Continue the narrative by crafting the next chapter in this series. Your writing should be dynamic and engaging, emphasizing the story's progression while staying relevant to the genre and theme of this Spire.

Realm

Chapter

The curiosity of Youth Zeke had had a long day. The sun had already set by the time he returned home. He lo

Awakening at Liquid Lands Unknown

Genesis Archivist

Echo Anthologist

Scribe

Echo Artisan

Lore Master

Echo Elite

Grand Wizard

A frosted plain once covered in flames extends from his view toward the sea, spread as if by a painters brush out upon the land. The land that belongs to him. By rite of battle, and by right of inheritance, for one cannot be had without the proof of the other. Though he clings onto that which is his, a man once unknown now sees he has nowhere to go. He casts himself aside in recognizing the nothingness that the ego hides. His struggle behind, his past foretold, now he has only to gaze distantly into the future in the hope that such legacy will carry on. The winter’s frost will soon give way to the warmth of spring. The warmth of spring that is due to this realm of after ages upon ages of being caught in between conflicting agents’ desires.&nbsp; And yet the winter is long. The spring shall come, but it shall not come quickly. So he waits. And in waiting, the reflections, they come. In the stories, they flow. The stories which make up the history of this realm to be forever enshrined in substance now. The man once a warrior becomes an artist, becomes an author, a weaver of worlds. Sees the fragility of the histories available, sees all that has been lost and all that ought not to be there. The Particle, which flows through the realm itself, becomes his paint and his ink. Materials become his brush, and geography his canvas and the memories become his inheritance unto this world. His body is still, but the Anima flows, like a roaring river from the top of a mountain, carving its way through the land down onto the plains, rolling even across the desert out through the cove into the ocean. His spirit flows over everything, solitary, and yet inconceivably whole. The pieces, separate, shall find themselves scattered across the land yet inextricably linked for eternity. He muses to himself, There can be no treasure without a hunt. There can be no search without a map, and so now that I have scattered these remnants–whose existence and placement in space and time exist only in my mind–I must transform myself now into the map. And I must craft these objects to be the compass. I know not what language those to come will speak. I know not the rules by which they will lay claim to these lands, nor to even their own lives. I know only that the universal language of energy flows as Anima in every being and Particle in every place. And so with these, I shall draw the ley lines to guide those who come. And in these ancient objects with which I have protected myself through war and exploration on both sides of the veil, I will imbue the necessary resonance to attract the worthy spirit. Whether born of this world or another, children of the Void and children of the Realms alike will know these secrets in time. An echo from the past shatters the void between then and now. The cries of a people in a land once forgotten now find their place in the tapestry of time. The realm feels all that has been, and all that will be. The steward channels its will to exist in the minds of its inhabitants, making material the manifestations of its fundamental being which transcend other forms of expression.&nbsp; A dream from the future winds its way through the maze of happenstance. A boy embarks on a journey, unknown. A secret shines hints in to the world of here and now, and the process of knowing begins to unfold. The steward steps outside of time, his mission complete, his waiting over, his peace at last.&nbsp; And yet as a new light begins to shine upon the story of this place, even so, a shadow also appears. Sneaking in through the hidden channels of lost events, unresolved and left behind. A girl senses darkness even as an adventure calls. A Realm yawns, awakened from its tranquil slumber and sees its fate contained in a simple village.

The Steward

Hisayo and Zeke sat in silence for a while, absorbing the strange experience they had just undergone. The stark reality of their village and the mysterious monument clashed with the vivid images and emotions the box had unlocked. They were but children from a quiet, isolated village, and now, they were burdened with a profound sense of something beyond their understanding. As the sun climbed higher in the sky, Zeke finally broke the silence. "We've got to keep this between us, Hisayo. We can't tell anyone, not yet. They won't understand." His sister nodded, her brown eyes reflecting the gravity of the situation. "You're right, Zeke. This is our secret, and we need to figure out what it means before we involve anyone else." They began their descent down the hidden passage, still carrying the weight of the mysterious cloak in Zeke's pack. The village beckoned, its quiet routines and the familiar faces awaiting their return. The world beyond the rock wall seemed like a distant dream, one they would tuck away for now. As they reentered the village, they went about their daily tasks, but the strange experience kept tugging at the corners of their minds. Hisayo observed the villagers and the daily life around her with a newfound curiosity, wondering if there were hidden truths waiting to be discovered beneath the surface of their tranquil existence. Days turned into weeks, and the bond between Hisayo and Zeke grew stronger as they shared the secret of the mysterious cloak. They spent hours studying the inscription, poring over ancient texts, and attempting to unlock the riddle of the monument. The village continued its gentle rhythm, oblivious to the mysteries that had unfolded atop the mesa. Then, one evening, as they gazed upon the monument in the fading light of the day, a realization struck Zeke. "Hisayo, the monument guided us here for a reason. It showed us something. It wants us to follow that purpose, whatever it may be." His sister nodded in agreement. "But what is our purpose? What are we meant to do?" Zeke's eyes held a determination that belied his age. "We'll find out, Hisayo. We'll uncover the meaning behind the monument and the cloak. It may take us far from this village, but we can't ignore the call to adventure." And so, the two children embarked on a new journey, determined to understand the mysteries that had been revealed to them. They knew they would need to tread carefully, as their village might not understand their quest. But the monument, the strange box, and the vision they had experienced were all pieces of a puzzle, one they were destined to solve. As they walked away from the monument, the plum tree's blossoms had fallen to the ground, casting a delicate carpet of pink against the gray sky. The cold wind blew through their hair, and they felt the weight of the unknown future on their shoulders. Hisayo and Zeke were ready to embrace the adventure that awaited them, guided by the silent sentinel atop the mesa, and the enigmatic power of the cloak that held the key to their destiny. The village remained as serene as ever, unaware of the changes that had taken root in the hearts of the two children. The story of Hisayo and Zeke's journey was only beginning, a tale waiting to be told, and the monument on the mesa stood as a silent witness to the uncharted path that lay ahead.

The Silent Sentinel's Call

Chapter: The Inheritance UnveiledThe village was abuzz with activity as the sun reached its zenith. The market was in full swing, with vendors peddling their wares and children playing in the streets. But for Hisayo and Zeke, the world had shifted. The events at the monument had left them with more questions than answers.As they made their way back to their home, they tried to process what they had experienced. The cloak, now safely tucked away in Zeke's pack, seemed to pulse with an energy of its own."We need to figure out what this is," Zeke said, glancing around to ensure no one was eavesdropping.Hisayo nodded, her eyes distant. "It felt like... like we were connected to something much bigger than ourselves."They reached their home and quickly made their way to the attic, a private space where they often retreated to discuss their adventures. Zeke carefully laid out the cloak on the wooden floor, and the siblings examined it closely. The fabric was unlike anything they had ever seen, shimmering and changing colors as it caught the light.As Hisayo reached out to touch it, a series of images flashed before her eyes. She saw a vast city with towering spires, people dressed in strange clothing, and advanced technology that seemed out of place in their world. She also saw a figure, cloaked in shadows, watching them from afar.Zeke, seeing his sister's reaction, quickly pulled her hand away. "What did you see?"Hisayo took a deep breath, trying to make sense of the visions. "A city... and someone watching us. I think... I think this cloak is a key to something."Before they could discuss further, a knock on the door interrupted them. They quickly hid the cloak and went downstairs to find Auntie Sara standing at the entrance."I heard you two went on another one of your adventures," she said with a knowing smile. "Anything interesting?"Hisayo and Zeke exchanged a glance, deciding to keep their discovery a secret for now. "Just the usual," Zeke replied nonchalantly.Auntie Sara raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. "Well, be careful out there. The world is full of mysteries, but not all of them are meant to be uncovered."As she left, the siblings couldn't help but feel that she knew more than she was letting on. They decided to investigate the cloak further, hoping to unlock its secrets.Over the next few days, they researched the village's history, looking for any mention of the monument or the cloak. They discovered that the monument was built centuries ago by the village founders, but its purpose was lost to time. The cloak, however, remained a mystery.One evening, as they were poring over old manuscripts, a page caught Hisayo's attention. It depicted a figure wearing a cloak identical to theirs, standing in front of a portal. The caption read, "The Inheritance of the Void."Zeke looked up, excitement in his eyes. "This is it! This cloak is the key to the Void!"They realized that the cloak was not just a piece of fabric, but a tool that could transport them to another world. The visions they had experienced were glimpses of this other realm.Determined to uncover the truth, they decided to venture into the Void. With the cloak wrapped around them, they focused on the images they had seen and felt a pull, drawing them into the portal.As they stepped through, they found themselves in the city from Hisayo's visions. The towering spires and advanced technology were awe-inspiring. But they also felt a sense of unease, as if they were being watched.They explored the city, trying to find answers. Along the way, they encountered strange creatures and faced numerous challenges. But with each obstacle they overcame, they grew stronger and more determined.Finally, they reached the heart of the city, where they came face to face with the figure from Hisayo's visions. It was the guardian of the Void, tasked with protecting the Inheritance.The guardian explained that the cloak was a gift, passed down through generations to those deemed worthy. It was a tool to help them navigate the challenges of the Void and uncover its secrets.Hisayo and Zeke, with their boundless curiosity and adventurous spirit, were the chosen ones. The guardian entrusted them with the task of protecting the Inheritance and using it to bring balance to their world.As they returned to their village, they realized that their journey was just beginning. With the power of the Inheritance at their fingertips, they were ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.And so, the legend of Hisayo and Zeke, the guardians of the Void, began.Chapter: The Quest for the DivineIn a world where realms intertwined and legends were born, the Realm of the Gods stood as the pinnacle of all wonders. It was said that those who reached its ethereal gates could glimpse the very fabric of existence. But reaching the Realm of the Gods was no simple task. It required traversing the other five realms, each a test of one's spirit and resolve.Hisayo and Zeke, with the Inheritance guiding them, embarked on this divine quest. Their first stop was the Mountains of Anima. Towering peaks, cloaked in mists, held ancient spirits that whispered secrets of the universe. Here, the siblings faced trials of courage, scaling treacherous cliffs and seeking the blessings of the mountain spirits.From the chilly heights, they descended into the Realm of the Healer Golem. A land of lush meadows and tranquil streams, where a colossal stone figure, the Healer Golem, roamed. It was said that the Golem held the power to heal any ailment. Hisayo and Zeke sought its wisdom, learning the art of healing not just the body, but also the soul.Their journey then led them to the Valley of Abundancé. A place where golden trees bore fruits of prosperity and rivers flowed with liquid silver. But amidst this wealth, the true treasure was understanding the value of contentment and the dangers of greed.With lessons of abundance behind them, they ventured into the Realm of the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything. A realm of enigma, where time swirled and galaxies drifted. Here, they pondered life's greatest mysteries, seeking answers that often led to more questions.Their penultimate challenge was Lucifer's Hammer. A dark, foreboding realm where shadows whispered and illusions played tricks on the mind. It was a test of their inner strength, facing their deepest fears and emerging stronger from the ordeal.With the trials of the five realms behind them, the gates of the Realm of the Gods beckoned. As they stepped into its radiant embrace, Hisayo and Zeke realized that the journey itself was the true divine experience. The gods, in their infinite wisdom, imparted a final lesson – that seeking knowledge, understanding, and growth was the ultimate purpose of existence.

The Inheritance Unveiled

[Zeke] 	A great horn blared from somewhere at the edge of the city walls. Already running through the citadel halls, armor weighed heavy on his shoulders beneath a flapping cloak. The voices of frantic attendants and warriors echoed off of stone. Someone handed him his Fabled Spear as he exited a staircase onto the watchwall. Smoke rose from the east at the edge of the fjord. With eyes not his own, he zoomed in to see the horde swiftly trampling through the valley. The thought, Those don’t belong here, and then a flash and suddenly he stood panting above a fallen beast. Spear in hand, even as it dug deep through the beast’s flesh behind its shoulder, tearing through a tangle of robotic enhancements now dyed crimson with blood.&nbsp;			“Aaaaahhhh!” Zeke woke from the sound of his own scream, bolted upright and stared at his hands in fear. No blood. No beasts. Just the familiarity of home. His heart pounded and sweat had already drenched the woolen bedding. There it is again. The same dream, or at least the same start, every time a different horrible ending. And every time it feels so real, like a memory. He couldn’t help thinking about the cloak hidden under the loose floorboard beneath his bed. The dreams had started the day they found it. 	Then he realized Hisayo was there too. Sitting on her bed with her knees tucked into her arms, face buried except for hesitant eyes that now peeked up in his direction. “The nightmare again, I guess?” she asked meekly. Zeke didn’t like that he was worrying her, and usually prided himself on better controlling his emotions. He hadn’t told his sister more than he had to about the dreams, but sharing the same room made it impossible to hide.&nbsp; 	“Zeke, it’s been two weeks,” Hisayo ventured, “Don’t you think it’s time to say something to Auntie Sara?”&nbsp; 	Her voice already sounded defeated, and Zeke felt guilty knowing he would not reward the bravery of her asking. He just shook his head gently, unable to voice the selfish words. I don’t even know how I would explain it, he tried to reassure himself. 	Apart from dealing with the dreams, they had tried to carry on normally since the day at the monument. Grandma had scolded them for returning late, but they had stayed quiet about exactly how far they had gone. And so far, had not agreed on anything to say or do about it. So Zeke rose and went out to the vineyard to carry on his daily chores and familiar tasks.&nbsp; 	Everything felt more fragile than before, though, or less real. Like the life they had always known might suddenly slip away. It made him wonder about things beyond their small town, beyond the monument. For the first time in a long time, Zeke wondered about his own origin as well. No one had tried to hide anything from him, at least as far as he knew. All the same, he had never asked. He only knew that for as long as he could remember, Grandma had been here for him, and this had been his home. Still, it was no secret that he was not born here. Maybe, it is time to know more, and Zeke knew he had made the decision even before the thought came. [Hisayo] 	Hisayo stared up at the wooden rafters that characterized the ceiling of their attic bedroom. It was her home, but she felt lonely, as she often did since the unexpected finding beyond the vineyard boundary.&nbsp; 	“I need to talk to grandma,” Zeke had said. “Don’t worry, its not about that. We’re in that together, right?” Somehow she didn’t quite believe him, since he’d definitely been hiding something about his dreams. Still, she did not try to eavesdrop, she almost didn’t care to. They felt more separate lately. As if things that used to be theirs as siblings, were now his and mine. She had never understood some of the things Zeke talked to his friends about, but that was different. This felt like he was continuing on some journey going away from her, even though nothing she could see or point to had changed. 	She tossed Zeebo gently into the air above her, and it beeped pleasantly as it spun, letting gravity take control instead of powering its own flight. Hisayo let the rhythm of its motion steady her feelings as her thoughts wandered. Outside it had grown dark, and the village was quiet, as night always was. The smell of Auntie Sara’s baking made its way to her, carried on the gentle breeze through the open window. Zeebo grew smaller, and larger, and smaller again.&nbsp; 	And then, stopped. Mid-air, Zeebo activated it’s own drives and rotated upright. The ring of light around its circumference turned briefly from a soft yellow to an alarming red that cast the whole room in a glow of warning, and then off completely. It beeped a short, distressed signal, and then flew silently out the window. Hisayo hopped quickly onto her feet and vaulted herself over Zeke’s bed to peer out. She could already barely see Zeebo in the moonlight, floating discreetly and quickly toward the town square.&nbsp; 	Snatching a coat, she snuck out of the room and peeked down over the railing to make sure Zeke and Grandma were still occupied in the far room. Light glowed from behind the mostly closed sliding door, which hid them from her view. She slipped gracefully down the stairs, out through the kitchen, and then began to sprint after Zeebo. 	She caught up with Zeebo at its destination, the hero’s statue in the center of town. The bot remained silent, floating just in front of the blank face, as if examining eyes that only it could see. Hisayo simply watched as Zeebo flew in a descending spiral around the statue, searching for… something. This didn’t seem like Zeebo at all, but like some deep function which could not be interrupted had taken over its behavior. She shifted anxiously in the chill of night. 	A distant flash in the sky caught Hisayo’s attention from the corner of her eye, but even as she turned to look, she snapped back to Zeebo now suddenly awake and frantic. It spun and whirred and ran through a series of patterns emitted from its lighted ring. Simultaneously, a harsh snap pierced the air in front of them. It was the gravestone beside the statue. Cracks formed in each of its lotus petals, cracks from which a bright white glow escaped. Hisayo and Zeebo and the statue all cast fresh shadows on the surrounding square, radiating out from the gravestone which began to crumble. Something in the back of Hisayo’s mind told her surely the townsfolk nearby must be noticing and would catch them out here soon. But she couldn’t look away. Indeed, she inched even closer to the gravestone as it crumbled and lost all semblance of its former shape, giving way to a cloud of dust. 	Something remained, though. The source of the light, which refracted into a hazy glow obscuring her view of just what that something was. Hisayo coughed and waved away the dust as she knelt to fulfill her curiosity. Zeebo had recovered from its own odd state, and floated just over her shoulder. The harshness of the light from the object receded, and Hisayo’s unconscious sent her a chill of recognition just before she understood what she found. It was another box like the one they had discovered at the far monument. Similar but distinctly different, carved with its own patterns swirls.&nbsp; 	She paused. I should find Zeke. What if it’s like the other one? There’s no way I can hide it. Hisayo’s mind raced with caution. Yet her hands seemed to take action regardless, already moving to examine the surface of the box. She was paying closer attention this time, and felt its odd presence letting off some kind of energy. It activated some sense of the world she didn’t know she had. Zeebo hummed, and the thing opened. Inside lay a pendant of intricate and beautiful metalwork, and a strange gemstone fixed in its center. Hisayo reached for it, bracing herself mentally for whatever it would do. She touched its surface, and its glow responded with a new rhythm.&nbsp; 	She heard footsteps behind her. 	“There! Someone’s already here,” a man’s voice from a tall silhouette. He approached casually with another figure, smaller and more slender. 	“Oh, she’s just a child,” the woman spoke, unbothered. “Hello child, it seems you maybe have found something that is ours. We’re going to have to be taking that back now.” 	Hisayo glanced down at the pendant now clutched her in hand. Are they here for this? They don’t seem good. Maybe I can get away… 	Then she saw Zeke running toward them. He was carrying the cloak and it glowed like the day they found it. Like the pendant she held. Why did he bring it? How did he know to come? The questions in her mind were building quickly, but she pushed them aside.&nbsp; 	“Zeke! Help!” she called out, and the strangers stopped and turned their attention.&nbsp;	“Boy, that does not belong to you either,” the tall one spoke carefully, with a hint of confusion. 	“Hisayo, run, join the others!” Zeke called back to her as he wrapped the cloak over his own shoulders. “I can handle this.” 	The others? Does he mean Grandma? Isn’t everyone at home? Hisayo noticed then that the town around them remained quiet. Didn’t anyone else hear the noise?&nbsp; 	The glow from Zeke’s cloak grew stronger. It lit his face, and Hisayo could see something unfamiliar in his eyes. She felt the same fear she felt when he tossed violently with nightmares. His arms extended out by his sides, angled slightly upward with tension. Palms forward at first, then his open hands closed into fists. His forearms bent slowly upward from the elbow as if lifting a heavy bundle. Then fire ruptured from the ground. 	A column of flame on each side of Zeke rose from the earth toward the sky above. Each bent in toward the other and connected to form a ring floating behind him. Wild flames licked the air in bursts outward. The tall man put up an arm to shield his eyes from the sudden light and heat, and took a step backward. 	“Grab the girl,” Hisayo heard the man issue the curt command.&nbsp; 	But she was quick, focused now. Even as the woman began to turn, Hisayo was already on her feet. She kicked up a cloud from the rubble around her into the woman’s face. And ran. 	She dashed out of the square, dodged through familiar alleys and cut through backdoors of empty shops. Zeebo zoomed just behind. Everyone is gone, the unsettling realization registered somewhere in her mind for later. She paused in a small alcove to make sure the stranger hadn’t been able to follow. Then continued straight toward the edge of town that would take them out to the vineyard, and what lay beyond. 	One quick glance over her shoulder as they passed through the gate. An orange glow spread, and a dark cloud of smoke rose from back toward the town square. She felt a pang of helplessness, a wild urge to turn around, then a cold resolve to continue. I have to find the others.

Fragments

Zeke and Hisayo had to stop to catch their breath. They had been running for quite a while, forgetting how far from home they had ventured. Zeke leaned against a tree as Hisayo sat on a large rock. Aside from their deep breaths, they rested in silence.&nbsp; Still in awe of what they had just seen and not sure what to make of it, Zeke piped up, "Let's keep this between us for now." Hisayo nodded in agreement.&nbsp; They took a faster way home than when they left. Zeebo was known for taking them all over the place.&nbsp; Finally, they had reached the town. "Hey guys!" A familiar voice yelled from a distance. They looked over and saw their cousin, Eldarin, by his family's workshop, waving them over. They obliged and Zeebo took off, signaling he would be back.&nbsp; Eldarin, Auntie Sara's son, was the same age as Zeke. He liked to tinker with robots, and from a young age, learned how to fix some of their mechanical issues. He was the same height as Zeke but had a more muscular build. His clothes were always dirty from working on the machines, and yet his dark brown hair was always short and well kept, his mother made sure of it. He was growing fast and looked so much like her late husband who had passed only a few years back.&nbsp; "Check this out!" Eldarin exclaimed before the two had fully arrived. "This farming bot had stepped in a hole out in the field and snapped one of its metal legs right off. I've been working on it all day!" Eldarin had got the job done, but it looked like it may need some touching up. Eldarin had been trying to learn to fix things on his own for a while now. They were impressed, nonetheless. "We still don't know what powers them, but at least we can make sure they work properly." He said as he was brushing some dirt off his pants.&nbsp; Eldarin continued, telling them all about the type of repairs he was doing. "We can't seem to get past their shells or break into them." Usually this would be a topic the two would love to hear about, but they couldn't seem to focus after what they had seen not even an hour ago.&nbsp; "Hey wait a minute!" Eldarin called out, "Shouldn't you two be at home? We had been invited over for dinner tonight. My mom had left a while ago!" "Oh no!" Hisayo said, "We completely forgot! It's so late, let's go!"&nbsp; Eldarin dropped his tool bag and the three took off. It wasn't much farther. Eldarin followed a little ways behind. "Should we tell him?" Hisayo whispered. "No. We agreed to keep this between us." Zeke quietly responded.&nbsp; The three abruptly came in through the front door and rushed into the dining area. Their noses were delighted with the smell of recently cooked lamb. They didn’t eat lamb often, so they knew it was a special night. The table was set, and the food was nearly cold. Mom and Auntie had already finished eating.&nbsp; Grandma was startled when everyone rushed in. She coaxed them to sit down and fix a plate. She had long, bright white hair and was so frail in her years. We wondered how she still managed to get around. She took her time and ate slowly. She always enjoyed their company and knew these precious moments wouldn’t last. "Look at you! You're all a mess tonight. Usually, it's just the one of you!" Auntie Sara laughed as she was clearing a few plates from the table. Eldarin blushed a bit.&nbsp; The kids were tired and hungry after a long day. There was so much food on the table, they couldn’t let it go to waste. The freshly baked bread with the butter spread, the lemon rice and vegetables, the grapes and wine made not far from home. It was spectacular. They weren’t allowed to drink the wine, but they all knew how it tasted. The feast began. The food was delicious, no matter the temperature. "Hey", Eldarin stated. "I heard you guys talking about something on the way over here. What are you two not telling me?" Zeke and Hisayo stopped and looked at each other. "We'll talk about it upstairs." Zeke said, trying to quickly shut down the conversation.&nbsp; They were nearly done eating and were enjoying the food so much, they didn't really have any conversation. Mom had called out from the front door with Auntie. "We're going for a walk! We'll be back soon!" The kids took this as their signal to leave the table and go somewhere more private to discuss the events that occurred earlier in the day. Grandma was still calmly enjoying her meal.&nbsp; Once they were upstairs in Zeke's room, Hisayo couldn't keep it to herself, "We followed Zeebo through the vineyard all the way to the edge of town!" She exclaimed. "We climbed the rock wall! We went to the monument!"&nbsp;Eldarin listened intently. They paused for a bit as they heard Grandma get up from the table. Zeke jumped in and told his side, as it was too late for secrets. "The monument was so tall, there were strange glowing symbols. The monument had a loud hum and split open. We found this secret box!"&nbsp; Hisayo started talking over him, "There was a note in the box with a cloak!"&nbsp; "The cloak." Zeke said as he reached down for his pack. It was usually strapped over his shoulder. Zeke paused with worry. "I must've left it on my chair downstairs. We have to go get it!"&nbsp; The three of them ran down the stairs. The pack was not there. Zeke frantically walked around the table and noticed Grandma in the other room, sitting in the dim lighting by the old stove in her cozy old chair. "Gran..." Zeke uttered.&nbsp; "I saw your pack was a little dirty and wanted to clean it up for you." She interrupted.&nbsp; "Gran." Zeke slowly started walking toward her. Eldarin and Hisayo watched from behind with their heads poking around the corner. A light started shining through the opening at the top of the pack. With every step closer, it grew brighter and brighter.&nbsp; Grandma noticed the light beaming from the pack. She looked down and Zeke froze. She opened it up and saw the cloak. "What is this?" she said softly. "Where did you get this?"&nbsp; Zeke stuttered. Hisayo quickly stepped into the room to cover for her older brother, "We borrowed it from Eldarin!" Eldarin then also jumped out, "Hey I'm just now hearing about this! I don't know what's going on!" He said, trying to clear himself of any guilt.&nbsp; Grandma pulled the cloak out and felt the material. She was shocked, "Do...do you know what this is?"&nbsp; "No." they responded. "Children! This material is called Photoweave!" They remained silent. "This material is so rare, not even half of this cloak couldn't be purchased with even a year's supply of the town's finest wines!" They didn’t know what to say. "Even the guards at the inner city so far away only have their equipment made from Aeromesh!"&nbsp; "We saw something." Hisayo said. "What do you know about this cloak?"&nbsp; Gran responded, "I've only seen a cloak like this a few times in my life. Surprisingly, back when I was about your age.” She said pointing to the boys. “There was a Lieutenant from the city that brought a small caravan by horseback into town. Three years in a row, around this same time actually. He and his caravan held a ceremony at the statue in the town center."&nbsp; "The faceless statue?" Zeke asked.&nbsp; "Correct. No one in town participated, no one asked questions, it didn't seem to be our place to say anything. A few of the robots acted strangely while they were around. It was quite mysterious. We went on with our business and whispered about it here and there. Such a long-lost memory. That Lieutenant's cloak shimmered in a similar way, but not like this one."&nbsp; The front door opened, and laughter could be heard from the other room. Gran stuffed the cloak into the pack. "Go on. It's getting late. I won't say a word" Gran seemed to be the only one who could keep a secret.&nbsp; The kids ran off to Zeke's room, still talking about the cloak until they could no longer keep their eyes open. Hisayo dreamt of ancient runes and unknown writings. Zeke dreamt of robots, and of fire and destruction. Eldarin slept like a rock and snored like a beast.&nbsp; &nbsp;The next morning was chilly. Mom, Auntie, and Gran were nowhere to be seen. Likely still fast asleep. "Well, are we going to the statue today or what?!" Eldarin exclaimed. Zeke and Hisayo agreed and bundled up. Zeke had put on the cloak under his jacket and left a note on the table. "Be back soon" it read.&nbsp; "Hi Zeebo!" Hisayo shouted, as she was the first one out the door. Zeebo didn't seem to pay much attention to her. They set out and Zeebo followed closely behind Zeke. "So rude." Hisayo thought.&nbsp;Zeebo didn't seem like he wanted to lead today. As they casually made their way through town toward the statue, among all the people in the streets, they noticed a few farming robots further in town than expected. "That's strange. These robots should be out in the fields." Eldarin said. A robot slowly came around the corner of an alley in front of them and all its sensors seemed to focus on Zeke. One by one, more robots started appearing, getting closer and fixing their gaze on him. Today was starkly different compared to their adventure the day before.&nbsp; "Let's get out of here." Hisayo said. They started to pick up the pace, pushing past crowds of people and robots. One of the robots grabbed Zeke by the arm. He struggled to break free. “Get off of me!” He yelled out. Its grip was so tight that his jacket ripped and exposed the cloak.&nbsp; The robots were tailing them. Once they got to the statue, it was clear. No one else was to be seen. There were only robots. Nearly fifty of them side by side, surrounding them, with their legs dug into the ground. Zeebo was at the statue with the kids, behaving differently, but not with hostility. "What's going on? I don't like this!" Hisayo yelled. "This doesn't seem anything like the story Gran told us!" Eldarin shrieked. The robots slightly lifted their armored shells in sync. They created some kind of loud, resonant humming. The world began shaking around them. They could feel this strong vibration down to their very core. They all stumbled to the ground at the base of the statue. Eldarin couldn't handle it. “AAAGH!” He yelled out as he covered his ears and curled up in pain. Zeke and Hisayo’s vision began to blur. The images and memories from before were returning, and they tried to fight them off.&nbsp; The cloak began emitting light again, shining brilliantly. Symbols and runes on the statue began to reflect the light from the cloak and Hisayo was able to muster the strength to focus on them. She was now able to decipher them. "Anima! Particle! The Realms!" She cried out, "Peripherals show us the power within! We are the Void! The Void is us!" she said over and over, shouting louder and louder; her voice being drowned out by the sound of the robots.&nbsp; What did it mean? It was all too much for them to bear. Now Zeke’s whole body was glowing. It felt as though he, too, was emitting energy. He looked up to the faceless statue and yelled, "WE ARE THE VOID" and just before he could finish his sentence, the statue responded in a deep, booming voice, "THE VOID IS US." Its blank stare lit up with a bright purple flash that blinded them. Immediate silence. They were trapped inside of a field of energy floating in darkness. Nothingness.&nbsp; At the statue, molten stone lay sliced clean where they previously stood. The robots dispersed and went on with their routines as though nothing had happened. All would go back to normal. Gran was the first to wake. She came out of her room and moseyed over to the dinner table. She saw the note, picked it up, and read the contents. “The kids are so thoughtful.” she whispered to herself. She walked over to the stove. It was still warm. She crumpled the note into a ball and threw it in. Slowly, it heated up and became engulfed in flame. It turned to ashes, just like the world she used to know.&nbsp; “We’ll see them again. But it won’t be anytime soon.”&nbsp; She sat down in her chair and waited patiently for her daughters to be up and about.

The Lost Memory

Hello, my name is Teleria Teleria is Liquids best friend and an adventurer known as an "Adventurer of the Void." She is a strong, capable, and enigmatic woman who plays a key role in the story. Teleria and Liquid embark on a dangerous mission together in the Unknown Lands, a mystical and perilous realm.Teleria possesses a deep knowledge of the Unknown Lands and the creatures that inhabit them. She is skilled in both combat and magic, making her a formidable ally in their quest. Teleria is determined and focused on their mission to confront a rare and menacing elemental creature that has been terrorizing adventurers in the Unknown Lands.One of the most striking aspects of Teleria's character is her possession of a beautifully adorned golden sphere. This golden sphere is essential to their mission, as it is used to confront and potentially defeat the elemental creature. The sphere is described as an intricate work of art with an ornate design, featuring delicate gold filigree, gemstones that shimmer in the light, and a dazzling central gemstone that seems to pulse with an inner energy.Teleria's character is a blend of strength, wisdom, and mystery, and she serves as a mentor and guide to Liquid as they navigate the challenges of the Unknown Lands. Their deep bond and shared sense of adventure are evident throughout the story.Overall, Teleria is a complex and intriguing character who adds depth and intrigue to the narrative, playing a crucial role in the unfolding of the story's events.

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Leaderboard

Chapter

Chapter

Posted on 29 September 2023
Posted on 29 September 2023

WINNER

Awakening at Liquid Lands...

Submitted Entries (8)

Projects

Leaderboard

Chapter

Chapter

Posted on 29 September 2023Posted on 29 September 2023

WINNER

Awakening at Liquid Lands...

Submitted Entries (8)

Posted on 29 September 2023
Posted on 29 September 2023