The Doctor's Journey: Chapter 6
The ironwork grills towards the rear wall slowly slid open and stylized lanterns began to glow with soft, warm light, illuminating the tall corridor beyond it. The Doctor, Rose, and Seeker slowly stood as the circle of light faded beneath them.
Seeker turned to the Doctor. ~I have [seen/felt/known] from your [soul/Glyph/identity] that you are a [savior/redeemer/restorer] to many. Perhaps you can [describe/explain/impart] what it [means/purpose/role]?~
The Doctor focused on Seeker, his gaze heavy. "It's not a role to be taken on lightly." He replied. "All I ever wanted to do was help people, not become their savior, but they decided that what I was. It's a terrible burden to take upon yourself; those you save expect you to do the impossible on a regular basis and they can turn on you very quickly when you don't live up to their expectations. Assuming, of course, that your people can be restored to what they were. I don't envy you Seeker."
The cloaked figure nodded ponderously before it began walking towards the open doors, its walk wearier than before with the Doctor and Rose trailing after it. They soon entered the main room, a massive thick pillar several hundred feet high immediately grabbing their attention. The entire room was built around the stylized column with iron walkways ending in grilled platforms on various levels. To the left sat a blank wall with a twin pair of markers, lit by a trio of lanterns at the top.
"Good a place as any to start." The Doctor muttered as they made their way across the sandy floor.
The blank wall was built into a recessed niche above which the lanterns slowly spun in gilded gold cages of vaguely Oriental design. The markers beneath the wall, unlike the plain grey stone in the desert were colored in shades of red and peach, a stylized bird with outstretched wings in black sitting in the center.
Rose bent down to look at them. "It reminds me of a Phoenix rising from its ashes, except it's in black and kind of skeletal instead of red and gold." She said.
The Doctor shrugged. "Probably just design aesthetic. Seeker, if you please?"
Nodding, Seeker sung to the wall, making it glow. However, unlike the previous murals which had shown past events relating to the planet's earlier civilization in simple stone, this one continued to shine with golden light as it depicted a cloaked figure atop a hill with some grave markers to the right, an almost perfect replica of the final vision they had just seen.
Rose stared at it in surprise. "How in the world did they do that?"
"The Remnant most likely." The Doctor suggested. "We don't really know what the limits of their powers are. It's possible they had the ability to read time streams to a certain extent. They did mention foretelling that a redeemer would come; obviously that's meant to represent our friend here so they had this wall created as a symbol of hope."
Suddenly a series of loud clanks were heard behind them. Turning around, the bottom of the pillar in the center of the room began to glow with glyph light. Rising from the bottom, dozens of glyphs in columns and squares began to light the base of the tower until the first level, easily 30 feet high, was covered in glowing light. At the same time light began to flow from them, filling the bottom part of the chamber with misty, swirling light. Instantly the glyphs on Seeker's scarf and the hem of its cloak lit up, lifting it off the floor. At the same time the Doctor's and Rose's glyphs lit up as well, allowing them the same ability.
Rose's eyes lit up as she took in the room as well as her weightlessness. "It's beautiful!" She said in a breathy voice as she looked around. "Is this…?"
"Pure glyph energy." The Doctor affirmed quietly, looking around. "It's like a hundred glyphs suddenly decided to let go of all their energy at once."
Rose looked at him in fear. "You don't think they actually-?"
"No." The Doctor assured her with a gentle smile. "No, I don't think they did that just to create this. The glyphs are still glowing; they probably just allowed part of their energy to emerge into the room like the one that created those cloth pieces in the desert. It's just manifesting itself differently here."
~I [feel/sense] as though I am [surrounded/covered/immersed] in [life/creation/power].~ Seeker said with a series of soft chirps.
"You very well might be." The Doctor replied, gazing intently at the misty glow around them. "If this is the stuff that the cloths were animated with then this is a kind of life energy."
They slowly began to float towards the tower, the Doctor and Rose making swimming motions to propel themselves along as Seeker flapped its cloak.
"Is this what it feels like to be you?" Rose asked Seeker with a smile. "Because it's brilliant!"
~I cannot [know/comprehend] since I have never been [other/different] than myself.~ Seeker replied.
Floating to the glowing wall of glyphs the Doctor and Rose ran their hands along it.
"Perfectly smooth." The Doctor mused. "No indentations where the glyphs are set into the stonework…Almost like…"
We were beyond such [simple ideas/creative limitations] even before we began the [creation/construction] of this great [artifact/monument/memorial]. A sexless voicestated in a vaguely amused way.
The three of them started in surprise before looking about in confusion.
To your left and up above. The voice stated, amusement still coloring its tone.
Swimming to the top of the mist they found a glowing orb floating on a small overhang just above the top of the energy pool. Taking hold of Seeker they quickly landed on the slab of stone.
"You can talk?" Rose asked in surprise.
You are [surprised/shocked/amazed] that I am able to do so? It asked a bit arrogantly. Did you not [commune/sing/speak] with the others?
"Let's just say that the others outside weren't exactly talkative." The Doctor drawled as he knelt in front of the glowing glyph. "I'm the Doctor, this is Rose, and this is Destiny-Seeker. Who might you be?" He asked as he waved his screwdriver in front of the glyph.
That [device/object], while [useful/helpful] as a translator, makes my [energy field/Glyph/substance] [fluctuate/change/alter] unpleasantly. Please remove it from my [vicinity/location].
"Sorry." The Doctor murmured, placing the screwdriver back into his pocket. "So who are you then?"
I am the [soul/Glyph/essence] you [see/observe] before you. It stated. I have no other [designation/Glyph/soul].
Seeker let out a burst of harmonics to identify itself to the glyph.
I greet you Seeker-of-Destiny. The orb stated. It has been a very long [time/duration] since I have [spoken/communed] with any others besides those here.
"Why are you here?" Rose asked curiously.
I am here because I [choose/decide/elect] to be. The orb replied simply. Are you not also here because you have [chosen/decided/elected] to be? You ask very [strange/odd/weird] questions.
"Well, we aren't from around here." Rose admitted with a smile.
"What is this place, exactly?" The Doctor asked, looking around for a brief moment. "The Remnant said this was a shrine."
Then your [question/query] has been [answered/imparted/granted]. The orb replied with some confusion. Why do you [question/query] further when you [know/understand] what this place is? Your thoughts are [strange/odd] indeed.
"Nuances again; how I wish I had a proper translator." The Doctor frowned. "The Remnant we spoke with didn't tell me everything; I still had questions to ask ."
Then that is its [choice/decision/will]; who are you to [gainsay/oppose] it? The orb asked with a hint of annoyance. It is not [beholden/obligated] to you nor do you have [command/control] over it to [demand/insist] such answers. Be [happy/joyful/content] with the [information/knowledge/wisdom] you have been [given/granted/imparted] and [learn/discover] the rest if you [choose/decide]. You are [arrogant/egotistical/overbearing] indeed if you think they must [answer/inform/explain] all to you because you [demand/order/require] it. The orb stated reproachfully. Perhaps this is why the others [chose/decided/determined] not to [speak/commune] with you.
"I'm sorry we don't mean to be rude." Rose apologized. "The Doctor just gets terribly excited about learning new things and this whole place is like one big puzzle he can't solve."
~We do not [demand/order/require] [information/knowledge/wisdom] but we [request/ask/inquire] so that we might [understand/comprehend] what happened to my [ancestors/progenitors/Rythulians].~ Seeker explained. ~The [ancestor/progenitor/Rythulian] stated I was to be a [savior/redeemer/restorer] but I do not [know/understand] how.~
The orb pulsed silently for a moment before it spoke. I do not [have/know/contain] the [knowledge/wisdom/information] you seek. It stated. I [know/understand] only what goes on within the [shrine/memorial]. But because you [seek/search/look] for something [important/significant] I will [aid/assist] you.
The orb suddenly exploded into motes and swirled around each of them, imprinting itself on their bodies and scarf.
"I think you're a little over-eager to find out what's going on here." Rose commented to the Doctor. "You might want to rein it in a little or we won't get anywhere."
"Not my fault they're a bunch of self-satisfied navel-gazers." The Doctor grumbled with a disgruntled frown.
Rose giggled quietly at the Doctor's vexation before Seeker turned to look out over the mist. ~There appears to be a grill with [cloth/ribbon/scarf] flying about it.~ It said. ~I [believe/think] it would be [prudent/wise] to make our way there.~
Nodding they took hold of Seeker's cloak as the Rythulian took a great leap, arcing across the open space before landing gently on the grilled platform, the light from the gilded lantern beneath it illuminating the area. The cloth pieces swirled around them uncaringly until Seeker sang to them, activating their glyphs and causing them to swirl the trio into the air.
~I [see/observe] another platform across the [room/chamber].~ Seeker informed them. ~Hold on!~
Seeker flew forward quickly using the height gained from the cloths and glided around the room to land on yet another platform with cloths. Doing the same across a series of similarly-situated but higher platforms they soon came to another landing with a niched wall and its markers. Seeker once again sang to it, this time revealing him travelling through the desert with Sir Wilgums and the other carpets, the factory buildings off to the side. Once again the sounds of unlocking machinery were heard as more rows and columns of glyphs became ignited around the sides of the central pillar. More light flowed into the massive chamber, making their glyphs glow constantly and allowing them the power of unaided flight. Across the way sat a doorway and small room built into the center of the column. As the mists rose higher jelly-cloth suddenly materialized in a spiral pattern around the column, the closest off to their left. Propelling themselves forward they landed on the first of the jellies which spun its bulb as it lit up, warbling quietly at them. Rose happily petted it before leaping higher onto the next jelly-cloth, the Doctor and Seeker following after her as she laughed playfully.
~I never [grow/become] [tired/weary] of her [laughter/emotion].~ Seeker chirped happily as they floated higher.
"Me either." The Doctor smiled, enjoying the free flight as they made their way up the jellies. Flying out of the glyph light they landed on one of the last jellies before taking hold of Seeker again. They then flew across the room to another niche.
"I could play in here all day!" Rose exclaimed happily as Seeker walked over to the wall. "Everything is just so amazing in here!"
"It is fun, flying about like this." The Doctor commented with a smile. "And I'd love to study all of these glyphs. I could spend a century or two at least doing research."
Rose snorted. "Only you would find research fun!" She teased.
Singing to the wall, the next mural displayed Seeker walking through the underground caverns with its seaweed-like ribbons as a war machine looked on. As more glyphs appeared on the pillar and the room filled with more glyph light, a loud and ponderous bass tone emitted from the far wall behind them. Looking around they saw what appeared to be an enormous cloth creature emerge from a side room, glowing brightly in the glyph light.
"Oh my!" Rose murmured as she stared at in wonder, the Doctor also temporarily speechless.
The creature's body consisted of a long straight ribbon, its head a series of trailing ribbons in the overall shape of a hammer-head. Twin pairs of trailing wings attached to each side of it and its tail was a long single ribbon. The creature flowed sinuously into the room, weaving up and down as it came closer.
"It's like a cross between a hammerhead shark and one of those eastern dragons!" Rose muttered softly.
"Cloth dragon." The Doctor suggested quietly. "Wonder if we can ride it?"
~I would [assume/expect] so.~ Seeker stated, gazing at the monstrous cloth as it began to move past the platform they stood on.
Each of them took a quick leap and landed into the middle of the dragon's back, making the cloth bow slightly before the glyphs on their bodies allowed them to float above it as it drew them away from the mural.
"I want to see where our big friend here was staying." The Doctor said. "Come on!"
He quickly bounced down the length of the dragon's body before leaping off the end of its tail, swimming towards the large gap where it had emerged from, Seeker and Rose following after him a moment later. As they entered the antechamber and slowly landed on the flat stone floor they found themselves in a mausoleum-like circular room. At even intervals around the room stood tall straight ribbons connected to the ceiling like hanging banners, in the center stood a large block of stone with a mural set into it with a single large lantern hanging from the ceiling above it. Walking slowly into the room, Seeker harmonized softly, bringing the mural to life. Unlike the others in the main room this one was made of simple stone, depicting the distant past. Against a backdrop of the stylized pillar and various high and intricate windows, a procession of white-cloaked figures stood. On the far left of the mural lay a single Rythulian, a marker next to its head and a glyph floating above it.
"The Remnant was right." The Doctor murmured, gazing intently at the depiction. "This is where they came to die."
"Such a beautiful place, and yet, so sad." Rose said quietly, looking around before moving aimlessly towards the glowing ribbons to her left.
~There is a [heaviness/ponderousness/weight] about this place.~ Seeker agreed.
"The weight of a thousand souls pressing down on us along with countless centuries of time." The Doctor said softly. "All contained in this chamber."
Brushing aside one of the ribbons, Rose glanced over before blinking in surprise. "Found another orb here." She informed the others.
Seeker and the Doctor walked over to where Rose was standing. Behind one of the slim square columns between which the ribbons sat, floating an orb.
"Funny, it being back here." Rose commented. "Were you playing hide and seek or something?"
The orb chose not to answer.
"Another stuffy one." The Doctor mused as they converged on it.
Motes of light surrounded them, creating more glyphs on their foreheads, Seekers scarf now easily 8 feet long. Walking around the edge of the room behind the ribbons they encountered no other orbs though Rose briefly saw what looked like a large and segmented bug-like creature made of light scuttling about the ceiling before it vanished into a gap in the wall.
"Ugh! I hope that's not what passes for cockroaches around here!" She muttered to herself.
Seeker chirped at her curiously but she waved its question off as they exited the room. Looking about, they saw another entryway and open area within the column just below the mist line. Jumping off the floor they floated upwards towards it before touching down on the grillwork. In the middle of the small and open chamber sat another orb.
"You lot are prolific in here, I have to say." The Doctor smiled.
This is the [final/last] repository of our [people/race/culture]. Does this [surprise/shock] you? It asked mildly.
"I suppose not." The Doctor admitted with a smile. "I have to say I just love the architecture! Lots of work went into it. Very elegant!"
Every stone, every piece of metal, was [carefully/painstakingly] [carved/shaped/molded]. The orb replied. We [had/possessed] nothing but time and will. I heard you speak to the other down below and so I have decided to assist you as well. I have grown somewhat tired of these surroundings.
A moment later the orb burst apart, covering them with motes of light that transformed into another glyph.
"Kind of surprising that they get bored, considering all the other ones we've met." Rose commented.
The Doctor shrugged. "It takes all kinds to make a universe Rose."
As they moved to the other side of the small room and out the other entryway, they saw a raised platform a dozen feet above them. Swimming up to the platform they leaped out of the golden mist, landing onto the metal grillwork. Immediately a long wide ribbon began to come into existence with one end connected to the grill, the other end extending itself via a golden, sparkling edge until it reached another similar platform across the room.
"Just like activating the ribbons attached to the war machines." Rose pondered. "Only in reverse."
"Machines…" The Doctor mused softly to himself, staring at the ribbon thoughtfully before his face lit up excitedly. "That's it!" He cried. "Nano-machines!"
"What?" Rose asked, bewildered.
"Think about it!" The Doctor said enthusiastically. "All these ribbons coming together and breaking apart like that and yet they're intelligent! Nano-bots! Billions upon billions of them! An entire society based around intelligent nanites! Get enough of them together and you can create anything you want to! Flying carpets! Walkways that appear and disappear at will! Get a flow of anti-gravity particles going, channel it via the machines themselves; on such a small scale the particle layering on the material is perfect even if it moves! That's how the cloths were made! That's how all of this works!" He exclaimed, stretching out his arms to encompass the entire chamber before laughing happily. "Brilliant!"
~A [fascinating/interesting/intriguing] [idea/concept].~ Seeker stated. ~But there is a [flaw/inconsistency/error] in your [statement/theory/idea].~
"What's that?" The Doctor asked with a challenging smile, his eyes sparkling.
~Me.~ Seeker stated simply.
The Doctor frowned in confusion.
"He's right, you know." Rose said after a moment's thought. "The cloak that Seeker wears isn't cloth like this, it's his skin. He's not made of nanites."
"Are you sure about that?" The Doctor asked contemplatively, looking at Seeker sharply. "Some of the things we've asked you you've been rather vague about. I know the screwdriver doesn't translate perfectly but even still, it's not bad."
~I do not [understand/comprehend].~ Seeker stated in confusion.
"You said you've never seen the sun set." The Doctor reminded him as he took a step closer to the figure. "You've never even seen a liquid; more than that you don't even know what a liquid is. You also said you've always been in the form you are now, never changing, never growing. All organisms start small and grow as they mature. But you…" The Doctor murmured intently at Seeker, his gaze sharp as knives as he rested his chin in his hand.
"Doctor what are you saying?" Rose asked uncertainly, an edge of nervousness in her voice.
"Seeker, will you let me examine your memories?" The Doctor asked softly.
Seeker gazed at the Doctor silently for a moment before nodding.
Placing his fingertips gently on the sides of Seeker's cowl, the Doctor stared into the Rythulian's glowing eyes before opening his own mind and extending it outwards.
FLASH
The Doctor's eyes flew open, his stare laser-like in its focus before he drew back, his face becoming thoughtful.
"What did you see?" Rose asked quietly, unsure whether she wanted to know the answer or not.
"Seeker is a lot younger than we took it for." The Doctor stated quietly. "It was right when it said it had never seen the sunset. It hadn't lived long enough to see it."
"What?" Rose asked confusedly.
"Seeker's first memories are of sitting in the sand watching an orb fly over it in the sky, away from the mountain." The Doctor murmured, his gaze still fixed on the cloaked and silent figure before them. "About an hour later it met us for the first time."
The Doctor turned to look at Rose. "Seeker has only been in existence for one day Rose." He said in a soft intense voice. "It appeared fully formed in the desert. It doesn't feel any need to eat or drink."
He turned to look at Seeker again. "Seeker has a soul attached to it, the Glyph on its chest confirms that, but its body…it's just a container for it or a way to move about. If we removed that mask I doubt there would be anything underneath but more glyph light." He concluded. "Seeker's body is light enough to glide on the wind but strong enough to bear our weight when using the glyphs. That kind of adaptability…"
"Doctor, stop it!" Rose ordered firmly, her voice trembling slightly. "You're talking about him like he's some kind of unfeeling machine or a car with a brain in it! Didn't you just say he had a soul? Funny how you skipped over that bit to focus on all the external parts of him like he's some new puzzle for you to play with!"
~You [spoke/suggested] removing my [face/mask/covering] just now.~ Seeker chirped with quiet unease. ~I do not [believe/think] you would [like/enjoy] having your [face/covering/skin] removed for [study/experimentation]. Your [thoughts/desires/words] begin to [worry/frighten/concern] me.~
Rose stepped over to Seeker, wrapping her arm around its shoulders. "You're scaring him Doctor and to be honest you're freaking me out. So stop it!" She demanded, glaring at him.
The Doctor blinked at the realization before looking closely at the two of them before lowering his head shamefully. A moment later he looked up at the two of them, his face apologetic.
"I'm sorry Seeker." The Doctor said softly before looking at Rose. "You're right; I got caught up in my thoughts and didn't realize who I was speaking to. Can you forgive me?"
"You promise not to do anything to him?" Rose asked.
The Doctor's eyes became pained at the question and the lack of trust it implied but he nodded. "I promise."
Looking to Seeker again, the Doctor began to vocalize a sorrowful, low chord. It was in no sense musical or even pleasant to listen to but it was filled with his emotions and desires, a mix of sad regret and a desire for forgiveness. After a moment the Doctor stopped vocalizing and Seeker stood there, still and quiet for several long seconds before it moved to the Doctor and embraced him with its cloak.
~You are my [friend/companion].~ Seeker chirped softly. ~Even if I am [made/created] as you [say/suggest/believe], I am not [less/diminished] because of it.~
"No." The Doctor replied softly, resting a hand on Seeker's shoulder before embracing the cloaked figure as well. "No you're not. And I'm honored to have you as a friend."
Rose smiled widely at seeing the two of them reconcile before speaking up. "Well, now that you've come to your senses shall we move on?"
The Doctor grinned at her. "Absolutely. I can't wait to try floating on this carpet myself!"
Seeker let out a happy burst of sound before jumping onto the length of carpet, immediately angling its body forward and shooting down the ribbon. Rose carefully rested a foot against the cloth only to have it support her weight via the glyphs, making her float above it. Grinning she began to run down the length of the carpet, her feet not leaving any indentations as the Doctor followed after her a moment later with a happy laugh. As they reached the end of the first length of cloth that was attached to another grilled platform, a new cloth began to weave itself into existence at the other end of the grill, seemingly anticipating their journey as it connected to another, higher platform. The three began to race around the edge of the room, following the carpets from grill to grill until they came to another mural. Holding onto Seeker they quickly leaped into the empty air, the Rythulian using its scarf to fly them over to the landing. Activating the mural, its golden light showed Seeker walking down a steep hill with a large city in the distance, reminiscent of their sand surfing. With a loud clank the great column once again began to light more glyphs until only the very top was uncovered by them. The golden mist rose higher until it covered them once again, the top of the mist just reaching a small platform atop the column. The top of the column itself was pointed with a wide base and a single tiered staircase that led up to another meditation stone with markers alongside it while other pairs of markers stood like sentinels on either side of the staircase. The far wall was dominated by a massive arched window that opened to the outside. Jumping into the mist the trio swam to the staircase, making their way up before standing on the flat tip of the tower, surrounded by markers and the stone. The Doctor took one long, last look around before nodding to Seeker. Letting out a harmonic burst the markers around them lit up, the circle appearing before them. As they stepped into the circle a quiet boom rolled through the chamber, causing them to look up. At the top of the ceiling sat a wide open circle, allowing in the daylight. Around it, in geometric formations, more glyphs began to awaken until the entire ceiling was covered in luminous soul writing. Releasing their energy, motes of light began to flow down towards them in multiple small streams of energy. As the small whirlwind of light swirled around them, light filled their vision as they expected. However, when their sight returned they were shocked to see the white-robed Remnant standing before them in the same room in which they stood, its body covering the communication stone as it hovered before them while the white light of the void flowed around them, the glyphs upon the walls just as bright.
"It's here!" Rose said in surprise, staring up at the figure.
"How are you able to manifest yourself here?" The Doctor asked quickly.
You sit in a place of power unequaled and you can ask how such a thing is possible? It asked. It is by the will of the glyphs and their power that allow me to speak with you directly.
"I have questions." The Doctor said with quiet respect, remembering the orb's words from before. "And your wisdom is deep. Will you answer them?"
What I choose to answer is for me to decide. The figure stated with solemn firmness. But if I believe the knowledge will be of use to you, or allow you to grow in wisdom I will answer. Knowledge that is useful is a powerful tool but useless knowledge is wasteful at best and dangerous at worst. Be content with what I will teach you and do not over-reach yourself, for even you cannot know everything Time Lord.
"You know who I am." The Doctor said. "All of you did apparently. How could you know what I was? My people never learned of your planet."
Just as we foresaw the coming of One Who Seeks Their Destiny, so we saw you as well. The figure replied. In the time before the Last War we knew neither of the wider universe nor its peoples for we were content with our existence. As our pride grew we turned inward, focusing on our own achievements and reveling in them, uncaring for what lay beyond. By the time the war was over, there were none left to ponder such mysteries. But for those of us that reached the mountain, power and wisdom were granted to us.
"Yes, the war." The Doctor continued. "The cloth or technology, whatever it was, became scare and you turned on each other in a massive civil war. All but a few died but some of them obviously came here. Why?"
As the war consumed our people, some became ashamed of what we had done and so we fled here, into the depths of the underground where few went, to try and salvage what we might. The figure explained. Here we locked ourselves away; hidden from the machines we had created, barricaded from the horrors being perpetuated in the name of greed and pride. Here we perfected our arts of creation, artistry, and peace so that when the war finally ended we could rebuild our world.
"But it was too late for that, wasn't it?" The Doctor asked his voice quietly sober.
The figure nodded ponderously. The war raged far longer and more terribly then we could have ever imagined. More of us found this place in time though not many compared to the number of the dead that continued to increase. Still we waited and when the fighting ceased we returned to the surface, armed not with weapons but with the will and drive to rebuild. Unfortunately we found only death. The plants and animals were gone, the waters evaporated, the land nothing but dust and sand. All life had been extinguished, there was nothing for us to build upon, no way to restore our world.
"The only place you had left was here." He murmured, gazing up at the figure gloomily.
We returned to the last place we called refuge to wait for our inevitable deaths. The Remnant intoned. A few of us decided to make one final journey to the Mountain to try and find a solution or perhaps an escape from the inevitable but most remained so that they might enjoy companionship and peace for a short time more. In that time they decided to create one last masterpiece, that which you see around you, in order to preserve as much of themselves and their knowledge as possible .
The Doctor looked at the figure shrewdly for a moment before his eyes widened slightly in realization. "The column." He breathed. "This chamber! It's…a kind of Ark isn't it? That's what the mural in the antechamber means!"
Yes. The figure replied. They discovered a way to transform themselves into pure souls, converting their physical bodies into energy. Some remained untethered as you have seen in the floating glyphs but most allowed themselves to become part of the structure itself, all that they are is stored in this place to help ensure the wisdom and last knowledge of our people does not vanish. They will defend this place and power it even until the end of time if need be. This is a monument to those that dared to hope for a future even when it became futile and a last refuge of all that was beautiful and good.
"Brilliant!" The Doctor murmured in awe, looking around at the walls and ceiling, every inch covered with glyphs. "Personality, will, power, everything that these people were, contained in a single glyph! There must be thousands here! Tens of thousands! Matter to energy conversion on that scale…assuming normal human body weight multiplied by the speed of light squared…you could create a small sun with the amount of stored power here!" He said to Rose in excitement.
The figure shook its head slowly. Even with all your wisdom and experience you are still like a child, thinking in terms of raw power. The subtleties of converting a physical body into soul are still beyond you.
"I think it's beautiful." Rose stated softly. "I've seen the heart of the TARDIS; I know what its soul looks like. These people managed to do something like what the TARDIS did to me."
Even the height of our creations cannot compare to the organism you call the TARDIS. The figure told her. We have not the power to travel through the vortex of time but we are able to see events as they relate to our world. We have not the powers you possessed Time Wolf, but what we have is enough.
~The previous Remnant stated that I was to become a savior or redeemer but I know not how this can be.~ Seeker interrupted. ~I require enlightenment if I am to accomplish this.~
What you seek I cannot give you. The figure replied gravely. This manner of enlightenment cannot be told; it can only be experienced if you wish to truly understand it and become such as we have foreseen. But know this; you have received much enlightenment already and the skin you wear is the color of blood laced with golden hope for a reason. This is not the only life you have lived, though you remember it not.
"You're talking of reincarnation!" The Doctor exclaimed intently, staring at the figure. "That's what the vision meant when it showed Seeker being created in the desert from the sky!"
Yes. The figure nodded. One Who Seeks Their Destiny was once one of those who committed the very atrocities you have witnessed through our visions. Others bearing the colors of shame and atonement have walked these sands and spoken to us over the centuries. One Who Seeks Their Destiny is but one of many, given new life by the mountain's power.
"Then Seeker isn't meant to redeem all of the Rythulians." Rose said quietly. "Just himself."
The figure nodded ponderously again before addressing the Doctor directly.
I know the power you wield Time Healer and I know your will to aid those who have no hope. Such desires are admirable and you have saved many who might otherwise have perished. But here and now I charge you as a guardian of this world, do not attempt to interfere in our history. No matter what you have learned, even with your status as Lord of Time, you do not have the right to meddle in what has come before. Let others learn from our folly; while many died it was a just price to pay for the destruction they brought about due to their horrible pride and arrogance. If you dare to alter events as you desire our people will learn nothing and the events we have shown you will simply happen at a later time. In the end, we were a very stubborn people. Your pleas would fall on deaf ears.
"That doesn't mean we shouldn't try!" Rose argued.
The figure turned to look at her. You were a being of omnipotence briefly, Time Wolf. In those brief but shining moments you saw time in all its glory, something even we cannot do. But even our wisdom, incomplete though it is, has shown us the folly of what you suggest. Do you think we did not attempt to do the same when the Great Separation began? Many sacrificed themselves to prevent that war but to no avail; the word of two unknown aliens would change nothing. Justice has been served. Though we grieve for our people, we would not change what occurred even if we had the powers of the Lords of Time at our disposal. Be at peace, Time Wolf, and remember that all actions have consequences. Your companion knows this all too well though he hides it skillfully.
The Doctor's eyes became clouded. "You know about the Time War." He stated softly.
While we commune with you, your minds are open to us, to a degree. We know not the details of the War you ended but we see the sorrow and pain in your heart that comes from such terrible deeds. You know the price of power, the price of arrogance, the price of consequence and you run from it whenever you can, seeking to uplift those in need or removing the heel of oppression from others. At the same time you bear the arrogance of your race within you, looking down upon others with smug superiority. But perhaps that can be excused, for you knew no other way for centuries. But know this; even you cannot run forever Time Lord. Life will catch up with you no matter how you twist and turn through Time's corridors in your living machine.
"Living machines…Is Seeker one too?" Rose asked timidly.
One Who Seeks Their Destiny is no machine. The figure replied. Your companion's thoughts about tiny machines, while fascinating and understandable given how he thinks, are inaccurate. I will not divulge our knowledge of the cloth to you; it would not aid you in your endeavors for you cannot create it. Only the mountain is capable of pure creation.
The group was silent for a few moments until Seeker spoke. ~What must I do to atone for the sins I have committed?~
Observe. The figure intoned.
White light filled their vision and when it vanished the figure still stood before them but the walls around them had changed to a vast and complete mural like the ones they had seen in their previous visions, focusing on the figure of Seeker atop the hill. As they looked around, following the narrative they could see the figure climbing the cloth bridge they had created, to meeting the cloth creatures in the desert and entering the city, to sand-surfing down a vast incline until they reached the metropolis. The figure walked through the underground passages beneath a vast and intricate city, encountering the war machines, before making it to the tall chamber in which they stood. Looking even further, they saw the figure struggling against powerful winds at the base of the tall mountain itself.
Seeker turned to look at the figure that seemed to stare back at it before it turned to gaze through the massive window, the split-peaked mountain in clear view.
You now know what you must do. It intoned gravely. Your last and greatest test will show you who you truly are and what you are capable of.
Seeker turned to look at the mountain also, their profiles and manner strikingly similar as though a solemn weight pressed down upon them both.
"What will happen to him?" Rose asked anxiously.
That remains to be seen, for it will be One Who Seeks Their Destiny's choice in the end. The figure replied. It is the same choice that all the others who have come before faced as well.
Suddenly light filled their eyes for a brief moment. When they could see again, the room had returned to its previous appearance with the glyphs shining brightly.
The figure in white was nowhere to be seen.
Up ahead, across the stone bridge that connected the tip of the column to the rest of the structure, a pair of grilled doorways opened slowly with a clang.
~I [feel/sense/believe] we are [reaching/nearing] the final [part/stage] of this [journey/pilgrimage].~ Seeker chirped. ~I am [grateful/glad/pleased] to have the two of you [accompany/travel/stay] with me.~
Rose smiled at the Rythulian. "I wouldn't miss it for the world."
The Doctor nodded in agreement. "We've gone this far, no way we're leaving you now. Come on, you lot, let's go see the mountain!" He grinned.