A\N: A big thank you for all the positive feedback from the members on the Journey forum! I really appreciate it!
The Doctor's Journey: Chapter 2
"So we did see the same thing?" Rose asked quietly.
The Doctor nodded as the three of them slowly walked down the long straight corridor of red and tan stone that had opened before them after the vision had ceased. At the end of the long tunnel was a bright patch of daylight. Seeker walked a few feet ahead of them at a brisk pace while the pair of them talked.
"What you saw sounds exactly like what I saw." The Doctor agreed idly.
"So when Seeker said he saw the creation of everything…" Rose started.
The Doctor shrugged easily. "That vision certainly looked like a creation myth story told in pictograms. I've seen a lot of things like that over the centuries, though the figure in the background was a bit different, not the mention the way the pictograms changed. Neat idea though, preserving their history that way. I've never seen it done quite that way before."
"What do you mean?" Rose asked curiously.
"Well usually when you want to record history you do it on something that's easily understood and easy to access so the information isn't lost." The Doctor explained. "A sealed book or easy to use data terminal, maybe. This, though…I get the feeling if Seeker hadn't been there we wouldn't have been able to unlock that vision. It was Seeker's voice, or rather the emanation of his identity that caused the statue to activate."
"Some kind of security measure?" Rose asked. "Like a voice print or retinal scan?"
"More than that." The Doctor assured her. "We know that Seeker's way of communicating imparts its unique identity to whatever can understand it. Only people who could communicate the same way could use it. It was made for Seeker's people alone and their descendants. I think something significant happened here. Something they wanted to make sure was never forgotten." He mused.
Rose pondered this silently for a moment before another thought struck her. "Who do you think that figure in the background was?" She asked.
"Dunno." The Doctor shrugged. "Could have been the original person who made the recording in the first place. Could have been their version of a deity or maybe a venerated ancestor. Hard to say really."
"Pretty rare to find you not knowing about something." She teased him gently with a smile.
The Doctor just smiled. "Even I haven't seen every planet out there Rose. If I knew everything where would the fun be in exploring? Omniscience would be absolutely boring."
Rose smiled at the thought. "What do you think Seeker?" Rose asked. "About the figure and the vision?"
The robed traveler looked back at her briefly as they walked before facing forward again. ~I [know/comprehend] not the [glyph/soul/identity] of the [figure/being].~ It chirped musically. ~The [vision/knowledge/wisdom] I [gained/obtained] suggests that the [MOUNTAIN] is the [source/creator] of all [glyph/soul/identity]. The [glyphs/souls/identities] in the [sky/canopy] above between the [stars/lights] suggests such. [Glyphs/souls/identities] [appeared/created] the [WING-FLIGHT-LIFE] and the [PLANT-FOOD-LIFE] as well as [Rythulians/ancestors/progenitors].~
"Rythulians?" Rose asked in surprise. "Is that the name of your race?"
~They [are/were/identity] [Rythulians/ancestors/progenitors].~ Seeker chirped, sounding slightly puzzled.
"There's no such thing as just a name on this world Rose." The Doctor reminded her. "Everything here has a personal identity that defines and encompasses it. For these people, 'Rythulian' literally means the very concept of personhood and identity, just like the word 'human' is to you and everything that word implies."
Rose nodded. "So they didn't think in terms of nationality or race?"
The Doctor shrugged. "I doubt those words even exist here. They were a single group of people and from what the vision showed us there weren't any differences between them; at least not enough to make them fundamentally different from each other."
"Sounds like a pretty nice place." Rose smiled before refocusing on Seeker. "What about the rest of it?"
~When [Rythulians/ancestors/progenitors] [died/ceased/disappeared] [cloth/ribbon/scarf] took their place. I [believe/think] that [Rythulians/ancestors/progenitors] became [Glyphs/souls/identities] without [shells/forms/bodies].~
"Some kind of belief in the afterlife?" Rose asked the Doctor.
"Maybe." The Doctor admitted though his tone suggested he wasn't convinced. "That bit about the cloth coming up from the ground where the Rythulian was makes me wonder, though."
The trio emerged from the long arched hallway into the bright sunlight. Before them stood the broken remains of a long pillared bridge that spanned a massive canyon. Looking about, the canyon extended miles into the distance to their right and left with similar bridges crossing the divide every few miles. Several hundred feet below them sat the remains of various constructs with more tapestries blowing in the breeze while on the far side of the canyon stood another entrance at the end of the bridge, backed by a massive flow of sand similar in appearance to a waterfall.
"Wow." Rose murmured as she looked around. "Sure gives you an idea of how big the place is."
The Doctor nodded. "Not to mention the size of their civilization considering the number of bridges." He mentioned before peering down the edge of the broken expanse. "Now, how do we get down here?" He murmured thoughtfully.
Without saying a word Seeker suddenly leapt off the edge.
"Seeker!" Rose shouted in fear as she threw out a hand to grab at the creature's cloak only to clutch empty air.
"Rose! It's okay!" The Doctor said quickly, holding on to her to keep her from falling over the edge. "Look!"
Floating serenely through the open air, Seeker glided towards the ground, its cloak billowing gracefully around it. Reaching the bottom the traveler executed a rolling tumble before shaking itself off and flapping its cloak to dislodge the sand stuck to it. Looking up at them, it sent out another loud blast of sound, the tone suggesting calmness and serenity.
"Sounds like he's okay." Rose admitted.
"You know you really shouldn't call Seeker 'he'." The Doctor reminded her gently. "There's no indication it's a male even if it's humanoid."
Rose shrugged. "Call it a failing of being human but Seeker doesn't strike me as female. He's a take charge kind of guy."
The Doctor shrugged. "You're basing that on your own biases, history, and the time you come from. Your generation's already throwing off that mentality. Give it a generation or two more and that idea will be considered quaint at best."
"I guess." Rose shrugged. "I just don't like calling him an 'it'."
"You're not robbing Seeker of its worth or dignity as a sentient being by using 'it'." The Doctor assured her gently.
Rose nodded. "I get it, but if I slip up don't hold it against me, 'kay? Old habits and all that. I'm more worried about finding a way down."
The Doctor looked around and over the side of the bridge, noting the brown rock formations that led down the side of the canyon wall. "Looks like we'll have to take the long way down." He mused. "Looks like there's plenty of hand holds though."
Rose pouted. "This is going to be one heck of a climbing expedition isn't it?"
The Doctor shrugged. "Won't know till we get there, will we?" He smiled.
Rose huffed in annoyance before carefully reaching out to grab hold of one of the rocks next to the platform. The pair began to slowly make their way down the side of the canyon wall, stopping every few minutes on an outcropping before finally making their way to the bottom where Seeker waited for them placidly.
~You are [fine/uninjured/whole]?~ It chirped.
Rose nodded. "Yes, thanks. I'm not looking forward to climbing up the other side."
"Since we're here, might as well look around." The Doctor suggested. "I think I saw a light over this way." He said, pointing to an outcropping of rocks to the left.
Rose shrugged. "Why not? Not like we're going anywhere."
~We do have a [destination/place/location].~ Seeker corrected with a gentle chirp as they began walking.
"Really?" Rose asked. "Where?"
~[MOUNTAIN].~ Seeker intoned.
"Why do you want to go there?" Rose asked.
~I [feel/sense/observe] a [pull/longing/desire] to reach it.~ Seeker replied. ~I do not [comprehend/understand] why but the [pull/longing/desire] is there.~
"It's a pilgrimage then." The Doctor smiled. "Always wanted to take one of those, just never got around to it. Never had anything important enough to make a pilgrimage to."
"The Time Lords didn't have any places they considered special?" Rose asked.
The Doctor shrugged. "Oh, well we had a few places like the Tomb of Rassilon and Omega, the Untempered Schism, but I ran from the Schism the first and only time I saw it." He said.
A few moments later they moved around the piles of rock. Behind them sat a small glowing orb of light.
"Ooo! What do we have here?" The Doctor murmured excitedly.
Pointing his activated screwdriver with the key still connected to it at the orb, the glowing glyph began to pulsate as Rose and Seeker joined him. Suddenly the orb flared brightly before sending out glowing motes. This time, however, the motes encompassed all three of them at once. The Doctor and Rose looked about them in fascination and delight as Seeker merely observed the proceedings. The vast majority of the motes converged on the edge of Seeker's scarf, extending it as it had before though a few swirled around the Doctor and Rose before focusing around their hands. With a small flash of light, the motes vanished. Rose looked at her hands before letting out a quiet gasp. On the backs and palms of her hands sat a single glowing glyph identical to the one she had observed in the orb. Looking at the doctor's hands the same mark appeared in the same places.
"Well…" The Doctor murmured, gazing at the glyph intently. "Isn't this interesting?"
"What…just happened?" Rose asked uncertainly.
The Doctor quirked a smile at her. "I'd say we've just been imprinted on Rose. That glyph looked similar to the mark Seeker bears. Based on what we know so far, I'd say that orb used to be someone."
"You mean…that was a soul?" Rose asked with a hint of awe.
The Doctor nodded. "Close enough. Wouldn't you say Seeker?" He asked the robed figure.
~We [encountered/experienced] a [Glyph/soul/identity]. The [Glyph/soul/identity] [gave/imparted/bestowed] itself upon our [shells/forms/bodies]. It became [part of/one with, joined] my [cloth/ribbon/scarf] and [gave/imparted/bestowed] itself upon your [appendages/manipulators].~
"What's so special about your scarf?" Rose asked curiously, gazing at it.
~My [cloth/ribbon/scarf] [enables/allowed/grants] me the [ability/skill/advantage] of [flight/volition] for a time.~ It chirped.
"May I take a look?" The Doctor asked.
Seeker bobbed its head affirmatively.
Taking the scarf in his hands the Doctor began to run his screwdriver over the silvery-white runes.
"This material…it's completely organic…almost like…living tissue." The Doctor murmured. "Where did you get your cloak from?"
~I did not [obtain/retrieve/take] it from [anywhere/anything/anyone].~ Seeker stated with an odd-sounding chirp. ~It is a [part/appendage/piece] of me. The [cloth/ribbon/scarf] [gave/imparted/bestowed] itself upon me when I first [encountered/experienced] a [Glyph/soul/identity] as the one just now.~
"So this is your…skin?" Rose asked, brushing her fingertips along the side of Seeker's cloak.
~It is my [covering/shell/exterior].~ Seeker chirped in puzzlement. ~Just as you have [covering/shell/exterior].~
"Well, this is our 'shell'." The Doctor explained, rubbing a finger along his hand. "This," he tugged on the sleeve of his jacket, "is just covering." He said as he began to open his jacket.
Suddenly Seeker let out a loud and frantic series of chirps. ~DO NOT!~
The Doctor started in surprise before slowly closing his jacket again. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you." He assured Seeker, rubbing the humanoid's cloak with a hand gently.
"What was that all about?" Rose asked with a look of concern.
"Apparently Seeker's people didn't need to create clothes or coverings for themselves so there's no such thing as a garment you wear." The Doctor explained. "I suppose Seeker thought I was going to peel off my skin."
"Are you alright?" She asked the cloaked figure gently.
Seeker nodded. ~I was [confused/frightened/afraid]. But now I [comprehend/understand/realize]. You have a [building/structure] around you.~
"Close enough." The Doctor replied. "More like a tent really. A movable building that you can use when you need it."
Seeker nodded again, its chirps sounding calmer. "I am [thankful/appreciative/grateful] for your [explanation/knowledge/information].~
"Well! Now that we've got that sorted out, let's go see about these other tapestries!" The Doctor suggested enthusiastically. Stalking across the sand at a brisk pace they soon came to one of the broken pieces of the bridge. The structure had been mostly buried, creating a small ramp pointing towards the next section. Just beyond it laid a series of boxy metal blocks with fanned wings on each one. At the head of the segmented structure was carved a blank mask-like face with slanted empty eyes, the inner points of both terminating in tear-like trails down the carving's mask. In the center of its forehead was a stylized circle within a circle. At the position of what would have been the construct's neck sat a long dusty tapestry flapping in the breeze, held in place by something within the structure itself. The Doctor peered at the face mask inquisitively, running his screwdriver over it before moving around the edge of the blocks while Rose and Seeker watched.
"Any idea what this is?" Rose asked.
"No, but it certainly wasn't placed here intentionally, that's for sure." The Doctor replied with a scratch of his head. "It looks like it crashed or died here based on how it's positioned. The front of it has what one would normally call a third or inner eye, suggesting discernment or unseen wisdom but the tear marks on its face suggests it came by that knowledge through trials or the knowledge it possessed was grim."
"And the ribbon attached to it?" Rose asked as Seeker quickly leaped on top of one of the connected boxes.
"Well, they seem to be the same as the ones we saw earlier." The Doctor pointed out with his arms crossed in consideration as he looked up at them.
"If that's the case then Seeker should be able to activate it with his voice." Rose suggested.
Seeker nodded briefly in acknowledgement before moving to the tapestry. Letting out a blast of harmonics the tapestry immediately went from dusty brown to royal red with golden glyphs before it seemed to deconstruct itself before their eyes, the shimmering golden edge of the tapestry making its way into the box. Suddenly the entire structure shuddered and hidden doors within it opened, revealing a massive flock of small cloth pieces. As they watched, the swarm circled around them before flying off towards the ramp-like section of the bridge. Combining together they began to create a wide and lengthy tapestry connecting the two bridge pieces until the last of the cloths fused together, completing the span. Seeker quickly leaped off the construct and the trio made their way up the ramp to examine the new tapestry.
"Well, it certainly looks like the others." The Doctor said thoughtfully. "Obviously it's meant to allow us to cross. Interesting that those smart little cloth pieces knew to do that since the bridge sections collapsed. They've either got some very good situational programming or…"
"Or?" Rose prompted.
The Doctor glanced at her and shrugged. "Just a thought; not even a theory really. Later, though. Right now I want to see what this beauty can do."
~I [think/believe] I can [answer/explain/demonstrate].~ Seeker stated.
As they watched the robed traveler stepped lightly onto the tapestry, making the glyphs upon it glow brightly. As they watched, Seeker lifted several inches into the air, twirling gracefully before facing them, its cloak and scarf glowing with the same light as the figure floated before them.
The Doctor's eyes widened in surprised glee at the display. "Incredible! Anti-gravity repulsion technology woven into the cloth itself! Brilliant! I've never seen anybody do that with just cloth! Unless the generator is built into the pieces of the bridge itself, but still! Sending a steady stream of anti-gravity particles along a continuous changing surface like that with that kind of precision! Oooh, whoever your ancestors were they were brilliant, Seeker!" He complimented with a happy grin.
"But if the cloak is his skin, how does it know to react?" Rose asked. "Or will it work for anything?"
The Doctor grinned. "Thinking like a scientist already! They grow up so quickly!" He exclaimed. "Let's try it out!"
Rose scoffed at his comments as the Doctor took a rubber ball from his pocket and tossed it towards the tapestry. Bouncing into the center of the material the ball failed to react in any way, quickly rolling off the undulating cloth until it hit the sand a few feet below, making the Doctor sit back in puzzlement.
"Huh! Didn't expect that. Curiouser and curiouser." He mused. "Looks like the whole tapestry is keyed to the glyph signatures on Seeker's skin so it can float but normal objects can't. Still amazing though, how specific they managed to make it."
"Does that mean we can't get across?" Rose asked.
The Doctor pursed his lips in thought before glancing down at the new markings on his hands. "I wonder…"
Stretching out his hand, the marks on it began to glow brightly inches before he touched the fabric. Pressing down, he could feel resistance building under his hand as if two objects with the same magnetic poles were attempting to repulse each other. Grinning, he moved his other hand closer to the cloth, making the other pair of glyphs illuminate as well. Moving slowly towards the tapestry he carefully kept his hands at his sides with the palms facing downward as he began to walk on it. After a few seconds he began to wobble, making him step back onto the stone ramp.
"Well! That was quite exciting." He stated cheerfully. "Didn't quite work but still…"
"I thought you had it there for a second." Rose said supportively.
"Close but I didn't have enough coverage on my hands to keep myself steady." The Doctor stated. "Rather like trying to balance between two unicycles by using your hands."
Rose looked at him oddly. "And how would you know that?" She asked.
The Doctor grinned. "I'll tell you about my time in the Psychic Circus one day when I performed for the gods of Ragnorok. That was a time."
Rose shook her head. "I don't think I want to know."
~There are other [cloths/ribbons/scarves] nearby. Perhaps we should [use/activate] them.~ Seeker suggested.
The Doctor nodded and quickly descended the ramp, the pair following behind him. Off in the distance, near a double sand-fall at the opposite side of the canyon, stood another structure that seemed identical to the first.
"Ruddy sun is making me feel like a loaf of bread in an oven." Rose muttered as she wiped her forehead clear of sweat. "Thank goodness for that sun cream or I'd be blistering by now."
"You'd have melanomas on every exposed inch of you, I'd say." The Doctor said mildly. "No worry though; that sun block comes from a planet with a worse sun than this. You'll be lucky to get a tan from this one."
"Lucky me." Rose replied with a sarcastic twist to her lips as they reached the other structure, this one holding two tapestries. Once again Seeker leaped onto its head before letting out a harmonic burst. The pair of long ribbons came to life before retreating into the confines of the object, releasing its own swarm of cloths. They quickly flowed towards the bridge, filling in another two sections seamlessly. Glancing around, Rose noticed something glimmer behind the sand falls.
"Oy! Think I found another one of those orb-soul-things!" She exclaimed.
"Onwards then!" The Doctor announced, striding in the direction Rose had pointed. "This time I want to get some good readings of it before it imprints!"
The trio skirted the eternally falling sand to see another orb floating near the wall. Crouching down before it, the Doctor began to scan it intently with his screwdriver.
"I was right." He nodded. "This orb gives off the same energy that the markers do."
"You mean…there are souls trapped in those things?" Rose asked worriedly.
The Doctor glanced at her, his gaze considering. "Possibly. On the other hand they may have left just a bit of power behind. Enough to power the wall transformations and activate the statues without being trapped themselves."
Returning his focus to the orb, he continued his scans. "Energy variances all across the board so it's not just one form of energy, its dozens, maybe even hundreds of different kinds. But all of them interconnected and entwined in perfect harmony to create a brilliant whole."
"Like a beautiful Persian rug or scarf?" Rose asked with an impish smile.
The Doctor smiled at the comparison. "That wouldn't be too far off. I wonder if it can communicate."
The Doctor began to whistle tunelessly at it for a few seconds.
~Please do not! ~ Seeker exclaimed with a loud chirp before moderating its tone. ~That was [disconcerting/unsettling].~
"I think he's saying your tone deaf." She smiled.
Seeker shook its head. ~No [RED-FLOWER/TIME-PREDATOR] it is [worse/terrible]. It is…[anathema/abomination]. It is…[death/decay/un-life]. I cannot [explain/impart] better.~
The Doctor looked over at Seeker in concern. "I was creating a sound that was…dead?"
Seeker nodded. ~There was no [soul/identity/glyph] within it. It is a [decay/cessation/death] [tone/voice/commune]. ~
Rose looked at the two of them, puzzled. "I don't understand."
"Everything ties in to sound." The Doctor explained the chagrin in his voice plain. "Pitch, tone, inflection, frequency. All of it. But more than that, you have to have…I suppose 'life' or 'emotion' would be the best way to describe it. The sound has to mean something, you have to have some 'oomph' behind it. Otherwise…it's dead, flat. Meaningless."
"So?" Rose asked looking a bit bewildered. "I mean I've heard flat or weird-sounding music before and they sound odd but…"
"Not like this, not in Seeker's case." The Doctor stated softly. "This isn't like nails on a chalkboard that makes you wince in annoyance. It would be like…a corpse suddenly sitting up and speaking in a dead, monotone voice."
Seeker bowed its head in mournful agreement. ~Yes.~
Rose looked rather stricken at this. "Something tells me he wouldn't like our orchestras back home then." She murmured.
The Doctor glanced at Seeker soberly. "It would probably be like seeing a mass grave open and the dead try to sing with rotting voices. On the other hand the singing from one of your church choirs might be the most beautiful thing Seeker could ever hear."
Rose brightened a bit at the thought. "Maybe when all this is over Seeker can come back with us and hear them?"
The Doctor smiled again, the sparkle returning to his eyes. "Lovely idea, we might just do that. Anyway, no more depressing thoughts! It's a beautiful day, the sun is shining, we have a new friend, and we have a fascinating soul in front of us! Couldn't be better!"
Rose giggled at this. "One more thing to add to my list of things I never thought I would hear someone say!"
Seeker let out a happy tone at hearing Rose laugh. "The [sound/vocalization] you made…it was very [enjoyable/pleasant]. Filled with [life/Glyph/energy].~
The Doctor grinned impishly at Rose. "If I didn't know better I'd say Seeker loves to hear you laugh."
Rose smiled back at the cloaked figure. "I'll have to do it more often then." She turned her focus back to the Doctor. "Anything else about the orb?"
"Oh plenty of data but it'll take a bit of time to analyze." The Doctor replied easily, gazing at the orb. "If we had the TARDIS with us it wouldn't be a problem but the screwdriver just doesn't cut it for something this complicated. I'll need to talk with the old girl directly just to get the full answer, I think. You don't just analyze a soul with a screwdriver after all."
"That's true enough." Rose smiled. "So, no whistling to it then. What about singing?"
"Could do, but I can't sing worth a pence with this set of vocal chords." The Doctor replied. "Maybe in the old days when I had a different face I could have but…"
Rose shrugged. "I could give it a shot. I sung a bit a few years ago."
Rose began to sing a slow, wordless, and soft melody, weaving her emotions into the chords. The feeling of discovery she felt upon stepping out onto a new world, the surprise and shock upon being filled with an understanding of Seeker's soul, and the wonder of the things she had seen so far mixed with her voice in a song of pure expression before she stopped a few moments later.
~You [communed/spoke/expressed] as I do!~ Seeker chirped in excitement. ~Only a small part of your [soul/Glyph/identity] was [imparted/bestowed/granted] but it was [beautiful/lustrous/wonderful]!~
Rose blushed faintly at the praise as the orb began to emit a soft keening sound.
"I'd say it's trying to say hello." The Doctor said with a smile.
~It is…[acknowledgement/expression/appreciation] of [RED-FLOWER/TIME-PREDATOR]'s [commune/greeting].~ Seeker stated. As the pitch changed slightly Seeker cocked its head. ~It is [inquisitive/wondering/curious].~
The Doctor rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Can it ask us something specific?"
Seeker let out a few chirps but the quiet sound that came from the orb simply faded.
Rose frowned. "Why did it stop?"
~I [sensed/felt] it lost interest.~ Seeker chirped. ~There was [peace/serenity/contentment] within it. It was…[whole/complete/fulfilled].~
"An enlightened soul." The Doctor pondered. "Free from any and all physical concerns or restrictions and completely content in itself, needing nothing."
"Sounds nice." Rose smiled.
"Sounds boring to me." The Doctor replied with an easy grin. "I live for adventure and discovery. Navel-gazing gets dull after a few seconds."
"I suppose it won't mind if it…imprints on us then?" Rose asked.
~It's [will/choice/decision] is its own. We cannot [demand/force/require] it to [impart/imprint].~ Seeker explained.
Saying so, the traveler moved closer to it, making the glyphs on its body illuminate. The orb began to strobe briefly before transforming into motes of light. Swirling around the three of them, Seeker's scarf was lengthened once again. This time, a second glyph appeared next to the one on their hands, linking with it to form a larger whole.
"If we get more of these we're going to be one big tattoo." Rose suggested with a smile.
The Doctor chuckled quietly at this. "I could think of worse things to have. You should see some of the more tribal species I've met. They look like moving pieces of artwork with tattoos all over their bodies."
"Lovely." She commented.
"Come on!" The Doctor insisted, getting to his feet. "Lots more to explore around here! I think I saw some tapestries off in the distance there." He said, pointing to the opposite side of the bridge.
The group made their way across the sandy expanse. Seeker delighted and amused them with its mastery of sand-surfing, the cloaked traveler using the stiff breeze to slide across the sand with ease, occasionally twirling around them teasingly.
"Seeker must be awfully light to do that." Rose mentioned at one point.
"It is," The Doctor observed, "especially since it was able to glide down into the canyon without using its glyph ability. I wonder if its bones are hollow."
Seeker guided them across the canyon, coming to another segmented structure from which waved a large cloth. As Seeker activated it, the Doctor began to adjust the settings on his screwdriver further.
"What are you doing?" Rose asked.
"Setting this so it will detect the same energy form we analyzed from the orb in addition to translating." The Doctor replied distractedly. "If there are more of them out there I want to find them."
"You and your obsession with shiny things." She teased, making the Doctor grin.
The edifice shuddered, releasing its collection of cloths which quickly flew to the last open area between the pillars, creating the final connection. The entire bridge flashed briefly with white light before settling, the tapestries still in place.
"Looks like the construction's done." The Doctor noted as he finished adjusting his screwdriver. "Let's—"
Suddenly the screwdriver began to buzz urgently.
"Ooh, looks like someone else is still here!" The Doctor exclaimed quietly, slowly pointing the tip of the device in various directions until it settled on another series of 'sand-falls' against the far end of the canyon. As they made their way towards the falling sand they came upon another smaller metal box with a shorter tapestry connected to it. Moving the head of the screwdriver about, he finally pinpointed the orb's location, sitting on an outcropping of rock several dozen feet off the ground at the top of the sand-fall.
"How do we get up there then?" Rose asked with her arms crossed, looking up at it.
"How indeed?" The Doctor pondered quietly.
~I [believe/think] this will be [useful/helpful/solution].~ Seeker chirped from the nearby box.
It quickly let out a loud chirp, causing the cloth to activate, releasing a small school of cloths that floated about the box.
"That's fine for you but what about us?" Rose asked.
The Doctor gazed at Seeker and the glyphs on his hands before nodding. "Let me try something. Be there in a tick Seeker!"
The Doctor quickly climbed onto the top of the box to stand behind the cloaked creature. Resting his hand gently on Seeker's shoulder, the glyphs on his hands began to light up, as did Seeker's cloak. Resting his other hand on the other shoulder he then spoke to it.
"Try and float." He suggested softly.
Seeker nodded and called out to the cloths above him. Immediately they swirled around the pair of them, lifting them high into the air. The Doctor cried out in excitement as they quickly floated back to the top of the box.
"That was brilliant!" He laughed. "Rose, you have to try this!"
The girl grinned before climbing onto the box as well. "Can we all get a lift at the same time?"
"Let's try it!" The Doctor suggested as Rose placed her hands on the Doctor's shoulders, making her glyphs glow as well. "Try it again Seeker!"
Calling out once more the cloths lifted the three of them into the air though their pace was somewhat more ponderous and they quickly landed on the ground.
"Not surprising." The Doctor commented. "The greater the mass, the more power it takes to levitate. One last try and let's see if we can make it to our orb friend."
Nodding Seeker called out a third time. As soon as the cloths lifted them into the air, Seeker immediately began to fly towards the top of the sand fall, the three of them landing with barely enough room.
"You okay Seeker?" Rose asked.
~I am [whole/undamaged/fine].~ Seeker replied. ~You were simply [heavy/weighty/ponderous].~
Crouching before the orb Rose once again attempted to sing to the orb but aside from a brief sound of acknowledgement it paid them no mind. Gathering around it, the orb's light engulfed them, lengthening Seeker's scarf and adding a third connected glyph to Rose and the Doctor's hands. Both of them took hold of Seeker's cloak before gliding down to the base of the sand fall, each of them landing softly.
"I think I'm getting the hang of this." Rose smiled.
"Well, when all you have to do is hang on I expect it would be simple." The Doctor teased.
Suddenly Seeker caught their attention with a series of brisk chirps.
Beckoning them over the figure slipped through the sand fall into a natural alcove behind it.
"Secret behind the waterfall?" Rose asked in amusement.
The Doctor glanced at her oddly, not getting the reference before they quickly ducked into the alcove. Before them sat another blank wall with two pairs of markers on either side.
"Ohh! Another one!" The Doctor said with interest. "Wonder what this one's about? I didn't see any markers out there so I doubt it's a memorial wall."
~Let us [discover/find out/learn].~ Seeker suggested, brushing against each of the markers with its cloak, making them light up before the wall itself began to blaze.
"Huh. So the walls are attuned to Seeker's glyphs as well." He remarked, stroking his chin. "I guess we were lucky the first one even lit up at all."
The light faded showing a stone mural depicting a series of buildings amidst rolling hills with the wind blowing across the sky. The Doctor looked over the depiction intently.
"Simple enough, I suppose." He stated. "This carving depicts a flourishing civilization, no real threats or problems to speak of, at least not at the time this rendering represents."
Turning around, he smiled. "Well, shall we try out the bridge then?"
The trio quickly ducked through the sand fall, dusting themselves off before making their way back to the ramp. Resting their hands on Seekers shoulders, they stepped onto the cloth at the same time. Immediately the cloth began to glow along with the glyphs on Seeker's cloak and their hands, lifting each of them up.
~The [cloth/ribbon/tapestry] seems to be [aiding/helping/assisting] in the [lifting/floating/volition].~ Seeker remarked with a series of encouraging chirps. ~You do not feel as [heavy/weighty/ponderous] as before.~
The Doctor nodded. "Let's go then!" He insisted.
Pointing its body forward, Seeker immediately set off at a quick pace, flying up the center of the length of cloth, Rose and the Doctor being pulled along. Rose laughed in excitement as they came to the first stone support with Seeker using its momentum to soar across the unglyphed stone walkway before landing on the next section of tapestry, immediately zooming forward. They arrived at the next pillar support a few seconds later with Seeker once again detouring above it. Upon reaching the third support, this time with a stone archway in the center, Seeker leaped even higher, spinning them in a tight corkscrew as it flew over the arch itself before landing heavily on the last section of ribbon, making it bow before zipping up the last section onto the far side of the bridge and sliding to a halt a few feet before the statue, a series of markers displayed in straight lines down either side of the walkway.
"That was incredible!" Rose cried, laughing, her hair blown about. "Wow!"
The Doctor's grin threatened to split his face, his eyes twinkling madly. "Quite a rush! Even with the wind resistance and our mass we were still able to fly! Those cloths must be incredibly powerful to manage something like this!"
Suddenly Seeker let out a burst of sound, activating the markers nearby. Motes of light flowed from each of them, creating the same perfect circle on the ground before the statue they had seen previously.
"Story time." The Doctor said with a quiet smile as the three of them sat down in the circle of light.
White light blinded them for a moment. When their vision cleared they looked at each other in surprise. All three of them stood within the white void with a massive figure cloaked in gold and white standing before them. Rose stared up at the figure in apprehension before looking at the other two.
"We're all seeing this, right?" She asked anxiously. "I'm not imagining you two, am I?"
"We're here Rose." The Doctor stated quietly as he looked up at the awesome figure before them. "Blimey, that's a tall one."
The figure before them towered over them by several yards. Its cloak, similar to Seekers, was pure white and edged with gold. Upon its expressionless white mask were twin bands of gold, one across its forehead, the other along what would have been its jawline and its slanted eyes glowed pure blue. Slowly the creature leaned forward until it appeared to float diagonally before them, its face close to them as it seemed to scrutinize them intently.
Two of you are not of this world. A sonorous voice echoed around them as the figure emitted a powerful orb of sound.
"No." The Doctor replied quietly with a hint of respect. "We're just paying a visit."
Rose looked at the Doctor in surprise. "You mean this isn't some recording from long ago?"
The Doctor shook his head slowly in amazement. "I was wrong. This is something much more special. This is a gateway Rose." He murmured.
"To where?" She asked, refocusing on the massive figure.
"No idea." The Doctor said in a softly amazed voice, still staring at the figure. "Wherever it lives I suppose."
The figure seemed to focus on Seeker. Why have you come here?
~The Mountain summons me.~ Seeker replied. ~I cannot refuse its call. These others, though they are alien and unlike myself, have shown me kindness, compassion, and friendship. They travel with me.~
You cannot guarantee they will remain by your side to the end.
~I accept that risk gladly.~ Seeker replied.
The figure then looked at the Doctor. Your eyes hold wisdom gained from long years and tragedy. Yet you remain exuberant and optimistic even in the face of darkness. I laud you for remaining unbroken in the face of such trials. Learn what you will, traveler, and let your knowledge grow, for then you will know the truth of us.
The Doctor nodded silently.
The figure then looked to Rose. You are young still, filled with life and not yet burdened with the hardships of the world. Revel in your youth, child, and learn much but never lose your spirit of joy for all too often it turns to bitterness.
"I will." Rose murmured.
Learn now of our history. The figure said before retreating and letting out another refined burst of sound.
Vision shifted and the group beheld another series of pictograms. Below a star and glyph-covered night sky, a stylized Rythulian in a white robe stood before a pile of blocks. A series of higher and higher columns began to emerge from the ground, each more ornate than the last until a large covered bridge had been created. On top of the bridge stood several more figures in white with a swarm of red squares circling it, while below the bridge, stylized plants grew. The pictogram changed with a long red ribbon inserting itself into the covered area of the bridge before sliding through it like a train on a pair of tracks. As the pictogram moved along, three intricate buildings appeared, connected to the sky-bridge. The ribbon ran through the buildings, seemingly disappearing into each one before moving on. A moment later, the previously dark windows in the buildings lit with brilliant light as more cloth pieces swirled above each building with Rythulians standing nearby.
A moment later the scene vanished, returning them to reality. As the circle faded away, the sand fall before them split apart, revealing a long corridor. Standing, the three of them looked around at each other.
"You really consider us friends?" Rose asked Seeker with gentle inquisitiveness.
Seeker looked at her. ~I do.~ It chirped.
Rose smiled happily, the simple declaration warming her heart.
"Come on you lot! Still a long way to go!" The Doctor encouraged. "Allons-y!" He cried as he strode between the sand falls into the darkened corridor.
~[STORM-TRAVELER/TIME-HEALER] [constantly/always] [behaves/acts] in such a [way/manner/habit]?~ Seeker asked Rose.
Rose smiled with a nod. "You get used to it after a while. Come on."
Resting a hand on the back of Seeker's cloak affectionately, the two moved past the sand into the dim corridor.