Disclaimer: I do not own Tales of the Abyss.
Chapter 17
Sylphday, Gnome-Decan 42, ND2019 – 12:45pm local time (Tataroo Valley)
Florian ran as fast as he could, letting the friendly breeze that Colonel Jade had called Sylph guide him. The cave was full of raised gray stone walkways that led in different directions. He was glad he had Sylph to show him which way to go. All around him, green sparks glowed, and small indistinct...somethings seemed to dance in the air. They looked a little bit like angels, but more like green fairies.
Don't be silly, Florian told himself. Fairies aren't real. Those are all Sylphs... I think.
The dancing winged forms were giggling Tee hee hee and whispering Innocent One, Innocent One, Innocent One...
The breeze directed him to a strange device surrounded by a translucent circular walkway that glowed with elegant patterns. The device was a tall object shaped like the symbol of the Order of Lorelei, with a large fonstone splitting the lower, shorter portion. Fonons were flowing upward in a green stream, gathering near the ceiling, which glowed so brightly that it lit up the whole chamber like daylight.
"Wow," said Florian, gazing around. "What is this place?"
This is a Sephiroth, and the device here is a passage ring. Sylph's voice echoed throughout the chamber, sounding more serious and less giggly. In front of Florian, between him and the fonstone, a spiral of green fonons took on the shape of a small girl. She was about half Florian's height, with curly hair and butterfly-like wings, and she was glowing green from head to toe, wings included.
"What does it do?" Florian asked cautiously.
It controls the flow of fonons, replied Sylph, crossing her arms and glaring at the passage ring. Humans built the passage rings at the Sephiroth, the planet's fon slots, in order to raise the land and escape from the miasma. The passage rings were designed to use only memory particles, and for two thousand years they upheld the land. But fonons flow up from the core at the Sephiroth, too. That's what the Sephiroth are, you see.
"What do you want me to do with the passage ring?"
We did not call you here to do anything to the passage ring, although we wish it had never been built. Innocent One, we need you to link to us. This place, the center of our power as the fonon of wind, is where humans used to forge their connections with us, long ago, before the Planet Storm destroyed everything.
"Connections?"
The ancient ones would form a bond with us, to be able to use our power.
"Power? You mean like fonic artes?"
No, no. The fonists of today draw fonons from the world around them. Our ancient bonded ones would draw upon our power directly.
"Okay." I don't really understand, Florian thought, but I'd better not argue. "So, you want me to become a... a... bonded one?"
They were known as... hmmm...
"As what?"
The closest word we know in the language of this time and place would be Caller. One who calls upon us to do his or her bidding.
"Like a Summoner?" Florian asked. Like Sheena in the Heroes of Regeneration series? he wondered. I thought those graphic novels were just fantasy.
Yes, yes! That's a better word! Sylph twirled in midair, wings fluttering. Innocent One, will you become a Summoner for us?
"How do I do that?"
It's easy! The figure in the air twirled again in the opposite direction. All you have to do is make a promise to us and keep it! As long as you don't break your promise, you can use our power whenever you want! Sounds pretty cool, right?
"Yeah!" Florian exclaimed. "So, what kind of promise should I make?"
Hmmm... How about promising to help the rest of the sentiences as well? They are trapped by the passage rings at their Sephiroth, just like us, and when too many fonons build up, their power goes out of control like ours.
"And that's what happened at Mount Zaleho?"
The volcano erupted because the fire fonons there went out of control, yes, yes.
"Sylph... does it hurt?"
No, no, bonding with us doesn't hurt!
"No, I mean... does it hurt you, when too many fonons build up and your power goes out of control?"
Yes, yes, it's very painful. It hurts right now, yes. Innocent One, make your promise. Hurry!
"Right!" Florian clasped his hands together, the same way he did when he was praying, and bowed his head. "Sylph, I promise to help the other sentiences, too." He looked up, and held out his hand to the winged girl. "Please, lend me your power," he finished, just like Sheena.
Accepted! Sylph cried in triumph. Brace yourself, Innocent One... here it comes!
The figure in front of Florian dissolved into a formless cloud of glowing green. It wrapped itself around him and sank into his body. Florian gasped at the strange sensation as streaks of green fonons swirled into him from all directions. He almost blacked out from the dizzying, exultant rush.
In a few seconds, it was over, leaving Florian kneeling on the walkway panting for breath. The absence of Sylph's glow made the chamber dim and gloomy.
Anise's voice behind him made him flinch.
"Florian! What have you done?!"