermes and Meteion from within the Hungering Gardens. She winkled her nose at the sight of those disgusting plant-like creatures stalking about and more than once she was attacked by them as she slipped around, trying to find them. She eventually found the two hunkered down behind some rocks as they observed the creations.
Meteion spotted her first and was greatly surprised as she chirped up, "Claire? Where did you come from?"
At the sound of her name, Hermes also turned, ready to scold her that this wasn't the safest place for a meeting. Claire agreed and instead got to the heart of the matter by quickly informing them that she had something urgent to discuss with him and the others. She saw him tense up instantly when she mentioned Emet-Selch's name but his shoulders relaxed the moment she reassured him that this wasn't about his nomination, but of something else of greater importance.
Hermes was surprised by this as well but nodded, promising that he would be with them outside the Gardens in just a few minutes. Claire accepted that as she went back to the others, who were waiting for them at the bottom of the hill. Venat and Hythlodaeus smiled at the sight of her while Emet-Selch sulked behind them impatiently. No one really talked though as they waited… and eventually, he appeared.
At the sight of the two coming towards them, Claire felt dread in the pit of her stomach and shivered as if she was cold. She couldn't do this… she couldn't tell him the truth… it would break his very spirit…?
She felt Venat place a comforting hand on her shoulder, as if she understood exactly what was going on inside her head. She took comfort from that and was able to take a deep breath, suddenly feeling the thread of unease lighten softly as Hermes looked over them all—clearly sensing the tension between them and the grave seriousness of it all. He cleared his throat and apologized for keeping them waiting before informing them that he was told this matter was urgent.
"Aye, a matter of the utmost gravity… if one can suspend disbelief," Emet-Selch said, unable to keep the doubt out of his own voice, before looking to Claire and instructed, "Go on, then. Tell him what you told us. Who you are and why you came."
Claire nodded before she began her tale.
She didn't give as much details as she had before with the others, but she got to the important parts at least. She told Hermes who she was and, more importantly, where she was from. She told him about how she hailed from a dark and very distant future that was now facing against the end of days—or rather the second one at that. She told him of the people transforming into monsters as the skies burned compared to the Final Days that were destined to take part here for the first time.
She explained the differences between the two Final Days, how pain and despair seemed to be the cause of it all and that she came here to Elpis for answers. Answers that Hermes, alone, seemed to be at the center of the tragedies to come.
She hated telling him this. The look on his face—despite it mostly being obstructed with his mask, but the shock and horror that came from his was clear even with it in place. When she spoke of his possible future self though… she thought for sure that she had broken him and to see him lower his head in shame and excruciating pain was worse than a punch to the gut.
"The Final Days…" he croaked out as she finished explaining the sundering, unable to bring herself to continue.
Venat then took over from there, telling him, "The phenomena observed during these star-encompassing calamities is most likely the product of a dynamis reaction. And none is more versed in applications of this energy than you, Hermes. I must stress that we do not believe you would desire such destruction."
Her tone had been nothing but serious up until then, but then it softened considerably as she added in a consoling way, "We come not to lodge accusations, but to beg your wisdom. And so, distressing though the exercise may be, I ask that you share with us your opinion on the matter—on the assumption that our visitor's tale is true."
Hermes still seemed to be in a state of shock as he slowly looked up enough to look at her and asked softly, "Even you, Venat…"
They weren't pointing fingers and Claire wanted to reassure him once more that she didn't want to believe that he would ever willingly invite such a fate to this world. But they needed his opinion on the matter since it seemed that dynamis was at the root of this.
Hermes seemed to need a moment to gather his thoughts as he began to think and some of his dread faded as he began to contemplate on what this could all mean.
"As you say, the phenomena observed in the two calamities may both be attributed to dynamis," he said after thinking it all over—as if afraid of what he was about to say himself. "Of note is the difference in its effect. In the first Final Days, it warped creation magicks. In the second, it warped the people themselves. The key variable, I suspect is the aetheric density of the men of each age. As you know, aether, in essence, negates dynamis. Harboring high concentrations of aether, we ancients cannot readily manipulate dynamis—nor be manipulated by it. Therefore, rather than ourselves, the calamity affected our magicks."
He then looked to Claire and added, "In contrast, having been sundered, the people of the future are composed of but a fraction of our aether. Thus are they susceptible to the influence of dynamis—and its transformative potential."
Ah, now that made sense. She couldn't understand why the differences were so extreme between the Final Days but now she was getting some real answers at long last. If their souls were sundered, and they were more easily able to interact with dynamis, then it made sense that they would be more affected by these changes. Especially since they didn't have any creation magicks to speak of. She filed this information away for Alphinaud and the others when she returned.
"But that would explain only the mechanism, not the cause…" Hermes added, getting back to the heart of the matter. But even as he paused there, his expression became thoughtful once more and he whispered, "Though perhaps…?"
Perhaps what? Did he notice something wrong?
"What is it? Even should it be a hypothesis, we would hear it," Emet-Selch pressed as Hermes slowly seemed to come back to life, as if he just remembered that he wasn't alone.
"Dynamis is an energy put in motion by feelings," he reiterated. "Feelings for which there must first exist a source. A source to which victims must be attuned—one that harbors the selfsame negative emotions. Elsewise, it could not be the agent of such extreme change."
Claire stared at him as she comprehended what he was trying to say. So… if he was right… then someone was instigating this? Someone was deliberately causing the Final Days through the use of dynamis?
"So it wasn't the stagnation of the celestial currents…" Venat stated slowly as she also picked up a thoughtfulness to this ghastly revelation. "Someone—or something—is instigating the star's demise."
Hermes nodded as Emet-Selch said thoughtfully, "So we've a villain on our hands after all… any idea who or what it could be?"
But who would have that kind of ability or power? Where could they find them? And if they had such power, then why did they have to wait until Zodiark was dead before they could attempt such a feat again?
Claire looked around at them all, not able to understand any of this. She knew she was just an uneducated, unsundered soul from the future, but it couldn't have been that easy, could it? But that was when Hermes spoke again, and what he said next caused her jaw to drop open in horror. Apparently, the only reason that the Final Days were able to begin in such places where the celestial currents were weakest… could only have done so from outside Etheirys.
Everyone stared at each other in shock at what he was saying.
What? From outside Etheirys? How was that even possible? What could be able to attack the star from off it?!
"Greetings, can you hear me?"
That emotionless, calculating voice brought her out of her horror as they were all looking towards Meteion, whose eyes were fixated upon the skies.
"Do not be alarmed," she went on robotically, "I mean you no harm. I wish only to hear your words, share your feelings, and know your thoughts. May we please… be friends?"
"Meteion? What is it?" Hermes asked in concern as they all looked at her now. But Meteion didn't answer his question. Instead, she seemed to be looking for something in the distant skies and Claire realized what was going on. She had that hive mind with her other sisters—much like the Gnath and the Vath back home. So she must have heard something from the others out there?
"Executing scheduled task. Suspending individual self and connecting to shared consciousness. She reached out to her sisters. Connection established. Commencing status report," she said.
And then it all came rushing through.
One moment Claire was standing there watching her, and then the next as a terrible pain struck her mind. She gasped as she staggered forward, the pain pressing in on her mind from all around her as if someone was squeezing it tightly. Her vision blackened and blurred, so she was barely able to see anything else around her. It was as if someone else's raw emotions came flying of out nowhere and were now trying to take over her brain but were unable to pierce thorough with one emotion above the others.
She struggled to stand as she could no longer tell the difference between up and down… everyone else was faded shadows around her with only Meteion the clear thing that her vision could make out. She stood there with her eyes wide with terror and her voice filled her mind.
'It hurts, it hurts! It hurts!' she heard the girl cried out, 'So hot… so cold… so sad… I don't understand… make it stop… please, make it stop…'
Claire reached out, trying to figure out what was going on and how to help, but Meteion was now trembling like a leaf as her hands slowly reached up to her face as if she was close to clawing out her own eyes but froze halfway up her face.
'So scared… so lonely… the pain… it's too much… why… why… why do we… they… hurt… hurt… hate… HATE!'
Claire could feel the shadows of screaming in the background, filled with sorrow and anger, and she could see something black appearing in Meteion's eyes. She could only watch on in fear as her words grew darker and angrier… and the more she spoke the more that something black was seeping through. She could see some sort of inky blackness that began oozing up and through her eyes until they were one solid mass of black liquid and were leaving dark traces down her face as if she were crying tears of rot and decay.
Claire tried to scream but she couldn't make a sound as Meteion gasped and finally covered her eyes with her hands, as if too horrified by whatever see was seeing or hearing that she could not bear to face it any longer. She just cried out, "This is wrong! All wrong!"
She then faded from sight.
The second that she faded from their view, the pain had lessoned to a point that she was able to regain control and she panted hard for air, the pressure finally off her mind.
"She's… gone? But how?" she heard Emet-Selch gasp from somewhere next to her as she tried to stop the spinning of the world around her.
Hermes stood up and explained, "She has altered her aetheric density in order to blend in with her surroundings. An ability for avoiding confrontation."
But Claire could barely hear them as the pain in her head slowly start to subside when she felt Meteion moving farther and farther away from her. But then, as if Meteion realized that she could hear her, she heard her beg, "Stay away. Please. This is wrong. My mistake. So please…"
Her voice then was gone and Claire let out a sigh of relief as the pain faded as well. All the while, Venat had been looking at her with concern.
"Are you all right?" she asked in worry, looking ready to rush to her care at a moment's notice. Claire gave her head a hard shake to finally clear it and looked up at her, realizing that everyone else was now staring at her.
"No, I mean… didn't you hear it?" she asked, looking around at them all, not understanding why they were not as concerned for Meteion as she was. That was when she realized something else and then asked, "I could hear Meteion's voice in my mind crying out… didn't… didn't you all hear her?"
"…In your mind?" Venat repeated in surprise, "No, we only heard her speak the instant before she vanished."
"Of course," Hermes said in understanding. "When communicated without words, Meteion also employs dynamis. That would explain why you were able to hear her when we could not."
So she was the only one who heard her? Well, now that the others understood what was going on, Emet-Selch was the first to take charge.
"Then you are our best chance of finding her," he told her. "Follow her voice, and try to track her down."
They all agreed to this and they split up to search for the frightened Meteion. Claire felt helpless and concern filling her as she tried to make sense of what she heard. Meteion had reached out to her sisters, of that, she was certain of… but something… something happened. Something was terribly wrong when they made contact. Whatever happened to her sisters while they were out there, scattered and visiting other stars, was bad… and Meteion was frightened to the point of wanting to spare them, especially Hermes, what she learned out there.
She gulped down, wondering what could have been so terrible that she would resort to running like that, and began to run all over the isle trying to find her. More than once, Claire had been able to catch traces of her voice, like whispers on the wind, and she was able to track her down. But Meteion was so petrified by whatever was going on inside her mind that she just kept on running.
Claire was able to follow her across the isle, eventually joined by Emet-Selch near the lake, where together she was able to pinpoint Meteion's location and he was able to give a downpour of his aether to force herself to appear.
Meteion didn't even notice what happened until she was visible again and she cried out as she tried to run again. They gave chase, able to block her way of exit until they were able to herd her where they wanted and to a nearby shelter.
Meteion didn't notice this until it was too late and she saw how Hermes, Venat, and Hythlodaeus appeared from behind the shelter's pillars and she all but ran right into them. All of them were there and with her and Emet-Selch behind her, they had blocked her every exit, leaving her with no choice but to remain completely surrounded and cornered.
"Please, Meteion," Hermes's called to her in concern, "We must speak."
But Meteion didn't speak to him. She just stood there, and Claire heard a slight sniffle from her as they came up from behind her. But it was as if all the fight had gone out of her and she was no longer trying to escape at this point. That was when Claire heard her voice one last time in her mind… not as painful as it had been thought—rather it was much like how she used her powers when they first met.
'I'm sorry, Hermes… I'm so sorry…' she heard Meteion whimper and she sensed a terrible sensation of helpless hopelessness from her.
Meteion…?
Meteion slowly turned around so that Claire could see her face. Could see the fear and worry mixed in as tears filled her bright blue eyes… and her voice echoed about again: 'If someone can hear these words, then please… please… protect them. Protect them all.'
A cold chill went across Claire's entire body as goosebumps appeared down her spine. It was at this moment she knew… not sure how she was able to connect it all just yet… but she just knew… the moment that Meteion spoke… she knew who it was who was responsible for the Final Days.
"Individual self suspended. Connection with shared consciousness stable."
*Venat*
It was a long chase, but at last they had managed to corner Meteion in one location as they tried to ask what it was that frightened her so. Venat knew precious little about Meteion, but she could see how Claire and Hermes cared and worried for the girl. Whatever it was that Meteion was experiencing was terrifying her enough that she had been trying to escape. So afraid that Hermes was startled that she was trying to escape them by foot instead of taking to the air.
"So she can fly?" Hythlodaeus confirmed, "I thought as much. But then, why isn't she taking to the sky by now?"
"I do not know," he panted as they tried to run down the steep path, searching all over for a trace of blue. "It could be that she is not thinking properly or mayhaps whatever it is that her sisters are saying to her are somehow preventing her consciously taking off. Either way, we can still find her from here. If only we could…?"
"Ah, over there," Hythlodaeus interrupted them and pointed to the shelter. "I can see Meteion again… it seems that Claire and Emet-Selch were successful in that, at least. They will try to lead her there, I am certain of it for that is the direction that they are all heading."
"Very well," Hermes said. "But… please, I beg you don't hurt her. She is not trying to hurt anyone, she is just frightened."
"Rest assure that we mean her no harm," Venat promised him gently. "We are concerned for her well-being as well and shall do all we can to help. But we need to surround her so that she doesn't escape or accidently hurt herself. We won't be able to help her otherwise."
He hesitated, but nodded in understanding, taking comfort in her words that they truly did not mean to hurt the girl.
So they were able to successfully surround her, all without laying a finger upon her as Hermes tried to reason with her, to ask what it was that she didn't want them to know.
Suddenly the sweetness of the girl faded as she became colder and her voice became more formal. She recognized the voice as the same tone she witnessed in her earlier vision and understood that she was reaching out with her shared consciousness of her other sisters all scattered about. It would seem that the report that Hermes had been waiting so desperately for was finally finished.
Yet, at the same time, the immediate change in emotion was startling… it was almost as if Meteion was emotionless now. Venat felt a touch of nervousness inside her as Meteion recited, "Our survey is complete. We shall now report our findings."
Everyone tensed up, wondering what she was going to say.
"All units safely arrived at their respective destinations," Meteion explained. "Seeking answers to Hermes's question, we attempted to make contact with the intelligent denizens of each star. Results are as follows, in order of numerical code."
Venat gulped as she began:
"Hena: Traces of civilization found—structures believed to have served as domiciles. No extant life-forms detected. Dyno: Ruined remnants of buildings scattered across star, surface of which is encased in ice. Presence of life could not be verified. Tria: Evidence of large population centers akin to cites recovered. No extant life-forms found—only their lingering essence. Tessera: Edifices surmised to be abandoned residence found. No extant life-forms detected. Deadly plague or extreme environment degradation likely to have led to mass extinction."
The more that she spoke, the more that Venat's eyes widened in horror. Entire stars… completely wiped out? But… how? She shivered as if she were cold, but it was nothing compared to Hermes, who seemed as if he had forgotten how to speak. Rather than ask any other questions to why, he just croaked out in a hoarse voice, "They are all… dead?"
"Okto: Star found in state of violent conflict. Contact successfully made with inhabitants, but deployment of weapons of mass destruction resulted in total annihilation of local population shortly thereafter," Meteion went on without answering him, as if she had not been interrupted. "Ennea: Star is barren desert. No identifiable flora found. Bones of living beings resembling men discovered beneath sands, but determination regarding their intelligence inconclusive."
Venat wished her to stop… the more she heard, the more horrific it all grew like a nightmare that one could not wake up from.
Meteion seemed to fall silent at that, and it seemed that she was waiting for them to stop talking before she continued. She became aware that Emet-Selch was talking and was now asking Hermes, "What exactly was the question you entrusted to Meteion?"
"I tasked her with asking what others live for," he answered, his voice breaking up slightly, "What gives their lives… meaning…"
Emet-Selch didn't look angry or disappointed in him. He just looked on with a kind of sad understanding, but still there was a slight scolding tone to him as he asked, "Did you consider what may happen if the premise of the question is flawed?"
Hermes seemed startled at that, but Venat understood at once what Emet-Selch was asking.
"To be able to answer it, one must be living—and desire to continue doing so," he explained softly. "But if Meteion finds no living beings in the course of her journey… or none who desire to live, what then? What answers would she derive from their silence?"
You can't find a reason for living if everything is dead.
That was basically what Emet-Selch was saying. And should someone like Meteion come to realize that… what would become of them? Venat looked at Hermes as he gave a sharp intact of breath and looked down, clearly having never come to such a possibility before now. Venat's heart went out to him. He had tried so hard to find something good… something that could help change this world for the better… only to find… suffering.
She couldn't let this go on and called out to Meteion, "Meteion, enough. Suspend your mission and return hither at once."
There was still time to try and fix this… they could find a way to help those poor girls once they returned—as well as help to support Hermes and reassure him that they could find the answers he so desperately sought for while here on Etheirys for now. But again, Meteion went on as if she hadn't heard anything. The moment that she sensed that they had stopped talking, she went on.
"Deka-pente: Local civilization once flourished under auspices of higher power," she said. "Said power later laid waste to civilization in fit of rage. Upon revealing this to me, entity to self-terminate in lieu of providing answer to question. No other intelligent life-forms found."
"Turning a deaf ear, are we?" Emet-Selch asked before looking to Hermes and said in no uncertain tones that any compromise was negotiable, "We are taking Meteion back to Amaurot. As I understand, we will need her if we are to bring back all of her sisters."
Thankfully, Hermes saw the wisdom in this and agreed with a nod before he came over and knelt down in front of the girl, whispering her name as she stared blankly back at him.
His head was down and he seemed lost in though. "It isn't right, is it?" he asked. "It isn't right to turn away from the answer… even if the answer… is pain. Even if we aberrations must scream ourselves hoarse to be heard…"
"Hermes…" Venat whispered sadly, taking a few steps forward, ready to offer him some words of comfort. But as he continued to look at Meteion, to her surprise, he smiled and even gave a slight chuckle.
"Aye. Whatever answers we find, I will not dismiss them out of hand. These words I said to you… and I will hold myself to them," he said. He stood up and Venat saw what he was planning too late. Before she could conjure up her sword or any other weapon, he had summoned his own staff with twin serpents entwined… and a blinding light blazed brightly as he transformed.
To transform was never an option that one takes lightly, she, herself, rarely ever had to use it unless she had no other choice. But now, Hermes had appeared before them, in the form of a powerful mage with features of brightest azure blue, with a long, elaborate webbing that trailed down the front while his bright blue robes shone brightly in the sunlight. He towered over them all threatening as they stared back up.
"What is the meaning of this?" Emet-Selch demanded as Venat felt the winds picking up.
"You cannot take Meteion. Not until she has finished her report," Hermes answered. "All else must wait."
With a great burst of wind he took off, forcing themselves to cover their faces, he was gone. By the time they realized what happened and looked up, Hermes was already carrying Meteion away with him in the direction of Ktisis Hyperboreia.
"You fool!" Emet-Selch yelled as she and Claire shared a look. They both knew what it meant… and they felt dread as they saw that there was no way this could end well. Venat, despite her fear though, she could feel the desperation in him… and with desperation… it could turn even the most gentle of souls into monsters.
(Wow, thank you all for joining me. Sorry for the wait, I needed to take a slight break from writing and am feeling much better. Not much of Venat/Claire here since we are setting things up for the next chapter. Yeah, it was really more of Claire/Meteion here, but it was important to look to how everything went so bad so fast. It will probably be the longest one yet but I promise a lot of sweet fluff between the two! Look forward to it, hopefully it will be out sometime next week—definitely before the next Letter from the Producer! Until next time.)