A Council discussion on possible movement towards a plan regarding instability in Timeline Alpha B-NHA
Date: 7th-8th July LST (Living Standard Time), year 249 A.P. (After Pariah)
Recorded by Council Recordkeeper Friar Tech; arbitrated by Council Peacekeeper Renegade Rose
Since the abdication of the throne by the former King, recorded in denizen history books as Nova Statera; the bringer of Balance, the Council of Ancients convenes every year following the holiday truce. Formed by Nova Statera and the strongest of the Ancients, the meetings are meant to discuss a litany of problems that may plagues the Infinite Realms, and possible solutions that can be done to remedy those issues.
The following discussion begins swiftly. Amongst the attending council members are such;.
Clockwork, Ancient of Time and Foresight; Equinox, Ancient of Space and Curiosity. Nocturne, Ancient of Night and Dreams; Pandora, Ancient of Day and Hope; and the three Observant representatives, Mizaru, Kikazaru, Iwazaru. In attendance are Friar Tech, the Council's recordkeeper, the Ancient of Technology and Knowledge, and Renegade Rose, the Ancient of the Wild and Pestilence, the Council's peacekeeper.
"I bring to the table a concern regarding the balance of one of the Alpha timelines, Alpha B-HNA." Clockwork is always terse with their words. It is rare for them to bring up a concern quickly after the beginning of the meeting. The fact that they are starting the meeting, instead of the other Ancients present, is troubling.
The balance one of the Alpha timelines—one of many timelines that are intertwined closely with the Infinite Realms, as compared to the other Omega timelines—is an incredibly dire topic, to be fair. One that they would be acutely familiar with, being the Ancient of Time, and all.
"Was the small change we offered not enough for stability?" Equinox asks, brows furrowing in confusion. The rings of ectoplasmic stardust and particles that form around his head spin with anxiety as he leans back in his Council seat.
To that, Mizaru, speaks up, her one eye sealed shut. "It was too minor of a change to affect the timeline as a whole. It swayed the destabilization, but only by a few centuries, at most."
"We introduced the next step of human evolution early in that timeline, I would argue that it wasn't a minor change." Equinox replies, crossing his arms. "What has changed since our last meeting that has prevented its improvement?"
"There are many ways that the timeline could have gone right and gone wrong." Clockwork explains. "Meandering timelines have broken off from the Alpha timeline, and managed to stabilize themselves, for the time being. However, there is a core issue with the main timeline that we have yet to properly address."
"If it is what I think you're suggesting—"
"It is the best option, Equinox." Pandora interrupts. Her golden armor shines bright in the light of the Council's meeting room. "Without a Champion—"
"Other timelines have existed just fine without a Champion. Why should this one need one as well?"
"I hesitate to agree with Equinox, but he does have a point." Nocturne speaks up. Usually, they are rather quiet, only adding their own opinion when they deem necessary. Even if when they deem necessary is when it is least appreciated. "Other Alpha timelines have persisted and kept their stability."
"The issue comes down to the nature of this Alpha timeline." Clockwork says. They unconsciously shift in appearance from their adult form to their elder form. "Other Alpha timelines have no need for a Champion because they have not crossed the threshold into the Infinite Realms in such a dramatic way. While this timeline's history and connection to ours faded centuries ago, there is still leftover energy in their realm that is impacting them. We had voted to interfere last human year to speed up the process of our energy affecting the humans that still reside in it, thinking that speeding up the evolution of the human race in that realm would help to stabilize it completely. But the connection still exists, and where a connection exists, a Champion must be chosen."
"Do we have any say in who that Champion may be, or will the Realms decide herself?" Equinox asks, his tone turning dark. The stars that make up the fabric of his cape flicker out, one by one.
The Council is silent. The question was rhetorical, anyway; Equinox knows that they have no choice. They all know who the chosen Champion will become. They cannot put a name or a face to it, but they know, deep down in their cores, that the Realms longs for another champion, just like she had many centuries ago.
"I'm sorry, but I have to refuse the notion." Equinox breaks the silence, which explodes into an uproar.
"What do you mean, refuse—"
"Just because you were once the King, Equinox—"
"The collapse of an Alpha timeline could jeopardize the existence of the Realms!"
From atop her bench above the Council, the Arbiter Renegade Rose slams her gavel down loudly, three times, ushering in order. She doesn't even need to use any of her words, though her words were like venom when she spoke. Thorns began to climb around her bench, threatening to blossom into bright violet roses.
All the Ancients slowly quiet down.
Mizaru clears her throat. "It is a necessary action we may have to do, Equinox, for the better of the Realms."
"I have pledged myself to the Realms since the day I took the throne those centuries ago. I created this council to leave the control of the Realms in the hands of more than one capable ancient, so decisions could be agreed upon unanimously and equally, instead of by a single higher figure." Equinox says, standing up as he does. His voice cracks as he continues, "I have given my life and my afterlife to her, and it has caused me much so pain. As much as I love her, I cannot on good conscience allow her to do to another child what she has done to me."
The silence is nearly deafening, as the Ancients all watch as Equinox wipes away at the tears that are slowly spilling down his face. Most of the Ancients do not remember their Deaths, but since Equinox is the youngest among him, the wounds are still, ironically, fresh, despite centuries of time.
Equinox turns to Clockwork. "Is this the only way?"
"Time does not deal in absolutes." Clockwork responds as they shift from their elder form to their child form. "There may be other ways to stabilize the Alpha timeline that do not involve allowing a new Champion to be chosen. But this… It may be the best solution to lead to the safest stability."
A beat of silence. From the corner of the council room, recordkeeper Friar Tech glances up from his seat, and he meets the glance of Renegade Rose. They both had known Equinox in life, death, and afterlife; they had both been alive at the time most of what he experienced occurred. But neither of them knew it as intimately as Equinox had.
Being chosen as a Champion for the Infinite Realms is not an easy feat. It involves a lot of pain and suffering, to become an impossibility.
Equinox sighs, falling back to his seat. "I still cannot condone the action, but I am aware that I will be outvoted by the Council. If we must go through with this, may I make a suggestion?"
"What shall it be, young Ancient?" Pandora asks, seated to his right. She leans in close, resting one of her four hands on his shoulder. Condolences? Pity? Her expression is unreadable.
"When they are chosen, I would like to speak to them. I would prefer to do it in just one dream, if you would allow me, Nocturne."
"And whatever would you say to them?" Kikazaru, the prickliest of the Observant representatives, asks, eye narrowing.
"Nothing that could jeopardize the timeline any further. I believe we all learned the consequences of that a long time ago." At that, Equinox nervously glances to his left, where Clockwork smirks and shifts from their child form to their adult form, and shudders. "I just… I want to apologize to them, when the time comes."
Nocturne, the Ancient of Dreams, hums on that, for a moment. "Equinox, you are the Ancient I like the least."
"I am keenly aware of that."
"But, if this will allow us to stabilize the Alpha timeline, I suppose I shall allow it… with my supervision, of course."
"Nocturne—" Kikazaru scoffs.
Pandora interrupts. "All in favor of allowing the Realms to choose the new Champion of Balance, say aye."
"Aye."
"Aye for the three of us."
"Aye."
"Aye. All opposing?"
Equinox is the only one to speak. "Nay."
"Then it is settled. We shall allow the Realms to choose her new Champion and allow Equinox one visit to their dreams shortly thereafter." Pandora says. "Discussion settled. Are there any other pending issues we ought to attend to?"
"Well." The quietest of the Observants, Iwazaru, says. "Um. There is the one issue of that sorcerer's compounding paperwork in Timeline Beta D-C?"
All of the Ancients glance at Iwazaru, who shrinks down a bit in their seat. They nervously laugh.
"Or, we could, um. Just… wait on that a little bit longer. I am sure it can settle itself out on its own, eventually…?"