The Doctor's Journey: Chapter 7
The trio passed through the short passageway that led out of the chamber. High cliffs stood on both sides of the wide path they faced, a large broken bridge spanning it and the mountain looming before them with white snow covering the ground.
"You've probably never seen snow before, huh Seeker?" Rose smiled.
The Rythulian scuffed some of it with the edge of its cloak. ~It is like sand, only lighter. And colder.~ It mused with a chirp.
Rose scooped some into her hand and allowed the snow to melt, forming a small pool of liquid in her palm. "This is water, Seeker." She said, showing it to the Rythulian. "Liquid."
Seeker examined it curiously, dabbing at it with the edge of its cloak. ~[Strange/alien/odd]. It is an [interesting/curious] [substance/material].~
"I wouldn't drink it if I were you Rose." The Doctor said idly from nearby. "No idea what it's made up of."
Rose nodded, letting the warm liquid fall to the ground with a quiet splish.
"Come on you lot, it's not going to get any warmer up here." The Doctor insisted.
As they walked along the wide path, small forlorn patches of short ribbons sat frozen and glazed over with ice. As they passed one of the two stone struts holding up the bridge, Seeker sang to one of the small clumps of ribbon. The glyphs upon them began to glow melting the ice and allowing them to wave in the breeze for a few moments until the snow and ice slowly encroached on them again, resealing them in their icy prison.
"Not exactly hospitable is it?" Rose asked as she shivered, rubbing her arms. "I wonder why they built places here when it's so cold."
"Proximity to the mountain I expect." The Doctor replied. "Come on."
Trudging up an incline they heard a roar in the distance.
"Look!" Rose cried, pointing into the sky.
Within the swirling clouds a war machine flew towards a mass of carpets with a bellow. Smashing into them, one of them fell to the ground, the others consumed by the machine's maw before it flew higher into the low clouds, disappearing from view.
"Just when I'd hoped we'd seen the last of those things." Rose grumbled, glaring at the place where it had vanished. "I still haven't forgiven them for Sir Wilgums."
"Looks like we'll have to use a bit of stealth then." The Doctor said, scanning the sky with his eyes before motioning them forward.
As they rounded a bend in the canyon they came to a large stone plinth similar to the markers. Unlike the smaller stones however, these were taller than any of them as well as wider with a serpentine makeup and wedged top.
"What do you suppose this is?" Rose asked as the Doctor walked up to it, Seeker standing a few feet away. "A marker for someone important?"
The Doctor shook his head as he ran his hand over the stone. "There's no glyph marking on it, for one thing. Also it looks like there's a sequence of them the further along you go."
Suddenly a powerful breeze blew through the canyon, making them stagger back.
"Seeker!" Rose shouted over the howling wind as the Rythulian was blown back several yards to land in the snow.
A moment later the wind subsided and Rose ran to Seeker, the Rythulian picking itself up, its cloak covered with snow and rimmed with frost.
"You okay?" She asked.
~I do not [believe/think] I [enjoy/like] snow much.~ It chirped ruefully, shaking itself off.
As Seeker walked past her she frowned. "Seeker, what happened to your scarf?"
Seeker turned to look at it with a curious chirp. Where before it had been filled with glyphs, several inches of them were now gone. As they watched, bits of golden glyph began to flake away, turning into small motes of light before fading.
"What in the world?" She asked, taking hold of it in concern.
Suddenly the glyphs on her body lit up as well as Seeker's own, though the light was dimmer than before. Slowly the glyphs reappeared on the scarf until it was covered again. Rose looked at Seeker in puzzlement.
"How did you do that?" She asked.
~I did nothing.~ Seeker replied. ~It [seems/appears] your [touch/contact] [allowed/granted] the [Glyphs/souls/identities] to return.~
"Huh." Rose muttered in vague surprise, rubbing the cloth absently with her fingers before letting it drop into the snow. A few seconds later a few motes of light began to flake off of it.
"It's the cold that does it." She mused. "Or something in the snow itself. Weird." She looked up at Seeker and smiled impishly. "I suppose I'll just have to keep you close and warm, won't I?" She teased suggestively.
~It would [seem/appear] so.~ Seeker agreed, missing the tone in her voice completely.
Rolling her eyes at Seeker's apparent naivety she put an arm around her friend's shoulders, walking along with it and making its cloak glow gently along with her own glyphs. They returned to the original plinth just as the wind began to pick up again.
"Get behind it!" The Doctor instructed over the rising wind.
Huddling together with Seeker between them, the wind blew furiously for several seconds before subsiding.
"On to the next one!" The Doctor said.
Ducking behind the next one they once again avoided the powerful long gusts that blew through the canyon. The group slowly made their way through the deep trench, stopping at each of the high stones to avoid being blown away by the powerful winds. Even pressed between the two of them, Seeker's cloak began to get covered with frost, its scarf quickly losing its powers as soon as both of them left its side for more than a few moments. Finally they managed to slip into a tight passage at the base of the cliff where the trench ended, emerging a few moments later into a wider sloped area covered with more grave markers.
"Great. Another graveyard." Rose muttered as she put her arm around Seeker again, their glyphs warming each other.
Off to the left they heard a quiet chirp. Frowning, Rose walked over to investigate a small collapsed piece of masonry in which lay a frost-covered carpet, chirping weakly.
"Ohh! Poor thing!" Rose murmured to it, gathering it up in her arms. The glyphs on her body immediately began to glow, igniting the carpet's as well, freeing it from the frost. Chirping gently it wiggled out of her arms before flying about them, though it flew slowly and rather listlessly.
"Poor guy must have been sitting out here for ages, freezing its tails off." She said sadly, making the Doctor and Seeker nod.
"Come on," he suggested, "still a ways to go yet. Our new friend can tag along and keep warm if it wants."
The carpet followed them for several yards before it decided to nest under another piece of masonry. Though Rose tried to coax it out of its new home it refused to budge regardless of the frost that began accumulating on it. The Doctor walked over and patted her on the back.
"Can't save them all Rose." He murmured to her gently. "Come on. Seeker's looking a bit nippy and I think it prefers your company to mine." He twinkled with a gentle smile.
Pouting at him, Rose sighed and stood up before walking over to Seeker, brushing the snow that was accumulating on its cloak.
~That is [pleasant/enjoyable].~ Seeker said as she gently removed the snow.
"What is?" She asked.
~The way you [brush/touch/smooth] my [cloak/skin/covering].~ Seeker chirped.
Rose's cheeks colored slightly as she smiled. "You like it when I rub your back?"
~Your [touch/contact] activates the [marks/glyphs] on my [cloak/skin/covering], warming me.~ Seeker said. ~And…your [touch/contact] is [pleasant/nice/enjoyable] when you [brush/smooth] it.~ Seeker admitted.
"You've never been touched like this before I suppose." Rose said in consideration as she gently brushed away the last of the snow. "Being only a day old you wouldn't know what it's like." She smiled gently at Seeker before teasing the twin points on its cowl with her fingertips. Seeker suddenly shook itself, letting out a series of surprised chirps.
Rose giggled at this. "I think you're ticklish Seeker!"
~That was a very [strange/odd] [sensation/feeling].~ The Rythulian chirped in surprise. ~Perhaps that [part/area] of my [skin/covering] is [sensitive/delicate].~
Rose giggled more at this. "Oh I could make some crude jokes about sensitive areas but I'll refrain, you being so young and all."
Seeker chirped at her in confusion, making Rose laugh as the Doctor just watched with a smile and shake of his head from a few yards away.
"Come on you two! Have your play date later!" He called to them.
Rose continued to snicker as they continued up the snowy incline until the pathway came to an end, overlooking a massive gulf. Off to the side of the cliff face sat a smaller trail.
"I'd hate to fall down there." Rose commented pensively. "It's so foggy you can't even see the bottom."
The Doctor nodded, guiding them up the cliff-side pathway until they came to a broken set of stairs. As they slowly climbed it, huddling together against the fierce winds they came to a small and simple square room built into the cliff face. Within the room sat a series of markers and what appeared to be an inactive lantern on a stand. The Doctor examined it carefully as Seeker began to sing to the various markers, activating them. Suddenly light bloomed from the lantern and the room was filled with warm light, making the frost melt from their clothes.
"Oooh! It's like a heat lamp!" Rose sighed happily, resting her hands before it to warm them.
"Much better than a fire, I must say." The Doctor smiled before looking up. "It looks like there's some cloth here too. Wonder what they're here for?"
~Let us [learn/discover] why.~ Seeker suggested, letting out a burst of song.
The cloths swirled around them, lifting them into another room above the first. At the back of the featureless niche sat another mural wall. Smiling, the Doctor walked over to it with Seeker letting out more harmonics to activate the markers. The wall blazed, depicting two different sets of cloaked figures riding atop the war machines they had seen. Each machine seemed to fire bolts of energy at the other as they faced off above several buildings.
"This must have been the site of one of their battles in the war." The Doctor stated quietly, gazing at the picture. "Don't recognize where exactly, it might be further up the path."
Turning and walking back they jumped down into the lower room.
"Too bad we can't take this lantern with us." Rose commented as they left.
"Would be nice." The Doctor agreed. "Be a bit heavy to carry around though."
As they continued to walk along the path they came to a bridge with a frozen strip of ribbon connected to the opposite side, their end of the ribbon curling upwards and away from them. On the far side of the gulf sat a stout wall with a doorway.
"They sure don't make these bridges to last." Rose said. "I don't think I've seen one intact one since we got here."
"I'm not so sure." The Doctor replied thoughtfully. "It's awfully convenient for the cloth to be in that position. Almost looks like a kind of drawbridge, keeping out invaders. That room back there could have been a guard station."
Stepping up to the ribbon Seeker sang to it, partially melting the ice covering it and making it movable. The tapestry slowly dropped until they could carefully walk across it, the ribbon quickly becoming frozen again. Crossing to the other side they walked up the stairway into the foreboding, arched doorway. Upon crossing the threshold they were assaulted by a blast of wind that nearly forced them backwards before they found themselves in a wide open area blanketed with more snow. Trudging up the hillside they encountered more large plinths as well as the scattered remains of a number of war machines littering the ground.
"Looks like this is where that battle we saw earlier took place." The Doctor mused.
Suddenly, with a roar from within the swirling clouds, another war machine surged at a flock of flying carpets, smashing into them and engulfing them before swooping around in a wide circle, casting its spotlight onto the ground and searching for other prey a few yards ahead of the group.
"Quick, under here!" The Doctor ordered, moving into one of the large blocky segments of a dead war machine, the others following him a second later.
The brilliant search beam slowly moved over their makeshift bunker before moving on, allowing them to peek out.
"That was close!" Rose muttered looking up into the sky as the war machine flew off.
Bracing against the blustering wind with Seeker between them they slowly pushed their way through the battlefield before the Doctor noticed a single plinth standing off on its own to their left.
"Come on, I want to see where that leads to!" He told them over the wail of the wind.
Sliding and slipping about, they slowly made their way across the expanse until they came to a large rocky enclosure. Sighing in relief they slipped inside the round cave-like area. Off to the side, built into the wall was another simply designed room.
"Another lantern guard station maybe?" Rose asked.
"Hope so." The Doctor muttered. "If I didn't know better I'd think my blood was beginning to congeal from all this cold."
~I too am [starting/beginning] to feel [tired/worn].~ Seeker admitted.
Walking over to the small interior room they came to another mural which Seeker dutifully activated. Upon the wall they saw rows of cloaked figures in white marching towards the mountain nearby.
"The Remnant making their way to the mountain like they said?" Rose asked.
The Doctor nodded. "Probably. Either that or the last of their army marching on the mountain in some kind of final battle. Hard to say."
Leaving the wall behind they walked to the end of the natural cavern, coming out several hundred feet ahead of the plinth they had found, the wind just as blustery as before as they looked over the high ledge where they found themselves. Taking hold of Seeker's cloak they floated down into the snow before making their way forward. Climbing the next hill they came upon the scattered remains of more war machines. Ahead, one of them slowly flew forward, its search beam out in front of it. Ducking into one of the pieces of the dead machines, they managed to hide from the search light as it swept over them. Motioning them forward silently they quickly moved from box to box, keeping an eye out as the machine slowly circled overhead in a holding pattern, occasionally scanning the ground for them. Up ahead in the distance they were able to make out a high wall with a trio of archways leading into a small tight space between the cliffs.
"Come on!" The Doctor murmured to them. "It won't be able to get to us there!"
Biding their time until the machine passed over them again, they struggled towards the gateway. Suddenly the machine twisted around in a circle, highlighting them in its search beam.
A second later it turned a hateful red.
"Move!" The Doctor yelled, dragging Seeker and Rose towards the doorway mere yards ahead.
As they ran through the thick snow the machine reared back its head before shooting forward, aiming at Seeker with a roar. Rose screamed as the machine plowed into the Rythulian who let out an anguished wail as the machine scooped it up in its mouth, dragging it into the sky by its scarf.
"Doctor! Do something!" Rose yelled frantically as the Doctor jerked his screwdriver from his pocket.
As Seeker struggled in the machine's grasp its scarf broke from the strain, sending the Rythulian tumbling to the ground as the machine flew off with a bellow.
"Seeker!" Rose cried, racing to the fallen figure, the Doctor a step behind her.
Rose knelt next to Seeker, lifting its head as its eyes flickered before glowing steadily again.
~Please…[help/assist] me up.~ Seeker requested with a weak chirp.
Rose gently got Seeker back on its feet, gently brushing off its cloak as the Doctor examined the Rythulian. "Anything broken?" He asked as he gently probed Seeker's back and sides for injuries.
~I [appear/seem] to be [whole/undamaged].~ Seeker replied with a series of quiet chirps. ~Just [worn/tired/exhausted].~
Rose spoke up. "Let's get out of here before that thing comes back."
The Doctor nodded as they helped Seeker walk forward, the wind buffeting them until they were finally able to reach the shelter of the high walls. The group moved several feet in so as not to attract the thing's attention before they sat down briefly on some rocks.
"Well that was a bit tense." The Doctor said ruefully.
"Too bad you didn't get a chance to use your screwdriver on it and stop it cold." Rose said.
"You know, that's a good point." The Doctor mused, pulling out his screwdriver and examining it. "I wonder if I could calibrate it to disrupt the cloth circuits in that thing's head…"
"Not right now; it's bloody cold out here and I'm freezing my butt off on this rock." Rose remarked. "Let's get somewhere warm first and then you can fiddle with it."
The Doctor sighed dramatically before replacing it in his pocket and standing up. "Come on then." He said.
Rose stood and helped Seeker up. "Are you going to be able to make it?" She asked in concern.
~I must.~ Seeker replied wearily. ~[Fortunately/thankfully] I have you two to [aid/assist] me.~
They made their way through the crevice, enjoying the lack of wind as a few carpets placidly flew overhead, chirping to each other. Coming out on the other side they came to an open archway. Nestled within the cliff walls was small open area covered with cloths and machine parts. Making their way to the other side they discovered strands of frozen, upright ribbon next to the cliff wall, above which sat multiple large archways. Singing to unfreeze the tapestries, they quickly flew upwards, landing on an outcropping of rock before climbing more of the cloths. Passing under the archways they began to make their way up the tight rocky pathway.
~I [hope/desire] to [find/locate] a place of [warmth/heat] soon.~ Seeker chirped tiredly. ~Even with the two of you [warming/heating] me I am [cold/freezing].~
Rose turned to Seeker and wrapped her arms around the Rythulian, hugging it against her and rubbing its back briskly.
"I won't let you freeze Seeker." She murmured, melting the snow and ice chips on its cloak with her hands.
~I [take/obtain] [comfort/peace] in that.~ Seeker chirped quietly. ~You are [soft/restful]. I [feel/believe] I could [sleep/rest] against you.~
Rose smiled gently and kissed the side of Seeker's head. "You're learning how to talk to a girl pretty quickly."
Seeker let out a curious chirp, making Rose shake her head in fond amusement. "Maybe one day you'll get it. Come on you, we can make it."
Nodding, they slowly parted though Rose kept her hand on Seeker's back as they moved further up the pathway, the Doctor walking a few feet ahead of them. Coming to an open doorway the Doctor poked his head through it only to pull back immediately, his hair looking rather disheveled.
"Wow that's icy!" He exclaimed, smoothing his hair back. "That wind's nasty up here."
Sighing in frustration Rose patted Seeker's back before they made their way forward. Looking about they stood on a small railed walkway that ran along the side of a massive and high fortress wall, the ground below lost in the swirling mists. The wind immediately assaulted them, blowing their hair about and making them shudder as they steadied themselves, its coldness cutting through their clothes. Making their way around various boulders along the railed walkway they held onto each other as the wind tore around the wall with tremendous force, slamming into them almost constantly. Taking shelter behind one of the large stones near a stairwell they waited for the wind to die down before running up the stairs as quickly as they could, resting against the wall as another long gust buffeted them.
"We're going to have to make this one count!" The Doctor cried over the howling wind. "Those rails are broken off over there! One wrong step and it's over the side! Make for that carpet! Looks to be a bridge to the next bit!"
Waiting several seconds they quickly moved toward the ribbon that was connected to the other end of the broken walkway. Suddenly a massive gust of wind slammed into them, blowing them back.
"Rose!" The Doctor yelled as he frantically grabbed onto a stump of rail, reaching out his hand.
"Doctor!" She screamed as her and Seeker flew over the side of the wall, down into the mists below.
Rose screamed as Seeker quickly twisted about. Colliding with her, the Rythulian enfolded Rose in its cloak, activating the last of its glyph power to slow their fall.
~Be [calm/unafraid]!~ Seeker urged her as she struggled instinctively. ~I have you!~
Panting with fear she wrapped herself around Seeker as they floated onto a lower walkway with Seeker landing gently on top of her, their glyphs glowing gently.
"Rose!" The Doctor shouted from about fifty feet above them. "You two okay?"
"We're fine!" Rose shouted back. "We'll find a way back up!"
Seeker quickly stood along with Rose, the two of them making their way along the windy walkway. Finally they came to the edge of the wall with a series of ribbons looking like weeds piercing the stonework.
"Come on!" Rose encouraged as she wrapped an arm around Seeker. "We can do this."
Nodding they entangled themselves in the ribbons, making them glow before they began jumping up the side of the wall, the series of ribbons allowing them to flit from one to the next. Finally they emerged onto the balcony just past the ribbon that the Doctor had used to cross over, landing gently on solid ground.
"Glad to see you two are okay." The Doctor smiled before looking at the archway before them with a frown. "It's going to be tough getting through that mess; looks like a gale going on through there."
As if on cue, a roll of thunder shook the walls as a powerful gust of wind blew through the doorway, making their clothes flap about them.
~Come.~ Seeker stated with grim finality. ~I [wish/desire] to [finish/end] this.~
Nodding they wrapped their arms around Seeker's back before stepping into the massive graveyard. Immediately they were assaulted by winds so powerful it nearly blew them off their feet. Staring up at the mountain from its foot they could see lightning crashing about as thunder rumbled angrily. Another blast of wind, nearly gale-force in its intensity slammed into them, tossing them about and making them slide across the snow. Seeker suddenly felt something tear as its already weakened scarf tore from its shoulders, blowing away in the wind. Rose and the Doctor scrambled to their feet, helping Seeker up before forcing themselves forward yard by yard. As they passed a multitude of grave markers Seeker's cloak began to grow icier and icier from the intolerable conditions. The Rythulian attempted to chirp to its companions but so loud was the wind it could not even hear itself.
"Come on!" The Doctor yelled encouragingly. "There's got to be a cave up ahead. Just a few more feet!"
~I…I cannot…~ Seeker chirped weakly, placing one foot automatically in front of another as the Rythulian staggered.
As Seeker slowly continued to trudge forward the icy snow covering its body and the constant freezing temperatures combined with the furious wind began to take its toll. It could no longer feel the comforting presence of its companions' arms around its back.
In fact it could not feel anything at all.
Curiously the wind seemed to quiet as snow filled its vision, a sense of vertigo overtaking it.
~I…" Seeker whispered, unable to even summon the strength to speak its thought.
Rose and the Doctor continued to brace their friend against the maddening wind that tore at them.
"He's practically frozen!" Rose cried to the Doctor. "I don't think he can even hear us!"
Suddenly Seeker's legs gave out, causing the Rythulian to drop to its knees.
"Seeker!" Rose yelled in alarm as she pulled at its stiff cloak. "Seeker can you hear me?!"
Without a sound Seeker's body fell forward into the snow, unresponsive.
"Seeker!" Rose screamed in fear as she desperately turned its body over.
Seeker's black face was completely dark, it's eyes unlit and dead, the glyph on its chest no longer visible.
"Doctor, help him!" She cried frantically.
The Doctor knelt beside Seeker, quickly looking it over before taking out his screwdriver and scanning Seeker's body with it before looking up at her, his eyes heavy.
All he could do was shake his head.
Rose stared at him in disbelief before howling in anguish, wrapping herself around Seeker's frozen body.
"YOU BLOODY BASTARDS!" She screamed to the sky. "DAMN YOU!"
Looking at Rose sadly he wrapped his arms around her. Turning into him, she sobbed into his coat, crying miserably.
"Why?!" She cried to him.
The Doctor could only shake his head in silent grief.
It was necessary. A remorseful but resolute voice echoed in their heads as the winds suddenly began to quiet.
Looking around, they saw six tall shadowy figures standing before Seeker's body. As the winds quieted they became fully visible as the six Remnant they had spoken with throughout their journey.
"How is Seeker dying necessary?!" Rose demanded angrily, tears streaming down her face. "I thought you said he was supposed to redeem himself! How can he do that when he's dead?!"
Only through the humility and courage of self-sacrifice can atonement truly be reached. One of the Remnant stated. One That Seeks Their Destiny committed terrible deeds in the past. Only by proving that it was willing to sacrifice everything it had in order to atone for what it had done, even give its own life in exchange, would One That Seeks Their Destiny achieve what it sought.
"But he's still dead!" Rose protested. "How—"
The mountain created us. Another explained patiently. Its power is the power of limitless creation. Just as it can create new life from itself, or create a new form for one whose soul is free, so to can it revitalize that which is dead. Here, in this place at the base of the mountain, we can not only manifest ourselves by drawing upon its power, but we can channel it as we see fit. Such is the power and responsibility we bear.
"If you can bring back the dead so easily why can't you bring back your world?" Rose demanded. "If the mountain created everything in the first place it can do it again!"
In time our world shall be restored to its former glory. One stated firmly. But the time has not yet come. Others who float in the ether still await their own trials just as One That Seeks Their Destiny did. Only by experiencing what your companion has experienced in this harsh and dead world will they truly understand the meaning of sacrifice and tragic consequence. Only when all have understood this and proven their worthiness will the time be right for our world to flourish once again. For now, be at peace for One Who Seeks Their Destiny's atonement is complete.
Observe. They said in unison.
Suddenly Seeker's glyph blazed to new life upon its chest. Its eyes began to glow as its body was slowly lifted into the air. From its shoulders grew a scarf of immense length as its body began to glow with white light. The Remnant turned to focus on the Doctor and Rose, their voices speaking in strident unison.
WHILE YOU WERE NOT BORN UPON THIS PLANET YOU HAVE AIDED AND GUIDED ONE THAT SEEKS THEIR DESTINY. YOU HAVE STOOD BY ONE THAT SEEKS THEIR DESTINY WITH FIRM RESOLUTION AND UNWAVERING COURAGE IN THE FACE OF GREAT ODDS AND TRIALS. THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY ASCENDED HAVE GIVEN YOU THEIR BLESSING AS SHOWN BY THE GLYPHS UPON YOUR BODIES. SO WE TOO SHALL GRANT YOU OUR BLESSINGS! LET YOUR OWN IDENTITIES SHINE FORTH AS OURS DO, 'TIME HEALER WHO IS THE STORM OF JUSTICE' AND 'SHE-WOLF WHO HAS SEEN ETERNITY'!
Suddenly their bodies blazed with golden light, a complex and continuous series of glyphs covering their skin completely. Rose's body glowed like the Bad Wolf once again incarnated with the Doctor surrounded by a golden aura.
THUS WE SHALL CALL YOU KIN. They pronounced. WE HAVE OPENED YOUR EARS AND SOULS AS OUR GIFT TO YOU SO THAT YOU MIGHT UNDERSTAND YOUR COMPANION'S WORDS COMPLETELY. WE ALSO ALLOW YOU ENTRY INTO THE PARADISE RESERVED FOR THOSE WHO ARE DEEMED WORTHY.
TAKE HOLD OF YOUR FRIEND ONCE MORE AND THEY SHALL GUIDE YOU TO THE TOP. YOU HAVE OUR THANKS AND OUR ADMIRATION. GO NOW TO THE REWARD YOU HAVE EARNED.
The figures faded away as the Doctor and Rose took hold of Seeker's glowing body. The Rythulian crouched while overhead the clouds spun around a large circle of light seemingly hundreds of feet above them. Suddenly Seeker took a great leap, shooting into the sky, yanking the two of them off their feet. Flying into the whirling mass of clouds at incredible speed, angry war machines flew around them before flying away, rebuffed by the powerful energy surrounding them. Finally two war machines flew alongside them, following them as they flew into the circle of light at the edge of the clouds. Bursting through them, they emerged into a clear blue sky with the sun shining brilliantly down upon them. The tops of the mountains stuck out of the misty white clouds and the split-peaked mountain stood before them, beckoning them onwards. Seeker floated between them, its body no longer glowing brilliant white. The three of them floated there, their glyphs sustaining each other's levitation before Seeker shot forward, flying towards an outcropping of rock upon which stood a tall Oriental-styled gateway of red and white. The Doctor and Rose quickly followed it, the three of them landing on top of the rock before the gateway.
Rose took a quick second to catch her breath before wrapping her arms around Seeker and hugging the Rythulian tightly in relief.
~Be at peace Rose.~ Seeker said gently with quiet confidence as it wrapped its cloak around her. ~I am alive and whole again thanks to the power of the Ancestors.~ It chirped, it's voice sounding melodious and rich to her ears as it sang.
Rose smiled at the Rythulian, tears of happiness slipping down her face as she smiled. "I thought I'd lost you."
Seeker let out a wordless burst of sound that filled her soul with comforting warmth. ~I am here.~ It stated in simple fact as the edge of its cloak brushed gently against Rose's cheeks, wiping away the tears.
"We can understand you now." Rose informed him.
Seeker nodded. ~I was granted such wisdom when the Ancestors restored me. I am joyful you can at last understand my expressions fully.~
Saying this, Seeker let out an enormous burst of sound that covered the entire outcropping. As the sound imprinted on her soul Rose gasped at the raw joy and love she felt coming from her companion as well as dozens of other emotions all intermixed. She could feel the relief at being restored to life by Seeker's Ancestors, gratefulness that its hardships and trials were over and that its greatest companions stood with it, happy and carefree as well as the awe at seeing the mountain and its surroundings in all their beauty. Finally there was excitement at seeing what lay ahead of them when they finally reached the mountain's peak.
~Come!~ Seeker urged. ~I cannot stand still a moment longer! Fly with me and rejoice for we are here!~
The Doctor grinned. "Allons-y!" He cried, running up to the cloth bridge connecting the various outcroppings of rock. Jumping onto it, the glyphs on his body flared making him fly forward. Leaning forward until he was almost horizontal with the tapestry the Doctor laughed as the carpet's power bore him along effortlessly.
Rose grinned at Seeker. "Race you!"
~Go!~ Seeker cried in reply with both of them jumping onto the ribbon at the same time.
Laughing, the pair flew above the glowing strip, each leaping across outcroppings of rock that connected the bridges before gliding over the next strip until they came to another gateway like the first. Shooting through it and passing the Doctor they landed in a field of pure snow against the side of the mountain before sliding down an incline underneath a series of rocky overhangs. Beside them, playful carpets suddenly appeared from behind them, diving into the snow with happy chirps before flying around them and over the rocky archways overhead.
Rose laughed as the snow cooled her feet pleasantly without being uncomfortable as she slid down the embankment, the glyphs upon her body allowing her a natural grace and fluidity of movement she had never experienced. As Seeker caught up with her she grinned at it.
"I feel like I could dance and twirl without missing a step!" She exclaimed.
~You could very easily do so.~ Seeker replied happily. ~Such is the power of the glyphs.~
Saying this, Seeker slid up a natural ramp of rock into the air. Twirling as it thrust its cloak wide; it gracefully glided back down into the snow. Her eyes sparkling with excitement, Rose did the same on the next rocky ramp that appeared, the glyphs holding her aloft as she spun like a ballerina before landing nimbly on her feet and continuing her slide down the hill.
"I didn't even get dizzy!" She cried happily.
Seeker merely sang happily, sharing her joy and amazement as the Doctor sped by them.
"Catch me if you can!" He called to them with a grin.
"Oh it's on now!" Rose retorted with a grin. "Come on Seeker!"
~I am with you!~ Her friend replied eagerly, flying forward.
Coming to a large waterfall with large strands of ribbon attached to it, Rose and Seeker followed the Doctor as he flitted between the tapestries, flying up the high wall. As she flew through the curtain of water she felt the glyphs on her body revitalize themselves with new energy, the water itself gently cool and refreshing on her skin even as the glyphs prevented her from becoming soaked. Flying through, a large spire of rock came into view through the mists as more carpets flew by, catching up with the Doctor as he flew around the spire towards a series of floating jelly-cloths , each higher than the next forming a kind of stairway. Focusing her determination Rose flew forward at greater speed, aiming towards the jellies with Seeker on her heels. Curving around the great rock the jellies spun as she flew near them, igniting her glyphs along with theirs. More jellies passed by, warbling happily at her as she left the spire behind, angling upwards until she came to another series of tiered waterfalls, each with a massive pool at their base.
"Come swimming with me Seeker!" Rose called over to her friend before diving into one of the overflowing pools.
Seeker quickly dove in after her, zipping through the water like a streamlined fish, unencumbered by its cloak. Rose luxuriated in the cool water, swimming about effortlessly before surfacing after a few moments with a smile, slicking her long hair back as Seeker emerged beside her.
~Swimming is a most enjoyable experience!~ Seeker informed her happily.
Rose grinned. "So is splashing someone." She swept her hand out, spraying Seeker's mask with water.
The Rythulian blinked in surprise before spreading out one side of its cloak and heaving a wave of water in Rose's direction. The girl eep'd before diving under the water, avoiding the wave before coming up again.
~You are correct.~ Seeker said in an amused tone. ~Splashing is fun.~
"Come on you, I want to see what's further up!" Rose said.
Activating her glyphs with barely a thought, she lifted herself out of the pool. Glancing down at her soaked clothes she was briefly grateful for Seeker's naivety as her wet shirt clung to her chest, leaving little to the imagination. Focusing her intent, the glyphs immediately began to dry her and her clothes until they were once again warm and dry.
Seeker flew up to her a moment later, beckoning her with a jerk of its head. Smiling they flew up a few more of the falls until they came to another gateway. Ahead of them a hammerhead dragon like the one they had met in the shrine emerged from beneath the pool, lazily flying about the pool.
"I want to ride it!" Rose exclaimed, child-like in her enthusiasm.
~So it shall be.~ Seeker agreed.
Leaping over the great pool they landed atop the dragon's back. It slowly took a dip under the water before flying up the face of the falls.
Taking a moment to catch her breath and admire the view around her, Rose turned to look at Seeker.
"I've never seen anything quite like this." Rose said to her companion. "And I've been a lot of places. This is beautiful."
Seeker nodded in agreement. ~I only know of one thing more beautiful than the place we find ourselves.~
Rose looked at the Rythulian curiously. "What is it?"
~Your soul.~ Seeker replied gently.
Somewhat overcome by the simple statement, Rose embraced the cloaked figure tightly.
"You say the sweetest things!" She murmured intently. "I wish I could describe how I feel right now!"
~Sing.~ Seeker whispered to her.
Closing her eyes as they rode the dragon slowly up the falls, Rose let out a wordless chord of song. Pouring all of her joy, happiness, and love into the long single note, she sang until there was no more breath in her lungs, panting quietly.
Seeker stared at her for a long moment before speaking. ~I understand now why you cry at times of great joy when your emotions cannot be contained. My only regret is that I cannot do the same.~
"You have the most beautiful voice in the world Seeker." Rose assured the Rythulian. "And every time you sing I can feel it in my soul. I know how you feel."
The dragon slowly came to the edge of the pool where more vertical ribbons floated in the gentle breeze. Smiling at Seeker she leaped into the ribbons before flying upward with Seeker next to her. Higher and higher they climbed until they reached the summit of the peak with a small round pool in its center; at the edge of the pool stood a final gate that sparkled with light. Beyond it, a bridge made of soul energy that led to the split in the mountain glowed brightly. Leaning against the gateway nonchalantly was the Doctor, a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye.
"You two looked like you were having fun so I thought I'd go on ahead." He said. "Are you ready for the last lap?"
Rose looked at Seeker who nodded. ~I am ready.~
Both of them took hold of one of the edges of Seeker's cloak before walking through the gateway and flying through the stream of energy. Their bodies began to glow with brilliant golden light as they flew higher towards their final destination until finally they landed in the soft snow amidst a collection of rocks. Ahead of them stood the narrow crevasse of the mountain's peak, the end of it filled with blinding white light. Suddenly Rose looked at Seeker's back in confusion.
"What happened to your scarf?" She asked.
Seeker glanced at its back, noting that its scarf had vanished before shrugging. ~I no longer need it for we have arrived.~
~My soul-mates.~ Seeker chirped softly, looking at each of them. ~I am joyful beyond all expression that you are here with me at the end of our journey. Without you I would never have made it on my own and I would never have experienced so much. I cannot begin to describe my gratitude; you have given me friendship, love, hope, joy, and so much more.~
The Doctor rested a hand on Seeker's shoulder with a kind smile. "Seeing you here, whole and happy, is what made it all worth it. I wouldn't have missed this for anything." The Doctor told Seeker.
Rose simply embraced Seeker again, planting a soft kiss on its forehead below the golden band around its head.
~Come my friends.~ Seeker requested, spreading out its cloak for them to clasp. ~The mountain awaits.~
Each taking an edge they began to walk through the shallow snow into the crevasse. Slowly the walls began to close in on them until they were forced to walk behind each other, Rose holding onto Seeker's cloak and the Doctor gripping her shoulder gently. As they walked into the light the walls of the mountain fell away, revealing an endless white void though they were still able to walk. A moment later they vanished into the light.
Light flared from the mountain's peak and from within the split a light flew from it like a shooting star. Trailing golden light behind it, the ball of energy made its way through the gorges and trenches that made up the path to the foot of the mountain. Gliding through the open portal at the top of the shrine, the ball blazed briefly at the glyphs that continued to glow as it fell until it flew through the door at the bottom of the massive chamber.
The glyphs making up the building slowly dimmed before extinguishing completely, resting until it was once again time for them to awaken.
The ball slowly made its way through the underground passageways, unconcerned about the machines that stood in silent warning; they could do nothing to harm it now. Emerging from the massive hole in the center of the abandoned city, it flew up the massive corridor lined with pillars before emerging into the desert. Flying up the long chasms with their silent archways it flew through the portcullis and beyond the factory buildings. Crossing over the bridge it made its way over the wall until it came to a blue box standing oddly out of place near the building that housed the memorial wall.
Coming to rest next to it, the orb suddenly let out a massive twin burst of energy. Two humanoid forms emerged from them and when the light faded, the Doctor and Rose stood there whole and complete. As Rose looked down at herself the glyphs on her body slowly began to sink under her skin until they disappeared completely, the Doctor's doing the same.
"What happened to them?" She asked, looking at her hands.
~You have no need of them now and so they have retreated.~ Seeker stated. "But should you ever return to this world they will once again become a part of you and allow you the same abilities that we possess.~
"Will you come with us?" Rose asked beseeched.
~I yearn to follow after you and see the wonders of the cosmos I have glimpsed in your communes with me.~ Seeker replied. ~But my place is here. The Ancestors stated there would be others that would follow after me. I cannot help but guide them in their paths and aid them as best I can just as you did for me. But should you return one day, seek me out and you will find me.~
Bursting apart into motes, Seeker swirled around them, making their hidden glyphs blaze brightly, their souls touched by Seeker imparting a part of itself onto them before it reformed before them.
~Go now, my soul-mates. Bring light to those that have none. Remember me with fondness and love in your souls as I will remember you.~
Nodding silently, the Doctor unlocked the TARDIS door and slipped inside. From within the TARDIS a bright light suddenly flared, a tendril of energy streaking towards Seeker's form. Latching on it, Seeker glowed brilliantly for several seconds before the tendril vanished.
~The TARDIS knows me now.~ Seeker explained to Rose's confused look. ~It will forever remember me and this world. You will always be able to find this place should you need to.~
"Bye for now Seeker." Rose said softly. "One day…"
The orb bobbed. ~One day we will meet again.~
Slipping into the TARDIS, she shut the door gently. A moment later a grinding noise filled the air as the TARDIS dematerialized, leaving Seeker alone. Floating there silently for a moment, the ascended Rythulian flew slowly over the gravestones until it came to the platform with the broken communion stone. Suddenly from up in the sky, seemingly from the depths of space a small streak of light shot towards the ground, landing on the other side of the hill atop where two small ribbons blew in the wind.
One that seeks their destiny comes. The former seeker thought to itself as a figure in a red and gold cloak crested the top of the hill.
When it comes before me I will bond with it. Together we shall start a new journey…